Choo Choo Cookies

Last NIght we attended grandson Max's Christmas Program. Max is in PreSchool and I made these Choo Choo for him to share at the after party. Each Christmas Season, I make them for our neighbors and they are always a hit.


Gingerbread never tasted so good!  Here's the recipe....skootch on down the page to see how they get built...

GiNGeRBReaD CooKieS

Prep: about 30 minutes

Chill: 3 Hours or so

Bake: 5-6 minutes 

Oven: 375〫F

Makes 3-4 dozen small/medium cookies or 15 large train cookies

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 cup molasses

1 egg

1 tablespoon vinegar

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 

1 recipe of Powered Sugar Icing

assorted candies as desired... for these, I used candy Spearmint Leaves, Red & Green M & M's

Please Note:  I use my heavy duty KitchenAid Mixer as this is a very dense dough. It mixes all of the dough, without having to add any by hand. Just be sure to switch to the bread dough kneader when adding the flour!

1. In large bowl, beat shortening with electric mixer on medium to high for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, baking powder, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, & cloves.  Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in molasses, egg, & vinegar until combined.  Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour.  Divide dough in half. Cover and chill dough (I put the dough in larger zip-lock bags) 

about 3 hours or so.

2.  Lightly grease cookie sheets and set aside.  On a lightly floured surface (I use a hugh plastic cutting board for this part), roll half of the dough at a time until 1/8 inch thick,  Using a cookie cuter, cut into desired shapes.  Place 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheet. I cook 1 sheet at a time in the center of the oven. 

3. Bake in a 375〫oven for 5-6 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute.  Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.  If desired, decorate cookies with Powdered Sugar Icing & Candies.  ENJOY!

  PoWeReD SuGaR ICiNG  

Start to Finish: 10 minutes

Makes: 1/2 cup

1 cup sifted powered sugar

1/4 teaspoon pure almond flavoring

2-3 tablespoons milk  

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, almond flavoring & milk.  Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach spreadable consistency.  

Note:  You may substitute Vanilla flavoring, for the Almond flavoring if desired. 

Gather Ingredients....

Mixing, Mixing, Mixing. 

The Mighty KitchenAid at work....Lovin' My Power Tools

 Divide and Conquer!

Then, off to do a bit of Chillin' in the Fridge.

After chilling, roll out to about 1/8" and cut your shapes. 

Don't be a slow poke, you do not want unchilled dough!

Out of the oven and stacked, after cooling on wire racks.

Choo Choo's decorated with Icing, Spearmint leaves

 (cut in half, so that they are not so thick),

& red and green M& M's.

 Holiday Express!

All Wrapped up in cello bags and tagged for the Big Event!

Merry Christmas from Max!

compliments of his Nana

Three Wise Women

Three Wise Women Mug

Three Wise Women Apron

Three Wise Women Tote

Introducing My                                              Three Wise Women Collection                A sassy, modern version of The First Christmas, enliven everyday items, bringing a bit of humor to a hectic holiday season.                  Three Wise Women... would have asked for directions,  arrived on time,  helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made dinner and brought practical gifts. And on the way home they would have said:  Did you see the sandals Mary was wearing with that gown? Can you believe that they let all of those disgusting animals in there?  That baby doesn't look at all like Joseph.         Available now!    http://www.zazzle.com/sandygrossmanmorris                       Click on the above link to view the entire collection!  

How To Make A Crib Sheet

We have a new baby arriving in the family very soon and today found me sewing 2 crib sheets.  I'm making them from 1 double size fitted sheet that was a lucky find at a local thrift shop.  It was new & it was a Pooh Print, matching the nursery decor!   $4  Yay!

NOTE:  a double sheet makes 2 crib sheets!  

Amazingly simple, I thought that I'd share how I made them.  

MaTeRiaLS FoR 1 CRiB SHeeT

  
45" x 70" fabric (Prewash)
48" of 3/8" elastic, cut into four 12"long pieces
thread to match
scissors, sewing machine, ruler

ease level:  lots simpler than it appears

cost: so much less than store bought

time required: 30+ minutes, depending on skill level.

note: it took just over 30 minutes for me to make 2 crib sheets, which included photo time.  

I used my serger (6,000 stitches per minute!) and that speeds things up a whole lot.

 I also used my Black & Decker electric scissors....I am so in love with power tools!

INSTRuCTioNS

#1

Cut fabric to size.  

If using a double size sheet, cut in half, side to side (NOT LENGTHWISE!) You will be making one crib sheet from the top half and another crib sheet from the bottom half.

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#2

If using a sheet, as I did, remove existing elastic, cutting close to the elastic.

Skip #2 if you are not using a sheet!

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#3

Cut & remove a 9" x 9" square from each corner.

Note:  If you are using a sheet, you can leave the 2 corner seams as is. Just cut the 2 remaining corners.

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#4

Fold over the corner, right sides together, as shown.

Repeat for each corner

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#5

Sew each corner closed, as shown.  Stitch twice, as these are the pressure points that need to withstand a lot of wear and tear when you take them on and off the mattress. 

#6

Either serge all around the edge of the sheet, or sew a small hem all around, your choice.

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#7

Find the center point of one 12" length of elastic and sew it to the center of your corner seam. 

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#8

Then, sewing from the center seam, stretch out your elastic while you are sewing.  Flip, and stitch the other half of the elastic, following the same instructions. 

Be sure to use a zig-zag or an elastic stitch so that you have a stretchy corner!

Repeat for each corner.

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Your corners should look like this!

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And, here are my 2 completed crib sheets!

Final Cost: about $2 each. (I had elastic in my stash)

e-mail me if you have questions... 

If I've inspired you, please send photos. 

I'd love to see them!