Month: September 2024

Embracing Winter at the North Pole: A Glimpse Into Mrs. Claus’s Cozy World

Embracing Winter at the North Pole: A Glimpse Into Mrs. Claus’s Cozy World

A Surprise Snowfall in Santa’s World Hello my darlings, It has been such a busy day today, and I can hardly believe how quickly time has flown! Santa and I awoke this morning to the most beautiful, fresh-fallen snow—though I must admit, it was quite

Countdown to Christmas: Santa’s Busy Days and Mrs. Claus’s Famous Breakfast Casserole: September 29th

Countdown to Christmas: Santa’s Busy Days and Mrs. Claus’s Famous Breakfast Casserole: September 29th

Hello, My Darlings! Santa and I are completely immersed in preparing for Christmas—can you believe it’s only 87 days away? That means just 86 days until Santa’s big night! The excitement builds more with each passing day, and though there is so much to be

Santa’s Scalloped Potatoes Recipe from Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen | September 26th

Santa’s Scalloped Potatoes Recipe from Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen | September 26th

Santa’s Secret Love for Cooking

As we march toward Christmas, there is much to be done over the next several weeks. This is, without a doubt, the start of Santa’s busiest time of year. But here’s a little secret, one hasn’t quite made its way around the world on the internet so you will only hear it here: Santa not only loves to eat, but he also enjoys cooking!

When Santa Takes Over the Kitchen

Now, don’t imagine him in the kitchen every day—there’s hardly enough time for “Chef Claus” during this busy season. Plus, Santa doesn’t fuss over fancy meals. He’s a down-home, hearty, rib-sticking recipe kind of man.

To my surprise, Santa found himself with a bit of extra time the other day. While I was tidying up in the pantry, I heard a familiar sound from the kitchen. Santa had taken it upon himself to prepare dinner, knowing the garden’s end-of-season harvest had kept me quite busy. He’s thoughtful like that, always finding ways to bless me. And bless me he did—with the most delicious scalloped potatoes!

Santa’s Simple but Delicious Scalloped Potatoes

Now, Santa’s scalloped potatoes are a simple dish at heart, but they’re oh so tasty. It’s a meal on its own, though we often pair it with a fresh roll or some steamed vegetables—broccoli and carrots are our favorites. The beauty of this recipe is that you can tweak it to make something entirely different. Add cheese, and voilà, you have au gratin potatoes! Or, mix in some browned hamburger with just a touch of the drippings for a heartier meal. But today, we’re sticking to the basics.

Santa’s Tried-and-True Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 6-8 medium potatoes (peeled and sliced 1/8″ thick)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 stick of butter (sliced)
  • 3-4 cups of milk (enough to cover potatoes about 1/2″ above potato level)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chives for sprinkling on top before going into oven if desired (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish, filling it about halfway with your sliced potatoes.
  3. Layer the potatoes evenly in the dish.
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the potatoes, then distribute the butter slices on top.
  5. Pour enough milk over the potatoes.
  6. Stir the mixture gently to combine the ingredients.
  7. Bake for 1 hour, stirring once or twice during cooking. If the top browns before stirring, stir that in too—it adds flavor!
  8. Check the consistency after 1 hour. If the potatoes aren’t tender enough, continue baking, checking every 15 minutes until soft.
  9. If the sauce seems too thin, add 1/4 cup more flour, stir, and bake for another 15 minutes.
  10. If the potatoes seem too dry, add more milk, 1 cup at a time, until you achieve the creamy texture you like, be sure to stir in with each addition.
  11. Season with salt and pepper to taste once the potatoes are fully cooked and the sauce is creamy.

A Hearty Dish with Santa’s Love

And that’s it, my darlings! Santa’s own recipe for simple, comforting scalloped potatoes. Whether you’re enjoying them as a side dish or making them the star of the meal, they’re sure to bring warmth and love to your table.

With love and cheer from our kitchen to yours,
Mrs. Claus

PS: Hope you enjoyed these few pictures from the day’s activities in the kitchen. Where else could you see a picture of Santa cooking? But oh my, the picture does reveal how much work we have to do with putting some weight back on Santa before the big day!

Mrs. Claus’ Blog: Savoring the Last Days of Summer: A Photo From a Past Summer

Mrs. Claus’ Blog: Savoring the Last Days of Summer: A Photo From a Past Summer

While digging around in my closet for a lost item, I stumbled upon this old photograph that brought a smile to my face. Santa had snapped it some years ago while I was hard at work in the potato patch one early fall, testing out a new camera he had made in his workshop. I had completely forgotten about it, but seeing it now takes me back to those crisp autumn days when we were just starting to harvest the garden’s root crop bounty.

A Letter from Mrs. Claus: Unwrapping the Secrets of the North Pole

A Letter from Mrs. Claus: Unwrapping the Secrets of the North Pole

A Message from the Heart of the North Pole Oh, my dear friends! The other day, I received a delightful “letter”—well, actually, it was a message here on the blog—but let’s just call it a letter, shall we? It took me back to the many

Santa’s Concern for the World: How Everyday Acts of Kindness Can Bring Love and Hope

Santa’s Concern for the World: How Everyday Acts of Kindness Can Bring Love and Hope

Santa’s Heavy Heart: A Message from Mrs. Claus

Hello, my dear friends. Today, I sit at our well-worn kitchen table with a feeling that has weighed on me for some time. It’s a feeling I share with Santa, and one that I feel compelled to speak about. I know the world sees Santa as jolly, always with a twinkle in his eye and a laugh ready to burst forth. And yes, he is all of that—but lately, something has been troubling him deeply, and when Santa’s heart feels heavy, mine does too.

I want to share this because it’s important, and I believe it’s something we all need to hear.

The Sorrow Beneath the Jolly Exterior

Santa has spent centuries bringing joy to the world, especially to children. But what you might not know is that he also carries the weight of the world on his broad, red-suited shoulders. He doesn’t just hear the wishes for toys and treats. He feels the pain in the letters asking for simple things—like warm meals, shelter, or just a little love.

Today, after reading one too many heartbreaking letters, Santa confided in me with a heavy sigh. “Gertrude,” he began softly, “I don’t know how to keep hope alive for those who have so little. How do we remind them that Christmas is not just about gifts, but about love, sacrifice, and kindness? How can I bring joy to a world that feels so fractured?” His blue eyes, usually so full of light, were clouded with sorrow.

What Truly Weighs on Santa’s Heart

Santa is not disheartened by the requests for toys or games—that’s part of the magic of Christmas. No, what weighs on him is the knowledge that so many are hurting. He reads letters from children asking for basic necessities, from parents who simply want their children to feel safe, and from people who feel invisible in a world that often overlooks their struggles.

This burden is something he doesn’t often share, but today, it overwhelmed him. “Why is it,” he asked me, “that in a world with so much abundance, there are still so many without? What good is a holiday if the spirit behind it is forgotten?”

His words hung in the air, thick with the weight of his sorrow, and I found myself wondering the same thing.

The Power of Everyday Kindness

But Santa, being the resilient soul that he is, never stays discouraged for long. After a moment of quiet reflection, his face brightened with an idea. “Gertrude,” he said with renewed determination, “maybe we can remind people that they don’t have to wait for Christmas to spread joy. We need to encourage everyone to make kindness a daily practice. A smile, a word of encouragement, a helping hand—those are the gifts that can truly change lives.”

And he’s right, of course. We don’t need to wait for the holiday season to show love and compassion. Every day presents an opportunity to share kindness with the world.

It’s not always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s about the small, simple acts of kindness that have the greatest impact. Have you ever noticed how a kind word, a compliment, or even just a smile can turn someone’s entire day around? That’s where the real magic of Christmas lies.

How to Show Kindness Every Day: Santa’s Encouragement

Santa and I want to challenge you, dear friends, to look for opportunities to spread kindness every day. And I mean every single day—not just during the holidays. Here are some ideas we hope will inspire you:

  • Words of Encouragement: So many people are walking through life feeling unseen. A simple “I see you, and you’re doing great” can lift someone’s spirits in ways you can’t even imagine.
  • Acts of Kindness: Whether it’s buying a coffee for the person behind you, donating to a local charity, or offering to help someone carry their groceries, these small gestures can ripple out into the world.
  • Watch Out for Those in Need: Pay attention to those who might be struggling—whether it’s an elderly neighbor, a single parent, or someone living on the street. Sometimes, people just need to know that someone cares enough to notice.
  • Sharing What You Have: Do you have extra food in your pantry? Clothes you no longer need? Share them with those who don’t have enough. You might never know the difference it could make in someone’s life.

Each of these actions, small though they may seem, can change someone’s world. And the beauty of it is, when you give, you receive. The gift you receive in return is love—the purest, most wonderful gift of all.

The Giver Receives the Greatest Gift: Love

Santa reminded me of something I hadn’t thought of in a while. “Gertrude,” he said softly, “when people give from the heart, they receive more than they could ever imagine. The true gift of Christmas is love, and love is always returned in abundance.”

It’s true, isn’t it? When we give selflessly, when we put someone else’s needs before our own, we’re filled with a joy that cannot be bought. There’s something magical about love—it grows the more you give it away.

So, when you smile at a stranger, when you offer a kind word, when you extend your hand to someone who’s struggling—you’re not just making their day brighter. You’re giving yourself the greatest gift, too: love. And love, dear friends, is what this world needs most of all.

Let’s Make Every Day Christmas

Santa’s wish is simple, yet profound: let’s make every day feel like Christmas. Not with presents and tinsel, but with kindness, generosity, and love. These are the gifts that have the power to transform lives.

We may not be able to change the whole world overnight, but together, we can change someone’s world every day. And if enough of us commit to this—imagine the beautiful ripple effect we could create.

Santa’s Final Thought: Love, and the True Meaning of Christmas

As Santa said, “The true meaning of Christmas isn’t about what we get, but what we give. And what we give, more than anything, should be love.” But he also reminded me of something even more important: the source of that love. Santa’s heart is filled with love because he knows that the greatest gift of all was given to us on that first Christmas morning in Bethlehem—Jesus. It is through Him that we learn the true meaning of love, sacrifice, and giving.

Santa’s heart is heavy not just because the world is broken, but because he knows the power we all have to fix it—by sharing the love of Jesus through our kindness, compassion, and generosity. Jesus showed us how to love others, and it is His example that guides Santa’s every step.

So, my dear friends, let’s take up this call. Let’s spread kindness every day in the name of love—His love. Let’s give from our hearts, knowing that in doing so, we reflect the light of Christ. And in return, we will receive the greatest gift of all: His love, which transforms us and the world around us.

With all my love and a heart full of hope,
Mrs. Claus

Mrs. Claus’s Cookie Battlefield: Pre-Christmas Baking Marathon for Santa – Sept 25th

Mrs. Claus’s Cookie Battlefield: Pre-Christmas Baking Marathon for Santa – Sept 25th

A Cookie Battlefield: Cleaning Up After a Baking Marathon Hello my dears! Oh, what a day it has been! After yesterday’s baking marathon, I woke up this morning surrounded by what looked like a cookie battlefield. Flour on the counters, crumbs on the floor, and

A Mystery in the Claus’s Kitchen

A Mystery in the Claus’s Kitchen

From the Kitchen of Mrs. Clause Good Morning from the North Pole! Now, I know most of you are here for recipes or a peek into our daily lives at the North Pole, but today I have a little story to share. One that still