A Touching Christmas

When Emmy was feeling anxious about using an iTouch at school for center time, I knew I wanted to buy some kind of gadget with a touch screen for us to use at home. Neither Ed or I have a smart phone, and our e-readers are the boring black-and-white devices. True e-ink technology, which we both wanted for reading, since we both strain our eyes during the day on our computer screens.

On Christmas Eve, I looked under the tree and then looked at Ed. “Do they have enough presents to open?” I asked him.

“I think so,” he said. One of the gifts was the expensive item I wanted for the whole family. We bought the girls only a couple of other gifts to open. They had already opened the new pajamas we bought that evenings so that they could wear them to bed.

On Christmas morning, the girls ran down the stairs and looked in their stockings. They got a few stocking stuffers and were just as happy as could be. They didn’t look under the tree until Ed and I prompted them to.

They opened their Yahtzee game and a book together; Lily received a magic kit she wanted, and Emmy got a drawing kit. And then the big present which was for the whole family: a Nook Tablet!

playing on the new Nook
Playing on the new Nook in their new pajamas

After we opened presents together, both girls told us, “We didn’t expect to get so many presents for Christmas!”

Now that was a gift that I didn’t expect!

Did you receive an unexpected gift? Tell us about it in the comments!

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Mama’s Losin’ It

Candy Cane Cookies

My family makes these Candy Cane Cookies every Christmas. They are so yummy, but they don’t taste at all like candy canes. Instead, they are made with the delicious taste of almond and vanilla extracts. If you are adventurous, they are fun to make with your kids because they can play with the dough when you are making candy canes. Since I made these for Christmas Day, I chose to bake them while my daughters were at school.

Candy Cane Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, confectioners’ sugar, egg and flavorings. Blend in the flour, which has been sifted with the salt. Divide in half; blend food color into one half.

Shape on teaspoon dough from each half into a four inch rope; roll them back and forth on lightly floured board. Place ropes side by side; press together lightly and twist. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Curve top down to form handle of cane.

Bake about 9-11 minutes or until set and very light brown.

Sifting flour and salt together
Sifting flour and salt together
Mixing the butter and shorting together
Mixing the butter and shorting together
Dough ropes side by side
Dough ropes side by side
Twist ropes together
Twist ropes together
Form into cane shape on ungreased cookie sheet
Form into cane shape on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 9-11 minutes

Happy baking!

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