A Canine Christmas

          

             Christmas of 2007 was one to remember! Since I have 6 siblings, and 4 of them have spouses and children, Christmas gets pretty big! We always draw names to see who has who for presents. This year, my older brother Allyn and his wife, Emily, had my sister Kristen and me. Every Christmas morning we wake up early and run down to the tree to open gifts, and this year was no exception. On Christmas morning, Kristen and I went down to the tree to find a wrapping paper star cut out and put on the tree with a string tied to it. Obviously, we were a little confused. Allyn and Emily said to follow the string to find our gift, so we did. It led us outside and inside, then upstairs and downstairs and around and finally to the basement in the corner room...and there it was. A little golden retriever puppy. We were overjoyed! He was a little scared of us but we ran and picked him up. We already had a dog, Ginger, but she was getting old and we knew we’d need another dog soon. The funny thing about this present was my brother didn't even ask my parents before he got it. They were as surprised as we were! The whole family was happy (or surprised) and we spent most the rest of the day playing with the dog. After debating on a name, we named him Lars. It is a very Swedish name that no one really liked, but we named him that anyways! I didn’t like it at first, but it grew on me. The two dogs got along well. At first, Lars was scared of anyone and anything, but after Ginger died a couple years later, he stepped up to the plate and became a good watch dog. I love dogs and was so happy to get another dog that year. It is one of my favorite Christmas memories. 

Christmas Cravings---Favorite Christmas Recipes

      As Christmastime gets closer, the baking begins! I have always loved to bake and especially around Christmas. There are so many fun recipes to try and experiment with, and I usually have more time over Christmas break. My family is Swedish and so there is a tradition to follow. Usually, my grandparents host a Christmas dinner consisting of Potato sausage, pickled herring, rye bread, turkey, corn pudding, rice pudding, ostkaka (Swedish cheesecake) and of course, Swedish Lutefisk. Lutefisk is a type of fish that is soaked in lye for several days or until it reaches a jelly consistency and then cooked in a pot of water over the stove. Obviously, not many people actually like lutefisk, but it is a Swedish tradition and practically everybody eats it! I don’t.  The traditional Swedish Christmas dinner is not always my favorite but I appreciate the tradition it is to our extended family. 

      I have already started baking cookies for this year’s Christmas. One of my favorite kinds of cookie is Spritz. Yes, it is Swedish too. Spritz" is German for "spritzen" meaning "to squirt", which is exactly what is done with this cookie dough. It is put in a tube with a tip on the end, and as you turn the handle, the dough comes out in a decorative shape. These are great for freezing and pulling out when you have company! Here is the recipe---Enjoy!

                                      

Spritz Cookies: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. You will need two ungreased baking sheets.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until incorporated. On low speed, gradually add the flour and salt and mix until incorporated.

To Press Cookies: Scrape some of the dough into your cookie press that has been fitted with a decorative plate (follow manufacturer's instructions). Hold the cookie press perpendicular to the ungreased baking sheet, with the tip almost touching the sheet, and squeeze the trigger. (If you find the dough is too soft, because the shape of the cookies is not clearly defined, then chill the dough.) Continue to press out the cookies, spacing about 1 inch apart. If desired, decorate the cookies with pieces of candied cherries, nuts, colored sprinkles or colored sugars.

To Pipe Cookies: Have ready a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch diameter open star tip. Fill the pastry bag about half full, twist the end of the bag to close, and pipe 1 1/2 inch (3.5 cm) rosettes or stars by holding the pastry bag perpendicular to the ungreased baking sheet, with the tip almost touching the sheet. Squeeze the pastry bag firmly and evenly without moving it until the shape is the desired size. Stop squeezing and push the pastry bag down a little and then lift the pastry bag straight up. Continue to pipe cookies, spacing about 1 inch apart. If desired, decorate the cookies with pieces of candied cherries, nuts, colored sprinkles or colored sugars.

Bake cookies for about 6 - 9 minutes or just until the edges of the cookies are barely tinged with brown. Remove from oven and gently transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

 These cookies will keep at room temperature for about one week or they can be frozen for several months. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.