Howdy.. April 23

Howdy....  I meant to write a note yesterday, then plum forgot about it.  This mooring was not as cool as it was yesterday morning, Thank goodness.  I didn't need to use the oven to help warm things up in here. It helps that I remembered where one of our heaters was stored. I found the one that Hubby was looking for, when I went to find my mixer. Go figure. I finally found my mixer, not where I usually put it.  Now I have got to find a better place to keep it.  I made an Oreo Cookie no-bake dessert for us for tonight. I added just a bit of mint flavoring and a bit of green tint to it, turning it into a Grasshopper pie. Hubby loves Grasshopper pie.  Here in a bit, I'll have to take the dogs out, then go for my walk. I need to take my camera with me. I'm thinking I'll go the other direction, just to change things up a bit. I think I'll take Barney with me on this walk.

 

Outside my door ...  The trees are finally Green !!. and the slight breeze is just want we need today.  I am seeing a golden glow on all the trucks and cars around here. They are covered in pollen.
The Dogs ...  have been sleeping on the beds. Barney played ball this morning, dropping the ball on my foot, over and over. He finally got tired of doing that. Rocky and Macon had a good ol Wrestlin match when I had them out this morning so everyone is now sleeping (recharging their batteries) and will be ready for round two here in a bit.
The Cats ... are wondering when I'll be feeding them. Each one has come up and looked in the door at me. I guess they think that will make me get up and take care of them faster.

 

From the kitchen...  I have some chicken strips marinating in Zesty Italian Dressing and will grill them for dinner, and I'll made some noodles to serve them over. Of course we will have salad and the dessert I just made up.
I am hearing... Of course I have the T. V. on. It's always on. I'm hearing a crow "calling" outside, and the breeze in the trees. 
I am wearing... light gray cut off sweat short, red and blue splattered T-shirt. I think I'll be changing into something warmer before Hubby gets home, though.
I am reading...  I'm "between" book at the moment. I did read Numbers 7 from the Bible today. Reading how much each of the 12 tribes gave to the service of the moveable temple and the Ark of the Covenants. One tribe per day for 12 days.  (yeah, boring)
I am thankful for...  Being able to open the door and vents and let the camper air out for a bit. 
I am hoping... That there are no more changes made to Hubby's hours.  He's back to working 10 hour days, starting at 6:30 in the morning and will have Sunday off.. at least until they change their minds again, anyway.
I am creating... I made a card to send to my Grand daughter in Tennessee to give to some one,  two days ago. I'm working on a card to send to my younger daughter. I hope to finish that up after I take my walk this afternoon (here in a few minutes)
One of my favorite things... making dessert. I know we don't "Need" dessert, but it's nice to have from time to time.

 

A few plans for today... finish up a card I cut the elements for, yesterday. Walk to the park bench and back. Sit outside with the dogs for a little bit.
A few plans for the rest of the week...  I want to make more cards this week.  I have yet to start a top I have been wanting to cut out for some time, now. I am working on doing more around the camper before I start reading my emails. I need to get house work done before I read emails or I get caught up in reading them and forget to get it all done before it's time to make our dinner in the afternoon.  The computer can really be a big time stealer, for me.

 

Apr 23 Keeping track of all our appointments and
events can be difficult especially with many family
members. The best method is to use one large yearlong
calendar where all activities are written down. A different
color pen can be used for each member of the household.

 

A link to one of the groups I own, mod for or am a member of.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cream_Of_Soup_Recipes/

Billie C.
"Old age is the most unexpected of things that can happen to a man."
-- Leon Trotsky

Eclair Cake

Eclair Cake
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

 

1 pound box Graham Crackers
2 small boxes Instant French Vanilla Pudding
3 1/2 cups Milk
1 (9 oz) container Cool Whip
Frosting:
1 can Chocolate Frosting

 

Butter bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan. Line with whole Graham Crackers. Mix pudding with milk. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes Blend in Cool Whip. Pour half of the mixture over the Graham Crackers. Put another layer of Graham Crackers over the pudding. Pour remaining pudding over and then cover with more Graham Crackers. Chill for 2 hours before Frosting.

 

Billie C.

April 23

 

 

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http://www.cantstopmakingthings.com/2012/12/baby-cheeses.html

 

Baby Cheeses

Okay, I know that this is a bit irreverent, but tis the season to be jolly. I can't even take credit as the sentiment is from "Modern Family" and the mice are from another blog. I'm taking this to the annual Christmas pot luck dinner party and will no doubt wow them.

You will need:

Maraschino Cherries with stems
Semisweet Chocolate Chips
Sliced Almonds
White Writing Gel

Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. There are about 24 cherries in a jar so remove 24 chips from the bag (plus a few to fortify the cook) and melt a handful in a small bowl in the microwave. I check on it and stir every 30 seconds. Drain the cherries on paper towels and then pick one up by the stem and dip it in the melted chocolate. Let it drip a few seconds then place it on the waxed paper with the stem facing out and slightly up.

Take a chocolate chip, swirl side down, and put it on the front of the cherry. The liquid chocolate will be the glue. Pick two similar sized almond slices and stick them above the head/chip. If the chocolate gets too stiff, just nuke it again for a few seconds. When you are all finished put them in the fridge to firm up.

In about a half hour (or more) snip off the end of a tube of white writing gel and carefully dab on the two eyes. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

I bought three bags of red Baby Bell Cheeses, removed the wrappers and stacked them on a serving plate. I printed "BABY CHEESES" on a piece of cardstock, folded it over and using a glue stick, adhered the two sides together with a toothpick in the middle. I stuck the toothpick into the top cheese then added all the mice.

 

 

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Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart Prepare Him room
And Saints and angels sing
And Saints and angels sing
And Saints and Saints and angels sing

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let Saints their songs employ
While fields and floods rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, Repeat, the sounding joy

Joy to the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders and wonders of His love

No more will sin and sorrow grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He'll come and make the blessings flow
Far as the curse was found,
Far as the curse was found,
Far as, far as the curse was found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And gives to nations proof
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love;
And wonders of His love;
And wonders, wonders of His love.

Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High,
While Israel spreads abroad
Like stars that glitter in the sky,
And ever worship God,
And ever worship God,
And ever, and ever worship God.

 

 

 

http://www.share-christmas.com/carols/joyworld.htm

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******

 

Billie C.
"Old age is the most unexpected of things that can happen to a man."
-- Leon Trotsky

Easy Pound Cake

Easy Pound Cake
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

1 pound Butter
3 Cups Sugar
10 Eggs
3 Cups Sifted Flour

Cream Butter and Sugar thoroughly. Add eggsalternately with flour, beating well after each addition. Pour into well greased and floured tube cake pan. Bake approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes at 325F.

 

Billie C.
Don't let the shadows of yesterday spoil the sunshine of tomorrow ~ live for today ~ unk

April 20

 

 

******

Anisette Frosted cookies
3/4 cup of soften butter ) 1 1/2 sticks
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/8 tsp salt
2 cups of flour
1 1/4 tsp Anise extract (not oil)
Beat butter and sugar by mixer medium speed add egg. Divide dough in half. Wrap each half in wax paper to form a cylinder. Refrigerate for one hour, Slice about one inch or thicker if you like, Place one inch apart on a greased cookie sheet.
Bake 350 degrees for 12 minutes until edges are brown.
Cool on wire rack.
Frosting
1 1/2 cupsconfectionary sugar,
1 1/2 tbsp water
1/2 tbsp of anise extract. I place the whole cookie in the frosting and then place the sprinkles. I think you could frost them if the frosting was think enough... I dunk just the tops in.

 

*****

The Little Drummer Boy

Christmas Carol

Come they told me, Pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, Pa rum pum pum pum


Our finest gifts we bring, Pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the king, Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum


So to honor Him Pa rum pum pum pum
When we come


Little baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum


Shall I play for you
Pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum


Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum


The He smiled at me, Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

 

*****
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/santaprojects/a/SantaNecklaceCraft.htm

 

Santa Necklace Craft

How to Make a Santa Claus Necklace

Find out how to make a fun necklace for yourself and all your friends. Start out by making a Santa necklace and then use your imagination to make these necklaces look like elves.p>

Materials Needed:

• Thin Ribbon or Yarn
• White Pony Bead
• Red Felt
• 2" Peach or White Pom-pom
• White, Curly Chenille Stem
• Wiggle Eyes
• Craft Glue
• Scissors

Instructions:
Cut a piece of ribbon or yarn long enough to fit your neck as a necklace. Thread the white pony bead onto the ribbon or yarn. Tie the ends of the ribbon or yarn together.

Cut a wide triangle shape out of red felt. Roll the felt triangle into a cone and glue the 2 sides together. Trim the edges if necessary. Glue the point of the hat onto the white pony bead.

Cut a 2" length of the white, curly chenille stem. Glue the chenille stem halfway around the peach or white pom-pom, cutting off any extra. This will be Santa's beard. Glue on the wiggle eyes just above the beard.

Lay the hat down so you cannot see the holes in the bead. Glue Santa's face into the larger opening of the felt hat. Make sure when the necklace is put on the face looks straight ahead.

 

 

 

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*****

 

Billie C.
Let us have faith that right makes might;
and in that faith let us dare to do our duty as we understand it.
—LINCOLN.

Classic Cheesecake

 

Classic Cheesecake
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
Crust:
1 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
3 Tablespoons Sugar
3 Tablespoons Butter or Margarine, melted

Filling
5 (8 oz) Packages Cream Cheese, softened
4 Eggs
1 Cup Sugar
3 Tablespoons Flour
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
1 cup Sour Cream

Preheat oven to 325 F. (300 F if using dark, non-stick pan)
Combine Graham Cracker crumbs, 3 tablespoons Sugar and butter. Press firmly onto bottom of 9 inch spring form pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
Mix Cream Cheese, 1 cup Sugar, flour and Vanilla with electric mixer or medium until well blended. Add Sour Cream, mix in well. Add eggs, 1 at time, mixing on low after each addition until just blended. (Over-stirring can cause top of cheesecake to crack) Pour over crust.
Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes or until center is almost set (do not open oven door) Loosen cake from sides of pan with a knife, but do not unlatch pan side for 1 hour. Cool before removing side of pan an chill at least 4 hours before cutting. Can chill over night before cutting.

 

Billie C.
Life is short, so live it
Love is rare, so grab it
Fear controls you, so face it
Memories are precious, so cherish them
We only get one life, so live it!

Chocolate Upside-Down Cake

 

Chocolate Upside-Down Cake
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
1 box Devil's Food Cake mix
1 cup Brown Sugar, packed
1/4 cup Butter or Margarine, melted
1 cup chopped Pecans
6 oz Chocolate morsels
3 oz Coconut flakes

Mix melted butter with brown sugar and pour into 13 x 9 pan. Sprinkle nuts and coconut over brown sugar mixture. Prepare cake mix according to box instructions, Add chocolate morsels to mix, the pour into prepared pan. Bake according to instructions on cake mix box.

 

Billie C.

Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
2 cups sifted Cake Flour
2 cups Sugar
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Salt
1 1/3 cups Oil
2 teaspoon Cinnamon
4 Eggs
3 cups grated Carrots

 

Preheat oven 350F.
Sift Cake flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder together.
In a separate bowl, Cream Sugar and eggs, then add oil. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture. Add cinnamon. Stir in grated Carrots with wooden spoon.
 Pour into two 8 to 9 inch cake pans that have been oiled and place a round of wax paper in the bottom of the pan. Place in preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a rack for 10 minutes, Turn out on racks and cool completely before icing. Ice with cream cheese icing.

 

Billie C.

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven -
All's right with the world!
~Robert Browning

Black Forest Cake

Black Forest Cake

 

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

 

1 box Chocolate Cake mix, Prepare and bake according to directions on box)
2 cans Cherry Pie Filling
3 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
2 teaspoons Vanilla
1/3 cup Confectioners' Sugar

 

After baking cake, allow to cool completely. Split each cake in half horizontally. Crumbed one half layer into bowl ,set aside.
Beat cold whipping cream and confectioners' sugar in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla and mix in. Reserve 1 1/2 cups whipped cream for top.
Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread with 1 cup of whipped cream. Top with 3/4 cup cherry pie filling. Place the second cake layer on top and repeat layers of whipped topping and Cherry pie filling.  Top with third cake layer.
Frost cake sides with remaining whipped cream, pat gently with reserved cake crumbs. Spread reserve whipped cream on top of cake. Spoon remaining Cherry filling over top of cake.

 

Billie C.

Magic Bullet Crabby Cukes

Magic Bullet Crabby Cukes
About This Recipe
"This recipe is from the Magic Bullet website. Time and quantity was not given...so I may be way off. This calls for a large hothouse cucumber (the one you find in plastic wrap)"
Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 -3 teaspoons horseradish
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard ( deli)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
4 1/4 ounces crabmeat
1 cucumbers, cut into 1/2 inch rounds
pimento stuffed olives, sliced
Directions
Add the mayo, horseradish, mustard, Worcestershire and crab to the tall-cup.
Pulse a few times until the ingredients are blended together but still slightly chunky.
Spoon the crab mixture onto the cucumber rounds.
Top each with an olive piece.
Page 2 of 2Magic Bullet Crabby Cukes (cont.)
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 (560 g)
Servings Per Recipe: 1
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Calories 30.8 Calories from Fat 18 59%
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Total Fat 2.0g
3%
Saturated Fat 0.3g 1% Cholesterol 4.0mg
1%
Sugars 0.7 g Sodium 99.5mg
4%
Total Carbohydrate 2.0g
0%
Dietary Fiber 0.1g 0% Sugars 0.7 g 2% Protein 1.2g 2%
© 2013 Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved. http://www.food.com/465298

 

Billie C.

April 15

Today would have been my Mom's 80th birthday.  Tomorrow is my younger brother's 51 ST  birthday.

 

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Festive Fig-Pecan Coffeecake Wreaths

 

Festive, fig and pecan filled yeast-raised pastry coffeecake wreaths.

 

definition list of 1 items

 

2 cups chopped figs

 

1 1/2 cups water

 

1/2 cup chopped pecans

 

1 1/2 cups milk

 

2 (1/4-ounce) packages active dry yeast or 5 teaspoons

 

8 3/4 cups all-purpose flour - divided use

 

1 1/2 cups butter or margarine

 

3 large eggs

 

3/4 teaspoon salt

 

list end

 

list of 6 items

 

1. Combine figs and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes, or until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in chopped

 

pecans and remove from heat; set aside to cool.

 

2. In another small saucepan, scald milk (bubbles should form just around the edges) then remove from heat and cool to 105°F to 115°F. Sprinkle yeast over

 

milk and let stand for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup flour, mix well, then let sit undisturbed for 1 hour.

 

3. In a large bowl, cream butter and 3/4 cups of flour with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in yeast until well blended. Add eggs, one at

 

a time, beating well after each addition. Add salt and up to 7 cups of the remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface

 

and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning to grease both sides. Let rise, covered, in a warm

 

place for 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.

 

4. Divide dough in half and roll each portion into a 12 x 16-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Cut one of the rectangles into (4) 3 x 16-inch

 

strips. Spread fig filling on each strip and roll up, starting from one of the long sides, like a jelly roll; seal seam. Braid 3 of the jelly rolls, then

 

fashion into a wreath, pinching ends together; place on a cookie sheet. Use remaining roll to fashion a bow and attach to wreath, over the spot where ends

 

are pinched together. Repeat with remaining rectangle. Cover each wreath and let rise, covered, for 1 hour.

 

5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

 

6. Bake wreaths for 30 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

 

 

 

 

Makes 24 servings.

 

 

 

 

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Do You Hear What I Hear

 

 

 

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
"Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite,
With a tail as big as a kite."

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
"Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea,
With a voice as big as the sea."

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
"Do you know what I know?
In your palace warm, mighty king,
Do you know what I know?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold--
Let us bring him silver and gold,
Let us bring him silver and gold."

Said the king to the people everywhere,
"Listen to what I say!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light."

 

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http://familycrafts.about.com/od/treeornaments/ss/puxreindeer.htm

 

How to Make a Reindeer Using Puzzle Pieces

 

 

 

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\

Billie C.

Better Than Almost Anything Cake

 

Better Than Almost Anything Cake

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

1 box German Chocolate Cake Mix
Water, oil and eggs according to directions on cake mix
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 jar Caramel, Butterscotch or Fudge Topping
1 (8 oz) Tub Whipped Topping, thawed
1 bag Goffee Bits or Chips

Pre-heat over to 350F. Mix and bake cake as directed in a 9 x 13 pan. Cool for 15 minutes. In warm cake, poke holes ever 1/2 inch with wooden spoon, Wiping handle occasionally to reduce sticking. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk evely over cake. Let stand until milk has been absorbed into cake. Drizzle with caramel topping. Cover and chill about 2 hours or until chilled. Spread Whipped Topping over top of Cake. Sprinkle with toffee chips. Cover and keep chilled any remaining cake.

 

Billie C.

April 11

Hello.  Long before Christmas, I did a goof and ended up renaming all my Christmas Holiday with the same name plus a number.  today I have finally reached the last of those mis-named recipes, and now I will have to go find more recipes. I love doing that.

 

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Gift of the Magi Bread (T&T)

 

makes 2 loaves

 

1/2 cup softened sweet butter (do not substitute)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 medium or 3 small)
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup coconut
1 cup semisweet mini-chocolate chips
2/3 cup sliced almonds, divided
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
(I love cherries and always add more)
1/2 cup chopped dates

 

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2  loaf pans, and set aside.

 

In a mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract (I sometimes use coconut or pineapple extract for extra flavor).

 

Combine flour, baking soda and salt and add to the creamed butter mixture alternately with the bananas. Stir in mandarin oranges, coconut, mini-chocolate chips, 1/2 cup almonds,  cherries and dates; mix well to combine.

 

Pour into prepared loaf pans. Sprinkle with remaining almonds (I like more almonds on my bread).
Bake 50 to 55 minutes (45 minutes is what I bake it at; it will depend on your  oven) or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.

 

Remove from oven and cool 10 to 15 minutes on a wire rack before removing  from pans. Cool completely.

 

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It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
With news of joy foretold,

"Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven's all gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
Love's banner all unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
Over all the weary world.

Above its sad and lowly plains
Old echoes plaintive ring,
And ever over its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the Angel-strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;

And man at war with man hears not
The love-song which they bring;
O! hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the Angels sing.

O ye, beneath life's crushing load
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;

Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,

When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

 

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http://familycrafts.about.com/od/christmasprints/a/prchrstags.htm

 

Print out and make this free Christmas gift or scrapbook tag featuring Santa Claus.

In most instances, you can right click on the image below and choose to save it or print it! Print it onto a sheet of heavy paper, cut it out on the black lines, and then punch out the hole on top. Use it as a gift tag or as an embellishment for scrapbook pages or other projects.

(For best results, save the graphic to your computer and print it out using a graphics program. See this page for printing help.)

       

 

 

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Billie C.

Aopril 10, 2013

Hello.  I am going though some old files to catch up on what I have forgotten I have saved..  I wish I had a house to have an open house in for my friends.. sharing recipes that are for large groups is the next best thing, for me.

 

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Veggie Christmas Tree
 
SERVINGS 20    
CATEGORY
 Low Fat    
PREP 15 min.   
TOTAL 15 min. 
INGREDIENTS
1 bottle (8 ounces) fat-free ranch salad dressing
4 cups broccoli florets
1 broccoli stem
3 to 4 cups cauliflowerets
4 to 5 cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 medium carrot, sliced
DIRECTIONS
Cover the bottom of a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. glass dish with dressing. Arrange broccoli in a tree shape, using the stem as the trunk. Place cauliflower around tree. Add tomatoes and carrot slices as ornaments. Yield: 20 servings.

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We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

 

 

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http://familycrafts.about.com/od/displayingchristmascards/a/GreetingCardHolder.htm

Greeting Card Holder Craft

How to Make a Christmas Card Holder

This is not only great for holding Christmas cards or birthday cards but you can also use it to hold photos. The great thing is you can decorate it to coordinate with your room decor.

 

 

Materials Needed:

• Yardstick
• 12 Spring-Type Clothespins
• Ribbon
• Paint
• Craft Glue or Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Paint Brush
• Scissors

Instructions:
Start out by painting the yard stick and the clothespins whatever color or colors you like. Let them dry.

Glue the clothespins onto the yard stick, spacing them evenly, about every 3-inches. Glue them so they are perpendicular to the yard stick and also alternate the side the pinching part of the clothespin is on. Let the glue dry.

At this time, you can decorate your stick however you like. You can decorate it using ribbons and bows or paint or write a special message down the yard stick. You can also decorate it with other craft supplies you have on hand like rhinestones, buttons, or glitter.

 

********

 

 

Billie C.

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven -
All's right with the world!
~Robert Browning

Casual Dining Christmas Style

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/crafts/quick-and-easy-holiday-crafts/?sssdmh=dm17.567901&esrc=nwcu122011a&email=296238994

Casual Dining Christmas Style

Cute Christmas towels cheer up casual dining chairs for the holiday season. Simply stitch the short ends of two towels together, and add slits to thread ribbon through for ties. Drape the stitched towel over a chair, thread the ribbons through the slits, and tie the ribbon into bows.

 

Billie C.

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven -
All's right with the world!
~Robert Browning

Ruffled Stocking

 

http://www.createkidscouture.blogspot.com/2012/11/free-ruffled-stocking-pattern-and.html

Free Ruffled Stocking Pattern and Tutorial

Materials needed:

• Download Free CKC Stocking Pattern Here Print in Landscape, make sure Auto Rotate and Center is not checked and page scaling is set to none. Tape together overlapping the letter notches.
• Fabric (Outer and Lining, Applique)
• Fusible Fleece Interfacing
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• Cutting Mat
• Ruler
• Pins
• Iron

Fabric Requirements:

• 3/4 yard of both outer and lining fabrics (Depending on the print you chose, you may be able to lay your pattern the opposite way and use much less)
• 3/4 yard fusible fleece interfacing. We used Pellon 987F.
• 1/8 Yard Ruffle Fabric
• 1/8 Yard Applique (optional) and Loop

Cutting Instructions:

Fold your lining fabric wrong sides together selvage to selvage the width of the pattern. Stack your fabrics one on top of the other, lining up the folds to the right of the pattern. Be sure to check that all layers are flat and there are no wrinkles. Cut around the pattern. You now have 4 stocking pieces.

I put my main fabric on the bottom and stacked my lining fabric on top.
Edge is folded over in the photo only to to show the 2 prints.

• Cut Out Applique for heel and toe (optional)

• Cut ruffle strips. Fold your fabric in half, wrong sides together, selvage to selvage. Cut one 2" strip of both fabrics making 2 long strips. Trim off the selvage, and then cut your strips in half making a total of 4 strips approximately 2"x21".

• Cut your Loop Piece 6"x3" and the loop interfacing

• Cut stocking interfacing. Fold Interfacing wrong sides together, place pattern on top and cut. You now have 2 pieces of interfacing.

You now have a pile that looks like this, plus your 2 pieces of fleece interfacing.

Construction:

• Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of your outer fabrics.

• Baste the outer edges of the applique on the heel and toe using a 1/8" Seam Allowance.

• Use a decorative stitch around the inside of the applique, or, if you like, apply ric rac over the raw edge and sew.

• Starting at the top of the front side of the stocking, measure down 1" and mark across the stocking. Repeat every inch (1", 2", 3", 4") Set aside.

• Roll hem your 4 ruffle pieces on the bottom edge. If you do not have a serger, please make your ruffles 2.5" instead of 2" and turn under 1/4", and again 1/4" and hem.
• Run a gathering stitch across the top of all 4 ruffle pieces using a 1/8" seam allowance. A gathering stitch is usually your longest stitch length. Do not backstitch the beginning or end. Gather your ruffle to 9" by pulling on the bottom two threads and gently pushing the fabric towards the center.
• When it is gathered to 9" place the ruffle right side down on top of the stocking with the roll hem towards the top of the stocking and the gathering stitch directly on the first line you marked on your stocking. Pin and sew in place using your presser foot as a guide.

• Repeat with the remaining 3 ruffles.

• Starting with the bottom ruffle, iron down so the right side of the fabric is facing up and stopstitch using a 1/8" seam allowance. Repeat with remaining ruffles.

• Flip your stocking front over and baste the sides at 1/8" seam allowance to keep the edges of the ruffles from curling up.

• Using a straight edge, trim off any excess.

• Pin your outer stocking and your lining right sides together and sew or serge around the edges.Then turn the outer stocking right sides out and push all the seams out so you have nice curves. Leave the lining inside out. Set aside.

• Take your loop piece and iron on the interfacing. Then fold it in half right sides together so you have a piece that is 1.5" x 6". Sew down the length using your presser foot as a guide. Turn your loop right side out, press, and topstitch using a 1/8" seam allowance. Fold in half to form a loop, sew the ends together if you like.

• Get your stocking pieces. Take your lining piece and turn the top edge down 1/2" so that the right side of the fabric is turned down towards the outside (Wrong side of the fabric).
• Take your outer piece and turn the top down 1/2" towards the inside of the stocking and press.
• Insert the lining into the stocking and line up the side seams and the top pressed edges.
  
  

• Insert the loop between the layers at the side seam on the heel side. Pin in place and pin all the way around the top of the stocking making sure to match up the edges.

• Starting just before the loop, sew all the way around the stocking using a 1/8" seam allowance. When you reach the loop again, go over the loop portion one more time, then backstitch across a final time for added strength.

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spring Printables

http://www.mom4real.com/2013/04/free-printables-for-spring-and-some-stationary-too.html

 

Billie C.

Aprl 9

 

 

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5 Ingredients Fruitcake

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
1 lb chopped Dates
1 lb Walnuts or Pecans, chopped
1 can Eagle brand Milk (Sweetened Condinsed Milk, 14 oz)
1 lb Coconut
1/2 lb Candied Cherries, cut in half.

 

MIx all 5 ingredients together and cook in loaf pan or deep round pan. Cook in slow oven (325F) about an hour

 

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http://www.share-christmas.com/carols/heardbells.htm

 

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

 

 

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http://familycrafts.about.com/od/treeornaments/a/PineConeTrees.htm

 

Pine Cone Tree Ornament

How to Make a Christmas Tree out of a Pine Cone

Pine Cone Tree Ornament

Materials Needed:

• Pine Cones
• Paint
• Ribbon
• Miscellaneous Decorating Supplies (See ideas below)
• Craft Glue
• Paint Brush
• Scissors

Instructions:
Start out by painting your pine cone green.

Cut a 10-inch length of ribbon. When the paint is dry, tie it into a circle and glue the tied section to the pointy tip of the pine cone.

Use miscellaneous supplies to decorate your pine cone so it looks like a miniature Christmas tree. Here are a few ideas of items to use:

 

 

 

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Billie C.

Apr 8 2013

 

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Vanilla Sugar

 

Cut 1 vanilla bean into 1 pieces. Add to 3 cups of white granulated sugar. Cover tightly and let sit for two weeks before using.

 

Put the vanilla sugar in a decorative glass jar that is airtight. Do not remove the beans. Tie a Holiday bow around the top. Add it to a gift basket with

 

cookies, cookie cutters, teas, or gourmet coffee. Just the perfect touch for someone special.

 

 

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http://www.share-christmas.com/carols/littletown.htm

 

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.



For Christ is born of Mary,
And, gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth.
And praises sing to God the King.
And peace to men on earth.


How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him,
still The dear Christ enters in.


Where children, pure and happy,
Pray to the Blessed Child;
Where misery cries out to thee,
Son of the Mother mild;
Where charity stands watching,
And faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks,
and Christmas comes once more.


O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in;
Be born in us today!
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

 

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http://familycrafts.about.com/od/creativesnacks/r/gingerhouserec.htm

 

Find out how you can make miniature gingerbread-type houses using graham crackers.

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• Graham Crackers
• Icing
• An Assortment of Candies

Preparation:

What you need to do is line a small sheet of card board with tin foil then place 4 crackers in a square standing up to form the base of the house. 'Glue' them together with icing.  Gently place 2 more graham crackers over the top to be the roof. Decorate your house using a variety of candy, which can be 'glued' on using the frosting.

Be creative and try your hand making different sized houses! For more support use a small box or milk carton as a base for your 'gingerbread' house. This will help it be sturdier.

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Billie C.