Sunday, December 5, 2010

Merry Christmas Etc.




Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwaanza and a joyous season no matter which holiday you are celebrating. Here at the Inn at Stony Creek, Bill and I are getting the place decorated and ready for the upcoming season. The roses are pruned to the ground, and the mums are long gone. And all the pumpkins have made their last pie. We've given Thanks and survived Black Friday. Now its time to break out the holly and the evergreens and get ready to chop down the tree.
This year Bill and I are as always celebrating with our families. I have already started baking my perennial Christmas cookies and Bill is in charge of the outside lights. I think I got the best of the deal because I am at least keeping warm. Can you believe how cold its gotten and so fast?


Well, a good hot cup of mulled cider and some warm cookies from the oven really helps.


Here in Warwick and the surrounding towns, we are all getting into the holiday spirit. The next two weekends on the 11th and 18th, there is a Christmas Carol sing-a-long at the Bellvale Community Center in Chester. Its a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of holday shopping. Friends and family are all welcome. Call 845 572-3400 for more info. Light refreshments will be served.


Also in Warwick, there will be horse and buggy rides and Santa on the Railroad Green on the weekends. Call 845 986-2720 to get further information.


On December 19th, there will be a Ski with Santa at Mount Peter Ski and Ride. To get details, call 845 986-4940.


And of course, there are all the Christmas and Christmas Eve services at all the local places of worship. Check your yellow pages for details.


Ok. Enough with the activities. I racked my brains to decide which cookie recipe I was going to post on this blog. I decided it had to be a favorite at the Inn and a favorite of mine and Bill's because you are all favorites of ours. So I have decided to give you my recipe for Chocolate Pixies. Now I should tell you that I usually make two batches of these because they go like crazy. So here goes.


Chocolate Pixies


1/4 cup butter
4-1oz. squares of unsweetened baking chocolate
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
confectioners sugar
In a 1 qt. saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat for about 8-10 min. Cool.
In a large bowl combine cool melted chocolate and 1 cup flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder and salt. Beat at med. speed, scrape bowl often until mixed well about 2-3 min.
Stir in remaining 1 cup of flour and nuts .
Cover and refrigerate three hours to overnight until dough if firm and easy to handle.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Shape rounded teaspoons of dough into 1" balls and roll in confectioners sugar. Place about 2" apart on a greased or parchment covered cookies sheet.
Bake 12-15 min. or until firm.
Makes about 4 doz.
Well, my friends, I am sure you want to run right into the kitchen and start baking. Thats what I will be doing tonight and over the next two weeks. I freeze a good part of the cookies that can be frozen and then save the delicate ones for just before Christmas. Then I mad scramble baked 2 days before. Oh well, it only comes once a year.

Bill and I hope you have a wonderful holiday full of happiness and good health and that you get everything your heart desires. So from us at The Inn at Stony Creek...............




Happy Holidays