| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Annika |
Posted - Sep 16 2011 : 4:14:27 PM
Thank you Darlys!!! Good grief!! Time's running away like a herd of wild antelope!!! It is definitely time to put on the elf hat and get busy! I am going to upcycle paper bags into gift tags and jar labels with colored ink and potato stamping this year! I've done this before and had lots of fun making funny and old fashioned looking tags. I'm looking for a source for gunny sacks or gunny material to make gift bags out of too. I just asked for an invite to "Pinterest" so that i can use their visual photo post board style pages to lay out all of my Christmas and other holiday recipes and plans! Everyone is getting fleecy hand-made slippers, spicy cider butter and some other personalized home made gifts! I'm sending off an email to an Idaho farm to order a couple of pheasants, a small turkey and some farm-raised elk and making my lists and checking them twice while I'm at it  Ho!Ho!Ho! and pretty please keep sharing!
I was shocked when I friend mentioned in an email just a few minutes ago that tomorrow it will be 130 days til Christmas eve! I'm sitting here in a sundress and flip-flops planning a weekend picnic with hubby and the last thing that was on my mind with Christmas! And me such a Christmas elf too!
So, its time to start making jar gifts and buying little pretties for Christmas baskets. Time to start readying all of the beloved Holiday recipes, trying out new ones and dusting off my elf suit!
So for all of the little celebrations in life, I give you two of my favorite fancy recipes 
Baked Camembert with Hazelnuts and Dried Cherries ~
1 whole round of Camembert cheese
1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts or walnuts
With a sharp knife remove the top of the rind from the Camembert
Mix the cherries and the nuts in a bowl and liberally sprinkle over the top of the cheese. Pat gently so that the fruit and nuts stick to the cheese. Now wrap and chill for about and hour.
Preheat the oven to 350. Unwrap the cheese and place it in a baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese gives a bit when pressed lightly in the centre. You have to watch it like a hawk so that the cheese doesn't start melting and running onto the sheet.
Place warm cheese on a nice platter and serve with sliced baguette!
~ And ~
Fancy Bread Pudding with apples, raisins and figs
Serves 6
2/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup chopped dried figs
1/4 cup Marsala or hot tea
9 or 10 slices of bread
5 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 1/2 cups milk (do not use lowfat or nonfat)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 apple, peeled, cored, chopped
Combine raisins, figs and Marsala/Tea in small bowl. Let stand 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lavishly butter an 8-cup soufflé dish. Spread 1 side of each bread slice generously with butter. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes. Transfer to prepared dish. Mix sugar, eggs and egg yolk in large bowl. Whisk in cream and next 4 ingredients. Stir in apple, raisins and figs with Marsala/Tea. Pour over bread and stir to combine. Let stand 5 minutes. Set soufflé dish in large baking pan. Add enough hot water to large pan to come 1 inch up sides of soufflé dish. Bake until custard is set and top is golden and puffed slightly in center, approximately 1 3/4 hours. Serve warm.
Let's share some of our favorite holiday season recipes and ideas for home made gifts and decorating !
huggy-wugs!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alanna Neupert |
Posted - Nov 03 2011 : 8:29:45 PM
Okay to make the pizzelles you want to make them on a pizelle maker. You don't put too much on the iron so the pizzelles are smaller. You take them off the iron and while they are still warm you gently wrap them around the handle of a wooden spoon. Carefully slide them off to cool. When cool you use your decorating bag and fill each one with buttercream icing.I'm going to use rasberry extract in my buttercream icing. Then if you want to dip the ends in melted chocolate. I usually use the chocolate disks that cake decorating stores use. You can if you don't want to use chocolate on the ends is to sprinkle powdered sugar over them. These freeze very well and they taste similiar to our local "cream hornes" which most of the weddingd in our area have . When my daughter got married 2 years ago, I made over 150 dozen of cookies for her wedding,plus what my friends made. I also had assorted kinds of fudge-cherry nut, chocolate, peanut butter, half p.butter and chocolate cut into small pieces. If anyone wants the recipe for the pizzelles I'll post mine. Also, the iron I use is a electric pizzelle maker-nothing is deep-fried! |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Nov 03 2011 : 07:02:59 AM
Oh, Alanna - I can't even imagine how you're feeling. I'm so sorry for your loss. 41 years is a lifetime! What wonderful memories you have, though! Such a blessing! I bet your hubby was a really fun person to be with! My prayers are with you. May the true meaning of Christmas comfort your heart, today and always.
I'm very interested in filled pizzelles, too! WOW! WOW! YUM!!!
Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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| Penny Wise |
Posted - Nov 03 2011 : 06:47:06 AM
filled pizzelles??? have never heard of them filled! how???? i have the rosette irons that belonged to my inlaws and her grandmother but i don't have the pizzelle maker.
Farmgirl # 2139
proud member of the Farmgirls of the Southwest Henhouse
~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
| crafter |
Posted - Nov 03 2011 : 06:41:23 AM
Alanna- those sound sooooo yummy! What a fun day- baking and baking and baking!!! |
| Alanna Neupert |
Posted - Nov 03 2011 : 06:15:48 AM
Good morning- Going to bake some homemade cookies this morning. My girlfriend has a Christmas Openhouse this weekend and I'm baking for a Harvest Tea on Saturday. I'm going to make Cherry Bon-Bons, Lemon Dreams and Peanut Butter Drops. Did you ever try rolling the dough into balls, roll in sugar and press down with a antique wirk wisk. The cookies look so pretty and fancy instead of a fork. Also, makingfilled pizzelles with a rasberry buttercream filling. So good! |
| Annika |
Posted - Oct 29 2011 : 8:05:13 PM
My goodness Alanna, you haven't put any sort of damper on things! Myself, I've been farmsitting since Thursday night and am just run ragged! I was going to make some nut brittle but just ran out of time and energy today. I look forward to trying some of your cookie recipes! I've lost a lot of family to cancer and the cancer centers are always filled with the most wonderful and caring people.
This evening, because I'm just too tired to do anything else, I'm starting to narrow down all of my lists of holiday recipes, decoration choices and handmade gift possibilities, make my semi-final choices and make shopping lists of additional things that I'll need to get. I'm making most of my own gifts this year, and need to get busy!
...But not tonight
Hugs!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| Alanna Neupert |
Posted - Oct 29 2011 : 6:55:56 PM
Thank you everyone for all of your prayers and well wishes on the death of my husband. I hope I didn't put a damper on all of your excitement about the upcoming holidies. I'll post some of my good cooky recipes so some of you ladies can try some of my fav cookies. I'm also going to take trays of some homemade fudge and cookies to Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh where my husband was treated. What a wonderful place! Alanna |
| smiley |
Posted - Oct 29 2011 : 3:21:34 PM
Alanna I too prayed for you. What awesome memories you have! |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Oct 29 2011 : 1:14:50 PM
My heartfelt prayers are with you
quote:
Originally posted by buffypuff
I'm so sorry Alanna that you lost your husband. I know that Christmas will never be quite the same. I hope that you will have plenty of family and friends around to help fill the gap. Until then...blessings and prayers for you.
Buffypuff/ Claudia ~ Farmgirl Sister #870 @}~~
"God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves." DL Moody
"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life or in the life of another" Helen Keller |
| buffypuff |
Posted - Oct 29 2011 : 1:11:20 PM
I'm so sorry Alanna that you lost your husband. I know that Christmas will never be quite the same. I hope that you will have plenty of family and friends around to help fill the gap. Until then...blessings and prayers for you.
Buffypuff/ Claudia ~ Farmgirl Sister #870 @}~~
"God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves." DL Moody
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| Annika |
Posted - Oct 29 2011 : 08:15:40 AM
Alanna, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.You are in my thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort.
(((((Hugs)))))
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| Calicogirl |
Posted - Oct 29 2011 : 05:54:33 AM
Alanna,
I am SO SORRY to hear of your loss. Please know that I am praying for the Lord to bring you comfort and strength.
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| Alanna Neupert |
Posted - Oct 28 2011 : 8:59:31 PM
Good evening from chilly Pa! It was so good to read of all the great Christmas ideas you all have for Christmas. Here on the farm it is going to be a quiet Christmas as I just lost my best friend and husband of 41 yrs. to cancer. I love baking so very much for Christmas so I think this year will be gifts of homemade cookies for some of my close friends. I make tins of pizzelles up every year and they stay super crisp till we gobble them up. I had every year a cookie swap at my house, but this year I just can't do this. My husband would dress up with his old straw hat and vintage bow tie and vest and pretend to play all of the great Christmas songs. He had a little tin cup and my friends would put their change in it to tip him. What great memories I have. Take care- Alanna "The Farmer's Wife" |
| smiley |
Posted - Oct 27 2011 : 7:04:35 PM
What a wonderful thread. I got excited just reading it! I have been so focused on carrying off the church hayride we hosted this year without a hitch that Nov has snuck up on me. I seem to focus on what is just in front of me and boom there is Christmas and I'm not ready! May be this year I wont do that. |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Oct 26 2011 : 2:15:04 PM
Those sound super good too Annika!!!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| Annika |
Posted - Oct 21 2011 : 12:56:39 PM
Today it is seriously looking like autumn, while the weather is still mild, leaves are falling everywhere. I am going to put up two trees this year, one bought from a local charity and hopefully one little live tree, or if I end up not being able to afford one this year, a good old branch in a bucket of rocks for the bedroom! I took a slow walk around the farm that I live on and took stock of what I can use for natural decorations. My huge Ponderosa had a good sized scattering of cones beneath it, which I gathered up, There are lots and lots of wild rose bushes with artful scraggly branches and beautiful rosehips, there are pines with enough lovely growth that I can carefully prune off enough for swags and other decorative greenery. My home needs a good coat of paint, but it will look country holiday pretty with a huge out door wreath on the wall. Not only am I poor as dirt this year, but I'm all into having as green a Christmas as I can. I'm happy that my pantry is well stocked and tomorrow morning, I'll go pick more apples to turn into gifts and more cans of goodies for my pantry!. I am going to make more apple butter, ginger spice jelly and jalapeno apple jelly! So, because pumpkins are pretty affordable, this is what I'm doing with the seeds. Enjoy
Chili Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
1 cup pumpkin seeds
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 to 1 tablespoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to your taste, I like things salty)
Place pumpkin seeds in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat
Stir frequently, for 3-5 minutes, until seeds make a crackling noise, some will even pop
Remove pan from heat and stir in olive oil, then chili powder and salt
Cool and serve
Makes 1 cup of spicy pumpkin seeds (this is also good with peanuts!)
Happy Autumn!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| classygram |
Posted - Oct 20 2011 : 9:08:36 PM
Annika thanks for sharing the web site for Christmas tips and tags. Will be using that one. Ladies thanks for sharing all the goodie ideas. Will make some really nice gifts. Hugs,Brenda
http:///www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com
Seek reasons to Love..In every sigment of everyday-look for something that brings forth within you a feeling of Love-Abraham Hicks |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Oct 20 2011 : 3:06:03 PM
wow all these recipes sound delicious, I want to try them all.
Thanks
"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life or in the life of another" Helen Keller |
| darlenelovesart |
Posted - Oct 20 2011 : 3:01:03 PM
Thanks they really sound good. I will try them soon.
quote:
Originally posted by Killarney
oh, Both of these sound wonderful!! Thanks for sharing!
imagine....
#3392
"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life or in the life of another" Helen Keller |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Oct 20 2011 : 2:00:20 PM
Today has been windy and chilly so I started on my Christmas list to see what crafts I need to do yet... It's early but I still don't think I have enough time! :)
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Oct 10 2011 : 4:53:31 PM
I found a cool recipe for Santa's Whiskers cookies and now I'm going to make them every year, once I did out my seasonal recipes I will have to post it, they are soooo good!!!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Oct 06 2011 : 4:35:12 PM
80 days!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! I've just decorated for Halloween. Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I better start making my list. Thanks for the reminder.
Happy October and Happy Halloween.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| Killarney |
Posted - Oct 05 2011 : 08:08:11 AM
Thanks! I have copied them all!!
Imagine....#3392 |
| darlystippie |
Posted - Oct 04 2011 : 7:42:43 PM
Oh my! I just added up days 'til Christmas on the calendar .... 30 in November, 24 (to Christmas Eve) in December, and 27 more days this month. I've got to get moving ... that's only *81* days left now. Time to put on Jingle Bells.
Sister #3284 - on her Tippie Toes - oxox, Darlys
That is the best ... to laugh with someone because you both think the same things are funny. |
| SRhea |
Posted - Sep 20 2011 : 11:51:38 AM
Love all the recipes. Can't wait to make them. |
