Saturday, December 6, 2014

Crockpot Recipe: French DIp Sandwiches

French Dip Sandwiches Crockpot Style
 
The busy days before the holidays can lead to stress take a little comfort using your crockpot to prepare supper. This super simple recipe is perfect for the online shopping, gift wrapping , cookie baking nights. This recipe takes just a few simple ingredients and a just a bit of time to create a delicious dinner.

 3 lb beef rump roast
16 oz can beef broth (maybe a lil more depending of size of crockpot)
1 packet of onion soup mix
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
3 minced garlic cloves
Sliced provolone
French or Italian crusty bread or roll (like a baguette)


1. Place the roast in the bottom on crockpot. Add broth, onion soup mix, worcestershire
, and garlic in crockpot. Check to be sure the meat is covered with broth. If not, add more broth or water to be sure it's fully submerged.

2. Cook on low for 9-10 hours.

3. Slice baguette or rolls and toast in oven for a few minutes. Place sliced provolone on the bread/rolls and return to oven for a minute or two, just long enough to melt.

4. Remove meat from crockpot. Slice meat and pile up on toasty, cheesy bread. Reserve leftover juices in crockpot for dipping. Don't skip this step! The au jus makes this sandwich so incredible!

recipe resource here

Friday, December 5, 2014

Christmas Breakfast Idea




Cinnamon Rolls Printer friendly recipe
Source: Allrecipes

Ingredients
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup margarine, softened
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1 egg
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup margarine, softened

Directions

Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in margarine; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt; mix well. Add water, egg and the milk mixture; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has just pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes.

Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, softened margarine.

Roll out dough into a 12x9 inch rectangle. Spread dough with margarine/sugar mixture. Sprinkle with raisins if desired. Roll up dough and pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal size rolls and place cut side up in a 9x13 lightly greased baking pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until browned. Remove from muffin cups to cool. Top with cream cheese icing and serve warm.

Cream Cheese Icing
Source: Adapted from Epicurious

Ingredients:

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in large bowl until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth after each addition.
 
recipe resource here

shared at one or more of these parties
Anything Goes (3a)- Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo
Best of the Weekend (p.m.)- Cooking With Curls, A Little Claireification, Little Miss Celebration,  The Mandatory Mooch
Craft Frenzy Friday (Th7)- Craft Dictator
Eat. Create. Party! (Th7p)- Endlessly Inspired, I Want Crazy, A Dash of Sanity, Living Better Together
Fabric Frenzy Friday (F)- Fort Worth Fabric Studio
Fabulous Friday- Simple Nature Decor
Feature Friday Link Palooza (Th pm)- Blissful and Domestic
Five Friday Finds- Morsels of Life
Weekend Bites (Th7:30)- Simple Living and Eating and Home Maid Simple
Foodie Friends Friday (Th8)- Foodie Friends Friday, Walking on SunshineFrom Calculus to CupcakesCindy’s Recipes and WritingsBusy Vegetarian MomThis and ThatWinelady CooksIn the Kitchen with JennyThe Chef Next DoorRobyn’s View
Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends (TR 7:30)- My Turn for Us, Love Bakes Good Cakes
Friday Favorites (Th7pm)- The Diary of a Real Housewife

*Friday Features (Th7)- Oh My Heartsie Girl
Friday Link Party (Th8)- The Pin Junkie
From the Farm (7aF)- The Homestead Lady,  The Homesteading HippyMy Healthy Green Family, Spring Mountain Living
Inspiration Spotlight Party (F5a)- Dear Creatives
Inspire Me Please (Th after8)- Love of Family and HomeHouse of RoseLiz Marie Blog, Blissfully After
Let's Get Real Friday (Th5p)- Our Little Family Adventure, Juggling Real Food and Real Life, 365 (ish) Days of Pinterest, Calm, Healthy, Sexy, A Dish of Daily Life
Life of the Party (Th7)- The Grant Life

Link Party Palooza (F6p or earlier)- Tater Tots and JelloLil LunaI Heart Nap TimeSomewhat Simple, Today's Creative Blog
Our Favorite Things Pinterest Party (Th)- My Turn for UsGina's Crafty CornerView from the FridgeCarissa MissGingerly MadeOur Rosey LifeCrafty AllieDenise DesignedTable for 73 Little Greenwoods

Pin Me (8a)- Diana Rambles
Pinworthy Projects (7a)- Domestic Superhero, Just Us Four, Atkinson Drive
Post Comment Love (1:30a)- Verily, Victoria Vocalises
Pretty Pintastic (2:01 a.m.F)- Coffee With Us 3, Gloriously Made,  An Alli Event, Captain America and His English Rose
Pure Blog Love (Th7p)- PicNic

Say G'Day Saturday (F6)- Natasha in Oz, What's On The List?
That's Fresh Friday(biweekly Thurs7)- Prototype Mama
(*New) The Handmade Hangout (Th5)- Too Much TimeFrom Gardners 2 BergersChristina's AdventuresRedoux Interiors, A Glimpse Inside

Weekend Potluck (F6A)- The Better BakerThe Country Cook, 4 Little Fergusons, Sunflower Supper Club, Frugal Family Favorites
Weekend Recipe Link Up (F afternoon? before 4)- Gator Mommy Reviews
Weekend re-Treat (Th6p)- The Best Blog Recipes

Weekend Social (Th8)- Kitchen Dreaming , The McCallum's Shamrock Patch
Weekend Wind-down (F5p)- This SimpleHome
What To Do Weekends (Th9:00)- Crafts a la Mode

Slice and Bake Christmas Cookie

 
This Christmas Cookie recipe I originally shared November 12, 2013 has been receiving a lot of interest on Pinterest lately so I thought I would share with all of you
 
 

2 cups flour, plus possibly a few more tbsp (the original recipe called for cake flour, but I just used regular old all-purpose flour since I was all out of a softasilk)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup unsifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter (cut in chunks)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp of food coloring of your choice(and/or 1/2 tsp of any desired extra extracts)
1 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles




1. In a stand mixer, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugars with paddle on medium until well blended.

2. Add butter in, gradually, and continue mixing. Add in vanilla extract. At this point, your dough will form a ball on your paddle.

3. Remove all your dough and divide into two equal parts. Return one portion back in to the mixer and add the food coloring and any extra extracts. I used Wilton gel food coloring in leaf green and vanilla extract for this batch. You could coordinate your colors and flavors, for example green food coloring matched with a mint extract or yellow with a lemon extract, etc. Also, if you are using liquid food coloring, you will need to add a few tbsp of flour to keep the dough from becoming too wet. Mix until the color is spread out evenly.

4. Roll out each portions of your dough, between two sheets a wax paper until is reaches about 11 x 9 inches and is 1/4 inch thick. Slide both unto a cookie sheet and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

5. When firm, remove the top sheets of wax paper from both. Brush the uncolored vanilla dough lightly with water using a pastry brush. Then flip the colored dough onto the vanilla uncolored dough so they are stacked atop each other and even. Press the edges lightly with your fingertips to seal them together. Using a small pairing knife, trim the edges of the dough to make straight, even lines.

6. Pour out sprinkles onto a large platter and set aside. Be sure your dough is still cold, but flexible. Once it's ready, begin rolling the long side of dough into a swirl, jelly-roll style. Now, don't get nervous if the outer layer of uncolored dough tears a bit. It's no problem, just pinch and pat those tears and voila, then just keep rolling.

7. Now gently lift your dough log onto the sprinkles and roll away. Cover the log completely with your sprinkles. Wrap the colorfully decorated log in plastic wrap twice. Depending on when you want to bake the cookies, either place the wrapped dough into refrigerator for about 3-4 hours or you can put it the freezer and keep it there for up to 2 months. (If freezing, give yourself time for the dough to defrost in the fridge overnight before cutting.)

8. Slice your dough into 1/4-1/8 inch slices and bake on parchment lined baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 15-17 minutes until edges are slightly golden. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then move them to a cookie rack to finish cooling. Enjoy your whimsical Christmas cookies!

shared at one or more of these parties
Anything Goes (3a)- Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo
Best of the Weekend (p.m.)- Cooking With Curls, A Little Claireification, Little Miss Celebration,  The Mandatory Mooch
Craft Frenzy Friday (Th7)- Craft Dictator
Eat. Create. Party! (Th7p)- Endlessly Inspired, I Want Crazy, A Dash of Sanity, Living Better Together
Fabric Frenzy Friday (F)- Fort Worth Fabric Studio
Fabulous Friday- Simple Nature Decor
Feature Friday Link Palooza (Th pm)- Blissful and Domestic
Five Friday Finds- Morsels of Life
Weekend Bites (Th7:30)- Simple Living and Eating and Home Maid Simple
Foodie Friends Friday (Th8)- Foodie Friends Friday, Walking on SunshineFrom Calculus to CupcakesCindy’s Recipes and WritingsBusy Vegetarian MomThis and ThatWinelady CooksIn the Kitchen with JennyThe Chef Next DoorRobyn’s View
Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends (TR 7:30)- My Turn for Us, Love Bakes Good Cakes
Friday Favorites (Th7pm)- The Diary of a Real Housewife

*Friday Features (Th7)- Oh My Heartsie Girl
Friday Link Party (Th8)- The Pin Junkie
From the Farm (7aF)- The Homestead Lady,  The Homesteading HippyMy Healthy Green Family, Spring Mountain Living
Inspiration Spotlight Party (F5a)- Dear Creatives
Inspire Me Please (Th after8)- Love of Family and HomeHouse of RoseLiz Marie Blog, Blissfully After
Let's Get Real Friday (Th5p)- Our Little Family Adventure, Juggling Real Food and Real Life, 365 (ish) Days of Pinterest, Calm, Healthy, Sexy, A Dish of Daily Life
Life of the Party (Th7)- The Grant Life

Link Party Palooza (F6p or earlier)- Tater Tots and JelloLil LunaI Heart Nap TimeSomewhat Simple, Today's Creative Blog
Our Favorite Things Pinterest Party (Th)- My Turn for UsGina's Crafty CornerView from the FridgeCarissa MissGingerly MadeOur Rosey LifeCrafty AllieDenise DesignedTable for 73 Little Greenwoods

Pin Me (8a)- Diana Rambles
Pinworthy Projects (7a)- Domestic Superhero, Just Us Four, Atkinson Drive
Post Comment Love (1:30a)- Verily, Victoria Vocalises
Pretty Pintastic (2:01 a.m.F)- Coffee With Us 3, Gloriously Made,  An Alli Event, Captain America and His English Rose
Pure Blog Love (Th7p)- PicNic

Say G'Day Saturday (F6)- Natasha in Oz, What's On The List?
That's Fresh Friday(biweekly Thurs7)- Prototype Mama
(*New) The Handmade Hangout (Th5)- Too Much TimeFrom Gardners 2 BergersChristina's AdventuresRedoux Interiors, A Glimpse Inside

Weekend Potluck (F6A)- The Better BakerThe Country Cook, 4 Little Fergusons, Sunflower Supper Club, Frugal Family Favorites
Weekend Recipe Link Up (F afternoon? before 4)- Gator Mommy Reviews
Weekend re-Treat (Th6p)- The Best Blog Recipes

Weekend Social (Th8)- Kitchen Dreaming , The McCallum's Shamrock Patch
Weekend Wind-down (F5p)- This SimpleHome
What To Do Weekends (Th9:00)- Crafts a la Mode

One Basic Dough Many Cookies

One basic cookie dough can help you create numerous variety of cookies. There are a few varieties shared but many more I am sure you can come up with.

3/4 cup Butter (no substitutions)
1 cup Granulated Sugar
1 Egg
1 Tbsp. Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 1/4 cups Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/8 tsp. Salt

Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg, milk and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Blend baking powder and salt into flour. Add to creamed mixture until blended. Refrigerate several hours until firm enough to work with.

Bake at 350 for 8 - 10 minutes depending on cookie variety.

Now there are all kinds or variations that you can do from this one dough. It makes about 3 cups of dough. I have variations below using a 1/2 batch (approx. 1 1/2 cups) of dough.

Pinwheels - Roll the dough 1/4 inch thick and about the size of a piece of computer paper. Top it with a thin layer of your favorite preserves, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edge. Roll it up and put in the refrigerator until firm. Cut into 1/4 inch slices and bake.

Chocolate dough - Add 2 Tbsp. of cocoa to the dough and knead to blend. If dough seems a little dry, add a Tbsp. of chocolate syrup to make it more pliable.

Thumbprints - Roll dough into balls and add jam in center before baking. You can also roll them in nuts before making indention for another variation.

Cherry Nut - Add 6 finely chopped maraschino cherries and 2 Tablespoons of chopped nuts to dough. Form in a log and refrigerate until firm. Cut in slices and drizzle with chocolate after baking.

Orange or Lemon - Add 2 tsp. of grated peel to the dough. Dip them in chocolate or glaze them with a powdered sugar icing using orange or lemon juice as the liquid.

These are just a few variations. Use your imagination and make up some of your own!

recipe resource here

Cashew Caramel Cookies

Cashew-Caramel Cookies(Adapted from M.S. Cookies)

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups roasted, salted cashews
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon canola oil
1 stick unsalted butter, softened - 8 tablespoons
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
24 cubes soft caramel candy
1/4 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, sift flour and salt together. Coarsely chop 1 cup cashews and set aside. Process remaining 1 1/2 cups cashews in a food processor until finely chopped. Gradually pour oil into the feed tube. Process until mixture is creamy, about 2 minutes.

Put cashew mixture, butter, and sugars in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low; gradually add flour mixture. Mix in reserved chopped cashews.

Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Place on parchment covered baking sheets about 2" apart. Bake 6 minutes; gently flatten with a 1 cup measuring cup. I tried using a spatula but it was too big - a metal cup worked much better. If they begin to stick when you are pressing down, make sure to wipe the bottom before moving to the next cookie. Bake until bottoms are just golden, 6 to 7 minutes more. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks.

Melt caramels with cream in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring. Let cool. Using a spoon, drizzle caramel over cookies; let set. The caramel will not get hard so you can't stack these. Store them in single layers for the best result.

shared at one or more of these parties
Anything Goes (3a)- Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo
Best of the Weekend (p.m.)- Cooking With Curls, A Little Claireification, Little Miss Celebration,  The Mandatory Mooch
Craft Frenzy Friday (Th7)- Craft Dictator
Eat. Create. Party! (Th7p)- Endlessly Inspired, I Want Crazy, A Dash of Sanity, Living Better Together
Fabric Frenzy Friday (F)- Fort Worth Fabric Studio
Fabulous Friday- Simple Nature Decor
Feature Friday Link Palooza (Th pm)- Blissful and Domestic
Five Friday Finds- Morsels of Life
Weekend Bites (Th7:30)- Simple Living and Eating and Home Maid Simple
Foodie Friends Friday (Th8)- Foodie Friends Friday, Walking on SunshineFrom Calculus to CupcakesCindy’s Recipes and WritingsBusy Vegetarian MomThis and ThatWinelady CooksIn the Kitchen with JennyThe Chef Next DoorRobyn’s View
Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends (TR 7:30)- My Turn for Us, Love Bakes Good Cakes
Friday Favorites (Th7pm)- The Diary of a Real Housewife

*Friday Features (Th7)- Oh My Heartsie Girl
Friday Link Party (Th8)- The Pin Junkie
From the Farm (7aF)- The Homestead Lady,  The Homesteading HippyMy Healthy Green Family, Spring Mountain Living
Inspiration Spotlight Party (F5a)- Dear Creatives
Inspire Me Please (Th after8)- Love of Family and HomeHouse of RoseLiz Marie Blog, Blissfully After
Let's Get Real Friday (Th5p)- Our Little Family Adventure, Juggling Real Food and Real Life, 365 (ish) Days of Pinterest, Calm, Healthy, Sexy, A Dish of Daily Life
Life of the Party (Th7)- The Grant Life

Link Party Palooza (F6p or earlier)- Tater Tots and JelloLil LunaI Heart Nap TimeSomewhat Simple, Today's Creative Blog
Our Favorite Things Pinterest Party (Th)- My Turn for UsGina's Crafty CornerView from the FridgeCarissa MissGingerly MadeOur Rosey LifeCrafty AllieDenise DesignedTable for 73 Little Greenwoods

Pin Me (8a)- Diana Rambles
Pinworthy Projects (7a)- Domestic Superhero, Just Us Four, Atkinson Drive
Post Comment Love (1:30a)- Verily, Victoria Vocalises
Pretty Pintastic (2:01 a.m.F)- Coffee With Us 3, Gloriously Made,  An Alli Event, Captain America and His English Rose
Pure Blog Love (Th7p)- PicNic

Say G'Day Saturday (F6)- Natasha in Oz, What's On The List?
That's Fresh Friday(biweekly Thurs7)- Prototype Mama
(*New) The Handmade Hangout (Th5)- Too Much TimeFrom Gardners 2 BergersChristina's AdventuresRedoux Interiors, A Glimpse Inside

Weekend Potluck (F6A)- The Better BakerThe Country Cook, 4 Little Fergusons, Sunflower Supper Club, Frugal Family Favorites
Weekend Recipe Link Up (F afternoon? before 4)- Gator Mommy Reviews
Weekend re-Treat (Th6p)- The Best Blog Recipes

Weekend Social (Th8)- Kitchen Dreaming , The McCallum's Shamrock Patch
Weekend Wind-down (F5p)- This SimpleHome
What To Do Weekends (Th9:00)- Crafts a la Mode

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Crockpot Ham and Beans and Sweet Corn Bread

This country girl loves ham and beans in the winter time. Oh my what a treat to share a warm bowl of ham and beans with my family. If you are country at heart as well and love a good bowl of beans and cornbread then check out this post.
 
 
 


 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup Corn Meal
1 T. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup veg. oil
3 Tbls. melted butter or margarine (I used butter)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8" square baking pan. Combine flour, sugar, corn meal, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Combine milk, eggs, oil and butter in a small bowl, mix well. Add to flour mixture, stir just until blended. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 35 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

recipe resource here

Crockpot Ham and Beans

1 lb small navy beans
1 onion, chopped
2 sticks celery, chopped
3/4 c chopped carrots
2 T  chopped garlic from jar
1/2 t pepper
leftover ham bone with meat on it
1 1/2 c chopped up ham
4-5 c water
ham broth

sort through beans tossing out any hard rocks or dried up beans. Soak over night in water with 2 t baking soda Drain and rinse beans well. Chop veggies, place in crockpot with beans. Add bone and ham Add ham broth, water and spices Cover and let cook for at least 6 hours remove ham bone and take meat off bone return meat to beans. Cook another couple hours.

recipe resource here
  

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Easy Craft : Build a Snowman


This cute little snowman is based on a plastic spoon decorated using cotton balls, pipe cleaner for his scarf and foam pieces for hat and face. So easy to make and so super cute

shared at one or more of these parties
New) And Sew We Craft Together (W)- And Sew We Craft
Creative Spark (Wam)- My Paper Craze, Weekend Craft, Please Excuse My Craftermath
Fluster's Creative Muster (T5p)- Fluffer Buster
(New)Hit Me With Your Best Shot (T6p)- Dolen Diaries, Just a Girl and Her Blog, Made to Be A Momma, One Krieger Chick

Make Bake Create- Hope in Every Season
Moonlight and Mason Jars (T10pm)- Newlywed Pilgrimage, Five Heart HomeCherished Bliss Made in a Day
Project Parade (Wa)- An Italian in My Kitchen, The Seasoned Homemaker, Life With the Crust Cut Off
Recipe Roundup (W7a)- Gooseberry Patch
*Retro Re-pin Party (pins) (T7)- 2 Crochet Hooks, Sustaining the Powers, Nifty Thrifty Family, Meatloaf and Melodrama, xoxo Grandma, Probably Crafting, Crafty Side of Sarcasm
Show and Share Wednesday- Mostly Homemade Mom
The DIY'ers (T4 or 5pm)- Bigger Than The Three of Us, Brave New Home, Homecoming, Simply Dream and Create

Wake Up Wednesday- Sew Crafty Angel + 24
Wednesday Roundup (W)- Foody SchmoodyThe Princess and Her CowboysLove, Pasta and A Tool BeltLemoine Family Kitchen
*What We Eat (W10a)- Orchard Girls
What's Cookin' Wednesday (W)- Buns in My Oven
What's It Wednesday- Ivy and Elephants
Whimsy Wednesday (T6)- Oh My! Creative, The NY Melrose Family, Smart School House, Princess Pinky Girl, Simply Designing With Ashley
Wine'd Down Wednesday (T6p)- Dizzy Busy and Hungry, Our Three Peas, My Rays of Sunshine 
Wonderful Wednesday (T6p)- Ducks 'n a Row, Spatulas on Parade, Sugar Aunts, Recipes for Our Daily Bread, A Peek Into My Paradise, Flavors by Four, Pure Grace Farms
Wonderfully Creative Wednesdays (T7)- All She Cooks Mom's Test KitchenNibbles by NicSew Creative
Worthwhile Wednesdays (Tpm)- Crafty Allie
Wow Us Wednesdays (Tpm)- Family Home and Life

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

Chocolate Turtle Cookies cant be beat. With their attractive look and believe me chocolate, nuts and caramel together taste fantastic as well. For my taste I love caramel so add just a bit more if you wish or slack back for a more chocolate flavor. For gift giving do not stack these cookies as they stay just a bit sticky





from Cook’s Country, December 2008

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
8 tbsp butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 large egg, separated, plus 1 egg white
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans, chopped fine
14 soft caramel candies
3 tbsp heavy cream

Adjust oven rack to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat liners.  Combine flour, cocoa, and salt in bowl.  With electric mixer on medium high speed, beat butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla and mix until incorporated.  Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture until just combined.  Refrigerate dough until firm, at least 1 hour.
Whisk egg white in another bowl until frothy.  Place pecans in another bowl.  One at a time, roll dough into 1 inch balls, dip in egg whites, then roll in pecans.  Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.  Using teaspoon measure, make indentation in center of each ball.  Bake until set, 10 to 12 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking.
Meanwhile, microwave caramels and cream in a bowl, stirring occasionally, until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.  Once cookies are removed from oven, gently press existing indentations with teaspoon measure.  Fill each with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon caramel mixture.  Cool 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack and cool completely.

shared at one or more of these parties
New) And Sew We Craft Together (W)- And Sew We Craft
Creative Spark (Wam)- My Paper Craze, Weekend Craft, Please Excuse My Craftermath
Fluster's Creative Muster (T5p)- Fluffer Buster
(New)Hit Me With Your Best Shot (T6p)- Dolen Diaries, Just a Girl and Her Blog, Made to Be A Momma, One Krieger Chick

Make Bake Create- Hope in Every Season
Moonlight and Mason Jars (T10pm)- Newlywed Pilgrimage, Five Heart HomeCherished Bliss Made in a Day
Project Parade (Wa)- An Italian in My Kitchen, The Seasoned Homemaker, Life With the Crust Cut Off
Recipe Roundup (W7a)- Gooseberry Patch
*Retro Re-pin Party (pins) (T7)- 2 Crochet Hooks, Sustaining the Powers, Nifty Thrifty Family, Meatloaf and Melodrama, xoxo Grandma, Probably Crafting, Crafty Side of Sarcasm
Show and Share Wednesday- Mostly Homemade Mom
The DIY'ers (T4 or 5pm)- Bigger Than The Three of Us, Brave New Home, Homecoming, Simply Dream and Create

Wake Up Wednesday- Sew Crafty Angel + 24
Wednesday Roundup (W)- Foody SchmoodyThe Princess and Her CowboysLove, Pasta and A Tool BeltLemoine Family Kitchen
*What We Eat (W10a)- Orchard Girls
What's Cookin' Wednesday (W)- Buns in My Oven
What's It Wednesday- Ivy and Elephants
Whimsy Wednesday (T6)- Oh My! Creative, The NY Melrose Family, Smart School House, Princess Pinky Girl, Simply Designing With Ashley
Wine'd Down Wednesday (T6p)- Dizzy Busy and Hungry, Our Three Peas, My Rays of Sunshine 
Wonderful Wednesday (T6p)- Ducks 'n a Row, Spatulas on Parade, Sugar Aunts, Recipes for Our Daily Bread, A Peek Into My Paradise, Flavors by Four, Pure Grace Farms
Wonderfully Creative Wednesdays (T7)- All She Cooks Mom's Test KitchenNibbles by NicSew Creative
Worthwhile Wednesdays (Tpm)- Crafty Allie
Wow Us Wednesdays (Tpm)- Family Home and Life

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Easy Craft Idea: Mini Paper Wreath


This is a simple craft and one that is festive and cute. It is made up of cardboard circle with hole cut in middle. It is simple to color the pasta with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and food coloring. Allow the pasta to dry overnight and then glue onto the cardboard. It resembles holly right?? Placing miniature red pompoms on the green pasta will resemble berries tie with a piece of yarn your choice of color


Maple Butterscotch Macaddamia Nut Blondies

When its cold outside I love to bake delicious goodies. This recipe is a delicious blond brownie chocked full of awesome macadamia nuts. Oh my I forever have loved those white macadamia nut cookies now try the blondies and see what you think.

Maple Butterscotch Macadamia Nut Blondies (Adapted from Whole Foods)



1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons maple extract
1 1/2 cups butterscotch chips
3/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts, toasted

Preheat the oven to 350

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing until combined. Mix in the maple extract. Add the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon just until combined. Fold in the butterscotch chips and toasted macadamias.

Scoop the batter into a 9" baking pan coated with nonstick spray - use an off-set spaulta to spread it evenly in the pan. Bake until golden and a toothpick placed near the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached, about 25 to 35 minutes. Remove and place on a wire rack to cool completely before cutting.

Salt Dough Ornaments

I simply love crafts that are fun to make, the entire family can get involved, make great gifts and can be personalized. Oh yes we are talking about salt dough ornaments. What else only takes 3 ingredients can be adapted and created using the artist imagination and make awesome gifts for teachers, grandparents or anyone you know that you would love to give a small gift to.



Salt dough ornaments can also be easily painted using tempera or acrylic paint. They can also be decorated before being baked so that they have the appearance that the artist is looking for.



One great way to use salt dough ornaments is as gift tags. It gives the gifts personality and the giver will love them as well. Use a sharpie to write on ornaments.


2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup warm water

Mix together flour and salt.  Then mix in the warm water.  Mix until you have a dough that is similar in consistency to pie crust.  Take the dough and place it on a floured surface.  Roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 inch thick.  Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. If you don’t have cookie cutters you could use a glass to cut circles.  Put the shapes on a cookie sheet.  Then take a sharp object (I used a meat thermometer) to put a small hole in each shape where you will insert the ribbon. Make sure the hole goes all the way through the dough, because it will close up slightly while baking.  Bake the salt dough ornaments for 4 to 6 hours at 200 degrees or until hardened.  Paint and decorate as desired

Monday, December 1, 2014

Jingle Bell Door Hanger


Every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings. I do believe this as well as I believe there are  angels walking around here on earth to help us all. Sometimes they show up in places we do not expect them and it seems always at times when we need them. So if this is the case why would we not try to help angels get their wings. Creating a festive door hanger using jingle bells and ornaments will help it look festive and help the angels as well.

Easy Gift From The Kitchen

working in the medical field I know that my co-workers will love this. There are many days that we go home with aching feet so a good foot soak would be an awesome gift. Think about yourself and your friends the holidays can be a very stressful time and a time where we are on our feet more than usual. Relax a bit with a foot soak and enjoy the moment.

 

 

Peppermint and Lemon Foot Soak



recipe from Or So She Says…

1 cup sea salt (a great alternative would be Kosher salt)
1 cup Epsom salt (usually found in the personal care/pharmacy aisle)
2 Tbsp peppermint tea (Be careful not to confuse this with “peppermint flavored” tea: the tea should be 100% peppermint leaves. Tip: if you can’t find it in bulk, buy a box of tea-bags, cut them open and measure!)
4 tsp pure peppermint extract
3 tsp pure lemon extract
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking soda

Combine the sea salt and Epsom salt in your mixing bowl. When the two salts are completely blended, add olive oil, peppermint extract and lemon extract. Stir each time you add an ingredient, making sure to break apart any large chunks of salt with your spoon. Once these liquid ingredients have been fully incorporated, your salt mixture will look like moist sand (and it will smell pretty good too!). Now it’s time to add the cornstarch and baking soda. Again, blend thoroughly, breaking apart any large clumps of baking soda or salt.  Almost done! Now add the final ingredient – the peppermint leaves. (I add this last, because I’ve found that adding them early in the process causes the leaves to bruise and give off their green color to the salt.) Stir the leaves in until they are fully blended with the salt mixture. Go ahead and take a deep breath while you’re at it – it should have a very refreshing scent!

One Cookie Dough Makes 2 type Christmas Cookies

Butter Cookie Dough from NickJr. Magazine Measurements for tripling are included in red
2 cups all-purpose flour (6 cups)
1 tsp baking powder (3 tsps)
1 tsp salt (3 tsps)
2/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (2 cups or 4 sticks)
1/2 cup sugar (1 1/2 cups)
1 egg (3 eggs)
1 Tbls milk (3 Tbls)
1 tsp vanilla extract (3 tsps)


1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Set aside.
2. In another bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter and sugar at medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes.
3. Add egg, milk, and vanilla and beat 1 minute more. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture, beating until smooth.
4. Shape dough into a ball. Wrap in plastic and chill at least 1 hour, or overnight.
 
 


Candy Cane Twists
1. Divide Butter Cookie Dough in half. Add 4-5 drops red food coloring to one half. Add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract to the other half. Mix each half well.
2. For each candy cane, on a floured surface, roll a tablespoon of each dough into a 4-inch long rope.
3. Twist the ropes together and bend to form a candy cane shape.
4. Place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy or candy canes.
5. Bake at 375 degrees F, 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool completely before removing from pan.





Pinwheel Pops
1. Divide Butter Cookie Dough in half. Mix 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder into one half. Mix 5 drops green food coloring and 1/2 tsp peppermint extract into the other half.
2. On a floured surface, roll out each half into a 1/4-inch-thick rectangle.
3. Place one half on top of the other. Roll with a rolling pin to help them stick together.
4. Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a cylinder shape. Wrap in plastic and chill at least 1 hour.
5. Cut 1/8-inch thick slices and place on a greased cookie sheet. Insert a craft stick into each ( We didn't do this part). Bake at 375 degrees, 7 to 9 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool a few minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Share a Scent of The Season

Looking to share a little gift with those that you work with , live next to or go to school or church with? This little treat would make just the right gift and will offer a scent of the season and last more than a day as well !

 Just add 2 slices of each a lemon, a lime, an orange, add 4-5 cinnamon sticks and a palm full of whole cloves. Once you put it on your stove, add water and it will fill your house with wonderful Christmas scents!



Attach a card that has these instructions on it:

Christmas Potpourri

1. Place ingredients in pot.
2. Fill Pot with water, covering potpourri mix.
3. Bring to a boil and turn down to low.
4. Let simmer & continue to add water as needed.

* potpourri will last approx. one week.

Toffee Squares

I so love Toffee and this recipe is so easy to make. I love the idea of using Hershey chocolate bars to melt and make the top.
 
Toffee Squares
 
 

1 cup Butter
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 Egg yolk
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 cups Flour
1/4 teaspoon Salt
6 Hershey Milk Chocolate Bars

Beat butter, brown sugar, egg yolk and vanilla together until creamy. Slowly add flour and salt until well blended.

Bake at 325 for 13 minutes or until lightly browned. It will be soft, do not over bake.

Remove from oven and immediately place unwrapped chocolate bars on top of hot cookie base.
Let it stand a few minutes until chocolate is melted. Spread melted chocolate evenly to cover entire cookie base. Cut into squares after chocolate has cooled and set.