Christmas – little siddall studios

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there’s always that one day – i walk outside, take a deep breathe in of that cool crisp air – and it’s christmas time. i can smell it and i can feel it. that’s when i know it’s time to cozy up with a good cup of tea.
or hot chocolate.
or cider.
or – OMG – egg nog. it’s definitely a favourite of mine over the holidays. rum or no rum. it really doesn’t matter.

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jazzy christmas music playing while the fireplace crackles on the tv (don’t judge, if only i had a real fireplace.)
the sweet smells of christmas simmering on the stove. currently, apple, cloves, anise seeds and cinnamon.
reading your favourite christmas book while curled up on the couch with a blanket.
wrapping up gifts in brown paper and tying them up with string. actually. i’m not just referencing the sound of music here.
i love wrapping presents! it’s almost as fun as giving them. almost. brown kraft paper is my go to because you can do so much with it! stamp it, paint it, draw on it, or leave it bare to adorn a red bow.

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there are so many things i want to do over the holiday season, and before you know it, it’s come and gone. it’s december 6th already folks! have you got your christmas shopping done yet? i haven’t – but that’s okay. there’s time. shop local if you can.

or how about…

making something – diy – effort AND possibly sentimental!!! brownie points!
a fancy dinner or a movie date
go to the theatre, the symphony, the ballet
plan a three course home cooked meal
go skating
create a playlist you know they’ll love

whatever you’re gifting this year, do it with love.
because – it’s the thought that really counts. at least, i’ve always thought so.

and all material gifts aside – it’s really the time spent with family and friends that’s the greatest gift around the holidays.

with the holiday season in our faces, and food in our mouths, enjoy my latest creation from in my little kitchen.

chewy coconut lime cookies.

it was a night where the kitchen was completely spotless for once – that see every bit of the counter clean.

so what did i do? messed it up of course. i had a sweet tooth and no matter how long i’d spend in the kitchen, i was going to have myself some cookies when it was all said and done.

since Josh and i do a lot of travelling to see our families over Christmas, we have a routine we follow and the most important one in my mind – don’t forget about the food in your fridge.

1-2 weeks before travelling – no buying/bringing new food into the house, we must use up what we have. this way nothing goes bad while we’re away. so after 10 minutes of rummaging around, i found some flaked coconut, honey, a vanilla bean and two limes. daydream moment – coconut – hawaii – honeymoon. sigh of love. and the following is the recipe i came up with based on those main ingredients i found.

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zest of 2 limes – seeds of one vanilla bean (or not) – 1 cup of butter – 1/2 cup of white sugar.

mix until sugar is well blended with butter. fluffy butter stage.

1/2 cup of honey. local honey that is.

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pour and mix in with your fluffy butter. making it sticky fluffy butter stage.

i don’t care what method you use to combine your ingredients. use what you have. bowl, spoon and strong-arm will work just fine. or a hand mixer, or a stand mixer. the point is to mix.

juice of half a lime – 2 tsp of vanilla extract or coconut if you have it – or both!

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blend in with sticky fluffy butter. juiced up butter stage.

in a separate bowl – 3 cups of flour – 1 cup of flaked coconut.

pour in the juiced up butter and mix. with your mixer, your hands, your spoon, whatever. separate your big mess of dough into two even chunks and form each chunk into whatever shape you desire. refrigerate for at least a half hour, but ideally overnight. i like to roll my dough into a log for ease of cutting, throw it in the fridge and be ready for baking when i want.

oven – between 325 degrees to 350 degrees – 8 minutes – rotate pan – 8 minutes – remove from oven – transfer to wire rack. i find that all ovens tend to be a little different so watch your cookies the first time, and adjust accordingly.

eat warm or cold. depends on your willpower.

happy holidays – wherever you are.

Tag: Christmas

christmas is in the air.