Our last Christmas gathering

Yeah, you read the title right!  My side of the family didn't get together in December like normal people.  Then again, what is normal?

Thursday afternoon, our 18 year-old daughter drove to one of the "Big Cities" and had a 2nd job interview.  She wanted a new phone, so while she was there, she stopped at the area mall and phone store there.  

Big mistake. 

They had a rookie employee, and the boss.  The boss left, after trying to push sales onto her first. 

Next, the guy had no clue what he was doing.  After almost five hours, with us trying to call and text her in panic as to where she was, she came in the house crying like a hot mess.  A serious hot mess.

. . .from stash to trash

Since I'm on a roll with new recipes. . .and because I have a reputation of "stirring" up the holidays with something of the alcohol nature (for the adults of course), I have wanted to try a new recipe of Homemade Strawberry-Watermelon Rum. 

Christmas Homemade ~ 2016

We finally had our family get together (a winter, non-Christmas gathering) yesterday, with my side of the family.  I can share what Christmas gifts I gifted.  I ran out of time, then you know, got sick, so it was not very much this past holiday. I had them ready, other than the recipe to attach to the sage (but emailed everyone it, along with what to do with sage).

Christmas Homemade ~ 2015

You finally get to see it.  We had our very last Christmas-family gathering yesterday.

Here is what I gifted this year for Christmas. 

1/2 pint jars of home canned sweet pickle relish

4 oz jars of home canned Queen Anne's Lace Jelly 

Mom received a set 

Random Tidbits ~ Mustards ~ Homemade raspberry honey mustard ~ Extreme Clean Resumes

I'm still cracking English walnuts.  I've put 3 pounds (and counting) in the freezer so far.   I have more to crack.

This year, my herbal journey will be experimenting with mustard (s).  I'm looking into different ones for greens as well as one for the seeds (there isn't one plant that is good for both, that I have found yet).   In the past I have baked a honey mustard pretzel in the oven (store bought pretzel's with a mustard sauce baked on them).

This past Christmas,

Homemade Herbal Lip Balm ~ 2nd Making ~ Uses for a Salad Spinner

Like most of you, my hands, face, and lips are feeling dried up and awful already (cold and wind).  My younger two girls love the homemade lip balm, and we are almost out of homemade hand lotion.  That is now on my to-do list now also.

The last time I made the lip balm I used small plastic, round containers. 

 This time I used lip balm tubes.  I used 10 of them.

Buttering with Cranberries ~ Homemade Gift Idea

You'd think there would be a scientific term, for a syndrome defining chronic recipe collectors.  Specifically for those who collect new recipes to try, while attempting to try all the stashed recipes they already have.  It's an obsession I tell ya.

Sigh....

New recipes find me whether I want them or not lately. 


Cranberry butter was a new, delicious butter for me to make.

You can simply use it, freeze it or gift it.

I'm sharing the recipe

Crazy Weather ~ Scaling Back the Holidays

How cold is it?

Cold enough to freeze eggs in the coop overnight.  Not just one, but three.

Thinking Christmas 2014 in February? ~ Hot Ginger Tea

Don't throw tomatoes at me just yet. Ha ha!  I found this wonderful book at our library.  It's full of edible gift ideas (many that are brilliant ideas for handmade/homemade Christmas gifts), and there are a few that I plan to try early this year.  Just sharing in case you are looking for new ideas.

Sorghum Candy ~ Yet Another Arctic Blast

I had some extra dark chocolate melting wafers leftover from the holidays.  And with the snowy weather, and slippery roads we are getting, I decided to stay inside. 

I decided to make these delicious candy pieces that are made with sorghum. Sorghum, if you haven't heard of it, is sometimes called "poor man's sugar." 

Homemade Hot Chocolate

"What's that?" asked my 19 year-old daughter, pointing to the large jar of mix on the kitchen table (and very curious to try whatever it was).

"It's homemade hot chocolate?" I responded with a smile.  "Want to try some?"
 
Growing up, my mother made large batches of homemade hot chocolate, but I was determined to find one that was healthier.  Sorry Mom. 

Pear Berry Gingerbread Loaves

Pear Berry Gingerbread Loaves
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 beaten eggs
1/2 cup molasses
2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 brown sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp. grated ginger root
2 med. pears, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries


Pear Frosting
1 1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. Pear Liqueur
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

For bread:
Preheat oven to 350°F, and grease 2 loaf pan.

Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.  Set aside.

Combine eggs, molasses, applesauce, brown sugar, milk, and grated ginger root in a medium mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, and pour the eggs mixture in, all at once.  Fold in pears and cranberries.  Pour into prepared pans.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pans for about 10 minutes before removing, and continue cooling on wire racks.

Frosting:
Stir all ingredients, and drizzle onto the bread.  Note:  if you do not have pear liqueur, simply use milk.

(adapted from Better Homes and Gardens, Celebrate the Season 2000)

Overall family test tasting:  everyone said that they would not like this bread without the frosting.  We also used organic ingredients with our homegrown pears.

Maple-Walnut Butter

A few months ago, Hubby and I were gifted with a few bags of homegrown, local, English Walnuts.  We cracked them all, and froze them.  I decided to make a butter spread with them.

Although I still have a bit of congestion and cough, I got up early and made the family French Toast for breakfast.  The butter is now "kid" tested, and approved.  I'm looking for more ways to sneak the nutrition of walnuts into our diet.  

A few years ago, I gifted my family Cinnamon Honey Butter, and it won over well.  This butter is another healthy, homemade gift idea. Here is the recipe:

Baking with Homemade Ingredients and Real Magazines

I don't subscribe to many magazines, but I do utilize my local library.   Just before the library closed for the holidays, I picked up a few of my favorites.  I also picked up one that I typically don't read - Ladie's Home Journal.

In this particular issue, I found another unique recipe, and one worth trying. Luckily, the recipes are also on-line, so I don't have to type it out, and I can direct you to the correct source.

Fruit Jam Crumble Bars
(Adapted from Ina Garten's Raspberry Crumble Bars)

I used the idea of Ina Garten's recipe, but utilized my home canned pear jam and homemade granola.  I initially wanted to use my canned wild black raspberry jam, but we ate it all.

I did not have sliced almonds and could have used more of the crust mixture, for the topping, but these were wonderful.  It was almost like eating pie with your fingers.

I used an 8 oz. jar of jam also, even though her recipe calls for a 10-12 oz jar.

And of course, my ultimate goal is to some day, use my own homemade butter.

Here is the link to the recipe for the granola.  It was in our local newspaper, and submitted by another writer who belongs to my Christian Writer's group. 

It was also one of the homemade gifts I gave this past Christmas.

Good Morning Granola

We are taking a trip to the library today.  They closed their doors just prior to Christmas and are opening them again today. 
  


 

A Cross for Gus ~ Another Tribulation ~ A Start on Gifts

We dedicated a special cross, on our wall of crosses, in memory of Gus.  My son put it on the wall.


Another tribulation....

Tiger gave us a scare.  

We were in and out yesterday with the burial of Gus, and didn't see that our 10 year-old's cat got out somehow.  

This morning, I noticed he wasn't crying for his breakfast like usual.  When I asked if anyone had seen him, they all said no.

Tiger is a creature of habit.  He typically sleeps in different places, but as soon as he see's our 10 year-old, he's running off behind her and into the bathroom.  Every morning he does this.  Today, Tiger was missing.

After searching the house twice, we realized he was outside somewhere.  He had been out there since yesterday early evening, as that was the last time we remember seeing him.

My son (who just lost his dog), my 18 year-old daughter and I took turns searching our 6 acres, barns and brush.  There is a small hole that he can get under the old part of the house, so we all went to it, called him, shook his favorite treat bag, and he didn't answer.  We searched almost all morning.

Keep in mind, that I'm was in tears, in panic, worrying another child lost another pet.  I was not trying to borrow worry, but under the circumstances you would understand.

After calling him from that very spot, and going inside, my son went out to call in the same hole.  I went inside to start making homemade Christmas gifts, and then I heard my daughter yell, "He found him!"

Praising God, we ran out and saw that naughty cat.  Part of me wanted to kiss him all over, and part of me wanted to give him a spankin'.  

I put him down to his food bowl first thing, as he had not had food since yesterday morning (bad photo, but I was just excited to finally find him).

However, Tiger is hurt.  His back right leg is sore, and he cannot walk on it. There are no bite marks or blood, but he's having a terrible time walking.  We may have to take him to the vet next Monday if he's not better by then, and I'm not even sure they will be open either. 

Today, I finally got started on putting together my homemade gifts for some of my extended family - recycled wooden clementine boxes, a box of handmade Christmas tree ornaments, homemade jelly, homemade granola and my 16 year-old is helping me mix up another edible gift to add to these.  

The tags are also recycled items and scraps.  Do you remember me blogging about them early in the year?  At least I had something done early this year.  Phew!

I also finished two scarves for a few young boys too.  Thankfully, I had the yarn for these already.

I think I deserve a break now. . . hot tea and sittin' around in my jammies.

 

   

Cinnamon Cider Jelly

I make Cinnamon Cider Jelly every fall.  I typically give this away for gifts versus selling it.

Cinnamon Cider Jelly
4 cups apple cider
1/2 cup cinnamon imperials (red hot candies)
1 box powdered pectin (1-3/4 oz)
4 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  
Add cider, cinnamon candies, and powdered pectin to a 6-8 quart stainless steel pan.

Heat and stir on high, until it reaches a rolling boil.

Add sugar, and stir on high until it reaches a rolling boil.  Boil for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and skim.  Pour into sterilized, hot jars,  wipe jars with a clean wet towel, and add lids and rims.  

Place jars into canning pot.  Process for 10 minutes.

Remove from canner and place on towel lined counter/table.  Let sit for 24 hours.  Place any jars that have not sealed into the refrigerator.

Yield:  Approximately 7 half pint jars.


For Candy Apple Jelly, simply use organic, unsweetened apple juice in place of the Apple Cider. 

Birthday Party and More Gifting

We'll spend today cleaning house.  My 9 year-old daughter has a birthday party tomorrow.  I can still remember when she was born.  I begged the hospital to let me bring her home Christmas Eve.  They dig too.  It was the best Christmas present that year.

Yesterday I found out that the other side of our family (husband's) is having a Christmas party on Friday night also (hmpf!).  I didn't know about it prior to making arrangements for our little one's first every birthday sleepover party.

I ran out of my fun checkered lids for gifting, but canned another 8 - 1/2 pints of Cinnamon-Cider Jelly.  I have yet to can some for my own family.  Maybe after the holidays pass, I can relax and make some for ourselves.  I need to place tags and toppers on these jars and they will be ready to give on Friday night (husband's family party).  I sure hope I canned enough.
 

More Finished Gifts

I finally finished the baby bonnet and booties for the expected baby next month.  I used two free patterns from the Internet - Granny Square Baby Bonnet and a bootie pattern on Bernat yarn site (you have to register to print it).

Reunion is Over

I'll spare you the photos of my messy kitchen, but the end result of a very, very messy kitchen was:

Thanks to a farmgirl barter (or two), I had fun gift giving lids for my jelly this Christmas. 

This year I made my candy apple jelly using apple cider vs. apple juice.  The kids love it!  I need to make a second batch after the kitchen is all cleaned up too.

Now that I have given Mom her blanket, I can post a photo of it.  I also gifted my brother a thin line (blue line) scarf (which I forgot to take a photo of).  

I was given a pattern from a very good friend to crochet my brother's thin line scarf.  I used royal blue and black for police colors and if you would like to know the significance of the "thin line" or "blue line" meaning click on "The Thin Blue Line (emblem)."

Today is Sunday, but Monday brings more baking needs:  one daughter needs a birthday treat to take in tomorrow, one needs to bake something for Spanish class, and another needs to bring in a Mexican food dish for Spanish class also.  I am considering (gulp) visiting the frozen section of the grocery store today, for at least one of these.  There is only so much one person can do.

Cinnamon Honey Butter

I spent the other day mixing up several jars of Cinnamon Honey Butter.  They will be gifted for Christmas.