A Few of My Favorite Christmas Things 3

Merry Christmas Eve, Friends. Hard to believe it’s here. All day yesterday LT kept saying, “Mom, I can’t believe it’s Christmas Eve Eve.” Such excitement, while I ran thru the list of things that needed to be accomplished, I could have a used a few more days, but his joy filled my heart. Somehow, we mommas get it done.

The Soundtrack
My instagram followers saw this shot last week. No soundtrack like Bing and Danny and Rosemary and Judy.

White Christmas + Meet Me in St Louis = Heaven

The Decor
As some of you may know, our dear principle, Sr Catherine, passed away suddenly last June. She was the principle of my boys’ school for 47 years. It’s truly hard for me to believe her many years of service to God. Each year, she gifted the students a nativity. These are just two of the several we have.

The Cocktail – Champagne Cocktail
I just wanted to return to the 40s and 50s with my musical friends. This is an old classic.

The Ingredients
1 bottle of champagne or sparkling wine
sugar cubes
bitters

In a champagne flute or coupe, add one sugar cube and a dash or two of bitters, to coat the cube

The Treats

Truffle Popcorn
You can’t watch Christmas movies without cookies and popcorn. This is as simple as it gets.

The Ingredients
Popcorn – store bought, microwavable, air popped, stove popped, whirly popped – whatever you like or have on hand. If you use store bought, make sure it’s plain or lightly salted; if microwavable, I would go with light or no butter.
Truffle oil
Kosher salt

Place the popcorn in a bowl and drizzle on the truffle oil. Start slow and taste as you go. Truffle oil is a strong flavor.

Sprinkle some salt and mix together.
It’s that easy. And delicious.

Nut Butter Balls
An all time fave in my neck of the woods!

The Supplies
Stand mixer or hand mixer
Baking sheets
Cookie rack
Measuring cups and spoons

The Ingredients
1 c soften butter
1/2 c sugar
1/2 t salt
1 tsp almond extract or 2 tsp vanilla extract (Let’s not kid, I always choose the almond)
2 c flour
1-2 finely chopped pecans or walnuts
Powder sugar for coating

Preheat the oven to 350.

Cream together the butter, sugar, extract, and salt. I usually let the stand mixer go for a few minutes. The butter becomes light and fluffy.

I buy nuts in bulk, (store them in the freezer and they keep much longer), so there are few a ways to chop them for this recipe. A sharp knife and cutting board, a few pulses in a food processor, or a ziplock and the side of your rolling pin. I prefer this method because it’s the least messy and time consuming.

This gives you and idea of the pecan texture after being whacked with the rolling pin a few times.

Roll into one inch balls. I dampen my palms, so the dough doesn’t stick to my hands.

Bake for 12-15 minutes.
I let them set on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set and cool first.

Thank you for coming along and sharing in some of my favorite things. From my family to yours, we wish you a very merry Christmas.
xo, AT

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