Christmas in the Kitchen

Our kitchen has been the center of activity this past week. As Christmas approaches, we bake and prepare for family and guests. We have had one party then another to prepare for, with a birthday tucked within, as well as holiday baking to start and finish. We have made coffeecakes, spritz cookies, chocolate bon-bon cookies, dipped pretzels and molded chocolates. Last night we made sugar cookies and pumpkin bread! Our daughter mixed the cookie recipe, rolled and cut them. I baked them and she decorated them. She did a wonderful job and I know her classmates will enjoy them (since they requested them)! Our little big guy, now 6, frosted some cookies also. Funny how the cookie disappeared under the frosting? The men in the house did not hesitate to eat them! And I thought I had the sweetest tooth in the family?

This past Sunday, O wanted to open her gift she received at daycare – a gingerbread house. Since I was going to be in the kitchen anyway, I said she could. Her brother wanted to help as well and she was nice enough to share. The deal was made. He got to decorate the tree and one gingerbread person. She got the house and the other gingerbread person. They went to work. I had frosting in the refrigerator so I asked them what color to tint it. They were happy to have 3 colors to work with. It was nice to step back; take pictures and listen to them talk and discuss techniques and/or ideas. As well as hear them complement each other on the way they decorated their pieces.

Why is the frosting coming out both ends? Ok, time to teach the little big guy the proper technique to working with a frosting bag.


O’s look of concentration.


The end result - beautiful!

Hot Workouts

A friend of mine sent me an email the other day about the holidays, baking and working out.

It read:
*** Today's Tip: SQUEEZE IN EXERCISE WHILE YOU COOK! (part 1).
During the holiday season, many of us spend more time in the
kitchen cooking and baking. You can work in some simple exercises
while you are waiting for water to boil, the oven to preheat, etc.
For example, try counter push-ups! Place hands on edge of counter….”

This is good news for us bakers. We have no reason to be out of shape. We can work off the calories prior to eating our delicious goods. Great news!

One batch of cookies, say 5 dozen, bake time 10-11 minutes – you have a good 50 minute workout for the day. And if you do a circuit workout, you burn more calories. Squats, leg lifts, counter push-ups, jumping jacks, ... (as long as you are not making a soufflé).

I’ll have to think more about this. Not sure how I should dress? Work-out clothes under my Christmas apron? Maybe?! After all, I’m in my OWN kitchen.

Just remember, push that hot cookie sheet back on the counter so you don’t burn your fingers!

Best Time of the Year

December is upon us and my list is long. I plan to do so many different things.
Just this weekend (which starts tomorrow) we need to get a tree, start making baked goodies, and decorate. That on top of the regular weekend chores - shopping, cleaning, church. This weekend is the childrens mass. So our little big guy will be a gift bearer and our daughter is going to read the first reading. After mass, the children are celebrating Jesus' birthday with a little gift exchange and party!

Baking - breads, cookies, candies, cakes. I have choosen too many new recipes so I will have to narrow that down.

Cleaning. Or maybe I should wait until we take the tree down! I'll have to think about that. No, I won't be able to stand it!

Cards and holiday letter. I need to buy cards or take a few good digital pictures so I can get photo cards printed. Yes, late in the month but...Every year my mailings go out later and later.

Here's to a good weekend. I know we'll have fun looking for our perfect tree. My associate bakers and I will have fun in the kitchen. Mass will be exciting and I am sure two children will be a little nervous.

We have some snow and it is cold so we might have to warm things up with a fancy dinner by the fire place.

Enjoy the weekend!