Enjoyed today...

I was so glad today just to chill,it was all a great blessing,so glad Christmas is over,though.I'm so tired and thoroughly enjoyed doing nothing today.In fact,I don't think I'll do a darn thing tomorrow.ha

Pre Christmas Day..

Christmas Eve,my daughter and I spent two hours making our yearly white chocolate pretzels.We melt white chocolate chips and dip the pretzels,then we add peanuts,I love honey roasted and red and green m & m's.We bag them up for the stockings.We buy various candies every year,count out the bags and put them in freezer bags for the stockings,also.I make my carrot cake every year,it's too addicting,so it's just for Christmas.I also make my turkey on Christmas eve day,so on Christmas I just have sliced turkey for sandwiches,chips,cut up cheeses and onion dip,soda and no cooking on Christmas,WooHoo!I cook a million things on Thanksgiving,so Christmas is an easy day.

Favorite Blogger...

My favorite blogger is Blondie http://vintageprims.blogspot.com/ She makes you laugh and think and so cozy you want to visit her just to revive your spirit.She's a true southern woman,go to her blog and get ready to enjoy her life,love you Blondie.

Packing suggestion...

I am a yankee candle nut and love scents.In all my buckets in storage,I put yankee candles and potpourri,when you open the top it all smells wonderful,your stuff smells good and when you put it all out,your house will smell good.Makes it your smell already in the house.I'm into a scent of a home,tells alot about the person.Some homes have animal smells,yuck,I have a puppy,fish,gecko and parakeets,keep the cages clean and puppy accidents are cleaned right then.Nothing's worse than walking into a zoo smelling home,sets a thought about that person when you think of them.Some homes are cleaning agent smells,a certain cleaner,some are a certain potpourri or candle smell,when you smell it somewhere else you think of them.You can get fabreeze and spray your curtains,that helps,I just got the lavendar vanilla scent,yummy.You can simmer cinnamon,cloves,nutmeg,etc in a little pan of water,instant potpourri,don't leave it though,it can evaporate rather quickly.Scents go down into the pours of wood,ever smell a piece of furniture from being stored,you can get the scent out,wash it off,clean it with a wood wash,like Murphys Soap.Scents go into fabric,like curtains and carpets.Anyway,just remember the smell of your home is how many people think of you when you're not around,especially if it's a smoking home,scents are very powerful triggers in your brain.You know when as an adult you smell a scent that reminds you of a whole childhood memory or person.

Cinnamon Ornaments..

1 1/2 cups ground cinnamon 1 cup applesauce 1/4 cup white school glue (like Elmer's) Bowl Plastic food wrap Rolling pin Wax paper Cookie cutters or a knife Ribbon or yarn for hanging Straw
How to make it:Mix cinnamon, applesauce, and glue together in a bowl. The dough should be as thick as cookie dough. Add a bit of water if the dough is too stiff.Remove from bowl and knead. Put it back in the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit for at least a half hour Remove the dough, knead again to make sure it's smooth. Flatten/roll the dough between waxed paper until it's between 1/4" thick and 1/8" thick.Cut out desired shapes, use a straw to punch a hole for the ribbon to hang. The circle of dough will pull out with the straw.gently place the shapes on a piece of clean wax paper. They will take 3-5 days to dry, and you will need to turn them over a couple of times a day for them to dry evenly and flat.Don't be surprised to see that the ornaments get smaller during the drying process. Keep this in mind when you pick out the cookie cutters for your designs. You will also notice that if you do not turn the ornaments over often enough while they are drying, the edges of the ornaments will curl.When dry, thread a piece of ribbon or yarn through the hole to hang

You can add these spices before mixing...
 
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Make drawstring bags out of cheesecloth, organza or muslin, enough to hold anywhere from 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of your favorite herbal bath recipe. Tie them tightly shut so the loose herbs won’t float out into the bath water. After use the contents can be emptied, the bags rinsed out then washed to be refilled and reused.

Basic Milk Bath Starter Recipe
1 1/2 cup powdered milk 1/2 cup Epsom salt 1/8 cup baking soda 2 TBS cornstarch
Use this as the base for herbal milk bath bags, add whatever dried flowers and herbs you like.

You can buy the lavendar,rose petals and Chamomile at craftstore in soap department:

Lavender Bath Soak:
1/2 cup dried lavender
1 cup Epsom Salts

Lavender Oatmeal Bath:
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup dried lavender

Lavender Oatmeal Milk Bath:
1/2 cup powdered milk (or the milk bath starter recipe above)
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup dried lavender

Rosemary Oatmeal Bath Tea
1/2 cup Oatmeal
1/4 cup Rosemary (dried)
1/4 cup Chamomile (tea is fine)

Lavender Chamomile Soak:
1/2 cup each: Epsom salt, lavender, chamomile

Herbal Splendor:
1/2 cup each: thyme, sage, lavender, mint, bay leaves, rosemary

Herbal Soother Bath Soak:
1/2 cup each: Lavender, Rose Petals, Sage, Rosemary

Rosemary Basil Soak:
1/2 cup rosemary
1/2 cup basil
1 cup oatmeal

Homemade Bath Spa Bonus:
Along with the herbal bath bags, you can add 1/2 cup of honey to your bath while the water is running. Or you could use the milk bath starter recipe with the honey for a homemade milk and honey bath.

Christmas sachet...

Thought these were so easy for a gift.Buy a Christmas hankie,put in some potpourri,gather up with thin rubberband and tie a ribbon around it so you don't see rubberband.

It's almost the weekend,chill out...

When you're running around Saturday cleaning up from the week,throw on some Christmas music or put on an all Christmas radio show,it will brighten your holidays.Got a couple of hours to chill,put on a Christmas movie,wrap in a cozy quilt with a cup of hot cocoa.

Some ideas for the holidays...

Here's what I used to do and I'm going to do it again this year.I make little cakes,cookies and breads,wrap them in red and green kitchen plastic wrap.Also,$1 coffee mugs,put in candy canes or a pack of cocoa and a candy cane,fun.They look so pretty,for prim girls you can tie around with raffia or prim fabric strip,for fancier ones,ribbon or christmas wrap ribbon.It's best to do pound cakes,breads or cookies,icing is messy for wrapping.When someone comes over you can hand them one when they're leaving,or take to a friend or someone at work,whatever.It's a special little treat for people and they'll be surprised and the season of giving will put people in a cheerful holiday mood and they can pass on the tradition.You can put these in a little basket to hand out,but it's not necessary,can get expensive.There are white paper bags like brown paper bags,you can decorate the outside or just pretty plain.You can also put a gift tag on the tie.

Butter Creams...

Butter Creams
Filling1/2 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 (12 ounce) bag semisweet real chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
In large mixer bowl combine butter and cream cheese. Beat at medium speed until smooth. Add vanilla extract. Reduce speed to low. Beat, gradually adding confectioners' sugar, until well mixed (4 to 5 minutes). If too soft, refrigerate until firm. Shape rounded teaspoonsful of mixture into 1-inch balls. Place on wax paper-lined baking sheets. Cover loosely; refrigerate until firm (2 hours or overnight).In saucepan melt chocolate chips and shortening over low heat (3-4 minutes). Dip butter creams into chocolate mixture; let excess drip off. Place on wax paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate to set (30 minutes).Makes 5 dozen.

Craving Fudge,here's some recipes...

~Virginia Fudge~
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups chopped pecans
Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan with lightly buttered waxed paper or aluminum foil. Set aside. In a large, heavy saucepan combine milk, butter, corn syrup, granulated sugar and brown sugar and cook over medium low heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, cover with a lid briefly to get any sugar crystals off the sides of the pan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and cook to the soft ball stage (238*F - 115*C) or until a small amount dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water. Remove from heat. Let cool to room temperature, without stirring. Add vanilla and beat with a heavy wooden spoon until it starts to thicken; add the pecans and continue to beat until candy loses some of its gloss. Spread evenly in the prepared pan. When firm, invert pan; peel off waxed paper and cut into small pieces. Store in
an airtight container at room temperature. Makes about 1 1/4 pounds candy.

~Easy Fudge Recipe~
4 tablespoon cocoa
1 (16 ounce) box confectioners' sugar
4 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter or margarine
Mix the cocoa and sugar together well until they are of a single consistency.
In a double boiler melt the butter and peanut butter together. Pour the melted mixture into the bowl with the sugar/cocoa mixture. Mix well (but not with a mixer, but rather with your hands or a wooden spoon).Grease a 9-inch square pan. Place the fudge mixture into the pan and pat down until evenly distributed. Cut the fudge as desired (this is important to do before you go to the next step because it is not easy to cut after this point). Refrigerate the fudge until it is hard.
Before serving, bring fudge to room temperature.

~Black Walnut Fudge~
3 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup margarine
1/2 teaspoon black walnut extract
1 1/2 cups Marshmallow Creme
1/2 cup walnuts
12 ounces chocolate chips
Heat sugar, evaporated milk and margarine to boil and cook over medium heat to 238 degrees F.Beat in chocolate chips, Marshmallow Cr?me, walnuts and black walnut extract. Pour into a greased 13 x 9-inch dish

Quiche and other recipes....

CINNAMON SPICE BUTTER...1 C.BUTTER 3/4 TSP CINN. 1/2 TSP NUTMEG 1/8 TSP MACE MIX TOGETHER.....

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....

Need something to do with that leftover turkey,in the quiche recipe below,just skip right over to the putting of 2 cups chopped turkey in the pan with broth and continue with added ingredients.You don't have to do the first part of cooking the chicken or turkey.

QUICHE:Cook chicken or turkey 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) P.S. I sometimes use cooked ground beef instead of chicken.

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....

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

PECAN FINGERS..PREHEAT OVEN 200 DEGREES MIX 1 C. BUTTER TIL CREAMY ADD 1/4 C.POWD.SUGAR 1 TSP VANILLA AND 1 TBSP WATER MIX WELL ADD 2 C. FLOUR 1/4 TSP SALT AND 2 C. GRATED PECANS REFRIGERATE 1 HOUR FORM CHILLED DOUGH INTO ROLLS ABOUT THE SIZE OF LITTLE FINGER PLACE ON GREASED BAKING SHEET BAKE 350 FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES ROLL IN POWDERED SUGAR..

OOHWEE!!!

It is so cold outside,the frost was all over the car windows,guess it feels more like the holidays now.I'm putting on Christmas movies,hopping under a quilt with hot chocolate today.All I have to do is heat up Thanksgiving leftovers and junk out on pies :o)

It's Turkey Day!!!!

Just stuffed and put the turkey in the oven,hooray!Yesterday I made pumpkin,cherry,pecan and apple pies,because everyone has a favorite.My strange little girl ;o),doesn't like pies,pudding or cool whip(what?),so I made her chocolate chip cookies.

I also made,orange congealed salad,that is a story in itself(recipe is in earlier posts).You use orange jello and mandarin oranges,henceforth,orange,hello.I grabbed two boxes of orangejello with other Thanksgiving dinner items,now it's a rush,because you need to get coolwhip,rolls,stuffing and a butterball turkey before they're all bought out,it's like a mad sale around here.

Yesterday I emptied the two boxes of "orange jello",guess what,it was orange mixed with red,some nitwit had put back a box of jello in the wrong place,so I like a nitwit,didn't bother to look to make sure it was two orange and I got an orange and a strawberry box of jello.So,after my husband had already made a run to the store for me,he had to turn around and go back,which made him extremely happy to wait in the long holiday lines :o).

Anyway,made the stuffing to have it for the turkey today.This morning I made french toast and bacon so I wouldn't get bugged all day about them being hungry,they can snack on cheese and crackers for awhile.The eggs are boiled for deviled eggs,funny story,my husband's work had a little thanksgiving buffet and he's a picky eater,he loves to eat,but has to have it just like he likes it.He was telling me what was brought and he said someone brought deviled eggs,but they weren't deviled.I said,"What?".He said they didn't have the little deviling on it,he was talking about the paprika,ha,cracked me up.He said they had asian food,spicy hotwings and most of it he didn't know what it was,LOL,he said the pilgrims wouldn't eat this for a Thanksgiving Dinner,LOL.I think he married me,because I could cook ;o).

I have to put cream cheese in celery sticks,make mashed potatoes,gravy,corn and rolls and slice the cranberry sauce.I'm getting so hungry smelling all of this.We're watching "Transformers",my husband is a fanatic collector of transformers and loves this movie,my favorite line is the Mom saying,"Please,for the love of God drive safely."LOL I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and thank the Lord for all your blessings.

P.S.Don't forget....

Make a list and check it twice;)If I don't write every single thing down for Thanksgiving dinner,I'll totally forget something.I have two lists,one for the groceries and another one for the dinner(every year Thanksgiving):
Thanksgiving Dinner
Turkey and Dressing
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Corn and Peas
Dev.Eggs
Cranberry Sauce
Celery sticks w/creamcheese filling
Olives
Dinner Rolls
Pumpkin,Cherry,Apple and Pecan Pies
Orange Congealed Salad
Coffee/Pepsi/Raspberry Gingerale

Best ever Carrot Cake...

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......
This Carrot Cake is the one we ate every holiday since I was a kid,if you love carrot cake,this will be the one.

Peanut Butter and Butter Cream balls...

Peanut Butter Balls

Melt together:12 oz pkg chocolate chips and 1/2 stick parafin wax:
I melt together in microwave about 30seconds,stir see if it's melted enough to dip balls,if not,30seconds at a time till melted enough to dip.If you use a double boiler,simmering water in bottom pan,not boiled.
~Mix together:
1 stick margarine
1 c peanut butter
1 box powdered sugar
~Roll into small balls, then dip (with a toothpick) into chocolate and parafin mix. Drop on waxed paper to set.

Chocolate covered Butter Creams

Filling
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar

Melt together
1 (12 ounce) bag semisweet real chocolate chips
1/2 stick of paraffin
~In large mixer bowl combine butter and cream cheese. Beat at medium speed until smooth. Add vanilla extract. Reduce speed to low. Beat, gradually adding confectioners' sugar, until well mixed (4 to 5 minutes). If too soft,refrigerate until firm. Shape rounded teaspoonsful of mixture into 1-inch balls. Place on wax paper-lined baking sheets. Cover loosely; refrigerate until firm (2 hours or overnight).
~In saucepan melt chocolate chips and paraffin over low heat (3-4 minutes) in top pan of double boiler.(Or,use microwave method,30 seconds at a time till balls will dip good.) Dip butter creams into chocolate mixture with toothpick; let excess drip off. Place on wax paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate to set (30 minutes).Makes 5 dozen.

It's that time again,cheeseballs and crackers,mm mm...

Cheese Ball

Ingredients
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
12 - 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
chopped pecans
4 pecan halves

Instructions
Mix together cream cheese, grated cheddar, and dressing mix. Form into one large ball or two smaller balls. Roll in chopped pecans to cover. Decorate the top with pecan halves. Refrigerate at least a couple of hours or overnight before serving.

Pineapple Cheese Ball

Ingredients
1 8oz. Package cream cheese softened
2 tbls. chopped onion
1 8oz. can-crushed pineapple drained very well
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt(optional)
1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions
1. Cream together cream cheese,onion, pineapple and seasoned salt.
2. Form a ball and roll it in the chopped walnuts. Chill well.Serve with crackers.

Favorite Christmas Movie...

Well,I have two,one is Gift of Love,but the other is Christmas Romance with Olivia Newton John.I love prims,I love her house all prim junkies should see this movie,especially her kitchen and fireplace.What a wonderful mountain life.

Currier and Ives...

Anyone remember these dishes?I grew up with Currier and Ives dishes,reminds me of my Mom and I love this set.The plates were the Gristmill print.I also remember every morning I had to have peanut butter on saltines and Nestle's Chocolate Milk(instant powder and I love the strawberry powder,also),through junior high for my morning breakfast.And the little country store where we'd get on the bus was where we spent our lunch money and loved peanuts in a coke,glass bottles of pepsi and coke could not be beat,grape and orange nehis,yoohoos,mm. And in high school,I would spend my lunch on strawberry filled powdered donuts and Dr. Pepper,(so healthy):)wonder why they stopped selling those things during free period at school?LOL Anyway,funny how even dishes can bring good childhood memories and a piece of home.

Which is it???

That is the question...Some say lightning bugs,some say fireflies.I say lightning bugs,my husband says fireflies,either way it was one of our best summer childhood memories catching "lightning bugs",I can say that Mr.,my blog,hahahahahaa...

Good Weekend...

My daughter's wanted a jackrussell since she was 7 and now she's 12 and has had her named since then,Molly,Polly,Holly.LOL We call her Molly,though.We wanted to surprise her,made arrangements to meet owner Friday.We were early,I said,"Let's go look at puppy stuff and see if your Daddy will let you get some things now for later,except food."She was all excited,now this child has lived and breathed getting a female jack russell and had many dreams about her.We got a canvas carrier,pink collar and leash and a puppy vest,camoflage green and pink with pink fur around hood,adorable.The car pulled up and she's looking at me like I'm nuts for talking to strangers.I said,"Come here for a minute."She gets out of car,walks over,this girl about her age gets out holding the most adorable little puppy I've ever seen.She walks towards her and I said,"Do you want to hold her?"She looks like she doesn't understand what's going on and says,"Sure".She looks at me while holding this pup and I said,"Do you want to keep her?"She says,"Oh yes!!!"You would not believe her little face,she's in a moment dreamed about and can't believe it's actually happening.I took her picture with Molly.We get in the car.She says,"I can't believe this,it feels like I'm in a dream and breaks down crying,it was all too much happiness for her and it was awesome.Now,if I can just get her to stop holding her all day.Molly is 7 weeks old,but so tiny with a little face and big brown eyes.

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:

Grandma and her legacy...

As with many of us,our Grandmas are our role models,our great treasure and we are their legacy.We lived in Tennessee,down in the hollow(that's hollar down there);),my grandma and I would go blackberry picking.She'd always tell me to watch out for bears,my eyes would get big and I'd look around,but I was with Grandma and nothing could hurt me.We'd go back and she'd make blackberry dumplings on the stove,oh,how good that did smell,what wonderful memories.The best memories you can give a child are the love and times you share together.

Blackberry Dumplings:
1 quart blackberries, rinsed 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
Dumplings- 1 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon(or more) sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 2/3 cup milk (I just use cinnamon sugar,I always save the little bear honey bottles and mix my own cinnamon/sugar to taste)Some add a little nutmeg in the dumplings also.

Mix berries,water, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 t salt and lemon in large, wide saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. For dumplings: Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and milk. Stir until mixed. Drop by TBS into berry mixture. Cover tightly and simmer 15 minutes. Serve in bowls with a dollop of whipped cream.

Today is a gift...

Be thankful each day you wake up,thank the Lord.Pray for everyone you can think of,because you don't know what each day could bring.You can't do anything about the past,but you can do something about your present here and now.Call someone you've wanted to talk to forever. Do everything you can to love,encourage,share,hug and remember your opportunity is right now,it's a gift,it's The Present.

paint and stencil...

I painted this old wooden chair,then I stamped the rose and just painted the leaves.You can buy stamps or stencils.I painted an old wooden table this same color and decoupaged vintage girl pics for my daughter.I then modge podged about five coats on top,let each coat dry completely.It would be good to let cure a little and paint just one coat a day.Years ago a friend decoupaged pics of her family on top of her table and polyurethaned many coats on top of whole table,took a long time,but was awesome.