Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

GMAC has been earning straw for baby Jesus' manger

for every good deed she helps to make our Lords bed more comfortable

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

Our Lady of China

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God!

"Marvelous is the mystery proclaimed today: human nature is made new as God becomes man; he remains what he was and becomes what he was not. Yet each nature stays distinct and for ever undivided."
--- Canticle of Zechariah

CHRISTmas pictures

Merry CHRISTmas!! ..no we are not late with this. We are Catholic and to us CHRISTmas is a season not just one day.

Our Nativity

Kids after Mass

Rose and I made this, we used holly from our front yard!

Crucian Dad, placing the angel on top of the tree

We sang happy birthday to Jesus, a tradition we started when Inch was little.

Appum and Estew(south Indian dish) for brunch

Christmas Eve dinner

Rolls made by "U", riz djon-djon (rice and Hatian mushrooms),
Baked Chicken, Ham, Scalloped Potatoes made by Inch,
and brussel sprouts (we got the recipe from our good friend)

Santa of the New Millenium

Cookies

I am not much of a baker, but at Christmas time I do like to bake cookies. The kids love to help. These are two of my favorite.

PECAN SANDIES

1 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar (white)
2 tsp. water
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 c. chopped pecans

Cream 1 cup butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Add 2 teaspoons water and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Add 2 cups sifted flour and 1 cup chopped pecans.

Chill 3-4 hours. Form balls place an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes. Cool slightly roll in powdered sugar if desired.


Almond Crunch Cookies

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp pure almond extract
1/4 ground almonds
1 cup flour
1 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 350 F. Blend butter and sugar to a grainy paste. Mix in egg & almond extract and beat on med. speed until light and fluffy. Add ground almonds and flour and blend at low speed until just combined, don't over mix. Form dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and roll in sliced almonds. place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 15- 18 minutes . Cool and enjoy!

I got this one form my sis-in-law, who is an awesome baker!
-Mallu Mom