Bird’s of a Feather, Flock Together December 23, 2008

Bird Mobile..

I got this wonderful idea from Spool Sewing Blog.

I pretty much just copied what they did. However, it turned out a bit different….

The balancing act was difficult and was taken over by my husband, who did a wonderful job.

This bird mobile is going to my brother and his wife who live on a farm

with three horses, two dogs, two cats, fish, chickens, roosters, goats and many other little critters.

These birds will be a beautiful addition to their home.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Healthy New Year

Logan’s, Snowball fights, French Fries and Family December 22, 2008

Our Weekend in Mt. Baldy….and Logan’s

…..we started our day by going to Logan’s Candy Cane Shop. I forgot to take pictures…… I was like a  kid in the candy store. Nothing else was on my mind but CANDY!!!

Logan’s has been open since 1933 and have been making handmade candy canes ever since.

They are located in Ontario, California….Downtown

…from there…stuffed with divinity, candy cane and chocolate…we headed up the Mountain to Mt. Baldy….

where we found a Lodge we could settle down in and have some fun in the snow.

Shon and Raleigh having a special moment…

……haha ………laughing and throwing snowballs…..

French Fries and Onion Rings…

…..Get Your Grub On….

Time for more fun.

Fairy Pirate!!..Raleigh? Where did you get your wings???  (blushing)

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Healthy New Year….

Herb Bread Recipe December 19, 2008

Herb Bread

Ingredients:

• 6 cups unbleached flour, divided (you may subsitute 3 cups of white flour for whole wheat flour)
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 Tbsp dry active yeast
• 3 Tbsp fresh rosemary
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp or more of rubbed sage
• 2 Tbsp vegan butter

Directions:

Combine 4 cups of the flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and 2 1/2 cups of very warm water (120 – 130 degrees) in a large bowl.

Add herbs and stir until well blended.

Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. (I put the bowl on my dryer while drying clothes)

Grease 2 9×5 inch loaf pans.

Stir dough for 25-35 strokes.

Divide between the prepared pans. Cover and let rise again for 30-45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Bake loaves for 30 minnutes. Reduce heat to 150 and bake for another 15 minutes. However, the last 10 minutes, cover with foil to prevent to much browning.

Remove from pans immediately abd brush with melted vegan butter.

Cool on a wire rack or whatever you might have.

Beautiful job….! Now, Enjoy!

Spiced Christmas Cookie Cutter Cookies with Peppermint Frosting December 19, 2008

Krista’s Spiced Christmas Cookie Cutter Cookies with Peppermint Frosting

Ingredients for the cookies:

• 1 C Vegan Margarine
• 1 C Brown Sugar
• 3 ½ C Flour
• 2 “Eggs” (Recommended: Ener-G Egg Replacer – a potato and tapioca starch blend)
• 3 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 4 tsp Cinnamon
• 3 tsp Ground Cloves
• 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
• 2 tsp Coriander
• 2 tsp All-Spice
• 2 tsp Nutmeg
• 1 tsp Salt
• Christmas-Shaped Cookie Cutters

Directions:

1. Beat the margarine and sugar on high until creamy. Add in “eggs” and vanilla and blend thoroughly. Add in the flour and all of the spices and mix well with a spoon until all of the dry ingredients are blended in well. Separate the dough into three large balls and wrap in plastic wrap, then refrigerate for one (1) hour.
2. Once the dough has been chilled, remove and roll it flat on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters, and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350°F for approximately ten (10) minutes. Cool on a rack and decorate!!!

Peppermint Frosting

Ingredients for Peppermint Frosting:

• 1/3 C soy milk
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 C sifted confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 C crushed peppermint candy
• Food coloring (optional) (I didn’t use it)

Directions:

1. Blend soy milk, peppermint extract and salt.
2. Mix in powdered sugar
3. mix in some candy crumbs. Mix well
4. Frost cake, Sprinkle with crushed candy

Sweet Potato & Mandarin Orange-Caramelized Onion Casserole Recipe December 18, 2008

Sweet Potato & Mandarin Orange-Caramelized Onion Casserole

Ingredients:

• One Large or two Medium sized Orange Sweet Potato (s), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch disks
• One large yellow onion, halved and sliced
• 4 Tbsp vegan butter
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 6 oz mandarin oranges, mashed into pulpy juice
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

• Place sweet potatoes in a large pot with cold water to cover, bring to a boil and coo until soft but not falling apart, about 25 minutes.  Drain, and mash.

• Meanwhile, cook onion, vegan butter, olive oil, mandarin oranges and agave nectar in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring often until onion if soft and slightly golden, about 30 minutes.

• Fold onion and liquid into the sweet potatoes.
• Transfer into a grease casserole dish, smooth and sprinkle the top with brown sugar and walnuts. (It can be prepared to this point up to 2 days in advanced. Bring back to room temperature before heating..)
• Heat in 350 degree oven for 35-45 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed through and lightly browned on top.

ENJOY!!!

Krista’s Christmas Granola Recipe December 12, 2008

Krista’s Christmas Granola Recipe

Ingredients:

• 8 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups wheat germ
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup finely chopped almonds
• 1 cup finely chopped cashews
• 1 cup finely chopped pine nuts
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup agave nectar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup apple sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup dried dates

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment.Combine the oats, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews, and pine nuts in a large bowl.
  
• Stir together the salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, oil, apple sauce, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then pour over the dry ingredients, and stir to coat.
• Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheets.
  
• Bake in the preheated oven until crispy and toasted, about 20 minutes.
• Stir once halfway through. Cool, then stir in the dried fruit.
• Store in an airtight container.

Raleigh’s First Visit with Santa December 8, 2008