DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   This year I thought it would be nice to see what we are all eating on Christmas day – so I am going to start the ball rolling by telling you what people in various nations will be eating.  This will be a nice way for us to all get to know the nicer details of Christmas. 10. Eastern Europe      In the areas of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (e.g., Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania), an elaborate and ritualised meal of twelve meatless dishes is served on the Eve of Christmas (24th December). This is because the pre-Christmas season is a time of fasting, which is broken on Christmas Day. As is typical of Slavic cultures, great pains are taken to honour the spirits of deceased relatives, including setting a place and dishing out food for them.    A traditional Christmas meal in the Czech Republic is fried carp and potato salad. This tradition started after excessive increase of fishpond cultivation in the Baroque era....

   This recipe for these wonderful cookies, was found at www.whatmegansmaking.com  . I hope you enjoy making a batch of these for the holidays. Lofthouse Style Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies   I knew I had to have a great recipe to kick off the  12 Days of Christmas Treats 2011 , so I’m starting with one of my absolute favorites! You know those soft Lofthouse sugar cookies that pop up in grocery stores around all the holidays? The kind with colored icing and sprinkles? I’ve been looking for a homemade version for awhile now and I’m happy to tell you I finally found it!  I used to (and still do!) love the Lofthouse cookies. I remember having them as snacks at our tennis matches in college and how I always grabbed a cookie after I was done playing, even if we were headed straight to dinner.  These sugar cookies are so close to the grocery store staples that I almost couldn’t believe it. From the soft and fluffy cookie to ...

   Dark chocolate? Check. White chocolate? Of course.  Double Decker Layered Fudge ingredients 2 cups   sugar 1 cup   evaporated milk 1/4 teaspoon   salt 1 12  ounce   package   white baking pieces 1 7  ounce   jar   marshmallow creme 2 1/2 teaspoons   vanilla 4 ounces   dark chocolate, chopped (3/4 cup) Finely chopped dark chocolate (optional) directions 1. Line an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over edges of pan. Butter foil; set pan aside. 2. Butter the sides of a 3-quart heavy saucepan. In the saucepan combine sugar, evaporated milk, and salt. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until mixture boils. Reduce heat to medium; continue cooking for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Remove saucepan from heat. Add white baking pieces and marshmallow creme. Beat mixture vigorously with a clean wooden spoon for 1 to 2 minutes or until mi...

This comes from www.plumadorable.com . Enjoy making a few of these as adorable gifts for friends, family and other people close to your hear. Waterless Snow Globes   I have so many fun things to show you. I am really excited to share with you what my good friend Courtney did with my mantel. She transformed it into a Christmas wonderland. But, it will have to wait a couple of days because I am busy getting ready for this craft fair that Jess and I are doing on Saturday. For now I will show you how cute and easy these waterless snow globes are.     It really does make me smile. ~Jenny

    Christmas Day in Ireland is December 25.     Here the Christmas celebrations last from Christmas Eve to the feast of the Epiphany on January 6, which is referred to as "Little Christmas". Christmas in Ireland is a religious as well as a festive occassion. Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom and hence, Christmas traditions here echo those of the western countries.    In preparation for Christmas, Irish families bake Christmas cakes, puddings and mince pies. Mantelpieces are decorated with flowers (such as holly) and ornaments . A popular tradition here, as in other western nations, is hanging the mistletoe in a doorway and to kiss under it. Before the holidays , families give gifts (usually money ) to all those who provide service to them throughout the year, such as the plumber or the milkman. Chirstmas shoppers    Homes are cleaned and often whitewashed, as a means of purification. Chri...

   This recipe comes from  www.kingarthurflour.com  .  There's always something good coming out of their kitchen.  Stop on by their site and check it out!  Happy barking, I mean baking!! Best of breed dog cookies    Whether or not you have a vegetarian dog, these non-meat biscuits will be snapped up — literally! The recipe comes courtesy of King Arthur friend Elaine Aukstikalnis, who works in a veterinary office; Elaine regularly bakes these biscuits (which have been "vetted by the vet") to bring to work for "the patients." Preheat the oven to 300°F. Lightly grease a couple of baking sheets, or line them with  parchment. Put the following in a mixing bowl: 2 cups  King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour  or  Premium Whole Wheat Flour 1 cup rolled oats, regular or quick 1 tablespoon dried parsley or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1/2 cup  Baker’s Special Dry Milk  or nonfat dry milk...

   This simple, tastey treat comes to us from  www.icingdesignsonline.blogspot.com .  Sometimes the simplest of thing give us the greatest pleasure.   Peppermint Stick White Chocolate Marshmallows!    Marshmallows are so versatile! There is always something you can do with them. Each year I love to make cookie platters for Christmas and I always include our  marshmallow snowm en  and another kind of dipped marshmallow! This year we tried something new and stuck a marshmallow on a peppermint stick and then dipped it in white chocolate and sprinkled with course sugar! This is actually extra tasty because as the peppermint stick sits in the marshmallow it infuses the peppermint taste into it! These would be really cute for a Christmas or holiday dessert table, all lined up! Hope you enjoy!