Holiday Baking

        Here is a delicious indulgence to create with your family! Share some holiday time in the kitchen and enjoy creating memories.

Peppermint Sandwich Cookie 

Ingredients

1 box Duncan Hines® Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix
⅓ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 can Duncan Hines® Vanilla Frosting
10 red and white peppermint candies, coarsely crushed

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spray baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, oil, and eggs; stir with a fork to combine into stiff dough. Dough will seem dry, but will completely moisten as you stir. (Knead briefly by hand, in the bowl, if preferred.)
3. Working with one level tablespoon of dough at a time, roll dough into balls and place on baking sheets two inches apart.
4. Bake for 10–11 minutes or until edges are set. (Centers may appear slightly under-done.) Do not overbake. Cool on cookie sheet for two minutes. Transfer to wire racks with a metal spatula and cool completely.
5. Spread 1 heaping teaspoon of frosting on the flat bottoms of half of the cookies. Top each frosted cookie with another cookie, flat side toward the frosting. Gently press together.
6. Place the crushed peppermint candies in a shallow plate or pie plate. Roll the sides of each cookie in the crushed peppermints so that the candy pieces stick to the frosting.

For more recipe ideas, log onto www.duncanhines.com.

Snuggle up with a Book

        The holidays can be a busy and hectic time. Be sure to take a moment to relax and enjoy your family and children. What better way than to share a great book? Here are some read-aloud titles suggested by the Idaho Commission for Libraries. Look for them at your local library.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse

Curious George books by H.A. Rey

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester

Pigsty by Mark Teague

I Love Saturdays y domingos by Alma Flor Ada

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Many Nations: An Alphabet of Native America by Joseph Bruchac

Henry and Mudge Series by Cynthia Rylant

A Homemade Christmas 

                A Homemade Christmas: Creative Ideas for an Earth-Friendly, Frugal, Festive Holiday by crafter Tina Barseghian offers inspiration and easy-to-follow directions to craft this year’s holidays into your most memorable celebration yet. With her delicious recipes, tips, and countdown-to-Christmas projects, Barseghian reminds readers that you don’t need to blow the budget or stress out because it’s almost December 25. The key to a relaxing, joyous holiday season includes involving your children, family members, and friends in the fun. Put the homemade back into your holidays!

Winter Health Tips

        Whether winter brings severe storms, light dustings, or just cold temperatures, the American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org) has some valuable tips on how to keep your children safe and healthy.

• If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifier in the bedroom at night. Saline nose drops may help keep tissues moist. If bleeding is severe or recurrent, consult your pediatrician.
• Many pediatricians feel that bathing two or three times a week is enough for an infant’s first year. More frequent baths may dry out the skin, especially during the winter.
• Cold weather does not cause colds or flu. But the viruses that cause colds and flu tend to be more common in the winter, when children are in school, indoors more, and are in closer contact with each other. Frequent hand washing and teaching your child to sneeze or cough into the bend of her elbow may help reduce the spread of colds and flu.
• Children between 6 months and 18 years of age should get the influenza vaccine to reduce their risk of catching the flu.

Playful Holiday Book

        Readers of all ages will vividly remember trying to peek at hidden gift packages, writing scrolls of wish lists to Santa, and struggling to behave at formal Christmas dinner parties. It’s Christmas, David! by David Shannon is a lighthearted holiday romp that will delight parents and children alike. From wayward snowballs to the sleepless excitement of Christmas Eve, Shannon perfectly captures the joy and laughter of the season.

        For more holiday book reviews, check out the Book Nook.

Festive Music

                It’s Santa Claus! is a new CD by Ben Rudnick & Friends, and it’s named for the instant classic title track. Full of holiday cheer, Ben and the band have recorded classic holiday tunes with the twists and turns evolved from playing family holiday shows for nearly a decade. At once classic and adventurous, this is sure to be a holiday favorite with both kids and adults for years to come.

Christmas Classics Giveaway

        The Original Christmas Classics is a new boxed set containing four of the most beloved holiday TV specials of all time, including Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, and Frosty Returns. It is the first time these titles are available on Blu-ray.

Enter to win this boxed set by sending your name, email address, and phone number to:               

Treasure Valley Family Magazine
Attn: Christmas Classics Giveaway, 13191 W. Scotfield St., Boise, ID 83713
One entry per family. The winner will be selected at random December 13.