Christmas Cookies

 (Grandma Kathy filling the Kolachky)

For the last few years before Christmas, my grandmothers, mom, and sister have met up for an evening to make my mother's favorite treat: Kolachky.  This is a traditional Bohemian cookie with a fruit filling.  The recipe my mom remembers as a kid involved a yeast dough, and the process of making the cookies took a day or two, and neither of my grandmothers are confident in making them, so we use a shortcut version that still tastes similar to the original.  We also have used a canned filling, but next year we are going to try making our own.

(Samantha and Grandma June adding the butter)

Original Recipe Here

KOLACHKY

2 eggs

6 tablespoons sugar

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 lb butter, softened

4 1⁄2 cups flour

1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda

1⁄8 teaspoon salt

24 ounces apricot (or raspberry, poppy seed, cream cheese, cherry, prune, pineapple, etc.) filling

powdered sugar, for dusting

DIRECTIONS

Beat cream cheese and butter.

Add sugar and eggs; beat until light and smooth.

Mix in salt and baking soda.

Add flour a little at a time while mixing; blend well. Dough should be soft but not sticky.

Roll out as for pie crust.

Cut into 2 inch squares.

Fill with apricot filling (or your choice of filling).

Fold 2 opposite corners together and pinch closed.

Bake in 350° oven 15-20 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar.

Makes about 6 dozen cookies (or 3 dozen if you make them jumbo, like we do)

Merry Christmas to all!

Farm Christmas

Merry Christmas from the farm!  We recently had our Christmas party, with all of the farm employees, contract growers, and other people in the area that work with the farm.  All in all, we served 140 people a home-cooked meal. Everything is put together by Mom, Marcia, Samantha (my sister), Leslie, and myself.  Instead of buying Poinsettias, we made Mason Jar Centerpieces for all of the tables this year.

(Mason Jar Centerpieces)

We try to have something special just for the kids.  This year we made these cute hot cocoa reindeer favors.  We also make sure to have some type of entertainment.  We had a face-painter/balloon artist that did some really cool work.  By the end of the night, we had quite a few superheroes, cats, and butterflies running around. 

(Hot Cocoa Reindeer-for instructions on how to make these cute favors, click here)

Each guest gets to take home a gift from the party.  This year we had water bottles, coffee mugs, lunch coolers, and LED Maglite flashlights, among other items. 

(Christmas Gifts for all of the attendees)

Christmas on the farm isn't anything fancy, it's just in our shop.  The guys who work in the shop become the decorating committee and put up all of the lights, tables, and chairs.  It is a good excuse to give the space a thorough cleaning before starting in on the winter maintenance program.  I think everybody enjoys a laid-back and casual evening.  

(Party started!)

My Favorite Things

Each year we make our Christmas lists, and think of gifts for others.  I am definitely a gifter, I love to give people things that they will use.  I am not big on just having stuff to look at, it should have a function.  All of my favorite things I use all of the time, and I love them.

5. My planner.  My sister always rolls her eyes at this one, but have to have a paper planner.  I am always jotting notes, making to-do lists, and editing my schedule.  I am active in so many different things that I need a place to keep it all straight.  The planner I use right now is the 24-Hour Home & Work Planner.  It gives me three different lists to organize my tasks, a 24 hour schedule ( I need a schedule that starts early enough to work on farm time), and enough space to log my workouts and write my meal plans.

4. The Original Buff.  If you have never used a buff, you don't know how versatile they can be.  I use mine as a hat, head band, or to cover my neck.  I like how lightweight and breathable they are, and how they still keep my warm even when wet.  You can put them under your hat, both around your neck and ears when it is really cold.  If it's an in-between day for running, I start out with it as a headband, and then take it off and wear it as a bracelet if I get too hot.

3. Wool Underwear.  If you have wool socks, then you know that wool is wonderfully warm and comfortable.  My wool long underwear are a must for winter paddling and skiing, they layer so well under my ski suit, and I don't get cold when they get wet.  Even beyond that, I have wool boy shorts that are great for running and paddling, too.  I layer then under regular shorts to stop chafing, as they are basically seem free. This Stoic Boy Boxer is my favorite kind.

2. KitchenAid Food Chopper.  This is hands down my favorite kitchen gadget.  I use it to chop nuts, make salsa, fruit toppings, pesto, and even blend cheeses for lasagna.  It's small, simple to use, easy to clean, and it can do so many things.  Plus it comes in all sorts of colors!

1. LL Bean Boots.  Without a doubt, my absolute favorite item is my LL Bean Boots.  To be honest, I have 3 pairs, and I could easily see myself buying 3 or 4 more.  I wear them as my go-to boots for paddling, walking, working and comfort all fall-winter-spring.  They are durable, comfortable, and not very big or bulky.  I can fit them in the canoe they are waterproof, and the gortex/thinsulate ones keep my feet toasty warm. An added bonus is that they are easy to clean. I have only worn out the soles in one pair, and that is after I wore them 200+ days a year for 5 years- and I can send them back and have  the soles replaced.  If I had to pick one favorite, it would have to be my original Maine Hunting Boots.  They fit me so well and are the perfect height.

(Photo courtesy of LL Bean)