The Results are In...

You still have until then end of the month to enter the cinnamon ginger challenge. We have had an increase in entries this month. Last month only 2, this month 4! :) Its great. So... you still have time! So far everything has been extremely tasty. This one is going to be tricky! Results will come at the end of December.

Nativity Set

There are 4 more days until Christmas! For the rest of the month, I am going to be posting picture of Nativity sets that you send in! Email me a picture of your favorite Nativity set and I will post it on my blog! It will be fun for others to see how many different sets are out there. Leave a comment on this post if you need to know my email address. :)

ALSO- I want to remind you about this month's Iron Chef challenge. You have to make something with cinnamon and/or ginger. The winner gets a kitchen item!

Cookie Cutters

Soft Molasses Cutout Cookies

1 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 cup dark molasses

5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons baking soda

1 teasopoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon slat

1/2 cup water

In a large bowl, cream shortenig and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with 2-1/2 inch cookie cutters dipped in flour. Place 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets.

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove to wire racks to cook. Frost or dust with confectioners sugar if desired.

So fun! You might have made just ginger cookies before, but have you ever made a gingerbread man? This is the perfect recipe to do so. Or you can uses any other Christmas cookie cutter like angels, trees, snowmen, or stars!

Christmas Tree

After decorating your tree with lights, beads, and ornaments, it still isn't complete until it is topped. A star or angel, whatever you please. It just completes the whole thing, the tree doesn't look done until you have it topped! Do you have a star or angel on your tree? Answer on my pole to the left!

Lights

Ok, so in a nutshell... don't be a grump. :)

I don't know if any of you have ever driven on Christmas Street, but it is really cool. It is a whole big circle and every single house has lights and moving things and blowups and it is just plain fantastic. At the end of the circle though, there is one house that has zero lights. Nothing. Not even a wreath. Every year there are no decorations on that house! My family and I have nick named them, "the grumps". I mean come on! Why could they not put lights up when the rest of there circle is going full out????

I am not saying you have to go full out. I am simply saying to spread the Christmas spirit with others by putting something outside. As simple as a wreath on the door, to a light up santa on the roof.

December Iron Cheff Ingredient:

It is Finally December! What a great month. I am telling you, this is the best month to decorate your home. Don't wait another day! There are some darn cute decorations out there and you might just as well get them! It is also a great months for baking. So why not challenge yourself, and enter the contest!

The secret ingredient for the month of December is: cinnamon and/or ginger

I am so excited to see what everyone comes up with!!!