Day 8 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music” & “Sicilian Fig Cookies"

We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice….. Pope Paul VI 

Welcome to Day 8 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music.” I hope that you enjoyed yesterday’s post, “Oh Holy Night.” Just to remind some of my readers that have just stopped by what I am doing, everyday for the next 4 days I will post a Christmas song, and share a holiday treat, or just a favorite recipe that I think may go with that song, all leading up to “Christmas Day!” This has been an incredible year! I want to say thank you to my readers, as we prepare for the most joyous time of the year! (Don’t forget to come back tomorrow!)

As we continue with Christmas carols, another one of my favorites comes to mind, which is called “Joy To The World.” A popular Christmas carol that was first published in 1719 by English hymn writer Isaac Watts. This carol was based on Psalm 98 in the Bible. Watts wrote the words of “Joy to the World” to glorifying Christ’s triumphant return. Only the second half of Watts’ lyrics are still used today. The music was adapted and arranged to Watts’ lyrics by Lowell Mason in 1839 from an older melody which was then believed to have originated from Handel. As of the late 20th century, “Joy to the World” was the most published Christmas hymn in North America. 
   

Day 8: “Joy To The World”

Verse 1:
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Verse 2:
Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

Verse 3:
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

Verse 4:
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

These cookies are fun to create and very colorful, in true Sicilian fashion. To me baking these cookies mean “Buon Natale” or “Merry Christmas” even if you are not Italian. Hope you enjoy! 

“Sicilian Fig Cookies”

Photo, courtesy of Daniela Messina

Dough Ingredients:
4 cups unbleached, All-Purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 cups dried figs, soaked in water
2 cups dried dates, pitted (About 14 dates)
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup orange marmalade
2/3 cup walnuts or almonds, coarsely chopped
1 large egg white beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
Colored sprinkles

Directions:
Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together into a large bowl. Add the sugar and stir well. Cut in the shortening with a fork and work the mixture until it looks like corn meal. In a bowl, beat the egg, vanilla, and milk together. Add to the flour mixture and work the mixture with your hands into a rough dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead for 5 minutes, or until smooth. The dough will be soft. Cut the dough into 4 pieces, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and chill for 45 minutes.

To make the filling: grind the figs, dates, and raisins in a food processor until coarse; or coarsely chop. Place the mixture in a bowl, add the honey, cinnamon, marmalade, and nuts, then mix well. The mixture will be thick. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets.

Directions:
Divide the dough into quarters and work with 1 piece of dough at a time, keeping the remaining dough covered. On a floured surface, roll out each piece of dough to a 12-inch square. Cut the dough into 4-X-3-inch rectangles, and spoon 2 tablespoons of the filling mixture down the center of each rectangle. Carefully fold over the long edges of each rectangle to meet in the center, then pinch the seam to close it securely, and turn the cookie seam side down. Pinch the ends closed and fold the ends under. Shape the cookies into crescents and place seam side down on the cookie sheets. Make 2 or 3 diagonal slits in the top of each crescent with scissors. Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with colored sprinkles. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Note: You may eliminate the egg wash and make a confectioners' sugar glaze; when the cookies are still warm, drizzle the glaze over them and sprinkle with the colored sprinkles.  Yield: about 4 dozen.

Till Next Time……………………………….......................................

Copyright © 2013 “Family Plus Food Equals Love” All Rights Reserved

Day 7 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music.” & "Struffoli" For Dessert

“Music is God’s gift to man: the only art of heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to heaven.”  By Walter Savage Landor (1775-1864)

Welcome to Day 7 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music.” I hope that you enjoyed yesterday’s post, “White Christmas.” Just to remind some of my readers that have just stopped by what I am doing, everyday for the next 5 days I will post a Christmas song, and share a holiday treat, a homemade gift idea, or just a favorite recipe that I think may go with that song, all leading up to “Christmas Day!” This has been an incredible year! I want to say thank you to my readers, as we prepare for the most joyous time of the year! (don’t forget to come back tomorrow!)

As we enter the last 5 days before Christmas I thought it would be appropriate to share some favorite Christmas carols. Do you know the difference between a Christmas carol and a Christmas song? A Christmas carol always tells the story of the Nativity, and has a religious undertone, but a Christmas song can be sung about any event of Christmas and is usually more jovial.

Since that first rendition at a small Christmas mass in 1847, "O Holy Night" has been sung millions of times in churches in every corner of the world. And since the moment a handful of people first heard it played over the radio, the carol has gone on to become one of the most recorded and played religious songs. “O Holy Night” was written by a Frenchman, Placide Cappeau. (1808-1877) The music was composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847. (1803-1856)  Cappeau was a wine merchant and poet, had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem. A Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight (1813-1893) translated the French version to the English translation. The text reflects on the birth of Jesus and of humanity’s redemption. Adam wrote the tune in a few days, and the song received its premier at the midnight mass on Christmas Eve 1847 in Roquemaure. 

Day 8: “O Holy Night”

O holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
 
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name

Struffoli, is one of the most popular Italian sweets found on a dessert table for Christmas Eve. I remember the towers of Struffoli in my mother’s kitchen.! I can just see my mom, my grandmother Julia, and my aunt Sophie making these sweet honey balls in the kitchen in our house in Flushing, NY. I am so grateful that I was there to learn and help make these fried goodies, reminiscent of mini éclair puffs drenched in honey syrup! I hope that you try this recipe and make your own memories of this very sweet, and traditional dessert.

"Struffoli"

Ingredients:
2 cups of unbleached all purpose flour (plus a little extra to work with)
3 Eggs
1/4 tsp of salt
2 cups of vegetable oil
2 cups of honey
1/2 cup of sugar

Directions:
Place the flour in a large mixing bowl add the eggs and salt. Mix well, then put on floured board and knead until smooth. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes. Roll the dough into 1/2 inch strips, and then cut the strips into tiny pieces 1/2 inch long. Shape these tiny pieces into balls by rolling them in your hand. Heat oil to 350°F. Drop the balls into the oil carefully a few at a time. Cook until lightly golden, turning them constantly with a wooden spoon, or a spider wand. Remove balls and drain them on a paper towel or use a clean brown paper bag.

Combine the honey and sugar in a saucepan and boil the mixture over low heat about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Now, add fried balls, 1 cup at a time, and coat in the honey syrup, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Remove the balls with a spider or slotted spoon and place on a flat plate to cool. Now you can shape you coated Struffoli into a tree or piled up high like a mountain. (A trick if you want to mold the coated honey balls into a wreath or tree shape, wet your hand slightly and that will help you mold the Struffoli easier. Your hands will not stick to the honey.) Then add confetti or sprinkles. They keep up to 2 weeks, if they last that long…  

Till Next Time………………………………............

Copyright © 2013 “Family Plus Food Equals Love” All Rights Reserved

Day 6 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music” & "Italian Knot Cookies"

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” Quote by: Norman Vincent Peale  

Welcome to Day 6 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music.” I hope that you enjoyed yesterday’s post, “Dominick The Italian Christmas Donkey.” Just to remind some of my readers that have just stopped by what I am doing, everyday for the next 6 days I will post a Christmas song, and share a holiday treat, a homemade gift idea, or just a favorite recipe that I think may go with that song, all leading up to “Christmas Day!” This has been an incredible year! I want to say thank you to my readers, as we prepare for the most joyous time of the year! (Don’t forget to come back tomorrow!)

Here on Long Island last weekend and yesterday we had some snow. Many people like me, love the snow. How many of you, my readers are looking forward to a White Christmas? Here on Long Island, NY we do not get many years with snow for a White Christmas. When I lived upstate a White Christmas was almost every year! There is just something about Christmas and snow! It must be because of the warmth of a crackling fireplace, Christmas decorations, and a cozy family gathered all together making merry. So while everyone is warm inside, outside it is snowing and it makes it beautiful. Snowflakes are like kisses from heaven!

You guessed it; today’s song is “White Christmas.” Irving Berlin wrote this song about an old-fashioned Christmas setting in 1940, in warm La Quinta, California. The version sung by Bing Crosby is the best selling single of all time. Bing Crosby sang this song for his NBC radio show on Christmas Day, 1941. It took 18 minutes on May 29, 1942 to record the song which was featured in the musical movie called, “Holiday Inn.” The composition won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1942. Bing Crosby was associated with it for the rest of his career and on another note, the musical “White Christmas” was the highest-grossing film of 1954.

Day 6: “White Christmas”

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
and children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.


My recipe for you is "Italian Knot Cookies," which are easy and scrumptious. There is nothing like a genuine homemade Italian cookie. It is like a little taste of love all wrapped in one small bite. Italian mothers and grandmothers have used their recipes and have passed them down from generation to generation. This is my mom’s recipe.

"Italian Knot Cookies"

Ingredients:
3 cups of unbleached all purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cups of sugar
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons orange zest (you can use lemon zest)
2 tablespoons orange juice (you can use lemon juice)

Frosting:
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
4 to 5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon almond extract
Colored sprinkles or confetti
　
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the orange zest and juice. Then beat in the dry ingredients gradually, and beat well to mix. The dough will be soft; wrap it in waxed paper and refrigerate it for 1 hour to make it easier to handle.

Place the dough on a well-floured surface. Pinch off small egg-sized pieces of dough and roll each piece into a rope about 7 inches long and the width of your middle finger. Tie into a loose knot and place 1 inch apart on the greased cookie sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool slightly. Frost when still slightly warm.

To make the frosting/glaze in a bowl, combine the sugar and 1/4 cup of the milk and beat until smooth. Add more milk if necessary to make a thin frosting or glaze. Beat in the almond extract. Dip the top of each cookie into the frosting, shaking off the excess. Place them on racks and sprinkle with colored sprinkles or confetti. Let the frosting dry before storing. These will keep in an airtight container for up to a week; or freeze them for up to 3 months. (If there are any left)  Yield: 3-3 1/2 Dozen    Enjoy! Ciao!

Till Next Time………………………………...............

Copyright © 2013 “Family Plus Food Equals Love”  All Rights Reserved

Day 5 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music” & A "Gumdrop Tree" Project

Wouldn’t life be worth the living, Wouldn’t dreams becoming true, If we kept the Christmas Spirit, All the whole year through? Author Unknown

Welcome to Day 5 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music.” I hope that you enjoyed yesterday’s post, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” Just to remind some of my readers that have just stopped by what I am doing, everyday for the next 7 days I will post a Christmas song, and share a holiday treat, a homemade gift idea, or just a favorite recipe that I think may go with that song, all leading up to “Christmas Day!” This has been an incredible year! I want to say thank you to my readers, as we prepare for the most joyous time of the year! (Don’t forget to come back tomorrow!)

“Dominick the Christmas Donkey,” is a Christmas song written by R. Allen, Sam Saltzberg, and Wandra Merrell. Lou Monte was an Italian-American singer best known for a number of best selling, Italian themed novelty records. He recorded “Dominick The Donkey” in 1960. Monte continued to record until 1981 and passed away in 1989. The song describes a donkey that helps Santa Claus bring presents to children in Italy. While the song is only loosely connected to actual folklore, Dominick the Donkey is a well known symbol of Christmas in Italy. This song is quite popular in Italian-American households and was re-released on September 26, 2011. This song is most popular in New York State around Christmas more than any other state in the country. The fact that Santa Claus owns a donkey is later referenced in the 1977 television special “Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey.”

I remember this song, from when I was a teenager. My dad loved Lou Monte and he taught me all about some of the old singers. I was not like any other teenager, I did not listen to the Beatles, or rock groups, but I listened to Lou Monte, Jack Jones, Jerry Vale, Louie Prima, and Mario Lanza. My dad loves to sing, he knew what music was all about. When he was young, he and his brother sang in the boy’s chorus at The Metropolitan Opera, in NYC. So, you could say he was very well versed in his knowledge of music. Still to this day he sings with his church choir and loves it. 

My dad’s family is Sicilian and donkeys with carts were very popular back in the 1920‘s in Sicily. Donkeys or mules were used in rough terrain for hauling heavy loads such as produce, wood, wine, and people. It was called "Carretto del Lavoro."(Cart for work). The cart has two wheels and is primarily handmade out of wood with iron metal components. They also used carts for festive occasions such as weddings and parades called, "Carretto de Gara'.

Day 5: "Dominic The Italian Christmas Donkey"

Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)

Santa's got a little friend,
His name is Dominick.
The cutest little donkey,
You never see him kick.
When Santa visits his paisons,
With Dominick he'll be.
Because the reindeer cannot,
Climb the hills of Italy. 

Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
Jingle bells around his feet,
And presents on the sled.
Hey! Look at the mayor's derby,
On top of Dominick's head.
A pair of shoes for Louie,
And a dress for Josephine.
The labels on the inside says,
They're made in Brooklyn.
Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)

Children sing, and clap their hands,
And Dominick starts to dance.
They talk Italian to him,
And he even understands. 
Cumpare sing,
Cumpare su,
And dance 'sta tarantel.
When jusamagora comes to town,
And brings du ciuccianello.

Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)

Today I am giving my oven a rest and my recipe is “Gumdrop Trees.” This is a super easy project for kids as well as adults. It makes a creative yet inexpensive Christmas centerpiece for the holidays. Using gumdrops for trees, and wreaths is easier than you think! Gumdrop trees make great gifts, just wrap them in cellophane with a beautiful ribbon and what a fun gift that would be. 

To make these trees you need to go to your local craft store and purchase a styrofoam cone or a wreath. You should try to find the green colored ones as the white ones will show through, in-between the gumdrops. Then you need several bags of gumdrops depending on the size of your cones. You need some ribbon, and a box of toothpicks with a point on the end. (the round ones, not the flat ones) Cut your toothpicks in half. Do not use toothpicks that splinter. (What I use is a small wire cutter and that cuts them perfectly in half) Now stick half of the toothpick in the bottom of the gumdrop and push it in the cone or wreath. Work from the bottom up, all around the cone going up the shape. Place the gumdrops as close together as possible. You can use all one color or mix the colors. You may need a full toothpick to attach the final gumdrop on top of the tree. Then attach a bow with another toothpick and place on the very top of your newly created Gumdrop Tree which you can add to your holiday decorations. Creating is fun for everyone!

Till Next Time……………………………….......................

Copyright © 2013 “Family Plus Food Equals Love” All Rights Reserved

Day 4 of “The 12 Days of Christmas Music” & "Italian White Wedding Cookies"

"Winter is the time for comfort - it is the time for home." - Edith Sitwell

Welcome to Day 4 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music.” I hope that you enjoyed yesterday’s post on “Silver Bells” Just to remind some of my readers that have just stopped by what I am doing, everyday for the next 8 days I will post a Christmas song, and share a holiday treat, a homemade gift idea, or just a favorite recipe that I think may go with that song, all leading up to “Christmas Day!” This has been an incredible year! I want to say thank you to my readers, as we prepare for the most joyous time of the year! (don’t forget to come back tomorrow!)

I remember one night when I was a young girl, my mother and I watched “Meet Me In St. Louis.” I had never seen this picture before and I always remember my mom teaching me about all the old movies. Who was in them, when they made the movie, and so many other trivia facts. I still to this day love all the old movies that were made back in the day. This movie has become one of my favorites for this time of year. “Meet Me in St. Louis” is a 1944 musical film from MGM. It tells the story of an American family living in St. Louis, at the time of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition World's Fair in 1904. It stars Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, and many others. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a song introduced by Judy Garland in the “Meet Me in St. Louis.” In 1943, the songs lyrics were written by Hugh Martin and the music by Ralph Blane. In 2007, the song ranked "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" the third most performed Christmas song during the preceding five years.

The song was written while Martin was vacationing in a house in Birmingham, Alabama, that his father Hugh Martin designed for his mother as a honeymoon cottage. The song first appeared in a scene in Meet Me in St. Louis, in which a family is distraught by the father's plans to move to New York City for a job promotion, leaving behind their beloved home in St. Louis, Missouri, just before the long-anticipated 1904 World's Fair begins. In a scene set on Christmas Eve, Judy Garland's character, Esther, sings the song “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” to cheer up her despondent five-year-old sister, Tootie, played by Margaret O'Brien. Hope that you get a chance to watch the DVD of the movie or maybe on TV at some point in the Holiday Season.

Judy Garland sings to Margaret O'Brien

Day 4: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
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
On the highest bough,
And have yourself
A merry little Christmas now.

My recipe for today is one that everyone loves to eat. This little, round, sweet, cookie is called by many different names, but in my family we call them “Italian White Wedding Cookies.” These are extremely simple and don’t take long to create. I hope that you enjoy these cookies while you are watching “Meet Me In St. Louis.” Enjoy!

“Italian White Wedding Cookies”

Ingredients:
1 cup of unsalted COLD butter (2 sticks)
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract
2 cups of all purpose unbleached flour; plus more for dusting hands
1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts
Powdered sugar to coat the cookies

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar at low speed until it is smooth. Beat in the vanilla. At low speed gradually add the flour. Mix in the nuts with a spatula. With floured hands, take about 1 tablespoon of dough and shape into a ball. Continue to dust hands with flour as you make more cookies. Place onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 20-30 minutes. When cool enough to handle but still warm, roll in confectioners sugar. Cool on wire racks.
Yield: depending on the size of the balls you make. This recipe makes about 2 dozen.   

Till Next Time………………………………......................

Copyright © 2013 “Family Plus Food Equals Love” All Rights Reserved

Day 3 Of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music” & An “Easy Holiday Wreath Cake”

“May the ringing bells of Christmas, fill your life with music of happiness and prosperity” Author Unknown

Welcome to Day 3 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music.” I hope that you enjoyed yesterday’s post on “Frosty The Snowman.” Just to remind some of my readers that have just stopped by what I am doing is, everyday for the next 9 days I will post a Christmas song, and share a holiday treat, a homemade gift idea, or just a favorite recipe that I think may go with that song, all leading up to “Christmas Day.” This has been an incredible year! I want to say thank you to my readers, as we prepare for the most joyous time of the year! (Don’t forget to come back tomorrow!)

In 1998 through 2005 I lived in a small town in upstate NY called Salamanca. It is about 90 miles South from Buffalo in the Southern Tier. My house was nestled in between the mountains and surrounded by pine trees that were too tall to see the tops. The town was very quaint and it was located on an American Indian Reservation. Now, as you know I am Italian, but enjoyed the customs and traditions of the American Indian as well as the land. In this picturesque town was one theater that was called “The Ray Evans Seneca Theater.” One day I had asked my best friend, Mary Ann, who was this Ray Evans and why did they name this theater after him? She told me that he was the man who wrote the lyrics to the Christmas song, “Silver Bells,” and the town had an annual “Silver Bells Festival” in honor of him. I had no idea and then she told me his story………………

Raymond Bernard Evans was born on February 4, 1915 in Salamanca, NY. He was a partner in a songwriting duo with Jay Livingston. Evans wrote the lyrics and Livingston wrote the music for their songs. Livingston and Evans won three Academy Awards. The first award was in 1948 for the song, “Buttons and Bows,” in 1950 for the song, “Mona Lisa,” and the third was in 1956 for the song, “Que Sera, Sera.” The very talented duo also wrote the song for, “Tammy”, themes for TV shows including Bonanza, Mr. Ed, and in 1951 the song that is most popular at Christmas time the song, “Silver Bells.” Mr. Evans also collaborated separately with Henry Mancini. Livingston and Evans were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977 and received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995. Ray Evans died in 2007 at the age of 92 in Los Angeles, California, on the 42nd anniversary of the death of Nat King Cole who made “Mona Lisa” so famous.

Day 3: “Silver Bells” by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

Silver Bells

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks.
Dressed in holiday style
In the air
There's a feeling
of Christmas
Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
and on every street corner you'll hear

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day

Strings of street lights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush
home with their treasures

Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle
You'll hear

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day

My recipe today is simple and festive. It looks like a beautiful wreath that you place on your door; instead you place it on a plate and share it with your guests. You will love this cake recipe as it is easy and luxurious. This dessert is my tribute to Ray Evans and “Silver Bells.”  Enjoy and don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more goodies…

“Easy Holiday Wreath Cake”

Ingredients:
1 pkg. (2--layer size) cake mix. White cake is best but can use yellow cake mix.
1 can of Cream Cheese Frosting
1 package of sweetened shredded or flaked coconut
1 big red bow

Directions:
Follow directions on cake box, and then pour into greased, floured Bundt pan. You could also use a 10 inch tube pan. You want it to be round to resemble a wreath with a hole in the center. Bake according to directions on the cake box. Cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool for another 15 to 20 minutes on a rack. After cooled then put on a plate and frost with the cream cheese frosting. Now you take the shredded coconut in your hand and carefully pat on some of the coconut. Go around the cake and the top as well as the hole in the middle. Cover cake completely with the coconut. Now that the cake is coated, attach your red bow on one side of the cake and now you have an “Easy Holiday Wreath Cake.” It is so moist and sweet due to the coconut. Plus, it is pretty placed on a plate that your guests will be amazed and think you worked on this cake for hours. See attached photo. Enjoy!!!

Till Next Time……………………………….........

Copyright © 2013 “Family Plus Food Equals Love”  All Rights Reserved

Day 2 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music” & "Philadelphia Snowman Cookies"

"The winter comes: the frozen rut. Is bound with silver bars; the white drift heaps against the hut; and night is pierced with stars." Coventry Patmore

Welcome to Day 2 of “The 12 Days Of Christmas Music.” I hope that you enjoyed yesterday’s post on “Blue Christmas.” Just to remind some of my readers that have just stopped by, what I am doing is everyday for the next 12 days I will post a Christmas song, and share a holiday treat, a homemade gift idea, or just a favorite recipe that I think may go with that song, all leading up to “Christmas Day.” This has been an incredible year! I want to say thank you to my readers, as we prepare for the most joyous time of the year! (Don’t forget to come back tomorrow!)

Paul, my son in 1983

Snowman! Anyone who knows me, knows that one of my favorite types of decorations is “Snowmen.” After your tree is taken down and all things Christmas, are put away for another year, I know with me, I feel a let down. All the hustle and bustle is finished and now we have to wait for spring to decorate again. Wrong, what I do is take out my “Snow People.” It is still winter and I love SNOW! I enjoy walking in it, and watching the snow falling from inside my cozy warm window. When my son was young we would always go out and build a snowman. So, by now you should have figured out what song I am going to spotlight today…. you are correct! It‘s “Frosty the Snowman,”

"Frosty the Snowman" is a popular song written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson, and was first recorded by Gene Autry in 1950. "Frosty" was subsequently adapted to other media including a popular television special. The song was originally titled "Frosty the Snow Man". The song supposedly takes place in White Plains, New York, or Armonk, New York. Armonk has a parade dedicated to Frosty annually. The song recounts the fictional tale of a snowman that is magically brought to life through a top hat that a group of children place on his head. Although Frosty enjoys roaming throughout the town with the children who constructed him, the sun becomes too much for him to bear and Frosty is forced to leave town, promising he will be back again someday.

In 1969, the Rankin-Bass company, produced a thirty-minute animated television special of Frosty the Snowman that featured the voices of comedians Jimmy Durante as narrator, and Jackie Vernon as Frosty. Three sequels were produced.

Day 2: “Frosty the Snowman”- Lyrics

Frosty the Snowman was a jolly happy soul,
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose, and two eyes made of coal.
Frosty the Snowman, is a fairytale, they say.
He was made of snow, but the children know he came to life one day.
There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found,
For when they placed it on his head, he began to dance around!
Oh, Frosty, the Snowman, was alive as he could be;
and the children say he could laugh and play,
just the same as you and me.

Thumpety thump, thump, thumpety thump, thump,
look at Frosty go. Thumpety thump, thump, thumpety thump, thump,
over the hills of snow.                                                                                           

Frosty the Snowman, knew the sun was hot that day,
so he said, "Let's run, and we'll have some fun now, before I melt away."
Down to the village, with a broomstick in his hand,
Running here and there, all around the square,
sayin', "Catch me if you can."
He led them down the streets of town, right to the traffic cop;
and only paused a moment, when he heard him holler, "Stop!"

For Frosty, the Snowman, had to hurry on his way,
But he waved goodbye, sayin' "Don't cry, I'll be back again some day.

In honor of “Frosty” I have a recipe called, “Philadelphia® Snowman Cookies.” These cookies are easy and a great way to have a fun day with your children.  This recipe was adapted from Philadelphia Cream Cheese Classic Recipe™ cookbook! 

“Philadelphia Snowman Cookies”

Ingredients:
1 pkg. (8 oz) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup of powdered sugar
1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter
1/2 tsp of vanilla
2 cups of unbleached flour
1/2 tsp of baking soda
Suggested decorations, such as decorating gels, colored sprinkles, nonpareils, and miniature peanut butter cups 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Beat cream cheese, sugar, butter, and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add flour and baking soda, mix well. Shape dough into equal number of 1/2-inch and 1-inch diameter balls. (You should have about 44 of each size ball) Using 1 small and 1 large ball for each snowman, place balls, slightly overlapping, on un-greased baking sheet. Flatten to 1/4inch thickness with bottom of a glass dipped in additional flour. Repeat with remaining dough. Put in refrigerator for about 10 minutes to get a little hard. Then place in the oven and bake 19 to 21 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack. (Each snowman doesn’t have to be perfect, makes each snowman an individual.) Sprinkle each snowman with sifted powdered sugar, if desired.

Special Kitchen Tips From Kraft:
Decorate with peanut butter cups in half. Place 1 candy half on top of each snowman for hat. To soften cream cheese, place completely unwrapped package of cream cheese on microwavable plate. Microwave on HIGH 10 to 15 seconds or until slightly softened.


Till Next Time………………………………...........................

Copyright © 2013 “Family Plus Food Equals Love”  All Rights Reserved

Day 1 Of "The 12 Days Of Christmas Music" & Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year,” by Charles Dickens
 
One of my favorite things about this time of year is Christmas music. As I get into the holiday spirit and prepare for Christmas, I love to put on the CD’s of my favorite Christmas tunes. There is nothing like hearing Christmas music to get you into the spirit of these wonderful holidays. So, my thoughts went to you, my readers, and wanted to share my favorite Christmas songs with you. I can imagine the CD’s playing and all of us singing along as we decorate the tree, or bake some cookies, or even as you write your holiday cards. So with that being said, my gift to you this year is what I like to call “The 12 Days of Christmas Music.” Everyday for the next 12 days I will post a Christmas song, and share a holiday treat, a homemade gift idea, or just a favorite recipe that I think may go with that song, all leading up to “Christmas Day.” This has been an incredible year! I have met many people, learned many new things, but most of all, I want to say thank you to my readers, as we prepare for the most joyous time of the year!

Day 1:

“Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley  
I'll have a Blue Christmas without you
I'll be so blue thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't be the same dear, if you're not here with me. 
And the when those blue snowflakes start fallin'
That's when those blue memories start callin'
You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white
But I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas.

Most people associate Blue Christmas with Elvis Presley, but the song had been around a decade before “the King” recorded it. Check out the story behind this rock-and-roll holiday classic…Blue Christmas is a Christmas song written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson. The heart-broken tale of unrequited love during the holidays had long been considered a Christmas staple of country music. Elvis Presley effectively made Blue Christmas a steadfast rock-and-roll holiday classic by recording it in his signature style in 1957. The song has since been recorded by a host of rock and country artists, as well as those of other genres. The song has been covered by artists such as Céline Dion, The Beach Boys, Dean Martin, and Andrea Bocelli. There have been more than 65 significant recorded versions. It has won 4 awards for wonderful song lyrics, meaning and tune. Elvis Presley’s famous recording of the song appeared on his 1957 LP, Elvis’ Christmas Album. Presley’s version was also released as a single for the first time in 1964. 

My recipe for today is “Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake.” When I think about Elvis, I can see how this is a perfect dessert to put you in the mood for a Blue Christmas. This cake is moist, delicious, and it will make you want seconds! Enjoy your cake and sing “Blue Christmas”……

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow, for another Christmas song and a delicious fun recipe!

“Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake”


Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk
3 cups blueberries, divided

Streusel Topping:
1 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 10-inch tube pan with fixed bottom. In large bowl, beat 3/4 cup sugar and shortening at medium speed 3 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Add egg; beat 1 minute or until fluffy.
In medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Beat into sugar mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spoon half of the batter into pan.
In medium bowl, stir together all Streusel ingredients except butter. With pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Top batter with 1 1/2 cups of the blueberries and half of the Streusel. With back of teaspoon, press berries and Streusel into batter. Repeat with remaining batter, blueberries and Streusel.
Bake 45 to 60 minutes or until wooden skewer inserted in center comes out with some moist crumbs attached and top is light golden brown. Cool on wire rack 20 minutes. Invert cake; remove pan. Turn cake top-side up. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Till Next Time………………………………............

Copyright © 2013 “Family Plus Food Equals Love” All Rights Reserved

Advent, Saint Nicholas, Sunshine Award & An “Escarole Soup” Recipe

December 2013

As I began to write this post, my eyes glanced at the calendar, and as I looked closer, I see that it is December 6th! As I get older, I learn that each year the days and months get shorter. With that being said, the beginning of December means that Advent is upon us. Advent is the religious countdown to Christmas and my favorite holiday of the year. It seems to be a magical time, as I start to decorate my house for this joyous season. Everyday another room gets transformed into what my family calls "Dottie’s Christmas Village." I have many candles and lots of beautiful angels plus you cannot forget the tree, with jolly old St. Nick under its branches. My Nativity takes a special place on my mantle surrounded by golden angels and branches of pines trees that fills the room with the scent of outdoors. As I unpack all of the decorations and ornaments for the tree, I seem to travel back in time. I am reminded of all my treasured keepsakes and who gave them to me throughout the years. One of the first items I always take out first is my Advent calendar, and place it in a spot that all could see. During the Advent season, Christians all over the world start to prepare for the birth of Jesus. In celebration of His birth, there are many preparations, such as decorating your house, your tree, wrapping gifts, cards to write, meals to cook and plan, plus baking cookies, gingerbread houses, and lastly who will be attending Midnight Mass.

Advent Calendar

Advent is a tradition in my home, when my son was young. My grandmother (Nanni) started giving him an advent calendar every year, so he could understand how many days were left till Christmas Day. Everyday my son looked forward to opening another door and see what was behind it. Sometimes a short poem, a Christmas word, a chocolate kiss, or something that pertained to the birth of Jesus. After my Nanni passed on, I continued the tradition for my son as well as my nieces and nephews. 

The beginning of December is not only for Advent but also on December 6th, today we celebrate the feast of Saint Nicholas! Whether you call him, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Santa Claus, St. Nick, or any other names that are used for him, Santa is still the hero of millions of children in the whole world. He had a reputation for secret gift giving. Legend states that the children put outside their shoes to dry, and that St. Nick placed coins, apples, and goodies in the shoes. That is how he became the model for our modern day Santa Claus, which also comes from the Dutch name called Sinterklaas. St. Nicholas (San Nicola) is the patron saint of Bari, in Italy, where his relics are buried in the Basilica di San Nicola (Basilica of St. Nicholas). Therefore, I hope that your shoes have many goodies from Saint Nicholas!

St. Nicholas

As I end this post, I have one last event that I must share with you my readers. I am so pleased to accept the "Sunshine Award" from my friend Catherine of "Living The Gourmet." Thank you so very much, Catherine for giving me this award. It means a lot to me and truly, you are a good friend. To participate please answer the questions below! Have fun and thank you!!

There are a few rules to receiving this award:
1. Include an image of the award in your post or on your blog.
2. Link the person(s) who nominated you.
3. Answer 11 questions about yourself.
4. Name 10 bloggers to receive this award. Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

Sunshine Award

Catherine’s questions to me and my answers:

1. Describe something that amazes you?
How time goes by so fast, that we have to be so grateful for the time we have to be with our family and friends.

2. If you could pass one lesson on to children what would it be?
To be thankful for all that, they have in their life, “more” is not the answer in life.

3. What is your #1 indulgence?
Coffee Ice Cream, or Ice Cream of any kind.

4. What is one healthy habit that you embrace?
I try to cut back on eating meat, have more veggies! Also, try not to eat Ice Cream!

5. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
A night owl, totally!

6. What do you value most in a person? Why?
Honesty and their compassion towards the other person. Without honesty you can not trust the person to be compassionate to others.

7. If you can eliminate one thing you have to do routinely what would it be? Why?
To get dressed…I love my PJ’s. They are comfortable which lets me get my creative flow going, to cook, bake, and most of all write!

8. What do you do if you need peace of mind?
I try to sit quietly, put on some classical music. Then, I thank God for all I have, say a prayer and that usually brings me back to a place where I can now deal with things better.

9. What is the one thing that makes you the happiest?
Seeing my family and knowing that God and His Angels are watching over everyone.

10. What is your biggest pet peeve? Why?
When people get animals and they do not take care of them. They are innocent souls that we need to take responsibility for. I am a total advocate for all animals.

11. What is your favorite outdoor activity and how often do you engage in that activity?  Love SNOW, and to walk as it is snowing would be my favorite thing to do in the winter. I look forward to that all year long.

Now for the nominees! (Just click on each link)

Christmas Spirit 
Catholic Cuisine
My Little Italian Kitchen
Hungry Runner
Italian American Girl
Cooking With Nonna
But You Dont Look Sick
Christmas Memories 
Holidays Cozy Style
Christina's Cucina

My recipe this week is “Escarole Soup.” This recipe is a traditional dish that is made to celebrate Saint Nicholas Day, on December 6th. Its origin is Italian and you can add white kidney beans and tortellini to the soup.
 

“Escarole Soup”

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 chopped garlic cloves
1 lb of escarole, washed and chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
3 cups low-salt chicken broth
Grated Pecorino-Romano cheese

Directions:
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about a minute. Add the escarole and sauté until wilted, about 4-5 minutes. Add a pinch of salt. Add the chicken broth, cover and simmer about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. You can add a can of white kidney beans (washed and rinsed) plus cooked Tortellini. Serve with crusty Italian bread and top with grated Pecorino-Romano cheese.

Till Next Time……

Copyright © 2013 “Family Plus Food Equals Love” All Rights Reserved