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Today is the first day since the surgery that I actually feel almost normal. I still can’t do any lifting, but I’m getting back into the swing of things. I washed, hung, and folded 3 loads of laundry. Colt carried the baskets for me. Besides laundry, I worked on my knitted dish cloth and started on a crocheted baby sweater as a gift.
This is the dish cloth I’m working on. I’m knitting 3 rows and then purling 1 row. When I’m done, I’ll crochet a border around it.
This is a sweater that I’m crocheting as a baby gift for a friend of mine. She’s having a girl. I will also make a bonnet and booties to go along with the sweater. I always use cotton yarn to make my baby gifts, I think they make a nicer, softer sweater than acrylic yarns. Not near as scratchy. This set, I’m using Sugar ‘n’ Cream cotton yarn in Rosewood. I thought the pink and brown varigated yarn was really pretty and a little different from the normal baby sweater. This pattern works up really quickly. I started the sweater around 2:00, and I stopped working on it around 4:30 (only because I ran out of yarn). You can find the pattern for this sweater HERE. The pattern for the bonnet is HERE, and the pattern for the booties are HERE.
I don’t know what it is about cooler weather that makes me want to crochet and knit, but I sure have been keeping my fingers busy the last week! LOL!! Well, I’m off to get some clothes from off the line and finish up folding & putting up clothes. I’ll read blogs this evening.
I did it! I FINALLY finished Marty’s wash cloth. He’s going to be one happy camper tonight when he takes his shower.
Now I need to finish up the scarf I’m working on and the kitchen wash cloth. My next knitting project will be this purse…
So far, all I’ve knitted have been wash cloths and scarves, so I think it’s time for me to try something a bit more difficult. So in November, I’ll be working on the crocheted sweater to match the skirt and this knitted purse. After the 1st of the year, I need to make a couple of baby sweaters for gifts. In between, I’ll probably knit some more wash cloths.
Well, it’s been a pretty productive day and I’m so thankful to have gotten done what I got done! It’s nearly time for me to go get Marty, I’ll try to read blogs this evening after dinner.
Well, the surgery went really well. I’m doing fine, still a little sore, but doing great! Thank you all so much for your prayers!
Marty kept the kids busy all weekend. He made them all hammocks. He found some rip stop nylon on the $1 fabric table at Wal-Mart and whipped them each up one. Nearly all weekend was spent in the hammocks! LOL!!
Me on the other hand, worked on a couple of my UFO’s (unfinished objects). I knitted like crazy all weekend. The tips of my thumb and pointer finger were really hurting from using them to push the needle through, so I came up with a quick remedy…
I put a couple of those little round bandaids on my fingers and it really helped. Sunday though, Marty bought be a little leather thimble to use at Hobby Lobby and it works great! He said he’d buy me anything that would hurry me along knitting his wash cloth (grin!).
Here’s UFO #1. It’s going to be a scarf. I’m using this really neat yarn from Red Heart called Strata. I’m using the Cascade color. I’m LOVING how this in looking! I’m not sure who this scarf will eventually belong to….I may keep it for myself, LOL! I started this scarf on Friday and worked on it all on Friday and Saturday. I’ve gotten pretty far on it, my knitting speed is picking up.
This is UFO #2. It’s the above mentioned washcloth I’m making for Marty. He really likes bathing with my knitted wash clothes and his old one was worn out. I’ve been working on this thing for over a month now, so it’s way past time I finish it up. Once I get it knitted, I will crochet a border around it. I’m hoping to have it done by tomorrow or so.
UFO #3 is another knitted washcloth. Hobby Lobby had Sugar ‘n’ Cream cotton yarns on sale for $.99 a ball, so I stocked up. I need to whip me up some kitchen wash cloths. The body will be knitted and then I’ll crochet a border around them. I started this wash cloth last night.
While we were at Walmart this weekend, I picked up 5 yards of this really pretty fabric from the $1 fabric table. I’m wanting to make a skirt out of it and an apron from it. I got 2 patterns while at Hobby Lobby, which had Simplicity patterns on sale for $1.99. 1 pattern was for a skirt and the other was for an apron. I also picked up another skirt pattern and one for a shirt at Walmart.
I’m going to be using the skirt pattern in the upper left for this material (the long skirt in the bottom right corner). I’m going to try to find a cream colored turtle neck to go with it and then crochet this sweater in red to match the material.
The pattern is a freebie from Lion Brand Yarns. They have so many pretty patterns there for crochet and knitting! I’m either going to use Red Heart #262 Claret or #633 Dark Sage
Which one do you think would look better? I’m kind of leaning toward the Dark Sage. They both don’t look like they match according to the photo, but in real life they do. I’m hoping to start work on the skirt next week once I’m able to sit more comfortably. I think I’ll start the sweater this coming weekend.
Well, I’m off to knit for a bit and try to read a little while before I need to go pick up Marty from work. I’m still taking it pretty easy, I’m pretty tender from the surgery. Marty’s going to fix dinner again tonight, but I’ll be going back to my normal work tomorrow, with the exception of all lifting being done by Colt or Marty.
Please keep me in your prayers today. My outpatient surgery is scheduled for 7:30 this morning. I’m not sure how I’ll be feeling afterwards, but I will try to post an update this evening. It’s nearly 6 am here and I will be leaving in about 10 minutes. Let me tell you, it was NO fun getting the kids up at 5:30! LOL!!
I think every homemaker has a few favorite cleaners that they enjoy using and wouldn’t give up for anything! I’d like to invite y’all to join me in sharing them with the blogging community. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite or two!
Instructions:
- Post an entry on your blog about your favorite cleaning supplies. Post pictures if you’d like and tell us WHY you love theses products!
- Come back to my blog and add your name with the title of your post next to your name. Please link to your favorite’s list post, not your blog’s home page.
- Feel free to save the graphic above to your own computer if you’d like to use it in your post.
Here are my favorite cleaning supplies…
These are my favorite laundry products. I love the All Small and Mighty for many reasons. It cleans my clothes really well and leave a really nice scent afterwards. The Wild & Fresh scent is so pretty. I also like the small bottle and that I don’t have to use as much detergent in each load. The bottle is actually pretty, so I don’t mind it sitting out were people can see it. Also the price is REALLY reasonable!
Next is Snuggle Exhilarations in Wild Orchid & Vanilla scent. This fabric softener smells so wonderful. When I used vinegar on my clothes in the past, they smelled a little awful after hanging on the line. It wasn’t from the vinegar so much as just hanging on the line. Since using this Snuggle, my family has stopped complaining that their clothes smell funky.
I really love Method brand products! They are made with naturally derived cleaners and are biodegradable. They are gentle on the skin and even my husband who has a lot of allergies can use it without irritating his skin. And to top it all off, they smell wonderful! They come in many scents, but my favorites are cucumber, lavender and grapefruit. These products clean extremely well and leave my house smelling good instead of smelling like bleach or other harsh chemicals. I purchase my Method products at Target, they are a bit more, but they’re worth it considering my DH isn’t irritated my their fumes as he is with some products. They also last pretty long, at least for me.
I’m up rather late for me tonight! Marty has been snoring so badly the last 2 weeks do to allergies. This weather change has really been bothering him. If anyone has any suggestions, please send them my way! I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in 2 weeks. Thankfully, I can take a nap in the afternoon with Riley. Since I couldn’t sleep, I thought I’d blog. LOL!
I just did a post on my other blog where I introduced my servants to the world. If you’d like to meet them, you can to to my Sweet & Simple Home blog.
Tomorrow, I’m going to try to post a couple of reviews to this blog as well as my Sweet & Simple Home blog.
Please keep me in your prayers Friday, as I’m going to be having an outpatient proceedure and being the worry wart that I am, I’m a bit nervous. I know that worry is a sin, but sometimes I just can’t control it, although I’m really trying!! I guess it’s just in a woman’s genes to worry…hmmm…maybe scientist can locate and isolate the worry gene. LOL!
My ISP is finally working normally again. It turned out to be my husband’s computer that was causing our internet to work so slowly. He had a bunch of spyware on it and it was really slowing down the internet. Luckly, we were able to get that fixed without much trouble.
Riley has decided to change all our names. He’s now Lego, Marty is flashlight, Colt is Hot Wheels and I’m TV! LOL! Kids are so funny!! He’s really starting to get an imagination going. He’s such a curious little thing. He’s finally starting to speak a lot more, but he’s still hard to understand a lot of the time. I suspect that he may have some hearing problems, which we’ll look into as soon as we can get his insurance straightened out (that’s a LOOOONNNNGGG story!).
Well, I’m going to try sleeping again. The Tylenol PM is starting to kick in…let’s hope it helps me sleep beside the World’s Loudest Snorer!
We’ve been wanting to start eating better around here, so I pulled out 2 of my favorite recipe books and started planning our menu. We’ve fallen back into eating really unhealthy and now that I’m feeling better, it’s time to start eating better again. I absolutely love these cookbooks:
I can highly recommend both of these cookbooks. They are filled with great recipes as well as some great information about eating healthier. More with Less is great for people on budgets that want to eat well and stay in their budget. It isn’t filled with recipes using a lot of exotic ingredients. Lots of really basic ingredients and recipes where meats are spread pretty far. It is a Mennonite cookbook. Nourishing Traditions is my newest cookbook. It contains lots of Lacto-fermented foods. I’ve been a little hesitant to try some of the recipes…not sure if my family will eat many of them. So, I decided to try a couple every few weeks to find out what my family will eat and won’t eat. I’m really lucky, Marty doesn’t care too much about what I fix and there are just a few things that he won’t eat. Riley will eat anything, but Colt doesn’t like anything with onions or tomatoes and most veggies. Colt’s my picky eater. I make him take a bite of everything I fix and if he doesn’t like it, he can make himself a sandwich. I don’t force him to eat anything, but I do insist that he a least try things.
Here’s our menu for the week:
Breakfast:
Breakfast Porridge
Peanut Granola
Peanut Butter Toast
Lunch:
Peanunt Butter & Honey Sandwiches
Tuna Melts
Bean Burritos
Dinner:
Ann Lou’s Broccoli Tuna Casserole
Pizza Rice Casserole
Cheese Strata
Hamburger Stew
Tomato Free Spahetti Sauce
Chicken Enchiladas
Dinner Out
Here are the recipes:
Breakfast Porridge (Nourishing Traditions)
1 cup oats, rolled or cracked
1 cup warm filtered water plus 2 tbsp whey, yogurt, kefier or buttermilk
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 cup filtered water
1 tbsp. flax seeds (optional)
For highest benefits and best assimilation, porridge should be soaked overnight or even longer. Once soaked, oatmeal cooks up in less than 5 minutes–truly a fast food. (Note: Those with severe milk allergies can use lemon juice or vinegar in place of whey, yogurt, kefir or buttermilk.)
Mix oats with warm water mixture, cover and leave in a warm place for at least 7 hours and as long as 24 hours. Bring an additional 1 cup of water to a boil with sea salt. Add soaked oats, reduce heat, cover and simmer several minutes. Meanwhile, grind optional flax seeds in a mini grinder. Remove from heat, stir in optional flax seeds and let stand for a few minutes. Serve with plenty of butter or cream and a natural sweetener like Rapadura, date sugar, maple syrup, maple sugar or raw honey.
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Peanut Granola (More With Less)
Preheat oven to 325°.
Combine in a saucepan:
1-1/4 cup honey
2/3 cup. oil
1 cup peanut butter
1 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup water
Stir over low heat until peanut butter melts.
Combine in a large bowl:
10 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped raw peanuts or other nuts
1 cup what germ
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup coconut
Add liquids and mix well. Place in 2 large shallow greased pans and bake about 30 minutes or until crunchy and brown. Stir often to prevent overbrowning. When cool, add:
2 cups raisins
Store in airtight container
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Anna Lou’s Broccoli Tuna Casserole (More With Less)
Cook in boiling salted water until barely tender:
2 lb. broccoli, cut in spears
Combine in a saucepan:
1 (9-oz.)can tuna
1 (10 oz.)can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup grated cheese
Heat until almost boiling. Place layer of cooked broccoli in shallow greased casserole. Cover with a layer of tuna mixture. Repeat.
Sprinkle with:
1/3 cup grated cheese
Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes.
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Pizza Rice Casserole (More With Less)
2 cups cooked rice
3/4 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cups tomato sauce
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
dash pepper
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. parsley flakes
1-1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Brown ground beef and onion in a large skillet. Add the tomato sauce, galic salt, sugar, salt, pepepr, oregano and parsley flakes. Cover and let simmer 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine cottage cheese and rice. Put 1/3 of the rice mixture in a buttered 2 qt. casserole. Top with 1/3 of meat-tomato sauce. Continue to alternate layers, ending with tomato sauce. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 325° for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
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Cheese Strata (More With Less)
12 slices bread (can be stale)
6 slices cheese or 2 cups shredded cheese
2-2/3 cups milk
4 eggs
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
Preheat oven to 350°. Butter lightly, the 12 slices of bread. Arrange 6 slices of bread in the bottom of a 9×13″ greased baking dish. Cover with the cheese. Top with remaining bread. Beat together the milk, eggs, salt & dry mustard and pour over the bread. Bake for 45 minutes or until puffed and golden. May be prepared in advace and refrigerated before baking. Option: You can add a layer of sauteed vegetables or left over cooked vegetable s just before the cheese.
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Hamburger Stew (More With Less)
This is a recipe that we’ve tried before and the family LOVES it! We double it for planned leftovers.
1 lb. ground beef
2 cups. tomato juice
1/2 cup. chopped onion
1 cup diced potatoes
1 cup diced carrots
2 tsp. salt (we use garlic salt)
2 tbsp. butter (I use real butter)
2 tbsp. flour (I use whole wheat flour)
2 cup milk
In a heavy kettle, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat and add the tomato juice, onion, potatoes, carrots, and salt. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, make a white sauce with the butter, flour and milk. Stir into the first mixture and serve. Option: Add limas, soybeans, corn, green beans or other vegetables. Increase liquid as needed.
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Tomato-Free Spaghetti Sauce (Nourishing Traditions)
2 lb.s ground beef
2 medium onions, peeled and finely chopped
3 cups beef stock
1 cup red wine
1 tbsp. dried rosemary
sea salt and pepper
Saucte the ground beef in a heavy skillet until crumbly. Add onions, stock, wine and rosemary. Bring to a boil and cook, uncovered for 15-30 minutes until liquid has reduced to a thick sauce. Season to taste. Serve with buckwheat or brown rice noodles. (I’ll probably use whole wheat noodles or spaghetti).
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Chicken Enchiladas (My recipe)
shredded chicken
corn tortillas
chopped onions
shredded cheese
chicken stock
butter
flour
milk
salt & pepper
I don’t really have accurate measurements for this. I just eyeball it for the most part. I use generally boil about 3 lb. chicken and then take it off the bone and shredded it. I warm up or save the chicken broth. Dip the tortillas in the hot broth to soften them. In each tortilla add some chicken, onions, and cheese. Roll up and place in casserole dish seam side down. Continue to roll enchiladas until dish is full. Make a white sauce with the butter, flour, milk and salt & pepper. Pour over the enchiladas. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Heat in a 350° oven for 30 minutes.
I believe that the majority of U.S. household employ at least one servant, most have several servants. I feel really blessed to be able to employ eight that I use on a regular basis. I thought I should take a moment and introduce you to them.
I would first like to introduce Miss Roper (#1) and her sister Miss Roper (#2). They are fraternal twins who take care of our clothing. Let me tell you, Miss Roper #1 is a wiz at washing our clothes. Our clothes come back from her clean and sweet smelling. She scrubs our clothing extremely well and she really seems to enjoy her vocation. Now her sister MIss Rober #2, is a little firecracker! She has a hot temper like you’ve never seen, but boy, she sure can dry our clothes fast. We don’t employ her for everyday use, but only when the weater is not suitable for line drying.
Our next servant is Mrs. Kenmore. She does a fantastic job defrosting our food quickly and efficiently. She’s an expert at cooking those quick and simple meals that we so enjoy.
We also employ Mrs. Kenmore’s husband, Mr. Kenmore. Mr. Kenmore has a chilly disposition and is rather cold, but he’s great at preserving our food for the future. Because of him, we’re able to store our food for long periods. He’s also wonderful at making ice and let me tell you, his ice cream it to die for! We also employ his brother, Mr. Kenmore #2. They are very similar in nature and they work together as a pair.
Next are our servants Mr. and Mrs. Whirlpool. Mr. Whirlpool’s sole purpose is to provide hot water to our home on an as needed basis. At times, the poor thing is constantly running, especially in the evening when everyone is trying to get a bath. He’s such a hard working fellow, but he’s rather shy. He often hides in the closet! Mrs. Whirlpool on the other hand, she’s a pistol. She’s our other hot head. But let me tell you, she bakes bread like no other! There’s very little that she won’t bake or attempt to cook. She does the majority of the cooking in our household.
Finally, there’s Mrs. Black-Decker. She’s a wonder when it comes to cleaning our floors! She picks up the finest of crumbs and keeps our floor neat and tidy. She’s a bit loud, but I wouldn’t trade her for anything!
I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to introduce you to our servants. I feel so blessed to have them working for me and we treat them as part of the family. Could I keep my home without them? You betcha! But God has blessed me with these servant and so I’m going to use them to their full ability!
BTW, these are not pictures of our home, DH requested I not post picture right now, as we’re in the process of remodeling our home.
I love creating crafy Christmas gifts. I really think that people appreciate receiveing gifts that are handmade. GiBee over at Kisses of Sunshine is hosting a Homemade Gift Idea Exchange. Let me tell you, I really enjoyed my visit to GiBee’s blog. It’s very pretty and she has lots of good information there.
Anyhow, here is my contribution to her Homemade Gift Idea Exchange…Lots of Mix in a Jar cookie recipes! Don’t forget to visit my other blog where I posted Bread Mix recipes!
CANDY COATED CHOCOLATE COOKIE MIX IN A JAR
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1-cup mini candy-coated chocolate pieces
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/4 cups quick cooking oats
Directions
1. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a 1 quart glass jar, layer the ingredients in the following order: Flour mixture, walnuts, 1/2 cup of the mini candy coated chocolates, oats, remaining candies, and brown sugar. Pack down well after each addition and attach a tag with the instructions.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
3. In a large bowl, cream together 3/4 cup of butter, 1 egg and 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla until light and fluffy. Stir in the contents of the jar until well blended. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix in a Jar
Ingredients
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup firmly packed Domino Light Brown Sugar
1/3 cup Domino Granulated Sugar
1 cup (6 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Directions
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Spoon into 1-quart wide mouth canning jar. Layer remaining ingredients in order given, making sure to pack down each layer firmly and clean inside of jar with paper towel after each layer. Decorate lid as desired.
Attach these instructions to the jar: In large mixing bowl, cream together 2/3 cup softened butter or margarine, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon water and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until light and fluffy. Add contents of jar and mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375EF for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
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CHOCOLATE VANILLA NUT BAR MIX IN A JAR
Layer the following ingredients in a 1-quart jar with large round lid:
2/3 teaspoon salt
1/2 plus 1/8 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup flour
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup vanilla chips
1/2 cup walnuts
Cover jar with the band and lid. Cut a simple round out of gingham
cloth with pinking shears. Tie on with raffia or ribbon.
Attach these instructions on a gift tag:
Choco-Vanilla Nut Bars:
Contents of jar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
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Cranberry Hootycreeks
1/2 cup plus 2 tbls. flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup flour mixed with 1/2 tsp.baking soda and 1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup plus 1 tbls. packed brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup dried canberries
1/2 cup pecans
Layer the ingredients in a QUART jar in order as listed.
Attach recipe below, to jar:
______________________________________________
CRANBERRY HOOTYCREEKS
In a medium bowl, cream together:
1/2 cup butter or margarine (softened),
1 egg,
1 tsp. vanilla.
Add the entire jar of ingredients and mix together
by hand until well blended.
Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet.
Bake at 350* for 8 – 10 minutes.
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Hustle Bustle Butterscotch Oatmeal:
1/2 cup butterscotch chips, 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar, 1 cup old-fashioned oats, 1 cup baking mix (Jiffy, Bisquick), 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 cup baking mix.
On gift card attach to each jar these instructions:
Empty contents into a medium mixing bowl. Stir in 1 stick of melted margarine or butter, 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla until well-combined. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place on baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375 F for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are golden brown. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies
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Molasses Cookie Mix
Soft, crinkle-coated with sugar, and spicy, these old-fashioned
cookies are delightful.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/8 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ginger
In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Store the mix in an
airtight container.
Attach this to the Jar
Molasses Cookies
Makes 4 dozen cookies
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1/4 cup sulfured molasses
1 package Molasses Cookie Mix
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In large bowl, cream together the
butter, egg, and molasses.
Add the Molasses Cookie Mix and beat until smooth. Shape the dough
into 1-inch balls;
roll in granulated sugar & place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 9 to 11 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
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Ranger Cookies
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all purpose-flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup shortening
2 cups fruit flavored crisp rice cereal
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup shredded or flaked coconut
Packing Directions: Stir together flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until well blended. Layer remaining ingredients in a clean, 1-quart glass canning jar in the following order: half of the cereal, flour mixture, brown sugar,, remaining cereal, and coconut. Cover jar and attach gift tag with directions for mixing and baking.
Gift tag directions: Use gift within one month. Heat oven to 375EF. Empty contents of jar into a large mixing bowl. Stir in one beaten egg, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until well combined. Crop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in oven for about 8 to 9 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet 1 minutes. Transfer to wire rack, let cool. Makes 2 cozen.
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Scottish Shortbread Mix
This older recipe never fails to bring a smile.
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients, blending well. Store in
an airtight container.
Attach this to the Jar
Scottish Shortbread
Makes 16 pieces
1 cup butter, softened
1 package Scottish Shortbread Mix
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Knead the butter into the
shortbread mix and press the mixture
firmly into an 8-inch pie plate, or shortbread mold. Bake for 1 hour.
The shortbread should be pale in
color, not browned. Cut into wedges while still warm.
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S’MORES SQUARES MIX
Layer in a 1 quart canning jar:
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 sleeve graham crackers; reduced to crumbs
ATTACH GIFT TAG TO SAY:
To make S’mores Squares:
Empty contents of jar into a bowl. Melt 1/2 cup butter, add 1 teaspoon
vanilla. Pour over dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9″
square pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Makes 9 to 12 bars.
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Snickerdoodle Mix
Snickerdoodles are soft sugar cookies dusted with cinnamon and sugar.
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups sugar
In a large bowl, combine the ingredients with a whisk. Store the mix
in an airtight container.
Attach this to the Jar
Snickerdoodles
Makes about 5 dozen cookies
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 package Snickerdoodle Mix
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In the large bowl of an electric mixer,
cream the butter until light;
add the eggs & beat on low speed until the mixture is smooth. Add the
Snickerdoodle
Mix & continue to beat on low speed until the dough begins to form.
Combine the sugar & cinnamon in a small bowl.
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls & roll in the cinnamon-sugar blend.
Arrange on ungreased baking sheets
2 inches apart & bake for 16 to 19 minutes, or until light tan.
Transfer to wire racks to cool.
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Yuletide Sand Art
1 cup vanilla chips
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup red sugar
1/2 cup green sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Recipient adds the following:
1 cup butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Directions:
Cream butter and sugars. Add dry ingredients and stir to combine. Drop by
teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until
golden brown.
Note: Layer the first eight ingredients in a decorative jar. Write the above
instruction on a Christmas card, noting what ingredients the recipient needs
to add. Makes 3 dozen. You can also top the jars with a red plaid bow.
Sorry I haven’t posted in a couple of days. I’ve been having problems with my ISP. For some reason,I am having problems pulling up websites. Hopefully things will be straightened up soon….it’s driving me crazy!
