Holiday Rejuvenation

We're sure you've been busy shopping and baking and holiday partying - time to take some time for you! Curl up with your favorite holiday movie or cd and some treats.

Here are some tasty recipes for you to enjoy along with

some down-time - don't forget to relax!

~Cocktail Hour~

Candy Cane Martini

1 candy cane, crushed for garnish

2 ounces strawberry vodka

4 dashes white creme de menthe

2-1/2 ounces cranberry juice

ice cubes

1. Place crushed candy canes on a small plate. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Coat rim of glass with crushed candy.

2. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, creme de menthe, cranberry juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass and enjoy immediately. Makes 1 cocktail.

~Warm & Cozy~

Spiked Hot Chocolate

4 cups milk
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup dark rum
1/2 cup Frangelico
whipped cream

In a saucpan, combine the milk, the chocolate, the sugar, and the cinnamon and heat the mixture over moderate heat, stirring, until the chocolate is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Add the rum and the Frangelico and heat the mixture, stirring, until it is hot. Divide the mixture among heated mugs and top each drink with some of the whipped cream. Makes 6 drinks.

~Sweet & Chewy~

Gingersnaps with pumpkin dip

Cookie dough:

1 cup sugar

2 cups flour

1/4 cup butter

1-1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup shortening (don't substitute butter!)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 egg

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp all spice

1/4 cup molasses

Pumpkin dip:

6 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 tsp maple syrup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

Beat sugar, butter, shortening, egg and molasses. Add sifted dry ingredients all at once, mixing well. Use a teaspoon to measure dough for each cookie, roll into balls and drop onto plate of extra sugar. Place sugared balls 2-1/2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for about 12-15 minutes or until tops of cookies have cracked (do not over bake). Cool. Blend all pumpkin dip ingredients together. Spread dip onto cookies and enjoy! Makes approximately 3 dozen.

These cookies are a favorite, and loved by Santa too.

1 more blog until Christmas!