It's my favorite season - Advent, or as renamed at our house Christmas Baking Time! That's my house there, with the snow man out front.Money's tight this year (isn't it for everyone?), so instead of giving gifts that add to the clutter, I'm giving out some baked goods. Once they are gone, there is not more clutter (except maybe on the body if you eat too much ;-). So, it has started.
Now, being Catholic and really, for the first time just a few years ago, understanding what Advent was all about, my baking doesn't start until sometime after Gaudete' Sunday. I usually wait until the 4th Sunday, unless Christmas falls directly after that.
So, what are we giving this year? Well, I'm only doing a few gifts for folks outside the family. I really haven't had the energy (6 kids, remember?) or the time (6 kids, remember?) to make something for everyone I would love to gift. Here's our list:
Our "grandparent" neighbors across the street and next door and the one homeschooling family down the street and the girlie's Choir teachers:
My nieces and nephews:
For Christmas here and a 2nd day of Christmas party:
- Sun Butter Cups (think Reese's Peanut Butter Cups made with Sun butter - sunflower seed butter)
- Church Window Cookies
- Cookie Press Cookies (this one is for the little boys who get SO EXCITED when I let them use "the Cookie Gun")
- Krumkake
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Bread (Sorry it doesn't give the recipe, but it gives the page number in my favorite recipe book)
- Peppermint Pals*
- Graham Cracker Houses (think gingerbread houses, except walls and roofs are made with graham crackers)*
- Frosty Trees (okay, this recipe is for wreaths, but we wad it up and make it look like Christmas Trees)*
*These will create an edible Christmas village. The kids do ALL of it themselves. I pitch in if asked.
I will try to get back here and post some pictures, but I'm sure you can click on the links and see MOST of the pictures.
May you all have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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