Christmas Sweets and a Couple New Purchases

Okay…..I’m going to try to participate in Colleen’s (andbabymakesfive) recipe swap again.  I haven’t been very faithful in posting on my blog lately, so I’m hoping that this will keep me inspired to make a weekly post!!  Sorry, but I tend to get caught up with life and don’t always remember to take photos, let alone, take the time to post about the things that keep me busy!  And I HAVE been busy doing A LOT of tweaking.  But I’m not quite done, so I’m not posting any pictures until I am!  lol

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I love to go antique shopping and part of the fun is finding the right piece at a great price.  I’ve had my eye on this little dresser at an antique store near by me for quite some time.  I’ve been looking for something to replace a table that is in my entryway.  I was kind of hesitant paying the price that was marked on it, not sure if it was what I really wanted  I panicked one day when I went in and found it was gone!!  The woman working in the store said that the dealer had taken it to an antique show, so I figured it was gone for good.  I was so happy to see it the next time I went in.  The price was not marked on it any more, so I wasn’t sure if it had changed or not.   After waiting a couple weeks of trying to get a price from the dealer, I was really surprised to find out that the price was only HALF of what he was asking for before!  SOLD!!  The waiting was worth it!  The only thing, though, was that when I got it home, I didn’t care for it in my entryway at all, but in my Living Room instead!

 So here’s my new little dresser!

 

I love the handles on it!

 

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Here are a couple of sweet treat recipes that have been  favorites of ours from past Christmases.  I used to make the Peanut Brittle along with hard tack candy and caramels every year for the holidays, but have cut down on the amount of goodies that I make because I tend to make way too much!  lol   I’ll share the recipes for the hard tack candy and caramels at a later date.

Peanut Brittle

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. water

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 c. water

1 c. light corn syrup

3 T. butter

1 lb. unroasted peanuts

Butter 2 cookie sheets; keep warm.

Mix baking soda, 1 tsp. water and vanilla; set aside.  Mix sugar, 1 c. water and corn syrup in saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to 240° on a candy thermometer.

Stir in margarine & peanuts.  Cook, stirring constantly, to 300°.  Immediately remove from heat and stir in baking soda mixture.

Pour half of the mixture onto each cookie sheet and quickly spread about 1/4” thick.  Cool; break into pieces.

Kahlua Fudge

1 1/3 c. sugar

7 oz. marshmallow creme

2/3c. evaporated milk

1/4 c. butter

1/4 c. Kahlua

1/4 tsp. salt

2 c. semisweet chocolate pieces

1 c. milk chocolate pieces

2/3 c. chopped nut

1 tsp. vanilla

Line 8” square baking pan with foil.

In 2 qt. saucepan, combine sugar, marshmallow creme, milk, butter, Kahlua and salt.  Bring to a rapid boil, stirring constantly for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat; add all chocolate.  Stir until melted.  Add nuts and vanilla.  Turn into prepared pan.  Refrigerate until firm.  Cut into squares.

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If you’d like to participate or see other recipes in Colleen’s Homemade Holiday Recipe Swap, click on the picture below.

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This morning, Chuck and I had the fun opportunity of going to the Simple Goods Show in Mt. Vernon.  It was about an hour and a half drive and the temperature went from 35° down to 24° by the time we got there!  We had to wait about 1/2 hour until the doors opened and let me tell you, it was freezing!!   There were a few unfortunate souls that had booths set up outside, so while Chuck stood in line, I went and checked them out.  I also ran into the hotel right next door to use the restroom (and to get warm!) and ran into Karen (my colonial home) and her husband, who were staying at the hotel.

I also ran into Lisa (prims from above)who was there with her hubby, son and mom, as well as Stacey (farm wife prims).  We didn’t get to talk very long due to the fact that the place was VERY crowded and I kind of felt like I was in people’s way.  It would have been extremely difficult trying to get any pictures because you could hardly even get into some of the booths!  It was still a wonderful show, but I seriously hope that they move it to a larger place.  There wasn’t much space between the booths and, at times, you couldn’t move anywhere if someone stopped to look at something in front of you. . . .you had to wait until they were done looking.  And you know how we women like to check out our prims!  lol  We were all done in about 1 1/2 hours and by the time we left, it had cleared out quite a bit (along with a lot of prim goodies!)  These were the only purchases I made, due to the fact that  I couldn’t get into some of the booths and by the time I could, things were picked over.

The lamp is from Carriage House Lighting.  I saw this at Country Gatherings the last time I was in Berlin (amish country) and really liked it, but wasn’t sure were I would put it.  I’m glad I waited, because it was $20 less than what CG wanted for it.  The santa came from Arnett’s Country Store.  I’ve always tried to win one of their infamous santas when they would hold online sales, but was never quick enough to email my response. . . .then I found out that CG carries them pretty much all of the time!  lol   I have never bought one due to the fact that I’ve usually spent my money on other prim goodies that CG offered.   I forgot that Arnetts were going to be at the show and by the time I got over to their booth, most of the santas were already gone.  I was lucky to get this one and then I had to wait in a LONG line to pay for him!  It was a very popular booth!  The candle came from Old Mother Hubbards.  That was Chuck’s purchase.  The man LOVES candles and is always picking up different ones and smelling them.  This one smells wonderful!!  Kind of a caramel/hazelnut scent.  It’s been burning since we’ve been home!  lol

 

Well,  that’s all for me this week!

Until Next Time. . . .Kris