Time for Tea Party Cookies

 December 16, 1773 was the day of the Great Boston Tea Party. First of all let me share with you that it was not the day that those in Boston sat around with their teacup and cookies to have a great party to chat but rather it was a date that has been chatted about since that time. Colonist located in Boston primarily originated from Great Britain where tea was enjoyed. The East India Company was the shipping company that brought the supply of tea to the colonist. In order to protest the great taxes that was being placed on the tea American patriots dressed up as Mohawk Indians went about the ships and threw the tea crates into Boston harbor. Thus the Boston Tea Party went down in American History. 

                  Christmas Russian Tea Cake Cookies

Russian Tea Cakes
Printable Recipe
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
¾ cup finely chopped nuts (I use pecans or walnuts)
¼ teaspoon salt
powdered sugar

Beat butter and ½ cup powdered sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. Stir in flour, salt and nuts until dough holds together. Chill the dough for at least an hour.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls, and place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool slightly on wire rack. Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar. Cool on a wire rack and then roll in powdered sugar again to coat.

recipe resource

Please consider our post

• retweet
• share on facebook 
• pin post

shared at

• Thursday Favorite Things
• avn rt --- done
• twitter marketing group rt

Wreaths the Symbolizing , Why we decorate with it and an Edible Wreath

 Deck the halls... with wreaths and all... 

Many have a wreath hanging at least one place in the house. Many times there may be more than one wreath in the same building. Wreaths are one of the most popular decorations during the Christmas holiday. However, many will hang a wreath on the front door year round in different seasonal themes to welcome the visitor to your home.

Wreaths during the advent season are used to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Wreaths symbolize growth and everlasting life The wreaths circular shape represents eternity in that it has no true beginning and no end and is often used to simulate the circle of life. Christmas wreaths many times are made of evergreens whether real or fake and symbolizes growth and everlasting life. Holly ranches often have thorns and often are meant to represent the crown of thorns that Jesus Christ had placed on his head directly before he was crucified In addition, the holly berries represent the blood that was shed for all of us.

• 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
• 30 large marshmallows
• 6 teaspoons drops of green gel food coloring or 1 and 1/4 liquid green food coloring
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups cornflakes
• 1 bottle of red hot candies or 1/2 cup red candy coated chocolates such as mini M&M's
• cooking spray

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Place the marshmallows and butter in a large bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments until melted.

Add the green food coloring and vanilla; stir until the marshmallow mixture is smooth.

Add the cornflakes to the bowl and gently stir to coat the cereal evenly with the marshmallow mixture.

Pack the mixture into a greased 1/4 cup measuring cup and turn out onto the sheet pan. Use your fingers to make a hole in the middle to form a wreath shape and decorate with red candies. It's easiest to form the wreath holes if your fingers are damp or coated in cooking spray.

Cool completely until firm and serve.

Please consider sharing our post

• retweet
• shared on facebook
• pin post

shared at

• beautifully made
• tweeting 4 us #3 -- done
• twitter / pinterest rt -- done
• friendship friday

Grandmas and Fruitcakes

One tradition that has been around since the Middle Ages is fruit cake. Ancient Romans first would make the fruit cake and later the cake caught on in Europe and became very popular during the 18th and 19th century. Many at this time considered it a delicacy and the ingredients to some were luxuries. While many fruit cakes today are made with dried fruit, nuts and spices during the fruit cake popularity there was a great variety of them available. However, the fruit cake has received much ridicule and teasing but in this post I want to share with you a delicious recipe that my grandmother made each year. 

The Christmas tradition in America was brought by the British. Often the dessert is called Christmas cake or Plum Cake. In Victorian England the cake was saved for special occasions and Christmas. 

Now onto the recipes. It is so funny that my grandmothers were good friends but they each liked to criticize the other. The one difference my grandmother saw was that she owned her land and the other leased That was not where it ended though as they were both in the same home economics unit and loved to boast about what they were doing. So to please them both I am sharing 2 fruit cake recipes each of them would make one or the other. I love my grandmas and miss them dearly 

Swedish TeaRing

3 1/2 cups bread flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 1/4 cups very warm milk 120 degrees F
1 egg beaten
3 tablespoons butter softened
Filling
5 tablespoons butter softened
1/2 cup brown sugar packed
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
candied red and green cherries optional

In the bowl of your stand mixer using the paddle attachment combine 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Add warm milk, egg and butter until well combined. Slowly add in remaining flour until the dough starts to come together. Change to your dough hook and knead for 5 minutes. Cover and allow to rise until double in a warm place. (About 25 minutes)
Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the brown sugar, sugar and cinnamon for the filling of the tea ring, set aside. Lightly grease a large baking pan and set aside.
Punch dough down and roll out to a 20"x12" rectangle. Spread with softened butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture. With the long side facing you begin to roll up the dough into a long log. Seal the seam by pinching the dough together. Bring the ends together and pinch the dough together to seal. Place on prepared baking sheet seam side down.
Using a pair of kitchen scissors cut the dough in 1 to 1 1/2" sections around the ring be careful not to cut the whole way through. Gently pull up each section and give it a small twist and lay back on the pan. Cover and let rise until double.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Decorate with optional candied cherries. Also may drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze.

Plum Pudding

Each pudding serves 12

Fruit Mixture (To be made 4 days ahead)
1 pound seedless raisins
1 pound sultana raisins
1/2 pound currants
1 cup thinly sliced citron
1 cup chopped candied peel
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon mace
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound finely chopped suet – powdery fine
1 1/4 cups cognac
Pudding
1 1/4 pounds (approximately) fresh bread crumbs
1 cup scalded milk
1 cup sherry or port
12 eggs, well beaten
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Blend the fruits, citron, peel, spices and suet and place in a bowl or jar. Add 1/4 cup cognac, cover tightly and refrigerate for 4 days, adding 1/4 cup cognac each day.
Soak the bread crumbs in milk and sherry or port. Combine the well-beaten eggs and sugar. Blend with the fruit mixture. Add salt and mix thoroughly. Put the pudding in buttered bowls or tins, filling them about 2/3 full. Cover with foil and tie it firmly. Steam for 6-7 hours. Uncover and place in a 250°F. oven for 30 minutes. Add a dash of cognac to each pudding, cover with foil and keep in a cool place.
To use, steam again for 2-3 hours and unmold. Sprinkle with sugar; add heated cognac. Ignite and bring to the table. 

please consider sharing 

retweet

shared on facebook 

pin post

shared at

• tasty tuesday
• tweeting 4 us #2 -- done
• fridays favorites
• twitter ./ pinterest rt 2

Peppermint Eggnog #recipe

•  6 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp more sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pure peppermint extract
• 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 4 cups whole milk
• 12 peppermint candy canes, broken into pieces
• 3 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Peppermint sticks, for garnish

1.  Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Whisk together eggs, egg yolks, sugar, salt, and the extracts in large saucepan over medium-low heat until combined. Pour in milk slowly, whisking until fully incorporated. Raise heat to medium. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture registers 160 degrees on an instant-read thermometer and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 30 to 35 minutes.

2.  Pour milk mixture through a fine sieve into a medium bowl. Set bowl in ice-water bath; let mixture cool completely. Transfer custard to an airtight container, and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to overnight.

3.  Pulse candy canes in a food processor until finely crushed. Sift in a strainer to discard dust. Transfer to a shallow dish.

4.  Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Let cool 5 minutes. Dip rim of each cup into melted chocolate, then crushed peppermint. Refrigerate until set, about 5 minutes.

5.  Remove custard from refrigerator; set aside. Put 1/2 c. cream into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; mix on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Fold into cold custard until combined. Fill cups with eggnog. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint, and garnish with peppermint sticks; serve and enjoy!

Source: Martha Stewart

please consider sharing our post

retweet post

share on facebook

pinterest

post shared at 

silver pennies sunday

avn rt --- done

full plate thursday

The Little Drummer Boy

 

Edward Hagar has went down in history as the Drummer Boy of Shiloh. Hagar was just a young lad when he saw the troops march down the main street of Whitehall. After watching the troops he promptly went home and packed his bags and joined up at a nearby camp in Carrolton Illinois. Perhaps had I not been from the area where he once lived I may not have known the story so well. 

This time of year one of my favorite songs is the Drummer Boy song. 

The Little Drummer Boy is a popular Christmas son. The song has become an American classical music and was first composed by Katherine K Davis in 1941. The Trapp Family Singers recorded the song in 1953. 

I hope you enjoy the music and have a learned a bit of history as well. If you enjoyed this post please leave me a comment

Please consider sharing our post

retweet

shared on facebook

pin post

Post shared at

snickerdoodle sunday

twitter/pinterest fans rt  == done

twitter / pinterest fans twitter like

The Christmas Star

 

There are many symbols of Christmas maybe none more special than the star. The Christmas star symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem that guided the three kings or wise men to the baby Jesus. The star is also a symbol of prophecy fulfilled many years ago and the shining hope it offers to humanity. 

Side Note: 

While the light of the star offers the symbolism of Jesus and the light he brought into the world December 10th was a very special anniversary that celebrated human rights as well. In 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations met and adopted as well as proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document has been shared around the world and has been expressed in over 500 languages. 

The bright and morning star as many Christians call Jesus it is the star that first offered light that led the seekers to Bethlehem and that stable so many years ago. The star placed at the very top of the Christmas tree helps to remind us of that star that was seen by the three wise men in the East when Jesus was born. 

please consider sharing aour post

• retweet
• share on facebook
• 
  

post shared at

saturday sparks
twitter / pinterest rt == done

Is Your Tree Up

Do you have your Christmas tree up??? Some will start before Thanksgiving.. which I think is rushing it and then there others that may put the tree up the night before Christmas which I think is personally a bit late. The Christmas tree to me is something that goes up December 1st and stays up til December 27th or later always down by new years. When do you put your tree up??

Christmas trees are normally always some type of evergreen tree. Whether it be pine or a fir is up to the individual picking out the tree. Another choice is whether the tree one brings home is fresh cut, potted still alive or artificial. When the tree is home it is time to trim it with lights and ornaments While the Christmas tree has meaning with in its branches todays world forgets the meaning

Most homes will host a Christmas tree where all the gifts are kept Ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Hebrew customs all reflect on evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands symbolize eternal life. Prior to Christian conversion around the world pagans would worship trees in Europeans While many changes occurred after the conversion the Christmas tree is one thing that stayed. However, Scandinavian customs were a bit different in that decorating the house and property with evergreens helped to scare away the Devil In addition Germany had its own custom of placing a tree near the door or inside the house during the midwinter holiday 

West Germany who originated the modern Christmas tree after it appeared in a popular medieval play about Adam and Eve and the "paradise tree" It was a fir tree that was in the play to represent the garden of Eden. On December 24th Germans would set up a tree of Paradise to celebrate the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. The tree would be decorated with wafer cookies, candles to represent the Light of Christ. 

please consider sharing our post 

• retweet
• share on facebook 
• pin post

post shared at 

tweeting 4 us #2 === done

Inspire me Monday

AVN-- facebook share / comment --- done

link your stuff

Candy Cane Brownies

With the holiday season at hand and Christmas only a bit over 2 weeks away I must say that brownies fits right in the mixture of sweets that are abound this season. Brownies were the original idea of the Palmer House Hotel back in 1893. They were to be a treat for the ladies attending the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition. The request was for a cake like treat that could also be packed in a lunch box. Thus the beginning of the brownie.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 48 to 60 Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses, unwrapped & frozen

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line mini muffin pans with paper liners, or generously spray with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and cocoa; set aside. In a large pot set over low heat, melt butter. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and the vanilla. Temper the eggs (slowly bring up their temperature so that they don't scramble) by stirring a spoonful of the butter mixture into the eggs. Then use a wooden spoon to stir the egg mixture and flour mixture into the butter mixture until well incorporated.

Scoop batter into lined mini muffin pans, filling each cup ⅔ full. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until just set, taking care not to overcook. After removing pans from the oven, immediately and gently press a Candy Cane Kiss onto the top of each brownie bite. Allow brownies to cool completely in pans set on a wire cooling rack until Kisses are completely hardened. Remove brownies from pans and store in an airtight container. Yields 60 brownie bites.

Depending on the size of your mini muffin pans, you will probably get anywhere from 48 to 60 brownie bites. I got about 55.

Using paper liners in your mini muffin pans is recommended. However, if not, use a thin knife to loosen each cooled brownie bite before attempting to remove it from the pan.

Freezing the Kisses ahead of time will help them hold their shape as the brownie bites cool. Also be sure to have them unwrapped before your brownies come out of the oven, because you will have to work quickly getting them placed on your hot brownies!

Feel free to change up the flavors of your Kisses...Mint Truffle, Cherry Cordial, and even Caramel would also be delicious! Just beware that some varieties of Kisses have softer centers than others, and you'll need to be very gentle working with those so that they don't collapse.

recipe resource

please consider sharing 

• retweet
• share on facebook 
• pin post

post shared at 

tweeting 4 us #3 == done

wonderful wednesday

twitter / pinterest repin

Never Forget

 

please consider sharing 

retweet

share on facebook 

pin post

post shared at

avn rt === done

thankful thursday

click thru blogging

Protect your Pets During Holiday Season

 Christmas is in the air and that often means that we will be eating foods that may not always be around. That is often delicious but can be a bit dangerous to our pets. I thought I may just summarize some of the foods to watch out for this holiday season

• Both dogs and cats can end up with gastrointestinal inflammation if they digest ham or prime rib. The reason is their high fat content. 
• Baked good often contain butter or oil and may contain chocolate as well. Butter and oils are not recommended for our pets and chocolate can be toxic to dogs and cats. Chocolate can also lead to hyperactivity, stomach upsets, cardiac issues White chocolate is a bit safer but it is not recommended to offer pets much at all. 

please consider sharing our post 

• retweet
• share on facebook
• pin

shared at

twitter / pinterest repin

busy monday

Buy Nothing Day

 

Welcome to the day after Thanksgiving. Many love the sales and discounts that this day often brings. Yet others refuse to pay attention to all the commercialism of Christmas. For those individuals the day after Thanksgiving is less attentive to all the sales and discounts available and instead stand by the method of a "Buy Nothing Day". However the choice is yours to get your Christmas shopping started early or to take a stand against commercialism.

While there are many that both agree with this day as disagree. The idealism of the creator of this special day, Ted Dave from Canada was backed by the group adbusters and was first celebrated in 1992. 

Rather than concentrating on the good shopping deals perhaps you should consider to reflect upon the meaning of Christmas. As one of my grandchildren the other day said in their own words Christmas day is "Jesus's Birthday". Some other ideas you may try while avoiding shopping may include:

• After such a large meal why not sleep in. Get plenty of extra room and allow your body to recover after such a large meal
• lounge around and enjoy some Christmas movies with the kids
• decorate the house

So if you headed out this year to do some early morning shopping was it good for you?? If not then perhaps you will consider trying a buy nothing day. However if you did enjoy the hustle and bustle then who am I to suggest this. 

Please consider sharing our post

• retweet
• share on facebook 
• pin post

shared at 

tweeting 4 us #1 === done

encouraging hearts at home

wonderful wednesday

avn facebook share --- done

The Strong Individual that Always Dreamed of a Nation Wide Thanksgiving

 

Did you know that it was a citizen of the united states that desperately drew attention to the need of a holiday to be thankful for?? Her name was Sarah Josepha Hale and for years she lobbied congress to create the holiday that would be known as Thanksgiving. Hale was very proud of her country and wanted to make a day that would be permanent and also become an American custom. 

So just who was this Sarah Josepha Hale?? 

Hale was born in New Hampshire in 1788 Her mother and father offered her an education but did son at home. In that day and time a woman and education was not always thought well of but to Sarah's parents it was something they believed their daughter deserved. That education would pay off when she found her self a widow in her mid 30s. Sarah Hale then became an author and published a collection of poems. Later she would become the editor of a magazine and became a strong activist against woman's suffrage. However in all her works she never lost way of her thought to bring the nation together by hosting a feast and giving thanks.

please consider sharing our post

• retweet 
• pin
• share on facebook 

shared at

1. tweeing 4 us #2 --- 12/3 

No Bake Pumpkin Pie Parfait

• 
  
  
  
• 
  
•  1 cup Mascarpone cheese
• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 2 cups cream
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
• 2/3 cup soft brown sugar
• 250 g finely crushed cinnamon biscuits
• 3 tablespoons icing or confectioner sugar

Add a teaspoon of pumpkin puree to each glass. 

In a bowl mix Mascarpone, the rest of the pumpkin puree, cinnamon and brown sugar until combined.

Whip the cream and icing (confectioner's) sugar to soft peaks.

Add a layer of the biscuits crumbs (about 3 teaspoons) to the pumpkin layer int he glass.

Follow with about 3 teaspoons of the Mascarpone and pumpkin cream.

Add  a layer of whipped cream (about 4 teaspoons).

Repeat the layers in order, until your glass is full, finishing with a  dollop of whipped cream on top. Refrigerate for at least two hours to firm up.

Just before serving add crushed biscuits on top. 

recipe resource 

Please consider sharing our post

retweet

post shared at

retweeting 4 us #2 -- done

thursday favorite things

Celebrate Thanksgiving Together

 

Did you know that Thanksgiving was not always celebrated on the same day in the United States?? The first Thanksgiving was held on Thursday November 26, 1621 and was held at Plymouth Rock. The Wampanoag Native Americans and the colonist came together to celebrate harvest with a feast. Previous to 1863 colonies and states celebrated a form of Thanksgiving on different days. However, during the civil war in 1863 Abe Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving day to be held each November. 

Please consider sharing our post 

facebook

retweet

pin

post shared at 

twitter / pinterest rt --- done

little things thursday

Reminder To Not Follow Only Man but to Rely on God

 One sad event that happened on this day on November 18, 1978 was known as Jonestown Massacre. Over 900 individuals lost their lives at this American cult led event. At the helm of this cult and the fatal decision was Jim Jones However, it was the members of the congregation that in the end would play nameless victims

Jim Jones , a white minister preached at a predominantly African American church congregation. The name of the church was the Peoples Temple. During the 1970s the church drew gatherings of over a thousand. However in 1977 Jones and the leaders grew paranoid from the medias scrutiny of possible suspicious activities and decided to move the entire church and members to a settlement in Guyana.

To find the rest of the story you can do a bit of research on your own. In the end the members that went to Guyana Jonestown settlement would be poisoned under the leadership of the pastor Jones Jones himself would end with a bullet in his head. The point I want to make is no matter how this world gets remember to not follow and rely on a man but rather or Good Lord up above. 

Please consider sharing our post

• retweet 
• share on facebook
• pin

post shared at 

• friday at firestation
• twitter / pinterest fans twitter like --- done
• anything goes
• twitter pinterest rt \\\ done
• pin junkie party

Happy Birthday to a World Famous Mouse

 Happy Birthday to a most beloved character that many of us know by first name..... MICKEY

While 18 of November , 1928 is known as Mickey's birthday there was quite a journey that Walt Disney took to get to this point. To start with a mouse was the least likely character many that knew Walt Disney to be made a star. Perhaps you will understand when I inform you that Walt Disney was terrified of mice.

The man behind the character was Ub Iwerks a good friend of Walt Disney who has also been credited for designing Mickey Mouse. However the first mouse character created was Mortimer Mouse... later with a bit of help from Walt Disney's wife the name of the charter was changed to Mickey. 

Walt Disney himself gave the Since that time Mickey has gained in popularity. In 1978 Mickey was given his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

To celebrate Mickey Mouse's Birthday lets have a bit of pizza and make our own with this recipe from Disney.com 

• Pizza dough
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Pepperoni slices
• Pizza sauce
• Fresh basil leaves
• Kitchen scissors
• A small paring knife

•  Prepare and preheat oven according to pizza dough package instructions.
•  Knead and roll out pizza dough to about 1/2 inch.
•  Cut dough into a heart shape.
•  Pour pizza sauce into the center of the of the pizza dough and spread evenly, leaving about an inch for the crust.
•  Sprinkle mozzarella generously over the sauce.
•  Stack 3-4 slices of pepperoni and use kitchen scissors to cut them into a Mickey shape. Separate pepperoni slices and place on the pizza. Repeat until the pizza is completely covered.
•  Place basil leaves on top.
•  Bake pizza until crust is golden, about 10-15 minutes.
•  Let cool and enjoy!

Please consider sharing our post

share on facebook 

retweet post 

post shared at 

twitter / Pinterest twitter like -- done

wow me wednesday

twitter / pinterest twitter rt 

10 Easy Ways To Be Kind on World Kindness Day

Today, November 13 is world kindness day. While I think it is a great idea to be kind every day this day has even more of an emphasis. There are some easy ways to be kind and make someone day a bit brighter. A few of my favorites include:

1. One of the easiest ways is to exercise your right to smile. That's right a simple smile can help brighten the day for you and others as well
2. Take a moment and be quiet and listen to someone else talk. With the business of this world it is often something that helps many. Allowing an individual to vent with you simply listening may be the kindest thing you can do. 
3. Invite someone into the conversation that is often left out. This not only helps them but you as well as you get to grow your friend group
4. In the same way of including another into the conversation a card or email letting someone know you are thinking of them is a sweet idea as well
5. One of the best ways to be kind is to offer a compliment to another easy and makes a day better as well
6. Help clean up with out without being asked this is one kind manor that I would truly appreciate myself
7. choose to stand so that another can take a seat when there are not enough. This is one rule that my elders taught me when an older person entered the room and there were no seats left then the younger one would choose to stand up
8. help a friend or family member out. The issue may be well known but overlooked so if you take time to help then that shows that your truly care
9. Share three little special words more often "I Love You" can truly mean a lot
10. hold the door for the person behind you

These are just a few simple ways to show that you care and it does not have to be any sort of kindness day 

Please consider sharing our post

retweet

share on facebook

post shared at 

twitter / pinterest twitter like --- done

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corp

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps. The day will be celebrated with both a ball and cake - cutting ceremony to celebrate the day in 1775 that the continental marines were established. 

 

please consider sharing our post 

retweet

share on facebook 

shared at

twitter ./ pinterest rt --- done

avn rt === done

thursday favorite things