Billie's Christmas Corner Dec 8

Hello. I hope you are doing well and are well on the way to having a wonderful Christmas this year.

 

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What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite

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The Christmas custom of hanging wreaths on front doors is borrowed from ancient Rome's New Year's celebration. Romans wished each other "good health" by exchanging branches of evergreen trees. It became the custom to bend these branches into a ring and display them on doorways.

 

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Hum... I think I have every thing I need to make this.

 

Mocha Coffee Gift Mix

 

1/3 cup instant coffee
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
2/3 cup non-dairy powdered coffee creamer
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 

Grind the instant coffee in a grinder or put it through a fine metal
strainer to make the consistency as fine as possible.
Put all ingredients in a small bowl and stir until well-blended.
Spoon into jelly jars and seal tightly.
Makes 3 1/2 cups.

Cut a circle of fabric large enough to cover the jar top, and hang over the
edges halfway down. Tie with ribbon or jute. Print the following instructions on a card and tie onto the jar.

 

Serving: 1/4 cup Mocha Coffee. Add 3/4 cup boiling water and stir until
dissolved. Top with whipped cream.

 

This a nice idea to include in a gift basket with your homemade cookies and maybe a Holiday mug. ~

 

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.
When I read off this recipe to my Husband and asked if he would like some, He said yes. I only have to find where I "Hid" our oatmeal and I will have everything else I need to make this.

 

Peanut Butter Fingers

 

yields 3 dozen Bar Cookies

 

Cream together:
½ cup margarine
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar (packed)

 

Blend in:
1 unbeaten egg
1/3 cup peanut butter
½ teaspoon soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon vanilla

 

Stir in:
1 cup flour (sifted)
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats

 

Spread in greased 9x13 pan
Bake 350º for 20-25 minutes
Immediately when you remove them from the oven, sprinkle with 1 cup
semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Let stand 5 minutes, spread evenly.

 

Combine:
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup peanut butter
2 to 4 Tablespoons evaporated milk ~ making a pour able consistency, not to
runny

 

Drizzle with frosting mixture.

 

Cool and cut into bars.
These freeze well.

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Holiday Cider Punch

 

2 quarts apples cider
2 lemons sliced
2 teaspoons cloves
2 sticks cinnamon

 

* tie spices in bag and simmer in above ingredients 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and add
1 quart orange pop
1 quart ginger ale

 

Good hot or cold.

 

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Bird's Nest Ornament

 

Bird's nest ornaments are symbols of good luck. It is believed that the
first ornament you place in your tree should be a birds nest. According to
legend,
prosperity will come to any home that finds a bird's nest nestled among the
branches of the family's Christmas tree. This is a wonderful gift for someone having their very first Christmas away from home. Perfect for the newlyweds first Christmas together. It will
create a memory every year they decorate their tree and remember . .

 

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http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2014/12/teacher-and-friend-gift-idea-extra-gum.html

 

 

 

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   PEPPERMINT SUGAR COOKIE DOUGH BARK

yield: 4 CUPS

Layer eggless sugar cookie dough between layers of white chocolate and

top with candy canes for a Christmas version of sugar cookie bark!

 

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup all purpose flour

16 ounces white candy melts or

     baking chocolate (such as Candiquik)

4 regular size candy canes

 

Cream butter and sugar with a hand mixer or in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix in vanilla, salt, and slowly add in flour. Mix until combined.

Cover a cutting board with a large piece of wax paper. Place the dough in the center, press it down flat, and cover it with another piece of wax paper. Roll the dough into a rectangle (about 8"x10") between the two pieces of wax paper. Chill for at least 10 minutes.

Place your candy canes in a quart-sized ziploc bag. Roll with a rolling pin to crush. (Careful, the bag will get tiny holes from the sharp candy canes. It's best to roll it on a cutting board or cookie sheet to minimize mess.)

Line a cookie sheet with more wax paper. Melt white candy according to package directions. Pour half on the prepared cookie sheet and spread it into a rectangle slightly larger than the dough rectangle.

Place the cookie dough rectangle on top of the white candy. Pour the remaining white candy on top and spread to cover, making sure to meet the edges of the bottom layer to seal the dough inside. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

Chill until set, at least 30 minutes. Instead of breaking, I have better success cutting this bark into wedges so that the chocolate doesn't come off the cookie dough. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to one month. Serve at room temperature.

 

 

 

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I so, sometimes, wish I still had kids in the house. Sometimes, that is..... There are some fun things I could do with them that was not around when my own kids were small and at home.

 

We spent a few nights together, playing games. When we could not find something to watch on the tv. 

 

http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2015/11/spin-a-snowman/

 

 

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May your day be blessed and may you find joy in the small things of living every day.

Billie C.

Billie's Christmas Corner Dec 8

Hello. Here are a few ideas for Celebrating the Season.

 

I'm posting the Advent ideas a bit early so that I can remember to pick up the things needed and be ready to use them.. the recipes I want to try and also need to pick up a few things to make them

 

 

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Advent Dec 12
BIBLE VERSE: Psalm 23; 79:13; 95:7;100:3

 

THOUGHT: " A cheerful smile, a friendly word, a sympathetic nod…These are all priceless treasures from the storehouse of our God."—Helen Steiner Rice—

 

BLESS YOUR HEART: Flowers…Fresh Flowers…That should make you smile and bless your heart. Generally the grocery store has bouquets of fresh flowers. Even a single rose might be nice. Enjoy watching it open. Smell the pleasant aroma. Then just smile!

 

CHRISTMAS IDEA: This year you can start a Christmas memory book. Maybe even a Christmas video. Take pictures and save the Christmas cards. Write about the holiday and your feeling. Who came to visit? What was an unexpected blessing? The possibilities are endless.

 

SERVICE IDEA: Call or write someone you haven't spoken to in a long time, just to say you're thinking about them.

 

CHRISTMAS CAROL: What Child Is This?

 

 

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Friendship Tea

 

2 cups Tang orange drink
1 package Wylers Lemonade Mix
1 1/2 cup sugar (or  sugar Substitute )
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup instant tea

 

Mix well and store in an airtight container
To serve: 2 rounded teaspoons to 1 cup boiling water.

 

 

 

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Cookie Mix in a Jar
Gourmet style
oatmeal, chocolate and nuts yummmm

 

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1-1/4 c rolled oats
1 (5.5 ounce) milk chocolate bar
1/2 c white sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c chopped nuts, walnuts, pecans (optional)
1/2 c chocolate chips

 

Layer as follows and pack each layer solid:
List of 5 items
• Whisk together flour, baking powder and baking soda
• Combine oatmeal and grated chocolate bar
• White sugar, then brown sugar
• Chopped nuts
• Top with chocolate chips to the top.
list end

 

Cut a circle of fabric large enough to cover the jar top, and hang over the
edges halfway down. Secured with a rubber band and tie with ribbon or jute.
Attach a recipe card with these instructions:

 

Cookies Especially for You ~
Preheat oven 375º Set aside chocolate chips and nuts. Spoon brown and white
sugar into mixing bowl. Cream together with 1/2 cup butter or margarine.
Add
1 egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, mix well. Add the oatmeal and flour mixture
into bowl, mix thoroughly. Mix in the chocolate chips and nuts. Roll into 1
inch balls and place on lightly greased cookie sheet two inches apart. Bake
8-10 minutes.

 

Yield: 3 dozen

 

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Chocolate Chip Bars

 

1 yellow cake mix
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/4 cup soft butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
12 oz chocolate chips

 

Mix 1/2 cake mix, water, eggs, butter and sugar.
Blend in rest of cake mix.
Stir in chips and nuts.
Spread in greased and floured jelly roll pan 15x10x1
Bake 20-25 minutes 375º
When cooled dust with confectioners sugar

 

 

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Sugar Cookies
1 Egg Yolk      1 t Vanilla
1/4 lb Margarine (1 stick)   1/2 t Salt
1 C Sugar      2 C Flour
1/2 t Lemon extract or Lemon peel  2 t Baking Powder
1 level t baking soda dissolved in 3/4 C COLD water
Mix all in a large bowl. Add enough flour to make a dough that doesnt 'stick' to the sides of the bowl. Knead dough for 5 minutes (this is what makes them Good.) Roll out and bake in 350F oven for 8 to 12 minutes. Sprinkl a little sugar on them before baking, or decorate after them are cooled.

 

 

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May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Billie's Christmas Corner Dec 3

Billie's Christmas Corner

 

Hello. I am writing this even though I do not have any way to send it out right now. We will have a tech. come by Sunday and see if he can figure out why we no longer have a connection through our Dish.

 

 

Since I can't get on line, I am going through old, old emails and sorting them out. Saving recipes and crafts and stuff like that and tossing out the rest since I don't need to keep them any longer.  I will post some of the recipes here in the group and in my blog.

 

I am not a fan of Cooked Brocollie and Cauliflower but there are times I want a spoonful of it on my plate. I may try this one, sometime this year.

 

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Broccoli-Cauliflower Casserole

 

Servings: 8

 

1 head (large) Broccoli

1 head Cauliflower

6 Tablespoons Butter

1/2 whole Medium Onion, Diced

2 cloves Garlic, Minced

1/4 cup Flour

2-1/2 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth

4 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, Room Temperature

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

1/4 teaspoon Seasoned Salt, More To Taste

1/4 teaspoon Paprika

1-1/2 cup Grated Monterey Jack Cheese, More To Taste

1 Tablespoon Butter

1/3 cup Seasoned Breadcrumbs

 

Break the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets, cutting off the thick stalks as you go. Steam them for 3 to 4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green, then remove them from the heat. Set aside.

In a large skillet, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter and saute the onion and garlic until the onion starts to turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the top, whisk to combine, and cook for another 45 seconds. Pour in broth, whisking constantly, then cook until the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese, salt, pepper, seasoned salt, and paprika. Stir to combine until the sauce is nice and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings, making sure it's nice and flavorful! Keep warm.

In a small bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and melted butter. Set aside.

Layer half the broccoli and cauliflower in a small casserole dish. Pour on half the cream sauce, then sprinkle on half the cheese. Sprinkle a little paprika on the cheese, then repeat with another layer of broccoli, sauce, and cheese.

End with a sprinkling of breadcrumbs. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Serve warm.

Recipe by Ree | The Pioneer Woman

 

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DoubleTree by Hilton Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

The DoubleTree (Hilton) Hotel gives one of these delicious cookies to each of their guests to make them feel special. One bite and you'll know why!

 

yield: APPROXIMATELY 20 LARGE COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

 

1/2 cup rolled oats

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1-1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

2 eggs

3 cups miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

1-1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts*

 

DIRECTIONS:

 

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon mat.

 

Grind oats in a food processor or blender until fine. Combine the ground oats with the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl.

 

Cream together the butter, sugars, vanilla, and lemon juice in another medium bowl with an electric mixer. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until smooth.

 

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts.

 

Chill the dough overnight in the refrigerator before baking the cookies.**

 

Spoon rounded 1/4 cup portions onto prepared cookie sheet., 2 inches apart. Bake for 15 minutes, until edges are golden brown. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

 

*I used my food processor to "chop" the walnuts. I like this method, because it chops them so fine and so quickly!

 

**Easy tip for chilling the dough: scoop the dough before chilling overnight. I scoop my dough onto paper plates, stack the plates, and cover the stack with cling wrap to save space in my small refrigerator. You could also scoop and chill them on a baking sheet or into a tupperware container. Scooping before chilling is so much easier than trying to scoop hard, chilled dough the next day!

 

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Italian Christmas Cookies

4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 cup flour
4 tsp. baking powder

Sift dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs; add vanilla and dry ingredients.

Knead and add flour as needed to keep dough from sticking to hands. Pinch off dough, roll in your hands to form a log and then twirl into shape. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes.

Icing
2 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
6 tsp. water
Stir until creamy

Dip cookies into icing and sprinkle with trim. Place on wire rack with wax paper on counter to collect the dripping icing and sprinkles.

 

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CROCK POT HOT CHOCOLATE

 

5 cups Milk

1/2 cup Hershey's Cocoa

1/2 cup White Sugar

1 cup Hot Water

 

Combine Cocoa, Sugar, and Hot Water in large pan. 

Stir, and bring to gentle boil.

Transfer mixture to crock pot, and add milk.

Stir, then cook on high for 2 hours {or low for 4 hours},

or until hot.

Pour into mugs, and top with Whip Cream and Sprinkles!

A candy cane or two can also be put in the drink for a nice festive touch!

 

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May your day be blessed and may you find joy in the small things of living every day.

Billie C.

: Billie's Christmas Corner, Dec 1

 

I have been trying to get myself motivated and in the Christmas Spirit.  That's a bit hard when my Dear Hubby has just been laid off of a job we thought was going to keep us here for a couple of years. He's job hunting, and he's searching and he's also healing from twisting his knee that week before he got laid off. We both are having to put off some doctor appointments, because with the lost of his job the insurance was stopped as well. I did want to put off my surgery until after the first of the year, but not in this way.  He's looking into the Government sponsored Health insurance, but he can't stay on line long enough to finish the application. We keep having rain fade with our dish safelight.

 

I know what I want to get him for his birthday that is a week before Christmas, but again, he has to be working first. He would like to have a drone. It doesn't have to be a fancy one, just one that works.

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and may you find joy in the small things of living every day.

Billie C.

First day of the Christmas Season

Hello.

 

My First day of the Christmas Season (today) is being spend with some cleaning up (dishes) and taking down all our Fall and Thanksgiving decorations.

 

I need some Garland to hang up once I get the command hooks set where I want them on the header over the slid out of the camper. I am still working on how I'm going to place things to hang around the windows. I used small brass safety pins but things fell off of them at the slightest movement inside the camper.  I will look for a different way to hang light weight items in the windows. 

 

I'm not sure how much Christmas baking I'll be doing this year. I have yet to try the camper oven.  I have an electrical portable oven that I have been using as needed.  I doubt we will be going to any parties this year.

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and may you find joy in the small things of living every day.

Billie C.

Checking in

I'm just checking in.

 

I do hope you are having a good Thanksgiving weekend.  We mostly slept the day, went out for dinner at "The Dinner Bell". drove around for a bit, then back home, to sleep again.

 

We are not feeling Bad, we just are not feeling good either. We have both managed to hurt our right knees.  Jerry's happened a few days before he got laid off of his job and Mine started three days ago.

 

Now we are waiting for a phone call.  There was a Email but it came in way to late to be able to make the call. Jerry will try to make that call today but it's iffy if anyone will be in an office on the day after Thanksgiving.

 

Growing up, Mom almost always had to go to work the day after Thanksgiving. On those few occasions that she did have the Friday after off, we usually went to visit our Grandmother in Missouri. 

 

Saturday after Thanksgiving, we would decorate our Christmas tree. Even after leaving her home and getting married, I decorated the tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  I have no plans for a tree this year.  There is no place for one here.  I will be decorating for Christmas, I just won't have a tree this year.

 

An Ornament I made for a friend

I know I said I would post this picture a few weeks ago. I got distracted. I made these for our friends Donna and Larry. Donna had a love bird who was named Barney and was almost 14 years old when  died this past summer.  He was a very special bird and I know he is waiting for his human friend at the rainbow bridge that all pets wait at, to greet their human friend.

 

Larry loved Roosters.  When I saw this rooster I knew it was the perfect gift for him.  Unfortunately, Larry passed just a week after I gifted him this present. Larry loved to tease people that he liked and he must have liked Jerry and I cause he would smile and tease, just a little, every time we were over for a visit. 

 

 

 

 

How I made these.

Miniature figurines

Plastic Drink cups from Dollar Tree

A Large roll of Cork from a crafts store, Hobby Lobby if I recall.

     (I'll be using more of it very soon)

Silver Braid (Wal-mart in the ribbon section of the fabric's area)

E-6000 Glue

 

    I cut the cork with a circle Die that was just a bit larger than the rim of the cup with my Cuttle-bug.  It did get flattened out a bit and distorted a little but not enough to make it not work as I wanted it to. I glued each figure o the cork with some E-6000, making sure that the cup would still sit on the cork once the glue was dried.  I had thought of some artificial snow but then thought better of that. But if you want a snow ball effect, this is the time to add some to the cup.

    Once the figure was dried, I used the same glue around the rim of the cup, then placed the cork on the rim, and allowed that to dry. Turn over so the cork is now the floor.

I then glued the braid around the rim of the cup, the small ridge at the bottom (now the top) of the cup, and a loop to the dent of the cup as a hanger for on a tree.

 

I considered a few bows for around the top, but ran out of time to make those.  But then I could have used a couple of artificial Holly leaves and berries if I had thought about it.

 

Next time I get to a Crafts store, I am going to the mini train area or the Christmas village area and find more mini's to work with.

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and may you find joy in the small things of living every day.

Billie C.