Christmas with Lisa!

Lisa is already on holiday in France to visit family and hopefully enjoy some wine and pastries.

Before she left the country, she was kind enough to share her Christmas thoughts and cookie recipe with us.

Favorite Christmas movie:
(I have 2), Miracle on 34th Street and The Original Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Song (s):
 "Oh Holy Night" (I just LOVE the "fall on your knees" part especially when Celine Dion sings it!) and "Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella" it's soooo happy!

Tradition:
Opening one present (only) on Christmas Eve and doing the stockings with the "kids" first thing Christmas morning while the adults drink coffee and get their heads on straight! Then comes the opening of presents.

Memory:

 I don't have just one! I always LOVE Christmas with my family. An unusual Christmas for me a few years ago was going to France and spending it with my in laws, which we had never done. It was wonderful, and I get to do it again this year! I always miss my kids when I'm not with them for holidays and birthdays, but that's what happens when they get older and lives of their own...

Cookie recipe:
From the Joy of Cooking (yes, I do have ONE favorite cook book!)

Cinnamon Stars

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Sift: 2 cups confectioners' sugar

Whip until stiff but not dry: 5 egg whites, 1/8 teaspoon salt

Add the sugar gradually, continuing to whip. Add: 2 teaspoons cinnamon,1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

Whip constantly. Reserve one-third of the mixture. Fold into the remainder: 1 pound ground unblanched almonds

Dust a board or pastry canvas lightly with confectioners sugar. Pat the dough to the thickness of 1/3 inch; it is too delicate to roll. If it tends to stick, dust your palms with confectioners sugar. Cut the cakes with a star or other cutter, or simply mold them into small mounds. Glaze the tops with the reserved mixture. Back on a greased cookie sheet about 20 minutes (I prefer using parchment paper) for the cooking part.

Makes about 45 1 1/2 inch stars.

Lisa is an award-winning author and super mom who is able to plan weddings at the flutter of a heart.

As beautiful as she is sweet, Lisa is a great writer friend and blogger.

You can find her website HERE.

           

Thanks to our hosts Lexa, L.G, and Tonja Drecker for this weekly good things check in!  

1. Christmas is a week away!

2. The boys are home on vacation. 

3. My sister is coming for a visit. 

4. I'm more blessed than I often remember. Below is a story I read on Peaches Ledwidge's blog. It's the story of a lady who lost her vision, her love, and her home, but not her faith. Take a minute to read this story and count your blessings too. 

Angela's Story