Folgers: Chirstmas Morning

Here's a little of something to get you in the Christmas Spirit!



This is one of my all time favorite Christmas commercials! The little girl in the commercial is probably about 28 now, it was made about 23 years ago. I think I saw it on TV last year or the year before. Folgers sure got their money's worth!!

"Peter" went on to do a bunch of appearances in popular TV shows. His real name is Greg Wrangler. According to Folgers, they first aired the commercial in 1985(-1998). It was brought back by popular demand in 2004. For information about the other actors, Click Here.

Fudge Platters

I know everyone is probably tired of seeing posts about fudge, but I would like to share another one. These are my fudge platters I sell. I get the plastic festive platters at the dollar store($1.00, of course) and the plastic bags also (2/$1.00).

I complete the platter with curling ribbon with my business card slipped through one of the ribbons. One the front side of the business card is the fudge flavors included then on the back is my info.


I sell these platters for $25.00. There are 60 pieces of fudge and they weigh approx. 4 /1/2 lbs.

I also sell a plate size of fudge. They contain 27 pieces of fudge and weigh approx. 2 1/4 lbs. I sell those for $15.00.

These plates and platters of fudge make really nice gifts for offices or other "groups" on your holiday lists. You have all of the recipes, now just get your platters and bags!

250 Best Desserts

I have fallen in love with this book!! This is a must have for any recipe book collection! There is any kind of cobbler recipe listed that you could ever dream of. For example, Lazy Day Peach Cobbler, Chocolate Nut Cobbler, Quick & Easy Blueberry Cobbler, and Apple Cinnamon Cobbler.

There is a recipe in here for Chocolate Volcano Cupcakes where you bake chocolate cupcakes in a custard cup that have white chocolate in the center. When they are finished baking, you turn them upside down and sprinkle powdered sugar on top. When you cut into them, the white chocolate oozes out like lava.

One of the the other neat things about this book is that the measurements are list in both standard and metric! 179 pages, 205 recipes; could you go wrong??

U.S. Presidents, an Educational Book

Tuesday night when I was watching the election results come in, Jaiden was asking me all kinds of questions about it. I explained to her what the president meant and what the election also meant. I told her about McCain and Obama and Republicans and Democrats. I asked her whom she is voting for and she replied, "Obama." I think it has to do with him having a "more fun" name to say than McCain. I asked her if she was a Democrat or Republican and she said, "I'm a Democrap, mommy."

I was at Deals Dollar Store yesterday and this book caught my attention. It is a a really neat little book about all of the presidents. It gives really basic facts to help kids understand past presidents. It also has a picture beside every name so kids can see what they looked like with their different clothing and hair styles.

I would say this book is a must have! Especially, with the election going on this past week! This is a great way to introduce children to History! (I guess this is the History lover coming out in me!)

Handmade Gifts to Give to Kids

Here is a bunch of links I am sharing with you from my favorites collection. These links are gifts you can make for the little ones in your life. If you have taken the handmade gift pledge this year, these links might help you get started!

Dora Game Board Tote

Baby Onesie Dress

Toddler Dress made from Men's Dress Shirt

Art Smock/Bib

Felt Doughnuts

Backpack (from Dora)

Felt Food Tutorials

More Felt Food Tutorials

Doll Wardrobe

T shirt Dress Pattern

Another T shirt Dress

Ribbon Jeans Tutorial

Snack Bags

Fabric Doll House Tutorial

Alphabet Stamps

The other day, I was doing some blog surfing and I found this really neat idea to make your own letter stamps. If you are into stamping or know someone who is, be sure to check out this really neat gift idea: Letter Stamps. These would make such a nice gift with some pretty monogrammed stationary.

Also, check out all the other neat ideas at iHanna

Thankgiving Craft Links

Here are some assorted Thanksgiving crafts I found:

Turkey Candle Holder

Corn Husk Dolls

Better Homes & Garden assorted crafts

Thanksgiving Printables

Learning Activities

Vintage Napkin Rings

Old Fashion Kentucky Pecan Pie

This is my all time favorite pie! I love pecan pie!! This recipe is so simple and easy to make. I like my pecans on top of the pie, not chopped up on the inside. You can easily chop up the pecans and mix them in the pie if that is what you prefer.

Old Fashion Kentucky Pecan Pie

1 c. white corn syrup
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. butter, softened (I use Blue Bonnet)
3 eggs
1 c. pecans, whole (I just use the small packets of pecans sold in the baking aisle)
1 uncooked pie shell

1. Beat all ingredients well except for pecans and pour into pie shell.
2. Bake at 350F (175C) for 15 minutes. (I like to place the pie on a cookie sheet.)
3. Sprinkle pecans on top and continue baking for 35-45 minutes.

To really add some calories to the pie, pour a little melted butter over the pie right before serving.

Smores Fudge

Every year I try to come up with a new fudge flavor. This year I decided to try a smores fudge. So straight from my kitchen to yours...

Smores Fudge
You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
10 graham crackers
2 handfuls mini marshmallows

1. Freeze marshmallows so they will not melt in the hot fudge.
2. Break graham crackers into small chunks and place in bottom of pan.
3. Make base fudge recipe.
4. Slowly pour fudge over graham crackers in pan.
5. After cooled slightly, place marshmallows over fudge. Press slightly into fudge.

Arr!!!

A family of pirates! Jaiden wanted the family to all dress up as pirates this year so, here we are! We had several people stop and tell us how much they liked our outfits. Ryan and I didn't have "full pirate gear", we just wore the shirts and bandannas.

The Tooth Fairy Exchange

This year, Jaiden got a ton of candy trick-or-treating! We asked her if she wanted to participate in the "Tooth Fairy exchange". She was so excited and wanted to. What the exchange is; Jaiden trades her Halloween candy to the Tooth Fairy for a toy or some money. She leaves her candy out and the next morning the Tooth Fairy has left her a new toy.

We did let Jaiden keep a lot of her candy but she got way too much for a 4 year old! We just didn't want to take the candy away from her, after all, she did the "work" to get it. We came up with this as a good alternative.

She traded this:







For this:

Amaretto Fudge

I am a fan of amaretto and cokes so this fudge is also one of my favorites. Amaretto is a fairly cheap liqueur so there is not a big expense in this fudge.

You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
1/4 c. amaretto
1/2 c. almonds, chopped or slivered
1 tsp. almond extract

1. Make base fudge recipe.
2. Add amaretto, almonds, and almond extract after chocolate chips and marshmallow fluff.

*I'll have the picture up later

Chocolate Cherry Fudge

This is a great fudge to try if you like chocolate covered cherries. It is not personally one of my favorites but, a lot of people like it.

Chocolate Cherry Fudge

You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
6 oz. cherry chips (found next to chocolate chips)
6 oz. chocolate chips

1. Make base fudge recipe and only use 6 oz of chocolate chips instead of 12 oz. Also, add the cherry chips to the fudge at the same time as the chocolate.

For a different variation, you can use 12 oz of chocolate chips and add maraschino cherries to the fudge.


*I don't make this very often so, I do not have a picture at this time.

White Chocolate Fudge

This is a super rich tasting fudge. Looks really pretty swirled with chocolate!

White Chocolate Fudge

You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
12 oz white chocolate

1. Make base recipe using white chocolate instead of the chocolate chips.

Cayenne Pepper Fudge

Yes, cayenne pepper fudge!! This is chocolate fudge with a kick!! The heat of the cayenne pepper hits you a few seconds after you eat the fudge. It doesn't give the fudge a "taste" just a little kick! As far as I know, this is my own "creation".

Cayenne Pepper Fudge

You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
1 tsp. cayenne pepper

1. Make base fudge recipe and add cayenne pepper after marshmallow fluff.

Cookies & Cream Fudge

Ooh, cookies & cream fudge!! So good! This fudge tastes almost like the ice cream but better because it's fudge!

Cookie & Cream Fudge

You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
12 oz. white chocolate
10 Oreo cookies, crushed

1. Crush oreos in food processor. I like to leave some "chunky".
2. Make base fudge recipe and substitute white chocolate of chocolate chips.

Reece Cup Fudge

This is one of my most popular fudge flavors. It tastes just like eating a Reece cup.

Reece Cup Fudge

You'll need:
Base fudge Recipe
12 oz Reece cups or 6 oz. peanut butter and 6 oz. chocolate chips.

1. Make base fudge recipe and substitute chocolate chips for Reece cups.

Peanut Butter Fudge

I do not like peanut butter but, for some reason this this my favorite fudge! So creamy it will melt in your mouth!

Peanut Butter Fudge

You'll need the Base Fudge Recipe
1 small jar of peanut butter* (18oz)

1. Make base fudge substituting peanut butter for chocolate chips.

*You can use peanut butter chips instead of jar peanut butter, but I think it tastes better with regular peanut butter.

Orange Cream Fudge

If you like the dreamsicles, you will love this fudge!! It tastes just like the orange Popsicle with the ice cream in the middle.

Orange Cream Fudge
You'll will need the Base Fudge Recipe
1 tsp. orange extract
12 drops yellow food coloring
8 drops red food coloring
12 oz. white chocolate

1. Make the base fudge recipe substituting the chocolate for white chocolate.
2. Add orange extract and food coloring.

"Base" Fudge Recipe

I think the key to fudge making is do it the old fashion way; on the stove! Also, make sure to stir your fudge with a wooden spoon!

This base recipe is the key to making any flavored fudge.

"Base" Fudge

3 c. sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter (I use Blue Bonnet)
2/3 c. evaporated milk*
7 oz. marshmallow fluff
12 oz. chocolate chips**

1. Before you start, open all packages and line a 9x13 pan with wax paper.
2. Stir together sugar, milk, and butter in a medium sauce pan.
3. Cook over medium high heat (I use 7). When mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent scorching and sticking.
4. After 5 minutes boiling time, turn heat off and add fluff. Stir, stir, and stir.
5. Add chocolate chips and stir until melted.
6. Pour into pan and let cool.

As a tip: I cut fudge as soon as it is completely set. I then will put it in the fridge to chill it. After it is cold, I lift it out of the pan by the wax paper and run the knife over the slices again. They should now peel right off the paper without sticking of falling apart.


Another tip: If your fudge gets hard from being exposed to the air, put it in a metal tin with a lid. It will soften back up and still taste great!

* A 12oz. can of evaporated milk will make 2 batches of fudge.
** Might be substituted in making different flavored fudge.