Jots and Tittles From The Morning Hours

Snow falls again today. Beautiful. As I sat in this very place yesterday I recognized its beauty but wasn't sure I wanted to participate in the frosty world outside my window.
But participate I did - and it was wildly invigorating and refreshing. Wonderful.

How much of life is like that? If we don't push ourselves to participate, to taste, to "give it a try" we miss a pleasure, a positive experience, a new dimension.

Laziness robs me most. Sometimes fear. Often enough, apathy.

"Lord, help me rule over these things today so that I might choose to live life fully. Amen."

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Two asked for recipes:

Christmas Rum Logs
aka "It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without These In The House" Cookies

1 cup softened butter
2 t. vanilla
2 t. rum flavoring
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, unbeaten
3 cups sifted flour
1 t. nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350*.
Cream first three ingredients together in large bowl. Add sugar. Blend in egg. Gradually add flour and nutmeg.
Roll portions of dough into long ropes, approximately 1/2" thick. Cut off into 2" lengths, forming small "logs". Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 12-15 minutes or until barely tinged with golden brown. Remove and cool. Frost with Rum Frosting and decorate.

Rum Frosting

3 T. butter
1 t. rum flavoring
2 1/2 cups confectioner sugar
2-3 T. milk or cream

Blend together to spreading consistency.

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Fruit Crumb Bars

2 1/2 cups flour
2 1/2 cups oats
1 1/2 cup packed br. sugar
1/4 t. baking soda
1 1/2 cup butter, melted
21-24 oz. fruit pie filling
1 t. finely grated lemon or orange peel

Mix together first four ingredients. Add melted butter. Set aside 2 cups; press the remaining mixture into pan. Bake at 350* for 12 minutes. Cool slightly.

Meanwhile, mix together fruit filling with grated peel. Pour over slightly cooled crumb crust; sprinkle evenly over the fruit the remaining crumb mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden. When cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar.