These gingerbread men get an upgrade with tasty meringue frosting.
“Special Thoughts for the SEASON!”
When it comes … to that “SPECIAL TIME” the TIME to get ready for CHRISTMAS – – this “CARD” has everything wrapped up in colors. The “RED” – – just having said that – – immediately… made me think of my brother, DENNY – – having just left this earth … to be with the ALMIGHTY in HEAVEN…forever.
Just looking at this little “CARDINAL” – – hanging on to a branch… wanting to get just a few little nibbles of those vibrant red berries… and NOW… it is beginning to SNOW. So… if this were little ole me… on this branch – – and it is cold – – and I am hungry – it has started to SNOW – – what should I do? The “SNOW” is coming down – lithely – no wind to really disturb me … from at least – – taking a few small nibbles of those very ripe and red berries – – maybe just enough to give me strength – – so I can come back for more…later?
With the basic red and green – – the colors for CHRISTMAS – – the card could be enlarged… to make a very enticing framed “WINTER” scene for the HOLIDAYS! “What wonderful dreams of the “out-of-doors” – – “WINTER WONDERLAND” – – could a nice cup of “HOT CHOCOLATE” in hand – – entice me – – maybe even for hours???”
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“Is this something to think about – – for CHRISTMAS – – or WHAT – ???
As a “SENIOR” – – I like to say that – – only because when you are in HIGH SCHOOL – – the title… SENIOR… lets the world know – – that you have passed all the required tests – – that indicate you know something – – “WHAT” has no real meaning – – only that you are older and NOW – – you are in the “BIG KNOW” club.
So, as long as you are into the correct age bracket – – you NOW qualify and and can give your opinion – – and others can accept – or just give you – – one of those strange looks – that indicates – – somewhere along the way – – you have lost a noodle or two – – and all is well – – since you at least can muster up a “laugh” or two?
The small dogie in the above Christmas card scene – – reminds me of my little “BEE BEE” – – in that she can ask questions… “with her looks” – – and of course – – I talk for two or more – – and no one knows – – just how many of us are talking – – as I have the “run off of the mouth disease” – – which can be controlled by putting something sweet to eat – – into the mouth. It is very difficult to talk and chew at the same time – –
I can tell – – “Bee Bee” is trying to figure out – – “WHAT GOES HERE” – – some of my favorite mints – – hit the floor – are they to be… for her or still for me – – and let’s just forget the broken ornaments – they are in the wrong place – – when it comes to candy mints!
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“A Christmas CARD – Posted to YOU the READER!”
Since “CHRISTMAS” is coming… Just thought… that I would send my usual number of cards out – – via the NEW and improved “Electronic Way” – so that no one is forgotten – – and… I will not be able to say – – “YOUR CARD MUST HAVE …” and here is where I would have to think of a good reason – – why I forgot to send “YOU” a card!
So… this first card… reminds me of the “REASON for the SEASON” – – in the WORLD today – – we are all caught up with the idea – – that we must buy something for everyone – – and “charge it” – – and then the sorry later part – – we must take all next year… paying for it!
In this “scene” we see the “secret” ingredient of “gift giving!” “Do you see… WHAT I SEE?” – – VISIT…Family – Friends – and all those that are near and dear – -and with the electronics of today – – those on the other side of the world – – there is ” Skype” – -just like being there and in person.This card of small children – – opens the “DOOR” for the “PARENTS” to start with the “story telling” – – that little children just LOVE! When this card arrives and the little children start to ask questions about “CHRISTMAS” – -“YOU” could start with… there was a very special happening a long “TIME” ago – – and these little children on the card – – are just like “LITTLE ANGELS – they know something special is happening in the world – – they see the “special STAR” in the sky and brightly shinning – ” – – and everything is so nice and calm.
Since these children are outside – – they must live on a “FARM” – – even their favorite baby sheep are with them – – and they too, are wondering what is going on? – – – Since it is evening… the “STAR” is up and over head – – everything that is happening is “OKAY” with our CREATOR – – and the reason that we know that… is there is a little “RED CARDINAL” on the top of the Shepherd’s Crook – – that the oldest child is holding on too.
So… these two messages for this TIME of the YEAR – are to bring to the “READER” the wish of “LOVE and PROSPERITY” for the NEW YEAR 2017 that is just around the corner!
P.S. Sharing “LOVE” with FAMILY and FRIENDS – – is the best of gifts to share!
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“MUST SEE… MUST MAKE CHANGES!”
WHEN A SOLDIER COMES HOME (Read to the Very End!)
When a soldier comes home, he finds it hard……to listen to his son whine about being bored.
….to keep a straight face when people complain about potholes.
To be tolerant of people who complain about the hassle of getting ready for work.
…to be understanding when a co-worker complains about a bad night’s sleep.
..to be silent when people pray to God for a new car.
….to control his panic when his wife tells him he needs to drive slower.
..to be compassionate when a businessman expresses a fear of flying.
….to keep from laughing when anxious parents say they’re afraid to send their kids off to summer camp.
….to keep from ridiculing someone who complains about hot weather.
….to control his frustration when a colleague gripes about his coffee being cold.
….to remain calm when his daughter complains about having to walk the dog.
…..to be civil to people who complain about their jobs.
…..to just walk away when someone says they only get two weeks of vacation a year.
….to be forgiving when someone says how hard it is to have a new baby in the house.
The only thing harder than being a Soldier…
Is loving one.
No one has been able to explain to me why young men and women serve in the U.S. Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get50% of their pay on retirement. While Politicians hold their political positions, in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full-pay retirement after serving one term. “It just does not make any sense.”
If each person who receives this will forward it on to 20 people, in three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: “Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States…
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“24 AUGUST 79 A.D.”
“Any comments… every body has questions about the unknown – – this sure gives us a few answers…”
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“Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes”
“Terrific idea – – for the HOLIDAYS – – let’s all make these – – RIGHT – – NOW!”
1 can (20 oz) sliced pineapple, drained, juice reserved
1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ yellow cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1/3 cup butter, melted
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
12 maraschino cherries, cut in half
Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 24 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray.
Cut each pineapple slice into 4 pieces; set aside. In large bowl, beat cake mix, oil, eggs and reserved pineapple juice with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
In small bowl, stir together melted butter and brown sugar. Spoon 1 1/2 teaspoons butter mixture into each muffin cup. Top each with 2 pineapple pieces. Place cherry half, cut side up, in center of pineapple pieces. Spoon 1/4 cup batter into each cup.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Run knife around edge of cupcakes to loosen; invert onto cookie sheet. Serve warm.
Posted in Today and tagged "Darlene Aldrich", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“Gingerbread Men”
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup unsulfured molasses
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- Meringue Frosting (recipe follows)
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Add egg, beating until combined. Add molasses, beating until smooth.
- In another large bowl, whisk together flour and next 5 ingredients. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating just until combined. Divide dough in half, and shape each portion into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or for up to 3 days.
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness, and cut using a 5-inch gingerbread man cutter, rerolling scraps to use all dough. Place on prepared pans.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool on pans for 2 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool on wire racks. Decorate cookies as desired with Meringue Frosting; let stand until frosting is dry. Store in airtight containers for up to 5 days.
Gingerbread Men
Meringue Frosting
- ¼ cup cold water
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Assorted paste food coloring
- In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup water and meringue powder until foamy. Gradually whisk in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Divide
- mixture among small bowls, and tint as desired with food coloring.
Just a short NOTE…
When I was in the Orphanage… there were several years… that I would work in the “BAKERY” and “Sister Augustella” was the NUN in charge. “Sister was so much FUN to work for – – that in most of my FREE TIME – – I would be there – – working and that was so much better then anything else… that I could be doing.”
At this “TIME” of the year – – we would be baking “TREATS” for the children and NUNS and even for special guests – – that would visit the ORPHANAGE – – and no matter what the work – – I enjoyed just being there cleaning and doing whatever I was instructed to do.
“My big regret is… that I did not get the recipe for the “ginger-bread-men cookies” that we baked – – and were so… Delicious – – that was worth being an “ORPHAN” just to receive that one “COOKIE” on CHRISTMAS!”
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