Just Another Day In Paradise

Mantecaditos- Puerto Rican Shortbread Cookies

The name “mantecadito” comes from the ingrediant “manteca” which translates to shortening.  The cookie is basically a shortbread cookie that is made with half butter and half shortening or all shortening. It is a very popular cookie during Christmas in Puerto Rico.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• sprinkles

Instructions

~ Pre-heat oven to 350 F. In a deep bowl, cream together the butter and shortening.

~ Add the sugar slowly to the mix and mix well. Now add the almond extract and mix well. Now add the flour little by little until the mix is hard to stir.

~ Take the dough, form small balls until all is used. Place the small balls on an ungreased cookie sheet and press the center to make a very small well.

~ Place some sprinkles in the center of the cookie well. Place the cookies in the oven and cook for 15-20 minutes or until golden.

Happy Mother's Day!

My husband gave me this lovely bouquet of flowers for Mother's day. He filled it in with roses from our Mary garden. 

 

Thanksgiving 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wishing our family and friends...

 

George Washington's birthday

Last Monday on President's Day we took the kids on a trip to Ferry Farm, George Washington's boyhood home from 1738 to 1754.

The kids made crafts,

signed a birthday card for George Washington with a quill pen,

and learned how to march with muskets.

I tried, but Maria didn't feel like marching that day.

The kids toured the gardens, although they are bare for now,

took a walk down to the Rappahannock River,

and had fun going on a hike and climbing the trees.

It was a beautiful day. The temperature went up to a balmy 74 degrees. We were there for about 3 hours, but the time went by way too fast.

   

Robert E. Lee's birthday

This morning we took the kids on a tour of Robert E. Lee's birthplace with our dear priest Father C. Here are a few pictures from our trip. It was a lot of fun!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feast of the Epiphany- Dia de los Reyes

Last night Fr. C. came over and gave the Epiphany House Blessing, which included the Blessing of the Chalk. Here are some pictures from last night.

Incensing and blessing the Family Room,

our Prayer Room,

the Master Bedroom,

writing the initials of the Magi

and the final blessing.

This morning the children woke up to to find presents from The Three Wise Men Los Tres Reyes Magos under the tree. We've kept this tradition form my childhood. They collected grass for the camels and put it in boxes under the tree. They got a hot cocoa maker, boxes of hot chocolate, candy canes, marshmallows, and a HUGE basket of fruit with apples, tangerines, kiwis, bananas, mangoes, peaches and pears.

Right now, my family in Puerto Rico is roasting a pig and having a wondeful celebration. There is lots of food, music and games. I miss them all very much and I wish we were there with them. Christmas is definately not over yet. Next year for Christmas we're giving the kids one present each and The Three Wise Men Los Tres Reyes Magos will bring them what they would normally get Christmas morning.

May you all have a blessed Feast of the Epiphany. Feliz Dia de los Reyes!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends. This year we so very blessed to have the greatest gift of all- the gift of new life.

  Hi, Mrs. Vogel ; )