Be Jolly By Golly!

Christmas is almost here and Jen at unedited, along with her friend Melissa, has organized a little blog party.  So sit back and relax as I share my decorations, favorite Christmas snack, and drink.

Enjoy!

My Christmas tree in all its lighted and decorated glory: 

No, it's not real.  :(  But it is beautiful!

A little Christmas tree tidbit for you--It's always been a tradition of mine to hang up the same ornament first every year.  It's a little baby Jesus I made when I was three that's simply a walnut shell (for the manger), an orange bead (for his head), and a patch of red cloth (for his blanket).  

The Christmas stockings:

The snowman is mine, the santa is my husband's, the little itty snowman to the right is my eldest son's, and the blue stocking belongs to my youngest.  Little known fact: we NEVER fill them.  I just think they're pretty to hang up.

The Nativity:

This is always the second thing to go up (yes, I'm a tad obsessive compulsive) and my children insist it's their toy.

So there's my house!  I hope you enjoyed the little tour.  Stay for a drink and a snack.  I'm sure you'll love them!

Favorite snack for your pleasure: 

Ginger Cream Cookies.  Yummmm...

Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Cream the shortening, sugar, egg, molasses and water. Mix in the flour, salt, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
3. Drop teaspoonfuls of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for about 8 minutes.

Favorite drink:

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Actually, with this recipe, you can make it any flavor you like.  I usually start making this around halloween and right up until Christmas.  It is yummy!

Recipe:

(makes 1 serving)

1 cup of milk

A splash of vanilla

Sugar to taste

Sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice

Combine all ingredients in small sauce pan.  Heat to simmer while whisking.  Once heated through, add with a bit of already prepared coffee.  

Want a mint latte??  Replace the vanilla with mint extract and leave out the pumpkin pie spice.  You can make any flavor you want!  Enjoy!

And thanks so much for stopping by.  Don't forget to check out the other jolly blogs today!