Thursday, December 17, 2015

Five on Friday - Christmas Cookies

The cookies are baked (almost), the house is decorated and the presents are wrapped. The birth of our Lord will soon arrive and for me the Christmas season is a time for reflection and blessings.   I grew up in an area where we often had a white Christmas.  I remember one year receiving a silver charm bracelet from my parents for Christmas.  I loved that bracelet but one day, not long after receiving it, I lost it.  When I set out to search for it, it was a cold, late afternoon and the beautiful white snow had covered the tree lined street.  I found my bracelet on the sidewalk in a snow bank.  I still have that bracelet today.   It's Friday so I'm linking up with Amy at Five on Friday.  Fast forward to this past week's happenings at Lilly My Cat...

We traveled down south to San Diego county for an overnight trip to the Barona Resort.  We arrived in the evening and the Christmas decorations were amazing. We awoke to glorious rain the next morning ..

Lots of Christmas parties this past week; we had a fun time at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club on Saturday.  I loved their display of this gingerbread village...

On Saturday night my local lodge* of  Daughters of Norway held their annual Christmas party.  We were at the Marbella Country Club and the setting was so beautiful ...

In the lobby there was a beautiful, tall Christmas tree which was flocked.  It was a perfect evening.  And, when we left, we were greeted by some much needed rain ...

For me, Christmas time means Christmas cookies and I have started my baking this week.  I'm not making so many as in years past but here's what I have on my list:

1.  Egyptian Petit Fours
2.  Green Christmas tree spritz (my dear Grandma always made these every year)
3.  Pebernodder (Danish peppernuts)
4.  Spiced Shortbread
5.  Chocolate Blossoms

I started off making the petit fours   Here they are before being put together with white chocolate.  I made one batch of dough and divided it into thirds; one plain, one chocolate and one colored green for my Christmas trees...


Next on my list was the Danish pebernodder (peppernuts).  MyDanish Grandma used to make these for us each and every Christmas; it wouldn't be Christmas without them.  Since my brother is coming to celebrate with us this year, I had to add them to the list ...


Here is my shortbread. I thought I would change the recipe a bit this year so I added some vanilla and some cardamon along with rose water.  I think I added too much cardamom ...


Last on my list is the Hershey kisses cookies.  The recipe calls for dark chocolate but since I make these for my dear son-in-law, I use milk chocolate kisses.  I plan on making them Friday when my little grandson will be here.  He loves to help in the kitchen and he can easily unwrap (and eat a few, too)  these candies ...

I want to formally thank my dear daughter for the beautiful header photo she added to my blog.  She's an excellent photographer; she snapped this photo of the Eiffel Tower when we were there two years ago.  *Also, in regard to the Daughters of Norway, if you may be interested in attending a lodge near you, please check out their website.  They will take members of all Scandinavian descent; remember I'm Danish and I love my local lodge.

The countdown to the holidays is on.  I wish everyone a wonderful, festive filled weekend.  It's always a joy hearing from each and every one of you if you have the time to comment.  My best holiday wishes to you!

Hugs,

Pat

21 comments:

  1. Oh how I love this post Pat, first I wanted to comment on the gingerbread house and then I wanted to comment on the Daughters of Scandinavia party and then my oh my your cookie bakes! Your peppernodder look fantastic, just as I remember them as a child, I make mine a tad different to your but your are perfection. And how Scandinavian adding the vanilla and cardamom, sorry you added too much. Enjoy,when you brother arrives, I shall be thinking of you all x

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  2. Those cookies are a real delight, they look amazing. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for the new year it has been wonderful to get to know you via this link.

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  3. All those lovely biscuits...you put me to shame. I have managed my usual oat cookies this week with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon for Xmas! Have a lovely Christmas. Barbara x

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  4. Your daughter has taken a wonderful picture of the Eiffel Tower and your cookies look amazing - it doesn't seem like a year since I was reading about your Peppernodder last year! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, Pat, sending lots of love to you and your family xx

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  5. I just loved reading about your Norwegian heritage, and seeing the wonderful cookies (especially the ones made by your grandmother!) that you are baking! Loved the various Christmas parties you have been attending, and seeing the photos. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas next week with your family!

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  6. I can just about smell all that cookie goodness coming from your kitchen. And, girl, how did you do all that baking with all that partying going on? hehe.

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  7. Beautiful pictures of your recent outings Pat! All those cookies look yummy...have fun baking with your grandson today ;-) Merry Christmas!

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  8. Yes, perfect time for cookies. I love the Christmas tree ones, how wonderful you continue your Gradma's tradition and honour her by baking these. I had never heard of Peppernuts either, I'd love to give them a go some day, so thank you so much for the link to the recipe. Wishing you a Happy Christmas and New Year.

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  9. You have been busy creating those lovely cookies, they all look amazing as does that wonderful tree. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year with your family:)

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  10. Mmmm! So many delicious cookies! You have been busy & so organised! I love that big tree & gingerbread village!
    The photo in your header is wonderful!
    Happy Christmas, Pat!

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  11. Lots of inspiration from you this week! So many yummy biscuits and I must look closer at the gingerbread houses as I'll be making one next week. Thanks for all your comments it's been great hearing from you. Have a wonderful Christmas. :-)

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  12. My friend from Eclectic Home Life - first comment on this post - is part Norwegian and she loves Christmas, you should visit her blog, she is wonderful and I think you will love it with your shared Norwegian heritage! A wonderful post! Thank you for joining Five On Friday and making it a great thing this year. I so appreciate it! Happy Christmas! See you again in 2016! xx

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  13. You're Danish? No wonder you scatter so much hygge! I didn't know about the Daughters of Norway. Hmmmmm.
    Lovely, lovely cookies! Yummy.

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  14. Wow, so many cookies! I'm sure they'll make for a great Christmas - enjoy :)

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  15. Love your cookies! I just wrapped up a baking session as well. Funny how 2 of your 5 are the same as 2 of my 4! Enjoy the season. Happy Holidays :)

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  16. Lovely parties and yummy looking cookies! So nice to belong to these wonderful organizations. Great photo that your daughter took for your blog header. I hope that you and your loved ones have a wonderful Christmas and many blessings for the New Year! xo Karen

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  17. Your daughter's photo used in your header is wonderful, and I have been admiring it the last few times I visited you :) I enjoy learning about your life experiences and family traditions, Pat. May you and yours know much joy as we celebrate our Savior's coming and look forward to His coming again. xx

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  18. I loved all the places you have gone to celebrate with your friends! I used to belong to the Portland Yacht Club.. do you have a boat? I'm impressed with all your cookie making!
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    *M*E*R*R*Y* * *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
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    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  19. wow, all your cookies look wonderful xxx

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  20. It sounds like you have had a great week. The parties all look beautiful and festive.Your baking looks delicious and I love hearing about the different food you plan to make. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and all the very best for 2016 xxxx

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  21. I enjoyed reading your Five on Friday. Your cookies look delicious. The peppernuts remind me of my grandmother who made them by the bucketsful years ago. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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