For what it's worth: December 2013

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Tuesday

How to make Sock Craft Snow People

snow people socks
While the little grands are visiting we decided to make some crafty sock people.  The 6 year old was able to make hers entirely by herself and the three year old did all the stuffing and gave directions on how he wanted his decorated. 

Monday

Peanut Butter Fudge ready to eat in 20 minutes!

4 ingredient Peanut butter fudge ready in 20 minutes

We are home from our holiday travels and hub is sitting comfortably in front ot the TV wishing out loud that he had more of that peanut butter fudge D.I.L. made.  So like a good little wife, I quietly get up go into the kitchen and in 20 minutes I put a cute little cube of peanut butter fudge in his mouth.  He's happy.  It reminds me of the recipe his mother used to make.  It is the color of home made soap, so he called it "soap candy" back then.  I call it peanut butter fudge, because it sounds tastier...LOL.

20 Minute Peanut Butter Fudge

On high heat, bring to a full boil for exactly 2 1/2 minutes:

  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups sugar
Remove it from the heat and stir in:
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
As soon as it is mixed together pout into an oiled 8 or 9" square pan.  As soon as it is cool enough, cut into small cubes.  Yes, it really is that easy and yes, it really is that quick!

P.S.  Isn't his little santa beard cute?

Thursday

Hoar frost; white frozen dew

Christmas Eve morning there was thick fog when we arrived at my mother’s.  A heavy coat of white frost coated everything.  It was beautiful.
hoar frost white frozen dew

Tuesday

Holiday Home Tour

Christmas home tour

Welcome to my Holiday Home.  This year I traded in my huge tree for a smaller slimmer one.  It leaves so much more room for guests to mingle about.  I pulled a box of Santa’s from storage that I haven’t used in years. I had forgotten how sweet they are.  When I came across three hand painted Santa’s my late Aunt Gracie made I was really glad I chose Santa for this years tree.  She was a talented artist and loved the holidays.  I keep my decorations pretty simple because too much clutter makes me feel closed in.  I hope you enjoy this tour and please share with me how what your favorite decorating items are in your home.

Monday

DIY Dried fruit potpourri

 

how to make home made potpourri

One of the things I love about the holiday season is the smells especially the kitchen smells.  In order to enjoy those delightful scents every day I dried some fruit and made my own potpourri.  It is amazingly easy and you don’t need any special equipment to do it.    An oven works just fine if you follow a few simple guidelines I’ve listed for you here.  I packaged small batches as party favors for our New Years Eve guests that I think they will enjoy during the cold that hangs around in Texas through February.

Tuesday

Orange Sugar Cookie Snowflakes

sugar_cookie_snow
By now, if you’ve seen my blog very much, you recognize I really love sugar cookies.  I prefer them soft and chewy, and I like to vary the flavor by changing the extracts.  I always use the same basic recipe you can find here.  We are heading over to a neighborhood gathering this afternoon so I made these snowflake shaped sugar cookies using an orange extract instead of vanilla.  The icing is a simple powdered sugar one with a tiny bit of merengue powder to make it stay in place.  My biggest tip in making sugar cookies is not to over cook them.  They aren’t suppose to be brown, just done.  Stick to the recommended cooking time and if you aren’t sure they are done, just use a spatula to lift one off the cookie sheet and see if the bottom is slightly brown.  Ice after they are completely cool and for that extra sparkle you see on the snowflakes, sprinkle some crystal sugar you can buy in the cake decorating section of your store.   They aren’t almost home made, but they are so easy you will be making them all the time.

Monday

“Almost Home Made” Baklava Mini Pies


I came across a wonderful recipe in my old cardboard box this week while we were iced in for 4 days.  It looked simple enough, I had the ingredients and one of my favorite desserts is Baklava.  As a matter of fact there was a former co-worker that made it on my birthday the years we worked together.  I miss her and her Baklava.   I suppose that is another factor in choosing this recipe to adapt to my own style and needs.  This is another one of those almost home made versions that even my non baking friends will be able to whip together and have others sing their praises.  Have at it girls, I won’t tell how easy it is!


Baklava inspired hand pie displayed
 






























Almost home made cranberry pecan pinwheel cookies.

Cookie dough pinwheels

I make cookies quite a bit and I usually make them from scratch but I have a few friends that "don't do" home made so this recipe is for them.  I'm calling them ALMOST HOME MADE COOKIES.

Thursday

A little red on the bed for the holidays

It didn't take much to add a little holiday to my white bedroom.  The wreath came from my sister, the quilt was purchased years ago and the pillow is a long scarf with a rolled bed pillow inside. Big girl grand thinks it looks like a roll of candy.  I secured the bed pillow in a roll using masking tape! Knots on the end of the scarf is all that holds it together.

Tuesday

Money Tree Origami

origami-money-tree
Sometimes giving money as a gift is the best option, but finding a clever way to give it is not easy.  This year I started trying my hand at origami and stumbled upon a unique way to disguise money as a gift.  The Origami money tree will be a perfect gift to my many nieces and nephews at Christmas this year.  I can’t wait to show you how easy this gift idea is.