Tasty Tuesday

              Tis the season, for baking! Annual goodies like fudge make wonderful gifts for anyone, and I usually make a couple of batches of eggnog fudge for those special on my list because it's not the usual chocolate fudge and dressed up with crushed peppermints make it even more festive!

Eggnog Fudge

3 c. sugar
1 c. eggnog
1 1/2 c. mini marshmallows
1/2 t. cinnamon, nutmeg
2 Tbsp. butter
6 oz. white chocolate chips
1 c. slivered almonds
Combine sugar and eggnog in a large saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil over med. heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 min. Fold in marshmallows, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring back to a rolling boil, cook for 6 min., stirring. Remove from heat and stir in butter, chocolate chips and almonds. Stir until well mixed. Pour into a greased aluminum foil lined 9x9 baking pan. Cool completely at room temperature. Turn out of pan, peel off foil and cut into squares. Makes about 5 dozen.


      Now, if I can only come up with a gingerbread fudge, I'd be delighted!  Sweet treats is a plus to the Christmas season so if you like eggnog, treat someone special to this fudge, and yourself! This fudge recipe was featured in the Gooseberry Patch Christmas in the Country cookbook, so look me up!


CHRISTMAS APRON SWAP NEWS!!!
How is this swap coming along? Have you gotten your aprons yet? If not, don't stress! I'm a tad behind myself so as long as they are mailed by the 5th, all is good! Let me know if you have any problems and please share your new aprons with me too, would love to see all the pretty Christmas aprons!
                

Thankful Be, that's Me!

             Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope your day is full of family, friends, food and fun! We have SO much to be thankful for, don't we? I'm overwhelmed at times at just how blessed I am. Our home will be full of love today as the family will gather here. I'm doing the turkey differently this year, learned a trick this morning on the early newscast. Stuff the bird with celery, onions and carrots, not to eat but can be used for stock later on but for flavor. So, ours is stuffed with celery, onion, a apple and sage leaves so we will see how it comes out, it smells pretty good so far! The chef also said you don't need to baste it, that just makes it brown, do this step in the last hour. I love learning new stuff! I'm all decked out in my Thanksgiving apron and getting ready to bake a cake, just realized we only had pies......so enjoy your day, stay safe and warm and blessings to you all! I'm thankful for you!

Tasty Tuesday

             The days of pumpkin posts are gone and tucked away, it's all about sugar and spice and everything nice! I hope you like eggnog, because I have some yummy and new ways to use this seasonal beverage. Now, I can't drink it by the glass like my kids can, I have to have it in small doses, or used in my holiday desserts, like this first post: Eggnog pie.  Creamy like a cheesecake but with a hint of eggnog this super easy pie can be made ahead of time and frozen, which is a huge plus in my book!

Eggnog Pie

1 qt. eggnog
2 pkg. instant vanilla pudding ( 1 5.1 oz and 1 3.4 oz box)
2 Tbsp. bourbon or rum extract ( I use the extract)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. nutmeg
2 graham cracker crusts
In a large bowl combine all ingredients expect pie crusts and mix well with mixer till combined and starting to thicken. Pour into crusts and chill or freeze. Sprinkle extra nutmeg on top. Makes 2 pies.

     Eggnog can be used much like buttermilk in many recipes and adds a unique taste to many meals. Stay tuned for more eggnog recipes like pancakes, breads, creamer and fudge! Yes, you did just read fudge, it's my recipe that made it into the Gooseberry Patch Christmas Cookbook a few years ago! And don't forget, making homemade eggnog is so much better and alot cheaper so drink up!

Tasty Tuesday & Swap Update

            Ok pumpkin lovers, this very well maybe the last pumpkin post for Tasty Tuesdays for awhile, but fear not, cuz I have a month of Christmas recipes coming your way! Since Thanksgiving is a day of feasts, why not begin the day with a hearty biscuit for breakfast and these pumpkin cornmeal biscuits are the perfect companion to get your day off to the right start!

Pumpkin Cornmeal Biscuits

1/4 c. butter
1 1/2 c. white flour
1/2 c. cornmeal
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 c. pumpkin puree
3/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp. cider or apple juice
Preheat oven to 425. Prepare a baking sheet. Cut butter into small pieces and place in a medium bowl. Sift flour, cornmeal, baking powder and soda and salt over butter. Add the brown sugar. Mix till well blended and lump free. Combine pumpkin and juice, pour into flour mixture and stir quickly till well blended. Drop biscuits 1-2 in. apart on baking sheet. Bake for 20 min.

     These will go fast! And don't forget about your Halloween pumpkins, bring them in and cook them up, they will give you plenty of pumpkin puree for all your holiday baking needs!

Christmas Apron Swap Update:
We have 23 ladies swapping homemade Christmas aprons, I'm so excited! Emails have been sent with your partners name and info. so email each other for mailing info and just get to know each other so you can custom her apron a little bit. The fun of swapping is making a new friend too, so please include at least 2 tuckins, anything seasonal and a treat. Try to ship by the 30th but if for some reason you can't, please contact your partner and let her know. We all would love to see the lovely aprons that are being made so if you have  a blog try to post about it and show off your new apron. If this goes well, and I'm sure it will, it will be a annual event here at Country Pleasures because I love to sew and swap! lol Have fun ladies and happy sewing!

Apron Therapy

                  What is it about aprons? I'm happy to see them making a come back but did they ever really leave us? I'm drawn to the older ones, vintage fabric can catch my eye from a mile away! lol  I like to imagine the stories these aprons could tell, the tears they've wiped away or the hands that relied on them to get the baking done. Aprons are sure handy, appealing and some are down right stylish! But did you know they can be good therapy too! A facebook friend is battling cancer, she seen my aprons I have posted there and was inspired to sew one of her own, in breast cancer pink fabric and now is busy sewing up a storm in hopes of selling them to raise money for the next cancer walk. I'm thrilled, honored and on a quest to get a apron in every kitchen! Ok, that may be harder than I thought, but I can push my aprons till you get sick of seeing them, in hopes of inspiring more to sew!
      And if your in need of a little apron therapy of your own, you still have time to join us in my first annual Christmas apron swap, just scroll down to the pretty Christmas apron post and get signed up! Partners will be passed out on Monday, the 15th so you have plenty of time left! So, tie one on for me, for you and all those apron wearers before us! Aprons rule!

Tasty Tuesday

      
                With keeping in the true pumpkin spirit, this week's recipe is a classic with a autumn twist! Have you ever made a REAL cheesecake? It's a treat I only make once a year at Christmas time because it can become pricey but I got to hunting the web for a cheaper version that would wow my Thanksgiving menu and I found one, so of course, I'm sharing! No more boxed cheesecakes after this post! Promise me?

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Crust:
1 1/2 c. graham crackers, crushed fine
3 Tbsp. melted butter

Filling:
1  8oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 c. canned pumpkin ( not pumpkin pie filling)
3/4 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
Preheat oven to 350. In a med. bowl, mix crushed graham crackers and butter, press into the bottom of a spring form pan. Bake crust 10 min. Set aside to cool.
In med. bowl mix cream cheese, 1/2 c. sugar and vanilla till smooth. Mix in eggs one at a time, blending well. Add the remaining sugar, pumpkin, and spices into the mixture. Bake for 55 min. or till filling is set. Allow to cool before removing from pan. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

       I must say, I'm impressed with this recipe, not many cheesecakes take only 1 brick of cream cheese, my annual cheesecake takes 4 so I'm thrilled! I also think drizzling caramel on top would really add to this autumn delight, enjoy!

Saturday Sewing

             Busy hands, happy heart! Now that Halloween is out of the way, it's time to gear up for Thanksgiving then Christmas, but my busy hands have Christmas in mind, and I'm popping out aprons right and left! Today, the sun shines, the wind has calmed and I should be outside putting my flower beds to rest, but I have 3 aprons due by church tomorrow. I'm donating 2 aprons as gifts for the cook-off we had during our fall festival plus our pastors wife turns 39 tomorrow so since she loves to bake, she's getting a apron too. Then, I can start on the Christmas aprons! The swap is going good, we have 20 signed up so far, so there is still time to join us, you have till the 15th to get signed up, just scroll down to that post. But you don't have to wait, those who have already signed up, go ahead and design those holiday aprons, you have free rein! Don't forget about a few tuck ins to add to the surprise, seasonal coffee or teas are always welcomed, pot holders, tea towels, just to give you a few ideas.  I can't wait to see all the pretty Christmas aprons your busy hands will produce! I plan to start mine tomorrow plus some for my Etsy shop too!

       I've been baking too, sourdough starter is brewing, my homemade vanilla is coloring nicely and I'm gathering recipes for the Thanksgiving menu. It won't slow down now till New Years, so keep those hands busy, hearts happy and enjoy the bounty of both! And treat yourself and your home to the new Glade air freshner, there holiday collection is out, and I bought the Chocolate Cherry Sparkle, oh my! Smells like real chocolate, you will want to lick the air!  Happy sewing girls!

Tasty Tuesday

  
            Falls on a Wednesday today, my Internet was down for almost 2 days! When did I become so dependant on it? My morning routine was all messed up, I usually have coffee while I check my email, catch up on Facebook and plan my day or posts, gee I was lost! But it's a good dependency, keeping in touch with family and friends via facebook is wonderful, not to mention all the freebies, giveaways and recipes that come my way. I make Facebook for me! So, to reward  your patience, it's back to pumpkin posts! This one is super easy, just 2 ingredients. A cake mix and a can of pumpkin, yep, that's it! A spice, white, vanilla, yellow or carrot cake can be used, but I tried a dark chocolate mix that was the best by far!  Just dump the cake mix of choice in a large bowl and add the whole can of pumpkin, mix well and bake according to the directions and pan that you are using. That's it!  Easy, quick and very tasty too! Icing is optional and you have my permission to go crazy!  Next time, I'll add some mini chocolate chips to the mix for some extra chocolate yumm-ness! Ok, back to getting caught up! Enjoy!

Christmas Apron Swap

           Welcome sweet November! I was gonna wait a bit before starting this swap, but after reading about so many Christmas swaps already in progress, I thought I had better get on the ball! The official start to the holidays has already begun for crafters and apron makers!  So if you'd like to make and receive a handmade apron for Christmas baking and entertaining just leave your name and email addy on THIS post only.  You will be assigned a partner but to keep it in the true Christmas spirit, we will be surprising our partners, no requests will be taken to preferences like half or full aprons, or themes. This is a gift giving swap, tuck ins are encouraged to add to the element of surprise! I'll close this swap on Nov. 15 with shipping due Nov. 30th so we all have our gifted aprons in time for Christmas wearing. I always try to pair us up close by to help with shipping but everyone is welcome to join us, the more the merrier!  So, if you'd like to give and receive, sign up and get busy making your Christmas apron and finding sweet tuck ins, no need to wait for your partner, keeping this swap easy and no stressing! Let's start November off sewing!