Christmas Cards

 Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

 I made these holiday card displays last year as well before I started this blog. I love to display the Christmas cards we receive and this is an easy CHEAP way to do it. Purchase a cross stitch hoop. I took mine apart so it makes two! Then using wood glue, glue on tiny clothespins to the hoop. 

Candy Wreath

I made this wreath last year. SO fun! It took about 5 pounds of gum drops but it was well worth it. I hot glued each piece of candy on a Styrofoam wreath. To make is last I sprayed it with a spray acrylic sealer. It still looks great!

Homemade Oreos

Recipe: Adapted from Smitten Kitchen

For the chocolate wafers:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1 large egg

For the filling:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Set two racks in the middle of the oven. Preheat to 375°F.
In a bowl of an electric mixer, thoroughly mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt, and sugar. While on low speed, add the butter, and then the egg. Continue processing or mixing until dough comes together in a mass.
Take rounded teaspoons of batter and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet approximately two inches apart. With moistened hands, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes, rotating once for even baking. Set baking sheets on a rack to cool.
To make the cream, place butter and shortening in a mixing bowl, and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until filling is light and fluffy.
To assemble the cookies, in a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch, round tip, pipe teaspoon-size blobs of cream into the center of one cookie. Place another cookie, equal in size to the first, on top of the cream. Lightly press, to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue this process until all the cookies have been sandwiched with cream.

decorating sugar cookies

I was asked (back in September) to bring cookies to a church function. I had been looking for an excuse to make cookies like these for some time. Basic sugar cookies (not the soft recipe from my blog) frosted with royal frosting. I went searching for some advice and knowledge on the subject and came across this website. This lady is amazing. I used her recipes and made these:)

Zucchini Chips

1/4 cup Italian style bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup flour
1 cup cold milk
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
2-3 good sized zucchini, sliced




Longer healthier version...
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
In a medium bowl combine breadcrumbs, cheese and black pepper. In separate bowl add flour, milk and vinegar.  Gently stir until combined but do not over stir. Dip zucchini slices in flour mixture and then dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Place coated zucchini slices on a baking sheet (I line mine with non stick foil for easy clean up) and bake for 30 minutes, flipping the slices over once halfway through cooking, or until browned and crisp.

Faster version...
Follow steps above but instead of baking, fry in large saucepan with a little oil heated to med-high heat. Flip zucchini over after browned. It takes about 10 min this way.

why it's been so long...

We have a new addition to our family. He is the sweetest little baby. I am just now starting to have the energy to do other things so hopefully I will get all my Christmas decorations out of the basement and start posting on my blog again!