Ginger cookies

This is my favorite Christmas cookie, for a couple reasons.  I only make them at Christmas.  I only make one batch.  And if Christmas had a taste (besides pine, I guess), then this would be it.

I find that this recipe is just perfect.  I might add a little more cloves than they call for, but that's because I am all about the cloves.  They are definitely ginger-y and molasses-y.  And yumm-y.

Giant Ginger Cookies
from Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook

4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
4 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. shortening (I know, I know, it's not butter.  Shhh.)
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. molasses
sugar to roll the cookies in (1/2-3/4 c.)

In bowl, combine flour, ginger, soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt.  Set aside.  In mixer, beat shortening for 30 second.  Add 2 c. sugar; beat until combined.  Beat in eggs and molasses until combined.  Beat in flour mixture.  Shape dough into 2 inch balls (they are called "giant" cookies, after all!) and roll in sugar.  Place 2-2 1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 11-13 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned and tops are puffed.  They will look undone, but they are done.  Don't overbake them!  Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool completely.  Log onto this blog and thank me.


UPDATE
I've tried these with butter instead of shortening.  Yes, switch to butter, because they are FABULOUS with the butter.

Christmas Traditions

Christmas is nearly upon us.  Hooray!

I had a little meltdown this weekend over the stress of the Christmas season.  I hate when that happens to me.  I fully admit that I am super good at being self-centered, and I took my eyes off the real point of Christmas.

What was that again?

Presents?  Cookies?  Trees?

Well, anyway.  I certainly hope you know why you are Christmas-ing, and I also hope you are smarter than I am, and finding joy in each moment.

I had a little moment of clarity, post-meltdown, where I just stopped and looked around.  Some of the kids were watching Barbie's Nutcracker.  Funny was setting out her 900 gifts that she has been crafting.  Hub was playing with the train set, trying to get things to work.  I was sipping a cup of super tasty hot chocolate.  And I was just....

content.

I wanted desperately to cling onto that, but it was gone so quickly.  *sigh*

Until that great day comes, when I am completely consumed by praise for our amazing God, I have to keep looking for these little blessings.  It is so easy to lose them amongst sales, wrapping, and untangling lights.

And so, I want to share some of our Christmas traditions, because there is something so comforting about them.  Obviously, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of our savior, and I think tradition is a nice way to express that hope that comes with Christ.

We always take a night to go look at the tackiest light displays we can find.  There are few great ones around here, but by far the greatest is in Granby in Norfolk, VA.  I miss those crazy people.  When my parents lived in Virginia Beach, we would drive to see the lights.  It was just a few people, and they decorated their whole cul-de-sac.  We'd also head over to the Navy base and check out the ships all decked out with their lights.  This is something I did with my parents, and now Hub and I do it with our kids (well, minus the ships).

I always baked cookies with my mom and sister and then decorated them.  We have continued that tradition as well.  We always spend Christmas eve with Hub's parents.  He always spent Christmas eve with his paternal grandparents growing up.  The kids don't get to open anything besides their stockings until after breakfast on Christmas.  That is thanks to my dad's parents, and he passed it along to us.

I love how tradition helps me feel connected to all those who have come before me, and connects me to those who are yet to come.  I pray that I remember that during this month, and that I don't get caught up in the "have tos" and "should haves."  Just being is enough.

It doesn't have to be fancy.  After all, Mary and Joseph didn't have to have a 6 foot pre-lit tree with 50 presents under it, right?

What are some of your traditions?

Weeks in Review -- who knows!?

I have really been slacking here lately.  I don't know if Thanksgiving threw me off, or what.  I might be the only person who loves Mondays because it's a new start and a new attempt at being organized-ish and productive.

This is definitely going to be short, because I barely know what we've been doing, besides eating copious amounts of sweets and watching Christmas movies.

We did 1/3 of the Thanksgiving lap book from Journey Through Learning.  We couldn't seem to finish it before Thanksgiving, and rather than freak over getting it done, I put it away in my "Thanksgiving" file folder (yes, I have one) for next year.  Maybe we'll finish it next year.  Maybe not.  If they would just know that the Pilgrims weren't giving thanks to the American Indians, then I'll be happy.

We've been reading a bunch of books.  Some of our books were:  Twister on Tuesday (Magic Tree House, No. 23), The Hallelujah Flight, and Rain School.  Funny and Goofy have been reading all kinds of books this week.  It's so wonderful to see them wanting to read.  I'm still working on instilling that love of reading in Scrappy.  I just have to find the right book.

I hope next week to have a real post about our week!

Until then, read about how others are homeschooling at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

I probably should take my own advice

I have a terrible habit of turning to my friends for advice.  I'm not saying that it's bad to ask for advice.  Or that it's bad to ask your friends for help.  I do think these things are important.  My problem is I go to them before I go to God.  That is a bad habit to be in.

I have to think out loud.  I'm an "outward processor."  Hence, this trusty blog that helps me figure things out.  That's a big part of why I talk through things with others.  But I realized, I was never talking about these things with God.  I've been whining all week to everyone about how long my to-do list is (why I am psycho over the list is another post!) and how I can't get anything accomplished.  I'm recovering from a cold.  The house is extra messy.  I'm tired.  Blah blah blah blah complain complain blah blah.

Then it hit me this morning.

Why don't I stop and pray about all this craziness?

Well, duh.

And so I did.  I specifically prayed for strength and self-discipline in accomplishing my tasks for the day.  And then I went a step further, and prayed that I would accomplish what God wanted me to accomplish.  (Scary!)

I definitely kept procrastinating.  I am really lacking in the self-discipline department.  But even amongst my Facebooking and wandering in circles, I managed to cross a number of things off the list.

Whew!

And even better, I made a delicious, healthy dinner for my family.  I talked to two of my closest friends on the phone (while doing items on the list).  I watched two beautiful girls show me their Christmas dances.  I laughed hysterically with my husband.

I am so thankful that I had my perspective adjusted today.  I still want to accomplish my list.  I just do.  I have issues, okay?  But I am trying.  The dishes were still dirty 10 minutes after dinner, after my custom dance show.  No one combusted.  Rats didn't come to my kitchen.  And I didn't have a panic attack.

You know what's nice about God?  He loves me even though I am a work in progress, and He's always helping me grow into who I am meant to be.

Peace on Earth

Courtney at Women Living Well is hosting another challenge this month, and I'm going to get in on it.  I participated in her fall challenge, which really did work wonders for my attitude.  I was actually just thinking about the peace candle she had suggested, thinking, I really need to do that again.  Lo and behold, here it is!  Hooray!

This week I have to write a Bible verse on my calendar: Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you (I Peter 5:7).  I actually think that I will put this on my calendar and on a sticky note on my computer.  I really need this reminder right now.

The second half of the challenge this week is to light a candle, just like during the fall challenge.  Every time I see it, I am reminded to pray for peace for my home.  I noticed a big difference in the tone of our home when I did this a couple months ago and am looking forward to doing it again.