I hope that each of you had an awesome Christmas.  Ours was rather quiet but nice.  Kyrie pulled her new Ken doll out of her socking and her eyes went wide “CHRIS!” she screamed, “LOOK MAMA! Santa gave me Chris!”

Chris is our oldest son, currently serving in Iraq.  He has been turning heads since he was 2.  I have to admit that the Ken doll looks alot like him.   I like to think that Christopher is not quite so shallow as Ken..and I think that his smile is better…

Kyrie misses Chris a lot, more than I can really understand since he has been in the military for nearly the whole five years she has been in existence.  Maybe that is the reason.  Ethan and Shiloh and Matt have memories of Chris locking them in the dog crate when I left to run errands..Kyrie only knows him as a loving, doting, adult brother.

It really is all about perspectives, isn’t it?

Vanilla Crescents from Cafe Chocolada look so yummy.  It would be a pity to only eat these at Christmas!

Jam and Clotted Cream had me at the blog name but when I was browsing and saw this bleu cheese, cranberry, and pecan penne I was hooked.

If you are anything like me you visit Marie at a Year From Oak Cottage often.  It is a bit like visiting Anne of Green Gables or Marmee from Little Women.  She has posted a recipe for sticky topped gingerbread, just when I thought gingerbread could not get better.

Another blog that I read often (and was glad..GLAD to see the author is now writing fro Bon Appetit) is Orangette.  If you can imagine peppemint bark sandwiching a layer of bittersweet ganache together…well…imagine it…see it..and cop the recipe for three layer peppermint bark.

In case you didn’t know, Ambrosia is now Purple Foodie.  The new layout is gorgeous and the first recipe posted was a buttery lavender shortbread. The images are fantastic as always.

So ..Check these out and head back this way because tomorrow morning is my Daring Bakers Reveal.  And..it…was…

See ya tomorrow.

image:amazon

Post from: Baking Delights

Preserving family recipes is an important part of preserving history.  When the recipes are passed down so are family stories and memories.

It is important to give your kids continuity between the generations.  Foods have always been one way to do that.  Family traditions are passed down at holidays and special occasions and generally there is alot of memory sharing around the holiday table.  Kids listen and learn about thier family history and I think it gives them a sense of security and  solidity, and helps them to know who they are and where they are going.  I know that when I make gramma’s catsup or fruitcake, scrawled recipes in a faded and spidery handwriting, I feel connected with her even though I did not know her at all.

As I was going through the files here at Baking Delights  I found the recipe for my grandmother’s catsup.

Grandma Vincent’s Catsup Recipe

Do you have any recipes that your family has handed down?

Oh..and that is not my family…I borrowed it.

Image:Morguefile

Post from: Baking Delights