SINTERKLAAS IS COMING TO VANDERVEEN'S DUTCH STORE IN GRAND RAPIDS AND TO HOLLAND, MICHIGAN

Sinterklaas with his Piets will be at Vander Veen's Dutch Store on 28th St. SW, Wyoming,  Michigan this Saturday from 10am to 3pm.  This is a perfect time to have photos taken and to shop for St. Nicholas Day.

2011 photo of Sinterklaas and his Piets at Vander Veen's.

 

 

On Friday, December 7th at 7pm Sinterklaas will arrive in Holland, Michigan on his white horse.  According to Downtown Holland Calendar, "Reminiscent of years gone by, this special event celetrates Sinterklaas, the benevolent St. Nicholas.  In true Dutch folk tradition arrives each December on his great white horse, surrounded by the mischievous Piets.  The Sinterklaas Procession takes place along Central Avenue and ends at Centennial Park, where the Mayor will "welkom" Sinterklaas.  Afterward, meet Sinterklaas and enjoy refreshments at the Holland Museum."

 

 

 

For more information got to:  www.downtownholland.com

 

 

Enjoy!!!

HOLIDAY KESTMARKT IS OPEN IN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN

According to "Downtown Holland Holidays Calendar of Events 2012", Kestmarkt is "an open air European Christmas Market and is an ideal place to shop for unique handcrafted gifts and enjoy authentic Dutch holiday treats.  Vendors are housed in historically crafted booths." 

My friends from United Methodist Church of Holland sell their wonderful Dutch food.  There are Christmas greens and other must-have Christmas gifts.  Here are some of my pictures from the 2011 Kestmarkt.

Kestmarkt hours:  Friday, Nov. 30th  3 to 8pm
                                         Saturday Dec. 1st  9am to 5pm
                              Friday Dec. 7th   3 to 8pm
                            Saturday Dec. 8th  9am to 5pm

Here is a view of the booths lining the street where the Farmer's Market on 8th Street usually is located.

 

 

 



Miniature Christmas trees for sale.

 

 

 



Unique gifts.

 

 



Always a fun booth, lovely jewelry for sale.

 

See:  www.kerstmarkt.wordpress.com for more details or call 616 394 0000

 

ENJOY!!!

IT IS TIME TO START THINKING OF CHRISTMAS COOKIES--COOKIE WALK AT CHURCH OF THE DUNES IN GRAND HAVEN

This Saturday, December 1st, from 9:30am to 2:00pm is the annual cookie walk at United Methodist Church of the Dunes in Grand Haven.  It is one of my favorite cookie walks as they always have an exceptionally nice choice of cookies.




CHRISTMAS COOKIES FROM THE FIRST UNTIED METHODIST CHURCH 51ST ANNUAL BAZAAR in HOLLAND, MI.
 

The Methodist must have a special cookie gene as my favorite cookie walks are both at a Methodist church.  One church is in Grand Haven and the other in Holland, Michigan.

The Holland church's bazaar was in November and here are pictures of some of the cookies.

I really like this cookie plate I purchased a few years ago,

 

 

 



 I do not like this deer who lives in my front yard and eats everything in sight.

 

 

 

I think the Snowman cookie is an easy way to have a decorative cookie for your cookie plate.   The star cookie is two cookies in one with the bottom cookie frosted with chocolate frosting.  The Windmill cookie is a Dutch Tradition.  The round brown cookie was a favorite of mine that my Grandma use to make--A Date Filled Cookie.  There is a Turtle Cookie with caramel, pecan, and chocolate topping.  There are Filled Bonbons, a Candy Cane, a Raspberry Linzer, Snowflake, and a Ginger Cookie dipped on one half in frosting.

 

Happy Cookie Walks and Cookie Baking.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING-------HOW TO MAKE GRAVY

No matter what has happened to us this year we can all find something to give thanks for and to celebrate on Thanksgiving.  Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Gravy can be a problem for some on Thanksgiving.  Here is an easy way to make it.  Gravy can be make ahead and kept warm in a  thermos.  This handy trick works well for all sauces that usually have to be made at the last minute.  For stress free entertaining, do not have anything on the menu that has to be made just before serving.


Find Chef Norbert Dill's instructions for making gravy at:  

http://michigancottagecook.blogspot.com/2010/04/easter-lamb-shanks.html


For Aunt Irma's handy tip for making gravy go to:

http://michigancottagecook.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-aunt-irmas-hint-for-making-gravy.html

STUFFING/DRESSING BALLS FOR THANKSGIVING

Stuffing balls have become my family's favorite way to have stuffing/dressing for Thanksgiving.  If you would like to try them go to:  


http://michigancottagecook.blogspot.com/2010/11/unique-way-to-serve-your-thanksgiving.html 

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!

KID FRIENDLY CRANBERRY SAUCE FOR THANKSGIVING

I am re-posting this wonderful recipe for a cranberry sauce that children like as much as adults.  Do try it and enjoy!!!

 http://michigancottagecook.blogspot.com/2010/11/family-friendly-cranberry-apple-relish.html

THE FAMOUS LEFFRING SISTERS FAMOUS BILLBOARD

This is the billboard in Muskegon advertising the upcoming concert by my Grandson's "intented" and her two sisters.  They do a fantastic show.  I can hardly wait!!

 

#PracticallyFamous

 

CENTERPIECE IDEAS FOR FALL AND CHRISTMAS FROM

My favorite church bazaar is at First United Methodist Church in Holland, Michigan.  Last week my dear friend, Paula and I stood in line in the cold to get into the bazaar.  They have a room filled with beautiful crafts which sell out fast.  There is a cookie walk room where the cookies are fantastic.  The attic treasure room is one of the first places hit as shoppers rush for bargains and treasure.  A used book room is, of course, one of my favorite targets.  There is a large dining room where coffee/tea and coffeecakes are served as well as lunch and dinner.  The tables in the dining room were covered with red or green check tablecloths.  Each table had a fabulous centerpiece on it.  You had to buy them quickly as they were soon gone.  A large Christmas tree was in the center of the room covered with homemade angel ornaments.  The centerpieces were made by the daughter of the woman who first started making them years ago..

I love this owl.  I sat at this table sipping tea while I waited for Paula.  He was sold before we were done with our tea party.



Cute chipmunks.  Something a little different for Thanksgiving.



Birds were a favorite theme.



Lovely nativity.



 I purchased one like this.  It lights up with a battery pack so you don't have to run a cord to the table.  Cottages don't have many outlets.

The tree with homemade angels from around the world.



Darling snow sled with greenery.



I loved this one but it was sold before I saw it.



Santa inside a hurricane shade with twigs and greens.



Cardinal inside a lattern.  The picture is a little blurry but Dede and I like Cardinals.



Santa.



Beautiful.



Santa with a drum and a Christmas tree.  I like Santa's beard.

Frosty the Snowman.

So pretty and cheerful.



Snowman with candy.



Lovely angel.



Centerpiece on the tea table.



Hark the herald angels sing.



Little snow birds.

Second Christmas tree with angels from around the world. 









 Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!

DEER HUNTING SEASON BEGINS TODAY---A MICHIGAN TRADITION

I really love this old picture of my Dad posing with his deer.  Dad loved to hunt and fish.  I was wondering to myself why do I find this picture such a favorite.  A dead deer isn't the most pleasant thing in a picture.  Then I thought about how this picture represents what a father is suppose to be.  Traditionally a father was the provider and protector.  My Dad has meat for the family and a sidearm to protect the family.  He was our provider and protector and such a fantastic Dad. 

Thinking back to those days when my Dad would bring deer home tied to his car.  I would cry because the deer was dead.  What did we do with all that meat?  I remember eating venison, but our freezer was in the refrigerator and was about 12-inches by 4-inches.  It was just large enough for a couple of ice cube trays and a couple of rolls of my Mom's icebox cookies.

I have no memory of what was done with the venison, and no one to ask as they have all passed away.

 

 

November 15th is the start of the annual gun season for deer in Michigan.  Look closely and you will see a spike horn deer getting up from his bed in the beach grass.  He is very close to my deck and doesn't care if Izzy or I yell at him to go away.  Grand Haven has a terrible problem with deer living in the city.  The deer destroyed my garden that my Dad had started in the 1940's.  All the bushes and trees on 5-Mile Hill have no leaves on them until they are above the height of a deer standing on its hind legs.  In the mountains they have the tree line or snow line.  Here we have the deer line.  

 

NELDA'S SUPER QUICK AND EASY PUMPKIN SPICE COOKIES

Nelda lives outside Portland, Maine.  When hurricane Sandy hit the East coast Nelda lost her electricity and some trees in her yard.  Thankfully her area did not suffer the damages that New York and New Jersey did.  There were three days I couldn't get a hold of her because she doesn't have a cell phone.  I was relieved when she called even though I knew she had friends to help her. 

Our forty plus year relationship can be illustrated by her phone call.  I was so happy she had her electricity back.  She was so thrilled as she had a new recipe from her daughter-in-law for me.  We both love recipes!   These cookies have only two ingredients and are said to have few Weight Watcher points.



Pumpkin Spice Cookies 

I call these cookies Nelda's Pumpkin Plop Cookies as that was how Nelda's daughter-in-law described how to put the dough on the cookie sheet.  "Plop dough on cookie sheet and bake at 350."

If desired, cookies can be frosted with cream cheese frosting.  I think I will sprinkle some sugar on the unbaked cookies before baking.

NELDA'S SUPER QUICK AND EASY PUMPKIN SPICE COOKIES

1 box Duncan Hines Spice Cake mix
1 can (15oz) pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling
Cream cheese frosting, if desired

Ingredients:  Spice cake mix and can of pumpkin.

In a mixing bowl, put the dry spice cake mix and the can of pumpkin.  Mix together.  I stirred with a spoon, but next time I will use an electric mixer.  On a greased or parchment covered cookie sheet, use a scoop to proportion dough into cookies or plop dough on cookie sheets.  Bake in preheated 350 degree F. oven for about 15 minutes or until when cookie top is touched with a finger, the top springs back.

Empty cake mix into a mixing bowl.

 

 

 

Add  pumpkin.

 

 

 Mix together with an electric mixer.  I used a spoon and had some little dots of dry mix in the cookies.

 

 

 

Use a scoop to portion cookie dough or plop dough on to a greased or parchment covered cookie sheet.   I think next time I will sprinkle the cookie dough with a little sugar.

 

 

Bake in preheated 350 degree F. oven for about 15 minutes or until when cookie top is touched with a finger, the top springs back.



If desired frost with homemade cream cheese frosting using the recipe in the blog address below or used canned frosting.

 



http://michigancottagecook.blogspot.com/2011/12/pumpkin-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting.html



Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!

WE MUST THANK ALL OUR VETERANS THAT THIS FLAG STILL FLIES.

GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN ARF WALK 2012

37 YEARS AGO THE GREAT LAKE FREIGHTER THE EDMUND FRITZGERALD WENT DOWN IN LAKE SUPERIOR IN NEAR HURRICANE WINDS

From the Muskegon Chronicle

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/11/edmund_fitzgerald_remembered_t.html#incart_river_default



Words to the Gordon Lightfoot song about the Edmund Fitzgerald:

http://michigancottagecook.blogspot.com/2011/11/edmond-fitzgerald-part-of-michigans.html

DON'T MISS OUT ON THE GREEK LUCHEON TOMORROW

Thursday, November 8, 2012,  is the last day to go to the Greek Luncheon at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Grand Rapids.  The address is 330 Lakeside Dr. Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Time is 11am to 2pm.  My friends and I went today and as usual it was so much fun and the food was so delicious.

 You are guided to your table by a church member waving the Greek flag.

 

 

 

 

 The food.

 

 

 

The gift shop and bakery is a wonderful place to start your Christmas shopping and baking!