Egyptian Sugar Cookies for Christmas

I wish I could write like I think.  There's lots of blogs that I read and I love the way they are written.  But when it comes time for me to write, it all jumbled.  So, here's what I'm trying to say.....It's almost here....the house is decorated (the trees have been up since November 30th), the cards have been sent, the packages are wrapped and the Christmas baking is done.  I love this time of year and have always looked forward to preparing for the holidays.  In years past, I use to spend hours going through recipe books and seeing what Christmas cookies I would make.  Now, since I've grown older, I have also gotten slower with lots of things.  The problem is I'm a perfectionist and like to do things in a timely manner.....but after all these years I sometimes feel like a clock that been wound too tight.  I have to let go and just take things easy.  It isn't easy to change....I was knitting the other night and found I made a mistake..I unraveled 20 rows to fix it!

Isn't is funny how roles in life can be reversed?  I remember going to my dear parents home with my children and how much fun they used to have at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  My Dad would be watching his favorite TV show and my Mom would be in her house clothes with her slippers on puttering around in her kitchen.  Now it's my daughter who brings my little grandson to our home.  And I feel and act exactly like my Mom and my dear husband is watching his favorite TV show (stock market channel or FOX news!)

 We went to Oliver's Christmas play this past week and he was the angel Gabriel.  He did a great job.  Here's Oliver's pictures from his Christmas program at his school.  He was four years old in the photo on the left and this year's photo is on the right....quite a difference!

This year we ordered a Christmas hamper from Fortnum and Mason.  I absolutely love that store!  I ordered some other items too since the 30 pounds sterling shipping is a bit much....

We're a small family and I know Christmas isn't about gifts, but I feel for my children since they no longer have grandparents.  I come from a small family and Fouad's family is back east, so I try to make this time of year enjoyable for my family.

(my tree looks so bare....Lilly my cat loves to play with the decorations and she knocks them off!)

But, this is the most precious gift we have from this blessed nativity season....

I will leave you with another cookie recipe.  This is a popular cookie in Egypt and all the middle east to serve during the Christmas or Easter holiday.  The original version uses clarified butter which you whip and then add the ingredients.  This particular recipe is from my good friend Nadia.  It's easy to make the comes out great.

Recipe for "Ghorayebeh" or Sugar Cookies
1 cup Crisco (vegetable shortening)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 3/4 cup to 2 cup flour
1 T orange blossom water (or use you can vanilla if you wish)

Mix shortening with sugar and orange blossom water.  Add in flour (add 1 3/4 cups first and save 1/4 cup if needed) and blend until mixture holds together (if dough is a bit dry, you can add a little bit of water).  Take a piece of dough and knead it in your hand and then roll into a rope shape.  Cut and form into "S" shape on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until slightly golden.  Let sit on cookie sheet for one minute before placing on cooling rack.

Shape cookies into "S" shape and place on ungreased cookie sheet

Enjoy!

 I wish each of you a blessed Christmas holiday.  I'd love to hear from you.  Please take a minute to comment if you wish.  I hope to write again before the New Year.

Merry Christmas,

Pat