Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas to all my online friends!

Handmade Recipe Cards

I am in a "recipe swap" over at Flickr called "Yummy Recipe Swap" and I am waiting for this months recipe to come. I just sent mine on its way to my partner....you include one ingredient and a surprise if you want and then your handmade recipe card.....this onth I chose one that I liked and tried out of Woman's Day magazine...yummy salad with pumpkin dressing....and broccoli....yum yum.....

It is a lot of fun...of course I am a sucker when it comes to recipes....I am always snatching them from parties I go to from the host and or gatherings I attend...its the best way because you already know it will taste good....do you make any? Want to share? How many of you remember the recipe post cards...those are great.....then I found this really cute idea about using our Christmas cards to make a recipe card file box...how cute is that? Cathy of California's blog also tells us about a great book you will absolutely have to get if you want to have your own craft biz...and I agree with her totally! This book of Meg's is chock full of both practical (like what licences you need) and inspirational (interviews with some of your favorite crafters) information.
"Craft inc. Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business" by Meg Mateo Ilasco, is published by chronicle books.

Happy Thanksgiving

Won Kooky Pens, Join in on a Hat Contest, and Have Fun at the Tea Party

I just love Fracture Toy's blog....it is fun, lots of contests, and great info and products....I entered in the bloggy giveaway and won the greatest set of "Kooky" pens...all pink, my favorite color... :) I am a happy camper...but best of all right now you can win:

Me in some of my handmade hats... :)

• A Pink Handbag Charm from Macy's
• A bar of yummy "Girls Night Out" Soap from Morgan Street.
• A whimsical girly girl gift bag donated by my fav Green Party Goods!
• This is perfect for a small hostess gift or just to sit on your boudoir dresser to store trinkets. So girly!
• Total Prize Pkg value equals $40

WOW.....I want "A Girls Night Out" prize.....I do ...I do...I do..........................

Join on in on the Tea Party over at Fracture Toy too... Grab yourself a cup of tea and a few scones and let's chat. Soon it will be the busy rush of the holidays and we may not have much time to relax. Let's do it while we can ladies!Other hostesses welcome you to their tea table.

After you've spent time here, please visit these ladies and their very unique parties. They would love to have you and you'll love it there! ....

Mom Most Traveled
superdumb supervillain

7 Clown Circus
Katydid and Kid

Be sure to leave a comment and join in on the fun!!!

Yummy Recipe Swap

There is a fun Yummy Recipe Swap over on Flickr. You make a handmade recipe card and then add a handmade food or book, along with one ingredient, and send it out to a partner....how fun....

Turkey and Lots of Other Stuff

For all your Turkey ideas, for cooking times, how to cook safely and games for kids...

One of my favorite things to do on Thanksgiving and one of the biggest annual events in Manhattan: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which starts at 9 a.m. and runs along Central Park West and Broadway between 77th and 34th Streets. If you want more Americanized extravaganza, one show that is not dark on Thanksgiving is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, with three performances on Nov. 27.

The Best Ugly Turkey

INGREDIENTS 1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons salt
1 apple - peeled, cored and cubed



DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat dry with paper towels. Rub olive oil and salt all over the bird. Place the apple pieces inside of the cavity. Place the turkey breast side down in a large roasting pan.
Roast for 3 hours in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven and carefully turn the bird so the breast side is facing up. Return to the oven and cook until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh has reached 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Allow the turkey to rest for about 30 minutes before carving.

Bloggy Giveaway Contests

Check out Paiges' Place for a terrific "Crockpot" recipe contest..And win $25 worth of Avon!!

The Chicken Dance

I made the dish and did the dance and DH joined in on the fun!

Okay here I am and here is my DH making the "Chicken Dance" rounds....yes we are doing it...but its for a contest and its because I made and ate The Apron Queen's scrumpious Ay Caramba! Chicken Spaghetti entry....be sure to go over to Velveeta and vote for her Thursday!!

Wooo I am Back with Some Recipe Cards

I cannot believe how long its been since I posted....sorry folks...but here are some of my newest creations, handmade deorated recipe cards...They are cute and fun...especially for Halloween....and add your recipes below to some of your cards... Be sure to comment on how you like them...I even added a few ants...:)

Early for Halloween Recipes

I LOVE Halloween it is when I can artistically show my talent by wearing it... :) FUN FUN FUN These little kids costumes are just too cute and I couldn't resist showing them, [Find more Babies’ & Kids’ Costumes here] They range about $14.99 each.

If your having a Halloween party these recipes will be a hit!

Witches Brew

Ingredients:

4 cups cranberry juice cocktail

1 cup candied ginger root, chopped

3 medium oranges

12 ounces apple juice, frozen concentrate, thawed

6 ounces limeade, frozen concentrate, thawed

2 cups seedless grapes4 cups water

64 ounces ginger ale, (1/2 gal)

1 pound dry ice, up to 2 pounds

Directions:

• In a 1 to 2 quart pan, bring 1 cup of cranberry juice and candied ginger to a boil over high heat. Boil, uncovered, about 2 minutes, set aside.
• With a vegetable peeler, pare peel (colored part only) from oranges; cut peel into thin 2-inch-long worms; or use an Oriental shredder to make long shreds.
• Add orange peel to cranberry mixture. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or as long as overnight.
• Juice oranges; put juice in a 6 to 8 quart pan or heavy bowl.
• Stir in cranberry-ginger mixture, the 3 cups cranberry juice, apple concentrate, limeade, grapes and water. If made ahead, cover and chill up to 2 hours.
• Add ginger ale and about a 1 pound piece of dry ice (DO NOT put small pieces in punch or cups); ice should smolder at least 30 minutes.
• Ladle into cups. Add any remaining ice when bubbling ceases.

**** A SERIOUS CAUTION: never touch dry ice; use tongs to handle.

Makes 5 quarts; allow about 1-1/2 cups for a serving.
Source: Flora’s Drink Hideout
Target.com has a Boiling Cauldron with Stand that is perfect for this drink.

*Lastly, I found a Halloween dish recipe that actually looks edible. All of them are edible, but some of the recipes look too gross for me and their names are kind of too much for kids (I’m sure you know what I mean).

This recipe found on CooksRecipes.com looks cute & delicious: look at the dogs even have little eyes...LOL

Halloween Mummy Dogs
Ingredients:

• 2 tubes refrigerator pizza dough rolls
• 1 cup grated part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup Freshly grated Parmesan (part-skim) cheeseNon-stick spray
• 4 tablespoons pizza sauce or pasta sauce


• 8 hot dogsOptional pizza toppings: onions, green peppers, olives, etc.
• 1 tablespoon Italian herb seasoning mix (or your own mix of oregano, thyme, parsley, etc.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Open package of pizza dough, gather ingredients, grate cheese, and dice vegetables.
3. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
4. Place pizza dough on sheet and cut into 8 squares; press dough thin with fingers.
5. Add pizza sauce to each square.
6. Add hot dogs and other pizza toppings and pizza herbs to taste.
7. “Mummify” the hot dogs by wrapping them completely in the dough and pinching the ends.
8. Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until crust begins to brown.
9. Serve with warm pizza sauce for dip

Makes 6 servings.
For books with Halloween recipe & party ideas click here.

All info found here: blogs.smarter.com/babieskids/tag/halloween

Happy 4th to all my Online Friends

Have a safe and happy holiday and summer DaBookLady will be back in September!!!!!
Please leave comments and I will periodically be checking my blogs...

Swapping Recipes for a "Girl's night Out"

I am in a cool swap on Flickr called The Great Recipe Swap and I just finished swapping a "garden and fruit" theme. This month is "girl's night out" and I thought this little gem would be great to share.

I also got some popcorn, travel ice tea, and thinking of what else????

It is fun to share recipes and to also make them look more like "eye candy" than just a copied one off the net... I mean "scrapbooking" them in designs with all the pretty stuff..

Pink Squirrel Fondue Dip

• 1 jar marshmallow cream
• 3 tbsp. creme de almond
• 1 tbsp. white creme de cacao
• 1 tsp. lemon juice

Combine very low heat. Serve with any fresh fruit or pound cake cubes in a fondue pot.

Warm over.

Summer Fun Recipes

now this little taco is sute and looks like he is a little sad? But you really cannot eat him as he is totally made of yarn...I just thought he was a cute one...And the picture below ...??? ...well speaks for itself I think. Someone needs to check their load a little more closely!!

Okay...some great summer classics to make for a picnic, or a summer get-to gether or maybe that Father's Day bar-b-que...

Bacon Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
2 pints cherry tomatoes
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (NOT packaged)
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
16-oz. pkg. bacon, crisply cooked, drained, and crumbled

Preparation: Cut the top off each cherry tomato, and using a melon baller or a sharp knife, carefully scoop out the seeds and pulp. Place each tomato upside down on paper towel to drain.
Combine the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl. Stuff each cherry tomato with the bacon mixture. Chill in fridge for at least 2 hours to blend flavors. To serve, I like to line the serving tray with parsley to keep the little tomatoes from rolling around. It's very pretty too. Serves 8
Calories per 2 stuffed tomatoes: 79Fat: 8 gramsSodium: 100 mg

20 of the Best Burger Tips!

The Burgers

1. Mix in fresh chopped herbs (dill, parsley, basil or cilantro) when making patties.
2. Season meat with soy, barbecue or Worcestershire sauce.
3. Mix chopped mild green chilies in hamburger meat. Top burger with sliced tomato, lettuce and guacamole.
4. Try making burgers out of ground chicken, turkey or lamb.
5. Season burger with Cajun spices before cooking.
6. Mix yogurt, sour cream or eggs into hamburger meat.
7. Form burger around a piece of goat cheese, brie or camembert.

Toppings and Sides

• Try alfalfa or broccoli sprouts.
• Mix equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise.
• Top with sauteed red or Vidalia onions.
• Try using muenster, provolone, dill havarti, gouda, gorgonzola or mozzarella.
• Top with cheddar and a spoonful of salsa.
• Melt smoked mozzarella on your burger and top with fresh basil leaves and sun-dried tomatoes.
• Try using honey style mustard.
• Try slices of grilled eggplant and fresh tomato.
  Top your burger with a heaping tablespoon of cole slaw.
• Serve your hamburger without a roll and top with cucumber slices sauteed in butter.
• Garnish with creme fraiche.
• Serve on a toasted sandwich-sized English muffin or bialy.
• Try topping your burger with sauteed green and red peppers, monterey jack cheese, and onions with a coarse-grained mustard.
• Saute mushrooms in butter and a splash of cooking sherry. Try using sliced portobello, shiitake or cremini mushrooms

Vacation in Kentucky and Nashville

I just returned from Kentucky and Nashville, and now I need to diet again!!! Wow those states love to eat...and lots of gravy and fried items...Love it all but the tummy sure doesn't....I love the people in the south they are so friendly and if it were not for a few tornato scares it would be a perfect place to live, so green and open...I even saw a heard, not one or two but and actual heard of deer. :) Ah the south....We went to the corvette musem, of course the Hardrock Cafe, Grand Ole Opry and Gaylord Hotel, what a fantastic place....also got to visit with Bob's Aunt too.....even took in a Flealand selling place, huge garage sale style but indoors, but best of all I got to visit Hobby Lobby!!!! WOW......

And this plant lady was unbelievable!!!

Now back to that southern cooking....here is a recipe for some yummy catfish, fritters southern style and of course gravy on the side....

Catfish Fry
1 egg
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1-1/2 cups of milk
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 cups of cornmeal
1/4 tsp. black pepper
Mix egg and milk well in bowl. Shake dry ingredients into paper bag. Dip catfish filets in milk mixture then add to bag and shake well. Fry in hot grease until golden brown.
For just the right utensil click here: 12" Cast Iron Skillet.

Sawmill Gravy
Ham, sausage, or bacon grease
Salt and pepper
3 tbsp. flour
Water
Milk
Add flour to the grease in hot pan to brown. Thin the mixture with a little water and add milk, salt and pepper. Stir until thick. Add crumbled fried sausage for a real treat. Serve over home made biscuits.

Corn Fritters
(from scratch)

2 cups flour

2 eggs - beaten

1 Tbls. baking powder

1 cup milk

1/2 tsp. salt

4 Tbls. liquid butter blend

4 Tbls. sugar

1 cup whole corn - drained

Heat oil to approximately 350 degrees F.Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Combine eggs, milk, and butter-blend. Fold egg mixture into dry ingredients. Add corn last. Drop by tablespoon into hot oil - deep fry about 5 minutes - or until golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve warm.

Direct from Nashville:

Fried Pickles:

1 (16-ounce) jar sliced dill pickles

1 cup buttermilk

2 tablespoons hot red pepper sauce

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup yellow cornmeal

2 tablespoons Essence, plus more for dusting

4 cups vegetable oil, for frying Salt

Drain the pickles in a colander, then spread on paper towels to drain completely. Combine the buttermilk and hot sauce in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, and 2 tablespoons of Essence.

Heat the oil in a medium pot to 350 degrees F.
Submerge the pickles in batches in the buttermilk, then dip into the flour mixture, tossing to evenly coat. Shake in a strainer to remove any excess batter. Add to the oil in batches, turning, until golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels, and season with Essence and salt, to taste. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Serve hot.

And from Kentucky:

Fried Green Tomatoes

From: Vickie L. SimpsonSomerset KY

Take 4 large green tomatoes and slice thin

dip in a mixture of beaten egg and water
then dip in a mixture of cornmeal and seasoning salt
heat some bacon grease in a skillet and fry tomatoes until golden brown Viki says her 3 year old likes these with Velveeta cheese sauce! Cube velveeta add milk and butter microwave until melted.
Fantastic !!!!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Name something you would categorize as weird. It never fails no matter where I am if there's a mosquito he finds me and bites me as soon as they come out its like they have radar for my body
Soup
What color was the last piece of food you ate? white
Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy being alone? 8
Main Course
Fill in the blank: I will _I will________ vote for ____someone_______ in __Nov_____.
Dessert
Describe your sleeping habits. I stay up till about 1am watching reruns in bed and then if I don't eat after 8pm I will sleep pretty peacefully till about 6am when my cat starts to meow that its time to eat...

Some Interesting Apron History

Aprons

Here is some interesting history on the true use of aprons as our moms and grandmas used to use them for.......


The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples, that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the
men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.
We would all go crazy trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron,
but what I'd give...
to have my Mother wrap me up in her apron once more...

Lookie What I got Forom My Apron Swap?

I got some yummy recipes and a recipe organizer, now who here can't use one of those? I sure need one...and a pretty apron so I won't slobber all over my clothes, and I love that it has big pockets, and she hand painted me a beautiful plate and shabby chic angel sign, and then 4 favorite family recipes, a cool 1989 recipe book, and a Chocolate lovers dream book to read....what a treat...

What to make Mom for Mother's Day?

Make your mom a special Mom's Day cake:

Teapot Birthday Cake
Prep time: 20 min.
Baking time: 50-60 min.
Decoration time: 45 min.
Difficulty: Challenging

What you'll need:
1 14-oz. bag M&M'S® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies
2 16-oz. boxes pound cake mix
2 16-oz. cans vanilla frosting
Food coloring (yellow & orange)
1 12 x 12-inch piece blue poster board
1 lollipop
1 14-oz. bag M&M'S® Brand Peanut Chocolate Candies
2 one quart Pyrex bowls, greased and floured
Wire rack

What to do:

• Set 1/2 cup of M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies aside.
• Sort through remaining M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies, separating colors into small bowls, set aside for decorating teapot.
• Prepare cake mixes according to package directions.
• Fold reserved 1/2-cup of M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies into cake batter before transferring into prepared bowls.
• Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely.
  Using the template below, cut a spout and handle from the blue poster board, and then set aside.

Prepare the frostings:

• Tint 3/4 cup of the vanilla frosting with green food coloring to the desired shade.
• Place in a resealable plastic bag, snip the corner, and set aside.
• Tint the remaining vanilla frosting yellow (with orange food coloring) and set aside.
• Trim the tops of the cakes so they are level.
• Place one cake layer—rounded side down—onto the cake platter, and spread it with the yellow frosting.
• Then place the remaining cake layer—rounded side up—on top to create your own teapot.
• Cover the cakes with the remaining yellow frosting, making it as smooth as possible.
• Sort the blue M&M’S® Brand Peanut Chocolate Candies, and then place them in one continuous line around the bottom of the cake.
• To make the lid, outline a 6-inch circle around the top of the cake with the green frosting, and fill it in.
• Outline the circle’s edge with a continuous line of blue M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies.Press a lollipop into the top of the lid.
• Decorate the sides of the teapot with flowers, made from pressing M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Candies into the frosting.
• Pipe small green frosting leaves around the flowers.
• Using the tip of a paring knife, cut a slit into the opposite sides of the teapot, and slip in the handle and spout.

Makes 10 servings. Enjoy

Template: click to enlarge and print

Extended Through April Contest "All about Recipes"

Ok here is the extended through April "All About Recipes" contest. All you have to do is comment here and list 5 of your favorite recipes. then post 1 of those recipes on your blog, either written out or a link to it. Be sure to leave your link to your blog, or email so I can contact you. Anyone who has no links will be disqualified since I will not be able to locate you.

Everyone who comments will be entered in the contest, and comment as many times as you wish, as long as you follow the steps of 5 recipes an adding a post to like here on your blog.. All names will be a random draw out of a hat, so the more you comment the more chance you have to win...

That's it! Easy enough for you to win.

What does the winner get???? Well the winner will get a Hallmark recipe organizer book. It is It is an oldie but has never been used. It is a nice size, 10" x 8" and is 3 ring for easy adding and removing of pages. There are recipe pages to load all your favorites in, 6 tabbed dividers, self adhesive tabs, 6 pocket pages to hold more recipes and there are several pages on roasting hints, weights and measures chart, and much more! And on the first page is my famous Holiday Appitizer Quiche for any special occasion. All handwritten and ready to be made! Yummy!!!!

Happy Easter!

Good luck!
Deadline is April 30th at 12 midnight Pacific time.
Winners will be announced the 1st week of May.......

Miz Allie's Escape,Flowers, Homemade Soup, and Yum!!!

Now this is what Miz Allie Cat did to the hidden cat nip??? Well not too hidden, she found it and ate it all and got it all over the diningroom floor....grrrrrrrr

My flowers are blooming.....this is a beautiful Morning Glory one I shot.....DH got me a new tea pot to hold my tea. I seen it at Polly's Pies and loved it and he remembered and got it for me for my B day...Wasn't that great??

I was thinking of homemade soup and was watching Tyler and he gave 4 tips, sea salt, fresh cracked pepper, lemon juice sqeezed from a fresh lemon, and fresh herbs like oregeno....he claims that your soup will be spectactular....

Let's make a yummy dessert, I love Bread Pudding mainly because I love the cinnamon and hot dessert...here is an easy recipe to make some scrumptious pudding...

Bread Pudding Recipe

Bread pudding is a dessert that was born of necessity long ago. It was a recipe cooked up by thrifty homemakers to use every bit of leftovers in interesting ways to feed their families. This bread pudding, from an old Amish cookbook, is absolutely incredible.
It is definitely a comfort food, and can be made richer with cinnamon sauce or caramel sauce. You can also substitute berries in place of the raisins for a delicious change of pace. It is a fairly basic bread pudding recipe, but it is truly the soul satisfying treat that most people crave. Nothing beats warm bread pudding on a cold or rainy night.
What do people that love bread pudding also tend to reach for as a treat? Check out our Monkey Bread Recipe for a sweeter, cinnamon-laden delight, or Banana Pudding for a luscious, creamy southern favorite. If you're truly throwing those calorie counts out the window (and we all need to once in a while!), take a look at the cheesecake recipes that will have you convinced that each bite is a velvety, decadent morsel of pure joy.

Bread Pudding
Ingredients:
2 cups milk

1/4 cup butter

2/3 cup sugar

3 eggs

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups soft bread, torn into small pieces

1/2 cup raisins or berries (optional)

Directions:
1. In medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat milk just until film forms over top. Combine butter and milk, stirring until butter is melted. Cool to lukewarm.
2. Combine sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for 1 minute. Slowly add milk mixture.
3. Place bread in a lightly greased 1 1/2 quart casserole.
4. Sprinkle with raisins or berries if desired. Pour batter on top of bread.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes or until set.

Serve warm.