Do You Leave Santa Cookies? Sneek at First Guest for 12 Days of Home for the Holidays

Are you ready?  I'm geared and excited about the first day of December.  12 Days of Home for the Holidays begin tomorrow.  12 days with inspiration, laughter, recipes, crafts and tutorials, and tradition.  Some of your favorite crafters will be joining you here at D's Paper Studio to share some of their traditions for the holidays.

At the end of each post I'll share with you who the next guest will be.  Today is the first day to announce tomorrows guest.  Oh, remember it is at the end of this post. 

Let your friends and family know it's time to make hot chocolate, get your favorite cookie or cake, and sit down to read what your favorite crafters are sharing about their holidays. 

Speaking of food.  Do you leave cookies for Santa Claus?  My children have always left Santa a plate of sugar cookies and a glass of milk.  Many times there would be a thank you letter to Santa.  As time goes on Santa's tastes have become more sophisticated.  I have it on good authority that Santa would love a slice of Pumpkin Ribbon Bread. 

My mom is a great cook.  One of the best in my opinion.  During the holidays no one can hold a candle to her delicious cakes, cookies, pies, candy, etc.  One of my favorites is her Pumpkin Ribbon Bread.  Here's mom's recipe.

 (photo from Taste of Home)

Pumpkin Ribbon Bread

From the Kitchen of “Mom”

Filling:

2 pkg (3oz ea.) cream cheese softened

1/3 cup sugar

1 tbs flour

1 egg

2 tsp grated orange peel (opt)

Bread”

1 cup of pumpkin

½ cup veg. oil

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup sugar

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. cloves

½ tsp cinnamon

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup chopped pecans

For filling beat cream cheese sugar and flour together, add eggs.  Mix. Stir in orange peel.  Set aside.

Make bread by combining pumpkin, oil, and eggs, salt, cloves, cinnamon, flour, baking soda and pecans.  Mix to blend.  Pour ¼ of batter into 2 greased and floured 7 ½ x 3 ½ x 3 loaf pans.  Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture over the batter.  Add remaining batter, covering filling.  Bake 325 degrees for 1 ½ hr. or until test done with pick.  Cool 10 min. before removing from the pan.  Store in refrigerator.   

I hope you enjoy.

12 Days of Home for the Holidays first guest on December 1st, tomorrow, Thursday....

Ali Edwards.

Have a Crafty Day!

Gratitude List

1.  accomplishing several goals yesterday
2.  a quiet, trusting faith
3.  the sights, sounds, and smells of the season
4.  driving safety in this rainy weather
5.  the gift of caring for my granddaughter