Christmas is here . . . at least in our time zone!

Christmas morning, as we knew it would, has ceased it's silent but steady approach and is totally upon us now! I am relishing in the fact that I'm done with the related motherly chores pertaining to the holiday as I listen to one of my children hurriedly wrap packages she forgot to do earlier in the week. Trying not to be too complacent about this fact.


We are heading out to the 7:30 a.m. Mass this morning in the hope that the worst of the once-a-year Catholics attended either the 5:30 or Midnight Mass last night. We learned, long ago, that when you deal with children and Christmas, the best plan is to open presents after Mass as it almost insures good behavior during Mass. The 'tradition' has stuck throughout the years.


After Mass and the materialistic side of Christmas - gifts, I have to put the dinner in the oven as it takes a long, slow roasting. I made the bread for the crown pork roast stuffing last night and with the abundance of chocolate gifts, I don't think I need to think about making a dessert.


Also have some extra housecleaning . . . Yes, I know, it's Christmas, but we planned our annual party tomorrow to accomodate everyone's schedule. We are looking forward to it as it has been awhile since the whole gang has been together. I have some cooking for that to do, too, but I enjoy working toward a get together with good friends.


Off to Mass in hopes that the various laity, who think they are on par with the priest, do not do anything too weird for Christmas Day Mass! I'm praying the one rather hefty extraordinary minister has her chest modestly covered when she distributes Communion. We live and hope!


God bless everyone's day and I hope it is peaceful, wonderful, and shared with family and friends.

Christmas Blessings . . .!

From lands that see the sun arise
To earth's remotest boundaries,
The Virgin-born today we sing,
The Son of Mary, Christ the King.
Blest Author of this earthly frame,
To take a servant's form He came,
That, liberating flesh by flesh,
Whom He had made might live afresh.

Roman Breviary, Feast of Christmas, Hymn
A solis Ortus cardine at Lauds.
(Tr. J. Neale) (Sedulius, 5th century)

Early Morning Humor . . .

"That all men are equal is a proposition which, at ordinary times, no sane individual has ever given his assent."
-- Aldous Huxley

"When everyone is somebody, then no one's anybody."
-- W. S. Gilbert

"An effective way to deal with predators is to taste terrible."
-- Unknown

Oatmeal Fruit & Nut Drops

After all the baking and candy making, my mind is thinking about a plainer type cookie with some substance and this one comes to mind. I think that after all the busy holiday plans are over and done with, I will put a batch of these on the counter to go with glasses of cold milk.

Oatmeal Fruit & Nut Drops1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 stick butter, room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed golden brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup old-fashioned oats
½ cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup diced dates
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use vegetable oil spray to grease.

Stir flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in small bowl to blend. Set aside. Using electric mixer, beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large bowl until blended. Mix in egg and vanilla. Mix in flour mixture. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Drop tablespoonful of dough for each cookie onto prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake until lightly golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Cool cookies on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to cooling racks. Drizzle with lemon glaze.

Lemon Glaze1 cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Enough fresh lemon juice to form a glaze

". . . this Joy repairs."

O dying souls; behold your living spring!
O dazzled eyes! behold your Sun of grace!
Dull ears attend what word this Word doth bring!
Up, heavy hearts, with joy your Joy embrace!
From death, from dark, from deafness, from despairs,
This Life, this Light, this Word, this Joy repairs.

Bl. Robert Southwell: The Nativity of Christ. (16th Century)

Liberalism . . .

Liberalism in religion is the doctrine that there is no positive truth in religion, but that one creed is as good as another, and this is the teaching which is gaining substance and force daily. It is inconsistent with any recognition of any religion, as true. It teaches that all are to be tolerated, for all are matters of opinion.

Cardinal Newman: 'Biglietto Speech' on being raised to the Cardinate. (19th century)

Liberalism seems to be creeping more and more into our Catholic Faith. It is a sad commentary on our Faith that we would minimize it in order to fit it with everyone else. The stuff of martyrs was never a matter of compromise.

Making Candy . . .

I didn't get to make all the candy recipes I was interested in doing but I got an assortment that made up pretty boxes for gift giving tomorrow after Mass. I've posted all the recipes you see here but if anyone can't find it or wonder about a particular one pictured, let me know. The favorite of my children is the chocolate-covered peanut butter balls. Personally, I really liked the fresh orange sections simmered in sugar water, dried a bit, and then sugared. I like orange slice jelly candies but this beats them! Peppermint bark turned out different this year as I tried another type of peppermint candy inclusion that was softer than the usual crushed candy canes. It made the bark have a swirl design that looked festive. The fudge turning out well is always a given as the recipe is easy and you don't need to use a candy thermometer to gauge the perfect time to take it off the heat. I also pictured one of the completed candy boxes.

In spite of the busy morning, one of my daughter and I got to spend an hour with friends when we delivered a box of homemade candy to them. My friend was waiting for two of her sons to return from the store so she could go on with her own baking and I was done for the day. A nice break to catch up on our lives.