Make Your Own Simmering Potpourri

I go on Pinterest all the time . I am always pinning this or that. I decided it was time to start making some of the stuff I have been saving . So once a week I will try to pick one post to do for that week. Fair warning I had the attention span of a Nat so we'll see how this gos.  I promise to give it my best shot. No, I do not have crossed fingers behind my back.

recipe:
2 oranges slice thin and dehydrated
2 apples sliced thin and dehydrated
2 jars of Cinnamon sticks ( Note: Use cinnamon sticks from the Hispanic section of the store. It's a lot cheaper. )
1 jar of bay leaves
1 jar of whole cloves
1/2 jar of dried rosemary

Mix items in a bowl ,then place in a plastic bag or air tight container. 
When ready to use place a hand full or two in just enough water to cover it two to three inches. Simmer on the stove over very small heat. ( you don't want to boil this). Don't forget to check your water once in a while. This would be great to sit on top of your wood stove.

If you don't have a dehydrator  place your fruit in single layers on the pan. Leaving space between them. Set oven to 200 degrees. Leave in oven till completely dry. Oranges should be very dry. If they feel moist or sticky they are not ready. Apples should be brown and feel like leather.

The picture was taken after I used some  and gave one bag away. It makes about 6 to 7 plastic sandwich bags full.
The house smells so good! I have had it simmering on low for the pass four hours. I wonder how this would do in a candle warmer?    .

Supplies:

• Two oranges-sliced and dried
• Two apples-sliced and dried
• 2 jars of cinnamon sticks
• 1 jar of bay leaves
• 1 jar of whole cloves
• 1/2 jar of dried rosemary
• Decorative canister
• Ribbon
• Gift tag

Take a peek at the gallery below to learn how to make your own potpourri including how to dry your own apples and oranges:
- See more at: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/crafts/garden-gift-simmering-potpourri#sthash.ez5Xq3NH.dpuf

Supplies:

• Two oranges-sliced and dried
• Two apples-sliced and dried
• 2 jars of cinnamon sticks
• 1 jar of bay leaves
• 1 jar of whole cloves
• 1/2 jar of dried rosemary
• Decorative canister
• Ribbon
• Gift tag

Take a peek at the gallery below to learn how to make your own potpourri including how to dry your own apples and oranges:
- See more at: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/crafts/garden-gift-simmering-potpourri#sthash.ez5Xq3NH.dpuf

Supplies:

• Two oranges-sliced and dried
• Two apples-sliced and dried
• 2 jars of cinnamon sticks
• 1 jar of bay leaves
• 1 jar of whole cloves
• 1/2 jar of dried rosemary
• Decorative canister
• Ribbon
• Gift tag

Take a peek at the gallery below to learn how to make your own potpourri including how to dry your own apples and oranges:
- See more at: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/crafts/garden-gift-simmering-potpourri#sthash.ez5Xq3NH.dpuf

Supplies:

• Two oranges-sliced and dried
• Two apples-sliced and dried
• 2 jars of cinnamon sticks
• 1 jar of bay leaves
• 1 jar of whole cloves
• 1/2 jar of dried rosemary
• Decorative canister
• Ribbon
• Gift tag

Take a peek at the gallery below to learn how to make your own potpourri including how to dry your own apples and oranges:
- See more at: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/crafts/garden-gift-simmering-potpourri#sthash.ez5Xq3NH.dpuf

Supplies:

• Two oranges-sliced and dried
• Two apples-sliced and dried
• 2 jars of cinnamon sticks
• 1 jar of bay leaves
• 1 jar of whole cloves
• 1/2 jar of dried rosemary
• Decorative canister
• Ribbon
• Gift tag

Take a peek at the gallery below to learn how to make your own potpourri including how to dry your own apples and oranges:
- See more at: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/crafts/garden-gift-simmering-potpourri#sthash.ez5Xq3NH.dpuf

Supplies:

• Two oranges-sliced and dried
• Two apples-sliced and dried
• 2 jars of cinnamon sticks
• 1 jar of bay leaves
• 1 jar of whole cloves
• 1/2 jar of dried rosemary
• Decorative canister
• Ribbon
• Gift tag

Take a peek at the gallery below to learn how to make your own potpourri including how to dry your own apples and oranges:
- See more at: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/crafts/garden-gift-simmering-potpourri#sthash.ez5Xq3NH.dpuf

Supplies:

• Two oranges-sliced and dried
• Two apples-sliced and dried
• 2 jars of cinnamon sticks
• 1 jar of bay leaves
• 1 jar of whole cloves
• 1/2 jar of dried rosemary
• Decorative canister
• Ribbon
• Gift tag

Take a peek at the gallery below to learn how to make your own potpourri including how to dry your own apples and oranges:
- See more at: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/crafts/garden-gift-simmering-potpourri#sthash.Ajc0NzQ5.dpuf

Supplies:

• Two oranges-sliced and dried
• Two apples-sliced and dried
• 2 jars of cinnamon sticks
• 1 jar of bay leaves
• 1 jar of whole cloves
• 1/2 jar of dried rosemary
• Decorative canister
• Ribbon
• Gift tag

Take a peek at the gallery below to learn how to make your own potpourri including how to dry your own apples and oranges:
- See more at: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/crafts/garden-gift-simmering-potpourri#sthash.Ajc0NzQ5.dpuf

Go away.

I don't care if Santa is here. The sign said Do Not Disturb !!!

Merry Christmas

May your day be full with love and wonderful memories..

Mini German Pancakes made in muffin tins

 Mini German Pancakes made in muffin tins. So easy,  This makes for a fabulous breakfast when you have company or a special treat for your family)! Note: Depending on the size of your muffin tin, recipe yields 12-18 muffins. And NO WHINING about the number of eggs! It's less than one egg per pancake. :-)
 1 cup milk
 6 eggs 
1 cup (all-purpose) flour 
1/2 tsp. salt 
1 tsp. vanilla 
1/4 cup butter, melted
 Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Blend first five ingredients in a blender. Be sure to smooth out any flour lumps. -Blend in butter a little at a time. -Grease muffin tins well and fill slightly less than half-full. -Bake for 15 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top. The crater will form on its own. if not just push down with a spoon while warm. -Add your favorite pie filling or jam.. And a dusting of powdered sugar.
 These are not a sweet pancake so use a sweet compost and the powdered sugar for a sweeter taste. 
Source: This recipe came from realmomkitchen.com, 
I fill mine with peaches, dust with powdered sugar then add syrup drizzled over the top.  YUM !

Christmas tour in pictures

My quilt for the Christmas party .

 This was my quilt for Suzie. She loves outdoors stuff and cats. My kind of person.

 Cleo was my little helper. She making sure the quilt is safe.

Don't you love that look. She is upset because she got in trouble for attacking my thread as I tried to sew the binding on.

 It got so late she gave up on me and took a cat nap.

 It is my trash basket ,but she has claimed it as hers.

 I was so happy Suzie liked it. I think the bears and the lights were her favorite part.

This is the one Peggy made for me. We draw names every year. I am so glad she drew mine. I LOVE THIS QUILT!!!!!!

Microwave Peanut Brittle

My family loves peanut brittle and I make it often.  This is the only way to go. Make it in the microwave!  Turns out great every time and is so good. Makes a great Christmas gift, too.

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

Dash of salt

1 to 1 1/2 cups shelled raw peanuts

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

 

Spray a baking sheet generously.  Combine sugar, corn syrup and salt in a 3 quart microwave bowl.  Stir in peanuts and microwave on high until light brown. (About 9 to 10 minutes.) Stir twice while cooking.(This gets very hot, so be careful not to get burned and I use a glass casserole dish. Don’t use tupperware. It will melt.)   Stir in remaining ingredients.  Mixture should be light and foamy.  Quickly spread as thin as possible on greased baking sheet.  Let cool and break into pieces. Makes about 1 pound of peanut brittle.  Enjoy!

 

Please be very careful stirring this. I turned to say something to my daughter and dripped some on my wrist. I ended up with 2 degree burns.

Can you say BRRRRRRRR

He just wasn't thinking.

This morning my husband asked me what I had to do for the day. I told him that I didn't have errands to run which made it an easy day. That I would probably spend the day cleaning house and catching up on the wash. His reply and I quote " That shouldn't take you to long."
I know, I looked like a deer caught in the head lights. I just couldn't believe he said that. After I came out of my state of shock I asked him when was the last time he cleaned house. A course he couldn't answer that one. But he did one better. And again I quote " As clean as it is you shouldn't have a lot to do. This time my look was more like you got to be kidding .
" And how do you think it got this clean, Fairies ?" They just love moping , vacuuming,and washing dishes.  Oh, I didn't tell you about the elves  I hired to cook and don't get me started on the wash. It was now his turn to look like a deer caught in the head lights.

Brownie Peppermint Cupcakes

 I know, not the greats picture in the world. But maybe the greats pairing as far as brownies go. I had a package of brownie mix that need to be used up. I am  not a big brownie fan, so I try to come up with another way to make them. That's when I remembered the Kisses in the candy jar  from Valentines. Yes they were still good. At least that's my story and I am sticking to it. Any way on with the story.  I made the mix as stated on the back of the box. Then smashed the heck out of about 12 peppermint kisses till they turned into a powder. Don't you find that smashing something is such a stress reliever.  Add the powdered kisses to the brownies( using your fingers to make sure the power separates) and stir. Fill cupcake holder half way with mix. Bake at 350 for 2o to 25 minutes. Let cool and frost with chocolate fudge icing. These didn't even last a day.  Quick tip add smashed up kisses to homemade hot chocolate. AMAZING Oh, don't forget the marshmallows.