Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 126

Grandfather Time

It's hard to believe another year is almost over. We've had such blessings this past year, and I can only imagine what 2012 has in store for us. This holiday season, we've had the pleasure of spending precious time with our family and friends. You can never take such moments for granted.

To end my monthlong posts on favorite traditions, I wanted to share about our Waterbury Kitchen Clock. My Grandpa Swiler collected clocks and after he passed away all of the children and grandchildren were given one of his clocks. Ours is displayed in our living room and each Christmas season, I make a point of keeping it wound each week so that it will chime on the hour--and for the most part it keeps excellent time. 

This habit usually dies down sometime in February, but during the months of December and January, the tick-tock tick-tock of that clock soothes our hearts and minds . . . and when I hear it, I think of Grandpa. 

Thank you for following along on this blog, and may God bless you in 2012. 
Happy New Year!

Cherry Cheese Loaves

This is a recipe we enjoy serving on Christmas morning. It also makes a wonderful treat for gift-giving. 


2 packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)
1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
4 cups flour


FILLING:
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 can cherry pie filling


GLAZE:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/8 cup milk
1 teaspoon almond extract


In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In saucepan, heat sour cream and butter to 110-115 degrees. Add to yeast mixture. Add sugar and eggs. Mix well. Gradually add flour. Mix well. Do not knead. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours. 


In small mixting bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg and extract until smooth; set aside. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; divide into four portions. Roll each into a 12x8" rectangle. Spread a fourth of the cream cheese mixture down the center of each rectagle. Spoon a fourth of the pie filling over the cream cheese. Fold dough lengthwise into thirds; pinch side seam and ends to seal. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. 


With sharp scissors, make several 1-in diagonal cuts near the center of each loaf. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Combine glace ingredients; drizzle over warm loaves. Cool on wire racks. Refrigerate. Makes 4 loaves. 

Silent Night

 
This month, I've shared with you a few of our family Christmas traditions, including our ongoing collection of angel ornaments for our Christmas tree. My favorite tradition, however, is when we celebrate Christmas Eve with a candlelight service at our church, which closes with the hymn Silent Night. 
After the service, we traipse back to our warm, comfy home for a shared dinner with my parents. The candles are lit, some music is turned on, and the table is set with my favorite crystal and china dishes.
This year, I'm planning to bake a ham, served with company potatoes, green beans, and homemade yeast rolls. I haven't yet figured out what to make for our dessert, but it'll probably involve some form of chocolate. Then we'll gather in the living room where we'll open a present or two, leaving the rest for Christmas morning.

Oh the joys of Christmas. Spending cherished time with loved ones and celebrating the gift of our Savior's birth. May each of you be blessed this Christmas.

Christmas Traditions - Collecting Ornaments

This month, I've been blogging about favorite Christmas traditions in our family. Ever since our first daughter was born, we've collected a new set of ornaments for our tree, usually in a set of 3--one for each daughter, and if possible, they will match the color of their birthstones. Some of our favorites are a set of cowboy boots and a set of china teapots. 


We also collect snowmen and bells . . .

And angels in all shapes and sizes.

 Our newest addition is this Jim Shore Angel. Isn't she lovely? Do you have a special ornament collection for your tree? Please share with us below.

Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Here's a candy recipe we make every Christmas. Very easy and tasty too! 

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 -12 oz container Spanish peanuts
12 oz almond bark

In medium-sized microwave-safe bowl add chocolate chips and almond bark. Cook on high for 3-5 minutes, stirring every 90 seconds until melted. Add peanuts and mix until coated. Drop by tablespoonfuls on waxed paper. Allow to set. Store in air-tight container.

Building Gingerbread Houses

Having three daughters, I've been blessed to share many wonderful traditions during the Christmas season—tea parties, music recitals, building gingerbread houses, and so much more. When I find myself tempted to give up one of these traditions, my daughters are usually there to keep me in line. That's what my youngest did last year when I mentioned not building a gingerbread house. At her downcast face, I buckled.
We went to the Dollar Store and bought an armful of candies in all shapes and sizes. Skittles, peppermint sticks, colored marshmallow trees, nutcracker soldiers . . . you get the idea. Visions of a grand gingerbread castle filled my mind . . .

Image:thoughtdistillery.com/2004/12/13/74

Then we went home, and I baked the gingerbread, realizing that a small cottage would do.

Here's the house we ended up with. 


And here are a few gingerbread houses from our past . . .
 

Blessings to you as family traditions are fulfilled in your household this Christmastime.

Christmas Traditions - Baking Cookies

  Every Christmas our girls and I become Cookie Elves as we continue our Christmas traditions -- baking cookies. 
We have our favorite recipes (many of them found on this blog), but our Christmas recipes usually include: Cracked Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies, Peppermint Cookies and M & M Cookies. Of course, we keep some for eating and then freeze the rest to give as gifts for Christmas. 
Next we'll bake quick breads -- Orange Nut Bread and Poppy Seed Bread and then later this  month we'll make some fudge, chocolate turtles and chocolate peanut clusters. Do you enjoy holiday baking? What are some "traditional" favorites for your family?

*Because I'm on a hard and swift deadline to finish my third book, I've decided to share some old posts with you this Christmas season. I hope you'll enjoy revisiting them. I will, however, continue to post new recipes each Friday! 

Cracked Sugar Cookies

Here's a favorite sugar cookie recipe that is my Grandma's. I love making this during the Christmas season using holiday sprinkles.
2 1/2 cups flour1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar1 cup butter or margarine1 1/4 cups sugar3 egg yolks1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat over to 350 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. In small bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. In large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolks one at a time. Mix in vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. 
Shape dough into balls using level tablespoon for each ball. Dip balls into sugar sprinkles. Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared pans. Do NOT flatten. Bake for 12 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges. Cool on baking racks. Cookies will crinkle as they cool. Makes 36 cookies.

Favorite Christmas Memory

When I was ten or eleven years old, I remember looking out the window at bedtime as it had started to snow. Now mind you, it wasn't one of those icy, frigid snowstorms Kansas is well-known for, but rather a gentle snowfall with flakes as big as silver dollars. Dressed in my pajamas, robe, and rubber boots, I sneaked out the door of our old farmhouse onto the porch and gazed up at the beautiful site. Unable to stay put for long, I took off on a stroll beneath the tall, eastern cedars that lined the side of our home. 

I remember the colorful lights from our Christmas tree blinking through the living room window, the crunch of my boots in the snow, and being filled with absolute wonder and peace as these huge snowflakes fell silently onto my face and into my outstretched hands.  In that moment, I recall thinking that this must have been what it was like when Jesus was born and how blessed I was to share in such a moment. ~ How blessed we are this Christmas season to rejoice in our Savior's birth.

Christmas Traditions - Favorite Music

*Because I'm on a hard and swift deadline to finish my third book, I've decided to share some old posts with you this Christmas season. I hope you'll enjoy revisiting them. I will, however, continue to post new recipes each Friday! Many blessings to you!
Another Christmas tradition at the Vogts' household includes listening to our favorite Christmas tapes and CD's. Our list has grown through the years, but here are a few of our favorites:
 


Gene Autry's - The Christmas Cowboy
It's Christmas Time with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole
Celine Dion's - These Are Special Times
A Very Special Charlie Brown Holiday Collection
Led by a Star by Just Cuz
The Best of George Strait - The Christmas Collection
Our Christmas (collection of Christian singers)
Since music is a big part of our life, we also sing and play the piano (and guitar) to many Christmas carols and tunes. What about you? Do you have a favorite Christmas song or album you listen to each year?