Christmas.... Around the Corner

We are planning a trip for Christmas this year.  A dream come true for me.  I'd much rather take a trip than buy gifts.  Time to be together, time to see new areas of the country, time to drink too much coffee and relax, spend time with dear friends...and eat too much rich food.  It's also one of the best times to reflect on the birth of Jesus.  Much time has been given to when Jesus was born - probably springtime, as the shepherds were out in the fields.  But in our very secular, post-modern society - Christmas still creates in us a time to reflect and remember why Jesus's birth still touches people's hearts with kindness that is often not available the rest of the year. 
So, as I learn to steal other's material quite well, I wanted to print this very old poem - it is so appropriate for this time and actually all the days of our lives.
We cannot know the grief
That men may borrow
We cannot see the souls
Storm-swept by sorrow;
But love can shine upon the way
Today, tomorrow;
Let us be kind.
Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken,
So may our love with tender words be spoken.
Let us be kind.                                 ---author unknown
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love."  Romans 12:10

I am learning the slower graces of knowing God.  He has slowed me down, sometimes to the point of dead stop this year.  I've had a great deal of time, when I was not asleep, to think through a good many things.  I suspect whatever you have been through this past year has given you a time to "take pause" and reflect on the many graces of God through this past year.  May the time you spend shopping, eating, having coffee/tea with dear friends, gift exchanges, dinners with family and friends bring you a moment of awe and wonder --- a reflection time on how very good God is to us.  And how really it doesn't matter one bit if they are "colored twinkle lights" or "white twinkle lights".  Whatever makes you smile.

Ok, now for a pretty decent cookie recipe. 


Giant Ginger Cookies
Prep time: 30 min  Total time: 50 min

Makes 12 - yes, worth it

2 l/2 cups all purpose flour
2 l/4 t. baking powder
l/2 t. salt
l T. ground ginger
l/2 t. ground allspice
1/2 t. ground pepper
3/4 c (l l/1 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp.
l/2 c. packed light brown sugar
l/2 granulated sugar, plus l/3 cup for coating
6 T. molasses
l large egg

Preheat over 350 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds of oven.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.  Set aside
Whisk together all dry ingredients.
With electric mixer cream butter, brown sugar, l/2 c. granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg and molasses.  With mixer on low, gradually beat in dry ingredients.
Flatten dough, wrap in plastic, freeze for 20 min.
Divide dough into 2" balls.  Place remaining l/3 c. granulated sugar in bowl. Roll balls of dough in sugar, place on prepared baking sheets.  Flatten into 3 inches rounds with a bowl works best.  Sprinkle with remaining sugar.
Bake until brown, rotating sheets halfway through, 12 to 15 min.  Cook on racks.
Yum.
Store in container with parchment or wax paper between cookies. 
Martha Stewart "it's a good thing"

Friday is here again.  Jim's Friday off...a little chance to hang out, read the paper and enjoy a beautiful day.  60 degrees here today.  (apologies to those freezing)