Sunday, December 23, 2012

With scarves of red tied 'round their throats

I sat on my front porch this morning in the cold air and the warm sunshine and counted all of my blessings while I drank my morning coffee. Do you know that at this time of year, the sun comes up just to the right of that big tree there and it sets not much further to the right? That means that at this time of year, my little front porch is in the sunlight for nearly the entire day. And starting yesterday, the arch of the sun gets longer and longer.

It’s only like this in the wintertime. And I love it.

I can’t believe another year is coming to an end. Can you?

 

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And I can’t believe how wonderful it is just to see and feel the sun again, after several days of gray and gloomy weather.

 

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George is glad, too.

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It’s wonderful having our two sons under our roof again, and all seems right with the world again. Well, for the most part anyway.

 

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Went to see Silver Linings Playbook tonight with my one son. Loved it. Jennifer Lawrence is, hands down, my favorite actress at the moment. And Bradley Cooper along with Jennifer Lawrence and a little De Niro thrown in is just magical. In a crazy kinda way.

Which is what it’s all about.

Well, that and the Eagles.

 

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I think this is my family’s favorite Christmas cookie.

You need to add these to your repertoire. They are light and lovely, and they speak of Christmas softly. They are Orange-Iced Cranberry Cookies. And when everything’s right and they are cooked to perfection, the outsides are golden crispy, the insides are like cake, and the orange frosting is well . . . it’s icing on the cake.

I always use extra orange rind.

      • ORANGE ICED CRANBERRRY COOKIES
    • 3/4 cup sugar
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup butter, softened
    • 1/2 cup sour cream
    • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 1/4 cup flour
    • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
    • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
    • 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
    • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
  • Combine sugars, butter, sour cream, vanilla, and eggs.
  • Add flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
  • Gently stir in cranberries and nuts. Don’t overmix.
  • Spoon by tablespoon 2” apart on lightly greased cookie sheet.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes until golden brown.
  • Let cool, then frost with icing (below).

ORANGE ICING

  • 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 tsp. melted butter
  • 1 tsp. orange zest
  • 2-3 tbsp. orange juice

Combine all to spreading consistency.

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So, please do tell what’s going on in your world . . . inquiring minds want to know.

123 Signature[5]

Another holiday tune for you. This one a bit off the beaten track. It’s Fleet Foxes’ White Winter Hymnal and I think it’s kinda cool.

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19 comments:

Cloudia said...

Once again, you & George have filled me with the simple joy of living!
Glad to come here and be with you both.

Friendly Aloha from Waikiki,
Comfort Spiral
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> < 3 3 3 ( ' >

JaneK said...

Might have to try those cookies. I bet it is good to have your sons home. One cannot understand that motherly yearning and sense of all that is right when her kids are nearby until they are a mother..... At least I never did. Now I do.
How do you find your funky music!? I'm glad you share so I can be hip too.
Nothing to report down here other than the threat of severe weather on Christmas...... If I drink enough egg nog I won't notice!
Merry Christmas to you and all your beautiful readers :)

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Kate:
How wonderful for you to have your sons join you for Christmas. Ours won't be around until February, when they're finally sick of winter. ;-)
We spent the day planting out in the yard. A bit chilly, but nothing like up north.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
xo
Donna

Bluebird49 said...

The cookies look wonderful--hope I'll remember to write it down for next year!
Merry Christmas to all, and a very Happy New Year!

Georgianna said...

Hi Kate,

Stopping in to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

And that first photo in your previous post is FABULOUS!

Have a wonderful time.

G

christopher said...

I plan on getting to see Silver Linings this week as well.

The Orange Iced Cranberry cookies do look excellent and could be a nice change...thanks for sharing the recipe.

And I agree...the Winter White Hymnal is 'kinda cool'.

Enjoy.

Kerri Farley said...

LOVE that song! I had nevrr seen the viddy with it though. How cool.
Those cookies look so YUM-O!
Glad your boys are with you :)

Donna said...

Lordy! This looks Wonderful!
Merry Christmas!
hughugs

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

ooooh yum. Thanks for sharing, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours, with a happy, healthy 2013 ahead. XO

Smalltowngiggles said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family.
The cookies sound so good. Yum.
Would love to sit on my porch but it is a bit cold, like 11.

TexWisGirl said...

blessings to you and yours this holiday season. hug that sweet george for me. :)

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Those cookies look amazing.

I am trying to survive Christmas and looking forward to a little break away from the norm afterwards.

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Daryl said...

Well, I was going out with the new camera til Toonman's writing/acting partner Andrew Johns showed up with some holiday cheer .. soon my friend Judy will be here, we're going to lunch .. those cookies are making me drool

thecatalanway said...

Dear Kate

Thank you for many months of interesting reading and inspiration. Your blog helps to keep me sane too! I want to try one of your recipes sometime and these little cakes could be just the thing. Luckily I have a man at hand to help me eat them otherwise I would be terribly large as I can't resist sweet things.
I am glad your sons are home and the house feels normal and right. I haven't had that feeling in relation to children but I do know it from when certain friends are with me or even perhaps when I am with my sisters. Safe and all well.
Right now we are sitting in a warm cottage on the Costa Brava, three of us having a Christmas away from the usual routine. My step son is not always easy but tonight he is friendly and open and we all played cards after dinner so I can share a little a family feeling that is gentle and fun.
Happy Christmas and my very best wishes for 2013. I just have this sense it will be a softer year than 2012 which was painful for so many. Lets hope so
love Kate x

Anonymous said...

The cookies look scrumptious but how long do you bake them and at what temperature?

Lili said...

Ohhhh those cookies....yummm. Our neighbor just brought over some fresh baked ginger/lemon iced scones for breakfast tomorrow with our coffee. There's just something about a light yet flavorful icing bursting with zest! xoxo

GailO said...

Fleet Foxes are one of my favorites...especially this song...lovely!

And it would be lovely to be nibbling one of those delicious looking cookies while I was listening:) Enjoy!

The JR said...

Hello Georgie, you sweetie pie!

Those cookies really look good.