Pioneer Woman at Heart

Finished this Christmas book and matching book blanket granny square.  It's about the 6th of 16-18 books of a box I bought at an antique store very early in the year.  I'll attach it to the blanket soon. Two of the kiddos who received the 24 day advent gift bags, have been in touch, and so far have really enjoyed them (and found it fun and love the "useable" theme I tried to adhere to).  One kiddo I have not heard one iota from.  Not even a thank you.  One loved the hand crocheted dust cloth (as it is reusable and saves them money), while one was ecstatic about the tiny sample jam jars we included.   The Christmas Spice Extract I "brewed" up was ready to strain and bottle.  Just a few lucky ones will be receiving it to try this Christmas season.  I was able to bottle this up early December, but have not tried it yet. The had-it-on-the-plan, but did not happen.  Yet. Homemade Seasoned Salt for another quick and easy gift idea. My Mom loved th...

Being stuck in the house day after day has gotten me lazy. I'm off track with homemade gifts this year.  Not to mention baking.  I am writing out a list to get back on track.  Oye.  I need out of this rut. Finished 4 of the Adli's quarter holder keychains.  I think they are adorable. I made cashew brittle for Christmas.  I hid this batch, but we'll see if they find it before Christmas. Made one batch of Paprika Dry Rub to gift.  It's for turkey or chicken.  Good for a year once made.  I recycled some glass jars that were the perfect size for gifting (organic tomato paste jars).  I just have to label them and pack the bags for delivery. Recipe is from Taste of Home (online). Recipe I want to try, but will cut recipe in half.  

  Here are the scrap fabric cards I am making.  I made heart ones to gift my Mom.  I'm considering making other ones for a few other people, but gifts won't be exchanged with either side of the family this year.  I may work on them for next Christmas though.  A great way to use up scrap fabric, and I am so blessed for the people who send me their scraps too.  I don't sew a lot, so what I get is a blessing for crafting/gifting.  I have a how-to on my   S.C.R.A.P. blogspot   too.  Gosh, I just realized I haven't posted anything on there for a good long time.  I just may get something posted soon. Pinto beans were soaked for soup beans and fried cabbage today.  It was suitable for our current weather.  Brr. Red onions made their way to the dehydrator.  I sometimes get into a situation during winter when I need red onions and have no vehicle or the weather is too bad to travel to the store.  Who wants to go out for o...

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. 

You'd think there would be a scien tific term, for a syndrome defini ng ch ronic recipe colle ctors .  Specifically for those who collect new recipes to try, while att empting to try all the stashed recipes they already have.  It's an obsession I tell ya . Sigh.... New recipes find me w hether 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

"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 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 cool...

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:

I don't subscri be to many magazines, but I do utili ze my local library.   Just be fore the library closed for the holiday s, I picked up a few of my fa vor ites.  I also picked up on e that I typically don't read - Ladie 's Home Journal. In th is particular issue, I found anot her unique recipe, and one wor th trying . Luck ily, the recipes are al so 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 recip e, but utilized my home canned pear jam and homemade gran ola.  I initially wanted to use my canned wild b lack raspberry jam , but we ate it all . I did not have sliced almonds and could have used more of the crust mixture, f or the topping, but these were wonderful.  It was al most like eating pie with your fingers. I used an 8 oz. jar of jam also , even though her recipe call s for a 10-12 oz ja...

I ma k e C innamon Cider Jelly every fall.  I typi cally give this away for gifts versus selling it. Cinnamon Cider Jelly 4 cups apple cider 1 / 2 cup cinnamon im perials (red hot cand ies) 1 box pow dered pecti n (1-3/4 oz) 4 1/2 cups granulated sugar     Add cider, cinnamon candies, and pow dered pecti n to a 6-8 quart stainless steel pan. Heat and stir on high, until it reaches a ro lling bo il. Add sugar, and stir on high until it reaches a rolling boil .  Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and skim.   Pour into steril ized, hot jars,  wipe jars with a clean wet tow el, and add lids and rims.   Place jars into canning pot .  Pro cess for 10 minutes. Remove from cann er and place on towel lined counter/table.  Let sit for 24 hours.  Place any jars that hav e not sealed into the ref rigerator. Yield:  Approximately 7 half pint jars. For Candy Apple Jelly , simply use organic, unsw eeten...

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