Tuesday, November 30, 2010

............thank you for having us

Apple or Cranberry juice or Red Wine.......
Another gift idea....Set of Cups, bag of cheesecloth, add some spices, fresh cinnamon sticks, hand held grater, hot Apple Cider and we have a Christmas favorite.  Heat your cider and put your spices in cheesecloth....let steep. Pour into festive cups, grate fresh cinnomon add your cinnomon stick and some warm memories will follow.  Just writing this brings back memories of the spiced cider scent coming from the kitchen. It not only warms the tummy but warms the heart. One again put together ahead of invite, last minute cider purchase and  your on your way. To stretch those pennies.....make your own bags of mulling spices and just add a couple bags of ready to use spices in your gift bag.

Recipe for Mulling Spices:
6 whole Cardamon
1 Tbsp. Whole Cloves
1 Tbsp. Whole Allspice
1 Tsp. Orange peel
12 Whole Cinnamon Sticks
Open cardamon pods and remove seeds: crush lightly. Combine seeds with cloves, allspice and orange peel. Place 2 tsp of spice mixture in the center of 4 inch squares of cheesecloth or muslin. Bring corners together and tie with string to make a bag. Tie 3 cinnamon sticks to each bag; repeat with remaining spice mixture. Place 1 bag in 1 quart of Apple or Cranberry juice or Red Wine. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Makes 4 spice bags........
Enjoy...........One memory at a time

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thank You for Coming.........

Grate fresh Nutmeg on top.
It's time to come up with some idea's of hostess gifts for Christmas parties.......Try and keep your hostess in mind when deciding what to put in that gift bag.  How about Spirited Egg Nog?  Find a fun, festive set of glasses.....don't forget the dollar store.  You could also use colored plastic glasses in a holiday design. Add a small hand held grater and a jar of fresh nutmeg. A pint of Spirits (Bacardi) with a last minute purchase of Nog and your on the way to the party. Do the same without spirits and you still have a fun gift. You can do these gifts ahead of time except for Nog...so when you get that call or mail invite....your ready.......one NOG at a time.............

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone !

I'm thankful to be a snow covered yard bird and not a ........TURKEY
I'm thankful to be a Grandma....Happy 10th Birthday Kyle............One candle at a time..............

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

And he lay a blanket of Quiet....

First snow 11.19.2010  This looks like a piece of art!

Angel Girl is surveying the situation.

Morning of 11/20/10

The official beginning of Joy
I have a number of friends that live at Birch Bay.....What a wonderful wonderland it must look like....if...you don't have to drive anywhere. It is so quiet after a snow, like a blanket of love from God. A time to sit back and remember how great he is and how powerful he is.  Take these few days to think about family and friends and what your place is, in the scheme of things. Let's continue in to the holiday season with a new found feeling of what our lives are really all about. Try to spend less and love more. Thank you Candis H for sharing your memories of our first snow. Can't think of a better way to wish family, friends and blog followers a very Happy Thanksgiving. Don't worry about that extra button on your pants. We only have so many Thanksgiving to celebrate......so......enjoy!  One turkey at a time..........

Monday, November 22, 2010

Food Food and More Food

Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 8hr 00m

Ingredients

Directions

  1. In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, place the beef, the contents of the spice packet (if included), carrots, and ale. Cook, covered, until the beef is tender, on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
  2. Ten minutes before serving, thinly slice the Brussels sprouts. (This is easiest to do in a food processor with the slicing blade.)
  3. Transfer the beef from the slow cooker to a cutting board; if the slow cooker is on the low setting, turn it to high. Add the Brussels sprouts to the carrots and liquid in the slow cooker. Cook, covered, until the Brussels sprouts are tender, 4 to 6 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mustard, and tarragon.
  5. Slice the beef. Serve with the vegetables and sour cream sauce.
By Sara Quessenberry,  March 2010
...
Oh my.... it must really be the season......I'm going crazy looking for recipes.  Be sure and let me know if you try any of these and if they're yummy.  I'm in love with crock pot ideas. It seems like the best plan for the beginning of the busy season. I'm counting on you ladies (and guy) to try some of these. Between project and trying recipes my better half thinks we need to take out a loan to pay for everything I want to put on my blog.
If any of you out in cyber land have a too die for recipe....I would love to post it. Just go to the bottom of my blog and subscribe.  Get out those kitchen whips and let's get cooking. Only 35 days till Christmas...Did I really say that out loud let alone put it in print. One day at a time......

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Tis the Season for Hors d'Oeuvres

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 375° F. Remove the stems from the mushrooms; finely chop the stems and reserve. Coat a baking sheet with oil. Bake the mushroom caps, stem-side down, until just tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and chopped mushroom stems and cook, stirring, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the spinach, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper and cook, tossing, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes more.
  3. In a bowl, combine the spinach mixture with the bread crumbs and cheese. Spoon into the mushroom caps and bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
By Sara Quessenberry,  November 2010

If any of these recipes I'm shooting off to my peeps are killer yum yum....let me know.  One roooom at a time....(mushroom) I mean...don't want you to think I'm starting to rent out rooms.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Pass the Sweet Potatoes....Yum..Yum !

Picture of Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Pecan and Marshmallow Streusel Recipe


Cook Time:  1 hour 5 min.          Level:   Easy             Yield:  12 servings 

Ingredients

  • 12 large sweet potatoes
  • 3/4 cup (11/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup toasted pecan pieces
  • 1 cup miniature marshmallows

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Wash the sweet potatoes, scrubbing them well to remove any dirt. With a fork, prick the sweet potatoes in a couple of spots and place them on a sheet pan. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center goes in easily.

In a large bowl, mix the butter, brown sugar, and flour together until it's crumbly-looking. Add the cinnamon, salt, pecans, and marshmallows; fold the streusel topping together to combine.

Slice the sweet potatoes lengthwise down the center and push the ends towards the middle so it opens up. Stuff the sweet potatoes generously with the streusel topping and return to the oven. Bake for another 20 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and brown.......

I decided I was going to try a couple new versions of my old time favorites for Thanksgiving. Better Half loves pecans so thought this might work instead of pecan pie.......One pecan at a time.....

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Rerun.........

I put the spices that aren't used often on the top

This also makes it easy to tell which spice you're running low on.
I think this is worth saying again....get organized...Kim J and I are going crazy coming up with ideas for the over the door clear plastic shoe holder. Kim gets 5 stars for this one. I have such smart friends. Kim started cleaning out her kitchen.  We all have spices shoved back behind just about anything. Kim said...hum! how about putting them in the organizer....Yah! What a great idea. Why didn't I think of that? I have an empty pantry door just begging for attention. Check it out. I'm so happy with Kim's idea. I keep opening the door and just smiling.  She's putting one in her son's room for sunglasses, phones, hats, gloves....anything off of his dresser. One goes on her bathroom door.....can you Imagine....cotton balls, makeup, soaps, razors, extra tooth paste, Tylenol....my oh my...I think I need a pill before my head explodes...I'm so excited. On my spice organizer I radomly placed two way tape to control the flapping when I open and close the door. This really works great. Thanks again Kim for the spice idea ....one spice at a time...

Monday, November 15, 2010

Necessity....... The Mother of Invention

This beats being on my hands and knees looking for bags in my closet

I had to add a cute Bling..Bling Hat on the top, just for fun
They say necessity encourages inventions....I don't know who they are..but...in my case it works. We live in a 4 bedroom townhouse and the bedrooms are small. The master closet was made for people on the run. I have a fetish for shoes, coats and hand bags. Sigmund would consider my addition a lifetime of twice a week counselling appointments. For my friends that know me, they very seldom see me carry a purse. Do you see the problem developing. When I go to dinner or visit..you will see me with a purse. If I'm shopping I need hands free. Put drivers license, credit card in pocket and SHOP! I recall a time at TJ Max that if I didn't have my hands free..I couldn't have grabbed faster then the lady next to me for the find of the century. Of course I don't remember what that was now....but at the time, I just had to have it.  There's a corner in my room that was made for my purse statement. Room decorating doesn't always have to be pictures, paint or furniture. Use your God given imagination and do what makes you happy.  I painted my rack silver because the colors in my room will be in grays, silvers, black,winter white and eggplant. I thought my handbags would bring more color so I keep rack kind of neutral.  After the room is finished...if...I need more of a splash of color, I'll just spray paint the rack to give me that pop of color. Remember don't look at things for what they are but WHAT THEY COULD BE!  One purse at a time........

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Detour......Zmmmmmm Zmmmmmmm

Christmas Tags...Colorful Ribbon...Candy Canes

Bought a cute little winter hat for the top

Hang all your candy cane ornaments on rack


Place rack by the door..and share your friendship!
 Okay...you guys where sooooo creative with your guesses for the Mystery Project, that you all got into my head.  While looking at the project..I thought...that would be cool. During the Christmas season, there are those of you that entertain.  What a better way of saying "Thanks for coming" then to let them pick a keepsake ornament for their tree on the way out the door. Write a little note on gift tag or just your name and the year. What a fun time every year to unpack candy canes and see what year you had dinner or visited with your friends. I think candy canes work best because they last foreverrrrrrrr! I think I have some from 1971. You could even do it during the Thanksgiving Holidays, too get everyone in the mood for Christmas. Soooo!good job everyone, you really got the juices flowing. In a couple days I'll show you what I did with my rack. Oh....by the way I decided to paint mine silver.....but the rainbow is waiting for you. One candy cane at a time.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Mystery Step 3

After sanding...spray paint with a primer..let dry a couple of days before you paint final color. I think I know what color but I may change my mind. It will depend on my search for my playful item. I hope it doesn't take long to find it. I can't paint until the weather clears up....good ole Northwest Rain. Lou stood in front of it for 10 minutes. He thinks I'm going to put lights and ornaments on it and call it a Christmas tree. Someone said how about coats..pleaseee.  I can't believe some of the great ideas...you guys are so creative. Couple more days and we should know...hope your not disappointed. One day at a time....

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Mystery Step 2

I added a couple more Finials....just in case I need them.......Grab some sand paper and ruff up surface!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Just For Fun...Smile

Have I told you lately how much I love you..

Let me seeee........Let me seeeee

If I call all my peeps, we might be able to carry these home!

Is this in focus?

Mama likes me best....No! mama likes me best....I'm the black sheep in the family

Keep your eyes open...I know he's here somewhere.

You make a funny face and I'll get the picture

Slumber Party

That was a tuff goal

Sorry I'm in a hurry...no time to talk

I just love your Decor!
These were too cute to not share....Thanks....Lady Di

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Mystery Project..........

I'm not going to tell you what the end project will become.  Have fun trying to figure it out. I've got pretty smart friends......If you think you know....shoot me a comment.............
First I had to find an old coat rack
Wood or metal..anything will work
I went to my favorite thrift store..there it was $5.99...I'LL TAKE IT!.....Plus I had a 30% off coupon. Bargain! .... starting materials $4.20.......I think they talk about me when I drop off at the back door, and then go around to the front door to buy more. Doesn't everyone do that?  It seems counter productive but so much fun....and they keep giving me those coupons, it wouldn't be polite to say no thank you........their just doing their job...and I was put on earth to find the best deal ever. Here we go...get those thinking caps on...one coupon at a time.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Thank you Candis H. for sharing.......enough said !

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday  Morning  Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish.  And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees...  I don't feel threatened..  I don't feel discriminated against.. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me.  I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto.  In fact, I kind of like it.  It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu ..  If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians.  I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.  I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country.  I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?  I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.  But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different:  This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina)..  Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response..  She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.  And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.  How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc..  I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.  Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school.  The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.  And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).  We said an expert should know what he's talking about..  And we said okay..
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.  I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.  Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.  Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.  Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
 If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did.  But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards,  Honestly and respectfully,
Ben S

Friday, November 5, 2010

Odds and Ends

Behind Office Door

Garage Door
I'm trying to get more organization in this somewhat unsettled world. I don't know if your like me but every time I go to get something.....I can't find it. So in the end, I head for the store.  That could account for 17 yellow highlighters. One day I was walking around Lowes Home Center.....looking for gadgets....I have a thing for gadgets. Some times I look at it and say.....what kind of contraption did I just buy? ....this isn't going to work......off to the garage it goes. That also will account for the condition of the garage....but that's another story for another day. Oprah has an (ahha) moment.....I have a Brain Raid moment. I saw the clear plastic shoe holder for the door and thought....yes...this is the answer. So now cleaning out every nook and cranny, I have a place to put tacks, pencils, markers, clips, envelopes, tape etc. (go crazy).  But! the best thing is I can ......FIND EVERYTHING!  I also used one on the door that goes from garage to kitchen.....I puts shoes in it (of course) but also gloves and hats for winter. Works Great.....  If you ever read on my blog that I'm using this for my medication pockets...this could be problematic and you probably should stop reading my BLOG....one pill at a time...

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Every Penny Counts

Amy Butler's Optic Blossom and Martini Dots in Mustard Gathered Shoulder Boutique BagGathered Shoulder Bag in in Amy Butler's Coriander in Clay - Ready to ShipGathered Shoulder Boutique Bag in Nature-ologyGathered Shoulder Boutique Bag in  Green and Black FloralPleated Hobo Messenger Bag with Adjustable Strap in Alexander Henry's KotoGathered Shoulder  Hobo Bag Deer Valley Celedon

These are a few samples of what is available................

Last year I had 15 pennies.....this year I only have 10 pennies to spend on Christmas Gifts. It's never to early to be thinking and planning for Christmas. Some people shop all year. I stopped doing that because I kept finding things after Christmas that I had put away for Christmas. What to buy and how much to spend on that special person that has everything or that person that may have nothing.....this takes a lot of planning. You want quality of product and good value.....Well here is a site I would love for you to check out.  Some of you know Sherri N. and others will be her new best friend. She uses the most beautiful fabric on her goods. So sit back and have a look......she's having a large show in the Tri-Cities this weekend and another one the first week of December..so you better get your orders in early. Maybe you want to give yourself a gift..that's okay too............

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Yum Yum

Well the Slow Cooker (Cog au Vin) was soooo good. Easy, fast and tasted great on a cold, wet and windy night. Side bar...it calls for 1/2 cup dry red wine...well I thought like taking an aspirin..if one works, 4 will work better. Wrong ! I added 1 cup of wine. Stick to recipe, it made too much liguid. Other than that I say goooo for it.....and that's what was for dinner.  Look how bright & deep red these leaves are. Talk about Gods handy work to bring us into the holiday season. Bye for now...one leaf  at a time......

Monday, November 1, 2010

WHAT's For Dinner?

Sorry Pix is fuzzy..didn't have flash on!

Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

Makes: 4 servingsPrep: 25 minutesCook: 5 to 6 hours (low) or 2 1/2 to 3 hours (high)
 
Slow Cooker Coq au Vin

Ingredients

  •     Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3  pounds  chicken thighs, skinned
  • 1  envelope (1/2 of a 2.2-ounce package)  beefy onion soup mix
  • 2  cups  quartered fresh mushrooms
  • 1 1/2  cups  frozen small whole onions
  • 3  medium  carrots, cut into 31/2-inch sticks
  • 1/2  cup  dry red wine
  •     Hot cooked mashed potatoes (optional)
  •     Snipped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions

Lightly coat an unheated large skillet with cooking spray. Preheat skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken thighs, several at a time, in the hot skillet until brown. Drain off fat.
Place chicken thighs in a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with dry soup mix. Add mushrooms, onions, and carrots. Pour wine over all.
Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. If desired, serve with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with parsley.

I think I'd better taste before you alllll try. I'll report tomorrow.........

FYI:  One of the ingrediences is ( Beefy Onion Lipton Soup) I had never seen that before. Sure enough there it was in the supermarket. It has a couple yummy looking recipes on the back I'm going to try.
All you hard working friends out there....it time to sit down, tune out the kids and in some cases the boss, put your feet up and enjoy a glass of wine.......one glass at a time.....