Friday, December 21, 2012

Time to decorate ... And bake!

Excited yet? We are... Baby Jesus took our son's letter with his present wishes from the window sill and that means a happy Christmas when he rings the bell after supper on December 24! Right?

This is the time we put up our tree (well I should wait until December 24 really!) and bake our Xmas traditional cookies, which mostly all have walnuts in them (chopped, ground... ) to celebrate our favorite fall produce in the Czech Republic.

Our tree is usually eclectic ... Not a theme one, with hand made ornaments (glass, wood or straw).
Like this one...

We have even a high heeled stocking... And some fun ones.

Keeping the decor subtle and nature true ...with only bee wax candles and simple style.

Someone wanted his own tree in his bedroom... Smiles.

Made this vase for our breakfast nook:

And some easy ones for our dining room, starting with empty bowl and basket:

Having time to visit the Heritage Park in Calgary and see the Xmas Train display ...and horse wagon ride.

Also, we made time for our mother-son baking team and made some delicious cookies together! (ate lots too!)

Now, my Czech recipe and my mom's for a wonderful Xmas biscotti is here:

250g icing sugar
250g all-purpose flour
120g chopped walnuts
200g candied orange/ lemon peels
100g dried currants (or raisins)
3 eggs
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Touch of ground cloves and allspice and nutmeg

Mix it all together well, first with a spatula then with our hand, don't over mix, it becomes sticky. And use flour on your hands to shape int 3 equal parts:

Place on buttered and flour dusted baking pan at 325f for about 20-30 min. Do the toothpick test!

Cut into slices while warm or after a day or two, store in a container.
Enjoy!
Happy Holidays!

XO, Z

9 comments:

  1. Yes, the excitement is evident in your lovely images. The house looks beautifully festive, and you've created a very special time for your little boy.

    I hope he and you will have the happiest and luckiest of Christmases, and that someone fills that high-heeled stocking most generously for you!

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  2. Your home is beautifully decked out for Christmas! Love all the photographs, especially the Mama and son moments. I'm mama to 2 boys:-). Merry Christmas!

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  3. I can see the holiday magic is alive and well in your house! Your son is soo cute! Enjoy this age its priceless and I would give up eating cookies for a year to have my kids be young again (OK for a lifetime if they really could be young again:) Your home looks fantastic!
    Wishing you a beautiful and healthy holiday and all the best in 2013! Merry Christmas.....fa la la la la la

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  4. I must prepare your biscotti recipe!!! Everything looks so festive and your centerpiece is gorgeous. Your home is so festive and you even have snow:)

    Those stockings are so whimsical! I've never seen anything like that.. Love it all!

    Wishing you a wonderful holiday!

    xxleslie

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  5. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a lovely note. I can relate to your comment about spending every moment with your son. I recently resigned my teaching job to stay home after I had my 2nd son. I stayed home for two years with my first son. They are always with me. The first one is in preschool and that's the only time we're separated for a long time:-) xx

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  6. Your centerpieces are gorgeous and your son is adorable! Merry Christmas to you!
    xo
    Sharon

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  7. Beautiful decorations! Merry Christmas Żaneta :)
    Marta

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  8. I'm so glad you have sunlight and lots of it in your home! If I ever get to Calgary we must get together! Have a wonderful weekend!
    xo
    Sharon

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