O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree is a traditional German Carol. The author of the lyrics are unknown as is the composer of the lyrics. The tradition of bringing a tree inside and decorating it with candy, baubles and bells was started in the nineteenth century and is immortalized in the carol O Christmas Tree.

O Christmas Tree!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!
















O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me.
















O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
















O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !"

Welcome Winter

Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.
~Bill Morgan, Jr.

Tonight is the first night of wintertime. Icy conditions keeping many at home in the comforts if warmth. Snuggling by a fire, drinking hot chocolate, doing projects that may have otherwise been left undone.

Or so that may be happening in some homes...

At my place I have the joy of finding other ways to keep warm, since my heating system has a mind of it's own. I am bringing in the warmth by baking.
Oven on = warm hands!

Here is the find of the season:
Dark Chocolate Cookies...
















With Sour Cherries!
















The chocolate is melty and yummy, and when you think your taste buds have found true bliss and think there is no better... they then get the tang of sour cherry. Ohhh ya!

1 -3/4 C Flour
1 -1/4 C Unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons Baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 -1/4 C Unsalted butter
1 -1/4 C Granulated sugar
3/4 C Packed brown sugar
2 Large eggs
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla extract
12 oz Bittersweet chocolate chopped
1 -1/2 C Dried sour cherries

Preheat oven to 350
Sift together in large bowl: flour, cocoa, soda, salt.
Cream together in mixer: butter, sugars, eggs, vanilla.
Stir in chocolate and cherries
Form round balls and place on cookie sheet approx. 3" apart. Gently pat down each ball and bake for 9-11 minutes until puffed and cracked.

Enjoy!