Wrist Warmers

I used to wear leg warmers back in the 80's (that really dates me!) but these are so much cuter! Wrist warmers. And so easy to knit. (If you want the pattern I can email it).Diana

The Snow Is Melting

Jenn made these adorable melting snowmen for a special treat. since we are finally getting some snow melt, I thought these would be great to celebrate the sight of my driveway"s asphalt again! Diana

Paula Deen's Easy Fudge

I was looking for a recipe for EASY fudge that matched the ingredients I had on hand, namely marshmallow creme and milk chocolate chips. Luckily for me, Paula Deen had a recipe that looked both easy and delicious. Here is the site http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/view2/sweet_dreams_chocolate_fudge_candy/

It sets up quick too!

I used a pizza wheel to cut it. gives you great straight lines!

I have already ate TWO pieces so I better get out of the kitchen and harms way. Diana

Bev's Jello Salad

I love family recipes! And the best ones seem to have the weirdest ingredients! Mayonnaise and marshmallows....who knew you could combine these two and come up with something wonderful.
This dish was made by my late mother in law and her mother for family gatherings. For a number of years after they passed, we didn't make it. But a few years ago I found the recipe in my stash and revived the tradition. It is so delicious my daughter now asks for it at every holiday! Here it is. Don't let the ingredients scare you away!


Bev and Grandma Ollie's Jello Salad

1 can cherry pie filling (Comstock is great)
1 small box raspberry jello
1 small box lemon jello
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 small can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 to 1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1/3 cup mayonnaise
chopped walnuts, optional

Disolve raspberry jello in 1 cup boiling water. Add cherry pie filling to hot jello. Pour into an 8x8 dish and let set in fridge until thick.
Disolve lemon jello in 1 cup boiling water. Set aside. Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add mayonnaise to cream cheese and beat together. Slowly add lemon jello.

Beat until very smooth. Stir in undrained crushed pineapple. Set aside. In separate bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Stir whipped cream into lemon jello mixture until there are no lumps of whipped cream remaining. Now add marshmallows, stirring to coat them. Pour lemon/marshmallow mixture over raspberry jello layer.

You can now sprinkle walnuts on top but we never do. Chill until set or overnight. Cut into squares and serve. This stuff is so good, we fight over who gets to take home any leftovers! Diana

Gingerbread Cottage

I haven't made a gingerbread house for the last couple of years. So much mess and my construction skills are so lame there is always a chance that the house will come tumbling down!But this year I thought I might give it another try, mainly because I had picked up a cookie cutter set from Williams Sonoma that made me dream of a sugar covered cottage. The cutters have interlinking tabs that promised to make the house sturdy! Happy day! So here is the result. I will have to confess that the tabs needed some "shaving" to fit together as the cookie dough does swell as it cooks. Just a bit though. I don't have a steady hand so some of my lines are not too straight. But I love how cute this is!

The back of the house has a large picture window that looks out over a candy paved patio.

If you look into the window, you get a glimpse of the family's Christmas tree. Even gingerbread people have Christmas trees! I wonder if they have tiny little gingerbread houses on their dining room tables.....Diana

File This One Away

What do you put in tiny little file containers? Tiny little candy files! This adorable little tote was at Staples. And they were just the right size to file away some Ghiradelli chocolates in.

Then a bit of ribbon, punched paper, ink and foam tape to finish it off. Tiny but full of sweet treats and wishes. Diana

Clouds In My Cocoa

This time of year it is nice to take a moment to relax and treat yourself. A pretty mug with a reminder to slow down and enjoy the season can be just what you need after a busy day. This sweet gift is full of good things! Everything you need to indulge yourself.

Home made marshmallows, a peppermint stick dipped in chocolate and some specialty cocoa....Mmmm.

These marshmallows are cut into cloud shapes with a tiny cookie cutter.

The peppermint stick is one of those that melt in your mouth. I dipped it in white chocolate and sprinkled on some merry little jimmies and snowflakes. Now all that is missing is a quiet moment to enjoy yourself. Diana

Happy B-day

This photo came out a little dark. Simple one cut card from Lyrical Letters. But sometimes simple is just right. Diana

Big Hat Little Hat

What to do when it is snowing and chilly and all you want to do is watch an old black and white movie? Knit! But I need a simple, no brainer pattern that won't be a distraction from the movie. I found this great rolled brim hat pattern at http://knitting.about.com/od/hatpatterns/p/roll-brim-hat.htm and went to work. I even had enough yarn left over to make an American Girl doll hat and scarf. Dolls get cold too! To make the hat I chained 40 and then followed the big girls' hat pattern. Of course I only made it tall enough for the doll. The scarf is chained 100 and then knit 2 perl 2 till it is about 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide. I did add a bit of fringe. All this from one ball of varigated yarn from Walmart. Diana

Divine Divinity

I have made this divinity for my family for many years. It is from the Kitchenaide cookbook but I have made a few changes that have made it my own.

These are still a little moist. They are best if stored where air can get to them to develop a crust.

One batch makes about 60 candies.

Here is the recipe. You really need a powerful mixer for divinity.

Divinity

3 c. sugar

3/4 c. light corn syrup

1/2 c. water

2 egg whites

1 tsp vanilla or almond flavoring

Combined sugar, corn syrup and water in heavy sauce pan and cook over medium heat until thermometer reaches 248. Remove from heat and let cool, DO NOT STIR, until temp drops to 220. Beat egg whites on high (8) until soft peaks form. Pour syrup in a thin stream into the egg whites over a 2 minute period while still beating at a high speed. Now reduce speed to med (4) and add vanilla. Continue beating for about 20 t0 25 mins. I often increase the speed to high for the last 5 minutes. You know when the divinity is ready when it loses it gloss and will not fall off the beater when it is raised. Using two spoons, form little mounds on wax paper and let air dry. You can add chopped pecans to the candy after the candy thickens up or push a pecan half onto the top of each candy. We like then without nuts! Candy making can be scary but with a little attention to temperature, it can be a lot of fun. And oh so good! Diana

Rocking Horse Candy Cane Holder

I found this sweet little holder at http://designsbycuties.cuteembroidery.com/ for free! It was really easy and she gives complete instructions for the design. I am going to make it in some different colors for Christmas gifts. Diana

Brrrrr

Boy has it gotten cold here in Ohio! And what goes better with cold weather than a snowman. This little guy loves the icy breezes! And he is great to hold a candy cane for a cute little gift for a friend. Diana

Soapy Kisses

Maybe it was my trip last weekend to Hershey PA but lately I seem to have chocolate on the brain! I took my love of chocolate and my recent interest in soap making and came up with sweet smelling chocolate Kisses that are really little guest soaps!

This mold is available at candy making supply stores or, in my case, an Amish cheese and candy store. The Kisses are a little larger than store bought ones but I still LOVE them.

I used white soap base, chocolate scent and brown oxide soap coloring.

Melted in the microwave in short bursts it really does look like milk chocolate. Be sure to spray with rubbing alcohol to get rid of the bubbles.

Here is the soap poured in the molds. It took a while to cure and then I popped them out.

I printed "Soapy Kisses" on tissue paper that I taped to a sheet of typing paper. This allowed it to go through the printer. I cut them out into thin strips.

Buy the cheapest tin foil available. Cut it into small squares about 2 1/2 inches wide. Lay the foil dull side up, place a paper strip on it and center a soap on the foil. Slowly fold the foil around the kiss until it covers it just like the candy!

Now I have a bowlful of chocolaty goodness that doesn't contain a single calorie! These are my new favorite treat. Diana

Christmas Cards For Africa

My husband asked me to make some cards for a few of his coworkers in Africa and after a couple hours I had nine cards! I kept them real simple, using my cricut to make the images. This first card is from A Child's Life. I used metalic paper as a background and a little glitter on the edges of the tree and the snow.

This one uses a Martha Stewart punch and has a lot of layers.

Another cricut cut from Winter Woodland. The nose is a tiny pompom! I hope these bring some Christmas cheer to the guys that will be so far from home on Christmas! Diana