12/02/07

Today was Fast Sunday and we had an hour between the end of Sacrament Meeting and the Christmas devotional. SInce our house is about 20 minutes from the church, another family invited us over for pizza. I had already made wraps to have for dinner at the church between meetings, so we just took them with us. It was very nice to visit with another family somewhere other than the church hallways between meetings. We ended up being 1/2 hour late to the devotional, but we'll try to catch the whole thing later.

After the devotional we had a 2 hour choir practice and my throat is hoarse again.

It was snowing much of the afternoon and we probably have an accumulation of a couple of inches now. I was going to hit my workout in the morning, then study at the library for a bit, but I think I'll stay home instead. Ron says it is supposed to warm up and rain for the next couple of days . . .we'll see how far off the weather guessers are this time.

I am hoping we have a lucky break in the weather for our drive in a couple of weeks, maybe we need to start praying now.

Late one

This is a close-up silhouette of one stained glass cookie. . .but you probably can`t eat just one!

12/01/07

Today while it tried to snow outside, I tried to focus on my math review for the final Wednesday. The weather and I were both only marginally successful in our endeavors. I will be studying into the evening tonight and will try to get a bit more done in the morning before church.

Ron and the boys are out at the church all night tonight to play security for the outdoor nativity scene that is set-up for the upcoming live Nativity this week. Ron was getting "help" while he tried to catch 40 winks this afternoon before leaving for security duty.

I managed to bake most of the cookie dough just before dinner this evening, so we have stained glass window cookies now ready for delivery to the church in the morning. They are pretty simple to make and they are kind-of cool looking too.

Here`s the recipe

Stained Glass Window Cookies

(make sugar cookie dough and chill)

2/3 C Shortening

3/4 C Sugar

1 t Vanilla

1 Egg

4 t Milk

2 C Flour

1-1/2 t Baking Powder

1/4 t Salt

Cream together shortening, sugar and vanilla. Beat in egg `till fluffy, then stir in milk. Blend in the dry ingredients. Wrap the dough in cellophane and refrigerate for several hours (overnight).

Heat oven to 375 F. Coarsely crush some clear, colored hard candies like Jolly Ranchers or Life Savers in a mortar/pestle or with a hammer and plastic bags. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut into shapes. Cut smaller shapes out of centers and place cookies on greased aluminum foil cover cookie sheets. Fill the center holes with candy pieces. Bake for about 6-8 minutes- just until candy is melted, don`t overcook. Let cool and harden on the foil then carefully peel off and enjoy.

It`s about time to get back to the books now. . .have a good night all.