Saturday Roundup

 

It has been a bit chilly today so I stuck close to home once again. Did some extra cleaning, some more candy making (I added so am not done with Christmas candy/baking as of yet), talked to my brother, and did a bit of knitting. I will be continuing the knitting after supper.

So since I am pretty sure that neither Kurt or Kris read my blog, I thought I would show all the table runners, and mug rugs turned out. Actually the mug rugs could be used as hot pads as they turned out to be larger than I thought.

Mug rugs on top of the table runners. 

Then once the sewing was completed...Baking and candy making started.

Almond bark first.

Chocolate Coconut drops (I usually make these into balls and roll in icing sugar).

Butter Tart bars were baked next.

Peanut Brittle and Chocolate Covered Pretzels happened the next day.

Took a break from candy and pulled out all the chicken carcasses from the fridge freezer and made Chicken Bone Broth.

Then it was on to Caramel Slice and Nanaimo Bars.

Cinnamon buns were next, but I am going to have to make another batch as the dough I get from my machine, just makes a bit over a dozen.

More candy making and baking is still taking place. I hope to be finished by Monday at the latest.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

I just can not believe it is the end of November. Looking out the window at the snow and ice it already looks like mid winter, but inside it is toasty warm and just perfect for what I have been up to the last half of the week.

I have put my sewing to the side (did manage to finish one project though) and started my Christmas baking. I have a feeling I have once again gone a bit overboard with my list. Yet with company coming Christmas day, Kurt and Kris being home for about a week, and my Prayer Shawl ministry meeting here on Monday for a little get together I think I might be okay.

Here are a few pictures of what I have made so far.

Chocolate coconut candy in the bag in front. Almond Bark in the bags in the back.

English Shortbread, though why the recipe is called that I will never know.

Homemade peppermint candies.

Whipped Shortbread cookies decorated with red and green cherries.

Butter Tart slice, since I refuse to make tarts any more.

Nanaimo bars, my favourite.

Peanut Butter slice.

The last two still need cutting and putting in containers.

Just a few more items to make, but as Harvey has brought up the Christmas decorations and set up the tree, I will have to stop for a little bit. Hopefully I will be able to get at least the Peanut Brittle made tomorrow (if I am really lucky the Surprise toffee as well).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

The second Sunday of Advent and in the Roman Catholic tradition we light the second candle for love. The love the Lord has for us even with all our faults and the love we should all share with each other.

It has been a quiet day. Harvey made us breakfast when we got home from Mass, I did the dishes and got the chicken ready to be put in the oven.

Then came baking, or should I say melting, mixing and just a touch of oven use.

These are the centers to what will be snowballs when served. Just have to roll them in icing (confectioners) sugar before serving.

Chocolate Bavarian Mints. Once again just melting and mixing ingredients. I will be cutting them tomorrow. Just making sure they are set.

Brittle Surprise was next on the list. I will be breaking this up very soon (Hubby has gotten into it already). This is sometimes known as Christmas Crack around here. Whatever you call it, this is amazing and very addictive.

I was asked for my Almond Bark recipe. It is one that I sort of made up as the years have gone by.

Almond Bark

3 cups white chocolate chips or white dipping chocolate

2 1/2 cups of almonds (this year the slivered almonds were on sale so that is what I used)

1/2 tsp almond extract or vanilla extract (which every you prefer)

Melt chocolate, mix in almonds and flavouring. Pour into wax paper lined baking pan as thin as possible. Mine turned out a bit thicker this year, but Harvey seems to enjoy it anyway.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tidbits

Just sharing a few pictures of what I have been up to this week so far.

Tree up and decorated. No presents underneath as of yet, but hopefully a few will be under very soon.

Big pot of chili made. I am really trying to get a few meals ahead and this is the first large batch of many I hope.

Shortbread made, I never got a picture of the Almond Bark. That went into the freezer as quickly as possible. I wanted no temptation.

Large pot of split pea soup. I used the ham bone I had been saving to make the stock. The remainder was frozen for another meal or two down the road.

First batch of whipped shortbread cookies. So rich and melt in your mouth good.

A tray of chocolate coconut candy. These will be rolled in icing sugar (powdered sugar) when I serve them.

Chocolate mints. This will be cut tomorrow morning into small squares.

Tomorrow I plan on doing some more baking, crossing a few more items off the baking list. I also want to do some more sewing. Then of course there are all the usual Friday household tasks that need to be done as well.

Saturday, my sister and I will be traveling to Yorkton, a city 3 hours north of us. Our youngest brother suffers from schizophrenia and his meds seem to have stopped working. Our other brother informed me today that Jerry is in the hospital and they are trying to get his meds working again. We'll go up and visit him for a little while and make sure all is going well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless. 

Frugal Friday

Good morning everyone.

Early morning posts for the next little while as it will be the only time I can actually depend on being able to use the computer.

Kris made it home yesterday at around 2:30 in the afternoon yesterday and Kurt should be home sometime in the late afternoon tomorrow. Slowly but surely my home is filling up as it was when the boys were much younger. Also as it was when they were much younger I find myself getting ready to pick up after them. Really, I am just not used to glasses or coffee mugs all over the house, and perhaps a gentle reminder that used glasses go in the sink would suffice..

Kris seems to have misplaced all his toques this winter, so I have a new one on my needles. Frugal in that it will be using up a partial skein of yarn that I could not figure out what to do with. He has also informed me that he left all his mittens at home, so those will go on the needles next. If the storm hits us that they are predicting gloves and a toque are definitely necessary. I get to keep my hands busy, use up partial skeins and balls of yarn, and Kris gets something he needs.

I have been busy this week using up the bits and pieces in the fridge as well. We had leftovers for supper last night and tonight I will make the soup that I had planned for yesterday.

I am also making more bread, and what with the boys being home will need to make even more. I plan on getting the bread machine going very soon this morning.

A blogging friend asked me if I would share my caramel recipe with her, so I thought I would post it. The recipe makes about 2 1/4 lbs of candy so a nice big batch.

Old Fashioned Caramels

1 cup margarine or butter (use butter as the candy tastes so much better)
2 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup corn syrup
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Line a 9X9 pan with tin foil, grease the foil. In a heavy saucepan (3 qt.) melt the butter, add the brown sugar and mix well. Stir in corn syrup and cook over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves and mixture is well blended. Remove from heat and stir in sweetened condensed milk. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until temperature reaches 244 F on a candy thermometer about 20 to 30 minutes (usually longer I find). Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Pour into prepared pan. Cool to room temperature. When completely set (I use the fridge to hurry this along) remove from pan using foil overhang to lift. Remove foil. Cut candy and wrap in waxed paper.

Do not make on a really humid day as it will not turn out. For some reason candy making and humidity do not seem to go well together.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Warming Up

Today was a bit warmer than the previous couple of days. The high for today was -17 C and the temperature when I got up this morning was a balmy -20 C. Of course there was still a bit of a wind chill, but nothing near the bone chilling gusts we suffered through.

I managed to get a bit of baking (or should I say candy making done).

The caramels are cut and wrapped.

Peanut butter cups made into squares this time around. Don't think I will do them this way again as for some reason they just do not want to come out of the pan in one piece.

I also managed to get two more decorations cross stitched.

This means 4 down and two left to go. Hopefully the stitching will be completed this week, and I can finish them up on the weekend.

The countdown to Christmas has begun. Our youngest son Kris (plus our rather large grandcat  Ray) will be home this coming Saturday. Means I will need to cook bigger meals again.

Kurt won't be home until the 24th as he teaches until the 23rd.

So looking forward to having both of them home for a bit. It will be nice to have all the hub bub of them being here. Kind of miss the noise and all the activity.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Ahhh, The Smells Of Christmas

I am in the holiday baking mood once more.

The caramels are cut and wrapped. The Bavarian Mints are cut and packaged. Both these packages are now in the freezer away from Harvey's wandering fingers.

English Shortbread, Whipped Shortbread Cookies and Surprise Toffee packaged and put away for when Kurt and Kris get home.

Tomorrow I will have a bit of a break from baking and do my weekly shopping and biweekly bill paying trip. I should also be able to cut out two more sewing patterns, and get a bit of decorating done upstairs. Baking will start up again on Friday when I hope to get some more cookies made as well as some squares.

Slowly but surely getting things ready for Christmas.

The tree is set up in the basement and twinkles every night for Harvey's enjoyment.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Today Father Brian spoke about preparing the way. One of the ways he spoke about was Reconciliation. This is something that I need to really think about and make time to do. As a convert to the Catholic faith it is the one Sacrament that I have a problem with. Father Brian says it is supposed to make a person feel more at peace, while I feel as if I am the worst person on earth whenever I take part. I need to pray about this Sacrament more, and realize I am not being judged and found wanting.

This was the start of my Christmas preparations. I started my candy making today and hope to finish it tomorrow.

Today saw me making......

Almond Bark.

and Peanut brittle.

I hope to make much more tomorrow between my regular household chores (laundry being the biggie).

Last night I pulled out the ham bones I have been saving in the freezer and made Pea Soup

It was scrumptious and served with egg salad sandwiches more than filled us both up. I even managed to put a container in the freezer for a meal later on when things might be a bit hectic.

And here is the ladies gift for our Christmas day exchange. Turned out not too badly really, considering that I used mostly fabric scraps that I had made into 2" strips. I was going to try something a bit different but with time being at a premium, went with the straight strips instead.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

As I left for Mass today the sky was overcast and it started to rain. Not the best weather for a cold November day and really at that moment in time I confess I was a little put out thinking we would have another year of ice driving.

I was one of the lectors at Mass today, and as I was reading the sun came out and started to shine in the windows of the church. By the time Father Brian started the gospel the church was awash with colour through the stained glass. I guess I should trust in the Lord a bit more when the skies are cloudy and the day is dull.

Thought I would share a picture of the front of my church with you all.

I just love the way the light shines through the windows.

This is a picture of the church entrance.

 

Not really clear, but it gives you a bit of an idea of what the church I attend looks like. 

Today Father Brian ended his homily with a question (he usually does this). His question was how can we show the faith and love that the thief showed when he asked Christ to remember him to his Father in heaven. 

Once again Father Brian opened our eyes to the fact that celebrating as a community is great, but it is just as important that we carry the gospel outside of the church and live it in our every day lives.

It has been a quiet day. 

I did make some candy today, but only one batch. 

 This will be broken up tonight and placed in the freezer.

The rest of the day I have spent knitting. Here is a picture of the afghan so far.

Long way to go yet and so I think I will put aside baking for awhile and concentrate on getting this gift finished.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Slowly But Surely

"Slowly, but surely" can be used in a number of ways on the Phillips homestead. Today, however it is being used for my Christmas baking and candy making..... Slowly but surely I am getting it all done and into the freezer.

Today was another cold day on the prairies and the best thing was to stay in, keep warm and do some Christmasy (is this even a word...blogger doesn't think so) things.

I found it to be another productive day in the kitchen.

First I made these flat Truffles.

Now they are cut and ready to go into the freezer.

I moved on to Peanut Butter Cups, Only this time I made them as squares.

These still have to be sliced and put in a container. I will do that later tonight. Saved lots of time doing them this way for a change.

Onto the next goodie for the freezer. Chocolate Mint Snowballs.

These lovely morsels of chocolate goodness will be rolled in icing sugar just before serving.

Lastly I made something I did not get a chance to make last year and they were dearly missed by everybody in the family. Caramels!!!!!

These still have to cool a bit before cutting and wrapping. I know what I will be busy doing tomorrow after Mass.

Just a few things left to do and I can safely say my baking and candy making is done for the holiday season.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Middle of the Week

It is the middle of the week and I am busy attending meetings, doing my regular household chores and of course getting baking and candy making underway for when Kurt and Kris come home. I have even started my Christmas Cards and hope to get them done by tomorrow (sure helps that I have cut down the number of people I send to over the years).

The snow has been coming down since noon today and the temperature has dropped considerably. I think winter has arrived!

Today I made Melting Moment Cookies (a type of shortbread cookie) and Peanut Brittle.

Here is a picture of the pile of cookies.

And here is a picture of the Peanut Brittle.

Tomorrow I think I will make some truffles and Sugar Cookies.

I love how my house smells this time of year.

My evenings are spent knitting. I sure hope that I can get the afghan finished for Kris in time!!! This one seems to be taking much longer to do. Procrastination is not a good thing.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.