Card Creation

No baking today. I started making a birthday card for a brother-in-law who turns 80 this month. I fooled around and fooled around with ideas and came up with these. The blank cards are embossed and textured. I put the tree on the front in the embossed frame, and the cup inside on the left side. Then a note was hand-written on the inside right side.  Hope he likes it.

I started with these...the cup and text were from the internet. I messed a lot with that cup!

My photo taken April 2009

My photo taken August 2014

And my results:

A Freezing Day

CCCCold! Well it is 5° above and when I looked out the window this morning I was surprised to see that the lake froze over during the night. There was a single Canada goose that seemed to be stuck a few feet out from our beachfront. He sat there looking around and then settled back down. I thought that he perhaps would soon be a victim of the resident bald eagles, wondering which would do him in first - the ice or the predators. I had my camera ready. 

Don’t you know that after about ten minutes he stood up, and walked on the ice, out of my view! He wasn’t stuck at all. 

Today I baked a dozen of tasty applesauce muffins. I had a small bit of batter left so I make a thirteenth one in a little pan. We ate that one!

If no one stops in today, they will all be popped into the freezer and enjoyed another time.

A breakfast party presentation would be fun, don’t you think?

Please click on image to view larger

(I cut the recipe in half. What would I do with 24 muffins?????)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Applesauce Muffins

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 10 min. Bake: 30 min.

YIELD: 24 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups applesauce
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, optional
• Cinnamon-sugar, optional

Directions

• 1. In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Stir in applesauce. Combine the flour, baking soda and spices; stir into creamed mixture. Fold in nuts.
• 2. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar if desired. Yield: about 2 dozen.
• ................................................................................................
• 
  

JUMBOS!

To tell the truth, this recipe wore me out! I was trying to replicate an old recipe that my grandmother used. The recipe is lost, but the memories aren't. The cookies were large, very large. They were crispy on the outside edges and softer in the middle. The main thing I remember is that they were very lemony and very sugary. She kept them in a large grey tin marked "Cookies" under her kitchen sink. It seems as if they were always there.  I think these gems come close. 

I used a fine grate to zest my lemons. I used my old pastry blender to incorporate the zest into the sugar. 

I used an electric juicer to obtain the juice that was called for. There was a lot of juice left over, so I froze it.

Then the Big Red Workhorse was put to use. When all mixed, the dough had to go into the refrigerator for an hour to become firm. The next step was to scoop up and roll some dough into 6 large balls, then roll each ball in the sugared zest, then press each down on the baking sheet with a small bowl. It seemed to take forever for them to bake the 14 minutes while I washed some of the dishes. 

It seemed to be a long five minute wait for them to be ready to remove from the sheet.

Next, the entire process was again begun. Four times. I’m glad I timed each batch in the oven and watched as the temperature remained steady. I really think it was important. 

If there were some way to share these you would be appalled at their deliciousness! Oh my GOSH!  

please click on cookie to taste  

I have each one stored in its own sealed bag. Too much of a good thing is not good, don’t you know! One at a time, and once in a while they will leave their wrap and be enjoyed like a fine wine. Hopefully.  

Take a Break....

I have noticed that our cable TV stations have some old television episodes, but not the ones I used to enjoy in "old days time."

Going back to light and silly and sometimes offensive "comedy" was tons of fun for me this morning. I just spent many moments watching full episodes of a few old favorite shows. Wow! TV content was definitely very different back then! Better too, in my way of thinking. Not much violence and no gore. 

Thank you dear YouTube and steady internet connection for my painful ribcage from laughing too hard. 

Remember these?

Johnny Carson

Alfred Hitchcock

All in the Family

Barney Miller

Burns and Allen

Bewitched

Dennis the Menace

Doogie Howser, M.D.

Evening Shade

Family Ties

Father Knows Best

The Flying Nun

Good Times

Green Acres

Hazel

I Dream of Jeannie

It's About Time

Jack Benny

The Jeffersons

Leave it to Beaver

Maude

Mr. Belvedere

Mister Ed

My Mother The Car

Newhart

One Day at a Time

The Partridge Family

The Ropers

Sanford and Son

Small Wonder

Three's a Crowd

Three's Company

The Three Stooges

Too Close for Comfort

First Snow & Split Pea Soup

Well it was only a squall but left a ground cover on January 1, 2016 at 3:15 pm.

The Christmas ham leftovers have been processed. Yesterday the edible slabs and chunks were packaged and some were ground into salad type condition, using the old Gem. The bone and scraps simmered in the pot for about 8 hours.  I strained the bones and remnants in my trusty metal colander over a large plastic dishpan in my wonderful large sink. The rich brown broth was then poured back into the ancient 6 quart pot and set outdoors to cool overnight. This morning I retrieved the pot, and skimmed off all of the white fat layer (lard?) that had floated to the top. It was about a quarter of an inch thick and it was removed totally and easily.  

After rinsing two packages of dried split peas, (throwing out the "ham flavor packets" that are in with the peas) and adding a package of frozen chopped onions, the soup was started. It is still simmering after 7 hours. There will be no need for further straining as it will become a smooth, kind of thickish gruel. No lumps or bumps. I'll then add pepper and leave it to others for the salting.  I will freeze portions and keep a few for myself. I had a bowlful for lunch ALREADY! Ahhhhhhh....

A total of 6 quarts ought to keep us knee deep in pea soup, don't you think?

I sure would love to be able to share it with Carole, Anni and Theresa who have indicated in the past that it is one of their favorites.

please click on image to view larger

Starting Off with A Baking Project

This time it is not cookies, not cupcakes, not pies, not cakes....it's our main course. I haven't made baked stuffed shells in ages.  I had forgotten how much time and effort it takes to prepare these. It's not a sit-down project, either.  They were awesome, and I'll try to find some already prepared and stuffed before having this dish again. 

Shells cooked and draining

Stuffing and sauce ready 

Stuffed and ready to bake

Baked and ready to eat

And they were excellent but too many for only two people!

Cookies all crumbled and new batch started for 2016

Another year has passed and both good and not so good things have occurred. Being me, I like to document and remember and reflect on it all.  Here goes…..

2015 Family and Friend Events

January -  Mister’s remaining brother died, and a dear friend died.

February - Great nephew (age 14) just had cast off broken ankle then broke wrist in sledding accident soon after.

March -  Friend’s husband died.

March - Longtime beach friend fell, broke neck vertebrae.

March - Grandson (age 13) broke clavicle

*June - Great-Great Grandson born.

July - Grandson (age 26) fell down sewer hole on job when ladder broke and fractured foot and ankle. December - Same Grandson diagnosed with acute lymphoid leukemia and is being treated.

July - Daughter (age 55) had 8th back surgery.

Sister (age 73) fell at home and broke wrist and arm. August - Same sister fell down indoor flight of stairs middle of night. September - Same sister diagnosed with bladder cancer and is being treated.

*September - Nephew (age 44) married.

October - Significant Other of son (age 57) diagnosed with colon cancer and is being treated.

November - Great niece (age 7) broke arm.

December - Friend’s husband died.

December - Old friend fell, broke wrist, arm, ribs, spleen removed, concussion.

New Stuff After Sale of SC Trailer in June

•14KW Generac Stand by Automatic Generator Installed

•Ford Escape SUV (We downsized and updated from Truck) 

•Power Recliner - Leather 

•Freezer 14 CU

•EGO 56V Wireless Leaf Blower

•Vizio 28” Flatscreen TV for kitchen

•KitchenAid Deluxe Edition Stand Mixer “Red Workhorse”

Repairs

•New Storm Drain Constructed.

•Electric Junction box under sink shorted and was repaired.

•Dock barrels and deck repaired and replaced.

So now all of my various directories have been updated for the year 2016.

By the way, I baked a lot in 2015 and will try to exceed my skills in that department. It's a goal!

Baked….

Jan.

Snickerdoodles

Caramel Raisin Cookies

Feb.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Peanut Butter Bars

Mar.

Amish Applesauce Cake

Apr.

Chocolate Bundt Cake

May

Vanilla Poke Cake

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake

Jun.

Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding #2

Jul.

Chocolate Bundt Cake

Lemon Bundt Cake

Aug.

Pumpkin Pie

Applesauce Cake

Peach Pie

Apple Pie

Wild Plum Leather

Sept.

Pumpkin Pie

Peach Crescents

Applesauce Cupcakes

Molasses Cookies

Oct.

Apple Pie

Apple Pie #2

One Bowl Apple Cake

Pan Apple Cake

Nov.

Willie’s Apple Bundt Cake

Cherry Snack Bars

Dec.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Gingerbread Men and Cookies

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Oatmeal Cherry Cookies

Merry Christmas to ALL!

please click on image

'Twas The Night Before Christmas...Mom Style

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring & she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of X-Box & Barbie flipped through their heads.

Yes, and dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes & soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, I'm glad you're awake."
"your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"

"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch TV and rest.
"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room a bove, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the child and hummed her a tune,
as she bundled the small one in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal.
That's my child's LOVE she is going to steal."
Smiling wisely, Santa said: "To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed.
"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.
Sometimes I forget, it won't be very long,
before they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."

With the clone by his side, Santa said: "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, you'll be all right."

Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all about.
Especially at times when the Holiday season shouts,
and all we do is clean, bake, and procure.
You get the picture -- I'm sure.

So stop for a moment and hug that little one so dear,
whether he/she is 2 or 35, or even older this year.
For they are the gift that God gave us from Heaven above,
and what a special gift to be treasured, with endless LOVE!

May The Real Meaning Of Christmas Be With You All Year!

The BEST COOKIES EVER!

I made a batch of these and I have NEVER made a better bunch of cookies! Honestly! NEVER!

They are sweet, chewy, and soooooo tasty. I found the recipe on the internet a while ago and never made them. From past experience I know that oatmeal batter is very stiff and I was afraid of burning up my hand-held old mixer. I'm not strong enough to mix it by hand. Today was the day because my new red workhorse is fun and great for heavy batters.

 Dried Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

 A recipe from cooks.com

 1 1/4 c. butter, softened (Use REAL butter!)

 1 1/4 c. packed brown sugar (I used dark brown)

 1 egg

 1 tsp. vanilla (I used pure almond)

 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

 1 tsp. baking soda

 1 tsp. salt

 3/4 tsp. cinnamon

 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

 3 c. quick or old fashioned uncooked oatmeal

 1 c. dried cherries (I soaked them in cider, then squeezed out extra fluid. Apple juice or brandy would also work well, I think)

 Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla (or almond). In a bowl combine flour, baking  soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; add to creamed butter mixture, mixing well. Stir (I used mixer) in oatmeal and dried (soaked) cherries. 

 Drop by a rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-11 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet, then remove. Makes 5 1/2 - 6 dozen cookies.  

YES!

Not as tasty but a joyful bunch!

Festive Wiley and Friends

Click on image to join in the fun!

Stressed Santa

  A Christmas Story

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more. 

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?' 

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

(author unknown)

Greetings!

   

THE CHRISTMAS GAME:

All you need are sturdy paper plates and pens for each player.

The host tells the players to put their paper plate on their head.

Then the host will give a series of instructions for the players to draw on their paper plates (that are on their heads) without looking.

Here are the instructions:

1. Draw a line for a floor.

2. Draw a Christmas Tree. Add decorations if you feel so inclined.

3. Draw a star on top of your tree.

4. Draw a fireplace with a mantel next to the tree.

5. Draw a stocking hanging from the mantel of your fireplace.

6. Draw a present below the tree.

After the six steps have been given, let everyone look at their masterpieces.

Get ready for a serious giggle fest.

Then have players count up how many points they received by following this rubric:

1. 2 points if the tree touches the floor.

2. 2 points if your stocking is touching your mantel.

3. 1 point if your star touches your tree.

4. 1 point if your star is above your tree.

5. 1 point for every Christmas ornament ball that is ON your tree, etc.

6. 1 point if your fireplace doesn’t touch the tree (it’s a fire hazard!). 

7. 1 point if you actually drew something decorative on your stocking (or something cute, like a tiny kitten peeking out).

8. 2 points if your present is under your tree.

The player with the most points should receive a really awesome prize!

Finally - White Stuff

        snow !

Now we are in the mood!

Quick! Click on image before snow melts!

And the Winner is.......!

                   LEMON COOKIES

1 cup sugar

grated zest of 1 lemon YES! DO THE WORK!

1 stick butter (room temperature) NO MARGARINE!

2 1/2 cup sifted flour (I didn’t sift)

1 large egg (room temperature)

1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice YES! USE AN HONEST-TO GOODNESS LEMON.

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Additional sugar on which to roll cookie logs

Blend and beat together the zest, sugar, butter and egg. Add the flour, baking powder, salt and lemon juice. Blend well. Divide the mixture into 2 portions. On *foil, form each into a long cylinder. Wrap and chill for **several hours. When ready to bake, roll the dough in sugar and slice 1/4-inch thick. Place on buttered baking sheets, leaving room between each cookie. Bake at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen Large ones or 4 1/2 dozen small ones, depending on how long and broad your rolled dough cylinders are.

(*I used parchment paper instead of foil.) (**I chilled for 4 hours.)

~~~Cookie Contest~~~

What will win? Beauty? Texture? Flavor? The complexion is free of blemishes and bright, the shapes are varied, the bottoms are quite tan and they smell really nice! They also have a reputation for being easy.

Everyone has an old cheese slicer with the roller missing!

You all have your favorite cookie sheet, correct?

YES! The tan bottoms show they are fully baked.

Well, we did have to taste a few. There are only about 48 left!

And the winner is…..

     FLAVOR!!!

The runner up is…..

          TEXTURE!!!

Last but, oh well, never mind…..

                  BEAUTY!

click on cookie image to enjoy the view

                                                           

Silliness

Feeling silly…Made a lady for the men. She’s too fat to hang. One guy was cold so I gave him a scarf. 

Leftover dough made 8 plain ones which will be hung on my tree. Soon......

To smell the ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon - click on image.

Final Touch

Click on here to enlarge photo

Six down, ten to go! I do NOT like the decorating part. That is for others, but not for me. I just used what I have on hand and they will be complete. 

Next project: Lemon Jumbles like my Grandma used to make and roll out on her marble-top table.

My Men...

If you have never made REAL gingerbread men to hang as decorations you MUST at least try one time! 

My cutter is an old 8 inch tall cutter and he usually hangs on a wall as a decoration. I may have used him for cookies once before, but I can’t remember. 

I put my new red workhorse in to action to mix it all and therefore, was stuck with the dough for the men. Hadda move on… 

They are nude at this time and a very tough bunch of guys. Sometime tomorrow I will put clothes and faces on this gang. 

I actually got bored with only being able to produce 3 men at a time and quit with a little dough left over so I made balls with the extra dough and pressed them down with a glass after rolling them in sugar and punched holes after baking, to decorate as ornaments. Well…maybe. I poked holes in  them only in case I felt motivated to decorate.

Click to view cookies larger

Put on your best choppers! These are tough crunchy critters and they are absolutely delicious. I know because I couldn't resist a taste!

Recipe:

Gingerbread Cookies:

5 cups flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon ginger

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup shortening, melted and cooled

1 cup molasses

1 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup water

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Combine flour and other dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg and vanilla. Add flour and dry ingredients. Mix well and divide into thirds on pieces of plastic wrap. Wrap thirds and place in refrigerator for at least three hours.

Preheat oven to 350°. Take cookie dough out of the refrigerator one section at a time. Dust chilled dough with flour and roll out to *1/4-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks then decorate however you choose! *Makes 3-4 dozen cookies or gingerbread men. 

*1/8 inch for big men.
*Or sixteen 8" men! and 8 round cookies! 

To hang on a tree or use as a gift tag, insert a toothpick at the top when cookies are just out of the oven to make a hole. Tie a ribbon or wire through the hole after decorating.