Tea and Cookies

On a Winters night, the following are splendid treats for the old elf to enjoy as he makes rounds. One of his favorite things is old tea cookies and a hot cup of tea. He is not picky when it comes to tea, but likes a winter tea that reminds him of Russian SpicedTea. This recipe has been around for many years and is always a favorite. It has a certain charm about it that everyone loves. You can make up the tea, place in a Mason Jar, tie a note on it with directions. Great gift from your kitchen.

Ol'TEA COOKIES

1 cup butter, 2-1/4 cup sifted flour, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp. salt, 3/4 cup nuts, finely chopped.

Chill dough in refrigerator for 1 hour. Allow to return to room temperature. Roll dough into balls about the size of Walnuts and bake at 350 degrees. Roll in powdered sugar after baking.


RUSSIAN SPICED TEA

1 jar Tang (18 oz.) 1/2 cup & 2 tbsp. instant iced tea mix, (more/less to taste) 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp. ground cloves, 1 1/2 cup sugar, 1 pkg. instant lemonade. Combine ingredients and store in Mason jar. Use 2 teaspoons per cup of hot water. Adjust to taste.

BABAS BROWNIES

2 sticks of butter, 3/4 cup cocoa, 3 cups sugar, 3 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour (blend in slowly) 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

In a 3 quart saucepan melt 2 sticks of butter. Add 3/4 cup cocoa mix and remove from heat. Add 3 cups sugar, 3 eggs and 1 tsp vanilla, mix well.
Gradually add 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour. Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
Bake in a greased (or sprayed) 9x12 pan at 350 for 30 minutes.

Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service

Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service presented to James E. Webber February 23, 2007 Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo Mr. James E. Webber has been presented with the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service. This award was presented to Mr. Webber for his contribution to the Moral and Welfare to the United States Army Soldiers, Soldiers of the Multi-National Forces, and to the Children of Kosovo. Lt Col Holliday and Lt Col Kabakoff presented the award during a lunch in his honor. His actions and contribution to everyone Reflects great credit upon Him as Citizen, Patriot, and Ambassador of Peace to the Children of the Republic of Kosovo.

MY FAVORITE THINGS

Christmas Memories are captured with the five senses. Sight,Taste, Smell, Hearing, and Touch. We can smell, taste, touch, see or hear something and suddenly we are 5 years old in our Grandmothers kitchen. She is making chocolate (cocoa) pies and fruit cakes. Around the front door of her small one bedroom cottage are Magnolia Leaves, and large electric lights. In the living room is a pine tree, typical of the region, decorated with lights and old ornaments and mostly home made decorations. The windows are frosted from the warmth on the inside and the very cold on the outside. What wonderful memories flood your mind and take you on the senses journey. The house is gone, only the lot remains, but the memories remain forever. Isn't it wonderful to taste fruitcake and have coffee made in an old porcelain coffee pot with a drip filter. I still have the recipe for the fruit cake (below) that were made in late October or November and kept until Christmas.
This is the recipe that my Mother and Grandmother used to make fruitcake. I remember she used the Mincemeat that was in small boxes. If I remember correctly, the recipe was on the package of the Mincemeat. It received raves every year. I have also used this recipe, copied from her recipe box. I make these in the old tradition, when fall sets in, then wrap them in cheese cloth moistened with a good rum or brandy. I check them once a week and replenish the moisture. I bake them in disposable foil pans lined with parchment or greased brown paper. They slip out of the pan for wrapping and soaking. I return them to the pan and rewrap them in clear wrap. They are moist and gooey by Christmas. I like to chill them before I slice them. They are very simple to make.

2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 (12-ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 2/3 cups (28-ounce jar) Borden None Such Ready To Use Mincemeat (see note)
2 cups(16-ounce jar) mixed candied fruit
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Additional candied fruit and walnut halves for decorating (optional)
1. Butter a 9-inch tube or spring-form pan. Line with parchment or waxbrown paper. Butter again.
2. Sift together flour and baking soda; set aside.
3. In large bowl combine eggs, sweetened condensed milk, mincemeat, fruits and nuts; mix well. Fold in sifted dry ingredients. Turn into prepared pan.
4. Preheat oven to 300*F (150*C).
5. Bake for 2 hours or until center springs back when touched lightly with fingers and top is golden brown. Allow to cool. Remove from pan. Decorate with additional candied fruits and walnut halves, if desired.

Makes 16 to 24 servings.

Note: Two (9-ounce) packages of Borden None Such condensed mincemeat and 1 1/2 cups water, boiled briskly for 1 minute and cooled, may be used.

THANKS TO YOU!

Another successful Christmas Season has come and gone. Working in Kosovo and providing treats to the children of the villages was very rewarding for me and the soldiers that I worked with. We distributed beanie babies, toys, and candy. Many great moments were captured of the children and me(Baba Demri). What an exciting time we had. I would like to say Thank You to the many friends and family that helped to make this season a success. I cannot possibly thank everyone that contributed to Holiday Kosovo 2007. Fondest Thoughts and Thanks to You All. Baba