Thank God for my daddy!

Tiger: This morning, same time last year, many stray cats (even people) woke up to face yet another Christmas all alone....From our kitchen windows, the morning was dark and dreary...wet. A typical December day in the Bay. The sky bleak and the air cold...There was a gloomy feeling about it...My daddy and uncle showered, dressed, and went to the Mall...brought home a lot of goodies and some treats for me. They have gift baskets to fill with cookies and christmas goodies. I was home alone for a few hours. But there was no sense in feeling depressed at home....I looked outside, saw people as they walked by, holding hands with each other...Some were young, but many old...And I felt sad sitting in the window all alone...My eyes went upward as I silently asked God...Why was I left alone without a partner, and what would my life be without my daddy? Still feeling sad I decided to sit still and watch the world outside...I saw a stray cat, wondering around the backyard, looking cold, wet and dirty, hungry and in pains. I slowly jumped back into the kitchen and enjoyed my food...sniffed the presents under the tree (I was warned not to play with the ribbons)...then jumped in my daddy's warm bed for a nap...When the door opened and I heard my daddy's voice calling me...This time I did not ask..... WHY GOD?...Instead whispered to myself...THANK GOD...for my dady. Merry Christmas daddy and uncle Ambrose.

What do you really want for christmas that can be wrapped in pretty papers and ones that can't be bought?

Tiger: What do you and daddy really want, Uncle Ambrose?
Ambrose: I want yards and yards of silk chiffon and laces but I have some. I want a brand new Cuisineart stand mixer but we have an old one that works just fine...I want a fluffy robe and warm socks but we have those...We want a white baby golden lab for you but both our places won't accept dogs...We want so-called modern drugs to cure all diseases but that's not going to happen this christmas. We want kids to smile, happy and healthy 24/7...We want cats and dogs to be happy...We really really want us and people to be healthy, happy, and getting better whoever and wherever they are.
Tiger: That is so sweet, Uncle Ambrose. I want you and daddy to be happy and healthy and live forever and ever.
Ambrose: We want you to live forever also. Merry Christmas, Tiger. Merry Christmas everyone. May the warmth of Christmas fills your hearts and homes with joy, laughter and love.

May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love.

Tiger: May this glorious day of our Savior's birth resound with hope and peace on earth.

Daddy: May the splendor of this season remind you of Him who is worthy of all our praise.

Uncle Ambrose: May your holiday season be blessed with the true meaning of Christmas. And may the timeless message of Christmas fill your heart and home with joy today and throughout the coming year.

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with vanilla buttercream

Tiger: Uncle Ambrose, I want some! Can I have some please?
Ambrose: Sure. I'll ask daddy.
Tiger: Daddy said ok.
Ambrose: I'll ask again...
Tiger: Eeewww!
















Chocolate Sandwich Cookies Yield 3 dozen

For the cookies:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
6 ounces (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

For the filling:
3 ounces (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla

Heat the oven to 350 F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl combine all the ingredients for the cookies. Mix until a uniform dough forms. The dough will be thick.
Scoop the dough by rounded teaspoons on to the cookie sheets. Use a measuring cup, or drinking glass with a smooth bottom, dipped in powdered sugar to flatten the cookies. For cosmetic reasons, if you want smooth edges, you can round them against your hand or the sheet tray, to smooth them out if you like. Personally, I like the rough edges.

Bake for 8 – 10 minutes, or until puffed and firm when gently pressed on the edges. Cool on the rack for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.



While the cookies cool prepare the filling. In a small bowl cream together the butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla with a spatula until smooth and creamy. Do not incorporate any air into the mixture.

Once the cookies are completely cool pipe, or spread, 1 -2 teaspoons of the filling (or to your taste) on the bottom of one cookie. Top with another cookie and press so the filling reaches the edges