Saturday, December 27, 2008

La Buche De Noel

Hannahlily makes Buche De Noel every Christmas Eve. She uses the french recipe but has translated it into English.
Le Gateau

ingrededients:
6 blancs
6 jaunes
3/4 tasse de sucre
1/3 tasse de cacao
1 1/2 t vanille
peu de sel
1) Grasser: 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 poele. Linez avec papier. Grassez le papier.
2) Mettez le four a 375
3) Fouettez les blancs avec un batteaur electrique. Ajoutey 1/4 tasse de sucre, 2 cuillerees a soupe a la fois.
4) Fouettez les jaunes (epais). Ajoutez une 1/2 tasse de sucre, 2 cuilerees a soupe a la fois.
5) Ajoutez le cacao, la vanille, et le sel.
6) Melangez les blacs et les jaunes avec un fouet.
7) Mettez dans le plat: au four-15 min. Touchez avec la doigt.
8) Prennez une serviette. Sau poudrez avec du sucre en poudre.
9) Roulez le gateau dans la serviette.
10) Restez le gateau pour 1/2 heure.
La Creme
ingredients:
1 1/2 tasse de creme
1/2 tasse de scure en poudre
1/4 tasse cacao
2 t cafe
1 t vanille
1) Fouettez la creme et ajoutez les autres ingredients.
2) Mettez la creme dans le gateau et roulez le gauteau.
La Buche De Noel

6 egg whites ¾ cup sugar 1 ½ t vanilla
6 egg yolks 1/3 cup cocoa powder pinch of salt


1) Grease a 15 ½ x 10 ½ x 1 inch jelly role pan. Line the pan with wax paper. Grease the wax paper.
2) Preheat the oven to 375
3) Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Continue beating while gradually adding ¼ cup of the sugar until stiff peaks form.
4) Beat the egg yolks while gradually adding the remaining ½ cup sugar.
5) Sift the cocoa powder over the egg yolk mixture. Add the vanilla and salt and mix together.
6) Fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture.
7) Spread the cake batter into the jelly role pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
8) Spread out a clean dish towel and sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar.
9) As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, invert onto the dish towel and remove the wax paper.
10) Roll up the cake in the dish towel and rest for 30 minutes.

La crème

1 ½ cups whipping cream 2 t instant coffee (optional)
½ cup powdered sugar 1 t vanilla
¼ cup cocoa powder

1) Whip the cream until it is stiff
2) Sift the powdered sugar and cocoa over the whipped cream.
3) Add the coffee and vanilla to the cream and mix until well blended
4) Unroll the cake
5) Spread the whipped cream over the cake and reroll the cake (but without the dish towel this time)
6) Transfer the rolled cake to a platter and dust the top with powdered sugar (to look like snow!)

Monday, December 22, 2008

Debi's bookmark

Debi gave these bookmarks she made at one of the meetings. Everyone was delighted with the gift and some said they made them to give away also. The top portion says: This is what I got for Christmas.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Nothing can...

I printed this list (taken from Lists to Live By - compiled by Alice Gray - reference Romans 8:38-39) on computer paper. The holly-ribbon design was already on the paper. I put it in a frame and display it on a desk during the Christmas season. Simple & quick.
Nothing Can Separate Us
From God's Love

Not death

Not life

Not angels

Not demons

Not fears for today

Not worries for tomorrow

Not the greatest powers

Not the highest star

Not the deepest ocean

Not anything in all creation


Saturday, December 20, 2008

Making Cloth Napkins

Cloth napkins are better for the environment and it is so much nicer to use cloth instead of paper. There's always room in the washer for napkins. It's hard to find cloth napkins especially ones that are inexpensive. TJ Max has tablecloths for $7.99.

A 102" x 60" tablecloth should give you about 15-18 napkins. Another option is to get a table cloth too big for your table, cut it to fit your table, and use the excess to make napkins. You can simply turn the edges under and stitch a narrow hem by machine. A set of cloth napkins make a wonderful gift.


I got a coordinating tablecloth and made a square from a rectangle to use on a round table. We do all sorts of crafts at this table so I've had a glass top cut to fit the top.















Thursday, December 18, 2008

Paula's Peppermint Cake

Hannahlily made this delicious, rich peppermint cake.





The recipe is in the November/December 2008 Cooking With Paula Deen Magazine on page 60.



Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Divinity

Divinity and flowers from Hannahlily
Hannah's Pop-Pop is a master divinity maker. It was a such a priceless gift to her for him to the take time to teach her how to make this special recipe.
Divinity

2 1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. light-corn syrup

2 egg whites

1 t . vanilla

1/2 c. chopped nuts

1- Combine sugar, corn syrup, & 1/2 c water in a 2 quart heavy saucepan. Cook & stir over medium-high heat until mixture boils. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking, without stirring.

2- When thermometer reaches 260, hard-ball stage (10-15 minutes), remove pan from heat and remove thermometer. In a large mixing bowl beat egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Gradually pour hot mixture in a thin stream over whites, beating on high speed about 3 minutes; scrape sides of bowl occasionally. Add vanilla. Continue beating on high just until it starts to lose its gloss (5-6 minutes).

3- Drop a spoonful onto waxed paper. If it stays mounded, it has been beaten sufficiently. If mixture flattens, beat 1/2 to 1 minute more. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.

**This recipe does not turn out well in humid or rainy weather.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Chocolate-Coconut Charlotte

Hannahlily made this delicious Chocolate-Coconut Charlotte.

Chocolate ladyfingers
The lady fingers were arranged in four inch mold. She made three Charlottes from one recipe. The recipe called for a six inch mold but we only had four inch molds.

Coconut custard.





Chocolate Custard.



The custards were layered in the ladyfingers.





The top layer is whip cream.




The recipe is in the December 2008 Martha Stewart Living magazine on page 43.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

One Hundred Years

I get up in the dark every morning. The light switch is right next to this picture so it's the first thing I see. It reminds me to keep in perspective what's important. The picture was taken at the beach. One Hundred Years

One hundred years from now

it will not matter what kind of house

I lived in, how much money I had,

nor what my clothes were like, but

the world may be a little better

because I was important

in the life of a child.


Friday, November 21, 2008

Cinnamon Apple Cakes

These are made in the small bundt cake pans with six small cakes to a pan. Using the pound cake mix makes the preparation is fast and easy.

3/4 c. crushed cinnamon graham crackers
3/4 c. chopped walnuts
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 pkg. (l6 oz.) pound cake mix
1 can (21 oz.) apple pie filling
2 eggs, beaten
2 T. sour cream
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray nonstick pans with cooking oil.
In a small bowl, mix crushed crackers, walnuts, & cinnamon. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pie filling, eggs & sour cream; beat with mixer until well blended.
Layer in each cake mold:
1)- 1T. graham cracker mixture into bottom of each greased & floured mold.
2)- 2 rounded T. batter over cracker mixture.
3)- Spoon 1T. cracker mixture over batter.
4)- 2 T. batter
Bake about 30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes and turn out onto wire rack. We topped with powdered sugar icing when cool. Makes 9.



These are four cakes in a clear box with a doily and topped with packages of apple cider.








Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Henry's Happiness Guide

1- If I'm tired, I take a nap.
2- Always rejoice when I see someone I love.
3- Always welcome friends that come to visit.
4- Warn my love ones of danger.
5. Be happy with little things, like going for a walk, looking at the beautiful outdoors, or a ride in the car.
6- If someone treated me wrong, I forget it and don't hold a grudge.
7- If I need attention, I give a pitiful look until I get it.
8- I don't care about material things. It keeps my life simple.
9- I live everyday of my life to it's fullest.
l0- I'm happiest just to be with the people I love.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Pumpkins and Apples

Hannahlily has made a few things that I thought I'd share with you...


This picture shows an apple that she dipped in melted orange candy melts and then used chocolate icing to make the face to look like a pumpkin.

She dipped apples in melted chocolate chips, caramel, peanut butter chips, & marshmallow creme.


These are mini caramel apples. The instructions are found here:

Last night she cut out pumpkins from felt and used a running stitch with black thread to embellish her skirt to wear to work today.


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Lentil Soup




This is a very easy, quick, nutritious, inexpensive soup. It is one of our favorites. The soup in the picture has a dollop of nonfat yogurt.
1 bag lentils (rinse & pick through)
1 large onion, chopped
2 quarts water
1 c. celery, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 can (26 oz.) Chunky Vegetable spaghetti sauce
Cook for about 2 hours until lentils are soft.
I Carrot About You Info.
A carrot is loaded with beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant effective in fighting against some forms of cancer. Research shows that eating carrots can help protect you against stoke & heart disease. Carrots also are a great source of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin k, folate & manganese, & a good source of vitamin B6, iron, & potassium. You get the best benefit if you eat carrots raw. A bag of organic carrots is only about one dollar. They are great to keep in the refrigerator and grab when you want a snack.
(When I took Hannahlily for her baby exam about 22 years ago her doctor took one look at my orange baby and said "You're feeding her too many carrots!" )
(Too much of a good thing can be colorful!!)



Thursday, October 23, 2008

Gift Card

This card was made to send a Burger King gift card to a friend. I am listing the equipment I used but it could easily be made by using premade envelopes and die cuts.

The small envelope on the card held the gift card.
Paper: My Mind's Eye
Envelope: Accucut Die envelope #10
Small envelope: Accucut die artistic card envelope
closures: accucut die folio
crown: accucut die crown #4
border: accucut die border #2
Making Memories antique copper mini circle brads

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

1 box Duncan Hines yellow cake mix (no butter)
4 eggs
1 box vanilla instant pudding
2/3 c. oil
1 c. water
1/2 bar German Sweet Chocolate, grated
1/2 bag chocolate chips
1 t. vanilla
Mix cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil & water with mixer. Beat 2 minutes. Add grated chocolate & vanilla, then chips. Bake in prepared bundt cake pan approximately 1 hour at 350.
Easy Milk Chocolate Icing
Melt 3 T. butter in saucepan. Stir in 2 T. cocoa until dissolved. Add 1 1/2c. powdered sugar, 2 T. milk & 1 t. vanilla. Stir until smooth. Add more milk if necessary.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Apple Festival

This is Vikki's "Sweet Memories of Mom" booth that was at the Apple Festival the first week-end of October in Erwin, Tennessee. There is no end to her talent of decorating and making the loveliest items from vintage quilts and spreads. She has a booth at Lady Bug Cottage in historic downtown Elizabethton, Tennessee.

We couldn't resist buying this vintage apron made from hankies and the vintage white lace hankie.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Project: Gratitude


I had such fun with the projects at the Cup of Encouragement meetings. I heard such comments as: "I know just who I'm giving this to!" and "I've worked too hard on this and it's too pretty to give away!"
In this season of giving thanks, I thought it would be fun either to take a picture or write something down each day for 30 days that we are grateful for. I've been making albums in fall colors that could hold these thoughts and pictures. They measure 5 1/4"x4" and remind me of the autograph albums from the 30's & 40's. Just e-mail me if you would like one and we could figure out how I could get one to you.
No charge for one album per person.
If album must be shipped there will be a shipping fee only.
Deadline for ordering album is November 5, 2008.

Earthquake Cake

1 c. walnuts
1 c. coconut
1 1/2c chocolate chips
1 German chocolate cake mix (Betty Crocker)
1 8oz. cream cheese soft
1 lb. powdered sugar
1/2 c butter, soft
1 t. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Grease bottom only of 13"x9" pan.
1)- Mix nuts, coconut, & chocolate chips together and spread in bottom of pan.
2)- Prepare cake mix as directed on box and pour over nut mixture in pan.
3)- Mix the last four ingredients together and drop by spoonfuls over cake batter.
Bake for appoximately 50 minutes.

Optional icing:
Melt 3T. butter in saucepan. Stir in 2T. cocoa until disolved. Add 1 1/2 powdered sugar, 2T. milk, & vanilla. Stir until smooth. Add more milk if necessary.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Land of Oz

The Land of Oz Festival is held at Beech Mountain North Carolina every fall. It was a memorable time.





The museum has some of the original articles from the movie.













In the "Wizard of Oz" story Dorothy's greatest wish is just to go home to be with the people she loves. There's no place like home

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Peanut Butter Cookies


1/2 c. butter


1/2 c peanut butter


1/2 c sugar


1/2 c. brown sugar


1/2 t baking soda


1/2 t baking powder


1 egg


1/2 t vanilla


1 1/4c flour


sugar


Beat butter & peanut butter together in large mixing bowl. Add the sugar & brown sugar and mix. Beat in the egg & vanilla. Mix flour, baking soda & baking powder together in separate bowl. Add to wet ingredients and mix well by hand.


Use a small ice cream scooper to shape dough. Drop into sugar and roll. Place on to ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with fork.


Bake at 375 for about 9 minutes or until lightly browned.


Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Stuffed Pumpkin Stew

Hannahlily made this delicious Stuffed Pumpkin Stew today. You can find the recipe in the October 2008 Martha Stewart Living magazine on page 36.

Pumpkin Muffins

Harvest Pumpkin Muffins
1 1/2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. cloves
1/8 t. ginger
1 t. salt
2 eggs
1/2 c soft butter
2 t. vanilla
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
16 oz. can pumpkin
3/4c. chopped nuts
Combine dry ingredients. In separate bowl, beat together eggs, butter, vanilla & sugars until fluffy. Mix in pumpkin & nuts. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Divide into greased muffin cups. I use the jumbo muffin pans which makes 10 muffins. Bake about 20 minutes at 400.

I love you Hannahlily

I dedicate this blog to you Hannahlily. My dreams came to life more than 22 years ago when you were born. I constantly thank the Lord for you. You bless my life beyond words. I love you with all my heart.

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