Molasses Cookies and Eggnog Chai

The other day while at a coffee shop a friend told me how chai tea was described to her, 'Christmas in a cup'. I like it! This little pair is sure to make you think of Christmas!

For the chewy molasses cookies you'll need:
14 Tablespoon butter
1 1/2 cups raw sugar, divided
1/3 cup molasses
2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten

I like them 'spicy' so I add approximately 1/2 teaspoon allspice or pumpkin pie spice. :)

Preheat oven to 350*. Cover two baking sheets with foil and set aside. In a medium size saucepan, melt butter on medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the sugar along with the molasses. Cool for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix the flour, spices, baking soda, and salt in medium size bowl. Beat the egg into the butter mixture in the saucepan, then gradually add the flour mixture and stir until well combined and a soft dough is formed.

Pour the remaining sugar into a small bowl. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in the sugar. Place the balls on the foil covered baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

Bake 10-12 minutes. Do not overcook. As they cool they will become chewy. Makes 3-4 dozen.

Now, for my favorite holiday tea...truly 'Christmas in a cup' when paired with the above cookies.

You will need the following ingredients for each mug:
1 Chai tea bag (my fav is Tazo's organic chai)
6-8 ounces boiling water (depending on how strong you like it)
1 teaspoon turbinado or brown sugar
2-3 ounces eggnog

Yep! It's that easy. Get out your favorite mug, place the unwrapped tea bag inside, pour the boiling water over the tea bag. Let steep 4-5 minutes. Remove tea bag. Add the sugar and eggnog and stir. Delicious!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!!

Our GREEN Christmas

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE....What's that gotta do with Christmas?! Well, let me tell you what our family decided to do.

First off, many families have taken the focus of Jesus' birth, love, the gift He is to us, joy, peace, and being grateful and have turned it into such a mess of busyness, parties, expensive gifts that I have just been revolted and disheartened with the whole thing. As many of you have already chose to do, we just have to take a stand and continue to celebrate Jesus.

That said...here's what we decided to do. No going into debt...no putting off bills that need paid. We took what little money we had left in the budget and decided to purchase gifts for the kids. They LOVE presents as does anyone! :) Presents aren't bad it's the spirit of the season that has upset me. With my husband just returning to work after being off for almost 3 months we had $20 to spend on each kiddo. I searched the local supercenters and found nothing worthy of purchase.

Then a thought occurred to me! We shop second hand for clothing and miscellaneous household items as well as toys and games throughout the year...why not NOW! Not only can I find more for our money but we can help the environment at the same time! All that extra packaging and boxes on the new items would not be in the land fill (reducing) and we are re-using/recycling someone else's past treasure into one of our own! So, it's good on the pocket book and good for the earth that our God created so lovingly for us to enjoy!

Here's what the girls got: the Fisher Price doll house w/ accessories from Craigslist.com, 2 Ballerina dolls (one not pictured) with 2 Angelina Ballerina videos (not pictured) from Craigslist, and a Doll head for accessorizing from a local thrift store. I purchased some small clips and a brush for a few dollars but everything else was used. Total spent: About $40 The doll house alone could have cost over $85 new.

And the boys? Well, from the thrift store they got a light brite cube w/ tons of pegs and accessories, a talking GI Joe to add to the collection, bug domino game, 3 in 1 Golf chipping game (new in package), an electronic golf game and an electronic educational word game (not pictured). Their other gift is the repair of a go cart that someone gave us. It needs a new tire and some engine work which my hubby is so good at. ;) Total spent: about $40 as well.


Of course, Grandpa and their Nanny bought them some other items but we feel really good about what we chose to do this year. I feel SO good that next year I plan to shop thrift stores and Craigslist in advance rather then trying to gather all these items within the last few days before Christmas! ;)

So...Go Jesus! (by keeping Him the focus) and Go Green (by buying used)!