Late Christmas Shortbreads

Any simple shortbread recipe + Kids = memories
We did ours late this year, due to baking orders for Bailey's field trip fundraiser.
And an attempt to make a little more cash doing something we're good at.

Check out our efforts on facebook

playing catch up

So much goings on hello to those who are still hanging in there.
We've got alot to share so we will start with the most recent and work our way back.
Current projects, several messy bun hats. Kinda winged it after looking at several patterns.

Still adding the bow, for cuteness sake.
More to come today❤

Marshmallow Fondant

I may never frost a cake again



Marshmallow Fondant

Ingredients
16 oz mini marshmallows
2 lb powdered sugar
4 Tbsp. Water
Shortening for greasing bowl & hook (Hands)


Directions
1.) Microwave marshmallows & water on high 1 min
2.) Grease dough hook & Bowl with shortening
3.) Put 3/4 of the sugar into mixer & add marshmallow
4.) Mix on low speed the check consistency (It will still be a little sticky at this point. If it is real sticky add some of the remaining sugar & mix a minute or so. #Repeat until fondant is firm & neither dry or sticky)
5.) turn out onto a clean & firm work surface. Knead by hand just a minutes until there are no flecks of dry powdered sugar remaining, Wrap in cling wrap or waxed paper & let fondant set for about 30 minutes.

to add color, add to marshmallows before mixing with sugar
to make it chocolate, add about 1/2 c cocoa powder be sure to sift it first.

This recipe makes 3 lbs. of Fondant


Compare the cost of $9 + per box from the store to just $3.77 homemade.

Adventures in Baking

This week we have had some Baking Adventure.
I wanted to make sure Bailey's cakes were AwesomeSauce.
Also this would be a trial run for my oldest daughter's
birthday in September.

We found an excellent pound cake recipe
It came from a lady's recipe box from
her mother's mother from England.
works great in a layer cake, & in cuppys.



This recipe makes 2 8" - 9" rounds
or 24 cupcakes.

6 oz Butter (soft)
13 oz Sugar (granulated)
Beat together for 5 minutes (Medium speed)
4 eggs (Lg.) room temp add 1 at a time
2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
Beat on Low speed 3 minutes (scrape bowl 3 times)
9 oz flour (All Purpose, Sifted)
3/4 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
Sift flour into bowl & wisk in B.P. & Salt
1/2 C. Sour Cream
1/2 C. Whole Milk
Add flour alternately with milk & Sour Cream (Low Speed)
1/3 flour, milk, 1/3 flour, sour cream, 1/3 flour

Mix on med for 2 minutes
Bake at 350 degrees F until done
Start checking at 15 minutes until, no crumbs come out on toothpick
& top in light golden brown.

For cupcakes we filled 3/4 full and had to remove tops.
(for uniform tops for decorating, we simply laid a bread knife on the pan edge &
sliced thru & across. Common practice when cuppy grow too far out of tin cups.)
We also will only fill 1/2 full next time to see results.



We started checking cakes at 12 minutes &
added time in 5 min intervals till done.
Different ovens cook differently.

We removed from pans & cooled completely before
decorating.

I must add that I mix all my cakes with a paddle attachment in the
Large capacity Ninja Food System Blender, it works great

TIP:
all ingredients should be room temperature
for best results. (Old Tyme Baking Tip from my Nanny)

Finished Cupcakes


Finished Cake


Marshmallow Fondant coming up next.
I will share the decorating products used in this
particular cake.

Have a great day
If you try this recipe please share in the comments
your experience, or maybe a photo at our twitter.com/HerbGir1972
~V

Awesome Edibles ~ Printable Garden Group Topic

This is from one of my past Garden Discussions
I hope you find this information useful

One of my missions is to get everyone to incorporate edibles
into their garden designs. Whether full scale beds or containers, or
single plant planting in pots.

Keep It Green
~V

Grasshopper Cookies ~Recipe 3Fer

I have two favorite recipes that I was inspired to experiment with this Holiday Season
I have our tried and true everybody loves em Butter Mints & delicious and versatile Homemade Chocolate Wafer Cookies.

So I put them together, kind of a "your peanut butter's in my chocolate" kind of thing :)

The outcome is a Homemade Grasshopper Cookie
You marry these two recipes as pictured
I suggest making both parts ahead of time and letting the kids put them together while you finish another cooking project.

(Make Cookies First) and cool.

Flatten out enough butter mint, for the number of cookies you are making, to the right size. Let them set a while so they can harden a little bit.

Melt a little dark chocolate chips to stick them together on both sides.

For the vibrant Grasshopper Green color in the mints, use green color then add yellow.
It just brightens things up a little like a few drops of Sunshine :)


Here are the two base recipes to get you started

Homemade Chocolate Wafer Cookies

These are good alone, with coffee, and crushed to make cheesecake crusts

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups (6.75 ounces) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (2.4 ounces) unsweetened cocoa powder (see Note)
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened
3 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:
Combine the flour, cocoa, sugar, salt, and baking soda in the bowl of food processor and pulse several times to mix thoroughly. Cut the butter into about 12 chunks and add them to the bowl. Pulse several times. Combine the milk and vanilla in a small cup. With the processor running, add the milk mixture and continue to process until the mixture clumps around the blade or the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a large bowl or a cutting board and knead a few times to make sure it is evenly blended.
Form the dough into a log about 14 inches long and 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Wrap the log in wax paper or foil and refrigerate until firm, at least one hour, or until needed.
Position the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the log of dough into slices a scant 1/4-inch thick (I went thinner, closer to 1/8 of inch. If you’re trying to emulate the store-bought wafers, slice as thin as you can, and watch the baking time carefully, as it might be less.) and place them one inch apart on the lined sheets (cookies will spread). Bake, rotating the baking sheet from top to bottom and back to front about halfway through baking, for a total of 12 to 15 minutes. The cookies will puff up and deflate; they are done about 1 1/2 minutes after they deflate.
Cool the cookies on the baking sheets on racks, or slide the parchment onto racks to cool completely. These cookies may be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks or be frozen for up to two months.

Makes 50 to 60 1 3/4-inch wafers. However, I cut my thinner than suggested and yielded more.

Note: These cookies should crisp as they cool. If they don’t, you’re not baking them long enough, in which case, return them to the oven to reheat and bake a little longer, then cool again.


Now for an old tyme favorite in my family

Butter Mints

Ingredients:
1 stick butter
1/2 tsp. salt
5 drops of peppermint
2 Tbsp white corn syrup
1 box 10 X confectioners sugar
coloring of choice

Directions:
Cream Butter, Syrup, & Salt. Mix well.
Add Sugar & mix well (mixture will look crumby like sand)
Add peppermint & color last & mix well. It will still look crumby but be coming together a little)
When everything is well distributed it is best to knead a little with your hand. The heat from your hand will make the candy smooth in texture and color.
Roll a small daub in palm & press down with thumb. (or roll into small diameter logs roll in waxed paper and refrigerate) Then cut into individual candies.
Makes lots of Holiday Candy

This is one of our Winter holiday favorites with adults and children alike. It is also much fun to do with kids.

Coming up is Old Fashioned Tea Cake Cookies.

Christmas Crack ~ Crazy Good Candy

Christmas Crack

Ingredients
1 sleeve saltine crackers
1 cup butter
1/2 cup light brown sug
12 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 - 3/4 cup chopped nuts - depending on how many you like

Directions
Put sleeve of saltines in a single layer on parchment paper on a large rimmed cookie sheet.
Melt the butter and brown sugar in medium saucepan. Cook for 3 minutes, stir constantly.
Pour hot mixture over crackers and spread evenly. Bake 10 - 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. When they start to melt, spread evenly over crackers.
Sprinkle chopped nuts on top before cooled.
Refrigerate 1 hour, then break into pieces and serve.
I use a 17.5" x 12" rimmed pan.
And you can also mix butterscotch chips with the chocolate and it is really good too! Enjoy!!

We had to use Toasted Salted Pecans this year and it's AWESOME

Tastes ALOT like a SKOR CANDY BAR

Tiny Trees on a Tray

I've seen similar trees in one of my favorite catalogues for years at quite exhorbant pricing and had a little leftover oasis this year and decided What The Hey!

The most worrysome part of this project is cutting the oasis, it's dusty and messy (wet or dry) but it is so worth it in the end. I was going to Just Do It and have my kids oh and ahh and that be the end of it. But I put my 5 1/2 yr old daughter in charge and it was just the right kind of project for her.
I cut the stems (branches) all the right size and just let her go at it, and it's one of the most perfect decorations in our house. (both to look at & for fragrance)
And will be as much as a tradition in the future as making Gingerbread houses.

The oasis I had was in a square portion but you may be able to purchase cones and spheres as well.
So I recycled the old Oasis and cut it down into triangular shaped forms. (Shown here)Soaking in a bowl of water.

Arborvitae required quite a bit of branches. But was fun all the more.
We started from the bottom & worked our way up. We had to have longer stems for the damaged parts of the oasis.



Fraiser Fir was quite sappy & sticky
I plan to let my youngest finish up the boxwood tree tomorrow whilst I start the Holiday Baking.

Watch for homemade Grasshopper Cookies Recipe

The Magic Boo Boo Sock

Children believe in Magic, it is a wonderful thing. Today we are making BooBoo sock (has no connection to the name Honey BooBoo we made these before she was ever a concieved marketing idea)

Anyway This is a good use for mismatched baby socks, I used cuter ones for the out side and a plainer one for the inside.
It can be made for someone as a gift with an explination of what a boo boo sock is, or you can make it with your child and let them cast a spell on the magic beans.
Step 1: find your baby socks

Step 2: find a helper to speak some Magic words over the beans as they fill the sock

A Boo Boo sock takes all the pain away
It turnes the tears into sunlight
Magical Beans with all the powers
To make BooBoo go away for hours.
It is simply a sock with lentils inside sewn up tightly at the top leaving enough room to have a cuff over the outside sock top. I found The Socks are easily filled if stretched over the top of a tall glass or mug

Step 3: sew top of sock

The Outside is just a cushy comfort and keep the inner sock from getting dirty. Not connected just remove and wash.
The outside also keeps just the right amount of cool so the magic beans will work;)
POP a couple in the freezer for minor emergencies, scraped knees, bumps, bruises
Great size for little hands, and super easy to make and use.

JUst for the record The little gal in the pic, had run into a door facing two days earlier, because of immediate administering of a small amount of Olive Oil to the area followed by the Boo Boo sock in 15 minute intervals, we quelled the formation of a dark bruise...it was looking quite swelled & horrid but here we are at day one

and above at day two.
Just a Tip: Olive Oil will cause blood to disperse back into the body and can lesssen bruising.

Hope You All Have A WOnder Ful Day
~V

Lucrative Venture ~ Photos

I have two wonderful girls, which means I am going to have to find creative ways to create more income to support the habit that just seem borne into women of these times ... LOL
So with that said I have added quite a number of pictures to a new site in an attemp to sell some of my work. I take loads of pictures and only a small percent ever get seen, I really am picky as to what will represent my tastes and feelings at a certain time. I do although have loads of pictures that I love no one has ever seen. Through Instagram and Instacanvas I am offering an insight into how I see things around me and things I really love. My gallery has a good selection of different samples available now for those who would like to check it out.
There is no reason my photos taken with my phone can't pay for my phone. Anyway The money from the pics are going toward monthly phone payments as well as any money exceeding that amount will pay for my girls 2013 Christmas Vacation.(if all works out)
I will have some prints available of some older works as handsigned prints, Those will be available at a later date, I was not happy with the current printer's sample. Watch for the announcement of their availablity.

I participate in life, trying not to miss a thing, sometimes the little things are the

http://instacanv.as/tigerlily690

only things, watch for little things.
Have a great day
~v

This Too Shall Pass ~ INSOMNIA

Due to stress I have been having quite a bout with INSOMNIA lately.
I know it has been affecting my pleasant demeanor, although I haven't snapped to harshly at anyone yet. All my stress debunkers have failed, and I am resolved that it is going to just have to pass and I will just have to grin and bear it (and buy a new concealer stick...LOL)

Well last night in my attempt to use boredome to help sleep creep up onto my brain I found quite an interesting app on my Samsung SmartPhone...UDraw (FREE)

Here are a few examples of what rattled around and out of my fingertips, The best pic that was created actually didn't get saved, I have found with this app & my phone, it will shut itself down, Oh well what can I expect from something free right it will have it's glitches ;) But I think it will save enough of mine and my gals spontaneous art to satisfy and make up for the glitching.

I also have been playing around with a Sketch App, I think I will use that for my Christmas cards next year, a collage of pastel colored sketches, I can't wait...

Have a Blessed Day
Catterpillar Scarves coming up (Light, Compact, Warm, Attractive, and Fluffy)
Easy and fun to make, you can have one to match,contrast all your cold weather outfits ;)
~V

Fresh Christmas Greenery

Nothing Beats the smell that Fresh Christmas Greenery provides at Christmas-time. Some folks avoid the mess with artificial trees but even they can add a little of the Hominess that actual greenery adds without the clean up if the greenery is properly prepared, not bought too early in advance, and well cared for.
If creating your own greenery masterpieces, be sure what you purchase is fresh or cut your own. Immediately sumberge stems into a solution with a little bit of Preservant mixed as per instructions. Allow greenery to hydrate at least 24 hours before using. Soaking of pre-prepared greenery pieces can last up to two weeks longer then non hydrated pieces, just be sure what you start with is FRESH, sometimes purchased items greens, wreaths, garlands, etc have been sprayed with a shine product which renders the soaking irrelevant because you are not hydrating just getting it wet. Know your Greens are Fresh... ;)

Here is a look at two of my greenery projects this year
this first one was created out of a 5-inch by 7-inch caged piece of Oasis
It was created from the back to the front with the specific purpose of not being to thick to fit inbetween the front and storm doors at my home, sometimes Custon is the Best. The small oasis start created about a 18-inch by 20-inch front door piece, and I thought it really turned out nice.

I suggest wearing gloves when dealing with some of these prickly evergreens.
This particular door decoration contains: Fraser Fir, Juniper, Red Cedar, Anise, Eucalyptus, Nandina leaves, and Berries. The only addition not in place is the string of battery powered lights. it says Christmas and if it happens to last longer I can just change the color of the bow into the New Year. Oasis is the bomb, you can even use it in plates on a table for centerpieces, get your florist to sell you a casket topper and make a tree-mendouus mantel piece decoration. I say to use this because it can be docorated on one side, has a resorvoir in case you have to add hydration, it's just the perfect size.The smaller oasis cagese can also be filled and turned sideways for a great Mailbox decoration with a great bown on top.

I also added greenery in floral water picks into a wreath that was already created and it just made it more beautiful, Hopefully today I can get motivated to string out a little garland, to complete the real green look over out front doorway, we've never done that before.

I hope you all enjoy this, I have not been on is a spell due to illness, but I think things are on the Upswing. Have a Merry Christmas ~V

Memory Cards

Happy Holidays Folks
Although this was my first draft for this years Christmas card I thought it was really cute. I have never done the lettering, other than normal text on any of my cards up until this point, but now I have so many Ideas of thigs to try, Look out kiddos.
Alot of folks will wait all year to get their Family photos done for their Christmas cards, I say why wait, you can use any memory from the past year for a stunning Christms card. With a little practice you can even cut and paste and creat your own Mad World Style Family Portrait. I have one I am working on with a found photograph, but I will not spoil the surprise....;)
Each year Ihave been placing my children by a christmas tree (and I probably will until they are tooold) snapping a few shots off and taking the best shot. This year we were lucky enough to be in town while the tree lighting was going on and we took advantage of some of the surrounding decor. I used a very simply photo enhancing program for this years card (Photostudio 5 by Kodak), took my about 30 minutes.
I have done the photo cards but there is just somethng about getting an actual honest to goodness card that opens with a message. Yep, I am one of those...LOL.

It's fun, inexpensive, you can turn it into an event and do something or go somewhere new. I know I keep all the photo cards I recieve each year, right along with the rest of my kids photos and they usually end each album I create.

(And yse I do ask for photo albums with documentation sides each year so I can keep up with all the times we have to take a snap. I use a Canon EOS RebelT3

This snap was taken after The Newberry, SC Christmas Parade at the Civil War Reenactment Camp at the DeWalt House 2012, They gave a very informative and elegant historical lesson as part of their tour for the 2012 Parade of Homes.
I hope you all take the time to capture the moments that alot of folks allow to pass by. Love, Light, and Happiness thru the holiday season