I found a dreidel in my Christmas cracker

This time of year is filled with everything Christmas

We were lucky enough to get snow, which really drove the Christmas cheer home, presents from family arrived on time, our tree is glimmering with lights and ornaments, radio stations are pumping out Christmas songs and we got a load of wood so we are sure to have a crackling fire to see us through the new year.

And, as is always the case this time of year, Christmas crackers are plentiful!

Just a Christmas lunch and yet, so much more!

Yesterday, Justin and I met up with my mother-in-law to celebrate Christmas a bit early. After handing over a Christmas tree-shaped and decorated plastic tub of freshly baked cookies and treats, she announced she was taking us to lunch. "Great", we both chirped as we gulped our last bit of tea.

She took us to a pub just a stones throw away and commented on how she had been there several times in the past month. The pub, Compasses in Great Totham, is fairly small with two fireplaces, a friendly staff and very cozy. After ordering our roast dinners (me, turkey; Justin, beef; Gilly, gammon) we settled into enjoying a nice glass of Rioja. The dinners were delicious and after cleaning our plates we decided to rest a bit before ordering dessert.

I have not laughed this hard by myself in a very long time

It was now I suggested we open our Christmas crackers. Now, I don't remember Christmas crackers being popular where I've lived. Somehow though, I have a vague recollection of something of this nature but cannot place it.  Nonetheless, they are very popular in England and you find them everywhere this time of year, and this pub was no exception. Each place setting cradled a cracker and after moving them aside to enjoy our roast dinner, I could take it no more!

We each crossed our arms and took one end of each of our crackers (if you can imagine) and pulled. Crack! they all opened and a little toy, paper crown and joke fell out of each of ours. We read the really bad jokes aloud, placed the crowns (each a different bright color of pink, yellow and blue) on our head and held up our toy. Justin's was an over sized bright green paper clip (?), Gilly had a bright green golf tee and I had the mother toy of all...

a dreidel. A Dreidel!

I could not stop laughing and laughed until I cried. When my tears of laughter were met with quizzical looks, I stated several times and with more emphasis each time "I got a dreidel in my Christmas cracker!" As it turned out, neither of them had heard of a dreidel and so did not know what one was. Somehow, this made me laugh even harder. I had to stifle my laughter after a bit because I realized the joke was going no further than right there with me. Still though, every time I think of it, I can't help but giggle.

I don't know exactly why I think it is so funny. Perhaps it is just the lightheartedness of the season.

Regardless, it's quite charming and I like it. Intended or not, this is just a tiny way of bringing religions together. Next year I'll be holding out for a tiny model of the Hindu God, Ganesh. Wouldn't that be the best?!

Happy Holidays to all of our family and friends!

Last night we had our first snowfall of 2009. Looks like all of those snow danced finally paid off!

This is what it looked like when we went to bed last night...

Chaga and I went for a walk this afternoon. These photos show how gorgeous it is outside still!

What a beautiful place to be with snow!

We're hoping to hold on to this little bit of winter wonderland long enough for Christmas. 

Here's wishing all of you have a beautiful holiday season

a spectacular new year 

and a few wishes of your own come true.

A bridge walk

This past weekend Justin, Chay, Chaga and I went on a walk around Nayland and Wiston. It's amazing how a fresh walk can build your spirits! We were all energized - even when walking through the muddy field.

Since there were so many bridges along this particular walk, I decided to take photos of us at every bridge. I did forget one bridge along the way, but got all of the others.

Bridge #1: At the very beginning of our walk in Nayland

Bridge #2: In Wiston near the round church. This is a lovely bridge and part of the trail. This bridge crosses the River Stour.

After crossing the Stour, we decided to investigate a bit closer to the river.

Bridge #3: Just after crossing the River Stour, the trail wends it's way through a sweet little tree plantation before coming to this bridge.

Just after crossing Bridge 3, Justin and I both noticed how incredible the light was. Chay and Chaga of course were standing at the right place, at the right time, in the right light.

Justin and Chay in the grove. Look at how every little branch is covered in moss!

Bridge #4: Justin said I'd never get the camera to rest on the railing along this bridge. That generally means you'll get it to work just the way you want it to!

My girl. Just look at how beautiful she is!

Bridge #5: Between Bridges 4 and 5, the path works it's way through the above field which, at this time of year, is a mud pit. In this picture we were comparing our boots to see whose was the most muddy. We all agreed that Justin's boots won!

Bridge #6: This was by far the tiniest bridge on the walk.

Walking up the one hill on this walk.

We made it to the top!

And here we all are, at the top of the hill, taking a little break.

And there you have it. Our walk appropriately ended, of course, on a bridge.

Even with loads of sugar and butter Oatmeal Cookies are still the healthy treat

Oats are loaded with nutrition and versatility! I use oats in breads, cereals, trail  mix, as a thickening agent in soups and stews and of course, in these delightful and "healthy" treats! 

Spicy Oat Cookies
There is much dispute amongst my family and friends over whether to put raisins in oatmeal cookies and then, whether or not to use soft of hard raisins. In other words, do you soak them and get them nice and plump or use them straight out of the box? I myself am a purist and more often than not choose no raisins, mostly because I love the texture of the oat cookie as is and then because I know more people will enjoy them. After all, you wouldn't not eat this cookie because it didn't have raisins. But, you would choose not to try it if it did. However, when I do use raisins, I only use raisins that have been plumped by soaking in bourbon or rum. 

MAKES 4 DOZEN

1 1/3 cups unsalted butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
2/3 cup white granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tbsp. vanilla
4 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt (If you like a good salty-sweet treat, you can add 3/4 tsp. salt, which compliments the brown sugar nicely)
3 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
1 tsp. nutmeg

1. Cream the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.

2. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and all of the spices.

3. Beat flour mixture into butter mixture and then add oats and stir until completely incorporated.

4. Roll dough pieces into generous 1 1/2-inch balls and place them on baking sheets about 3 inches apart.

5. Bake on greased baking sheets for 10 to 12 minutes in an oven that has been preheated to 350°. 

Some Great Links on Oats

McCann's Irish Oatmeal - I love steel cut oats and McCann's produces some of the best I've had.

Hamlyns Oats of Scotland - Some of the best oats around come from Hamlyns, which produces a nice variety of porridge oats to pinhead (steel cut) oats.

Eat More Oats - A fabulous website dedicated to all things oat!

Stoats - Not only a great name, but great oat products!

It's all in the Snap... Gingersnap, that is!

This post is dedicated to the tantalizing, spicy and versatile tuber, Ginger.

Ginasnaps
(yes, Gina-snaps. Named so by my wonderfully clever friend, Paige. Adapted from a recipe included in Saveur by Claudia Fleming.)

These little morsels put a whole new snap in a traditional gingersnap. With freshly ground white pepper, loads of fresh ginger and dry ginger, and adorned with a little diamond of crystallized ginger on top, you'll go hot and heavy for these holiday treasures!

MAKES 6 DOZEN


1 3/4 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
2 tbsp. grated peeled fresh ginger
1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest *or 1/2 tsp. lemon oil
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. ground ginger
3 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground white pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
2 tbsp. turbinado (raw) sugar
2 oz. (80g) crystallized ginger sliced


1. Cream the sugar and butter until smooth. Add the egg, fresh ginger, and lemon zest or oil and beat well.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, white pepper, and cloves. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, beating until well combined. Form the dough into a large disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.

3. Preheat the oven to 350°. Scoop out 1 tsp. of the dough at a time and roll it between the palms of your hands to form a ball. Place the balls on a cookie sheet and press down hard with the base of a dry measuring cup or drinking glass that has been dipped in flour (after each "pressing" to prevent sticking) to form thin rounds. Press in one slice of ginger in the center of the round and sprinkle the tops of the cookies with turbinado sugar. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until crisp and browned. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Some of my most favorite Ginger links

Ginger Pig - Ginger pigs are one of those guilty pleasures. If you ever get the chance to try one, do it.

Ginger People - Absolute Ginger Heaven! I love their ginger chews!

Fentimans Ginger Beer - With a little bit of tang and a little bit of sweet, this ginger beer is just spicy enough to knock your socks off!

Birt and  Tang Tea Shop - I think this is the best packaged ginger tea if you don't happen to have some fresh ginger on hand.

Fresh Ginger Tea

Every time I make Ginasnaps, I make a ginger tonic that can be diluted and made into several cups of fresh ginger root tea. Simply take all of your ginger peelings and soak them in 2 cups of boiling water for several hours. Strain ginger peels and dilute to a 50:50 mixture with more boiling water and 1 tsp. honey.
Deeee-lish-ous!

Shhhh... I'll tell you a secret.

I am going to capitalize on the fact that I don't have a lot of readers and take the opportunity to post some of my favorite recipes for the holiday season. Not all are my personal recipes, but all are my personal favorites. The recipes I am going to post over the course of the month are coveted by me. It has taken quite a while to tweak them and get them just to my liking. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do in our home.

From our home to yours over this wonderful holiday season, we wish you love, happiness, health, spirit and above all, delicious sweet treats made with a dash of each.

Cheers!

I'm taking on a new mantra

The information I choose to share is valuable. At least it's valuable to me and therefore should be worth a listen or a read. At least to my family and friends.

I really ought to get more of my thoughts down on... on... paper? Screen? What do you call it when you write it on a computer but don't print it? Ah hell, it's not like it matters.

My point? I sit at home applying/bidding on dozens of jobs every day and after a year of doing this it would be nice if one person replied, "hey, nice letter. Impressive resume. Let's have a chat about the work we'd like you to do".

Just once.

Actually, that's not really fair, those porn sites really want me to write for them. Hey, it'd pay more than all of that volunteer work I do raising funds for cancer research, or press releases I write for a struggling pub, or even managing all of those damn social networking sites for my husband's band. They don't pay, they don't even say thank you. But, I know I'm doing it. And I know it's read because someone eventually responds. Even if it's just to say, "hey, press release seems ok but I'm too brain dead to actually have an opinion". Is that a compliment? Not really. But I'll take it.

As my father would say, "Shit man. At least it's somethin'!"

Writing Reviews

Yesterday I applied for multiple freelance writing jobs. Let's just say I was on a role. Really, it seemed absolutely unbelievable that I would find so many ads in search of freelance writers or assistants to the editor or bloggers, etc. After writing several ingenious cover letters I attached writing samples and my CV and sat back feeling quite satisfied to have accomplished so much in one afternoon. Undoubtedly you can imagine my enthusiasm when within the first hour I received a reply. A reply! I have so rarely received a reply to any job I've applied for or bid on in nearly a year and after feeling utterly dejected this was the boost I needed!

Upon quick inspection of the email, I took notice that it seemed a bit on the shady side and still possibly very legitimate. And there was only one way to find out. I responded by completing the task assigned to me and emailing my final product. However, it doesn't end here. While working on my writing assignment I noticed another reply pop into my inbox. Then another, and another, and another until I had received a reply to each and every job application. Amazing! And yet, it wasn't adding up. So I read them. And yes, there were several scams instructing me to send in only £11.95 for tutorial pamphlets or spending a low one-time fee of £20 to receive that special how-to-make-a-fortune-in-an-afternoon video - after all, you have to spend money to make money my online interviewer enthusiastically stated. The more I read, the more I realized I had opened a sort of Pandora's Porn Box. Take the image as presented. And yes, when I say box I mean "box", if you know what I mean...

I was horrified. Not in the way that makes you afraid to walk outdoors in the dark but, the kind of horrified that makes you cringe whenever you see young girls at a Daytona Beach tequila bar while on spring break. You just know that vacation is never going to turn out quite the way they had imagined. Woooah, that was dangerously close to judging, wasn't it? Be that as it may, I cannot deny my initial feeling; and it wasn't good. That being said, I have this overwhelming sense of curiosity when it comes to pornography. I just can't help but take a glance. It's sort of like the sense of excitement my mother would get when she would have to pull off to the side of the road when an ambulance zoomed by. "Let's follow it!" she'd say craning her neck around at us as she pressed down on the gas pedal. We rarely ever caught up to the ambulance or even followed it to it's ultimate destination. But, it was exhilarating just imagining the gore we might be confronted with if we ever did catch up.

Anyway, I was hooked and proceeded to bring up hotsugar.com, realdrunkgirls.com, among many other sites, and I just couldn't go any further. Now, I'm not about to start a conversation or debate on the ethical nature of pornography. That's not my bag baby. However, I do know what doesn't settle well with me and this just wasn't settling.

So, as great as all of those opportunities may be, I chose to delete the responses and block the websites and never to look for a job on that website again. Did I shoot myself in the foot? Cut off my nose to spite my face? Was I a lost ball in the high weeds? Possibly. Perhaps I could have been one of the best script writers for B rated XXX movies. Damn, I missed my opportunity at the AVN Awards!!!

We'll see where I get with the writing assignment I did submit. Perhaps it will be my chance at glory after all.