A Proud Mama and a yummy gift....

Today was my eldest son's first piano recital. He started playing last January. He was nervous when he heard there was to be a recital, but seemed excited too. Well, today was the day - he played three Christmas songs - Up on the Housetop, Rudolph and Jolly Old St. Nicholas. He was #17 on the list, so had to wait a fair bit for his turn, but he played so beautifully I almost cried. My favorite is Jolly Old St. Nicholas. It is one thing to hear him play everyday in my kitchen (okay, so somedays I almost cry there too...), but quite another to see my 7 year old decked out in dress pants, shirt & tie, get up there in front of all those people and play so beautifully! We are so proud of him! He brought an entourage with him too - our good friends and neighbours - you might know Danderella -came out to watch as well as another close friend of the family - it was so nice of them to come out and show their support. We also videotaped it so that Nanny & Papa can see it later.

Today was also the day of our Christmas Open House - so we forgot to take a photo beside the piano when we returned home as I was in a hurry to try to get all the food ready to go for 6 pm. (We got home from the recital just after 4). However, I did have this shot of our piano all decked out for the holidays, so thought I'd put it up anyhow.

I decided to make a "cookie in a jar" recipe for the piano teacher's gift. I rec'd this same Cookie Mix from a friend a few years back and the cookies were so yummy that I asked her for the recipe for what was in the jar so that I could make some for giving. I am sorry, I had a hard time photographing these, I was in a hurry and lacked proper lighting to boot...

Here is what is printed on the tag:

Chocolate Coconut Toffee Delights Mix

1 jar of mix

1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces

2 eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla

1) Preheat oven to 350. Line cookie sheets w/parchment paper. Place chips from bag in a lg. microwavable bowl - mic on HIGH 1 min, stir. Mic 30-60 secs. or until chips are melted. Stir well.

2) Add butter to chocolate - stir until melted. Beat in the eggs & vanilla. Add remaining mix to chocolate mixture; stir until well blended.

3) Drop in heaping 1/3 cupfulls approx. 3" apart onto cookie sheets. Flatten into 31/2 " rounds. BAKE approx. 15 mins. or until edges are just firm to touch. Let cookies stand on sheets mins. Makes 1 dozen 5" cookies. Enjoy!

Now, if you would like to try making these yourself, this is what you need:

1 pkg. semisweet chocolate chips -divided

1 & 1/2 cups flaked coconut

1 cup toffee baking pieces (skor bits)

3/4 cup pkd. light brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

Place 1 cup chipits in baggie. Layer all remaining ingredients in any order into a 1 & 1/2 quart canning jar. Pack ingredients down as you go. Use chipits in baggie as the final ingredient. When I made mine, the chipits in the baggie wouldn't fit, so I just tied them to the jar with an extra piece of ribbon.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Hugs,

Shanna :)