Sunday 22 December 2019

Pre-Christmas

Today, my list included some laundry, some chicken chores, the rest of my baking, and wrapping presents. I did the laundry, I did the chicken chores, I did SOME wrapping, and I did my baking, although decorating of cookies will have to happen tomorrow.

I decided to try a new gingerbread cookie recipe and I was very pleased with how it turned out. I even dragged out my fancy big mixer!

Can you smell the cloves and ginger?

I even followed the instructions and wrapped and refridgerated the dough. (Sometimes I skip this step). Hang on, I think that's the sugar cookie dough. I made three different things today: gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, and "Christmas crack" which is the saltine crackers with a liquid toffee poured over it and then milk chocolate chips melted on top. Are you familiar with it?

Gingerbread cookies waiting to go in the oven.

Sugar cookies in the oven. Boy, the house smelled good!

Santa heads, candy canes, ornaments, a boot... all going to be decorated later.

The tree is up and decorated. We still have a real tree. I'm not sure if we will ever go the artificial route. 

The village is a-lit, and the Santa collection sits above it. If you look closely, you will see that Godzilla has made his way to the village and is about to wreak havoc.

A display in the livingroom. I love the Santa and reindeer. It's pretty big and I pack it away carefully every year.

Symmetry in the den. The shelf came from my parents' house.

Finally, here is Scooter nestled under a pile of flannel pajamas. Nothing says winter like flannel!








30 comments:

  1. Christmas is in your heart and in your house! Lucky I'm too far away to eat all those gingerbread cookies!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wish I could smell the gingerbread & sugar cookies baking! Still stuffed up with the super cold virus. I like your Santa collection, especially your Jim Shore one. I looked for a new Santa to add to my collection year but I hesitated & when I finally decided, it was gone. Happy Christmas Jenn to you & yours. I agree with Scooter, burying yourself in flannel is the best way to get through winter! ... Mary-Lou =^..^=

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I really love that Santa. I didn't even know it was a "Jim Shore" until, maybe last year, when I posted a picture of my collection and someone (was it you?) mentioned what it was. I turned it over, and sure enough!

      Delete
  3. Omg, what wonderful cookies. Wish we could do an exchange.
    Just love your Xmas decorations.
    Merry xmas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks and I always look at what kinds of treats you make, too!

      Delete
  4. I~LOVE~COOKIES...
    Any type of cookies..over here they call them
    biscuits..(silly name)..
    Living, working, mixing with Americans for 12yrs..
    I do love American sayings/terms for various things,
    and of course l'm very pro American..! :).

    And Scooter..Bless! Hope he's enjoying the lovely
    Christmas tree..Years back, my daughter always
    enjoyed Christmas..we had three cats, who would climb,
    knock off baubles, bangles and beads..we'd come down in
    the morning, the cats would be fast asleep under it..so
    she got to redecorate it every day..! :o). Bless!x
    Ho Ho HoπŸŽ… πŸŽΆπŸ”” Merry Christmas! 🎁 πŸ””πŸŽ„ Ho Ho HoπŸŽ…

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha, I'm Canadian, actually, so it matters not to me whether or not you are pro-American. ;) Scooter has been a good boy when it comes to tree decorations (so far!).

      Delete
  5. Your cookies sound delicious! I can almost smell them cooking. Mmmmm! What an adorable photo of Scooter. My Pogo loves to curl up under a pile of anything soft and fuzzy. I love all your Christmas decorations. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pogo! That used to be a cartoon, many many years ago.

      Delete
  6. Your home and your heart are filled with the spirit of Christmas! What joy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel like I'm very last minute this year, but I do like to have the decorations and the baking, even though we aren't hosting the big family gathering this year. We will have 7 for Christmas Eve.

      Delete
  7. Can you believe I didn't make even ONE cookie for Christmas???? My mixer sits on my counter now and gets used at least once a week....when it was stored away it went seven WHOLE years without one use - can you imagine? Now I can't imagine how I survived without it!

    Merry Christmas my friend xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This mixer was like any other small kitchen appliance. Used greatly after receiving it, put away and rarely used within a few months! Ha ha, It's time to get out my instantpot, bread maker, crockpot, and rice cooker now!

      Delete
  8. Everything looks so festive! I haven't a real tree in years, as the cats wouldn't leave it alone. Hence the reason I have unbreakable ornaments. It's helpful now too that the grandson is of an age to like shiny objects. :)

    Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Which is the Jim Shore Santa? Never heard of him. I didn't do much baking this year but seem to have accumulated a tin or two in the freezer to eat later. Hope you have a lovely time with the family, Jenn!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In the picture, it is second from the left. He has a red coat and is holding a line of sleigh bells. I always liked him because he is wearing glasses and has a long straight "Scottish" nose like my father. Jim Shore Santas are themed. They will have pictures as part of the lower half. On mine it is a village scene with a church and a horse and sleigh and it says "Jingle All the Way" on it.

      Delete
  10. I love your header photo! Christmas is writ large at your place ... My plastic tree is bedecked and some home-made marzipan is sitting in the fridge waiting for ... not sure at this late stage, haha. Oh well, some years it's all in and this year it's not.

    Merry Christmas Jenn!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have never made marzipan, but I do like it. I just don't like the fruit cake it has been known to sit atop!

      Delete
  11. Awwww, Scooter! Your xmas decorations are lovely! Godzilla is a nice touch. And yes, I've heard of Christmas Crack!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love that you have Godzilla in your Christmas village! What beautiful decorations, Jenn. And I think I COULD smell the gingerbread. Your tree is beautiful as well. I hope you have a wonderful holiday! xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your baking looks delish. Have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New year x

    ReplyDelete
  14. I LOVE your Christmas village Jenn! I've heard of the various "cracks" but never made them yet! Merry Christmas and all the best for 2020!!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. I could almost "smell" those cookies, Jenn, and have never heard of the saltines "crack" recipe. We also have a holiday village and have such fun enjoying it all through the holidays and into the month of January as well. Merry πŸŽ„ Christmas to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  16. That Christmas village is amazing! I've never heard of Christmas Crack. Your cookies look amazing. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm arriving late here, but all the same, enjoyed your post and pictures. Your decorations are beautiful. Hope yesterday was wonderful for you and the family. Now only less than a week until the end of this year and beginning of a whole new one. Sending best wishes to you for the rest of this holiday season!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, I love your decorations. Love, love, love them! Your Santa collection is impressive and so is the village and I'm wild about that big one you pack carefully. I would too!

    Christmas crack -- I know the recipe and have made it but not by that name, which is sort of inspired! And all your cookies look GREAT! I didn't get to gingerbread this year though and now I'm a little sad about that!

    I hope your Christmas was merry and very bright. I have a feeling it was filled with lots of love and joy!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I can smell and taste the cookies. Yum. Your home looks like the perfect Christmas haven. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete