Frigid February!

Frigid February!

If we get snowbound again I have some great ideas to keep us from making cookies AND EATING THEM!

The only candles I light now are Yankee Candles because when I'm done using them all I close the lid and they're out.  We have ruined a few table clothes by over-zealously blowing out the candles. The wax always managed to fly everywhere.  Then I found fake votives and now I love to decorate with them.  Turn them on and off and you will have the votive holders forever.

I found these two small dessert glasses and decided to put votives in them.  They create a soft romantic atmosphere on that side of the buffet.

Years ago I bought some candles from Walmart mainly because I loved the lids.  They're about half used.   I didn't want to light them anymore because I didn't want to throw them out when they were finished so I decided to decorate them and not use them anymore.  I had some great Christmas fabric I wanted to display so I cut out the pieces I wanted to use and and glued them to the candles.  I've been putting these candles out for the past ten years and the fabric stays glued.  I use Goop for a lot of projects but I'm not sure if that makes a difference.  I also keep my candles in the unfinished part of the basement where it's cool all year long.

This is one of my favorite jars.  I was disappointed this year when I took it out and saw it was cracked.  I didn't want to throw it out so I decided to "dress" it up for winter to hide the crack.  First I painted the jar with Frosted Etching (see below) and then dabbed Snow-Tex here and there especially in the cracks.  Then I glued snowflakes and a few 3D stickers around the top.

This is the Frosted Etching.  I love it. You use it just like paint.  It dries very fast.  The trick is to make swirls when you paint it on the glass.  When you apply it that way you won't see lines or goopey mistakes. The brush cleans up with soap and water.  

Here's more etched mason jars.  I cut out the fabric pieces I wanted and glued them on the glass.  The beauty of projects like this is if you make a mistake or some of the glue seeps out it doesn't matter because the etching hides everything.  I also glue fabric to the lids.

 

These are Gingerbread stickers.  They work fine too.  I stuck them on while the etching was still wet so they got a good seal.

I really liked this bottle and didn't want to throw it out so I decided to decorate it.  I used the same technique as above while writing "COLD" in Snow-Tex.  Then I added blue craft paint to the top and where the seam is to make it look extra icy.  Most craft paints work on glass but if I have a specific project in mind I always look in the back of the paint bottle to make sure I'm using the right product.

I got this snowflake jar at the end of the season for one dollar.  When I saw it I knew a blue pearl effect paint would be perfect for the design.  The snowflake needed a few coats to really stand out.  All of these paints dry so quickly I was able to paint one layer right after the other.

 

Same with this snowman jar.  I just filled in the snowman design with Snow-Tex and painted the rest.

This little guy was 50 cents.  I couldn't pass him up.  While the paint was wet I sprinkled glitter on his hat and scarf.  Then I added Snow-Tex to his face and buttons.

Update

  Everyone asks how my family room renovation is coming.  I will continue to post updates WHEN they happen.  Not a lot has happened since October.  I hope the next four months show some progress otherwise I fear this is another ten year renovation.  And I don't want to be living in an old age home before it's finished!

Watch for my next Valentine post.  It's going to be sooo awesome!

Thanks for visiting!!

January- what else is there to say...

I heard on the News January 6th (a Monday) is the most depressing day of the year.  I think the whole month of January is depressing...

Ralph and Justin were busy this season.  They were invited to be in the Nov./Dec./Jan. issue of  Art Doll Quarterly magazine.  They spent 3 months in beautiful Laguna Hills, CA soaking up the sunshine while waiting to be photographed. 

Now that they're celebrities they were asked what's next.  Their reply was they are waiting for Spring to splash around the lily pads!  Watch for them they'll be in the spotlight again soon! 

So Ralph and Justin arrived home just in time for the real cold weather.  Fortunately or unfortunately, a snow day occurred during our holiday break.  That was dangerous.  I always promise to make pizza if we get snowed in.  Sometimes I keep my promise, sometimes I forget.  Because of the timing I remembered.  I made the first dough in the Cuisinart and then handed the reins over to Kristen.  When she takes over I relax and enjoy the evening.  AND it's a long evening when you make this much pizza!  

What a combination-pizza and beer!  So I froze a few mugs and settled in for the evening.  It was soo much fun!!

Here's our favorite pizza recipe.

We always make the pizza dough in the food processor.  Then when we're all done making all the dough we want we make the pizza sauce right in the food processor.  We use a few cans of crushed tomatoes, parsley, oregano, olive oil, fresh basil and pepper.  Swirl that together in the food processor and have the toppings ready.  One of my favorite pizzas is thinly sliced tomatoes with fresh basil and a sprinkle of grated cheese.  Many moons ago when Chris and I were dating we went into New York City every chance we got.  We always went to our favorite little restaurant in Little Italy which sadly closed this Fall.  Our appetizer would always be a small pizza with fresh tomato, fresh basil, grated cheese and oil cured black olives.  It was to die for.  Whenever we make pizza that is a must and we make it exactly the same way. 

One tip for trying to get dough to rise in the cold weather.  No matter how warm a house is the dough can be funny.  I found this year the dough just didn't want to rise quickly.  We helped speed up the process by preheating the oven and putting the dough in oiled bowls with clean dishtowels over them.  The bowls sat under the warming light on the hood of the oven for a while and we finally got a good rise out of them.

  

 One of the highlights of our summer vacation to Maine a few years ago was a stop at the Shipyard Brewery.  It was so much fun.  After the tour you can stand at the bar and taste all the beer!  I loved the blueberry, apricot/peach and SMASHED PUMPKIN not to be confused with their regular pumpkin beer.  This beer is addicting!  All you need is whipped cream and you're in Heaven.  It is rich and you can kind of taste the pumpkin and a bit of cinnamon.  We brought home 4 bottles and I waited until the following Memorial Day to serve them at our picnic.  This year I found them at the package store and bought 8.  I'm saving 4 for Memorial Day!  It's only out between August and October so stock up! Oh, the shop at the Shipyard Brewery is pretty cool too.  I brought home beer soap which I put on my bar shelves.

This was one more memorable fun family night around the holidays.  Dad got Lord of the Rings Monopoly for Christmas.  We had a lot of laughs just playing a game together.

This photo won't go sideways so I'm leaving it in and showing it to you anyway!

OK, the fun's over!  Back to work, back to dieting, back to the gym.  It was fun while it lasted!!!  The next time we have another snow day I'm forgetting about it again!!!

Keep Warm!  See you Soon!!

Post Christmas/New Year Catch Up!

POST CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR CATCH UP!

It's cold outside and getting colder.

It's real bear weather!  We still have to get to work and bears still have to find their food!

But not Murphy Canning!  He's just hanging out taking doggy naps!  If Gramps comes today to take me for a run tell him I'm not going!  I'm going to lie here and wait for my mom and dad to come home and bring me some food.  And Grandma doesn't have to stop over to keep me company. Sometimes I like it nice and quiet and I can't worry about her tripping over me or slipping on the ice outside.  

Love you all MURPH!

*  *  *

Here's the  perfect breakfast for Humans on a bitter cold day when we're all snowed in!!

Aeble Skivers 

1. aebleskivers

   Web definitions

   1. (Æbleskive) Æbleskiver are traditional Danish pancakes in a distinctive shape of a sphere. Somewhat similar in texture to American pancakes crossed with a popover, æbleskiver are solid like a pancake but light and fluffy like a popover. ...
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Æbleskive

They are delicious!  Years ago, I went to Beltram restaurant supply store on Sherman Avenue in Hamden and asked them to order the special cast iron pan you need to make them.  Now they can be ordered on the Internet.  They are such a treat!  I put foil around the pan to prevent batter drips on the stove.  Spray the pan with vegetable oil spray so the batter won't stick.  Let the Aebleskivers cook in the pan for a while before you try to turn them.  The longer they set the easier they are to turn.  We found wooden skewers work best for turning.  Once you get the hang of them you can crank out a lot.  We drop a tablespoon of something in the middle to make them taste more like doughnuts.  I love jelly or jam in the middle.  This year we made a nice variety.  Some had Stonewall Kitchen Wild Blueberry and  Sour Cherry Jelly and others had applesauce and then there's everyone's favorite chocolate chips.  

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and load on the maple syrup!

 Here's the recipe.  I always rate them!

I got the recipe from this cookbook.  This little church cookbook has the best recipes in it!  I know because I have tons of cookbooks and usually never make anything in them but this one is a gem and I always keep it close by.

This little snow girl is coiffed  with my daughter Kristen's hair.  Her mittens and hat are made from old socks.  Her leggins are from an old pair of mine and her coat is a scrap from a Christmas project I made years ago.  I knit her scarf!  What a way to recycle!

Kristen started painting this picture a few years ago and never finished it.  I was so excited when she gave it to me for Christmas!!  I rotate all my paintings seasonally but it's going to be very hard to put this one away when the weather gets warm!

This is my other Christmas present from Kristen.  We were in a little shop in ME a few summers ago and I saw some small paintings like this.  I showed them to Kristen and asked if she would paint me one.  This is a belated birthday present.  It's OK that my birthday is in July because at least I got it!  It's in my butler pantry playing with the rest of the goodies in there!

This is the only project I finished this season.  I thought I would get so much more done but unfortunately LIFE GETS IN THE WAY!  It's a candle mat from a kit I got at City Quilter in NYC about 4 years ago.  When my house gets back to order-if ever-I will put a pretty candle in the middle.

Happy New Year!  Next time Ralph and Justin will visit again with big news!

Santa's coming in 2 days!  

I'm done decorating!

Almost all of the treasures are out!

Love my Pine Cones!

 I kept all of the pine cones I painted last year in my basement.  I keep my candles down there too because it's cool all year long.  I painted some pine cones white, others the blue I used on my hutch, a few the mauve Dusty Rose on the walls in my dining room and the rest the icy mint, the color of the paint in the living room.  While the paint was wet, sprinkled glitter on them.  They really make beautiful arrangements in the simplest bowls.

I decorate seasonally.  This brandy snifter always has something pretty in it.

I'm sitting here waiting patiently Santa!

Me too Santa!

I hang here all year long anyway!

Watch out Elf on the Shelf!  We're the real thing! Our jobs are done now.  We're just waiting for Santa too!

Hey Santa, we're ready whenever you are.  We're just hanging out here eating their Christmas cookies!!

 

I don't like devoting a day to making Christmas cookies.  I would rather be making dolls, crafting or quilting.  I thought maybe this year we'd spice things up a little and make a special holiday drink to sip while we bake.  I'm getting this post out ASAP because too many sips and what the heck who cares if anything gets baked or blogs get posted!  We can just eat instead!!

My Bar is stocked!

Here's my Holiday drink!  I read the reviews.  It got 5 Stars!  I'll try to remember to rate it too!

Pumpkin Pie Martini

By Stephen Phillips

Food Network - rated 5 stars

Ingredients

1/2 oz. Stoli Vanilla (optional to give it kick)
1 oz. Pumpkin Spice liqueur (such as Hiram Walker)
1/2 oz. Kahlua
1/2 oz. Butterscotch Schnapps
1/2 oz. half-and-half
Crushed graham crackers
Cinnamon stick (garnish)

Directions
Add all liquids in a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into large martini glass rimmed with crushed graham crackers. Garnish with a cinnamon stick

Now for the Christmas Cookies!

  Yep, these are fake AGAIN.  I have more fake cookies out than real ones!

These are really real and a treat from our dear friends.   I'm afraid ours probably won't be as good but we're going to try our best.

   I only share the recipes we know are really good.  This year we are trying a new Gingerbread recipe. It looks a little spicier.  I'll make notes so I'll remember if it's good enough to make again next year. Here's some more of our favorite cookie recipes...

Grandma Riello's Bon Bon Cookies

 My husband loves these Bon Bons.  The egg yolk keeps the dough together so it doesn't crumble when you mold it around the cherries.  XXX sugar is Grandma talk for Confectioner's Sugar.

Fudge

We always make this fudge and I can vouch for the name.  You can't make a mistake.  It's almost impossible.  Trust me if there was a way to goof it up I would have a long time ago and I never would have made it again because I would have blamed the recipe!

EAGLE BRAND SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK FOOLPROOF CHOCOLATE FUDGE RECIPE

This is the original recipe from Delicious Desserts Made Easy, Borden, 1981.

Print this Recipe

FOOLPROOF CHOCOLATE FUDGE

3 (6-ounce) packages semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (not evaporated milk)
Dash salt
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional

In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt morsels with Eagle Brand.  Removed from heat; stir in remaining ingredients.  Spread evenly into wax paper-lined 8-inch square pan.

Chill 2 to 3 hours or until firm.

Turn fudge onto cutting board, peel off paper and cut into squares.  Store loosely covered at room temperature.

(Makes about 1-3/4 pounds)

HO

HO

HO

I'm running a little late.  Mrs. Santa has me up on the roof hanging the last of our Christmas lights.  When I'm done with this string I'm going to make a trial run down the Chimney just to make sure I fit.  All year long she's been telling to lay off the chips and dip but I just can't help myself when I get going.  I'd hate to have to wear her Spanx again this year to get down the chimney!

She's just about to give me her blessing and some fruit for the trip!

Don't eat all the cookies and milk at the houses Dear!  Otherwise even the Spanx won't help you get down the last of the Chimneys!

Yes Dear!  I'll try...

  

That's what she thinks!!

Santa!  I've got hot chocolate and candy for you!  Hurry before I melt it's been too warm the past few days!

Hey Santa!!  Pleaseeeeeeze hurry up and get to my house! How am I supposed to go outside and watch the birds and the squirrels fight over the food in the bird feeder looking like this?????  My mom Jen isn't going to take this get up off me until she sees lots of presents.  I'll be watching from under the tree.  Oh, and bring lots and lots of catnip.  I need to keep my cool!

OK Flip!  I'm on my way!  See you real soon!!!!

Merry Christmas and

 Happy New Year! 

 See you next year!!!!