Welcome to my blog, all you Jolly Blogfesters! We didn't do a tree this year.
Who am I kidding? We haven't done a tree in three years because of the cats.
Next year we're getting a FAKE tree, though. How much trouble can they get into with a fake tree? Maybe I shouldn't put that out there.
In the meantime, I have to content myself with decorating the house (because The Hubster won't let me decorate the pets).
This is our entertainment center...
(click to enlarge for better effect)
This is my beautiful grandma. Grandma was such a great cook. She also made killer Christmas treats - not just cookies. My FAVE was her Buttercreams. I would stuff my face until I was sick. Not literally. My tummy ached and I would have to rest before eating more (a few hours later). The best part is - they're super easy to make!
GRANDMA'S BUTTERCREAMS
1lb confectioner's sugar
1/2 stick butter
1/4 c. cream (scant)
1 teaspoon vanilla
dash of salt
Line cookie sheets with wax paper.
Combine ingredients and knead until creamy. Roll into balls. Place on cookie sheets and chill in fridge until hard.
In saucepan, melt together:
1/2 lb bakers semi sweet chocolate
1 inch off a block of parafin
Dip balls into melted chocolate, returning to cookie sheets. Refrigerate until hard.
My FAVE drink this time of year is a Peppermint Mocha. I make them at home on rainy days (or evenings). Here is my version of Starbucks famous drink...
PEPPERMINT MOCHA
2 oz espresso
1 c. nonfat milk (you can use whatever you want)
1 spoonful (LARGE spoon so it's probably a Tablespoon) SugarFree Peppermint Syrup
2 scoops cocoa powder
I have an espresso machine - don't be jealous. I got it at Target for $24.99! Best purchase ever. So I make 2-4 oz. depending on whether I want a Tall or Grande. Then I steam the milk on the side (sometimes I heat in the micro if I'm lazy...okay, I heat it in the micro most of the time because I'm very lazy). Stir in the milk, Peppermint Syrup, cocoa powder of your choice and - viola! You have a Peppermint Mocha and have saved yourself $4.55. Now, you have to play around with this to get it to your specific tastes. My husband likes more cocoa, whole milk and regular Peppermint syrup.
You can add whip cream if you'd like!
I am wrapping for donations tomorrow (for my non-profit) from 9-6pm so I won't be home to blog hop until the late evening, but I promise to visit you all then!!
Thanks for stopping by and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
The recipes sound great -- a definite try on the cookies.
ReplyDeleteCan't imagine some sort of tree but then I don't do cats so I don't understand.
No worries, I can't blog hop until later tonight too (just getting through those who posted before I go to sleep, before, you know, going to sleep).
ReplyDeleteThat sucks that you can't do a tree but I totally get it. My cat has been climbing in our tree and knocking decorations off all day! Finally, I grabbed a plant and added decorations to it and placed it beside her scratching post. SO far, it's worked!!
Buttercreams sound delicious!!
What a beautiful photograph of your Grandmother! I love her recipe too. Can't wait to give it a try. Happy Wrapping.
ReplyDeleteOoo yummy recipes! Thanks for sharing them!
ReplyDeleteNo tree for us this year either due to puppy. Hopefully next year because I really miss having my trusty old fake tree lighting up the room.
Love that photograph of your grandmother, too.
Merry Christmas!
I've heard cats don't mess with fake trees like they do with real ones, so hope you get a tree next year.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the peppermint mocha recipe, I will so be making that soon.
ReplyDeleteAs for cats and fake trees. Cats are cats, I suggest a fake tree and plastic ornaments. One year when I was still a kid we decorated the tree for Christmas. Everyday our cat would break at least one ornament. When Christmas was over, we didn’t even need to undecorated the tree. We just took the lights off; the cat had done the rest.
Also, Merry Christmas.
Don't get a pre-lit tree. My cats completely destroyed ours because they loved the lights. Buying a new string of lights is SO much easier than replacing a $100+ tree after the first year.
ReplyDeleteThose buttercreams sound delicious! Have a Merry Christmas!
There are tasty treats - your Grandma sounds like a wonderful cook.
ReplyDeleteCats and trees are difficult to combine.
Merry Christmas to you all.
No-tree-because-of-cats-virtual-high-five!
ReplyDeleteYour grandmother is so beautiful there! I love old pictures like that too. Thank you for sharing those recipes!! NOM! Merry Christmas Jennie!
omg, buttercreams! mmmm!!! :d
ReplyDeleteAnd yes! We switched to an artificial tree b/c of our cat and it totally works. Don't ask me why. :D
Your g'mom was beautiful. Like you! Merry Christmas~ <3
your recipes sound yummy!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE peppermint Mocha...although I typically get mine from Starbucks.
ReplyDeleteI hear a lot of people don't do trees because of cats. My dog already swished a couple ornaments off the tree and broke them with his tail, so I can see how frustrating it would be with cats! Your decorations are pretty, and your grandma's recipe sounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, cats will do that to ya/the tree. Dunno, you'd still have ornaments and present bows the cats could be mischievous with--depends on their personalities and devious levels, I guess! Oh yes, your grandmother was indeed beautiful, lovely photo. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely photo of your grandmother! Thank you for sharing her recipe! :)
ReplyDeleteAw, your decorations are adorable! And your grandmother is just beautiful in that picture--I love her expression! I have to try those buttercreams now :) Have a very merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteJennie - Our first year of marriage, we had a fake tree and a kitty (rest her soul). We didn't put any ornaments on it - just lights. That kitty loved to climb up that tree and hang out. She adored it. An FYI. Your treats sound yummy. =D
ReplyDeleteTrust me when I say fake trees make little difference to cats. The cats still think they are climbable on occasion.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very merry Christmas,
Lyn
W.I.P. It: A Writer's Journey
Stopping by for the blogfest!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous photograph of your grandmother - thank you for sharing her recipe. It looks delicious!
Happy Holidays,
Shannon
Well, they don't mess so much with the tree as with the ornaments. Kitty Boss behaved last year. Roo, however....we didn't put one up because she's likely to involve the fire department, and maybe a SWAT team....
ReplyDeleteI love the snowman!
Check out my napoleon creams. They're a little trickier, but so worth it. Naked Opinions
ReplyDeleteMy mouth is melting at the thought of those buttercreams! :)
ReplyDeleteI make my grandmother's cookie recipe as well around the holidays.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Happy Holidays! I am going to have to try that drink, thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipes. They sound yummy!
ReplyDeleteMmmmm - buttercreams! They sound delish! I guess I've lucked out - my little dachshund is too short to reach the ornaments and doesn't show much interest in my tree. Hopefully you'll find a good tree compromise for you and your cats ~ :) Your Grandmother was just lovely. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteAnything with tons of butter is bound to be good! You'll just have to do more wall hangings!!! Thanks for stopping by my blog and happy Be Jolly by Golly Blogfest!
ReplyDeleteI love how you decorated!! That's so much fun!
ReplyDeleteButter... can someone say Paula Deen?!
Sorry I'm late... my internet wasn't working at home AND I had a ton of cookies to bake. Needless to say the blogging gods were not on my side.
The recipes sounds yummy. Hop eyou have a wonderful holiday!
ReplyDeleteOh, those buttercreams sound delicious! YUM!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
I know you say not to....but I'm jealous over your espresso machine! Thank you for sharing your holiday with us. :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Your grandmother was beautiful and her buttercreams sound divine! Happy Christmas to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteBe Jolly By Golly
That picture of your grandmother is wonderful. Definitely will have to try those buttercreams. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!! :D
ReplyDeleteThat buttercream recipe looks so good!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays.
Aw, too bad you don't have a tree, but I have curious pets too so I understand. My pups have been surprisingly good with the tree this year...so far.
ReplyDeleteCats and trees, oh my. I know just what you mean. No cats live here currently so I do have a tree. Delicious recipes.
ReplyDeleteNancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThose buttercreams sound so yummy! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteOh your Grandma's Buttercreams sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful Christmas! ;)
ReplyDeleteThe buttercreams sound decadent but delicious. I think you should be able to decorate your pets. I mean isn't that what they are for?
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome you put up a pic of your Grandma! So sweet :) Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteTake it from someone who knows...a fake tree is no defence against a determined moggie! All you can do is either (a) Tie the tree upright and staple all the ornaments to the branches, or (b) Wait until the cats grow out of that phase. Good luck. Oh, and peppermint mocha sounds superb!
ReplyDeleteI love a recipe with some wiggle room.
ReplyDeleteI love your decorations and the buttercreams sound amazing! I can empathize with the cats, I keep having to chase mine away from our tree!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
What a beautiful picture of your grandmother. It looks like a tinted photo... lovely.
ReplyDeleteGreat buttercream recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Michael
The Buttercreams sound fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow, your grandmother does look really beautiful in that picture. Women back then were very good at making themselves classically beautiful. I'm trying to figure out where I went wrong. ;o)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!