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SOMEHOW, IT ALL WORKS OUT. At eight o'clock Friday morning, I needed to bake eight dozen cookies plus decorate my house (finally) for Christmas plus plus plus plus and plus. At six o'clock Friday night, I still needed a menu for Saturday's brunch, preferably without a grocery run. YES IT ALL WORKS OUT, SOMEHOW. At ten o'clock this morning, eight friends arrived for (a fabulous, if I may say so myself) brunch -- and our 17th annual cookie swap, a tradition I'd no more give up than, hmm, Christmas carols on Christmas Morning.
But all day Friday, whenever I felt just a tiny-tad-totally ADD and stressed, I'd sit down with a cup of coffee and force myself to consciously decide, moment to moment, what was really important. A Christmas tree? Nope, not this year. But mixing up a big batch of my favorite gingerbread cut-out cookies for a decorating party with some of my favorite preteen girls? That I made time for.
So here are a few fast ideas for Christmas that just might be worth making time for. Relax, breathe and enjoy. Add one of these to your list, only and if only it fits your moment. SOMEHOW, IT ALL WORKS OUT.
HOT DRINKS FOR RELAXING
La Fuji Mama ~ Simple Spiced Apple Cider
"It is so simple to make! All you do is mix some apple cider and freshly squeezed orange juice in a large pot and throw in the peel of one of your juiced oranges."
Manifest Vegan ~ Vegan Peppermint Hot Cocoa
"This stuff is simple and fast to prepare, and very warming for these chilly winter nights. Add a touch of your favorite liquor for a great drink to unwind to… or some whipped soy cream for an extra special treat for the kiddies."
LAST- MINUTE QUICK HOMEMADE CANDY
The Naptime Chef ~ Katie's Simple Christmas Candy
"I've seen this recipe around in other places and have sometimes heard it referred to as "poor man's toffee" or "cracker bark." These names come from the fact that the simple act of baking the butter and sugar over the crackers forms a pure toffee."
Your Home-Based Mom ~ Rocky Road Fudge
"Christmas is not Christmas at our house until there is Rocky Road Fudge. For the last forty years my mother has made Rocky Road Fudge – it’s her holiday speciality."
LAST-MINUTE HOMEMADE FOOD GIFTS
Forever the Hostess ~ Christmas Favors
"The recipe is very simple... you get a box of kosher salt and several sprigs of fresh rosemary."
The Italian Blog ~ Italian Pine Nut Brittle
"Do you need a good recipe this holiday season for a nice homemade gift? This Italian brittle is beautiful and delicious and a snap to make."
LAST MINUTE APPETIZERS
TasteFood ~ Smoked Salmon Tartare
"Smoked Salmon Tartare is another easy holiday recipe for entertaining."
Life's Ambrosia ~ Hot Crab, Spinach & Artichoke Dip
"It is one of my favorites not only because it is chock full of artichokes, baby spinach, fresh dungeness crab and two different kinds of cheese but because it comes loaded with memories of my very first job."
LAST-MINUTE IMPRESSIVE BUT EASY DESSERTS
My Own Sweet Thyme ~ Petite Cheesecakes with Cookie Crusts
"The recipe ... calls for seven simple ingredients, including the crust, and could easily be cut to six. Most of the six are ingredients many people are likely to have on hand, especially at the holidays: eggs, sugar, vanilla, cream cheese and sour cream. Add to that a box of store bought cookies and you have what you need to make a fabulous dessert or party treat for most any occasion."
Sweetnicks ~ Cranberry Almond Bars
"'Cate, these are, without a doubt, my favorite thing that you have ever made.'"
And you?
And you, what are you making time for six days before Christmas? Leave a thought (or a link to a recipe) in the comments!
Just now, BlogHer food editor Alanna Kellogg decided that this year, she will bake a birthday cake for Jesus. It's that important.
