Well, by this time I would hope you are all done with your shopping and ready to stay home and bake cookies and pies. Those intoxicating smells and the warmth that envelopes you remind me of my childhood. I remember having to keep the Santa Claus secret from my little brother because he wasn't old enough not to believe in the jolly plump gentleman in the red and white suit. Something funny I remember...we never questioned how Santa got in the house...since we had no chimney!
For those of you that don't get our Newsletter...I thought I would publish this poem to the blog. It was written by Carol, my partner...and it is ADORABLE. Enjoy!
***** *****
Twas the week before Christmas and all through my room, not a surface was visible and forget using the broom.
The gift were all there, in some way shape or form, and I'm starting to think that chaos is the norm.
Then what to my wondering eyes should appear, its Laura or Kathryn and chatters so dear.
A little craft project, they swore would be quick,some paper some glue, that should do the trick.
They called out dimensions, 1/2 by one fourth, you score it and fold it, this flap should face north.
I knew I could do it, just one more quick gift, a cute little card or a mini that's it.
The search is now on, or where could that be? The paper, the embellishments, I swear I can make three.
My fingers are covered with mist and distress, oh look what I've done they should pass the test.
They may not be perfect, and may have their flaws... but come on let's admit it, I am not Santa Clause.
A poem written by Carol Hester 12/21/2011
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL....AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A Laura Inspired Gift
Hello and long time no post. We are so delighted with the amount of recipes we have gotten in, and of course the projects that we have been able to share in our news letter. We thank you all for your participation !!
There have been several questions as to what the tickets are for that we have been sending out. We along with Laura of Following The Paper Trail and Kathryn of Kathryn Scraps are hosing a New Years Eve and New Years Day Bash. During those two shows, Laura and Kathryn will be announcing the names of the prize winners from the blog sign up, then in addition to those gifts, Barrie and I will be drawing names from the tickets for more prizes. We will be posting the names of the winners from the tickets in the Chat as well as sending an e mail to those who have won. We have some great prizes that have been donated by our suppliers and each of us are providing a number of prizes as well. There should be a lot of gift giving going on, and we anticipate that we will have a wonderful time !!
I have to thank Laura for her Message Center Project, as it the perfect gift for my Daughter in Law who has been searching for something like this to put on her Fridge. I made a few changes to the project but for the most part left it the same. I have a couple more additions to the picture as shown but this is it
I had been dying to use the chalkboard paint that I have been hording, so instead of the acrylic it is a chalk board !! I love the Tim Holtz Grunge Blocks For the word Memo at the top and his tutorial of how to use them is wonderful.
I added a little cover to one of the cubbies to hold the mini staples so they would not fall out.
I have gotten some hefty magnets for the back as well as a picture hanger so she can decide how best to use it once she gets it home.
This is the perfect gift !! Thanks Laura !
We want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with Love and Laughter.
Carol & Barrie
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Memory Box Dies and My Yummiest Recipe
YaHoo! We finally got in our Memory Box dies and I am sorry to announce they are pretty much gone already. We do have several still available so please check the store. If there is one you want and it is out of stock...please email us thru the store and we will put you on the growing list of people waiting. This way you won't miss out when they come in late next week. We really suggest that you do get on the list because some of this last batch were gone within 4 hours.
We do have all the supplies needed for the Spinning card Kathryn of The Scrap Beach is doing next Thursday. So you can find those in the store
As I have been promising...here is a fabulous twist on traditional Pecan Pie. Once I made this I never made one the regular way again. I hope you enjoy it as much as my gang does!
'nite all, Barrie & Carol
Pecan Cheesecake Pie
1 Deep dish pie crust
1 8oz pkg cream cheese softened
4 lg eggs
3/4C sugar divided (1/4 & 1/2)
2tsp vanilla divided
1/4tsp salt
1 C Light corn syrup
1 1/4C chopped pecans
>Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/2C sugar, 1tsp vanilla and salt at med. speed with electric mixer until smooth. Pour into pie crust.
Sprinkle evenly with chopped pecans
>Whisk together corn syrup and remaining 3 eggs, 1/4C sugar and 1 tsp vanilla; pour over pecans. Place pie on baking sheet.
> Bake at 350 degrees on lowest oven rack 55-min or until done. Cool on wire rack. Best chilled and served the next day.
We do have all the supplies needed for the Spinning card Kathryn of The Scrap Beach is doing next Thursday. So you can find those in the store
As I have been promising...here is a fabulous twist on traditional Pecan Pie. Once I made this I never made one the regular way again. I hope you enjoy it as much as my gang does!
'nite all, Barrie & Carol
Pecan Cheesecake Pie
1 Deep dish pie crust
1 8oz pkg cream cheese softened
4 lg eggs
3/4C sugar divided (1/4 & 1/2)
2tsp vanilla divided
1/4tsp salt
1 C Light corn syrup
1 1/4C chopped pecans
>Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/2C sugar, 1tsp vanilla and salt at med. speed with electric mixer until smooth. Pour into pie crust.
Sprinkle evenly with chopped pecans
>Whisk together corn syrup and remaining 3 eggs, 1/4C sugar and 1 tsp vanilla; pour over pecans. Place pie on baking sheet.
> Bake at 350 degrees on lowest oven rack 55-min or until done. Cool on wire rack. Best chilled and served the next day.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
New Year's Bash News and More Recipes
WOW! The New Year's Eve sign ups for the prizes are off to a whopping start! In just four days we had as many entered as we did for a total last year. Do you think this is going to be fun ...or what?
Our sponsors are so generous. We are thrilled with the response from so many of the vendors. We'll be listing the prizes on the Bash Blog as soon as everything is in. We will know then how many prizes we will be giving away. For all of us that is the most fun part of the party!
A very important reminder ...you will be hearing all of us repeat this several times until the Bash Day. It will really help if everyone logs on to the UStream channel all throughout the day. Even six hours early and just stay logged in. You may want to check every so often to make sure you are still logged in. This will help so that everyone isn't trying to get on at the same time. That always causes people to get booted out and slows everything down. We want to do everything we can to keep UStream happy and functioning wonderfully thru the nite and next day.
We have gotten in some new recipes and one of these from Margaret Ann Moffat (aka heavenlymam) looks so dangerous! We want to hear from those of you who try this. I can't wait!!
Choc Mug Cake
1 coffee Mug
4 tablespoons flour (that's plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg - whisked
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) some nuts (optional)
Small splash of vanilla
How to make it
________________________________________
• Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well .
• Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
• Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
• Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.
• Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high.
• The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
• Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
• EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to share!)
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake any time of the day or night.
**** **** ****
Here are a few sent in by our own Gentleman Crafter Jim Hanks. Not only does he craft ...but he cooks too!
These look real yummy and very South West! Thanks Jim!
Easy Chicken Tetrazzini without Olives
1 med. package thin spaghetti
3 cans Cream of Mushroom soup
3 cans Cream of Chicken soup
5 chicken breasts fully cooked
2 cups of cheddar cheese to cover
Boil noodles according to package directions. While pasta boils, shred chicken and combine soups together in large bowl. When pasta becomes al dente, drain and add into soup mixture. Pour into a greased 9 x13 casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes
Football Dip
4 8oz. packages of cream cheese
1 can Rotel tomatoes mild or spicy
1 pound breakfast sausage
Fry sausage and drain
Add Rotel and cream cheese to Crock Pot and stir in sausage. Heat until cheese is melted and warm.
Chicken Cheese Soup
Boil 4 chicken breasts and 2 Tsp. salt in water. When done reserve liquid. Cool chicken and cut up. In a skillet melt 1 stick butter. Add 1 cup chopped onion and three chopped celery stalks. Sautee until soft. When done set aside. Cook 1 package of large elbow macaroni in reserved broth. When macaroni is done add onions celery and cut up chicken. Add enough water and chicken broth to almost fill pot. Add 1 pound Velveeta cheese chopped up. Cook until cheese melts stirring occasionally. Test for more salt if needed.
Mom’s Chocolate Pie
In a sauce pan heat together 1 cup sweet milk, 1/2 cup of coco and butter about the size of an egg. Beat yolks of two eggs add to milk mixture. Add I cup of sugar to mixture. In a separate bowl dissolve 2 tsp. of corn starch in milk. Add a pinch of salt, 1 tsp. Vanilla. Stir into the heated milk mixture. Cook until thick. Pour in baked pie shell. If desired use the two egg whites to make meringue.
Jim’s Favorite King Ranch Casserole
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of Chicken soup
1 can Rotel Tomatoes with Habaneras ( I like it HOT!)
½ cup Chicken broth
2 cups diced chicken fully cooked
12 corn tortillas torn into pieces
½ cup chopped onion
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt, pepper and garlic flakes
Preheat oven to 350. Mist a 9x13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Blend soups, tomatoes and chicken broth together. Layer half the chicken, tortillas, onion, cheese and soup mixture into casserole and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic flakes. Repeat layers ending with shredded cheese.
Bake 1 hour uncovered.
Jim’s Very own Hot Sauce!!!
In a blender add the following and blend until smooth. Grab some tortilla chips and a margarita and your good to go!
1 Large Can Peeled Whole Tomatoes
2 or 3 Jalapeños
1 White Onion quartered
Handful of Cilantro
2 Heaping Tablespoons of jarred Minced Garlic
Dash of Seasoning Salt, Pepper, Course Salt, Lime Juice
Hope everyone enjoys all the recipes from all over the country and from our ladies overseas. Thanks to everyone that has submitted some for us to try. It would be fun to hear who tries what ...so let us know!
I'll be back tomorrow with more updates and my recipe for Pecan Cheesecake Pie!
'nite all, Barrie & Carol
Our sponsors are so generous. We are thrilled with the response from so many of the vendors. We'll be listing the prizes on the Bash Blog as soon as everything is in. We will know then how many prizes we will be giving away. For all of us that is the most fun part of the party!
A very important reminder ...you will be hearing all of us repeat this several times until the Bash Day. It will really help if everyone logs on to the UStream channel all throughout the day. Even six hours early and just stay logged in. You may want to check every so often to make sure you are still logged in. This will help so that everyone isn't trying to get on at the same time. That always causes people to get booted out and slows everything down. We want to do everything we can to keep UStream happy and functioning wonderfully thru the nite and next day.
We have gotten in some new recipes and one of these from Margaret Ann Moffat (aka heavenlymam) looks so dangerous! We want to hear from those of you who try this. I can't wait!!
Choc Mug Cake
1 coffee Mug
4 tablespoons flour (that's plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg - whisked
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) some nuts (optional)
Small splash of vanilla
How to make it
________________________________________
• Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well .
• Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
• Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
• Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.
• Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high.
• The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
• Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
• EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to share!)
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake any time of the day or night.
**** **** ****
Here are a few sent in by our own Gentleman Crafter Jim Hanks. Not only does he craft ...but he cooks too!
These look real yummy and very South West! Thanks Jim!
Easy Chicken Tetrazzini without Olives
1 med. package thin spaghetti
3 cans Cream of Mushroom soup
3 cans Cream of Chicken soup
5 chicken breasts fully cooked
2 cups of cheddar cheese to cover
Boil noodles according to package directions. While pasta boils, shred chicken and combine soups together in large bowl. When pasta becomes al dente, drain and add into soup mixture. Pour into a greased 9 x13 casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes
Football Dip
4 8oz. packages of cream cheese
1 can Rotel tomatoes mild or spicy
1 pound breakfast sausage
Fry sausage and drain
Add Rotel and cream cheese to Crock Pot and stir in sausage. Heat until cheese is melted and warm.
Chicken Cheese Soup
Boil 4 chicken breasts and 2 Tsp. salt in water. When done reserve liquid. Cool chicken and cut up. In a skillet melt 1 stick butter. Add 1 cup chopped onion and three chopped celery stalks. Sautee until soft. When done set aside. Cook 1 package of large elbow macaroni in reserved broth. When macaroni is done add onions celery and cut up chicken. Add enough water and chicken broth to almost fill pot. Add 1 pound Velveeta cheese chopped up. Cook until cheese melts stirring occasionally. Test for more salt if needed.
Mom’s Chocolate Pie
In a sauce pan heat together 1 cup sweet milk, 1/2 cup of coco and butter about the size of an egg. Beat yolks of two eggs add to milk mixture. Add I cup of sugar to mixture. In a separate bowl dissolve 2 tsp. of corn starch in milk. Add a pinch of salt, 1 tsp. Vanilla. Stir into the heated milk mixture. Cook until thick. Pour in baked pie shell. If desired use the two egg whites to make meringue.
Jim’s Favorite King Ranch Casserole
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of Chicken soup
1 can Rotel Tomatoes with Habaneras ( I like it HOT!)
½ cup Chicken broth
2 cups diced chicken fully cooked
12 corn tortillas torn into pieces
½ cup chopped onion
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt, pepper and garlic flakes
Preheat oven to 350. Mist a 9x13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Blend soups, tomatoes and chicken broth together. Layer half the chicken, tortillas, onion, cheese and soup mixture into casserole and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic flakes. Repeat layers ending with shredded cheese.
Bake 1 hour uncovered.
Jim’s Very own Hot Sauce!!!
In a blender add the following and blend until smooth. Grab some tortilla chips and a margarita and your good to go!
1 Large Can Peeled Whole Tomatoes
2 or 3 Jalapeños
1 White Onion quartered
Handful of Cilantro
2 Heaping Tablespoons of jarred Minced Garlic
Dash of Seasoning Salt, Pepper, Course Salt, Lime Juice
Hope everyone enjoys all the recipes from all over the country and from our ladies overseas. Thanks to everyone that has submitted some for us to try. It would be fun to hear who tries what ...so let us know!
I'll be back tomorrow with more updates and my recipe for Pecan Cheesecake Pie!
'nite all, Barrie & Carol
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