My New Treasures

I was so lucky to win some giveaways before the holidays. I hope you enjoy seeing all my new treasures. The above picture is part of Sher's package.

This wasn't really a giveaway. Andrea was lucky enough to have a friend who gave her lots and lots of linens and dishes. I mentioned I loved the blue bird plate an she said she would send it tom me. I was so thrilled!!! She included the beautiful hankys too!! Thank you Andrea.

Crystal had a giveway for her tatted snowflakes. I will receive one a month and this is the December snowflake. I just love it!!

Doesn't it look dainty? I have never tatted nor do I know anything about it. It looks like a lot of work though. Crystal did a beautiful job. Thank you Crystal.

Sher has a monthly giveaway and I won!!! YEAH!! Thank you Sher. This is my new favorite teacup.

I lost a picture that included everything in the package.....don't you wonder where things go sometimes? I love the tags. I will use them on special presents this year. Aren't the stockings pictured at the top the cutest things you've ever seen?

I love vintage aprons and these are so special. I will add them to my collection. Thank you Sher.

Anna's Traumatic Experience

Happy Holidays everyone. My Mom was going to post a giveaway post tonight but I pushed her off of the computer because I had to tell you what happened to me. It was the most awful experience. I really don't know what was so exciting about the gifts anyway. There was nothing Bailey and I could play with or eat, but she was really excited. She kept saying things like Oh how pretty or how cute or how wonderful....Women!!

Speaking of eating.....My Mom whom I love very much (most of the time) took me to the doctor last night for my yearly checkup. What a traumatic experience. Bailey and I both hate it. She puts us in our carrier and takes us for a ride in the car. I pretty much howl all the way to the doctors. He weighs me and pokes around my eyes and ears and tummy. Then he comes in and sticks needles in my butt. Well on top of all that he said I WAS FAT AND I HAD TO GO ON A DIET. I weigh 11 pounds now do you call that FAT? So do you know what I did when I got home and Mom let me out of that stupid carrier?

I ran for the food bowl and I really chowed down. YUMMY!! We also had to stop at the kitty food store because Mom had to buy us some special food. I also have gingivitis and have to eat Dental Care food and I have to go back to the doctor in 6 months. If I'm not better he will have to clean my teeth. Oh the stress I'm going through is unbelievable.

I'm sorry to interrupt my Mom's giveaway post but she said she would post it soon and to wish everyone a happy happy Christmas. Bailey and I wish you a Merry Christmas too!! If you have Crab or Lobster for Christmas would you please call us because my Mom is having prime rib....YUCKY!!!

Christmas Spirit Award

Happy Holidays everyone. My lovely friend Melissa from Sunbonnet Cottage has awarded me this wonderful award. Melissa is the sweetest blogging friend. I love her because she is so thoughtful and she cheers me up. If you haven't visited her please do. She is so sweet.

I told her I wasn't really in the holiday spirit but I'd give it a try.

1. The words of Merry Christmas: I like wishing people I don't know a happy holiday when I see them in a store either helping me or just walking by.

2. The Hustle and Bustle: I'm not to sure I like the hustle and bustle anymore. I used to when my kids were young and at home with all the baking and shopping and decorating the huge and I mean huge tree.

3. Time with Family: It is always fun to have the kids and grand kids over to open packages and eat and eat and eat. We always have a special time together.

4. Decorating the Christmas Tree: I don't do a tree anymore. We always had the biggest tree we could find when the kids were young.

5. The Comforts of Home: I love being home cuddling up with my Anna and Bailey. I love quiet evenings.

I need to pass this on but since it is almost Christmas and I know everyone is super busy, I'll ask anyone stopping by to please join in.

Happy holidays everyone. Tomorrow I will try to post some wonderful giveways and gifts I've received. It was like Christmas when the mailman came.

BRRRR IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

I didn't mean to take such a long break but time has really gotten away from me. I've had some things going on that took a lot of time plus trying to do some baking and wrapping etc.

It has been so cold here. We are breaking records made in 1897 and 1901.....Whooppee. It has warmed up from minus 18 to almost 40. We are suppose to have another frigid weekend too. It's been a good week to do lots of baking for the holidays. Before Thanksgiving we were breaking heat records when we were topping 75 degrees. Weird weather this year and I think I'm almost ready for Spring. We aren't getting a lot of snow just cold and more cold.

This morning on the way to work I stopped at a light and there was a teenager in shorts, short sleeved shirt and thongs. He had his hands in his pocket, I wonder if he was cold? I'm wondering if his Mother knew he was running around like that?

I hope you are all getting your shopping, wrapping and baking done. I've tried to visit a few blogs and everyone has such beautiful decorations and trees.

Have a wonderful rest of the week and stay warm.

Hugs,

Nigella's Cake

I made two of these cakes yesterday. One to enjoy now and one safely tucked away in the freezer for Christmas. The recipe is in Nigella's Christmas book that is only published in the UK. I was reading on some website about the book and that this chocolate cake was in it.

I knew that Mandy, The Vintage Kitten's wonderful husband had just bought her the book so I asked her if it was in fact in it. She gratefully offered to send it to me. Well since the measurements are in grams, etc. She also sent me little "Mandy notes for Judy" so I would succeed.

It is a very rustic looking cake (thank goodness I knew that) so I wasn't upset when it cracked a little and then I kind of dropped off some of the sides taking it off the springform pan. And yes, I ate them. The second one came out a lot better. I guess practice makes perfect!!!

I took good notes for the first one so the second one was a lot easier too. I have a small scale and have decided I really need a better one. But for my first try I'm happy. And now with all of Mandy's notes (which I'm keeping for future use), I may try more recipes. It was definitely a learning experience and I think I succeeded. A special thanks to Mandy, I couldn't have done it without you. OK I'm going to go eat cake now. I wish you were here to have some with me. But since you aren't I'll just have a piece for you too!!

Leftovers Part II

I meant to post this sooner but haven't had time so I guess better late than never. I used the last of the turkey except the carcass that is in my freezer for much later. These croquettes were fabulous. I got the recipe from the November Martha Living magazine.

Don't they look yummy?

It made a big batch so I kept enough out for dinner and froze the rest on a cookie sheet and then put in a Ziploc for later. I made them the night before and kept the next nights dinner on a small sheet in the frig.

Turkey Croquettes

from Martha

3 Tbspns unsalted butter

1 medium onion minced

salt/pepper

1 1/2 tsp minced fresh sage

1 1/2 tsp minced fresh thyme

2 cups finely chopped cooked turkey

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 cup mashed potatoes

1/2 cup flour

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 1/2 cups finely ground fresh breadcrumbs

Vegetable oil for frying (I used Canola)

Cranberry sauce for serving if you have any left

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion, salt/pepper. Cook for 3 minutes. Stir in sage and thyme and cook or 1 minute. Stir in turkey and cream and cook until liquid evaporates. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool for 15 minutes.

Add potatoes, flour and egg to turkey mixture.

Drop 2 Tblspns turkey mixture into a shallow bowl of breadcrumbs, turn to coat and pat into 2" disks. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

Heat 1/4 inch oil in a skillet over medium heat in batches, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

I followed the recipe except I didn't add the herbs because I had put a herb butter mixture under the skin when I roasted the Thanksgiving Turkey so I thought is was herby enough.

These were so good. My daugher said What are these, they are really good!!