New Year's Eve

We'll be going out to eat for our mini New Year's Eve celebration. Last year we were at the Homestead in VA. A wonderful old 1744 hotel and lodge where Thomas Jefferson spent many long days soaking in the hot springs. We love the antiquity of the Homestead and the service and food are five star. We opted for a simpler fare this year. Dinner and a movie. We leave tomorrow for South Caroline.
I ordered a few dog designs from Embroidery Library today. They were having a sale. My 17 month old grandson loves dogs. While here for the holidays he would say woof, woof, woof,.....every time he passed by my dogs. I thought this little basset would be cute on a pajama shirt.

I also ordered the lab for another project, but I'm not sure for what yet.

Happy New Year!

Don't Bug Me...

All good made plans change, at least at our house, but sometimes for the better. I decided after I got home from work that the Mexican Meat was too much work. I wanted to use my pressure cooker......I cooked a frozen beef tenderloin with Lipton Onion soup, 1 cup of water, and a slice red onion, for 40 minutes, cooled the cooker normally, removed the lid, added two cans of cream of mushroom soup and a little sour cream. Set the cooker on keep warm until Don got home from work...about 2 hours later. The roast was delicious. And we have leftovers for tomorrow night.

The meal went so quickly I had time to wash three loads of clothes and finish my "don't bug me" pajamas that I've be blogging about for a month.

Tomorrow evening after work I'm going to try and find time to make a few more can koozies. If I'm not in the koozie making mood then I'll start on my other pajama bottoms. I have this coffee cup flannel and black bear flannel for pajama bottoms. I have several coffee embroidery designs from Embroidery Library that will go with the coffee flannel. I'll embroidery them on a t-shirt, probably hot pink to match the coffee cups. I'll embroider a saying "don't mess with me until I'm on my second cup." I'll embroider a black bear on a tan t-shirt to go with the red flannel and embroider "Be nice, I growl after a long winter nap". Do you get the idea....I'm not much of a morning person but I'll pick you up in the evening and late at night.

I have these two pieces for flannel pajamas bottoms for Don. I'll get around to making these before we start camping in March. He needs new flannel for the camper and the cool nights.

We're going to SC to visit Don's brother this weekend. We are never home on weekends unless we have guest visiting. All this running around is cutting into my creative sewing time and the stash keeps growing. I'm going to have to buy a storage building or add a room onto my house just to store my fabric. But I'm not complaining too loud, I've been wanting to go to SC for quite some time now. We pass through Gastonia and I love to stop (and shop of course) at Mary Jo's Fabric Shop.

Cuisinart Pressure Cooker

I've been searching for Pressure Cooker recipes during my lunch break today. My mom and dad bought me the Cuisinart Electric Pressure Cooker for Christmas. While I really enjoy my crockpot and the recipes from The Crockpot Lady, my life style leans toward the pressure cooker. I have a left over ham bone for beans but I'd really like to try something more adventurous.

I found this Mexican Meat Mix recipe. It can be used for Flautes, Taco Pizza, and Stuffed Baked Potatoes. I have all the ingredients on hand. I'll make the Taco Pizza with the Artisan Bread Crust and then freeze the left overs for Flautes or Stuffed Potatoes another night after. This can also be used on buns for Mexican Sandwiches. I love any one dish meal. Maybe I'll play with my new ( Vintage) Singer 66 this evening since dinner will be quick and easy.

Busy

My family left today and the house feels so empty with just Don and I. I cleaned up the left over remnants from Christmas, washed the towels, sheets, and clothes, and cleaned out the refrigerator. Then I took a short nap while Don went to Mt Nebo to check on our house.
I've been so busy with Christmas preparations that I've neglected my blogging for the past few weeks. Most things happening around here were family events except a couple of weeks ago Don went to an auction in Beckley and came home with a couple of vintage items.
This 16/66 Singer with a cabinet is in excellent condition. Don paid $40.00 at the auction. I've not had time to play with the machine yet. Now, that the holidays are over maybe I'll have time. The machine came with the ruffler, buttonhole attachment, seam guide, straight stitch foot, binding attachment, zipper foot, overlock foot, hem stitch foot, gathering foot, edge stitching foot, the darning or embroidery foot, and bobbin winder.
He also managed to win a bid on a 1999 Cadillac, like we really need another car. Don is so proud of his Cadillac. When I get a chance I'll take and post a few pictures of his treasure. Right now the car is stored in his shop about 3 miles from the house. The next time he brings it to the house I'll snap a few shots.

Christmas

Christmas, my favorite time of the year......but thankfully it only comes around once a year. It takes me a year to recuperate. The best thing about Christmas is my family being together.

No More Dishes Please

Fiesta came out with another color, chocolate brown. I do not need anymore Fiesta but I've been collecting all the colors for years now. I love this chocolate brown and it will go with my new kitchen. Maybe Santa will bring it. But I still don't need any more dishes. I really wish Fiesta would stop making new colors. This is a limited addition color.....oh please stop me. I'm wondering if anymore dishes will fit in this cabinet.
I caught the stomach virus that was going around. I felt terrible yesterday and stayed home from work. I really had too much to do at work with three office Christmas parties over the next week but I couldn't go and contaminate everyone in the office. Then they would be sick Christmas.

Don bought us a new Christmas tree tonight at Home Depot. Our tree was about 8 years old and really showing it's age. We put the new tree together in three pieces. It took about 5 minutes. Our old tree had about 100 pieces. Each branch was inserted separately. It was a pre-lit tree and the wires connected each branch. It took two people over an hour to put it together. I'm taking the old tree to Goodwill in the morning....I'm glad to be rid of it. We did not have time to decorate the tree, I'll do that tomorrow night.

Thursday night we are going to see the Nutcracker in Charleston. My time is running out getting ready for Christmas. I really should stay home and decorate, Internet shop, and bake goodies, but I love the Nutcracker Ballet. Don doesn't ask me to go to the Ballet very often, usually he wants to go to Mountaineer football and basketball games. I thought I should say "yes honey I'd love to go," or he my never ask again. He must have read my mind a few weeks ago when I was mentally complaining about tickets to a basketball game on Tuesday night before Thanksgiving. Who goes to a basketball game, two days before Thanksgiving with all the cooking that needs to be done. I was fussing to myself (silently) that we never go to a play, the symphony, or the ballet anymore. My husband is a good mind reader. I guess he's had plenty of practice over the past 32 years.

The Wedding

I just returned from Columbus OH, attending my second cousin's wedding. My oldest son and youngest son along with my brother, his wife and my parents went also. It snowed about 6 inches the day of the wedding. It was beautiful outside, but I hate cold weather. I froze to death. I'm still flicking icecles off my eye lids.

The ushers handed out sparklers (the 4th of July kinda of sparklers) to the guests as they left the church. All the guests gathered outside around the limo with the twinkling sparklers as the bride and groom exited the church. Snow was poring down, sparklers were twinkling everywhere, it was simply beautiful....and my camera is in the hotel room.

We stopped by the hotel on the way to the reception and retrieve the camera. The wedding cake.......Yes that is donuts! All I can say is:

Reception…………………………………..…………..……$12,000.00
Bar Bill at Reception…………………………………….$2,000.00
Krispy Cream Donut Cake……………………….…...$20.00
Watching the expression on your guest faces when they see your cake…..…PRICELESS

Can Koozies

I purchased 150 can koozies from the Can Koozie Lady back in the summer. I embroidered WV on 25 koozies for our friends at the campground. I used the glow in dark thread on the kids koozies. Look how many I have left. I really had intentions of embroidering on all of these before Christmas for presents.......I may get a few completed but not all of these.

I made two koozies with fly fishermen embroidery designs and gave to my eldest son when he was here Thanksgiving, darn, I didn't get a picture. I always get in a hurry and forget the photo. Here is a picture of two I made with a "bug in a jar". I found the embroidery designs at Smart Needle Designs . I'm going to try and embroider more of these blank koozies next week. I have lots of Christmas Designs and they will look great on the red koozies.

I may try and keep the Christmas Koozies here. (not give them away, if that's possible) When the boys are home for Christmas or when a football or basketball game is on, the men drink beer. They can each have a different koozie and they won't get their cans mixed up. Like the charms that go on the wine glasses, so you know which glass of wine is yours when you set it down and forget which glass belongs to you (after you've had several). The charms are cute, I have several sets of them, I'll have "can koozies" for the beer and "wine charms" for the wine glasses. Maybe I should coordinate?

More Fabric

I love Flannel World....ordered more flannel last Sunday evening and it's scheduled for arrival on Monday. Happy Birthday Don. No, I better find him a better gift than flannel, he'd be very disappointed, although I plan on stitching up 2 pair of flannel PJ bottoms for him. With his 36 inch inseam, it's hard to find flannel bottoms to fit.

I need to make a new Christmas table topper, this one from last year really doesn't match my new kitchen. I was on a table topper roll a few years ago and made a different round topper for every holiday and season. The Christmas topper is reversible but I only used the checked side. My piecing skills improved over the years, so I should probably try again....if I find time before Christmas.

As I scanned through my pictures for the Christmas table topper I found a picture of this little night gown I made a few years ago for the daughter of one of my employees at work. She wanted a little white simple gown for her 1 year old's Christmas picture. She was barefoot and holding a teddy bear in the picture. It was years ago that I actually sewed small clothes....this was my first small outfit in over 20 years, my boys are grown. Since sewing this night gown my grandson was born and I am getting lots of practice now. Unfortunately, I've not taken many pictures of the little outfits I've made over the last year and a half. Little girl outfits are so much more fun to create. Someday I shall have a granddaughter, surely the Lord will grant me this one wish. I've not ask for much from him. He gave me three wonderful boys, who became wonderful men and made me very proud. I really don't know much about girls anyway, but just one would be great.

Decorating

I'm worn out from the long Thanksgiving weekend, working late every evening this week, and trying to get my home ready for the holidays. I started with the kitchen. It takes me about 8 hours to completely change my cabinets over to my Pfaltzgraff holiday dishes. I store my Christmas dishes in a large closet in my family room. I carry the Christmas dishes upstairs and my Fiesta dishes downstairs to the closet. This year I did not start until Monday. I spent 4 hours Monday and 4 hours Tuesday evening after work running up and down stairs carrying dishes. Tonight I rearranged things again. I think I am finally satisfied with the end results and the placement of every dish.

This is the birdhouse and cardinal salt and pepper shakers on the small kitchen table.

I love my Pfaltzgraff Winterberry collection. I started this collection around 10 years ago and it continues to grow yearly. This is the cabinet over the microwave with all the little accessories.

Some of the utilitarian accessories decorating the counter tops

My teapot collection over the kitchen window.

Last night around midnight I decided I needed a few more Pfaltzgraff Winterberry dishes. I was bad and ordered a box full. I really needed (oh, I'll be truthful) wanted these new pieces. And I hope Don gets my secret undercover message and gets the wine chiller.

Here are a few things I ordered. They are all on sale 50% off.

I love Pfaltzgraff, you can check out the items on sale at http://www.pfaltzgraff.com/

I'm going to Ohio to my cousins wedding this weekend. The decorating will be on hold until I return Sunday evening. I'll take pictures of the tree and other decorations when I finish up. This weekend trip to Ohio is going to set me back about 2 days with Christmas decorating. Maybe if I'm lucky Don and I will shop on Saturday before the wedding and buy a few gifts.

I have the Christmas spirit this year, especially with a grandson to play with on Christmas morning. That is all I want for Christmas, my family here, everyone at one time, playing, singing, dancing, eating, sharing life's stories and memories. A free gift with family means more to me than any material item you could purchase.

Thanksgiving Bread

begins with the basic bread dough from "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day." This is a wonderful cookbook. I love the bread results and it takes no time at all. I made up a large container of dough, I'll keep it in the refrigerator and make bread as we need it. Fresh daily bread....it doesn't get any better. Here is a picture of the large container of dough that I stirred together in five minutes. I already have a batch of Pumpernickel in the refrigerator. Left over turkey on rye, what a wonderful combination.
Happy Thanksgiving

The 2008 Holiday Season Begins

It’s always been my official belief that the holiday seasons begins with Thanksgiving. I refuse to put out a Christmas decoration until after Thanksgiving. One holiday at a time and I do not want to outshine Thanksgiving by starting Christmas before Thanksgiving. While purchasing a few gifts and even wrapping them is OK in my book, putting up the Christmas tree would jinks the Christmas season. I really like to wait until after Thanksgiving to start Christmas shopping......Black Friday is crazy, fun, and kicks off the holiday season.

I finally got around to making the “cakes in a jar.” It was a fun project and something new to entertain me. But I don’t think I will make these again. I’ll give several of them away and keep the rest for snacks when the cupboards are bare this winter. If you’re interested here’s the recipes. I made the apple cakes first (two batches) and then the Starbucks Cakes next (two batches). These little babies were very time consuming and that’s the one thing I don’t like to be consumed….my time.

Starbuck's Cakes in a Jar
1 pkg. dark chocolate fudge cake mix
1 sm. pkg. chocolate instant pudding
1 pt. sour cream
4 eggs
1/3 c. Starbucks Coffee Liquor
1/4 c. Wesson oil
1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
Mix all ingredients, except chocolate chips; mix well. Add chocolate chips and fold in. Pour batter into eight greased wide mouth pint jars. Wipe rims of jars clean with damp paper towel. Place jars on a cookie sheet. Bake in 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and immediately place hot lids and rims on jars. Tighten rim and allow to cool. Jars should seal as they cool. If jars do to seal refrigerate cakes for up to 2 weeks. Sealed jars will keep in a cool, dark, dry, environment for up to 6 months.

Fresh Apple Cake in a Jar
2/3 cup shortening
2 2/3 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup water
3 cups grated apple
2/3 cup raisins
2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease the insides of 8 straight-sided wide-mouth pint canning jars. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Set aside. Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and beat in well. Add flour alternately with water and mix until smooth. Fold in apples, raisins and nuts. Fill jars 1/2 full of batter, being careful to keep the rims clean. Wipe off any batter that gets on the rims. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, sterilize the lids and rings in boiling water. As soon as cake is done, remove from oven one at a time, wipe rims of jars and put on lid and ring. Jars will seal as cakes cool. Place the jars on the counter and listen for them to "ping" as they seal. If you miss the "ping", wait until they are completely cool and press on the top of the lid. If it doesn't move at all, it's sealed. Jars should be eaten or kept in refrigerator for up to a week.

I made my lady bug pajamas last week but have not embroidered the shirt yet. I digitized a lady bug design and lettering “Don’t Bug Me” for the front of the shirt. This was my first actual “from scratch” not purchased digitized design. I can’t wait to find time to finish the shirt. I’ll post pictures after it’s complete. Here’s the design:

I love the Designer Plus V5 software. I've played with it for years but this time I actually drew the ladybugs. I'm not a morning person so "don't bug me" is perfect for my pajama shirt.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

George Bush M&M's

I have two boxes of M&M's with George Bush's signature on the front of the presidential box. Wonder just how much these little boxes are worth with a lame duck president with a 23% approval rating.

It could go both ways on e-bay. Interested people because his approval rating is lower than any other out going president in our life time my bid high on the special candies or interested people because he was succeeded by Obama could bid high. Who knows??????

This is a true certified signature on a true package of M&M's served at Camp David. My eldest son works in Northern PA and has a very good friend working at Camp David. (Good Ole West Virginia boys). My son's friend shared a couple of packs of the notorious Peanut M&M's with me. I thought it quite neat for his friend to work at Camp David and know the President personally. OK Give me a break....he may not be the greatest president but he's not the worse we've had in my humble opinion. Only years from now will we really know how great or poor President George W Bush really was, but I still have the M&M's with his autograph! Good or bad....I bet I could sell them on e-bay for more than I paid...which was not ta,not ta. I may in fact give it a try. I'll post it here and everyone can track my success or failure at selling Presidential M&M's. Watch for more reports on my presidential sale.

I'm leaving in the morning heading to Northern Virginia to visit my other son, daughter-in-law, and 16 month old grandson, that I need to get reacquainted with quickly. It may be a few days before I post again but I'm sure to bring back interesting topics from my travels and visits. Watch for me on Monday morning. And next week I'll be posting picture and directions for the cakes in a jar that I mentioned a few days ago, I didn't forget, my time is limited and I'm trying to get these cakes made before Thanksgiving....so that is next week.

Everyone have a great weekend.

Pumpkin and Pears: Fruits of the Fall

I canned pears a few weeks ago. They turned out great. This was the first time I canned pears, ever. Pears were on sales last month and I bought 5 grocery bags full. This is all the quarts I got from the 5 bags. I opened a jar tonight...their much better than Del Monte. If I find pears on sale again this winter I'll can more.

I also canned pumpkin when I found pumpkins on sale a few weeks ago. I've canned it before. I always sweeten my pumpkin and then when I use the pumpkin I do not add sugar. It is not recommended by the USDA Extension Service to can pumpkin: http://www.fcs.uga.edu/pubs/current/FDNS-E-P.html but I plan on using these jars of pumpkin before they spoil and adding the sugar will help preserve the pumpkin.

I made pumpkin dip weekend before last and shared it with my camping friends, we dipped vanilla wafers in the dip. It was different and tasted like a pumpkin cheese cake. Very simple to make.

Pumpkin Dip

Ingredients

1 can sweetened pumpkin

2 packages cream cheese

1/3 cup sour cream

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

Soften cream cheese in microwave and stir in remaining ingredients, refrigerate for about 2 hours and serve with vanilla wafers for dipping.

Busy Day

Whoa, I'm glad it's almost over. It started out something like this....phone rings 6:45 AM problems at work, key office employee calling off....and it went down hill from there. I won't bother you with it. I stopped at the grocery store on my way home, picked up some fresh veggies for dinner and hit the door running. I first started a Crock pot of Granola. Then I started preparing dinner: Grilled Peach Topped Pork loin Chops, Baked Cheese Grits and Asparagus with Carrots and Blood Orange Seasoning.

If you froze peaches this summer, dig them out of the freezer and try this for dinner soon. It is quick and easy.

Grilled Peach Topped Boneless Pork Loin Chops

Ingredients:
Four large fresh peaches pealed, seeded, and diced. (see note at bottom)
2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1/4 Cup Sugar or Honey
4 Boneless Pork Loin Chops about 3/4 inch thick
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Cook peaches in small sauce pan over medium heat until fork tender stirring frequently. If Peaches are not juicy added 1/4 cup water. Add vinegar and honey and continue cooking to reduce liquid. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes. (do not cover sauce pan) Heat gas grill on high for about 15 minute until very hot. Turn heat down to medium. Salt and Pepper chops and place over indirect heat (if possible). Cook for 5 to 8 minutes and turn chops. Spoon 1/4 cup peach mixture over each chop as soon as they are turned and continuing grilling for another 5 to 8 minutes. Chops are done with meat thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees. Remove chops from grill to serving platter and serve immediately. Additional peach sauce can be added if desired.
Note: I used fresh frozen Virginia Peaches. I froze bushels of peaches this past summer just for recipes like this. I made this with fresh peaches several times but it was just as delicious with the frozen peaches.

I served the Peach Topped Chops with Cheese Grits and Asparagus

The Granola is spread out and cooling now. I added more fruit than the recipe called for I added extra raisins and coconut and also added dried cranberries, dates, and pecans. I'm looking forward to having this for breakfast in the morning. I'll take a bowl of Granola to the office and add a little milk, um um good. I've already sampled it tonight, it's good plain without any milk.

I need to wash clothes and tidy up the house tonight. We'll be leaving Friday evening for the weekend. A trip to Northern Virginia to visit our son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. We miss seeing the kids...wish they lived closer.

Forgot to Thank A Veteran.......

Oh Geez I forgot to post my "THANK A VETERAN" After reading Judy L post on Patchwork Times I promised myself I would send my sincere thanks to all the United States Veterans especially those fighting the war on terrorism or whatever they are fighting for these days. I have totally lost concept about what the war is about. But the veterans who fight for this country whatever the cause need all the kudo's we have to give. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And my prayers go out to all the families that have family members over seas in harms way now. Lets bring our men and women home safe and unharmed.

Our newspapers and local televised news stations all mentioned Veterans and Veterans Day here in West Virginia. We had parades and small celebrations in several towns located around the state. Fortunately we we're not part of the rude and disrespectful media you discovered Tuesday morning: http://www.patchworktimes.com/category/just-stuff/.

Here is a copy of the editoral in our local Tuesday morning paper:

Veterans
They need our ongoing support long after the parades are over
On Tuesday, cities big and small hosted Veterans Day parades. Many of the festively decorated floats held members of the armed forces who have served their country near and far.The cadence of marching bands and the presence of the Stars and Stripes proudly displayed stirred within us a new surge of patriotism — at least momentarily.Today, the parades are gone and the music has stopped. Thousands of men and women remain on battlefields and in harm’s way.Many of our returning veterans face a different kind of trauma.A new study shows that rural West Virginia veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to suffer from mental health problems than their urban counterparts.The analysis is based on the ongoing West Virginia Returning Soldiers Study, which has surveyed more than 930 veterans.The study shows that about 56 percent of returning soldiers from rural counties suffer from post-traumatic distress and other mental health problems, compared to 32 percent of soldiers in urban areas and 34 percent of those living on out-of-state military bases. Rural veterans are also at greater risk for suicide.Hilda Heady, a rural health specialist at West Virginia University, says part of the problem is a lack of mental health care facilities in rural areas.How can we call ourselves patriots if we ignore these statistics?These veterans need more than flag-waving and well-wishes. They need mental health care programs designed specifically to meet their needs. We cannot allow people who’ve paid such a high price for our freedoms to live in the bondage of mental illness for the rest of their lives.It’s all the more reason Beckley-ARH needs to keep encouraging the building of a psychiatric hospital in the hub of the southern West Virginia health care system.With all the screaming headlines about mental illness that results from drug and alcohol abuse, many of us may have lost sight of the fact that the trauma of war has put thousands of veterans across the country at risk for depression and other forms of mental illness.We need to take care of our own. Veterans need more than our appreciation and respect. They need our help. We encourage Gov. Joe Manchin and the Department of Health and Human Resources to take advantage of the strong psychiatric infrastructure Beckley-ARH already has in place and move forward to get a new mental health care facility built soon.Every day counts for every person coping with mental illness, but especially for our veterans who have already suffered enough. Published: November 11, 2008 08:49 pm http://www.register-herald.com/

HELP................

I spent most of my evening trying to design a new template for my blog and gave up using Corel Paintshop Pro. Every time I try using this program I end up pulling my hair out. I'm almost bald. I used Corel Draw for years and at some point (probably when XP Pro hit the market) my Corel Draw became obsolete. I replaced the Corel Suite with the Microsoft Office Professional. When the time came, years later, to purchase a photoshop program I purchased Corel Paintshop, big mistake. This program is not very user friendly. I’m shopping for new photo software but haven’t decided on one yet.

After giving up on my new template, I’ll just post some pictures of my sewing projects.

Towels with Nautical Theme for the camper

West Virginia tote bag

I love my Bernina 200/730 machine. The embrodery is high quality and the results are very professional for a home embroidery machine. I have projects lined up to stitch and an abundance of ideas swimming in my head. Now that winter is here, I plan on stitching and stitching and stitching......wish I was retired from the home health business. But I doubt if my sewing would pay my bills or for the fabric and pattern stash I've accumulated over the past 5 years, so I'll just keep working.

Ring Pillows for my son's wedding and the back of ring pillows with inscription.

I have this flannel ladybug fabric, white t-shirt and green and pink lady bug ribbon ready to start my next project, pajamas and T-shirt with trim. I love Flannel World. They always enclose a thank-you card with the fabric and the fabric is folded neatly and not wrinkled. I wonder if they press it before packaging. These three pieces of flannel are for my pajama bottoms. I'm using a pattern from Taylor Made Designs by Cindy Taylor Oats for Sew Easy Pajama Pants. I'm making the capri length. I hate long PJ's even in the winter months. Capri length keeps me warm enough without feeling trapped. Now I know I really need to quit my day job..... "Sew many projects and sew little time."

Rainy Day Cooking

It's a cloudy day and cooking is in order. I made Upside French Toast for Breakfast. It's one of those overnight recipes that I love. I prepared it last night around 2 AM....couldn't sleep, put it in the refrigerator and sleeply put it in the oven this morning.

Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 40 Minutes

Ingredients:
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Butter
2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup
4 Medium Apples, Sliced, Pealed, and Cored (Granny Smith)
12 Slices day old bread (white, wheat, French, it's your choice)
4 eggs
2 Cup milk or cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a heavy saucepan over medium heat cook and stir brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup until slightly thick. Pour mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 11"X9" casserole dish. Arrange apple slices on top of brown sugar mixture. Mix together the eggs milk and vanilla. Arrange 6 slices of the bread on top of apples and pour 1/2 of egg mixture over the bread coating evenly. Arrange the other 6 slices of bread directly on top of the first layer. Pour remaining egg mixture on top of second layer of bread slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat over to 350. Cook French toast on middle rack in over covered for 20 minutes. Remove cover and continue cooking for 20 to 30 minutes until toast is lightly brown on top and crispy.
Serve with syrup of your choice, we like pecan syrup.

While the French Toast was baking I made some brownies. I sorta threw some ingredients together and they turned out pretty tastie.
Ingredients
2 Boxes Ghirardelli Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix
1 Package Hazelnuts
2 eggs
1/2 Cup Water
2/3 Cup Oil
3/4 Teaspoon Coffee Flavoring
1 Jar Amaretto Cheesecake in a Jar
2 Fudge Toppings included in Brownie Mix

Mix Brownie mix, eggs, water, oil, nuts, and coffee flavoring until incorporated very well. Spread in a greased 10"X15" jelly roll pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove from over and spread the jar of Cheesecake thinly over the top of brownies while hot. Place packages of chocolate sauce topping in hot tap water bath for 5 minutes. Cut corner of package and squeeze both packages of chocolate over top of cheesecake. Spread if desired. Allow to cool slightly before slicing.
Yields about 24 brownies.

I found the Amaretto Cheesecake in a Jar this past summer at the outlets in Williamsburg, VA. I used this to top the brownies.

I have cheater's cabbage rolls in the oven slow cooking. I like them much better slow cooked in a dutch oven than the crock pot. We have errands to run and dinner will be ready when I get home.

I made this handbag for the holidays this weekend.