Saturday "News on the Run" and Other Stuff

Don't forget to stop by Mountaindale tomorrow to see our Main Street Christmas lights, and enjoy a host of wonderful delights and treats thanks to the Organizatgional Efforts of Janet, owner/instructor at Radiant Yoga.  Some of the fun includes:

• Poetry and Short-Story Reading by Larry Miller and John Miller
• Accoustic Folk Music with Alan Sorensen
• BellyDancing with Ahleana (Lorrie Blank-Frishman)
• Learn to make an origami ornament
• Juggling for Brain Health
• Steve Erny serenades us on the banjo
• LED-lighted Hoopdancing by Sammy Sackstein and
• Magic by the GREAT ZAMBINI!!! (Allen Frishman)Enjoy delicious food.

Please bring a (or three)  non perishable food item too support the Benjamin Cosor Children's Food Pantry.  For more details visit Janet's website.  I will be out and about with my camera during this grand event, so look for a few great pictures on Monday.

Another local reminder...

Catskill Harvest
 Holiday Wine & Cheese Receptions

Saturday Evening, December 17

5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

5% of all sales made during this reception will be donated to our friends at Liberty's C.A.C.H.E.

(Community Action Commission to Help the Economy)

If you are free late this afternoon, early evening this is a fun way to do a bit of last minute shopping while supporting another great Sullivan County charity.

Saturday "News on the Run"

In breaking news on CNN...with my own commentary.  No citizenship check (EVerify) for Illegal Aliens looking for a job, but one congressman (Rep Kingston) wants to do a drug test on all out of work Americans. Drug Screening of Jobless  How about we DRUG TEST ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS?

On the subject of low expectations...Democrats cave to Republicans, give them controversial Pipe Line early approval for a paltry two month extension of Middle Class payroll tax break.

If you need more breaking news today, recommend you visit Google Breaking News as I have to clean my apartment for the Christmas Holidays, do laundry (ugggg) bake more Christmas Cookies, and get myself ready for Mountaindale's Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.

Christmas Cookies Are Baking While Bing Crosby Sings Along

Hello Mountaindale...it's just after five in the afternoon, and my small second story apartment smells so like the holidays as I pop tray after tray of cookies into my oven.  Peanut Butter Cookie dough is in the fridge stiffening up as are the Ginger Gems.  Hopefully will have some of the later in the oven at just after six.

In the mean time, one of my favorites from childhood are Johnny Apple Seeds and they are done, cooled and laid delicately into a tray meant too hold an abundance of Holiday Treats.  For those wanting to experiment a bit, going to share the recipe below.

Johnny Apple Seeds

1/2 cup butter (or shortening)
1 cup granulated (white) sugar

1 cup unsweetened apple sauce (I like Mott's)

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup raisins

3/4 cup chopped pecans

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon cloves

Directions

Cream butter (shortening) and sugar together.  Add in the applesauce and blend until smooth.  Blend all dry ingredients in separate bowl and sift.  Add sifted ingredients to butter mixture slowly (I like to do this by hand rather than using a mixer), then add nuts and raisins.

Drop onto cookie sheet about 2 inches apart, then sprinkle with sugar (optional) and bake at 375 degrees for approximately 12 minutes.