AWAY IN A MANGER

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We will be back after the first with new tips, ideas and projects!

Homemade Caramels

In a large, heavy pan, mix together...
       4 cups sugar
       1/2 pound butter
       2 cups white corn syrup
Stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil.

Add 2 tall cans evaporated milk a little at a time so that the mixture never stops boiling.  Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture reaches the firm ball stage.  Leave slightly chewy, but not as firm as the finished product.  It will firm up a bit as it cools.

Remove from heat and add 2 tsp. vanilla and 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.  Nuts are optional.

Pour into a buttered 9x12 pan.  When cool, cut and wrap in wax paper.

For caramel apples, do not add nuts.  Stir in the vanilla and dip prepared apples into the hot caramel mixture.  Turn to cover apple and let excess drip off into pan.  Let it rest on wax paper or buttered foil until set up.  Enjoy!

Pillowcase Patterns "Snowman"

Pillowcase Patterns "Snowman".  Frosty will be around for the next couple of months.  Kids will dream of snowflakes. These Christmas pillowcases are quick and easy to make and they fit a standard size pillowcase. You can get the pattern HERE at Parties and Patterns. Enjoy!

CINNAMON ROLL RECIPE

Melt in your mouth cinnamon rolls.  These do not last long.

Cinnamon Rolls

½ warm water

3 tablespoons yeast 

1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup powdered milk  

1 cup instant potato granules

1 egg slightly beaten  

2 ¾ cup warm water

1 tablespoon salt  

½ cup oil

½ cup honey

6-8 cups flour
1 cup pecans, chopped (optional)
1 cup raisins (optional)

2 squares butter, softened

1-2 cups brown sugar

2 tablespoons cinnamon

In a bread mixing bowl sprinkle the yeast over the water.  Sprinkle the sugar over the yeast.  Add egg, salt, oil, honey, powdered milk, potato granules, 2 ¾ cup water and mix.  Add flour one cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the sides of your bowl.  Add nuts and raisins. Let knead in bread mixer for 10 minutes.  Remove dough from bread mixer and transfer to a well buttered bowl and cover with a dish towel.  (It helps if the bowl is slightly warm and not cold.)  Let rest until double in bulk in a warm place away from drafts. Divide dough in half and roll  each half  into a rectangle shape on a greased countertop or canvas cloth.  Spread each rectangle with one square of softened butter,   generously sprinkle brown sugar on top of butter.  Sprinkle cinnamon over brown sugar.  Starting at edge closest to you roll dough into a jelly roll shape.  Cut dough with a sharp knife or string  into1 ½” slices.  Place on greased cookie sheet and let rise until double  in a warm place.  Cover  with a dish towel.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned.  Remove from oven and immediately glaze with butter glaze.

 

Butter Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons butter

1-3 tablespoons milk or water

Combine all ingredients, adding milk a little at a time till you get a glaze consistency. 

CHRISTMAS THEMED DINNER - WHITE ELEPHANT

It's time to start thinking about that special Christmas Eve dinner and we have just the themes to help you. One of our favorites is the White Elephant Themed Dinner and, like all of our Christmas themed dinners, it comes with recipes, menu cards, candy wrappers, invitations and patterns for a stitchery and a placemat. Take the time this holiday season to start a tradition that your kids will love...and don't forget to include them in the planning and cooking! Download our White Elephant Themed Christmas dinner HERE. 

Hot Chocolate Gift Tag

Whoops.  In case you were wondering what it looks like here is the gift tag that goes with the Hot Chocolate.  Go make yourself a mug and curl up by the fire.  It is supposed to snow tonight.  Enjoy!

HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE

We love this yummy Hot Chocolate Recipe.  When it is freezing outside there is nothing better than to curl up by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa.  This recipe whips up quick, stores great and is so economical.  Make up a batch, attach our tag, tie it with a bow and take it to the neighbors.  This gift can be given all season long.  Download free gift tag HERE.

RECIPE

2/3 cup brown sugar

¾ tsp. ground cinnamon

¼ cup cocoa

2 ½ cups powdered milk

4 peppermint candies crushed or miniature candy cane per cup (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and store in airtight container.  To make hot  chocolate pour hot water over 1/4 cup of the hot chocolate mix in a mug.  Stir and  top with whipped topping or marshmallows and a candy cane.  Makes approximately 13 servings.

JINGLE BELLS LYRICS

This is a fun twist to be sung to Jingle Bells Lyrics.  If you are feeling a little stressed this Christmas then it is quite possible that you will relate to these lyrics...and hopefully they will put a smile on your face.

Dashing through the house 

With Christmas on its way

So much left to do

I need a few more days!!!

Jimmy wants a car.

Suzie wants a doll.

What fun it is to wait in line 

While shopping at the mall.

Oh.......

Get the tree, hang the lights, 

Bake cookies every day.

Don’t forget to feed the dog

and remember Jimmy’s play!

Push and shove, Get more toys,

Sing a carol or two.

And all the while you better let

The Spirit of Christmas through.

A day or two ago, 

I thought I’d take a break, 

If only I had known 

I was making a mistake.

Now Jimmy wants a plane

And Suzie wants a bear.

I know this isn't good

Cause I'm pulling out my hair...

Oh.....

Shovel snow, clean the house,

Spread some holiday cheer.

Avoid the scales throughout the month

and don't look in the mirror. 

Send out cards, wrap the gifts, 

Play Santa with great zeal!

Gather all the kids each day

Around a home-cooked meal...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

KIDS CHRISTMAS TREATS - REINDEER

Keep the kids busy and their bellies happy with these fun Christmas treats.  These are also perfect packaged and ready for delivery.

What you will need:

Swiss Chocolate Rolls

Candy canes and pretzels for antlers

Cherry candies  for nose

Cookie  decorating candies for eyes

Attach candies with icing.   Combine 1 cup powdered sugar to 1 tbsp. water. 

(Add more or less water to make a sticking paste.)

Stick two pretzels or candy canes in the top of the Swiss Rolls for the antlers.

So easy and kids and adults love them.

Dinner Party Ideas – Oh Christmas Tree

Looking for dinner party ideas for Christmas?  Download our "Oh Christmas Tree" Themed party to get recipes, invitations, party favors, placemat pattern, candy bar wrappers,  place cards and activity ideas.  Whether you’re having everyone from Aunt Nellie to cousin Bob over or you’re just sitting down for your typical family dinner there is so much fun to be had by incorporating themed dinner party ideas.  We thought we’d start it off right with a Christmas Tree Themed party.  You know the Christmas season has officially begun once the tree goes up and the last ornament is hung. Click HERE to download the package online.

HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS GIFTS - REINDEER SNACKS!

Need quick and easy homemade Christmas gifts for neighbors, friends and teachers?   This is a crazy time of year  with so much to do.  Whip up these adorable homemade Christmas gifts in a flash.  Click HERE and make these reindeer snacks.  The download includes recipe and tag.   Be sure to make a double batch as its hard not to take a nibble of this tasty treat every time you pass the kitchen!

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Enjoy our delightful nonsense take off of the song “The Twelve Days Of Christmas” gifts. Make someone else’s Christmas  special and get into the holiday spirit of giving by being Santa's little secret helpher and delivering these Twelve Days of Christmas gifts.  Be sure to get the kids involved as half the fun is watching the kids scamper as fast as they can after ringing the doorbell.  Sometimes they actually manage not to get caught.  We have included gift tags, recipes, stories and ideas that you can download, print and use.  This activity can be done anytime in the month of December, but is fun if it ends on Christmas Eve.  Click HERE to download our version of the Twelve Days of Christmas Gifts

Table Runner Patterns "Nativity"

Download this beautiful Nativity table runner HERE at Parties and Patterns and invite the Christmas spirit into your home as you remember the true meaning of Christmas. This quilted table runner compliments our "O Holy Night" Themed Dinner and it is also the perfect centerpiece for any holiday table. This table runner measures approximately 16"x44".

You can download this pdf table runner pattern HERE at Parties and Patterns.

SOFT GINGERSNAP COOKIES

Soft Gingersnaps

1 ½ cups vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup molasses
4 cups flour
4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. ginger
2 tsp. cinnamon
sugar for coating 

In a large mixing bowl beat oil, sugar, eggs and molasses.  In a separate bowl mix flour, soda, salt, ginger and cinnamon.  Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients.   Form dough into balls and roll each ball in sugar.  Bake on a cookie sheet that has been lined with wax paper for 6-8 minutes.  Do Not Over Bake.   Remove from pans immediately and put on a rack to cool.  Enjoy.