December 15, 2006

• Tis the season

  For colds and flus…………
  
  Tuesday night I went to bed, tired and having what I thought was some severe allergy symptoms. To my horror, I progressively got more ill throughout the night, finally waking in the morning with a stuffy, coughing, runny nose, temperature running,headachy cold. I plopped by bottom on the chair, loaded up with some orange juice and took ziacam all day. Yesterday I was just about back to normal with just a little cold symptoms. Today I’m feeling just fine, although I still have some allergy problems — runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes. But all in all I escaped the illness relatively unscathed. Should have known that I was miserably sick all day on — WEDNESDAY!! Thanks goodness Christmas is not on a Wednesday!
  
  Last night we made some fudge — yum!! Squirt had to take some in for her science class learning day (they had to find the main ingredient and describe how it photosynthesizes — cocoa in this instance). Sounds like a good excuse to have a party right??? Tonight we are making Biscochitos. Tomorrow we’ll make sugar cookies, chocolate slices and dipped pretzels and turtles. Hopefully I get some banana nut bread done too.Some people asked about Biscochitos, they are a mexican christmas cookie and actually are New Mexico’s state cookie (no lie). They are light and not too sweet. Very biscuit like actually…ha ha ha. They have anise and brandy and topped with cinnamon and sugar. The house is all decorated and looks great. Gifts are mailed –except my sister’s which I need to get out today.
  
  So.. Hubby did it. He submitted his retirement request and we started discussing retirement party dates etcs. Eeep. I’m ready, but I’m not, it that makes any sense at all. This time next year we will be celebrating Christmas in New Mexico. Yikes!
  
  Ok, I’m off, have some shopping and cleaning to finish up with — hope everyone has a great day!
  
  Question for the day: What’s your favorite Christmas treat?
  
  For those interested I’ll post the recipe for Biscochitos.
  
  
  

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  Biscochitos
  
  Yield 5 dozen
  Temperature 350 F for 10-12 minutes
  
  2 cups of shortening
  1 1/2 cups of sugar
  2 teaspoons anise seed ( I use extract instead — I’ve used both)
  2 eggs beaten
  6 cups of flour
  3 teaspoons baking powder
  1 teaspoon of salt
  1/2 cup brandy (varied amounts may be used. Bourbon or sherry may be substituted)
  
  1/4 cup sugar
  1 Tablespoon cinnamon
  
  1. Cream shortening, sugar and anise seed in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs and beat well
  2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Alternately add flour and brandy to creamed mixture until a stiff dough has been formed.
  4. Knead dough slightly and pat or roll to a 1/4 – inch to a 1/2 – inch thickness. Cut dough into desired shapes.
  5. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small mixing bowl. Dust the top of each cookie with a small amount of the mixture.
  6. Bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned.
  
  Note: the fleur de lis shape is traditional for these cookies. (we typically use a round shape – often a glass, and stars)
  
  
  

  • 1:23 pm
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