The Perfect Christmas Tree
That’s right, hunting for trees. Sort of like hunting for deer, but with a saw and not a gun. First of all, you pack all of those kids (they are mostly grown but still kids) into the car. You drive them into the mountains in your four wheel drive SUV, with tree permit of course, to begin the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree.
Sure there are trees all along the road. There is a good one, but wait there is a gap in the back. Oh look over there, that one is perfect. Yet at a closer inspection, the branches are just too sparse. The kids run from tree to tree exclaiming, “This is the one!” Only to be disappointed by the lack of branches or hole somewhere on the tree.
Suki's Christmas Joy
Our puppy doesn’t care though. She runs from tree to tree with the kids just happy to be out in the snow. Each leap buries her in white powder. Oh to be a puppy and experience that joy.
Grant Cutting, TeAnna coaching
The day wears on and we trudge from mountain top to mountain meadow when finally there it is. The perfect tree glows with a Griswold family Christmas type light shining from above. This will be our tree. This tree will fill our home with the Christmas Spirit. Let us sing in joyful praise that we have found the “perfect” tree. The tree above all other trees. Hallelujah!
Many Supervisors Tying Down the Tree
We appoint Grant as the official tree cutter because he is the only man child on this trip. He does a masterful job in sawing this tree down and then drags it to the family car. We then attempt to tackle the artful task of tying the tree to the roof so it does not blow off on our long journey home. Many supervisors were involved in this process. It only takes a few ropes and finally there we have it, our beautiful tree. All ready for the drive home to make our holiday bright.
Now we come to the most important part of the day: the obligatory family picture. What a great adventure! Next: let’s get the lights and decorations on that tree. Oh my family hates that I am aperfectionist in the lighting department.
Christmas Tree Hunting
Do you need some Christmas tunes to get you in the holiday mood? Well, Apple has the ticket for you. They are offering twenty free Christmas Song downloads. Songs like “Silent Night,” “The First Noel,” and “We Three Kings” by some of the most popular artists today. Enjoy listening while making your holiday cookies. Merry Christmas
Anybody that knows me knows that I love to bake cookies. I am always on the hunt for the best cookie recipes to share with my family and friends. My husband tells me that I am the cookie queen, a title I treasure.
Last week we had our “Home for the Holidays” celebration in Salina, Utah. Main Street was filled with singing by children’s choirs, vendors selling Christmas gifts, Christmas Tree Lane for sub for Santa, Balloon animals and hats, hot chocolate and my cookies.
I spent the week prior baking cookies. The house smelled of yummy goodness all week. We made six types of cookies. There were the always popular Chocolate Chip cookies and super soft Snickerdoodles. For those who can’t get enough chocolate we had Chocolate-Chocolate Chip cookies. Then we had the classic Oatmeal Raisin cookies, crunchy Pecan Praline cookies and Soft Molasses cookies. Thirty dozen in all! I loved making them and I am grateful for my family that helped out, even for the little the hands that snuck a few from the cookie jar causing me to bake even more than required.
I have had several requests for my cookie recipes. They always want to know what makes them so good. My secret: every cookie is made with love.
Last summer I entered the Chocolate Chip cookies in the Sevier County fair and I took first place. Sure, my prize was a blue ribbon (proudly displayed in the kitchen) and twenty five dollars. Beyond that prize, I was just happy that somebody enjoyed my cookies.
Temple Square
The recipe I am asked for most of all is this one right here: The Soft Molasses Cookie or Gingersnaps without the snap!
I hope you enjoy these cookies and add this recipe to your holiday traditions with your family.
From my home to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Soft Molasses Cookies
¾ cup shortening or margarine
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup molasses
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 egg
2 ½ to 3 cups flour
½ teaspoon cloves
½ teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
Cream shortening and sugars together. Add other ingredients, mix well. Roll into 1 inch diameter balls and roll into granulated sugar.
Bake at 350′ for 10-12 minutes.
Tags: Christmas, cookies, family, gingersnaps, holidays, molasses, recipe, Salina, Utah
Food, News, Recipes | LaRea December 10, 2009 | 
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