Cookie #1

Cookie #1

Posted by Unknown

So I'm planning and preparing for the great Cookie Exchange that happens in the month of December. My goal this year is to up the design factor and make five fabulous looking and delicious  cookies.  The first one will be the standard sugar cookie but I need to spend a little more time frosting and working with my patience (I tend to get bored after my fill of dough).  These cookies will be made this next week and will go in my freezer until time to frost. 

I'm thinking Christmas Trees, Candy Canes, and snowflakes.  Easily decorated and always good.  I'm also looking for a cute delivery option.  Let's face it, the paper plate with saran wrap is just not cutting it anymore.  However I still need something cheap but classy.  Thanks to the blogging world, I'm sure I'll find plenty of ideas and will be sure to share. 

Happy December! 

Come on Over

Come on Over

Posted by Unknown

This year is the first year I'm having Thanksgiving at my house!  I'm sooo excited.  My entire family isn't coming (though the Colorado branch is always welcome) but it is certainly more than I ever expected.  I wasn't even planning on making a turkey for my minute family and was actually planning my first day of skiing for the year....However this is sooo much better.  I love food and what isn't better than eating your favorite things with family!  This Thanksgiving I'll truly have something to be thankful for. Traditional menu for not so traditional people

November Gratitude

November Gratitude

Posted by Unknown

I saw this at PotteryBarn Kids and loved it instantly.  What a great way to get kids to think about what they are thankful for.  30 days and 30 pockets to express gratitude throughout the month.  I plan on saving all the cards (or condensing and making a list) for memory sake with date and age of gratiture.  It's amazing to find through the years what things you are thankful for at different times.  It says a lot about who and what we may be going through.  Even for little kids!

Who says a two year old can't be grateful? Yesterday when explaining what gratitude and thankfulness was to Zoom, I then asked him what he was thankful for. He instantly declared he was thankful for pumpkins! A boy after his mothers heart. I am surely thankful for pumpkins too!

Valentines Day

Valentines Day

Posted by Unknown

There is nothing like the excitement of Valentines day for a child. I remember giving valentines to all my classmates and making valentines for those oh so special friends. I still give Valentines every year and love the joy it brings to my heart to make them. A few years ago while cleaning out my grandfathers house I found several vintage valentines from decades ago. They were so adorable and you truly don't find such cute cards. After a search I found several inspirational cards to copy and make my own. Let the creativity flow!

Homemade wreath

Homemade wreath

Posted by Unknown

I've never been invited to a wreath making party, but when I read about a new 'trend' for Christmas it made me excited. Why not....we all like wreaths on some level. Of course we can stop buy Costco and pick up nice evergreen wreath for $14 but you can also stop by costco and buy a zillion cookies to give away too, but for some reason, most of us seem to fit it the tradition of making holiday cookies and treats.

Making a wreath is actually easier than it looks. Trust the craft challenged. Somehow as long as your follow the wreath form (available at most craft stores) you can cut, prune and get that thing in shape. I love bay leaves and the wreaths are so elegant. For directions click here. A little rosemary from your neighbors hedge and you have an elegant organic feel. Holly is definitely the added bonus.

I also saw this wreaths like this on Etsy and thought it was a fun and cute idea. The possibilities are endless. Want to come to my wreath making party....next year it's in the works for sure!

December is Here

December is Here

Posted by Unknown

In the past I've always had the goal to get all of my Christmas Shopping done before thanksgiving. I've never done it but I do think it's an excellent idea. However I secretly like the hustle and bustle of the stores. I don't like the crowds but like the energy surrounding the event. The music, the smells, the gift wrapping. Just when I'm tired of it.....It's January. Perfect Timing!

This year I've decided to make all my gifts I give to family and friends. Why...I'm not sure because it's definitely not costing me any less and my quest for perfection makes me feel even worse about my creative skills. However there are such great ideas out there and maybe knowing how much time I have put into the projects will make people realize how much I truly love and appreciate them.

So if you have any ideas on what I could make let me know.

Potterybarn Blues

Potterybarn Blues

Posted by Unknown

I don't often order things from Potterybarnkids.com but I totally fell in love with this Advent Calendar for Christmas. I called before the 15th of the month to order and much to my disappointment it was sold out. I guess several thousand other people liked it too. Who knew you had to shop in August to get the good Christmas Decorations.

What are you grateful for - Monthly Give Away

What are you grateful for - Monthly Give Away

Posted by Unknown

There are many thanksgivings through the years that ring out in my mind. Especially one where each person wrote out what they were thankful for on a piece of paper (the kids colored their pictures) and saved them for the next year to read. This started a wonderful tradition and this year I started a thanksgiving book to add to each year doing the same thing. Looking back, you realize that you may be grateful for different things each year in relationship to what is happening in your life. A reminder of how we grow and change and how we have so much to be thankful for all year long.

A simple give away this month. Let me know what you are grateful for this year by leaving a comment and all appropriately thankful comments will be registered to receive 3 yards of Spriggy & Company best selling grosgrain ribbon. If you love ribbon as much as I do you'll be sure to leave a comment.

To qualify:

1. Leave a Comment

2. Check back on Nov 28th (winner to be posted)

3. Claim your prize by sending me an email by November 30th with you address or where you'd like it shipped.

Recycled Pilgrim People

Recycled Pilgrim People

Posted by Unknown

Even though toilet paper doesn't come to mind when you think about Thanksgiving (even though I am very grateful for the product :) I thought these were adorable and a very cute craft idea. I couldn't find instructions for the project but it looks like the average person could indeed figure it out. The bonus is.....who doesn't have toilet paper rolls available at no cost.

For more Thanksgiving craft ideas click here.

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Posted by Unknown

Creating fun and amazing centerpieces for your Thanksgiving table may be easily done with things you already have around the house. Cake stands, candle sticks, pumpkins and even things gathered outside around your house can make your table look wonderful. Oh how I love the statement a centerpiece can make. It creates the mood of your dinner for sure. Just remember not to go too high making it hard to communicate across the table. It can be as big or small as your like. Just make sure you have room for the mash potatoes and gravy.

This would be easy anytime of year.

Love it!

A little more creativity but definitely doable.

Can you just say fun and spriggy!

Thankful for Dessert

Thankful for Dessert

Posted by Unknown

This is one of Sunset Magazine favorite recipes through the years. Every review says its phenomenal. If i get up the motivation I'll make this this Sunday and test the recipe. Even though I love sweet potatoes the idea took me for a loop. However it wouldn't be Sunsets grand prize recipe if it weren't absolutely fabulous.





Ingredients

2 dark orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lb. total), such as jewel or red garnet (sometimes sold as yams)
1 tablespoon melted butter
Pecan Crust (recipe follows)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, regular or light (neufchâtel), at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Maple Cream (recipe follows)

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375° (convection not recommended). Peel sweet potatoes and cut in half lengthwise. Place in a 9- by 13-inch baking pan and brush with melted butter. Bake until potatoes are soft when pressed, 45 to 55 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, prepare crust. Bake in same oven with potatoes until lightly browned all over, 10 to 12 minutes. 3. Scrape any charred spots off potatoes, then cut potatoes into chunks. Whirl in a food processor or mash in a bowl with lemon juice until smooth. Reserve 1 cup; save any extra for another use.
4. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. In a bowl, with a mixer on high speed, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in granulated and brown sugars, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally, until mixture is well blended and smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until blended. Add reserved sweet potato mixture, the whipping cream, sour cream, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Mix on low speed until well blended.
5. Wrap bottom of cheesecake pan with heavy-duty foil, pressing it up the sides. Pour batter over crust. Put cheesecake pan in a 12- by 15-inch roasting pan at least 2 inches deep. Set pans in oven and pour enough boiling water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of cheesecake pan.
6. Bake until cake barely jiggles in the center when gently shaken, about 55 minutes. Remove pans from oven. Lift cheesecake pan from roasting pan and let cool completely on a rack, about 1 hour, then chill until cold, at least 1 1/2 hours, or up to 3 days (cover once cold).
7. Up to 6 hours before serving, cut around inside of pan rim to release cake; remove rim. With a pastry bag, pipe dollops of maple cream onto cake. Or serve maple cream separately, to spoon onto each wedge.
Pecan Crust: Whirl 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans in a blender until finely ground; you should have 1/4 cup. In a bowl, mix pecans, 1 1/4 cups fine graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 5 tablespoons melted butter. Pour into a 9-inch cheesecake pan with removable rim (2 1/4 in. tall). Press mixture evenly over bottom of pan.

Maple Cream: In a bowl, with a mixer on high speed, beat 3/4 cup whipping cream until stiff peaks form. On low speed, beat in 1/4 cup maple syrup just until blended.


Nutritional Information
Calories:
418 (60% from fat)
Protein:
6.2g
Fat:
28g (sat 16)
Carbohydrate:
38g
Fiber:
1g
Sodium:
239mg
Cholesterol:
130mg


Recipe by Kari Bowers, Bellevue, WA, Sunset, NOVEMBER 2008

Thanksgiving Time is here

Thanksgiving Time is here

Posted by Unknown

I love setting a dinner table and make that double love for the holidays. It's the only time china, chargers, goblets, silver and every last serving plate I have gets used. I love centerpieces and I truly go all out for the special gathering of friends and family. Although we will be spending Thanksgiving this year at my brothers house I'll still enjoy all the harvest ideas I find and be thankful for the season of gratitude. After all....how can I not love Thanksgiving. I'm still taking advantage of pumpkin season too!

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween!!

Posted by Unknown

What a great and fun day! Even for Adults. I love going to the grocery store and see the few lone customers who dressed up for the day as well as the evening. It's just fun to see spirit and energy. Of course especially with the kids. Jack-O Lanterns, trunk or treats, spook alleys, and of course Candy. How could you not get excited about the day.

Have a great weekend! Be safe and enjoy October 31st! After all, it only comes once a year.

Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin Cookies

Posted by Unknown

Here's a recipe I recently found on a blog and I couldn't believe the comments. Since they are pumpkin I couldn't resist making them and they are 100% tried and true. I also used a cream cheese frosting on them but honestly, they were almost gone by the time I frosted them. They were very light and fluffy and were sooooooo good. Could I even stretch my case and say healthy....maybe not but I'd like to think they have nutritional value to eat more than one.

Amazing Pumpkin Spice Cookies
1/2 cup coconut oil (or butter)
3/4 cup unrefined sugar (or maple syrup or honey)
1 cup cooked pumpkin (cut in half, scoop out seeds, place cut side down on baking sheet and bake at 350 until soft. Peel and mash or blend the pumpkin.)
2 eggs (or egg substitute equivalent)
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Mix all ingredients together and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 325, drop spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form; set aside.
In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until smooth, then fold in whipped cream.

Pumpkin Fever

Pumpkin Fever

Posted by Unknown

I do love pumpkins and someday I will grow all the pumpkins I need in my own yard. However until that time, I'll continue to buy pumpkins....the white ones, the green ones, the perfect orange ones and even the plastic ones from craft stores to fillful all my pumpkin desires. These are my new favorite pumpkin pictures...... thanks fo Martha for holiday inspiration. However the last one is my favorite punkin of the season:)

A short week thanks to Chris

A short week thanks to Chris

Posted by Unknown

Happy Columbus Day to the new world! Or rather to be political correct now days I believe it's called Discovery Day (or in Berkeley it's called Indigenous Peoples Day). Whatever the day is called I believe the mail is not delivered and my personal bank will be closed. Since some may have the day off I'll keep it short and call it a holiday myself. I'll celebrate by eating pizza and Coca Cola. Without him, I might still be in England drinking tea and eating crumpets.