Celebrate 2012: The Epiphany

The Epiphany, Twelfth Night, or Three Kings Day.  I remember learning about this day in my French class but could only remember that you ate a cake with a trinket or bean in it and whomever got piece was king for the day. 

via.

Here is what it really comes down too:
-This is the actual 12th day of Christmas and when Orthodox Christians celebrate the 3 Wise men finding Christ and presenting him with gifts.
-Baboushka or La Befana is a little old woman who tried to catch up with the wise men to visit Christ but didn't make it so she still wanders about looking and giving gifts.
- The Cake in France is called Gallette Des Rois and is made of puffed pastry and almond paste.

via.

So what to do to celebrate?

1. Make a cake of any kind or try your and at the Gallette Des Rois (above is a linked recipe).
2.  Leave some Christmas decorations up until this day and reflect on what it all really means as you take them down.
3.  Watch a Video of the 3 kings.
4.  Give Christ 3 gifts, 3 resolutions about how you will be a better person, get rid of a bad habit, become more like Him, etc...  3 personal Frankincense, Gold, and Myrrh.
5.  Read the story of the Other Wiseman by Henry Van Dyke, full text can be found here.

Why not make the holiday season last a bit longer.  Celebrate Epiphany!

via.

Celebrate 2012: J.R.R. Tolkien Day

January 3, 2012

To celebrate J.R.R. Tolkien day I made Shire Chicken Noodle Soup and "The One Roll to Rule Them All"...

Shire Chicken Noodle Soup:

1 Tbsp Butter

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

4 (14.5 oz) can Chicken broth

1 (14.5oz) can Vegetable broth

1/2 lb cooked and chopped chicken breast

2 cups skinny egg noodles or 1 1/2 cup wide egg noodles

1 cup sliced carrots

1 tsp basil

1/2 tsp oregano

salt and pepper to taste

In a large stock pot melt butter and sautee celery and onion for 3-5 minutes until tender.  Add chicken and stir.  Pour in broths, carrots, basil, and oregano.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.  Salt and Pepper to taste.  Makes approx. 12 cups/12 servings.  Worth 1 Weight Watchers point plus per serving.

The One Roll, is a GIANORMOUS Cinnamon Roll... the recipe with really good instructions is found at Mel's Kitchen Cafe.  I also used her Buttermilk Cream cheese frosting recipe.

For other ideas check this out:  E-How's LOTR Party ideas.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

Celebrate 2012: New Years Day

I am going to be blogging ideas for every holiday/observance I want to celebrate in 2012.   I believe that everyone needs some random fun in their lives and this is one way I intend to have some in mine.

via.

So first up:  New Years Day.

via.

I spent my New Years Day writing resolutions, attending church, making turkey burgers, watching Star Wars, and trying out a new dessert.

Blackberry Dumplings
(This recipe is adapted from here)

1 lb or quart of fresh blackberries
2 cups water
1 cup white sugar
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup Bisquick Heartsmart mix
4 Tbsp milk
2 Tbsp white sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix together blackberries, water, sugar, butter and cinnamon in a pot.  Bring to a boil and boil for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Meanwhile mix up dumplings:  Bisquick, milk, sugar, and cinnamon.  Mix with a fork until soft ball forms.  After blackberries have boiled for 20 minutes drop dough by small spoonfuls into boiling mixture.  Continue to boil for 10 more minutes.  Do not stir.  Remove from heat.  Serve with homemade whipped cream or vanilla icecream.

via.