Christmas Blog
When I think of Christmas, making memories with family and friends comes to mind. I love the tradition of going to church with family and friends on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Long family walks, snowshoeing, skiing and skating are family favourites in our home. There are so many fantastic walking and snowshoe paths in Fish Creek, outdoor skating rinks and we have the mountains in our back yard. Calgary is a beautiful place to celebrate this season.
Baking and sharing memories with friends and family are so important to me.
Three of my favourite recipe traditions to make with all ages
Rolo Pretzels Turtles
𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦:
1 package of small waffle square pretzels
1 13 oz. package of Rolo candies
1 package of pecan halves
𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦:
Preheat oven to 250 °. Cover cookie sheet with aluminium foil and place pretzels individually to form one layer on l y. Place one Rolo candy on top of each pretzel. Put the baking sheet in the oven for 4 minutes or until candies are softened. Immediately remove from the oven and quickly place a pecan half on top of each candy and push down to squish the chocolate into the pretzel to flatten out. Cool for 20 minutes, then place uncovered in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to set.
Pfeffernusse Cookies (Peppernuts)
Bring in my German Mennonite heritage. These highly addictive, tiny crunchy cookies filled with warm spices are great to share.
This is my own family recipe….
𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦:
1 cup unsalted butter
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup Roger’s golden syrup
1 ½ tsp ground anise or anise extract (optional)
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp white pepper
½ tsp ground cardamom
Bring these items to a full boil for 2 minutes – let cool completely
Add
2 eggs
¼ cup sour milk
Mix well
Add
3 ½ cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days. Roll out into long ropes about the width of your finger. Cut each strip into nut size pieces and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes in an oven that has been preheated to 350 F. Cookies will be soft when they come out of the oven but will become crispy as they cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for one month (if they last that long😊).
Eggnog Affogato
My favourite Christmas Drink
𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦:
Double shot of espresso (monogram espresso beans)
A large scoop of Eggnog ice cream (President’s Choice)
So festive & delicious!
Top 10 Christmas Light Displays in Calgary
As a family, we love checking out the various light displays that Calgary has to offer during the holidays. Some community displays even outshine Zoo Lights.
- Legacy Christmas Light Parade
- Light Up Okotoks
- Zoolights
- Sparkle Sparkle
- Holiday in the Park
- Airdrie Festival of Lights
- Rotary Festival of Lights
- Christmas Lights at Spruce Meadows
- Lions Festival of Lights
- Cochrane Light Up
Calgary also puts out a Map of Residential Light Displays. These are not to be missed. So, jump in the car with your favourite Christmas treat and go for a drive.
Giving Back to Our Community
There is no better feeling than giving back to our community. As a family, we enjoy volunteering over the holidays. If you are looking for an opportunity or two to give back this year, check out the link for ways to volunteer this season. Giving Back this Christmas
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