Sunday has always been family day in our home. It's the one day we make sure to eat together, and it keeps us close. The kitchen for us is probably the most important room in our house. Not only have my daughter and I shared many hours cooking together I truly believe it has helped maintained open lines of communication between us. Cooking and talking makes the time go by fast, but it's a very important part of our family bond as well.
My daughter, who is now in her second year of college, has remained very close to me and I'm very proud of that fact. She is heading into the nursing program soon and I contribute a large part of that to family values. We always knew where she was, what she was doing and who she was with. I have always been a parent first and friend second. Kids need to know they are loved and I believe the most important way to show that love is to make sure you know what's happening in their lives.
Now that she is in college I really don't worry about her because I know she knows right from wrong. She has always exercised good judgement and I trust her completely. As a parent, that is the best gift you can receive from your child. As parents my husband and I can't take all the credit because we have a child who has respected our judgement and I believe that says more about her than it does about us.
She turned 20 years old and she still wants to cook with me. She still gets excited about the holidays and we still make Christmas Cookies together every year. We are always together on Christmas Eve. As a family every year we head to the Italian store Christmas Eve day. We buy cold cuts, cheese, olives and bread and come home and partake in all the imported Italian food we bought. It's been a tradition and it's always something we've done together as a family and we look forward to it each year.
I know some day she will get married and leave home, but I will always treasure the time I've spent with her. I hope that will continue after she has her own children. I look forward to growing old with my husband and having everyone over for our Sunday meals. I can see me in the kitchen with my daughter and grandchildren and I hope she will be as close to her children as I have been with her. So indeed the kitchen is the most important place in our home. I hope this carries on from generation to generation because family is the most important part of life and the only thing that will last. Family love never dies and memories will last long after we are gone.
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Don't Sweat The Mess When Baking Cookies With The Family
My husband and daughter are both very busy most of the time. My husband is very busy with his job as Managing Editor at SET Magazine (Sports and Entertainment Today). He also is a writer and works in local television. My daugter is a freshman in high school. On top of that she is in band and also an Equestrian.
The holidays are the perfect time to make things special at home. Christmas holidays are the busiest time of the year not to mention the most expensive. I try to make everything festive and fun leading up to Christmas. We enjoy being together as a family and I want it to be the happiest it can be.
One of the ways to make things festive is to bake cookies. My daughter and I bake cookies every year and have fun decorating them. We get my husband somewhat involved with the decorating process; however, his favorite part is the eating process. Sorry honey, but you definitley can't bake.
Most of the baking we do is usually with an Italian flare because my family background happens to be Italian. Over the years, however, we have tried many other types of cookies and they have become part of our family holiday baking tradition as well.
We make everything from Struffoli (Italian honey drenched fritters),rum balls, anise cookies to good ole American type cookies from sugar to mint chocolate chip. My husband doesn't like anise so if you or someone in your famiily doesn't like anise flavor (licorice) you can substitute with any extract (almond, lemon, vanilla etc.)
This first cookie we make is one of my daughter's favorites. It's delicious and fun because you can decorate them with icing and little candies. Kids love to decorate cookies. If your kitchen gets a little messy, it's a small price to pay for family fun and togetherness.
CREAM CHEESE CUTOUT COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Almond Frosting (recipe follows)
Assorted candies for decoration
In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until well combined. Add sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla and almond extract; beat well. In a small bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to cream cheese mixture; beat until well mixed. Divide dough in half. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap; refrigerate about 1 1/2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out dough, half at a time, to 1/8 -inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut out with cookies cutters. Place two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Frost cookies with Almond Frosting; decorate with assorted candies, if desired.
ALMOND FROSTING
In a small bowl, beat 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of softened butter and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract until smooth. For piping consistency, beat in 4 to 5 teaspoons milk. For spreading consistency, add a little more milk. If desired, tint with food coloring.
The two main tips I have for these cookies is make sure to use butter and also extracts -- not imitation flavor. This will make a big difference in your cookie's taste.
These cookies are so much fun to decorate. I buy an assortment of candies from Michael's. You can decorate these with the little silver candies, sprinkles, and colored sugars.
My dogs also love these cookies. Don't forget they are a big part of our family too!
The holidays can be stressful on everyone, but relieve some of the stress by baking and having fun with your family during the holiday season! Slow down a little and enjoy each other -- family togetherness and love that is what Christmas is all about. No present can replace love and happiness.
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
The holidays are the perfect time to make things special at home. Christmas holidays are the busiest time of the year not to mention the most expensive. I try to make everything festive and fun leading up to Christmas. We enjoy being together as a family and I want it to be the happiest it can be.
One of the ways to make things festive is to bake cookies. My daughter and I bake cookies every year and have fun decorating them. We get my husband somewhat involved with the decorating process; however, his favorite part is the eating process. Sorry honey, but you definitley can't bake.
Most of the baking we do is usually with an Italian flare because my family background happens to be Italian. Over the years, however, we have tried many other types of cookies and they have become part of our family holiday baking tradition as well.
We make everything from Struffoli (Italian honey drenched fritters),rum balls, anise cookies to good ole American type cookies from sugar to mint chocolate chip. My husband doesn't like anise so if you or someone in your famiily doesn't like anise flavor (licorice) you can substitute with any extract (almond, lemon, vanilla etc.)
This first cookie we make is one of my daughter's favorites. It's delicious and fun because you can decorate them with icing and little candies. Kids love to decorate cookies. If your kitchen gets a little messy, it's a small price to pay for family fun and togetherness.
CREAM CHEESE CUTOUT COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Almond Frosting (recipe follows)
Assorted candies for decoration
In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until well combined. Add sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla and almond extract; beat well. In a small bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to cream cheese mixture; beat until well mixed. Divide dough in half. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap; refrigerate about 1 1/2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out dough, half at a time, to 1/8 -inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut out with cookies cutters. Place two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Frost cookies with Almond Frosting; decorate with assorted candies, if desired.
ALMOND FROSTING
In a small bowl, beat 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of softened butter and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract until smooth. For piping consistency, beat in 4 to 5 teaspoons milk. For spreading consistency, add a little more milk. If desired, tint with food coloring.
The two main tips I have for these cookies is make sure to use butter and also extracts -- not imitation flavor. This will make a big difference in your cookie's taste.
These cookies are so much fun to decorate. I buy an assortment of candies from Michael's. You can decorate these with the little silver candies, sprinkles, and colored sugars.
My dogs also love these cookies. Don't forget they are a big part of our family too!
The holidays can be stressful on everyone, but relieve some of the stress by baking and having fun with your family during the holiday season! Slow down a little and enjoy each other -- family togetherness and love that is what Christmas is all about. No present can replace love and happiness.
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
P.S. Don't forget to have the kids leave cookies for Santa! Homemade cookies -- that's one sure way to get on Santa's Nice List!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Ham Wraps Quick, Easy Appetizers Your Kids Can Help You Make
I love the holidays and I enjoy all the cooking and preparation that leads to the festivities.
My daughter who is now 15 years old helps me out with everything. She will be in America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year and has been very busy leading up to Thanksgiving. However, she asked me the other day when we were going to start baking and cooking. I thought this year she wouldn’t want to get involved with all the preparations, but she surprised me.
This is allowing us to become closer and talk, while at the same time it teaches her how to cook. At 15 years old she does a pretty good job of cooking, but she started helping me with little jobs in the kitchen when she was small. I always took time and made it as fun as possible starting with her Easy Bake oven.
I’ve tried to teach my daughter during our cooking marathons to always make sure everything tastes terrific, but at the same time to try to keep the cost down. Not an easy task in this economy! However, there are some things you can do to keep the cost down. One thing I’ve found is that you don’t necessarily have to buy brand name products. If you can get them on sale, great, but if not, I’ve found the store brand products (Meijer,etc.) taste just as good. The other thing I’ve noticed is that the week before a holiday most stores have wonderful sales on groceries. Look at the weekend flyers and compare prices to make sure you get the best deal.
Another example is cream cheese. I love the Philadelphia brand, but if you are putting it in a dip or appetizer it doesn’t really matter.
Here is a quick appetizer you can make with your kids. This is fun and will get children in the kitchen so you can spend more time with them during the busy holiday season.
I’ve used prosciutto (dry-cured Italian ham), which is very expensive, but I’ve also tried deli ham. They both taste great. I’ve found deli ham as low as $2.99/lb. at my local deli counter. I also make sure I’ve blanched the asparagus spears before my daughter even gets into the kitchen so they are cooled and dried completely. That way you don’t worry about your kids getting burned and you can get started right away.
Also a little added note, I am from Michigan, and Michigan ranks third in the nation for asparagus production. So I can boost the economy a bit as well!
ITALIAN HAM & ASPARAGUS WRAPS
1 8 Oz. package cream cheese
1 teaspoon of dried chives
1 teaspoon parsley
Salt to taste
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
¼ teaspoon of lemon juice
½ lb. ham or prosciutto (at least 10 pieces of ham)
10 large asparagus spears trimmed and blanched for a few minutes to retain crispness.
Let cream cheese come to room temperature. In a bowl mix cream cheese, chives, parsley, salt, pepper and lemon. Set aside. Place a slice of ham on counter or cutting board and spread thin layer of cream cheese on the meat with a spoon. Place a piece of asparagus on top of the cream cheese and top of the ham slice and roll. Cut each roll into pieces. About 4 to 5 pieces per ham slice.
Makes about 40-50 bite sized pieces.
These little appetizers are great to serve with a glass of wine before dinner. Ham wraps taste great and they don’t cost much to make.
So get the ham on sale and no name brand cream cheese. This is something you can make that will make the holidays a little more festive while being affordable at the same time.
Most of all, get your kids in the kitchen and spend time with them during the holidays!
Happy Holidays!
My daughter who is now 15 years old helps me out with everything. She will be in America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year and has been very busy leading up to Thanksgiving. However, she asked me the other day when we were going to start baking and cooking. I thought this year she wouldn’t want to get involved with all the preparations, but she surprised me.
This is allowing us to become closer and talk, while at the same time it teaches her how to cook. At 15 years old she does a pretty good job of cooking, but she started helping me with little jobs in the kitchen when she was small. I always took time and made it as fun as possible starting with her Easy Bake oven.
I’ve tried to teach my daughter during our cooking marathons to always make sure everything tastes terrific, but at the same time to try to keep the cost down. Not an easy task in this economy! However, there are some things you can do to keep the cost down. One thing I’ve found is that you don’t necessarily have to buy brand name products. If you can get them on sale, great, but if not, I’ve found the store brand products (Meijer,etc.) taste just as good. The other thing I’ve noticed is that the week before a holiday most stores have wonderful sales on groceries. Look at the weekend flyers and compare prices to make sure you get the best deal.
Another example is cream cheese. I love the Philadelphia brand, but if you are putting it in a dip or appetizer it doesn’t really matter.
Here is a quick appetizer you can make with your kids. This is fun and will get children in the kitchen so you can spend more time with them during the busy holiday season.
I’ve used prosciutto (dry-cured Italian ham), which is very expensive, but I’ve also tried deli ham. They both taste great. I’ve found deli ham as low as $2.99/lb. at my local deli counter. I also make sure I’ve blanched the asparagus spears before my daughter even gets into the kitchen so they are cooled and dried completely. That way you don’t worry about your kids getting burned and you can get started right away.
Also a little added note, I am from Michigan, and Michigan ranks third in the nation for asparagus production. So I can boost the economy a bit as well!
ITALIAN HAM & ASPARAGUS WRAPS
1 8 Oz. package cream cheese
1 teaspoon of dried chives
1 teaspoon parsley
Salt to taste
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
¼ teaspoon of lemon juice
½ lb. ham or prosciutto (at least 10 pieces of ham)
10 large asparagus spears trimmed and blanched for a few minutes to retain crispness.
Let cream cheese come to room temperature. In a bowl mix cream cheese, chives, parsley, salt, pepper and lemon. Set aside. Place a slice of ham on counter or cutting board and spread thin layer of cream cheese on the meat with a spoon. Place a piece of asparagus on top of the cream cheese and top of the ham slice and roll. Cut each roll into pieces. About 4 to 5 pieces per ham slice.
Makes about 40-50 bite sized pieces.
These little appetizers are great to serve with a glass of wine before dinner. Ham wraps taste great and they don’t cost much to make.
So get the ham on sale and no name brand cream cheese. This is something you can make that will make the holidays a little more festive while being affordable at the same time.
Most of all, get your kids in the kitchen and spend time with them during the holidays!
Happy Holidays!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Stressed? Make Time For A Good Book
I think one of the best things we can do for our families is to be as stress-free as possible.
As a mom, that isn't always so easy, and with the Christmas Holiday breathing down our necks it's almost impossible.
However, I have found over the course of the years that reading is a great way to relieve some of my stress. I love to read and I do it whenever I get a chance.
With the cold weather upon us it may be a little bit easier to pick up a book and relax. I find the best time is in the evening when it is quiet and the kids have gone to bed.
As parents we need to relax and not have to feel guility about it. A book is a great way to do that and is still pretty inexpensive.
I have also found used book stores to be a great source to find very inexpensive reading material. They have romance, murder mysteries, and everything in between. If you have books to trade in it is even more inexpensive.
For instance, I recently went to a used bookstore in my area and had books to trade in. I paid as little as $1.50 for a book. Even without the trade-in the book would have only been $3.00.
This is a great way to provide hours of relaxation and stress-free entertainment. On a cold winter's night there is nothing like a great book and a hot cup of cocoa!
So don't feel guilty -- pick up a great book and relax. It's one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our families.
As a mom, that isn't always so easy, and with the Christmas Holiday breathing down our necks it's almost impossible.
However, I have found over the course of the years that reading is a great way to relieve some of my stress. I love to read and I do it whenever I get a chance.
With the cold weather upon us it may be a little bit easier to pick up a book and relax. I find the best time is in the evening when it is quiet and the kids have gone to bed.
As parents we need to relax and not have to feel guility about it. A book is a great way to do that and is still pretty inexpensive.
I have also found used book stores to be a great source to find very inexpensive reading material. They have romance, murder mysteries, and everything in between. If you have books to trade in it is even more inexpensive.
For instance, I recently went to a used bookstore in my area and had books to trade in. I paid as little as $1.50 for a book. Even without the trade-in the book would have only been $3.00.
This is a great way to provide hours of relaxation and stress-free entertainment. On a cold winter's night there is nothing like a great book and a hot cup of cocoa!
So don't feel guilty -- pick up a great book and relax. It's one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our families.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
In The Year Of The Recall, Look To Homemade Toys This Holiday Season
I've addressed this on my blog before, but I guess it needs to be brought up again.
I watch the news on a pretty regular basis. Again, I am appalled at the government's slow reaction at anything that affects this nation's people. When it come to children I get even more upset.
Yet again, seven more U.S. children became sick after ingesting Chinese-made toy beads that were recalled last week because of a toxic coating.
Now if you aren't aware of the product, please check your home and call friends with children. The Spin Master Aqua Dots are the name of the toxic toy. This news should be plastered everywhere, but it isn't.
The Aqua Dots toy that's being recalled
The chemical that these beads are covered in causes children to be knocked unconscious. This particular chemical metabolizes into gamma hydroxybutyrate -- better known as the "date-rape drug".
On top of the child being knocked unconscious, it can also cause seizures, drowsiness, coma, and even death.
Where is the outrage from our government? These are our children -- our babies! Since this administration has been in office the country has done nothing but gone downhill at an alarming rate.
This government should be banning anything that comes from China! If not, everything that comes into our country should be tested thoroughly and these companies should have to pay for every bit of it. They should also make sure that the cost of such prevention doesn't get passed along to the consumer. There's a price for cheap labor and these companies should be made to pay for it.
I hope these toy companies get sued so badly they are put out of business. These are our children and there should be such a human outcry. They put American workers out of business to send products overseas to be made cheaper. I feel no pity for these companies, but as usual they are not the only ones hurt. When it comes to any child being harmed in any way that is where I really lose my temper. Especially when this could have all been avoided by someone testing these products and just plain doing their job!
The other thing that makes me mad is that it wasn't our govenment that banned these toys. It was in Beijing, China that they banned exports of this toy. That only happened after these Aqua Dots had been recalled in other countries. On top of that, China probably wouldn't have done anything either if an investigation hadn't been ordered.
The Chinese government doesn't care about their own people -- why would they care about ours? Furthermore, our government is just as bad; they don't protect us either. Where do we turn? The people running for president in 2008 aren't addressing all the issues facing our country today. They gloss over issues and I am sick and tired of them walking a fine line.
If you believe in something you should stand up for it and not be afraid of what others will say. We need people in our government who are honest and have a backbone. Personally I don't think there is anyone who fits this description, among the presidential candidates.
When it comes to children that is when I really get mad. We are here to protect them -- not put them in danger and our government and corporate America should make sure of that.
My daughter, Nicole, is 14 now so she doesn't really play with toys anymore. She's into her iPod, writing stories with her friends, and being a usual teenager. However, if I had a precious little one I wouldn't buy a single toy sold in stores this year. Hit these companies in the pocket book!
A few weeks back it was said that this would be the safest holiday on record. That is already not happening. Why believe anything the so-called experts say? If I had a little one, what I would do is buy toys at local craft shows. This time of the year, you can find such shows all over the place, usually at churches and schools. A lot of these retired gentlemen -- and ladies -- make beautiful wooden toys. I've bought them in the past for my daughter. Not only are you helping these folks that make these wonderful toys, you are also keeping your child safe. I'd trust someone like a local crafter more than I would these big toy manufacturers.
The kind of toys you find at a craft show are ones that will require kids to use more of their imagination. In the long run they will probably love the toy much more than a store bought one. It will probably keep them more entertained. Plus, the toys are better made --with care, love, and pride. Tell your kids that this hand-made toy was made especially for them and there isn't another one like it in the whole world. Make them feel special -- because they are. As parents we need to remember that there isn't another person like that special child in our life and he/she can't be replaced. Our children are made with care, love, and pride -- just like these special toys!
Homemade, hand-made toys like this car can be found at your local church or school's craft shows
If you want to keep your kids safe this holiday season, try a homemade toy. Maybe if we go back to the way things used to be we will all be better off. Not to mention, our kids will be safe. What could be better for all of us?
I watch the news on a pretty regular basis. Again, I am appalled at the government's slow reaction at anything that affects this nation's people. When it come to children I get even more upset.
Yet again, seven more U.S. children became sick after ingesting Chinese-made toy beads that were recalled last week because of a toxic coating.
Now if you aren't aware of the product, please check your home and call friends with children. The Spin Master Aqua Dots are the name of the toxic toy. This news should be plastered everywhere, but it isn't.
The Aqua Dots toy that's being recalled
The chemical that these beads are covered in causes children to be knocked unconscious. This particular chemical metabolizes into gamma hydroxybutyrate -- better known as the "date-rape drug".
On top of the child being knocked unconscious, it can also cause seizures, drowsiness, coma, and even death.
Where is the outrage from our government? These are our children -- our babies! Since this administration has been in office the country has done nothing but gone downhill at an alarming rate.
This government should be banning anything that comes from China! If not, everything that comes into our country should be tested thoroughly and these companies should have to pay for every bit of it. They should also make sure that the cost of such prevention doesn't get passed along to the consumer. There's a price for cheap labor and these companies should be made to pay for it.
I hope these toy companies get sued so badly they are put out of business. These are our children and there should be such a human outcry. They put American workers out of business to send products overseas to be made cheaper. I feel no pity for these companies, but as usual they are not the only ones hurt. When it comes to any child being harmed in any way that is where I really lose my temper. Especially when this could have all been avoided by someone testing these products and just plain doing their job!
The other thing that makes me mad is that it wasn't our govenment that banned these toys. It was in Beijing, China that they banned exports of this toy. That only happened after these Aqua Dots had been recalled in other countries. On top of that, China probably wouldn't have done anything either if an investigation hadn't been ordered.
The Chinese government doesn't care about their own people -- why would they care about ours? Furthermore, our government is just as bad; they don't protect us either. Where do we turn? The people running for president in 2008 aren't addressing all the issues facing our country today. They gloss over issues and I am sick and tired of them walking a fine line.
If you believe in something you should stand up for it and not be afraid of what others will say. We need people in our government who are honest and have a backbone. Personally I don't think there is anyone who fits this description, among the presidential candidates.
When it comes to children that is when I really get mad. We are here to protect them -- not put them in danger and our government and corporate America should make sure of that.
My daughter, Nicole, is 14 now so she doesn't really play with toys anymore. She's into her iPod, writing stories with her friends, and being a usual teenager. However, if I had a precious little one I wouldn't buy a single toy sold in stores this year. Hit these companies in the pocket book!
A few weeks back it was said that this would be the safest holiday on record. That is already not happening. Why believe anything the so-called experts say? If I had a little one, what I would do is buy toys at local craft shows. This time of the year, you can find such shows all over the place, usually at churches and schools. A lot of these retired gentlemen -- and ladies -- make beautiful wooden toys. I've bought them in the past for my daughter. Not only are you helping these folks that make these wonderful toys, you are also keeping your child safe. I'd trust someone like a local crafter more than I would these big toy manufacturers.
The kind of toys you find at a craft show are ones that will require kids to use more of their imagination. In the long run they will probably love the toy much more than a store bought one. It will probably keep them more entertained. Plus, the toys are better made --with care, love, and pride. Tell your kids that this hand-made toy was made especially for them and there isn't another one like it in the whole world. Make them feel special -- because they are. As parents we need to remember that there isn't another person like that special child in our life and he/she can't be replaced. Our children are made with care, love, and pride -- just like these special toys!
Homemade, hand-made toys like this car can be found at your local church or school's craft shows
If you want to keep your kids safe this holiday season, try a homemade toy. Maybe if we go back to the way things used to be we will all be better off. Not to mention, our kids will be safe. What could be better for all of us?
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