My Favorite Finds #8

A co-worker brought this recipe into work several years ago and it is fantastic! Talk about simple, anyone can make this! It is one of my new traditions in my home during the Christmas season. I have taken it up one more level, which I will explain at the end*, but both ways are wonderful! Enjoy!!

Praline Squares

Ingredients:
20 to 24 graham crackers
3/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan with graham crackers. Bring butter or margarine and brown sugar to rolling boil; reduce heat slightly so as not to boil over, boil 2 minutes, stirring the whole time. Remove from heat. When bubbling subsides, stir in vanilla and chopped pecans. Spoon over graham crackers. Bake praline squares for 10 minutes. Cool slightly; cut into squares.

*For the chocolate lovers: After you remove the pan from the oven, sprinkle your favorite chocolate chips (milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark, etc.) over the graham crackers (about a cup); wait a couple of minutes, then spread the melted chocolate chips with a knife or spatula. Yummy!

My Favorite Thanksgiving Finds

I'm a Martha Stewart wannabe..........though I would never admit it outloud! I always record her holiday specials and watch them enthusiastically. I'm also a fan of her daughter's show, "Whatever, Martha"! Even if you are not a fan of Martha, you have to admit, her shows are very inspirational for the cook, artist/crafter and do-it-yourselfer at heart!

I found this neat Thanksgiving craft idea on her website. It's simple, yet elegant. And you can add your own special touches, such as attaching a photo of the person, scrapbooking elements, stickers or clipart, glitter, etc. You could also "guild" the leaves by spray painting them with gold metallic paint or embellish with a paint pen or use the good old glue and glitter method.

Leaf Place Cards

Direct guests to their seats with name cards topped by leaves that look like they just blew in. To make each card, fold a piece of brown cover-weight card stock in half. Write guest's name with a white gel pen. Cut 1 or 2 notches (about 1 inch wide) in card, at an angle. Slide fallen leaves -- fresh or dried and pressed -- into each notch.

Courtesy of: http://www.marthastewart.com/goodthings/leaf-place-cards?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/thanksgiving-table-settings#slide_24

My Favorite Finds #7

Who Can Resist A Kiss?

A Hershey's chocolate kiss, that is! They are one of my favorites! When I was young and a Girl Scout, maybe even a Brownie, I remember doing this project! And over the years, I have done this same project with my daughters. Our version used green crepe paper to wrap the cone and then we pinned on peppermint candies using straight pins (that way, you could remove and eat the candies safely). This version is for decorative purposes only, but, with a few minor adjustments (no hot glue, use straight pins instead to attach candies), you can remove and safely eat the kisses! Try an Autumn version by using the kisses wrapped in the fall colors of gold, brown, copper, etc.

Supplies:
One 12 x 4-inch Styrofoam cone
Aluminum foil
4 bags ( 13 oz. each) HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolates, wrapped in green, red and silver foil
Glue (low heat gun, non-toxic craft glue, glue stick or confectioners' glue)
Toothpicks
Bow
Ice cream cones

Instructions:
1. Cover foam cone with foil.
2. Decorate cone with green foil-wrapped chocolates by gluing flat side against the foil-covered cone. Use the remaining red and silver chocolates to decorate the tree. Insert one end of a toothpick into the side of each chocolate; insert other end into the foam cone, filling in the gaps between the green foil chocolates.
3. Place a cheerful bow at top of tree.
4. Glue remaining chocolates to ice cream cones to create your fantasy forest!
Finished dimension of large tree: 14 inches high.
*Completed craft is for decorative purpose only and candy should not be eaten.

Courtesy of: http://www.hersheys.com/holidays/crafts/detail.asp?craft=3#

My Favorite Finds #6

Caramel "Corn"

Several years ago, I found this recipe on the back of a bag of Old Dutch Puffcorn for Caramel Corn. I made it and it has become a family tradition during the Christmas holidays. It's actually "addicting"! I have to hide it or it would be gone within a couple of days! It's very simple, especially since you don't have to worry about dealing with a candy thermometer. And though you'd think clean up would be impossible, just run hot tap water over your pans and utencils and the caramel will melt right off. If you can't find this brand of Puffcorn in your area, there are other brands out there that make a simular product. Enjoy!

Caramel Corn - Old Dutch Style

Ingredients:
1 Bag of Old Dutch Puffcorn
1 Cup of Butter (Not Margarine)
1 1/4 Cups of Brown Sugar
2/3 Cup of Light Corn Syrup
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda

Preparation:
-Preheat oven to 250°F.
-Combine butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup in a 2 quart sauce pan.
-Cook on medium heat until mixture has melted.
-Once mixture has melted add the baking soda. (Note: This will cause the mixture to foam)
-In a large roaster pan pour Old Dutch Puffcorn and pour caramel mixture over the Old Dutch Puffcorn and stir until mixed.
-Place in oven for 45 minutes, stirring at least every 10-15 minutes.
-Remove from oven, pour on wax paper and break apart.
-Let cool and ENJOY!

Store in a plastic or tin container or a zipper style plastic bag to keep them crunchy!

Courtesty of: http://www.olddutchfoods.com/recipe/recipe.php?id=18

My Favorite Finds #5

As I was "surfing the net" to find a new project, I came across this one and I remembered that I did this as a child, either for school or Girl Scouts. Funny thing, though, is I wonder where I found the leaves for it since I lived in Southern California as a child. Yes, there are trees that have leaves, but I don't remember them changing colors. The only "trees" I remember in our yard were Palm, Yucca and Banana trees! I moved back to Wisconsin when I was 12 years old, so I was able to experience the change in seasons and I would not have it any other way!

Today is the first day of Fall and there are already trees starting to change colors around here. I'm always amazed at the beautiful colors some of them exhibit; reds, maroons, golds. And then when they start to fall and fill the sidewalks and streets, I love the sound of them as you walk or drive through them, or as they swirl around with a gust of wind! This project will get you outside so you can enjoy Fall and bring the season indoors, and if you're lucky enough to have a child to help you, you will be teaching them to appreciate Nature as well.

Happy Autumn!

Autumn Leaf Placemat Craft

Use real leaves and clear contact paper to make this easy placemat.

Materials Needed:
Clear Contact Paper
Leaves

Instructions: Go for a walk and collect a wide variety of leaves - as many different colors and shapes as you can find. Cut 2 pieces of clear contact paper about 2-feet long. Remove the backing from one piece. Stick the leaves randomly onto the sticky side of the contact paper. Once you are satisfied with the design, peel the backing off the second piece of contact paper and cover the leaves with it to seal them in between the contact paper sheets. Trim around the edges; use pinking shears or other fancy edged scissors if you like!

Courtesy of: http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/leafcrafts/a/blleafplcmt.htm

You can also add your own personal touch by sprinkling glitter over the contact paper before adding your leaves, or, you can add scrapbooking elements or photos of your favorite people or pets before placing the leaves on top of them. Just be sure the elements or the photos are facing out before adding the leaves.

My Favorite Finds #4

For the last 3 seasons, I have been growing my own garlic. It's actually very easy! There is plenty of "how to" information out on the Internet and plenty of websites that sell different varieties of garlic. Here are 2 sites that I have purchased from and was very happy with their product and information......The Garlic Store and We Grow Garlic. Here in Wisconsin, you plant it in the Fall (usually sometime in October). You cover it with a blanket (actually, a layer of mulch or leaves, etc.). Then in the Spring, they start to emerge and by mid-Summer, they are ready to harvest. The store bought perfectly white garlic you buy in the grocery stores were bred for a longer shelf life, so according to the garlic experts, they are not the best for growing your own. Besides, once you check out the on-line stores, you'll be very surprised at how many varieties are out there and all the different "flavors" they come in! And even if you don't have room for a garden (or in your garden) you can even plant them in containers! My family loves garlic, and now that we grow our own, we have been enjoying it in many forms! And may I add that garlic has many health benefits, as well, that can include lowering blood pressure, LDL Cholesterol and blood sugar. Garlic.....it's not just for warding off devils, werewolves, and vampires anymore!

Here's a simple recipe for garlic that makes a wonderful spread to use as an appetizer or as a seasoning for meat:.

Baked Garlic

Whole garlic bulbs, dried thyme or oregano (optional), olive oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel loose, papery skins off garlic bulbs, but keep garlic bulb whole (do not break down into individual cloves). Slice top of each head (pointy end) so that the flesh is exposed. Arrange in a baking dish or garlic baker and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with herbs. Cover with foil or baker lid and bake for about 45 minutes until the garlic is soft and golden. Cool before serving. Squeeze soft garlic out of skins and spread on meat or French bread. Serve toasts with remaining oil.

Recipe courtesy of: http://www.garlicfestival.com/recipes_bakedgarlic.php

My Favorite Finds #3

This is one of my FAVORITE apple pie recipes of all time! A local church would have their annual craft fair in the beginning of Fall, and their members would bake hundreds of these to sell as a fundraiser (you had to get there early to get one because they'd sell out everytime!). A recipe would always be attached to each pie. It was also published in their fundraiser cookbook. I always end up baking a few of these every Fall when it's apple season around here. So the next time you're at the grocery store, be sure to ask for "paper" and save them for this wonderful recipe! If you choose to make the single-serving size, brown paper lunch bags are the perfect size! And for those of you that don't have the pie crust thing down, this crust is a "pat in the pan" recipe!

BROWN BAG APPLE PIE

Crust:
1 ½ cup flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
½ cup oil
1 Tbsp. milk

Mix Crust ingredients and pat in pie plate. (For small pies, divide into 4 equal parts.)

Filling:
6 large baking apples, peeled, cored and sliced
½ cup sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix Filling ingredients together and pour into unbaked pie crust.

Topping:
½ cup sugar
½ cup flour
1/3 butter, softened

Mix Topping ingredients and pat on top of pie filling. Place pie in a large brown paper bag. Fold ends under and staple bag. Bake on a cookie sheet for 1 hour at 425 degrees F.

For small pies, bake 30 minutes and use small brown lunch bags. Make sure that the bag is not touching any part of the oven. Yield: 1 large pie or 4 small pies

My Favorite Finds #2

I plant tomatoes every year because they are so easy to grow and there's always a guarantee I will have plenty to go around and there's nothing like a home-grown tomato! I usually grow three types......"regular", plum and a grape or cherry tomato. Here's a simple yet delicious recipe for them! The recipe calls for large tomatoes, but you can replace them with grape or cherry tomatoes sliced in half. I first got to taste this recipe when I attended an Italian-American club meeting with my Italian friend from work. What a treat!

Tomato Onion Salad
4 large tomatoes, sliced

2 medium sweet onions, thinly sliced and separated into rings

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon finely chopped onion

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Layer tomatoes and onions in a shallow serving dish. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the remaining ingredients; shake well. Drizzle over salad. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Yield: 6 servings

Courtesy of: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Tomato-Onion-Salad

My Favorite Finds #1

I was shopping at my local grocery store the other day and I noticed they were selling wooden hangers for clothing. I thought to myself those are so much nicer than wire hangers and are probably stronger than the plastic hangers. They would be great for heavy coats. But, because it wasn't something I needed, I passed them on by (and they were even on sale, too). As I was surfing the net, I came across this cute idea to turn plain wooden hangers into art for your closet! These would make the cutest AND unique housewarming gifts! Or you can personalize them for your kids by adding their name! Wouldn't they be nice in your coat closet and when guests visit and hang up their coats, they would see your one-of-a-kind hangers? I think I may be heading back to that store now...........

Decoupage Coat Hanger*

Materials needed:
wooden coat hanger, base paint, decoupage paper, paint brush, decoupage medium or glue, varnish

Instructions:
This project uses the decoupage method. Prepare your wooden coat hanger by sanding it and base painting it. Let dry. Cut out your decoupage paper (you will need small designs to be able to place it onto the hanger). Using your decoupage glue or white wood glue, adhere the little images on to the coat hanger. Once you have all your images glued and the glue has dried, apply a coat of varnish. Let dry.

*Courtesy of: http://www.craftbits.com/