Friday, November 20, 2020
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Snap, Crackle, Chocolate People
Sometimes it is the simplest of ingredients that bring us the most pleasure. Family, friends, and even strangers can add so much to a little gathering. As long as one of those people are the chocolate to the group.
You know, the one that stands out; the one that lights the room up and the one that everyone wants to talk to.
Every group has one of those, be it the relative or friend that you only see on special occasions, or the one serving overseas that surprises the group by showing up. It can even be your bestie.
Chocolate people just make everything better by being available.
Kathy of KatsAllThat must feel her Grands are like chocolate; they make everything better by being there, so she spoils them with a simple chocolate treat.
Homemade Crunch Bar – Vegan Version
1 ½ cups vegan chocolate chips
2 teaspoons coconut oil*
3/4 cup vegan gluten free brown rice crisp cereal
Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, greased foil or wax paper. Or,
use a break-apart candy mold. Set aside at room temperature.
Melt the chocolate using the double boiler method, or do the following: add chocolate
chips and coconut oil to a medium, microwave-safe bowl (large enough to add cereal
later). Heat in 20-second increments until softened and melty. Stir in between heating
increments, until smooth.
Add cereal to melted chocolate. Using a rubber spatula, stir and fold until well incorporated. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking pan. Using the spatula, smooth into an even layer. Tap the pan a few times to help even out the mixture.
Allow to set at room temperature until firm. Or, for a quick fix,transfer this pan into the freezer. Freeze for 10-15 minutes. Remove from freezer and allow to thaw for 10-15 minutes. Slice into 18 rectangular bars.
If you want a Christmas version, add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the mix. I would imagine a slight sprinkling of crushed peppermint over the top would do the trick, too.
Treat the chocolate people in your life with one or all of these great handmade gift ideas:
Swarovski Red Pearl and Crystal Snowflake Christmas Dangle Earrings
Red Jingle Bell Wirewrapped Earrings Surgical Steel Ball Post Charming
Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads
Sherpa Necklace, Red Glass Vintage Nepal Ethnic Handmade Jewelry Gift
Crocheted Baby Girl Hat Red w Snowflake Newborn 0 3 mo
The Rubi velvet bracelet kumihimo wristlet
BLoodwood, Exotic Wood Oval Earrings, repurposed ecofriendly Handcrafted lightweight
Crochet Bracelet, No Clasp Jewelry, Red Green White, Silver Bead
Cream Pearls and Siam Heart Swarovski Crystal Bracelet, Jewelry Gift
Siam Red Swarovski Crystal Earrings for Women, Dainty
In addition to these fantastic gift selections, each of these artists have their own shops filled with more gift ideas, so be sure and stop and shop with each one.
If you see something you like, buy it now or forever lose it as handmade gifts sell out quickly!
Shop from these additional countdowns and pages:
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 1
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 2
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 3
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 4
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 5
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 6
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 7
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 8
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 9
- Too Fruity to be Candy
- It Moose be Christmas
- Cookies are Good for You
- Something a Little Southern
- Rocks in your Socks
- Who Doesn’t Love Baby Goats
- Go Topless You Little Tart, You
- Sticky Fingers
Don’t see the perfect gift? Ask an artist to help you design something.
Shop now!
Julie
Friday, November 13, 2020
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Sticky Fingers
When the Israelites felt like they were going to starve to death during their wanderings, they begged for food.
God provided for them by dropping food from heaven. Didn’t happen everyday, and they were warned to only collect what you could eat, but they were fed.
Manna is described as a bread-like substance, or a seed-like food. It doesn’t say how big it was, but they did say that everyone got exactly as much as they needed in order to survive.
It’s hard to imagine a food falling from the sky, but anything is possible in our cosmic little world.
The Gathering of the Manna, c. 1460-1470.
Manna is said to taste like honey. Who wouldn’t enjoy the divine taste of honey in a form that didn’t make your fingers sticky!?
Divine divinity could be described as something from heaven, too. Light, fluffy, melt-in-your mouth delights that also causes some serious sticky fingers.
Charlotte of Covergirl Beads brings us this week’s delicious treat for the holidays. Enjoy this recipe from her Gram for your holiday party.
DIVINITY
2 1/2 cups cane sugar
1/2 cup Karo syrup
1/2 cup water
2 egg whites
1 cup chopped nuts
10 maraschino cherries chopped
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine sugar, Karo syrup, and water in pan and cook to the hard ball stage on a candy thermometer. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually pour syrup over egg whites while beating at high speed (mixer). Add vanilla and beat 4 to 5 minutes until it holds its shape. *Use hand mixer until too stiff, then beat by hand. Add nuts and drained cherries. Pour into greased baking dish, or drop by the spoon full onto wax paper.
Here are some more divine delights from some very talented artists for your Christmas shopping.
Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads, Cool White Shiny Glossy 954vg
Boho chic, adjustable beaded macrame bracelet, The black tulip, white nylon cord
Crocheted Santa Winter Booties Fur-Trimmed Newborn 0 3 mo
White Pearl and Silver Multi Strand Angel Wing Necklace
Snow Quartz Bracelet, Wrist Jewelry, Gift for Her
Three Strand Dangling White Bead Earrings
Stunning Black & White Ebony, Exotic Wood Earrings Long dangle Rectangle handcrafted recycled
Christmas White Red Green Earrings, Holiday Lampwork Handmade Jewelry
Red and White Superduo Snakeskin Beadwoven Handmade Cuff Bracelet
Holiday Christmas Coffee Mugs 11oz or 15 oz White Ceramic with Poinsettias
In addition to these fantastic gift selections, each of these artists have their own shops filled with more gift ideas, so be sure and stop and shop with each one.
If you see something you like, buy it now or forever lose it as handmade gifts sell out quickly!
Shop from these additional countdowns and pages:
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 1
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 2
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 3
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 4
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 5
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 6
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 7
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 8
- Too Fruity to be Candy
- It Moose be Christmas
- Cookies are Good for You
- Something a Little Southern
- Rocks in your Socks
- Who Doesn’t Love Baby Goats
- Go Topless You Little Tart, You
Don’t see the perfect gift? Ask an artist to help you design something.
Shop now!
Julie
Friday, November 6, 2020
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Go Topless You Little Tart, You
A little sweet. A little sharp. Tarts are not quite pies, but they have all of the wonderful and tasty features of a pie. They are just missing the tops.
These noble little pie-like creations can be traced back to Medieval times. From meats to fruits to custard, these little pies were quite popular with the rich and highfalutin.
Two crust pies were for the common folk, but take the top off and nobility swoons with their super powers.
Tarts are special, and you don’t have to be high and mighty to enjoy a good tart. After years of trying all the different ways to fill a tart, the most popular are the fruit tarts. Make them small enough, you can call them tartlets.
At the Waterhouse holiday dinners, the following tart is a favorite.
Harry hopes that Seamus gets his own tart filled with something yummy. Thank you to Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs for this tart treat.
PECAN CRANBERRY TART
1 ¼ CUPS PECANS (5 OZ.), chopped
¾ CUP SUGAR (divided into ½ cup and ¼ cup)
¾ CUP LIGHT CORN SYRUP
2 TABLESPOONS UNSALTER BUTTER
3 LARGE EGGS
¼ TEASPOON SALT
1 TEASPOON VANILLA
1 CUP FRESH CRANBERRIES (3.5 OZ.), chopped
1 BAKED (10 INCH) TART SHELL (or baked pie crust)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly toast pecans in a shallow baking pan/ cookie sheet in middle of oven until fragrant but not darker, about 5 minutes. Cool pecans. Leave oven on. (see below video on toasting recommendations.)
- Cook ½ cup sugar in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, undisturbed, until the sugar begins to melt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork (to help the sugar melt evenly) until the sugar has melted into a deep golden caramel color.
- Tilt pan and carefully add the corn syrup. The caramel will harden and steam vigorously. Cook over moderately low heat, stirring until caramel is dissolved.
- Remove pan from heat and add butter, stirring until melted. Cool caramel until it stops bubbling.
- Whisk together eggs, salt, vanilla, and remaining ¼ cup sugar.
- Add caramel in a stream to whisked ingredients, whisking constantly until well mixed.
- Spread pecans and cranberries evenly in tart shell or pie crust. Pour caramel over them, tapping pecans and cranberries down to coat thoroughly.
- Bake in the middle of the oven until filling is set, about 30 to 35 minutes.
- Cool completely in the tart pan on a rack before removing rim of pan.
Serves 6-8
If you need help toasting your nuts, here is a quick video that tells you how to toast in the oven. She left out the time to bake, but I have found that at 350 degrees, they toast up nicely in about 5 to 7 minutes. Don’t over-toast or the nuts will burn. Nuts will have a oily feel to them when they’re toasted.
This tart recipe sounds so delicious that I might decorate my holiday table with a topless tart.
Here are some more things that would look good on your holiday table:
Squirrels And Acorn Nuts Desk Or Shelf Clock Handmade From Cherry Wood
Scarf, boho style, scarf for women, knit scarf
Sun Beach Theme Keychain, Purse Charm for Handbags, Accessory
Skull Cap, Teen Cap, Knit Hat, Hat for Kids
Knitted Cowl NeckWarmer in Chocolate Brown with Topaz Sequins
Silver Cow Skull Earrings, Wood Beads, Handmade Fashion Jewelry
Zen Yoga Necklace, Ceramic Palm Wood Mother of Pearl Jewelry Gift
Antique Copper and Forest Green Acorn Autumn Handmade Dangle Earrings
Natural Wooden Bead Stretch Bracelet
Gorgeous, Buckeye Beautiful Multi Color Exotic Wood Earrings
Long Pinecones on Calliste Green Spiral Notebook
Autumn Harvest Wood Print Wall Art Home Decor for the Fall
In addition to these fantastic gift selections, each of these artists have their own shops filled with more gift ideas, so be sure and stop and shop with each one.
If you see something you like, buy it now or forever lose it as handmade gifts sell out quickly!
Shop from these additional countdowns and pages:
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 1
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 2
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 3
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 4
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 5
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 6
- Countdown to Christmas 2020 Week 7
- Too Fruity to be Candy
- It Moose be Christmas
- Cookies are Good for You
- Something a Little Southern
- Rocks in your Socks
- Who Doesn’t Love Baby Goats
Don’t see the perfect gift? Ask an artist to help you design something.
Shop now!
Julie
Monday, November 2, 2020
Hurricanes and Falling Leaves
Volume 17 Issue 11, November 2020
What's New in November?
It’s been a wild hurricane season this year. We have been extremely fortunate that we have not been in the crosshairs for once, but our hearts go out to our neighbors in Mississippi and Louisiana as they have taken the brunt of the season. Even a late-breaking storm with the name Zeta has hammered them. We hope that the worse is now over, and that they can get their homes back in order. We know that is a long and tedious task.
In Florida, we have been getting ready for the holidays as best as one can do when there is no seasonal differential between summer and winter. We longed for leaves that change so much that we took a quick trip to the mountains to bask in colorful foliage and a few mountain hikes.
We have continued our traditional Countdown to Christmas 2020 featuring all of our artist friends, and we are now halfway through it. Handmade items galore are represented, and that includes hand knitwear like scarves, gloves and more, as well as handmade jewelry and home décor.
New beads are sitting on my work table with one coat of resin to go. These beads feature my fractal art and other colorful designs.
Speaking of colorful, here is a shot from the Linville Viaduct that I took in October. Enjoy the scenery.
What’s New
Pushpins: Worked out a new product line of thumbtacks. This has been on my drawing board for awhile now, so once I started, I couldn’t stop! Lots of these pushpins are Christmas and holiday themed for easy decorating.
Charms: I added a large assortment of 20mm and 25mm charms for purchase.
You will find all of my beads, canes and finished jewelry on my website. www.bluemorningexpressions.com
Until next month,
Julie
Things to Look Forward To:
New Products:
Posters: I am working on my one word posters and wall hangings. There are also wood blocks to be added.
Thimbles: Added a number of new thimble designs to the shop. More collectibles for you!
Beads: There are 15 new earring pair sets sitting on the work table ready for another coat of resin. They are filled with lots of colorful designs from my fractal art.
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