Loving the Advent Season

Merry Christmas, all. Audra Harders here!

First of all, I have to ask, where did the year go? Last time I looked, I was complaining about the hot summer, and then loving our long, beautiful fall...

We celebrated Thanksgiving on so many levels. My daughter had moved to South Dakota in April for a job. We were delighted she made it back for Thanksgiving after a bout with COVID had put that plan in jeopardy. My sweet aunt celebrated her 90th birthday while we were all gathered for Thanksgiving dinner, complete with a golden tiara and sash. I only had to re-bake the cheesecake I was bringing to the dinner once. It was all so good!!

And now, we're at the beginning of the most celebrated season by all. 

I love the Christmas season with all its shiny ornaments, holiday giving, beautiful caroling. I love that the radio stations I listen to in the car are playing Christmas music. I love saying "Merry Christmas" to all I meet, whether they respond in kind or not. 

With my whole heart, I love celebrating the birth of our dear Saviour. In addition to reading full books and studies, I tend to play a lot of Bible and devotional bingo. In my mind, when I ask the Lord to lead me in my studies, I don't want to follow my own preconceived path. So I pull out books and let them fall open on my lap. There are times I almost cry when I read the message for the day and realize how opportune it is for my life at that very moment.

Lately, my readings have centered around God's great mercy and grace for us. How much He loves us. How relevant His Word is for us today as it was 2000 years ago. 

This season, I'm dusting off some of my very rusty talents in baking and will be assembling goody trays for neighbors and friends - That I Have Baked Myself! Goodness, I hope we still remain friends after they've tasted my efforts!! LOL!

I ventured online for some ideas and I really want to share this quick bread with you. I found it on the Martha Stewart site, but the recipe was submitted by Jane Kraemer. Jane, I can't tell you enough how this bread came off delicious for me on my very first try! I say that because living at 5600 ft, baking gets a little wonky until you adjust the flour and timing to suit.

Anyway, I offer you my - by way of Jane - new favorite quick bread!

Cranberry-Walnut Bread

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan (I spray the loaf pans)

2 cuts all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

1 large egg (room temp)

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1 cup fresh orange juice

1 cup fresh cranberries

1 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325F. Butter and flour and 8 1/2-by-4 1/2 inch loaf pan*; set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until combined. Add egg and beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until combined (dough will appear very dry). Reduce speed to low; beat in orange zest and juice. Fold in cranberries and walnuts.

Spread batter in prepared pan(s), smoothing top. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 50 minutes to 1 hour (tent with foil if top is browning too quickly). Cool in pan 10 minutes; run a knife around edges of loaf, and invert onto a wire rack. Turn top side up; cool completely before slicing.

*I use 3-4 mini loaf pans so I can slice and create trays. Watch the time as they bake a tad faster.

This recipe also doubles very well. I've baked many of these mini loaves over the past week - letting them cool, wrapping them in plastic wrap and then sealing them in freezer bags. I've stacked them in my freezer along side spice loaves and banana bread loaves. If the price of meat gets too high, well, we won't go hungry!!

My favorite movie? A Charlie Brown Christmas is at the top of the list. That's the one we watch as a family every year since my kids first watched it. As for my personal happies, I like to snuggle down in a chair flanked by our Corgies, a mug of decaf peppermint mocha coffee in my hands and the channel tuned to Great American Family. Here's a link to their Christmas movies:  https://www.countdownuntilchristmas.com/gac-family/

God bless you all through this beautiful season!!