Two Superb Holiday Recipes

I made this bread to use up sweet potatoes. My husband loved it so much he said to forget banana bread. I will have to agree. This is actually better! It would make a great gift, too.

Sweet Potato Bread with Pecans adapted from Food Network

(This makes 2 loaves, one to keep, one to share or freeze.)

• 2 1/3 cups sugar
• 2/3 cups water
• 2/3 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes (I used 3 sweet potatoes and micro waved them in the skins and just scooped out the soft potato).
• 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (I use King Arthur.)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (We love cinnamon so I used 2 tsps.)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine sugar, water, oil, eggs, and sweet potatoes and mix thoroughly. Add dry ingredients and mix to combine.  (I was careful not to over mix the batter at this addition of dry ingredients which might make the bread tough.) Add pecans and mix well. Divide between 2 greased loaf pans and bake for 50 minutes. Cool in pan to room temperature.

Char’s Sugar Cookies

 

Also done is the dough for Char’s Sugar Cookies. I’m freezing most of it, but I had to bake one tray. They are superb! The  flavor of cream cheese and vanilla comes through and they are melt in your mouth. I did not frost them on this trial run. Follow the link to get the recipe if you missed it. Two things to remember. Make sure you really chill the dough and check to see a bit of brown around the edges before you remove them from the oven. Next time I will keep mine in a bit longer.

There is lots to do around here to get ready for a relaxing Thanksgiving Day for just the two of us. It will be simple prepared ahead of time.

Metamorphosis Monday – Farm Table Burlap Runner

 

 

This post is linking to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch. 

A few weeks ago I shared my dining room redo results. Even my husband noticed the table runner was too short. The following weekend Stowe Community Church held a rummage sale. I was looking for fabric and vintage crafting items, but missed  a piece of burlap. Again, it was my husband that pointed out 4 yards of creamy vintage burlap and the price was $1.00. 

A couple of days ago an email arrived from Eddie Ross showing his burlap runner idea (you have to scroll down past the Indian Corn Candle). My next stop was Pottery Barn to double check proportion with a similar style table.

At 50 inches wide, the fabric was exactly twice the width I needed. After measuring to the center, I pulled a thread out all the way to the end. This was my cutting line lengthwise. Next I simply pressed the edges the same width as my metal yardstick to get a uniform side hem. Then I used stitch witchery to seal the edges. This is not an heirloom piece so sewing on messy burlap wasn’t necessary. Either end was cut even by pulling out a thread the same way I did for the center fabric cut. I left the frayed edges. You may want to leave all 4 sides raw which looks great, too.

My centerpiece has a few more items. Joann’s had a little box of gourds and fall lagniappe (can’t keep my southern yearnings silent) marked at 70% off. The painted white ones have to be tossed in a couple of days so with these new ones I will have a bit of a head start for next year. 

It looks a little plain, but the two of us will be eating our turkey in cozy comfort in front of the family room fire. And, after all this is Met Monday, not Tablescape Thursday and Vermont, not Texas (wish I was back there). Things are a little sparse up here in New England where I’m adjusting to the simple decorating style.

Plus, the real tip is to make sure to subscribe to Eddie Ross’ site for simply wonderful style ideas.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! We will be prepping the house, painting the final three rooms, changing sleeping quarters around, and trying to fit everything into the storage room so our Christmas visitors have closet space. The countdown has begun! I should have lots of before and after pics for the next three (yikes!) weeks.

Just a reminder. Two giveaways going on right now from Linens and Laurel and Complete Mayhem. Details up on the left corner.

Pink Saturday – Look What I Found – Giveaways, too

I found several sets of stars this week which include two of this pink set that has been dipped in paraffin.  These are considerably darker than the ones I featured last Saturday. It is the same paper, however, the addition of wax changes the color and gives them a luminous quality. (2 sets available here)

There are three (3) very good giveaways right here on this blog. Look in the upper left corner for an organic Reuse It t-shirt from our very good friends at Complete Mayhem in Seattle, a $25 shopping spree at Linens and Laurel, and in the post below you will find gorgeous earrings offered by LuLu Kellogg.

Have a wonderful Pink Saturday which is hosted by How Sweet the Sound. Thank you, Beverly, for gathering pink for us each week.

LuLu Kellogg Jewelry Giveaway & Two Giveaways Right Here

 

A very generous Lulu has decided to give away these wonderful earrings just in time for the holiday season. These would make my blue eyes…happy!  Click on the picture to read the details on a special gift made just for YOU by LuLu, well, IF you are the lucky winner. My suggestion is to take just a minute and click right over.

Reminder to enter my shopping $25 gift certificate giveaway and my organic t-shirt giveaway by clicking through on the upper left. Wow! At least three gifts can be crossed right off your Christmas list…if you are the lucky winner.

Char’s Sugar Cookies Recipe, Christmas Songs and Two Giveaways

 

My friend, Char at Someplace in Thyme, has the BEST sugar cookie recipe. If you look at the ingredients, you will notice butter, cream cheese AND shortening. All are necessary for that indulgence allowed during the holidays. My son plans to come north during semester break. I am going to freeze the dough so we can bake cookies together.  My sister says if we end up in New Orleans, I can just pack it!

 

To thank Char, please take one minute to go over to Shabby Lane Shops and vote for Someplace in Thyme by scrolling all the way down the page and clicking the button for her shop. I know you will want to visit there, too. This is where I buy all my special handmade items for my mother.  (True!) BTW, those are faux cookies from Someplace in Thyme. They are just two of the many beautiful items you will find. I’m in lurve (to quote Amy) with the white cinnamon stick ornament!

My collection of Christmas songs is on the sidebar so you can just press play. I chose them mainly for the vocals and each day I’m adding more. Just press the button and enjoy!

How about my giveaways? Up on the left side. Those t-shirts are good for guys and I haven’t seen many giveaways for the men! Plus, a $25 gift certificate to Linens and Laurel for embellishments including tassels.

Char's Sugar Cookies

Yield: approximately 7 dozen

Cookie:

2 cups butter or margarine, softened

1    8 oz package cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar

2 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.

Add sugar, egg yolks and vanilla, mix well.

Add flour a little at a time and mix until blended.

Cover and chill 2 hours or until firm.

Roll out onto floured surface to 1/4" thickness.

Cut into 3" shapes: place 1" apart on greased baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until set, not browned.

Cool 5 minutes, remove to wire racks to cool.

Butter Cream Frosting:

3 1/2 cups Confectioner's sugar divided

3 Tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 Tablespoon shortening

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 to 4 Tablespoons milk, divided

food coloring which is optional

Combine 1 1/2 cups of sugar, butter, shortening, vanilla and 3 tablespoons milk in mixing bowl, beat until smooth.

Gradually add remaining sugar, beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Add enough remaining milk for desired consistency.

Frost cookies.

Project Starter, Christmas Songs and a Giveaway

A project is needed  for this vintage rust pull. On etsy  I found examples of tassels showing lots of creativity.

Check these out!

You’ll know which ones I mean.

I think these little pulls can work as a base for tassels with leftover bits and pieces added to embellish. 

Two Christmas songs for you:

BNL with God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (a thank you to Amy for reminding me to play this one)

Sarah McLachlan with River (some of us remember this from Ally McBeal?)

Check the top left and top right for my giveaways. These are the best ones I have ever offered. An organic t-shirt silk screened by printing professionals (like the best in the biz, guys or y’all) and a $25 shopping spree to my online store!

Preparing for the Holidays with Projects, Songs & Giveaway

While stocking my website I am thinking of ways to use my tassels, trims, and appliques.  My customers generally use these traditional sequin beaded appliqués to decorate stockings or sweatshirts for the holidays.  I think with a bit of felt hand sewn around the edges and a stuffing of polyfill, these would be the cutest ornaments. Each would make a small gift or a wrapping topper to be used on their Christmas tree! I have some ballet ones that would make great keepsakes for little ballerinas. I’ll share those on Saturday.

Here are two holiday songs I discovered this year:

• I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Casting Crowns
• 12 Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser

Follow the links to listen on YouTube. I hope you love them as much as I do. The second is humorous and fun! The first one reminds me we need to bring our babies home!

My website is now ready for customers. I am offering a $25 gift certificate to celebrate. I’d love help letting others know about my website and my giveaway. You may use the picture of roses if you like in your sidebar. Just leave a note letting me know and I’ll enter you twice.

Almost all items are marked at wholesale so $25 is like getting a $50 shopping spree! The winner will be announced on November 25th. In the meantime, check out Linens and Laurel for holiday trims, appliques, and tassels.  The only items that will be reordered are the ribbon loop and roses so be sure to get your sale items now. (first!)