A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Christmas

Victoria Park at Night

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This post is making me smile, it’s our tip to Victoria Park at Night.

Victoria Park, London, On.

I am remembering the fun we had in 2017 when we went to Victoria Park at night, the lights were one, people were skating, and it was such a gorgeous night.  Cold but not too cold, just perfect for twinkling lights and I just wanted to share a few of those pictures with you.  Because I can and I need a smile today!

Victoria Park, London, lit up Christmas trees.

I remember not having to have my hands in my pockets the whole time.  This random statue caught my eye.  I think he wants to go skating on the outdoor rink.

victoria park, London, ontario, statue

The Christmas trees were absolutely gorgeous.  My pictures simply don’t do them justice.

Victoria Park, London, On. Christmas trees.

I remember struggling to take pictures of the garland?  They had strung up around the park.  It was hard to get a clear image.  This one didn’t turn out half bad.

Victoria Park, London, On.

I do have other pictures but they turned out a bit too blurry.  Some days I take better pictures than others, and night time, cold, shiny is apparently NOT my time to be taking pictures.  🙂

It was good to smile though, and I hope you smiled too!

Christmas Cookies

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Mom came in,
All gingery smells.
Wafting from the bin
She carried in her arms.
Gingersnaps.

A boy wipes his hands
Flour patterns to show
The cookies are made
His eyes all aglow.
Sugar Cookies

Mmmm.. the spices they rise
And added they are
a double amount for a favourite friend
An old Dutch recipe from mom to girl
Papernauten.

Something old, something new
What will a man make?
How about a new marshmallow bake?
Nutella use up, chocolate goodness share
Fudge marshmallow squares.
 

Christmas Baking, The New and The Old

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EVERY Single year I make papernauten for Christmas. The very odd occasion I will make them other times of the year, but to me they are the best Christmas cookie EVER.  🙂  BAR NONE!

So here’s my recipe:

Papernauten

Here’s how to make them.

Beat three eggs until frothy
Add 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup brown sugar (packed) Beat until very light and fluffy about 5-6 minutes. Set aside.

Mix together the following:
2 3/4 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup ground almonds

Then add the following

In our family we double the amount of spices,  This is the doubled amount, if you don’t want them as strong tasting cut all this in half. 🙂
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp pepper
3 tsp grated lemon rind …or add some lemon juice to the eggs and sugar mix

Mix together the wet and dry ingredients. It is a VERY dry mix.

Pick some up and knead it in your hands for a bit, if needed dip your fingertips in water to make it more pliable.

Then form it into a rope about 1/2 inch in diameter. Break into bite-sized chunks (about 1/2 inch) and then cook in preheated 325 degree oven for 15 minutes (until lightly browned)

YUMMY.  Your children will be begging for more (at least mine does).

 

AND… Like my boy I decided to try something new this year.

Geertsma Family Spiced Egg Cookies.

Two bowls needed.  Preheat oven to 400F

Bowl one:

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp baking soda

Bowl two
3 eggs
3/4 c white sugar
1 1/2 tsp corn syrup
3/4 tsp almond extract
1/4 c toasted sliced almonds (we fiddled with this a bit)

Instructions. 
Preheat oven to 400F
1. Mix all dry ingredients in bowl one.  Set aside.
2. Mix all wet ingredients in bowl two until creamy.   Takes about 6 minutes.
3. Slowly add dry to wet until well combined.
4. Drop onto parchment paper, leave about 2 inches between.  About a good tablespoon each. 
5. Sprinkle almonds on top. 
6. Bake for 8 minutes until light browned. They tend to stick so store with wax paper between.

Christmas Baking, The Boys

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The boys did some baking!   It’s always good to have the boys help out.  AND it’s fun to watch skills develop (in the lad) and creativity happen in my man!   I just thoroughly enjoy it. 🙂

So the lad made some Sugar Cookies today.  He saw how much they made and promptly cut the recipe in half.  MOM!  We don’t need to eat THAT many cookies!!!!!!!   Made dad and I laugh in agreement.  🙂  I decorated half of them, he did the rest.  I taught him a couple things to make it easier (like rolling out half the dough at a time)

Chocolate Pretzels.

The other day he made pretzels.  VERY easy for a lad to make.  Take some milk chocolate, melt it slowly in the microwave, dip the pretzels.    I told him what to do and off he went.  They turned out a bit more chocolatey than I expected, but it’s all good cause… WE LIKE CHOCOLATE.  🙂

 

 

Then Dad found a recipe and said “Think we should try it?”  I told him.. “Go ahead, looks good”.

Fudgey Marshmallow Squares. 

Ingredients
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup Nutella (or smooth nut butter of choice)
¼ cup salted butter
½ tsp vanilla
¼ cup sweetened flaked coconut
4 cups mini rainbow marshmallows

Instructions
Line 8” x 8” pan with wax paper, letting the ends hang over the edges. You will use these as handles later.
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the chocolate chips, Nutella and butter. Heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Let cool until pan is safely touchable on the bottom but still smooth to stir.
Stir in coconut to combine well. Stir in marshmallows to cover.
Spread mixture evenly in prepared pan. Place a sheet of clear wrap over the top and press mixture firmly and evenly down into pan to make an even top.
Chill in refrigerator, covered with the plastic wrap, for at least 3 hours before cutting into squares. Remove from refrigerator just before serving.

Anyways, if you make them… let me know!   Take a pic and send it to me.  Always good to share eh?

 

Christmas Baking Togetherness

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Do you know what’s been special about this year for Christmas?   

It’s not just me making the Christmas goodies.   Hubby and son have pitched in which has been totally wonderful!  

So I thought I’d do up a few posts talking about some of the recipes we’ve made together.  Today part one, recipes the lad and I made together. 

Pumpkin Muffins

Preheat oven to 350F

Mix together:
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
Set this aside for now.

Separate bowl cream: Mix for about 2 minutes, you want it light and fluffy
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/3 light brown sugar

Add 2 large eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.

Add:
1 1/3 c pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla

Now add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Divided evenly into muffin tins.. either use muffin liners or grease the cups well.
Makes 12 muffins.

Cool on wire rack. I found them very easy to remove from the cups and they cooled nicely. They are a somewhat moist muffin so only keep for a couple days on counter, or keep them in the a cool area.

 

Cherry Pie with Mousse

I unfortunately don’t have a picture of this pie as well…. a 12 year old happened!!!!

I told him how to make it and he did.  🙂   It’s REALLY easy.

Take a graham crumb pie from your local Dollarama (or grocery store etc).

Spoon in almost a full can of cherry pie filling (since a boy was doing this he retained some for his own pleasure).

Mix up some mousse (make your own or use a package). Spoon the mouse (we used a vanilla one from a package) over the pie filling.  Let it set in your fridge warning a boy to keep his paws off it until it sets.

Make some quiche for supper and have the pie as dessert or as a counter point to the bacony taste of the quiche, and be amazed at how quickly a boy can pack pie away.  🙂

Christmas Books To Enjoy

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 Over the years I’ve read a few books at Christmas, some that became favourites and others well…not so much.  🙂  And since this is my blog I don’t have to share those books I didn’t enjoy not so much eh?

So I’m going to throw up pictures of books, if they are ones that I read for a review I’ll link up the review, if they are just books that I like well.. you’ll just get a picture eh?  And perhaps some comments about the book.

We will start off with some off favourites:

 Alabaster’s Song…. This just a lovely book by Max Lucado.  I’m not big into angels, but this book..this I liked, and my lad was captivated. 🙂

 

My boy has been into cats ever since he was wee little, and this book about The Christmas Kitten was one of those “read it again” books.   I think if I wanted to I could tell this story off by heart.  🙂  

You know how most lift the flap books you look through once and you are done with them.  The mystery is all gone?  Not when you are wee little!  Boy, my lad liked this book.  I had a hard time posting it for sale this fall as it brings back such memories and is still in really good condition.   Hoping I can find a child to bless with it this Christmas.

My Good friend Lori has this book now.  I really liked this book and had it LITERALLY for years.  I got it when I was still single and read it to countless numbers of children who in turn, fell in love with it.  I hope her youngsters love it as much as my lad did and all those children before him.

And then move on to some newer favourites:

oh…these two books… just so lovely.  Really.  

See if you can find them this winter season and just enjoy them.  They are particularly “Christmas” books, but they are seasonal books that are well worth reading.

Sing a season song.

This was an absolutely gorgeous book. Seeing the seasons change and slip away one into another.  The animals, the plants, the scenery.

Just a gorgeous book that as a parent you will probably appreciate before your children do, but once they catch the wonder and beauty, you’ll be able to savour the words as you go through the pages.

 
Not biblically accurate, but in truth…not a lot different from most Christmas stories and plays that are around nowadays.

This was a sweet soft-cover book that found it’s way into a new home last year with a young lady.  One you might want to check out just for the pictures!  🙂

This book is hilarious.  My lad loved it oh my… 

It’s a great paroday of the “Night before Christmas”.  

All I can say is get it, read it, and laugh along with three very silly knights…all before Christmas.  

You’ll find a broader review here.

Oh…I mustn’t forget Oskar…and the night of broken glass. 

Such a quietly delightful book full of meaning.

Just go read it with your children, learn something, and be quietly blessed for your journey through it.

I’ll finish with one I just met the other day:

I don’t normally recommend Santa based books, but I thought this one well done with good truths for children to pick out as they enjoy the beauty and kindness of Christmas.

Anyways, this is just a glimpse of the many Christmas books that have passed through our house, perhaps they’ll be a blessing to you and yours.

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Review: Santa’s Magic Key

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We have NEVER done Santa in this house, I didn’t grow up with Santa in my formative years and always thought it was a bit silly to believe in him, or to encourage children to do so. I deliberately chose to exclude Santa from stories with the lad when he was little as I remember my mom saying “don’t lie on purpose to your children, if they do, they just might wonder what else you are lying to them about.”

That said, every once in a while though I run into a Santa based Christmas Story that I just enjoy, and that I then share with my lad, and when we are done I ask him “what do you think the truth is in that story?” Today I want to tell you about Santa’s Magic Key.  This is honestly, just a lovely book.  🙂   I am looking forward to, when this review is over, putting it in the Christmas box for the local gifts for the needy.


Imagine if you would, a young boy who lives in a new home, has been taught all about Santa, and now it’s Christmas.  

His new home doesn’t have a chimney….what is a boy in a new home to do?   Worry that’s what!  He writes a letter to tell him of this conumbrum…and so the story continues. 

Simon Mendez does an excellent job of illustrating the words of Eric James.  These beautifully wrought pictures bring the story to life showcasing the story so wonderfully you’d almost feel like you were in the pictures with this young boy. 

In this sweet story we get to see the kindness of a shopkeeper, the heart of a young boy, and a future promise.   If I read this book to my lad he could easily find truths to hold on to, and so I think would your children.  See the truths, enjoy a make-believe story, and touch on a bit of the wonder of Christmas.  You just need to look a little harder for it. 

My Thoughts:
I loved that this book comes with a heavy key… what a great way to help children live out the joy of  Christmas promise.   The illustrations are simply beautiful and the story so easy to read.  The large font would make it ideal to read to a group of children gathered round your feet, the pictures large so all could see, and yet the book sits comfortably in one’s lap to share individually with a child.  

Santa’s Magic Key
Eric James
Simon Mendez (illustrator)
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
40 pages
Christmas, picture book, seasonal, hardcover
ages 4-9

Reviewed for: Raincoast Books.

Where can I find it?
Amazon.ca: Santa’s Magic Key.
Amazon.com: Santa’s Magic Key. 

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites