Hot Chocolatey Mornings...

Doesn't Fall mornings remind you of Pooh?Oh,it's a hot chocolatey morning,it's just cool enough to where you want to stay snuggled under the covers and not get up.But,I ofcourse will have coffee with pumpkinspice creamor.Actually,my grandson and daughter are watching Pooh this morning,so I'm in a cozy pooh mood.
"Well," said Pooh, "it's the middle of the night, which is a good time for going to sleep. And to-morrow morning we'll have some honey for breakfast. Do Tiggers like honey?" "They like everything," said Tigger cheerfully. "Then if they like going to sleep on the floor, I'll go back to bed," said Pooh, "and we'll do things in the morning.Good night." And he got back into bed and went fast asleep.

We always put some cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar in some milk, heat it up in a cup, makes the best cocoa.  Just experiment with how much of each to taste.  

More Mount Vernon pics...

This is the huge tree in backyard of the house with the Potomac River in the background.

This is the weather vane on top of Mount Vernon,it's the dove of peace.

Mount Vernon

We went to Mount Vernon Sunday and I can't tell you how awesome it was to walk up the stairs and hold the handrail that most of our founding fathers walked up.I stood there,looked down toward the front door and it was amazing to think how many of them walked through that door and stood where I was standing,touching that handrail as they walked up.It was all beautiful and the smell of the english boxwood bush is the colonial smell that always hits me when I go in these places.They sell small ones and ofcourse I had to have one.I have to replant it outside,but my whole room smells like that scent just from the one little one.It's the size of a house plant.Here is a virtual tour of inside the mansion: http://www.mountvernon.org/virtual/index.cfm/ss/2/

Down in the Hollar...

As a child we lived with our grandparents,down in the hollar.You had to drive forever and a day off the main road on a dirt road till you got to the end,which took you down in the hollar to Grandma's.At the top of the driveway you drove down,then up aways to the house,now this was a long driveway,My grandparents had these goats,which for some unknown reason didn't like my brother and I.I was 5,he was 2.They ate anything and everything.
I really think because we were little,we were an easy food source,we were always running from those crazy goats.In front of the house,there was the driveway from which you drove down a hill,then up.One day,we were doing our usual,running from the goats and jumped in an old car my grandparents had since time began.These crazy goats were jumping up to the windows trying to get us,we were screaming,somehow,now I don't know how to this day,my brother did something in the floor of the drivers side,(I was screaming and hitting the windows for these kid-starved goats to leave.I felt the car slowly moving,at the time,I can't remember if I was so happy to get away from those goats,or scared that the car was moving.It started going a little faster,a little more fast,then faster till we got down to where the road started to go back up out of the hollar and we stopped.I know our eyes had to be big as saucers.My grandparents were running down to the car,we were perfectly safe,but after that the goats were put back in their own area with a more unexcapeable gate.I do remember whenever I looked thier way after that,they would always be staring,with a "One day I'm gonna get ya"look in thier eye.

It's late,I'm tired,but...

I just wanted to throw this in a minute.Blondie,a sweet little southern woman,friend from prim and rustic,has a great blog,as in all my favorite friends list.It's on my list as vintage prims.I just read some of her blog and was cracking up laughing,so I'm going to tell some of my southern childhood tales in the next few days.Keep a watch for it.So often we think,oh if I could go back to my childhood,some things would be so sweet,but to think what I have now,I wouldn't go back for long.But,as in most of us we can share some funny and wonderful childhood memories.So I will.

Beeswax drip candles

I am so glad it's almost the weekend,I get to go to Michael's Saturday for supplies.I need more beeswax.I really want to make beeswax drip candles.

Melt the beeswax in a coffeecan that is in another pan with water in it,NEVER ever melt wax directly over a burner,it can catch fire.

When the beeswax is melted,have 6 twelve inch pieces of wick.You will be dipping a twelve inch, (folded in half) piece of wick to get two candles on the two ends.Dip the wick in melted wax three times, letting it drip and cool a little in between each dip. 

The first time it will barely look like the wick has any wax coating.Dip quickly to ensure even distribution of the wax. If you leave the wick in the wax too long, the early layers will melt back into the pool.Have a large dowel rested up across something close by to hang the candles over.

Dip each pair in turn, placing them on the dowel to cool after a double dip in the wax. After each of these early dips, straighten the wicks by hand, or roll them on a counter, as they will naturally curl and bend.

Cover the floor with newspaper,there will be plenty of drips.Periodically trim the bottom of your candles to remove the little “nipple” that develops from the drips to ensure that you are dipping the entire candle.Continue dipping each pair, topping up the container as necessary to keep the level of wax right up to the brim, otherwise your candles will be much wider at the bottom than at the top.

You can also just get molds from Michaels or online and make them in that. 

Christmas tins coming...

I love to buy Christmas cookie tins,especially those danish butter cookies at Walmart and Target in the Christmas section.I use tins that I buy for putting craft things in.You can also use them in making a little holiday basket or in pretty bag for someone,just put in a cookie tin $3,a holiday combo dishtowel,washcloth,potholder and a box of celestial tea or cocoa and coffeecup,what fun.

Dyeing tags...

Today I did 1/2 my hang tags coffee/vanilla/cinnamon and 1/2 tea/vanilla/cinnamon dyed .I have rectangle and round ones w/metal around the tag.I want to rust the metal ring that goes on the little round tags.My hands smell like cinnamon and vanilla,my kitchen has a permanent cinnamon smell,I'm a cinnamon freak!My husband was heating up a piece of pizza yesterday,why can't he must use the microwave,anyway when he took the pizza out of the oven,he said it smelled more like cinnamon.LOL

Orange or Lemon Pomanders...

Just take an orange or lemon,push some whole cloves all around it.If you can't get it through easily,prick with toothpick first.Mix up a little cinnamon,whole cloves,allspice or any of these spices,dip the spice mix all over the orange after putting in the cloves,smells great and helps to preserve it.I squeeze mine just a wee bit,so the spices can go in the holes a little and will cover the orange.Just stick in a bowl to dry out,takes a number of weeks to dry out,but smells awesome.P.S.Why pay $6 a bottle for cloves?Go to the spanish section in the grocery store and in the spices section,little bags for $1,plus star anise,chamoline flowers,all cheap.

Jingle Bells..

Okay,so what I'm finding,out of my rusting is that bleach does take the finish off of the pins and bells,then the vinegar/salt mixture helps rusting.When I mixed them all three,that was good.But yesterday I put the bells in vinegar/salt/peroxide mix overnight and that seemed to work the best.The bleach ate some of the pins away,but the peroxide seems to put a chemical reaction that really turned the metal another color,darkened them.

Grunging Day...

Yep,my kitchen smells like cinnamon and vanilla,but it's not to eat.My kids don't ask,"Oh what are you cooking?",anymore.They know it's probably Mom's grunging day.One pan of cheesecloth is coffee/cinnamon dyed and the other is tea/vanilla/cinnamon dyed.Put it all in the oven on warm and prim it all up,mm,mm.

Faux Cinnamon buns..

Cinnamon buns out of salt dough:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water(you can mix in some cinnamon oil to the water)
Mix the flour and salt together.Slowly add the water till the mixture forms a ball.Dont add too much water or it will get sticky.I then pinched off pieces and made them into ropes or snakes.Then I wet with water and sprinkled heavily with cinnamon.Roll up into a spiral.I then placed them on a tin foil lined baking pan and bake them 300to 325 degree oven for at least 30 minutes or longer depending how thick you make them.You can also just let them air dry(but it would take quite awhile.Then ice them with wax.

A few ideas..

1.When storing little breakables,like little Christmas doodads,or even crafting,they have thier own little holder,use egg cartons.You can cover with material.They're great for snaps,buttons,safety pins,etc.
2.Instead of using coffee to dye material,how about scented coffee,interesting twist.
3.Cheap crackle is acrylic paint and white glue,1 to 1 mixture.Paint a bottom color,then the crackle over it.
4.Mailing tubes-save those cardboard tubes from papertowels,even toilet paper rolls for little things.
5.Pineapple can,Fill with water,freeze,take out and punch designs,melt ice,stick a little tealight in it.


"Colonial Sugar Cones"

3 Cups of brown sugar
1 Tbsp. each of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger
3 Tbsp water

Equipment:
Candy thermometer,Wood spoon,Deep Non-Stick Pan,rubber Spatula, pam cooking spray and molds
Directions:
Boil the sugar carefully over high heat stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil til the sugar reaches 220 degrees on the thermometer. Be real careful the temperature can get too hot real quick and real fast when it's almost done.Don't let the pan boil over, if it cooks too long it can scorch. Remove from heat, and let cool for 5 minutes. Stir in the nutmeg,cinnamon and ginger.don't let it sit too long,it will get hard.Pour the sugar into molds that have been sprayed with a little cooking spray.Then when it's completely cooled,you can remove from the molds.You can turn them upside down or tap just a little.

MuslinGingerbread...

Well,it's Fall,time to make those muslin gingerbread dolls.Draw up the gingerbread on muslin,cut out sew them up.Take some elmer's glue,add a little water,cinnamon and cloves.Mix all this up and paint it on the little gingerguys.While they're still wet you can add more spices or mix with coffeegrounds or dry tea with the elmers glue,just experiment a little.

Popcorn Garlands...

I love the Prim and Rustic Crafts, pop popcorn,let it get stale about a day or two,then string it with craisins,melt paraffin,add popcorn scented oil and run the popcorn string through the wax. I got this craft idea from Tyne years ago.

Rusting safety pins...

Yep,we're a crazy bunch,some throw rusted things away,some make them rusty.Yes,I'm the wacky bunch that have to prim up just about everything.I've started pulling out my craft stuff preparing for the holiday,mica and glitter will be everywhere as usual during this time,even in people's hair.I can hear all the whining now,LOL.I can't believe we're at this time of year already.But,the muslin will be made into ornies,the embroidery will be done and mica will be sprinkled on craftspray.
P.S.It's October 12th,I put the pins in bleach one day,then vinegar/salt the next,then the next day,put them in the bleach/vinegar/salt mix for a day and night.Sooo,it worked,but killed some pins,LOL,yep rusted the heads off some.I think I wee bit over did them,but they rusted.Hooray!So,I was thinking if pepsi rusts paint off cars,why not jingle bells?WooHoo,I put them in my bleach/vinegar/salt mix last night,emptied that out and today they're in pepsi,I'll let you know the results.

CINNAMON SPICE BUTTER...1 C.BUTTER 3/4 TSP CINN. smidgen of a TSP NUTMEG(careful it's strong) 1/8 TSP MACE(never used mace)you can experiment with this recipe)MIX TOGETHER.....We use Cinnamon Sugar all the time,just add some cinnamon to sugar,heavy on the cinnamon,mm cinnamon sugar on toast and tea.

PUMPKIN COOKIES..1/2 C. BUTTER 1 1/2 C.SUGAR 1 'EGG' 1/2 TSP SALT 1 C.COOKED OR CAN PUMPKIN 1 TSP.VANILLA 1 TSP B.SODA 2 1/2 C. FLOUR 1 TSP B. POWDER 1 TSP NUTMEG 1 TSP CINNAMON DROP BY TSP BAKE 350 FOR 15 MINUTES

APPLE CRISP...PUT 2 CANS APPLEPIEFILLING IN 13X9X2 PAN CRUMBLE BUTTER.SUGAR AND CINNAMON MIXTURE CRUMBLED AROUND ON TOP.MAKE TOPPING:3/4 C. FLOUR 1/2 STICK OF BUTTER 3/4/ C. SUGAR MAKE CRUMBLY AND SPREAD AROUND ON TOP...BAKE APPROX 1 HOUR AT 350 OR JUST TILL CRUMBLES LOOK DONE

QUICHE:Cook chicken in 1 onion 1/2 tsp.thyme and rosemary.Take 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken and place in greased pan( I use iron frying pan) pour 1/2 cup of the broth on top chicken.Combine 1 cup flour, 3 beaten eggs,2 cups milk,1/4 cup of melted butter,1 cup shredded cheese,dash salt.Beat till smooth,pour over top chicken.bake 1 hour.(optional;mix 2 cups broth, with 1/2 cup flour,stirring add parsley,2 tbsp.butter,salt and pepper.Cook till thickened and bubbly.Used to pour over quiche as a gravy)

LEMON SAUCE...MIX 3 TBSP SUGAR 1 TBSP CORNSTARC DASH OF SALT TOGETHER IN PAN SLOWLY ADD 1 CUP BOILING WATER STIR BRING TO BOILING SIMMER 5 MINUTES REMOVE FROM HEAT BLEND IN 1 TSP BUTTER AND 3/4 TSP LEMON PEEL....

FRENCH TOAST:Mix in a little 'orange' flavoring instead of vanilla flavoring to add a little different touch of flavor.Put in eggs,some milk,not too much,vanilla flavoring,cinnamon sugar,stir up,dip in bread and fry in butter,both sides.Butter,never use margarine for anything,yuck!

FIRESIDE COFFEE:2 c.creamer 1 1/2 c.Carnation hot cocoa 1 1/2 c.instant coffee 1 1/2 c.sugar 1 tsp.cinnamon

HOMEMADE SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK: 2 CUPS POWDERED MILK 1/2 C.HOT WATER 1 C. SUGAR 1 TSP. BUTTER MIX IN REFRIGERATOR OVERNIGHT.

HOMEMADE DRYSOUP MIX: 1 c. dried milk 1 Tbsp.dried onion 2 Tbsp.cornstarch 2 Tbsp. chicken boullion powder 1/2 tsp basil 1/2 tsp thyme dash pepper Store in airtight container Add 2 cups water Cook over medium heat stir constantly till thickened

GRANOLA BARS: 1 1/2 c.Bisquik 1 1/2 c.Oats 1 c.brown sugar 1/2 c. butter 1 beaten 'egg' 1/3 c. chocolate chips Press firmly in ungreased 13 x 9 pan Bake 15 -17 minutes till set in center

BEEF AND VEGETABLE STEW:Coat beef chucks in flour and brown in oil.Combine a little minced garlic,1 tsp.each of basil,rosemary,oregano and thyme,2 bayleafs and 1 1/2 cup of beef broth and bring to a boil,put to a simmer for 1 1/2 hours.Add carrots,potatoes,celery,onion and a little parsley and cook 45 minutes longer.

SWEET AND SOUR BEEF STEW: Cube 2 lbs.beef stew meat and brown in oil.Add 2 cans tomato sauce,1/4 c.sugar, 1/4c vinegar,1/2 c.molasses,1.c.water,little salt,simmer 1 1/2 hours.Add carrots,onion,potatoes cook 30 min.more

CHICKEN KIEV:Pound boneless chicken breasts til 1/4 in.thick On each piece put on 1 tbsp.butter with parsley sprinkled on.roll up from end and tuck in ends.roll in flour,then 'egg' and water mixture.Now roll in dried bread crumb mixture(dried bread crumbs,parsley,basil,garlic powder,salt and pepper and parmesan cheese)Coat well.Put
chicken in hot oil and brown 2 1/2 minutes on each side.

COCONUT MACAROONS:Mix 5 1/2 c. coconut ,1 can sweetened condensed milk,2 tsp vanilla and 1 1/2 tsp.almond flavorings Drop by tsp. onto aluminum foil lined 'baking sheets',generously greased.Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or till edges are lightly browned.Remove immediately.Store in airtight container.

CREAMCHEESE BROWNIES; 1 package fudge brownie mix, 1 (8 oz.)package cream cheese,1/3 c.sugar ,1 'egg', 1/2 tsp.vanilla Mix up the fudge brownie mix according to directions and pour in greased 13x9 pan. Beat creamcheese till smooth add sugar and blend.Add 'egg' and vanilla till blended Pour over brownie mixture and cut thru with a knife for a marble effect.Bake at 350 for 50 minutes Bake till cheese is slightly browned. P.S.Do not use brownie mix with syrup pouch.

CHEESE BALL: 2 pkgs.creamcheese ,16 ozs.shredded cheese ,1 pkg.ranchdressing. Mix together and roll in crushed pecans
CHEESE BALL:2 pkg.creamcheese,1 pkg.dried beef, 1 1/2 Tbsp worchestershire,4 green onions, 1 pinch msg. Mix all together and roll in pecans and parsley.

CAPPUCHINO MIX: 1 c. creamer, 1 c. instant chocolate drinkmix ,3/4 c. instant coffee, 1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 tsp.cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg(optional)

BAKED BEEF W/ DRESSING: Mix 2 lb. beef with 2 c. of sourcream and 1/3 c. milk .Place half of beef mixture in 13x9 baking pan and cover with stuffing.Top other half of beef mixture over stuffing and bake

Some holiday recipes..

CHEX PARTY MIX: 6 tbsp. butter 1 tsp.seasoned salt 4 tsp.worcestershire sauce 2 cups Corn Chex 2 cups Rice Chex 2 cups Wheat Chex 3/4 cup salted mixed nuts Put oven on 250 degrees.In 13x9x2 pan heat butter,remove from heat,stir in salt and worcestershire sauce.Add Cereal and nuts,mix till coated.Heat 45 minutes,stir every 15 minutes.cool and put in resealable plastic bags.

BOSTON BROWN BREAD:(SAVE empty coffee tins and cut off top lid)1 'egg,2 cups buttermilk,1 cup molasses,2 tsp.soda, 1 cup cornmeal,1 tsp salt, 2 cup wheat flour,1 cup raisins....Beat 'egg add molasses and milk.sift dry ingred.stir in raisins.grease cans and fill 2/3 full.cover with aluminum foil and place in pan of water to about 1/2 up to can top.cook in water bath about 2 1/2 hours.

WINTER TEA:6 cups hot water,1/2 tsp.cloves, 1 stick cinnamon,5 teabags.Steep 5 minutes. strain Add:3/4 cup 'orange juice,3 tbsp.lemon juice 1/2 cup sugar heat to boil

CORNBEEF DIP:2 pkg.8 oz.creamcheese,4 tbsp.milk,1 cup sour cream,4 tbsp. minced onion,3 oz.pkg.corned beef...Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Great dip for 'holiday entertaining.

SOFT GINGERBREAD...3 C. FLOUR 1 TSP B.SODA 2 TSP. CINNAMON 2 TSP GINGER 1 TSP CLOVES 1/4 TSP.NUTMEG SIFT 6 INGRED. CREAM 1/2 C. BUTTER ADD 1 CUP SUGAR CREAM TIL FLUFFY ADD 2 BEATEN EGGS IN THIRDS BEAT ING AFTER EACH
ADDITION..ADD 1 CUP MOLASSES AND 1/4 C. BOILING WATER ADD DRY INGRED. IN FOURTHS AND 1 C.SOUR MILK (SOUR MILK IS 1 C.MILK WITH 1 TBSP VINEGAR) BAKE AT 350 IN 13X9X2 PAN FOR 35 MINUTES

MANDARIN ORANGESALAD..BEAT 1 BOX ORANGE JELLO WITH 8 OZ.CREAMCHEESE DRAIN LIQUID FROM CAN OF MANDARIN ORANGES AND ADD ENOUGH WATER TO MAKE 1 CUP BOIL LIQUID AND ADD TO JELLO MIXTURE ADD CARTON OF COOL WHIP AND MANDARIN ORANGES CHILL TO SET...

PECAN PIE..PIE CRUST: 2 C.FLOUR 1/3 C.BUTTER 5-6 TBSP WATER 1/3 C.SHORTENING 1 TSP SALT CUT IN TOGETHER MAKE CRUST...PIE:PUT PECANS IN CRUST MIX 1 C.DARK CORNSYRUP 1/8 TSP SALT 1/4 MELTED BUTTER 3 BEATEN EGGS 1/2 C. BROWN
SUGAR 1 TSP.MAPLE FLAVORING PUT OVER PECANS BAKE 50-55 MINUTES AT 350.I'VE TRIED MANY RECIPES THIS IS THE BEST.IT IS A BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR MY HUSBAND EVERY YEAR.HAVE TO MAKE 2 MY KIDS WANT ONE......

CARROT CAKE..SIFT 2 C. FLOUR 2 TSP B.POWDER 2 TSP. BAKING SODA DASH OF SALT 2 TSP CINNAMON AND 1 1/2 C.SUGAR MIX THOROUGHLY ADD 1 1/2 C. OIL ADD 4 EGGS ONE AT A TIME ADD 2 TSP VANILLA AND 1 CUP PECANS FOLD IN 2 C. GRATED CARROTS BAKE AT 300 FOR 45 MIN. TO 1 HOUR. COOL COMPLETED THE FROST WITH ICING. FROSTING...BEAT 8 OZ. CREAM CHEESE WITH 2 STICKS OF BUTTER THEN 1 BOX POWDERED SUGAR AND 2 TSP.VANILLA ..OUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAKE......

PUMPKIN DIP
INGREDIENTS1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree 1 tablespoon McCormick® Pumpkin Pie Spice 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Orange Extract 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Ground Ginger DIRECTIONSBlend cream cheese and confectioners sugar until smooth.add pumpkin and remaining ingredients.Blend thoroughly. Chill 30 minutes or until ready to serve. Serve with Gingersnap or apples.
PUMPKIN DIP
INGREDIENTS:2 cups pumpkin puree1 cup dark brown sugar2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves1/2 teaspoon ground ginger1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg1/2 tsp.maple flavoring(optional)PREPARATION:Cream together pumpkin and cream cheese. Add in all other ingredients until blended. Refrig overnight. Serve with gingersnaps,apple slices and graham crackers.

Holiday spice potpourri...

4 oranges...4 lemons...1/2 c. whole cloves...1/2 c. whole allspice...10 cinnamon sticks,broken...10 Bay leaves,crumbled...8 oz.decorated jelly jars with bands and lids.....Using a vegetable peeler,peel fruit carefully,removing only the peel,not any of the white pith.Cut or tear into one inch pieces.Spread peel on paper towel lined pan.Place in preheated oven to 175 or set oven to warm.Dry in oven for 1 1/2 hours,tossing occassionally.Peels should be leathery and or slightly crunchy.Spread peels on dry paper towels and let air dry for 24 hours.Combine with remaining ingredients.Fill jars with mixture,place lids on and screw bands on tightly.Yield: 3 or 4 half pint jars.To use:remove lid and leave band on for decoration to fragrance room or put one tbsp into a jar and fill jar with boiling water to release fragrance.

Hot Apple Cider..

Make in a coffee pot:Ingredients:
1/4 cup brown sugar...1/2 teaspoon whole allspice...1 teaspoon whole cloves...1 cinnamon stick...1/4 teaspoon salt...1 pinch ground nutmeg...1 large orange,quartered with peel...2 quarts apple cider...Directions:1.Place filter in coffee basket,fill with brown sugar,allspice,cloves,cinnamon stick,salt,nutmeg and orange wedges.Pour in apple cider into coffee pot where the water usually goes.Brew and serve hot.

My Primmed up crocheted washclothes...

Happy Fall!!!

Here's some things I've made for the Fall: