Christmas is just around the corner

Here in Adelaide , we just had our Credit Union Christmas Pageant .It started 1933 with only 8 floats and 4 bands .  It has grown 63 floats, 17 bands, 10 dance groups, over 250 clowns . The length of this years pageant was 3.3km.  People come from all over South Australia to see it. Most retail shops hang their Christmas decorations to give  you that festive feeling .

Here at home we have been busy cleaning the house for Christmas, with washing windows and curtains.Plus
baking for Christmas such as Christmas biscuits and Christmas Stole. Here is one of the recipes that we baked.

Vanilla Heidesand biscuits
1/2 vanilla bean or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
200g unsalted butter, at room temperature
100g caster sugar
100g raw almond kernels
250g plain flour
20g caster sugar
10g vanilla sugar
Split vanilla bean and use the tip of a knife to scrape seeds into a medium bowl. Add butter and sugar and beat with electric beater until pale and creamy in colour.
Finely grind almonds in a spice grinder. Add to the bowl and beat on low speed to combine. Add flour  and mix with a large spoon until mixture comes together to form a dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Roll into a log about 35cm long. Roll up tightly in kitchen backing paper, then in foil and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 large baking trays with kitchen baking paper . Combine extra sugar and vanilla sugar in a small bowl set aside.
Cut log into 5mm thick slices  and place 3cm apart onto trays . Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool for 2 minutes and sprinkle with vanilla sugar while hot. Cool on trays, then line baking trays again with new kitchen baking paper and cook as above.
Repeat process with remaining dough as required.

Here is the Owl, Rosemarie has finished it. But know she is thinking  of stitching him again as a Goldwork Owl  or a Schwalm Owl.  She will be writing the notes for him soon
.