Baby Jesus in a Manger

Remember the Baby Named Jesus ...
Because God loved us, he shone light into a dying world and saved us from darkness with the birth of this  precious baby Jesus Christ, born in a manger in a town named Bethlehem by the Virgin Mary.  

We celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation.  We already have the greatest gift all ... and no gift card or diamond from Jared's could take His place.  

So as the turkey roasts, the yams bake, the tables are set ... let's give thanks for our blessings and share them with others.

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth 

peace to menon whom His favor rests."  Luke 2:14

"Be gentle and ready to forgive, never hold grudges.  Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."  Collossians 3:13

Joan B. Average Scriptwriter wishes you a Blessed and Joyous Christmas!  While you're visiting with friends and families ... curl up with your favorite child.  Here are a few children's books from celebrity authors who could quit their day job.   

And after you've read up an appetite, why not make a few tasty, fun  and fast snacks together:  Nutty Caramel Chocolate Apples, Chocolate Apples (with your choice of topping or without) and Nutty Caramel Popcorn.  Recipes below.

Whoopie Goldberg

Toeshoe Trouble (Sugar Plum Ballerinas, Book 2)

Coming January 5, 2011

Sugar Plum Ballerinas #3: Perfectly Prima

President Barack Obama

 

Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters

Queen Latifah

Queen of the Scene Book and CD

Jamie Lee Curtis

My Mommy Hung the Moon: A Love Story 

Jason Alexander  (George Costanza of Seinfeld)

 
 Dad, Are You The Tooth Fairy? 

Tim McGraw

 

My Little Girl


You'll enjoy reading these books with your child, grandchild, nephew, niece, the kid next door ... from two popular series that embrace individuality, "Fancy Nancy and Junie B. Jones."


 
Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas 


Junie B. Jones's First Boxed Set Ever! (Books 1-4)

After you finish reading, you'll probably want a snack.  Here are two  yummy recipes you can make together. Warning:  be prepared for chocolate-smeared kisses.

(nutty chocolate caramel apples - from E-How.com)

For the Nutty Chocolate Caramel Apples above first follow the instructions on the package of Kraft Caramels, then refrigerate the caramel apples for 15 to 30 minutes, or until caramel has set.  Here's how to make chocolate covered apples.

Here's Tyler Florence's Recipe for Chocolate Covered Apples from Food Network Television.

Gourmet Chocolate Covered Apples
(They're gourmet because they look like apples 
you'd find in a  chocolate cafe.

Ingredients

• 6 medium sweet-tart apples, such as Braeburn, Fuji, or Gala
• Popsicle sticks
• 1 pound semisweet chocolate, cut into chunks
• 1 cup M & M's, chopped pistachios, shredded coconut, toffee pieces, or crushed Oreos

Directions

Twist off the stems from the apples and push a Popsicle stick down into the core. Put the apples in the fridge while preparing the chocolate; they'll coat better if they're cold.

Slowly melt the chocolate in a double boiler over hot water or in a microwave set on high for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through the heating time to smooth it out. Remove from the heat and stir until completely melted and warm, not hot. Dunk each apple into the chocolate, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl. Roll the apples around in the chocolate, turning with the stick, so it's coated all the way up to the top. Use a spoon to baste any hard to get spots.

Put the desired coating in a separate bowl and roll the dipped apple around so it is completely covered. Set the chocolate dipped apples on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set.

This Nutty Caramel Corn treat will satisfy your sweet and salty craving when you're watching a movie on your Christmas Blue Ray.  (Note:  These recipes are for children without peanut allergies)

  

Here's What You'll Need:

• popcorn
• cashews
• brown sugar
• corn syrup
• butter
• salt
• cream of tartar
• baking soda
• waxed paper

Nutty Caramel Corn (From E-How.com)

Use 5 quarts of popped popcorn, 1 cup of unsalted cashews, 2 cups of packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup of light corn syrup, 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.

Heat the oven to 200 degrees. Mix the popped corn and the cashews into a roasting pan 

In a 3 quart saucepan, combine the sugar, syrup, butter, salt and the cream of tartar. Bring the mixture to boiling and stir it over medium high. Without stirring boil it until is becomes the hard ball stage which is around 260 degrees on a candy thermometer for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove it from the heat and quickly stir in the baking soda. Pour the mixture over the popcorn into the roasting pan. Stir it to coat all of the popcorn in the pan.

Bake in the oven at 200 degrees for 1 house. Occasionally stir the mixture. After it is done spread the popcorn onto the waxed paper lined baking sheets. Let it cook. Break the popcorn apart and serve.

Merry Christmas!