Christmas Questions

I want to thank Sarah Fishburn for this fun list of questions about Christmas designed to help us to get to know each other. She says "Just copy this entire note and paste into a new note on your page. (Change all the answers so that they apply to you.)"   After you answer all the questions, please post a comment to let me know so I can get to know you.

 

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?  

For immediate family, it's hand made wrapping paper and tags.  The first year I did it, my family just loved it, now they've come to expect it.  Everyone else gets store bought wrapping paper.

2. Real tree or Artificial? 

Real but only if it comes from a tree farm. 

3. When do you put up the tree? 

When we are in town for Christmas, about December 15.

4. When do you take the tree down? 

Jan 2nd I'd probably leave it up longer if it wasn't drying out and losing needles and generally becoming more of a fire hazard.

5. Do you like eggnog? 

I love eggnog but without liquor.  I think Rum or Whiskey ruins the taste of eggnog.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

A china tea set.

7. Hardest person to buy for? 

My husband Greg. I have managed to totally surprise him a few times but usually I need to ask him what he wants.

8. Easiest person to buy for? 

My daughter, she gives me hints all year long. :)

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

I do, it's a small Italian set with about 6-7 pieces.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail. And last year I started a new tradition, making our Christmas card.  Last year I used a funny picture of my husband and BIL and collaged it. Then I scanned and printed it on card stock.  Here is a picture from my blog post last year, it was called Still Searching for gifts?  I started this year's card last night. I need a snowflake rubberstamp.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? 

Probably clothes, I hate getting clothes for Christmas. They haven't been "bad" just usually not my taste.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

I don't watch a lot of Christmas movies but if I have to choose it would be the first Santa Clause movie with Tim Allen and the Miracle on 34th Street with a young Natalie Wood.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? 

I bought my first stocking stuffer on Saturday but usually I start shopping about Dec 1st. 

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? 

Nope never.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Biscochitos, which my aunts made when I was growing up. I also love Empanadas, stuffed with mincemeat. I've also had them with pumpkin.  By the way, I just learned that in 1989, Biscochitos became the New Mexico official state cookie. This act made New Mexico the first state to have an official cookie.  Too Funny.

17. Favorite Christmas song? 

Jingle Bell Rock, Silent night,

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? 

I prefer to stay home but we traveled last year and and we will again this year. Both of our mothers are elderly and living in NM so we'll probably go there for Christmas until they pass on.  Plus my daughter lives there and I can't spend Christmas without her.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?

I could sprain a brain trying but could probably come up with all the names.

 

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? 

I prefer an Angel but we've had both.

 

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Definitely in the morning.  I believe that anticipation is 2/3's the fun of getting gifts.  My folks had no patience and always wanted to see their gifts Christmas eve, so of course I did too.  But then Christmas morning we had nothing to do. 

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

That Christmas is everywhere even before Halloween.  That's too much too soon. It's no wonder people are tired of Christmas before the holiday is even here. 

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color?

Favorite theme, Santa.  I have lots of Santa ornaments and a musical Santa that you twist to listen too.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? 

Tamales and Posole, covered in my homemade NM Red Chile.  I'm very partial to my homemade red chile probably because I make it like my grandmother used to. 

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?

I really want the economy to turn around and stop eating away at our meager retirement funds.  It's scary.  As far as gifts? Art books or a possibly a stereo for my car that I can plug my MP3 player into. I hate listening to the radio and I always forget the change the CDs.  I've had my favorite CD in the car player for over 3 years now.  I think My Guy is tired of listening to Pretty Vegas. :)

 

Here is a Recipe for Biscochitos

The Lucero Recipe (Northern New Mexico)

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon anise seed
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• cinnamon sugar for topping

Procedure

1. Heat oven to 350°F (180°C). Combine butter and ½ cup sugar in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add egg yolk and milk; beat until well mixed. Reduce speed to low. Add flour, baking powder, anise seed and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon; beat until mixture forms a ball.
2. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Cut with 1-inch cookie cutters.
3. Combine 2 tablespoons sugar and ¾ teaspoon cinnamon in small bowl.
4. Put one face of the cookie into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place one inch apart, with the cinnamon sugar-covered side up, onto ungreased cookie sheets.
5. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
6. Let cool.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook:Bizcochito"

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