A Homemade Christmas

I had great intentions of participating a bit more in my friend Emily's "A Homemade Christmas," but Edmund has kept me quite busy since his arrival! I did get one homemade gift made before he was born, which was a knitted hat for my brother, Nathan. I had some leftover yarn from a scarf I made him several years ago, so I decided to try to make a matching hat. I didn't have a pattern, but made it up as I went along. My friend Keturah helped me figure out how to decrease the stitches.


Douglas would like me to make him a hat, too, so that's next on my knitted projects list. I'm envisioning a tweed yarn...

Cranberry-Pistachio Biscotti

I have been thinking about what Christmas baking traditions I would like to start in my family. Last Christmas, I didn't do much baking other than some cinnamon rolls and gingerbread people. This year, I haven't done much either (having a newborn slows productivity), but I did manage to make these cranberry-pistachio biscotti from my mom's recipe box. I realized I've found recipe #1 for the Singer Christmas Cookies folder -- they've made the cut!

1-3/4 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. dried cranberries

1 tsp. vanilla

4 T. butter

1-1/2 c. raw pistachios

2 eggs, beaten

sugar

Mix first four ingredients in food processor. Add cranberries, mix again. Add vanilla and butter in chunks. Mix until cornmeal texture (add a little water if needed). Add nuts and eggs. Fold into mixture 10-15 times. On floured surface, divide dough into four 8" logs. Spray cookie sheet with oil. Place logs on cookie sheet, flattening slightly. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes. Set on rack 15-20 minutes to cool. Slice and bake on sides for 7-10 minutes.

Sing Lullaby

I first heard "Sing Lullaby" by Herbert Howells on a radio broadcast of Nine Lessons and Carols a few years ago. It's still one of the most beautiful and poignant pieces of Christmas music I've ever heard. Enjoy!

Edmund Michael

Edmund Michael at one day old
Thanks so much for all your well-wishes and congratulations! This past week and a half has been a wonderful time of getting to know Edmund while recuperating from the birth. My mom has been here to lend a helping hand and what a blessing that has been.


Edmund is a deep sleeper, just like his Dad. :-) I have equal difficulty in waking them up at times! I love watching his little rosebud mouth and chubby cheeks while he's relaxed in slumber. What a thrill to have such a beautiful little son.


God has answered so many prayers surrounding this pregnancy and birth. I had a great, healthy pregnancy with no complications and an equally smooth delivery. I labored for about 24 hours -- about one third of the time spent with very light contractions, a third working moderately hard, and the last six hours... well, we'll draw the curtain of charity over them. ;-) Thanks to the Lord's mercy and Douglas' encouragement and coaching, we made it through!

Even the timing of Edmund's birth is a gift from God -- Douglas had Wednesday through Friday off of work due to Thanksgiving break, which meant he did not have to take additional time off to be with Edmund and me. My preferred midwife, who was to be out of town on the days surrounding my due date, was on call, so she was able to attend the birth. The fact that he was born early also gives us plenty of time to recuperate before our Christmas travels.

We are overwhelmed with thankfulness for God's goodness! Praise His name!

Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits --
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
--Psalm 103:1-5