Have you ever made homemade crackers? What a yummy treat to have around during the holidays. Several weeks ago we received one of those shiny magazines the market puts out in the mail. I always enjoy getting the periodicals because they have some really good recipes listed inside as well decorating idees and what not.
My thought when I saw the picture of the toasty nut crackers was how nice to gift friends and neighbors with a jar of Christmas chutney and some of those buttery crackers! The recipe makes around 100. They'd also be MARVY to serve at a cocktail party! You could package a dozen or so in cellophane bags along with the recipe and hand out as hostess gifts after the party. I am more than sure your guests would open the bag and begin to nibble on them during the ride home!
Click here for the receipt.
Can you believe we have -0- presents under our tree? Since our preference to enjoy a homemade, Made in America Christmas, the motif has changed. Instead of presents under the tree you'll see little assortments of handmade vinegar, chutney, blank, blankety, blank, blank sitting on our dining room table. I can't wait to wrap them!
I must confess... My Christmas list includes a bottle of Givenchy perfume and some outdoor gear to keep me warm while playing in the snow! Lennis could use some new jeans and socks. While Patrick has yet to give me his wish list. For the most part, we are celebrating a handmade holiday and focusing more on non materialistic things.
Just think in the olden days Santa brought a bolt of fabric for making a new dress for the lady of the house or maybe some pretty silk ribbons. An orange or lemon stuck inside a woolen stocking hung by the hearth would have been an extra special treat for those that lived in the north. Mother and children would prepare bread puddings and fresh wild turkey or deer would be served on Christmas day with loving care for the once a year celebration. The family would gather and read from the bible and Christmas songs would echo from the log cabins throughout the mountainside. The wild animals would howl and moan back and forth throughout the wilderness exclaiming it was Christmas!
Wow, times have sure changed!
A sweet little new family member seems to be most intrigued by the Christmas tree. Elle loves to sit or lay under the tree. She will be four months old tomorrow! We put a little bell on her collar so that we could hear her. She's sneaky! In a good way though! We feel blessed to have her in our lives and she will make our Christmas even more special.
Elle at 2 months...
Pondering those warm thoughts...
Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.
Love,
Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)
