Showing posts with label Christmas Corner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas Corner. Show all posts

Christmas time treats

>> Thursday, December 10, 2009


This year it is all about the ease of making treats. I love to bake but I will be honest time and patience are not my strong point this year so here are some of the things I have been working on for Christmas goodies.

I love no bake cookies and if you have not had them before or for a long while whip up a batch of these babies and freeze some for later. Yummo!!

Another fun item I made was splenda chocolate cocoa. It was very easy to make and I put tiny little marshmallows in it as well. Then I made some really cute stir sticks by putting candy canes in a chocolate mold and so they come out with little snow men chocolate shapes wrapped around a candy cane. (I would show a picture but my camera is not working). Just replace the sugar with splenda for a sugar free version.I will also be making some chex mix and puppy chow mix. These freeze well as well and make great little gift bags for baskets. If you really want something different and want to use chex mix for jars or gifts then check out their site there are tons of recipes for making fun types of chex mix. I am also making my own candy this year. I did this often when I was a kid and my mom and I would make fun chocolate shapes, buckeyes and more. This year besides the candy canes I am making turtles. I found a really easy way to fill molds and use the chocolate as well. Put your chocolate pieces in a zip lock bag and place in the microwave. Set the time for 20 second each time until melted. It usually doesn't take much. Snip the end of the bag and poof...instant chocolate with no mess.

To make the turtles take 4 full pecans and put them into a circle then dribble a little chocolate over them, then take the Carmel ( I put the Carmel in a zip lock bag as well until warm then you can pull little bits out) make a small circle with the Carmel and place on top of the chocolate, finish by covering up with more chocolate. You can let them sit or put in the freezer for a quick set. I usually use a plate or cookie sheet lined with wax paper. These are so yummy as well.

The last thing I will make is my mint patties. Take mint chocolate and melt it in the microwave or double boiler. once it is melted then take Ritz crackers and dip into the mint chocolate completely covering the cracker. Place the cracker on wax paper and let cool or place in freezer for quick set. These taste like Girl Scout mint cookies.

What are you making this year?

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Gifts from your Heart & Oven

>> Monday, September 28, 2009


Ok these are so cute. To my friends and family you are getting some of these so act surprised and delighted when they come your way at Christmas but I just could not keep these to myself. Go here to see this great idea and this wonderful new website I found.

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Kraft Food Ideas

>> Tuesday, November 4, 2008


Kraft has a website that has lots of ideas for baking gifts for Christmas. Go here to check it out and you can also print out your own labels to go with the gifts.




If you want some help or ideas on Christmas cookie baking then go here. Have you ever heard or gone to a cookie exchange? This is where a bunch of friends get together and each brings several dozen cookies and everyone goes home with different cookies? I have never been to one and I just don't have enough friends or family members that are into that so I haven't seen one but I want to go to one.

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Christmas Corner

>> Thursday, October 23, 2008










Christmas count down. If you look at the Christmas count down calendar you might be thinking hhmm that time already? If you have been to the stores lately you notice Halloween and Christmas next to each other.
What kind of Christmas have you had in the past? What kind of Christmas would you like to have this year? Do you need all the bells and whistles? Is it about the presents? Do you go to church? Is it all the above?
I called my mom today to ask whose name I got in the family drawing this year and once again I heard, "its going to be slim pickings this year." I hear this every year and every year she goes and spends way to much. I tell her every time, cut down, cut back, cut out, and hopefully she will listen this year.
The economy is hitting everyone hard. I have posted some ideas people can use on my side bar (christmas corner) but I wondered what are each of you doing to cut back this year? Are you even cutting back?
I have to once again tell you that I am depressed (and take meds to help) and mostly the holidays have been hard for me to handle with the decorating and so on. This year I would like to focus more on getting my home in the spirit.
Perhaps making a few more Christmas goodies with the family & friends. Make a special Christmas eve dinner and let our family be the gift of love instead of presents. I know this is easier said then done..but why not give it a try, right?
What if your kids made presents for their siblings, grandparents and parents, wouldn't it mean more? It might take a little planning, a lot of patience and maybe a little spiked eggnog but it's doable.
I would also like to make sure I attend church services through out the season. I am catholic and we make a big deal leading up to Christmas. (I have been slipping of late).
So come on tell me what you do, what is your traditions, how are you cutting back? Your comment could really help someone with saving money or implementing new ideas into their family.






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Fantastic Recipes for the Cook in the Family

>> Wednesday, October 22, 2008

I got this email from a friend of mine and wanted to pass along the recipes.

This is remarkable. If you have no particular interest, please pass it on to the bakers in your life. Just click on the name of the CANDY and bam the recipe appears!


2 Minute Microwave Fudge
5 Minute Fudge
7 Layer Bars
Aaron's Buttery Cashew Brittle
Almond Bark
Amanda's Peppermint Creams
Ann's Cream Nut Candy
Bavarian Inn Peanut Bars
Beth's Delicious Fudge
Brownie Fudge Dessert
Buckeyes
Buckeyes
Butter Toffee
Candied Yams
Candy Bar Brownies
Candy Cane Brittle
Candy Cane Fudge
Caramel Krispie Treats
Caramels
Carmel Corn
Carol's Christmas Treats
Chocolate Almond Bars
Chocolate Balls
Chocolate Billionaires
Chocolate Chow Mein Candy
Chocolate Covered Cherries
Chocolate Covered Nuts
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Chocolate Nut Caramels
Chocolate Popcorn
Chocolate Silk Bon Bons
Chocolate Truffels
Christmas Candied Walnuts
Christmas Crackle Candy
Christmas Mice
Chunky Mallow Candy
Cinnamon Hard Candy
Cinnamon Popcorn
Cranberry Nut Fudge
Cream Cheese Candy
Creamy Chocolate Truffles
Creamy Microwave Pralines (Texas Stye)
Crispy peanutbutter balls
Dark Chocolate Fudge
Deborahe's Holiday Chocolates
Disappearing Marshmallow Brownies
Dish of Dirt
Divinty
Dorothy's Peanut Butter/Butterscotch Noodle Cookie
Dreamcicle Fudge
Easy Candy
Easy Divinity
Easy Divinity Easy Divinity Candy
Easy Fudge
Easy Granola Candy
Easy Microwave Carmel
Easy Microwave Fudge
Easy Pecan Logs
English Toffee
English Toffee
English Toffee Bars
Fabulous Fudge
Fake Brittle
Fantasy Fudge
Festive Chocolate Truffles
Five Minute Fudge
Fool-Proof Fudge
Frosted Pecans
Fudge
Brownies
Fudge for One

Fudge Puddles
Georgia Nuggets
Grandma Donna's Nummies
Grandma F's Delicious Fudge
Grandmother' s Holiday Fudge
Hard Candy
Hard Tack Candy
Hazelnut Fantasy Fudge
Ho-Ho Hash
Holly Confection
Honey Comb
J & D's Peanut Butter Balls
Jeanne's Tiger Butter
Jen's Chocolate Meringues
J's Cream Fudge
Kim's Famous Cashew Brittle
Magic Marshmallow Fudge
Mama's Fudge
Maple Rum Balls
Margie's Best Candy
Martha Washington Candy
Martha Washington Mounds
Marzipan
Melting Moments
Melting Moments
Memaw's Reese's
Meme's Best Ever Peanut Butter Fudge
Meringues
Micky's Mints
Microwave Peanutbutter fudge
Microwave Pralines
Milk Fudge
Milky Way Bars
Million Dollar Fudge
Mimi's Famous Fudge
Mocha Truffles
Mom's Mints
Mr. Monroe's Famous Fudge
Mrs. Eisenhower's Fudge
Never Fail Fudge
Never Fail Fudge
No Bake Rum Balls
No Cook Peanut Butter Fudge
No Fail Fudge
Novia Scotia Treats
Nut Mallow Goodies
Nutty North Pole Fudge
Orange Balls
Orange Glazed Pecans
Out Of This World Fudge
Oven Carmel Corn
Peanut Brittle
Peanut Brittle
Peanut Brittle
Peanut Brittle (Microwave)
Peanut Butter Balls
Peanut Butter Balls
Peanut Butter Balls
Peanut Butter Bars-An Elve's Favorite Treat
Peanut Butter Candy
Peanut Butter Candy
Peanut Butter Cups
Peanut Butter Cups
Peanut Butter Fruit Squares
Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Snowballs
Peanut Clusters (mircrowavable)
Peanut Krispies
Peanut Patties

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63 Gifts for Under $10

>> Saturday, October 4, 2008

I spoke with my friend Denise the other day (Oct 1) and she was listening to her Christmas music in her van and I bet she was singing too.

Denise is one of "those" people, you know the ones who love Christmas so much they listen to music in summer, decorate before thanksgiving and are so happy about the entire thing. Mostly I joke however I always feel a little overwhelmed with Christmas.

When my daughter was younger I used to bake up a storm, decorate the yard and the house with brightly lit Christmas decorations. But I will share a secret with you, I have depression. The last few years I really have struggled with it and the holidays really take a lot out of me.

My daughter has moved back home for awhile and she is already decorating for Halloween, and has big plans for Christmas. So this year I am making some small attempts to put Christmas back into my life.

One of the ways is to try and get thoughtful gifts that aren't going to break the bank. On my side bar you will see a Christmas section where I talk about Christmas ideas.

Here is a great list brought to us by better budgeting. Number 30 is going to make a great gift for a family member of mine along with the movie basket that I can get at our local movie house.

1. Gourmet coffees with a personal coffee cup
2. Pound of pistachios
3. Child's artwork, framed
4. Journal with special inscription inside
5. Teacup with box of herbal tea
6. Deck of cards and book of card game rules
7. Homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar
8. Collage of special photos
9. Gel pens and pretty stationary
10. Bottle of sparkling cider
11. Home baked bread, include recipe
12. Disposable camera or rolls of film
13. Basket filled with deli cheese and fruit
14. Craft supplies
15. Holiday serving bowl or platter
16. Pretty basket filled with special jams or mustard's
17. Decorative napkins and napkin rings
18. Fancy chocolate bars tied with a ribbon
19. Gardening gloves with a plant or flower seeds
20. Photo album, hand decorated is even better
21. Makeup tote
22. Prepaid photo developing envelopes
23. Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking
24. Variety of bread mixes
25. Special coffee cup filled with candy
26. Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon
27. Gourmet popcorn and flavored oil
28. Locally made barbecue or steak sauce with basting brush
29. Pancake or waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup
30. Movie theater gift certificates
31. Board games
32. Jar of sour wood or pure honey with biscuit mix
33. Note cards and book of stamps
34. Picture frames, buy them on sale!
35. Specialty cookbook
36. Pretty glass jar filled with candy
37. Collectible sports cards
38. Muffin mixes with muffin pan
39. Books, there are still a few for under $10
40. Set of dish towels and dish cloths
41. Nail polish kit
42. Pretty night shirt
43. Basket filled with kitchen gadgets
44. Video rental gift certificates
45. Pepper mill and fresh peppercorns
46. Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes
47. For the pets, gourmet dog biscuits or cat treats
48. Baking pans and supplies
49. Prepaid long distance phone cards
50. Small clock or radio
51. Pretty box for keepsakes
52. Colorful Post-It notepads
53. Address book
54. Christmas ornaments
55. Puzzles
56. Blank video or cassette tapes
57. Sewing supplies
58. Flashlight with batteries
59. Favorite quote embroidered on a nice handkerchief
60. Makeup brush set
61. Expensive socks, still under $10
62. Special soaps and bath puff
63. and don't forget my absolute favorite... home baked cookies!

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Christmas Corner

>> Tuesday, September 30, 2008





At the bottom of my blog page is the count down to Christmas. I know people are just coming out of summer but it never hurts to get a jump on the Christmas expense. I truly feel that gifts you put thought into are always better then then a gift card however I know you can't do that for everyone.


In my family we draw names to cut down on cost and people like those gift cards or special thing they have been wanting to get for awhile and that is OK. However, consider the people who you never know what to give and think about something homemade. How about your grandparents, special aunt or friend what is on the list for them?

This year how about making a small photo album for them? There are lots of ways you can do this even if you are not crafty. My friend, Gale made this small photo album of her mother last year in the parade. She used the same theme throughout the entire album and added the pictures of her mom in the Christmas parade. You can do this pretty easily and any scrapping shop would love to help you.

If you are not crafty consider looking at the photo section in the weekly drugstore ads. They have photo books they can put together and it is not that expensive.

Consider using themes of Christmas pasts, grand kids through the years, favorite vacations or funny times for grandparents.

Young children love to see pictures of themselves when they were babies. Make your kids a small album to look at and show their friends. They will cherish it as they get older. If the child is really young try using a harder style album that can take a little wear and tear.

Do you have an idea that I could share with everyone? Please leave me a comment on something you did in the past, or would like to try in the future.

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