Gingerbread House Cake

There are no words for how much I love these little Graham cracker gingerbread houses! This one sits upon a wedding cake I made a couple of years ago for a very adorable couple. These cracker houses make cute cake toppers. They can be used also as decorations or as gifts. Regular Graham crackers stuck together with a mixture of pasteurized egg whites, powdered sugar, and water and candy to decorate is all it takes to create them.

To make the "glue" frosting I use Wilton's Royal icing recipe which can be found here or at  wiltons.com

You can also substitute the meringue powder in that recipe with a product called 'just whites' or another called 'simply whites' or any other pasteurized egg whites. I also add just a little vanilla.

Not a cake decorator? Just top your cake with lots of fluffy white frosting so it looks like snow, add your gingerbread house and decorate with a candy. Very simple, very fun!

Giving at Christmas time

Giving at Christmas time is one of the best ways to show others love. Ultimately the money you give will be used and gone. The things you buy to give, worn out and thrown away. But what remains has value far greater than the money spent. You show someone that you care, you give love, you create memories that never leave. There are many ways to give at Christmas. For some giving is easy, they give from their abundance and do not miss what they have given away. For some giving needs to be planned but is not terribly hard to do. For some giving is difficult. The thought of 1 dollar going anywhere but where it is most suited is stressful. And some need all the help others can offer. If you are in this last category, receive with joy! We are taught it is good to give, but often never taught that we bless others by receiving with joy the gifts they give us. I believe most people touch on each category at least once in their lives.

There are many ways to give: 

Money usually is the simplest but, you can also give of your time, or by giving your possessions, or by giving your joy. 

Nursing homes are always welcoming of joyful people to read to or sing to their residents. Call ahead to find out the best times and any policies. 

You can give of your talents. If you sing, play an instrument, or have a similar talent, finding a holiday venue to share them brings holiday cheer. 

Volunteer in you community, church, or school. 

Often baking is useful for events, fundraisers, or just to cheer a neighbor.

Visiting people you love is an important way to give. We do not take the time in this busy world to visit like we should. 

Does your neighbor or a family member have a need? Sometimes just saying 'is there anything you need' can make a difference. 

Many schools and churches have giving trees. Giving trees are where those that have needs leave a paper ornament with details of their gift wishes and those who would like to give take the ornament and do their best to fulfill the needs. 

Food and toy drives this time of year are in full swing and that just takes cleaning out the pantry, decluttering, or picking up a thing or two when shopping. 

Getting rid of our clutter and donating it to charity is always a good thing, or you can offer it up free on Craigs list or local Facebook group. 

Do you know an elderly person who no longer drives? Driving them somewhere, or running an errand for them can be a huge help. 

And of course there is the person ringing that annoying bell outside of every store right now. My children love them for some reason. And when I see the joy in my children's eyes at the thought of giving, the handful of change in my pocket doesn't stand a chance.

Historic Thanksgiving & My Recipe: The Three Sisters

It is strongly believed that "The Three Sisters" were prevalent in the first Thanksgiving feast.  These 'three sisters' are squash, corn (maize) and beans.  Native Americans would build a mound, sometimes placing a fish in this mound to fertilize the soil, and plant several corn seeds close together in the center of the mound. After the corn grew about 6 inches, beans and squash seeds were planted around the maize. These three crops benefited each other, the corn provided a structure for the beans to climb, the beans provided nitrogen to the soil helping other plants to grow,  and the squash spread along the ground blocking the sunlight, preventing weeds, and helping the soil retain moisture. They compliment each other nutritionally as well; Beans and corn eaten together provide a balanced diet. Tribes in the southwest often included a "forth sister" known as the Rocky Mountain bee plant, which attracted beast to help pollinate the beans and squash. This practice of planting beneficial plants together today is called companion planting.

The Three Sisters are featured on the back of this 2009 coin.

My family has a tradition of serving a Three Sisters Recipe at Thanksgiving.

It is a simple recipe:
Layer baked squash,
cooked or canned beans
and corn in a baking dish and heat until everything is warm.

And that is it! The flavors are wonderful together! And because it comes with the companion gardening story, it is always a hit at Thanksgiving dinners.

I love using cast iron frying pans pans, they can be used as a baking dish in the oven as well as on the stove top. For a rustic recipe such as this, it adds just a little charm.

Mulled Apple Cider {Recipe}

Mulled Apple Cider is a favorite family tradition. 

Around Thanksgiving and again at Christmas I make a large pot of this cider 

to simmer on the stove.

And homemade cider it makes such a wonderful presentation for holiday guests.

Mulled Cider Recipe: 
For every gallon of apple juice I add the following

• 1 lemon and/or orange sliced
• A handful or two of fresh cranberries (optional, and mostly for decoration)
• A shake or two of ground nutmeg and ground cloves 
• 3-5 cinnamon sticks (do not substitute for ground cinnamon as it clumps together when heated in water)
• 2 cored and halved apples (these also are for decoration, but my kids love eating them when the cider is gone)

After adding everything, heat the cider till warm, (carefully) adjust nutmeg and cloves to taste, turn pot to simmer and enjoy!

Cute Little Ghosts - Craft

Made with plaster of paris these little ghosties are sure to add a little scare to Halloween.

Supplies: Gauze, as in the kind you probably need to replace in your first aid kit anyway. Plaster of Paris, found commonly in craft and/or hardware stores. Tin foil, paper plates, a sharpie, rubber gloves, and (optional) some kids. :)

Mix up the plaster according to the directions on package. I added some white elmer's school glue in place of some of the water to make the plaster a little stronger. Cover the gauze completely with plaster on all sides. (yes, this is messy! hence the rubber gloves.)

Drape gauze over a wadded up bit of tin foil. Do not wrap the gauze too tightly around the tinfoil or you will not be able to remove the foil when the ghost is dry. (speaking from experience here).

Remove foil when ghost is hardened, but before completely dry. And watch that the ghost doesn't stick to the paper plate. Once dry add cute little faces:

My middleschooler's adorable ghost.

My preschooler's (with lots of help from mom) ghostie.

...boo!

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Stuffed Mushrooms

These fun little mushrooms are easy to make and always a hit.

Start by removing the stems and hulling out the mushrooms.

Set these aside to be used in the filling mixture.

Filling:

About 1/2 lb of ground beef (or sausage) for every 10 mushrooms, cooked well. Add cream cheese, to taste, and minced mushroom stems while still warm.

Then add some of the following: bell peppers, garlic, parsley, basil, parmesan cheese, bacon, onion, spinage. Mincing the larger vegetabels.

Stuff the mushrooms and top with paremsan cheese and 2 pinches of shredded cheddar cheese.

Place on cookie sheet and broil on medium for just a few minutes, checking frequiently, until the cheese on top is melted and slightly browned. Mushrooms will still be crisp. 

Add chives or other garnish as desired.

And you will have a show stopping addition to your next feast!

How to get rid of aphids

Ugly little buggers. I was going to blog about something else, but was looking out my window admiring the beautiful Hot Pink roses that grace my window and what did I see but aphids. I was so surprised, we have not had any in years. The reason? I know a trick and here it is: A dash of dish soap (biodegradable is best) and one part food oil to two parts water mixed in a spray bottle will does the trick. Bye, bye aphids!

Vacation idea #20 - Camping checklist

WISH i was on HOLIDAY

Let's Go Camping

Camping season is here!
Here is my Camping Checklist:

(You can print this list using the green printer friendly button at the bottom of this post.)

____ Tent

____ Sleeping bags

____ Pillows

____ Extra blankets

____ Camera

____ Camp chairs

____ Driving directions

____ Additional information on location such as history or trail maps

____ Kitchen ware : pots and pans including a coffee pot, plates, cups, silverware, dish cloths, paper towels and (older) kitchen  towels, pot holders, biodegradable dish soap, two containers for washing and rinsing dishes, marshmallow sticks, pitchers, spatulas, serving spoons, kitchen knives, portable grill or camp stove.

____ Food, and make sure to including butter, salt, and any other condiments.

____ Cooler for cold food and ice.

____ Flashlights with extra batteries.

____ Mosquito coils, citronella candles, off and/or other bug repellent.

____ First aid kit

____ Scissors or a pocket knife, and small multi tools come in handy. 

____ Matches or lighter to start campfire and grills.

____ Toiletries: Soap (at least two, for a family), shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels large and small, baby wipes (nice for quick wash-ups), hairbrush, razor, deodorant, hair accessories, quarters for showers, and (if you must) make-up. 

____ Clothing: depending on stay, but 2 shorts, 2 pants (especially dark ones for kids), 2 t-shirts, 2 sweaters, a coat, pj's, socks and undies for each day plus a few extra, at least 1 change of shoes and or hiking boots. 

____ Swimsuits, kids sand buckets, etc.

____ Sunscreen even if not swimming.

____ Check the weather report and take appropriate items. (Tarps & rain gear if needed.)

____ If near the ocean, check tide charts.

____ Fishing gear (including a bag for fish that have been caught).

____ Wood, LOTS of wood, if in an area where campfires are allowed.

____ Extra plastic bags for garbage, for food, etc. These are very handy to have.

____ Boats, paddles and pumps if boating.

____ Canteens or way to carry water on hikes.

____ Small backpacks for hikes.

____ Bikes and helmets.

____ Basket balls, kites, horse shoes, cards, a frizbee

____ Geo-caching stuff if you geocache (what is geocaching?)

____ Pets left at home are provided for.

And a few tips:

S'mores, bacon, corn on the cob, and hot cocoa are great for camping. Individual drinks always work best for us. Lunchables are nice to take hiking. CASH, we always seem to end up somewhere that only takes cash. Cell phones do not usually work in the woods, but on the off chance they will, making sure they are fully charged before you go helps.  Games are fun for the kids. I never get around to making tea while camping, so I stick to coffee, french presses work well. Cook extra the last night for dinner.  The smell of campfire food is delicious at home and makes for easy leftovers when you are tired and trying to settle back in.