Christmas is coming

With the elections out of the way, we can concentrate on the American Thanksgiving. Here in Canada we have had our Thanksgiving already.

For me it is time to think about Christmas . I love Christmas and can not help myself to buy something new each year. It does not have to cost to much, such as a new Ornament and that is a great way to remember some special occasions. Although I have some very old ornaments handed down to me from my parents, others where collected from different places. Each in its own way is special to me. Christmas is a real fun time in our home. The children are all excited about when we should put up the Christmas tree and are making their Christmas gift list already.

I think that we will set up a Christmas train this year. Our little ( grand) guy is going on 4 years old, so what do you think? Will he leave the train alone?
Well I certainly hope so!

For all of you who enjoy baking you know that now is the perfect time to make your Christmas Cake. Generally speaking , I do not like baking all that much, however must admit that I do enjoy making a few different Christmas Cakes. There is just something about Christmas Cakes I findNot only that I so love the smell of baking.
The following is one of the family's favorite. This Christmas Cake recipe it originated in Italy.

Sienna Christmas Cake,
Makes one 18x15 in (or 45x38 cm)
cake ingredients; 6 1/2 oz (200 g) blanched almonds; 3 1/2 oz (100 g) hazelnuts, roasted; 3 1/2 oz (100 g) glaze citron; 3 1/2 oz (100 g) glazed pumpkin; 3 1/2 oz (100 g) glace melon peel; 3 1/2 oz (100 g) dried figs; 5 oz (155 g) walnuts; 1 oz (30 g) sweetened cocoa; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; 1/2 cup (4 oz) honey; 1 cup ( 5 oz ) powdered sugar; 2 sheets of rice paper.
Finely chop all ingredients up to and including the walnuts. Put them into a bowl and add the cocoa, half of the cinnamon and the pumpkin pie spice. Mix well together.
Put the honey and all but a tablespoon of the powdered sugar into a saucepan. Heat and stir constantly until a drop of the mixture solidifies in contact with cold water. Remove from the heat and add the nut-fruit mixture. Mix together well.
Line the bottom of a shallow 18 x 15 in (45 x 38 cm) baking dish with one of the sheets of rice paper and pour the mixture on top of it. Cover with the other sheet. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 F (180 C) for 30 minutes. remove from the oven, cool, unmold and sprinkle with the remaining powdered sugar and cinnamon.
Do not serve until the next day. With a sharp knife, cut into bite size pieces. Note: If glace pumpkin and melon seeds are not available, use other glaze fruits such as peaches or pineapple.
Enjoy!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas ,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days,
happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.