Blessings to you all this Christmas!
Carmen
Dec 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Blessings to you all this Christmas!
Carmen
Dec 22, 2010
Stocking Stuffers
When my kids were small, I was the Stocking Stuffer Queen! I loved doing up the stockings every year. After three of my kids moved out on their own, I talked about stopping stockings, to a wild chorus of nays! Apparently they were the best part of Christmas. (?)... (?)... Huh?
However, now that the kids are having kids...well, I still like to give each one a few little things--except the stockings have turned into little gift bags with goodies. It's cheaper, and they still feel like they're not missing out TOO much.
This year I decided to make a little thing to add to the boys' gift bags. I took some normal guitar picks and put some pictures on them of either their wives, or some other love of theirs. Like these:
GO Canucks!!...Ahem....
Unfortunately, it was really hard to get good pictures of these, but they were fun to make! I used Mod Podge, and.....
.....Glossy Accents for mine...but I think the Mod Podge left a bit of a veil on them, so I'm just going to use Glossy Accents for the next few I make--
-- although I LOVE Mod Podge for so many other applications!
I also made some Candy soap and Duck soap (Chwistmas Quackers) this year.
No, not for the boys.
Not for their wives either, but these will be for the grandkids!
These are quick and easy to make! Anyone...seriously ANYONE can do it! And...it's cheap too!
All you need for the Candy Soap is:
a microwave, glycerine soap chunks, color, scent, measuring cup, alcohol in a small spray container and round molds.
Soap Queen has a tutorial for these, so I'll just include it below so you can make your own. Hey, you don't even have to do it for Christmas. These will make great anytime gifts for the kiddies! Plus they will look forward to bath time!
The Chwistmas Quackers are super easy too! This one is my original idea and particularly good for those difficult bathers.
You'll need everything listed above, but a rectangular mold instead of a round one. Then you just buy some rubber duckies. I got mine at Michael's, but you can get them in lots of places.
Microwave your glycerine soap until liquid. (Usually about 20 seconds, and then 10 seconds at a time until it's ready)
Add scent and color. (skin safe only)
Pour into the mold about 1/2 or 2/3 of the way (spritz with alcohol) and let it harden a few minutes until a thin layer forms on the soap.
Reheat glycerine. (spritz with alcohol)
Then (spritz duck and soap layer with alcohol) sit the duck on top and pour the rest of the soap around it (spritz with alcohol).
The secret is to spritz the glycerine liberally with the alcohol before and after it's poured. This gets rid of air bubbles and allows the embed to stick in the soap.
You may have to hold the duck in place for a minute to make sure it sits up and in the middle of the soap.
Wrap the glycerine if you're not using it right away. That's it! You're done!
I told you it was easy!!
Okay, so here is the video from Soap Queen for the Candy Soaps!
I'll make soapers out of all of you yet! Hehehe...
Well, I'm done! Hope you all have the Merriest Christmas ever! Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy days to check in and see what I'm up to!
I appreciate you all so much, and I love to hear from you!!
Merry Christmas!
Carmen
However, now that the kids are having kids...well, I still like to give each one a few little things--except the stockings have turned into little gift bags with goodies. It's cheaper, and they still feel like they're not missing out TOO much.
This year I decided to make a little thing to add to the boys' gift bags. I took some normal guitar picks and put some pictures on them of either their wives, or some other love of theirs. Like these:
Unfortunately, it was really hard to get good pictures of these, but they were fun to make! I used Mod Podge, and.....
I also made some Candy soap and Duck soap (Chwistmas Quackers) this year.
No, not for the boys.
Not for their wives either, but these will be for the grandkids!
These are quick and easy to make! Anyone...seriously ANYONE can do it! And...it's cheap too!
a microwave, glycerine soap chunks, color, scent, measuring cup, alcohol in a small spray container and round molds.
Soap Queen has a tutorial for these, so I'll just include it below so you can make your own. Hey, you don't even have to do it for Christmas. These will make great anytime gifts for the kiddies! Plus they will look forward to bath time!
The Chwistmas Quackers are super easy too! This one is my original idea and particularly good for those difficult bathers.
You'll need everything listed above, but a rectangular mold instead of a round one. Then you just buy some rubber duckies. I got mine at Michael's, but you can get them in lots of places.
Add scent and color. (skin safe only)
Pour into the mold about 1/2 or 2/3 of the way (spritz with alcohol) and let it harden a few minutes until a thin layer forms on the soap.
Reheat glycerine. (spritz with alcohol)
Then (spritz duck and soap layer with alcohol) sit the duck on top and pour the rest of the soap around it (spritz with alcohol).
The secret is to spritz the glycerine liberally with the alcohol before and after it's poured. This gets rid of air bubbles and allows the embed to stick in the soap.
You may have to hold the duck in place for a minute to make sure it sits up and in the middle of the soap.
Wrap the glycerine if you're not using it right away. That's it! You're done!
I told you it was easy!!
Okay, so here is the video from Soap Queen for the Candy Soaps!
I'll make soapers out of all of you yet! Hehehe...
Well, I'm done! Hope you all have the Merriest Christmas ever! Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy days to check in and see what I'm up to!
I appreciate you all so much, and I love to hear from you!!
Merry Christmas!
Carmen
Dec 21, 2010
Fudge Puddles Recipe
I can barely believe that Christmas Eve is only 3 days away!! I've been busy with last minute gifts, wrapping and baking.
Christmas Eve is a fun time for us! Every year my daughter in laws' parents have a Christmas Eve night with all the family and extended families. Everyone brings appetizers and we all chow down soon after we get there. The food is always scrumptious!!
Then we have a fun craft, contest or game. Last year we divided up into teams of two and were given clean empty pop bottles. There was a large container full of fabric, glitter, foam balls, buttons, pipe cleaners, etc. which we could use. We had to make something out of the bottles, and the best item won a prize. It was a lot of fun and some of the creations were pretty wild!
Once that part of the evening is done, my DIL's father mysteriously disappears, and Santa shows up at the door with his bells jingling and a large bag full of gifts. The kids (big and small) love it!!
Every year there is a different activity, so I'm hoping to get some photos this year to share with you!
But enough chit chat! I have a recipe to share!
FUDGE PUDDLES
(You'll need Mini muffin tins for this recipe)
1/2 cup butter or margarine and 1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
Cream butter and peanut butter.
Add sugars and beat together
Add egg and vanilla and mix well
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt and then add to cream mixture. Mix well.
Chill mixture for one hour.
When chilled, roll mixture into approximately 1 inch balls
Place each one in a greased or papered mini muffin tin.
Bake at 325F for 14 to 16 minutes.
Remove from oven and immediately make wells in the center of each ball.
Cool 5 minutes, then move to racks and cool.
Fudge
1 cup milk chocolate chips, or 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup semi sweet chips
1/2 can Sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
chopped peanuts
Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler.
Stir in milk and vanilla. Mix well
Using a small pitcher or pastry bag, fill shells with fudge (tip below)
Sprinkle each one with chopped peanuts (check below)
Here they are all rolled up like little meatballs and placed in paper cups in the mini muffin tins. The empty tins have a bit of water in them.
*(I have greased the tins in the past, and that works well too...I just think they look more festive in paper cups.)
Once baked, they actually come out of the oven a bit puffy. You can see on the ones I haven't plunged into yet.
*You don't need to push very hard to make the wells--the deeper you make the wells, the more fudge you'll need to fill them.
The ones in the picture are a bit deep and I had a few left over without fudge....which...you know... really wasn't a problem for me. ;)
I can't remember where I found this handy dandy little wooden tool, but it works great! Before I found this, I used one of those small long thin plastic containers for childrens liquid cough medicine, or the end of a wooden spoon--these work fine if you don't have this wooden doodad. :)
It is a bit fiddly filling the cups with the chocolate mixture, especially since the mixture begins to thicken quite fast when it's ready! *I usually use two teaspoons to fill them (instead of a pastry bag), working quickly.
*I also just put a 1/2 a peanut on top of each one instead of sprinkling chopped up peanuts on top. It's easier and looks better.
These are pretty yummy and everyone loves them so I make them every Christmas!
Oh, and Janet at Today's Fabulous Finds has a tutorial posted for a S'mores Kit that would make a great last minute gift for a friend or neighbour! She also has some cute gift tags and instruction printables- free!!
Well, that's all folks! Hope you're all ready, or close to ready for the big event! Don't get too stressed out this Christmas, and remember that it is about so much more than presents, decorations, and eating.
"And she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger"
Merry Christmas!
Carmen
Christmas Eve is a fun time for us! Every year my daughter in laws' parents have a Christmas Eve night with all the family and extended families. Everyone brings appetizers and we all chow down soon after we get there. The food is always scrumptious!!
Then we have a fun craft, contest or game. Last year we divided up into teams of two and were given clean empty pop bottles. There was a large container full of fabric, glitter, foam balls, buttons, pipe cleaners, etc. which we could use. We had to make something out of the bottles, and the best item won a prize. It was a lot of fun and some of the creations were pretty wild!
Once that part of the evening is done, my DIL's father mysteriously disappears, and Santa shows up at the door with his bells jingling and a large bag full of gifts. The kids (big and small) love it!!
Every year there is a different activity, so I'm hoping to get some photos this year to share with you!
But enough chit chat! I have a recipe to share!
FUDGE PUDDLES
(You'll need Mini muffin tins for this recipe)
1/2 cup butter or margarine and 1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
Cream butter and peanut butter.
Add sugars and beat together
Add egg and vanilla and mix well
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt and then add to cream mixture. Mix well.
Chill mixture for one hour.
When chilled, roll mixture into approximately 1 inch balls
Place each one in a greased or papered mini muffin tin.
Bake at 325F for 14 to 16 minutes.
Remove from oven and immediately make wells in the center of each ball.
Cool 5 minutes, then move to racks and cool.
Fudge
1 cup milk chocolate chips, or 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup semi sweet chips
1/2 can Sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
chopped peanuts
Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler.
Stir in milk and vanilla. Mix well
Using a small pitcher or pastry bag, fill shells with fudge (tip below)
Sprinkle each one with chopped peanuts (check below)
*(I have greased the tins in the past, and that works well too...I just think they look more festive in paper cups.)
*You don't need to push very hard to make the wells--the deeper you make the wells, the more fudge you'll need to fill them.
The ones in the picture are a bit deep and I had a few left over without fudge....which...you know... really wasn't a problem for me. ;)
I can't remember where I found this handy dandy little wooden tool, but it works great! Before I found this, I used one of those small long thin plastic containers for childrens liquid cough medicine, or the end of a wooden spoon--these work fine if you don't have this wooden doodad. :)
It is a bit fiddly filling the cups with the chocolate mixture, especially since the mixture begins to thicken quite fast when it's ready! *I usually use two teaspoons to fill them (instead of a pastry bag), working quickly.
*I also just put a 1/2 a peanut on top of each one instead of sprinkling chopped up peanuts on top. It's easier and looks better.
These are pretty yummy and everyone loves them so I make them every Christmas!
Oh, and Janet at Today's Fabulous Finds has a tutorial posted for a S'mores Kit that would make a great last minute gift for a friend or neighbour! She also has some cute gift tags and instruction printables- free!!
Well, that's all folks! Hope you're all ready, or close to ready for the big event! Don't get too stressed out this Christmas, and remember that it is about so much more than presents, decorations, and eating.
"And she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger"
Merry Christmas!
Carmen
Dec 17, 2010
Sleigh Ride of Christmas Fun 4
Hello Everyone!
Welcome to the last Sleigh Ride of Christmas Fun! There's some cute ideas here, and maybe even something you can still make before Christmas is upon us.
1) As you know, I like to make cold process soaps. However, you can buy glycerin soap chunks and melt them down to make some really cute soaps.
Greenbean's Crafterole has a tutorial for these Popsicle Soaps on her blog.
She also has these S"noap"balls. How cute are these?? You could even make your own S"noap"man!!!
2) Stephanie, at Under The Table and Dreaming has a Tutorial for this Rose Petal Candle Holder.
What a great last minute gift! All you need are faux rose petals, a glass pillar candle holder and a pillar candle. All obtainable from the Dollar Store!
Ehow also has a written tutorial on Corker Hair Bows.
They look like the store bought ones, don't they? I want to make some for my little granddaughter!
4) I have some old jeans lying around and I was wondering what to make with them. Then while I was visiting Design Sponge, I found the perfect project for them!
Don't you just LOVE this POUF! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! In fact, it may be one of my next projects (I have several 'next' projects on my mind right now! :) It comes with a full tutorial, and it looks SO easy! I just HAD to share!
5) Oops, I Craft My Pants was a Guest at I Love Nap Time with these Cute Little Ornaments!
There is a full tutorial in the link above, so you can make your own!
6) You'll know whether you've been naughty or nice, when you open your gifts this Christmas morning. But...you'll be wondering when you get these Lump of Coal Gift Boxes filled with a beautiful gift!
Check out Tatertots and Jello for the full tutorial on how to make your own. Again...there's still time!!
7) Also at Tatertots and Jello you'll find these adorable Ruffle Trees with a full tutorial. These look like they'd be quick to make too!
8) How about another craft? Janet, at Today's Fabulous Finds, Tomorrow's Treasures made this Interchangeable Christmas Countdown Calendar. with a cork board she found at a Thrift Store. Okay, so it's a bit late for this year, but wouldn't it make a wonderful countdown calendar for next year?
9) Laura, at Following the Paper Trail always has something interesting up her sleeve!! I'm starting to wonder if she's actually twins!
Look at this cute little Envelope Snow Village Mini she put together. So, SO cute! I think this will be the next craft we do at Ridgeview Senior's Home.
It's also on my list of projects to make! She has a full tutorial written out on the blog so you can make your own!
Laura also has a Ustream Channel on which she shows you how to make all her incredible projects, and an Etsy Shop, where she sells kits and instructions to all her projects! I know you'll love her blog!
10) Most of you are done your Christmas shopping and are doing a lot of wrapping right now. I love bows, but I get tired of the mundane store bought bows that everyone uses. So, why not learn how to make your own?
Isn't this bow AWESOME! How About Orange shows you how to make these in a simple step by step picture tutorial.
Use a magazine page, a map, music sheets, paper bags....whatever you want! The sky is the limit and you can make a unique bow that will make your gift stand out from the rest!
OKAY! That's it for today! I was going to share my Fudge Puddle Recipe with you, but I am out of time! So, stay tuned, the recipe for these little Peanut Butter Shell, Fudge filled beauties will be on this blog in the next few days! Have a wonderful weekend!
Fudge Puddles
Also check out:
Sleigh Ride of Christmas Fun 1
Sleigh Ride of Christmas Fun 2
Sleigh Ride of Christmas Fun 3
Until then, thanks for visiting!
Carmen
Welcome to the last Sleigh Ride of Christmas Fun! There's some cute ideas here, and maybe even something you can still make before Christmas is upon us.
1) As you know, I like to make cold process soaps. However, you can buy glycerin soap chunks and melt them down to make some really cute soaps.
Greenbean's Crafterole has a tutorial for these Popsicle Soaps on her blog.
She also has these S"noap"balls. How cute are these?? You could even make your own S"noap"man!!!
3) Now how about something for that little girl in your life? Have you seen those popular little Corker Bows for in the hair?
Well, I found a video tutorial on how to make them. So now you can make your own for gifts! Yes! There's still time!!
Ehow also has a written tutorial on Corker Hair Bows.
4) I have some old jeans lying around and I was wondering what to make with them. Then while I was visiting Design Sponge, I found the perfect project for them!
Don't you just LOVE this POUF! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! In fact, it may be one of my next projects (I have several 'next' projects on my mind right now! :) It comes with a full tutorial, and it looks SO easy! I just HAD to share!
5) Oops, I Craft My Pants was a Guest at I Love Nap Time with these Cute Little Ornaments!
There is a full tutorial in the link above, so you can make your own!
6) You'll know whether you've been naughty or nice, when you open your gifts this Christmas morning. But...you'll be wondering when you get these Lump of Coal Gift Boxes filled with a beautiful gift!
7) Also at Tatertots and Jello you'll find these adorable Ruffle Trees with a full tutorial. These look like they'd be quick to make too!
8) How about another craft? Janet, at Today's Fabulous Finds, Tomorrow's Treasures made this Interchangeable Christmas Countdown Calendar. with a cork board she found at a Thrift Store. Okay, so it's a bit late for this year, but wouldn't it make a wonderful countdown calendar for next year?
9) Laura, at Following the Paper Trail always has something interesting up her sleeve!! I'm starting to wonder if she's actually twins!
Look at this cute little Envelope Snow Village Mini she put together. So, SO cute! I think this will be the next craft we do at Ridgeview Senior's Home.
It's also on my list of projects to make! She has a full tutorial written out on the blog so you can make your own!
Laura also has a Ustream Channel on which she shows you how to make all her incredible projects, and an Etsy Shop, where she sells kits and instructions to all her projects! I know you'll love her blog!
10) Most of you are done your Christmas shopping and are doing a lot of wrapping right now. I love bows, but I get tired of the mundane store bought bows that everyone uses. So, why not learn how to make your own?
Use a magazine page, a map, music sheets, paper bags....whatever you want! The sky is the limit and you can make a unique bow that will make your gift stand out from the rest!
Also check out:
Sleigh Ride of Christmas Fun 1
Sleigh Ride of Christmas Fun 2
Sleigh Ride of Christmas Fun 3
Until then, thanks for visiting!
Carmen
Dec 10, 2010
Sleigh Ride of Christmas Fun 3
Good Morning!
I went to bed really late last night, and woke up early this morning and couldn't get back to sleep...too much stuff to do today and my mind is on overload. So, since it's just me and my cup of coffee, I decided to do another Sleigh Ride post today! My lack of sleep is your crafty inspiration -- I hope! =D
1) I'm starting off with some baking today, because these are OH SO Cute!! Everyone should make these!
Melted Snowman Cookies!! I found these at Crazy Domestic, but if you want the recipe it can be found at Truly Custom Cakery.
I really want to make these this year, but I've baked one thing so far this Christmas (hanging my head in shame), and I have to make the traditional fare first. However....these wouldn't take long and they're just adorable!!
2) Here's a cool idea from Threaded Together. You'll probably have to bookmark this idea for next year. It's a Homemade Christmas Card. The instructions are kind of in the write up.
Isn't this a cool idea? Don't cha just wanna do this sometime? I love it!!
3) Eye Spy DIY has a Peppermint Lip Balm recipe that would make a great Christmas gift! It's fast and easy, so you have plenty of time before Christmas to make some up for your dry-lipped friends and family!
4) Do you like free printables? Well head on over to Miss Cutiepie for some Free Vintage Printable Tags.
That's not all, you'll also find Vintage Christmas Papers!
PLUS...Christmas labels, Valentine's labels, Flowery labels, lots more digital papers....
Okay, that's all I'm showing you...GO! Check it out for yourself at the links above!
***(I've removed her free images because I noticed people were downloading them from my site, which is unfair to the artist! You should go to her site to download them, since they're her creations! Plus, you'll probably find lots more that interests you!)***Click on 'Miss Cutiepie' above...
5) Janet, over at Today's Fabulous Finds {Tomorrow's Treasures} has a tutorial on Printable Paint Stick Ornaments
This one also comes with a tutorial, so if you're wondering how to recycle your Christmas cards...this is a great way to do it!
I went to bed really late last night, and woke up early this morning and couldn't get back to sleep...too much stuff to do today and my mind is on overload. So, since it's just me and my cup of coffee, I decided to do another Sleigh Ride post today! My lack of sleep is your crafty inspiration -- I hope! =D
1) I'm starting off with some baking today, because these are OH SO Cute!! Everyone should make these!
Melted Snowman Cookies!! I found these at Crazy Domestic, but if you want the recipe it can be found at Truly Custom Cakery.
I really want to make these this year, but I've baked one thing so far this Christmas (hanging my head in shame), and I have to make the traditional fare first. However....these wouldn't take long and they're just adorable!!
2) Here's a cool idea from Threaded Together. You'll probably have to bookmark this idea for next year. It's a Homemade Christmas Card. The instructions are kind of in the write up.
Isn't this a cool idea? Don't cha just wanna do this sometime? I love it!!
3) Eye Spy DIY has a Peppermint Lip Balm recipe that would make a great Christmas gift! It's fast and easy, so you have plenty of time before Christmas to make some up for your dry-lipped friends and family!
4) Do you like free printables? Well head on over to Miss Cutiepie for some Free Vintage Printable Tags.
Okay, that's all I'm showing you...GO! Check it out for yourself at the links above!
***(I've removed her free images because I noticed people were downloading them from my site, which is unfair to the artist! You should go to her site to download them, since they're her creations! Plus, you'll probably find lots more that interests you!)***Click on 'Miss Cutiepie' above...
5) Janet, over at Today's Fabulous Finds {Tomorrow's Treasures} has a tutorial on Printable Paint Stick Ornaments
Aren't they super cute? I want to make some of these too. Such great ideas out there in Blogland! Make sure you leave some love for some of these ladies...they SO deserve it!
6) What's Christmas without candy? Well, I don't really care for candy that much, so just pretend my husband is asking that question...cos he LOVES candy! Maybe I should make one of these Candy Dispensers from DIY Dish via Ucreate, for him this Christmas.
There is a full tutorial on the Ucreate link above. These are so easy to make, and they look so cute. They'd make a great gift too!
7) It seems I just don't tire of Chalkboard Crafts! Here's a Christmas Countdown Calendar from Flamingo Toes. Teehee....
A great tutorial right on the link for the Calendar. There are SO many good ideas at Flamingo Toes. The website it full of creative genius! Have a gander!!
8) Creating Keepsakes has a few free printable Holiday Quotes on their site for Christmas. Great for Scrapbooking, labels, etc. Here's an example...there's some regular written quotes as well.
9) Need a few more Tree Decorations? Try these Wired Felt Snowmen and Earmuff Snowman from Childmade.
The Earmuff Snowman is actually an altered Christmas ball!
10) Last, but not least, do you love to recycle? Here's some Decoupaged Christmas Card Balls from Inspiring Ideas.
Well, that's it for today! I hope you enjoyed it and that you found some good ideas to take advantage of!
Also check out:
Check out all my Sleigh Rides in the column to the right under 'Labels'
UPDATE: Don't forget to check out 2011's Sleigh Rides, click on 'Christmas' under labels in the sidebar!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Carmen
Dec 7, 2010
Eggnog Bread Recipe and a Free Printable
Every year you can tell Christmas is coming to my home by the big pot full of Antipasto on my stove, which I can and give away as gifts! My family loves it, and I've been told by several people that it's the best they have ever tasted. If I didn't make it, I'd get dirty looks...I swear!
You know, I normally use red cellophane to wrap my Antipasto--but for some reason, I can't find any red cellophane in town. How weird is that?
Around the same time, I start on my baking, which consists of Butter Tarts, Shortbread, Gingerbread, Fudge Puddles, various bars and squares, and one of my personal favorites, Eggnog Bread!
So since Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Eggnog Bread, today I'm sharing my Eggnog Bread recipe with you ~ so you can have Christmas too! =)
I make several of these and give them away as gifts. It is quite yummy!!
Eggnog Bread Recipe (Makes one loaf)
1/4 cup melted butter
3/4 cup white sugar
2 beaten eggs
2 1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons Baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup Eggnog (I use light)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup red and green glazed cherries
Optional: 1 tsp. vanilla or rum flavoring.
In a large bowl combine butter, sugar and eggs. Mix well
Combine flour, baking powder and salt in another bowl.
Stir into butter mixture alternately with eggnog until just moist
(I started and ended with the flour-three times flour to two times eggnog) Mix well.
Fold in pecans, raisins and cherries
Spoon into greased loaf pan (s) I doubled the recipe! And I'll be making another double recipe!
This mixture pretty much GlObBeD into the pans. It is very thick and I had to mush it around a bit with a wooden spoon to even it up.
Put them in the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for approx. 70 minutes. (Mine took 80 minutes.)
While we're waiting for the bread to bake, I have a little tip to share with you. I always soak my raisins in some hot water for 5 minutes, then drain and dry the raisins with a clean towel. I put them back in a container and add vanilla, mixing it in. I let it sit another 5 or 10 minutes. It gives them a really nice flavor. I did that with the raisins in this batch before adding them.
When your loaves look ready, check with a toothpick or knife to ensure they are baked throughout. (Cover loosely with foil if the inside is not baked through- to complete baking process without further browning).
So since Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Eggnog Bread, today I'm sharing my Eggnog Bread recipe with you ~ so you can have Christmas too! =)
I make several of these and give them away as gifts. It is quite yummy!!
Eggnog Bread Recipe (Makes one loaf)
1/4 cup melted butter
3/4 cup white sugar
2 beaten eggs
2 1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons Baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup Eggnog (I use light)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup red and green glazed cherries
Optional: 1 tsp. vanilla or rum flavoring.
In a large bowl combine butter, sugar and eggs. Mix well
Combine flour, baking powder and salt in another bowl.
Stir into butter mixture alternately with eggnog until just moist
Fold in pecans, raisins and cherries
Spoon into greased loaf pan (s) I doubled the recipe! And I'll be making another double recipe!
This mixture pretty much GlObBeD into the pans. It is very thick and I had to mush it around a bit with a wooden spoon to even it up.
Put them in the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for approx. 70 minutes. (Mine took 80 minutes.)
While we're waiting for the bread to bake, I have a little tip to share with you. I always soak my raisins in some hot water for 5 minutes, then drain and dry the raisins with a clean towel. I put them back in a container and add vanilla, mixing it in. I let it sit another 5 or 10 minutes. It gives them a really nice flavor. I did that with the raisins in this batch before adding them.
When your loaves look ready, check with a toothpick or knife to ensure they are baked throughout. (Cover loosely with foil if the inside is not baked through- to complete baking process without further browning).
Okay...so I should have waited before cutting it...but it smelled so good I couldn't resist. In fact, that piece and a couple of others are gone. Not all me either. Honest.
I hope you'll try this recipe and that you love it as much as I do!
By the way, did you notice the tag on the Antipasto above? Let me show you again:
Cute eh? Well, they're a free printable from the Gingerbread Nook. There's several other types of free printables on this page too.
But, if you want these particular labels, click here.
There's 4 different labels on this page, and the one above is label #4...the others are cute too though, so check them out!
Well, that's all for today!
Have a good week =D
Carmen
Dec 5, 2010
Chalkboard Craft
Hello!
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I did another Craft Fair this weekend, but forgot my camera! OOPS!
Oh well, a photographer took a photo of me and the organizer of the Craft Fair together, along with the lady in the booth beside mine, and it will be in one of the small local papers this week.
One of the things I made recently was a Chalkboard Tutu. I just haven't had much time to post it.
Ummm....sorry about the picture quality! I just couldn't get a good photo of it for some reason. Still, isn't it ADORABLE? I can't take credit for the idea as it came from Greenbean's Crafterole, who also gives a Chalkboard Tu-tu-torial for it. Here's a photo of hers...
She has some wonderful ideas on her blog and I hope you'll check her out!
I just love this little ChalkboardTu-tu! I think that the next one I make will be made with something either a little stronger for the chalkboard base, or I'll add something a bit more sturdy for the backing. It's just adorable though, and I love it!!
Thanks so much for visiting!
DECEMBER 15, 2010 ADDENDUM
I thought I'd show you a re-enforced version of the Chalboard Tu-tu. This one is made with the canvas backing, with an additional flat canvas board glued to the front of it with Gorilla Glue. This has made the chalkboard surface very sturdy and easy to write on without changing the look of the item.
On this one the customer asked me to add some more tulle on the bottom. I also decided to add the little poof at the top of the hanger to balance the white and pink a bit. I'm quite happy with the way this one turned out!
Hope you enjoyed your visit today!
Carmen
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I did another Craft Fair this weekend, but forgot my camera! OOPS!
Oh well, a photographer took a photo of me and the organizer of the Craft Fair together, along with the lady in the booth beside mine, and it will be in one of the small local papers this week.
One of the things I made recently was a Chalkboard Tutu. I just haven't had much time to post it.
Ummm....sorry about the picture quality! I just couldn't get a good photo of it for some reason. Still, isn't it ADORABLE? I can't take credit for the idea as it came from Greenbean's Crafterole, who also gives a Chalkboard Tu-tu-torial for it. Here's a photo of hers...
She has some wonderful ideas on her blog and I hope you'll check her out!
I just love this little ChalkboardTu-tu! I think that the next one I make will be made with something either a little stronger for the chalkboard base, or I'll add something a bit more sturdy for the backing. It's just adorable though, and I love it!!
Thanks so much for visiting!
DECEMBER 15, 2010 ADDENDUM
I thought I'd show you a re-enforced version of the Chalboard Tu-tu. This one is made with the canvas backing, with an additional flat canvas board glued to the front of it with Gorilla Glue. This has made the chalkboard surface very sturdy and easy to write on without changing the look of the item.
Hope you enjoyed your visit today!
Carmen
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