Reindeer Mix

The past few weeks have just been a whirl wind! I just don't know where these past two weeks have gone. I was so looking forward to Christmas and having some time off, just hanging with the family and poof! Christmas is done! Everyone, but me, is back to work.

I'm feeling a little bored today because of it. I said good bye to my son as he headed back to his place in Mankato. He had to work the day after Christmas. Seems he just got here and he had to leave. He won't be back until I'm already back at work.

My husband had to get up this morning and work. He'll be working the rest of the week. I'm not use to that. He use to get off at this time of year, but now with the place he works this is not the case.

My daughter is getting ready to go in to work here in a bit. She, however, is almost done working until she comes back from her study abroad for school.

Well I decided that I'll have to keep myself busy with some quilting and some cooking. I'm trying to finish up a quilt I've been working on for some time now and I'm trying to figure out what to make for dinner.

I did want to share with everyone my recipe for Reindeer mix. This snack mix you could really eat anytime of year. We just always choose to make it at Christmas time. In fact it was one of those things that my son was really looking forward to us having when he came home for the holidays.

I originally got the recipe from the Taste of Home, but I have changed it slightly to fit the tastes of my family members. So it has evolved over the years. I would suggest just doubling the batch, because it will go quickly. We always double it and I always have to make another double batch.

Reindeer Mix

Reindeer Mix
2 C Fritos
2 C Cheese Flavored snack crackers
2 C Pretzel sticks
2 C Corn Chex
2 C Bite size Shredded Wheat
1 C Pecan halves

1/2 C Butter, melted
1 T Maple syrup
1 1/2 t Worcestershire sauce
3/4 t Cajun seasoning
1/4 t cayenne pepper 

In a large bowl, combine the  first six ingredients. In another bowl, combine the butter, syrup, Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning and cayenne; pour over cereal mixture and toss to coat. Transfer to an ungreased roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 250 for 1 hour; stirring every 15 minutes.

Spritz Cookies

Today I am in need of some baking. Things are a bit stressful in my life right now and one way I know of curing it is to bake something sweet.

Since it's the holiday season I decide I would try my hand at making some spritz cookies. Now I haven't made these in years and if I remember right it was a bit difficult working that dumb cookie press.

These cookies bring back memories of when my daughter was a little baby, not quite one, and she was sitting in her high chair eating spritz cookies. I was busy decorating the tree when I heard my baby's first word.... "more". So precious! I was so excited to finally hear her talk I of course gave her more cookies. 

I have purchased a new cookie press since my last attempt at making these cookies and I was hoping that this new Cuisinart Electric Cookie Press was going to work like a charm. Well much to my surprise it worked great.Super Easy!!!

I only made 1/2of the recipe this time. I didn't know how the press would work and I am short on time tonight, but I now know that I'll be making some more of these before Christmas.

The recipe is from my mom. She's been making them since I was a little girl and I'm not sure where she got the recipe. The recipe does state to add vanilla to taste. I added 2 teaspoons to this batch, but I could probably added more. So here's the recipe. I hope you enjoy them!

Spritz Cookies
1-lb butter
1 C granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 extra yolks
4 1/2 C sifted flour
vanilla to taste
Mix butter, sugar, eggs & yolks together with a mixer. Add vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixing with your mixer. Put dough in the cookie press and press cookies onto ungreased cookie sheets, sprinkle with colored sugar. Bake at 350 for 5-6 minutes. Cool slightly and remove from pans.