Saturday, December 26, 2009

Princess in the House


The princess dress I made was a HUGE success!

Once my granddaughter opened the package, she was stripping out of her clothes so she could put on the dress. I added store bought crown, jewelry, shoes and of course a star topped wand that lite up...just right for a princess. I wished I had made the elastic in the sleeves a little tighter and the skirt a little longer, but for a "dress-up" play dress...it works just fine.

Now, my only real question is...I wonder how my son got her out of it to put her pjs on for bedtime...lol

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Fore!


Drum Roll Please.......

My last project was for my favorite bunny collector/golfer.

Jean has a welcoming home full of hippy hoppy love. I had this cute handmade rabbit and decided it would be great fun to create a cute golf outfit for it to add to Jean's collection. The challenge was...I did not have any patterns. So, in my best Lifetime's "Runway" impression I began draping, cutting and sewing. I soon had a creation that I was very pleased with. I found the golf clubs at "Build a Bear".

And now, Santa's workshop needs a good cleaning, straightening and organizing...

Monday, December 21, 2009

Apple Pie in a Jar - What could be Better!


Christmas Project 4....Check!

Not wanting to disappoint those on my gift list who love and look forward to this holiday treat, I stirred up two batches of a yummy jam on Sunday for my next Christmas project. It has become a family and friends favorite...Dutch Apple Pie Jam. A mixture of apples, raisins and spice...makes for an excellent holiday treat.

One of the secrets to making Jellies and Jams is to prepare your works space before you start cooking by: pre-measure sugar into a separate bowl; sanitizing jars (I like to run them through the dish washer) and temper the jars with hot water - as with the lesson we learned this summer - have more jars ready than you think you will need; have your lids simmering in warm water to prepare seals; have a clean cloth ready to wipe jar lips and treads; and have a large metal cooking spoon and ladle ready to use (never use wood or plastic when making jellies and jams).

Dutch Apple Pie Jam

Ingredients:

2 Large Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped (you need around 4 cups of fruit)

1 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup raisins
2 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground clove
1 box of pectin (such as Sur Jell or Ball)
1/2 teaspoon butter (to keep jam from foaming up during cooking)
4 cups of granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

Directions:

Sprinkle the apples with lemon juice - I like to do it as I am chopping the apples to insure they do not start turning brown while I am chopping. Mix apples, raisins, butter and water into your cooking pot. Start cooking the apple mixture for 3-4 minutes. Add pectin, stir until fully dissolved. Bring to a full boil. Add sugars all at once. Stir and continue cooking - add more water (1/8 of a cup at a time) if the mixture is too thick. Bring the mixture to a full boil, boil for 1 full minute.

Ladle hot jam into jars, wipe jar lip and threads with clean cloth, lay on the hot seal, tighten with jar ring.

Now you have two options to finish sealing your jars. You can place them in a water bath caner and process for 10 minutes. Or turn the jars with hot jam over, allow to sit for 5 minutes then flip the jars over - this causes a vacuum and seals the jar.

Not only will you enjoy this jam on toast and breads, but it is also yummy stirred into a warm bowl of oatmeal.

Enjoy!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

All I Want for Christmas...is My Two Front Teeth (or how about 2 Pajama Bottoms)


Christmas Project three...check!

I made these adorable pajama bottoms for my grand kids...pink ones for Gabbie and the blue plaid for Jaccob. I found nice little T-shirts to go with them. I must say...they were a breeze to make and had my new Mom-In-Law surge them so they will last...at least until they out grow them. Thanks Mom also for the flannel...they were such great fabrics.

Now on to my fourth Christmas project...homemade Dutch Apple Pie Jam...it's a family favorite. And then I only will have one project left to do (which is good since Christmas is knocking on the door) but I will not be able to show you that one until Christmas since it is for my new sister-in-law Jean and I know she peeks in here once in a while.

Back to work in Santa's workshop...Ho Ho Ho!

And, huhhh Santa if you are reading this...I can explain everything...I'm trying to be a good girl...really! lol

Monday, December 14, 2009

The Lowdown on Short Ribs

I love to try new things and this past weekend I stepped outside of my comfort zone and cooked a new dish. Bill was my willing victim...ahhh taster.

I have been watching for a while on the cooking shows how they make Short Ribs. I thought they always looked so yummy...but I've never had short ribs and had never cooked them. But with steadfast determination I cooked them on Saturday.

One thing, they are not cheap...I paid almost $10 for a pound and a half at Meijers...which was just enough for Bill and me. But I must say...they were worth every penny. I have now became a fan of Short Ribs.

I followed Paula Deen's recipe as follows:

Short Ribs

3 pound short ribs - I used half this amount for 2 servings

House seasoning - made of salt, pepper and garlic powder (I make my own and put it in an old salt shaker)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Oil - I used Crisco solid

2 cloves garlic, chopped, plus 2 more cloves chopped

Water

Beef broth

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 onion sliced - we love onions - so I did 2

White rice for serving - I cooked the rice in beef broth to tie it to the ribs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Season ribs liberally, or to taste with house seasoning. Lightly dust with 2 tablespoons flour.

In a dutch oven, place a small amount of oil. Add the 2 garlic cloves and cook until lightly browned. Add the ribs and brown on each side. Add half water and half beef broth to cover ribs. Bring to a boil. The recipe did not specify how long to cook them in the broth - once they came to a boil, I cooked them for about 10 minutes. Remove the ribs from the dutch oven and place in a casserole dish. Add the remaining garlic, salt and pepper, onions and about 1 cup broth to the ribs (I used the cooking liquid from the dutch oven). Roast ribs for 2 hours. Again, the recipe did not specify, but I covered with foil.

Served over buttered white rice.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Cooking up a Party Treat

Party, Party, Party...can you hear the music, the laughter of family and friends, and of course the clinking of glasses....it's that magical time of the year when we release our cares and worries to enjoy the company of those we love. To make the gathering even better, here is a sweet treat to pass around. I also like to bagged it up, tied with a red ribbon to make cute little gifts.

This little treat is guaranteed to please and will have your guests saying - it's wonderful.

Puppy Chow for People

1 stick of butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup smooth peanut butter
4 cups of chex type cereal
2 cups powder sugar

Melt butter, chocolate chips, peanut butter. Stir in cereal. Turn mixture into a paper bag, add powder sugar. Shake to coat cereal and serve to delight.

Enjoy!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Snug as a Bug

Christmas Project number 2 - check!

Who hooo I've just finished Christmas project number 2 which is a jeans quilt for my 9 year old grandson.

Jason, my son, was sharing with me how his son Tyler is always trying to get to the afghan first (before his little sister and brother) to wrap in while watch TV. This gave me an idea to make Tyler his very own quilt. I've been saving jeans for a while - I originally was going to make a quilt for Jason when he was a boy - never did get it sewed - now it's for his son...I guess better late than never - lol.

Cutting squares out of jeans is not the easies - but do able - this was the longest part of the project. Mom had flannel for me to use for the backing (thanks Mom for the donation to this project - gotta love a mother-in-law with her very own room filled with material!) - there is no padding needed - so this project's only cost was the time to put it together. Snipping the seams with very sharp clippers (which I borrowed from Aunt Judy) and running the quilt through the washer and dryer fluffs up the seams which gives the quilt it's unique look.

Now Tyler can snuggle up on a cold winter night in his very own quilt - and if his little sister and brother wants one too - I have plenty of jeans left to make them one -- perhaps that will be a great idea for them for next Christmas! hmmmm....I think I'm adding it to Santa's list ;-)

Now on to Christmas project #3...

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Ho Ho Ho

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not shout, I'm telling you why...Santa Claus is coming to town.

Santa's workshop has been open for business with paper, scissor and glitter flying through the air. Here is the fun Christmas Card that I crafted this year for my family and friends. In keeping with my Santa collecting, I channelled my inner Santa with a glittering beard, twinkling mittens and a gold leafed belt buckle. Inside there was no other options, but to stamp it Ho Ho Ho. I hope you will be blessed with this jolly old elf.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Say...Cheese

It's party time!! The hustle and bustle of the season has begun.

I know you can easily pick up a cheese ball for your party tray at the store, but there are times when "Homemade" just makes it better. This is sooooo easy, your friends will think you have taken your holiday hosting to a whole new level.

Holiday Cheese Ball

8oz. cream cheese - softened
1 roll of garlic flavored cheese - these are soft cheese packaged in a round tube
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Worcester sauce
chopped nuts - such as pecan or walnut

Mix together cheeses, salt and Worcester sauce. Make into a ball and roll in chopped nuts. Refrigerate to harden. Serve with assorted crackers.

Enjoy!

Monday, December 7, 2009

I do

In the middle of a snow storm...Bill and I said "I do" surrounded by family last Friday (December 4th).

Friday, December 4, 2009

We Awoke to a Winter Wonderland


Old man winter has awaken for the season, as we found this morning covered with our first beautiful blanket of snow for the season (yes, for those who have heard me grumbling about the weather forecast...I said beautiful). Snow seems so magical in how it transforms the landscape and makes everything look new again (I just wish I did not have to drive in it.)

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Fit for a Princess


There are times when life just takes over, and that is what has happened to me the last few days... Sorry I have not posted recently.

I've been busy with transforming my home into a Santa haven and channeling my inner elf by creating fun surprises for my family and friends for Christmas. Speaking of Christmas surprises, here is the cute little dress I just finished this afternoon for my 3 year old granddaughter. I think she will feel like a true princess in this purple and pink gown. I just know she will love playing dress-up. Now, on to the next project which is a jeans quilt for my 9 year old grandson.