Recipe's of Treats Galore!

I had a wonderful night at White Christmas Friday night with my sister. We treated each other to a glass of wine before the show, and then again at intermission.  Even with free tickets, it was only a semi frugal evening. as a round of wine was $18, and then we stopped after for a little bite. That was frugal, going to Applebee's for 1/2 price appetizers. I knew I would want to take an ibuprofen before bed so just had some ice water to rehydrate myself. I treated my sister as she  drove and paid for parking. It was gorgeous in the park across from the Ordway. I wish I could have moved the cars, but I didn't want to run across the street, so they made their way in my picture.

I was going to label this Christmas treats but the in reviewing my selection of goodies, not a one is specifically Christmassy themed, with the exception that I bought red and green M&M's for the cookies. I just happen to make this lot this time of year. Some of these recipes are not mine so I'll link to the published original when I could find it. I make by memory now, so had to do some digging.  A couple notes though. If any reference chocolate candy coating I use semi-sweet chocolate chips or white chocolate chips, melted with a touch of shortening. I do not like the taste of the candy coating even though it would be much more economical to do so, but I feel it is a why bother situation to make an inferior treat when it's not a regular occurrence. I'm still in process so the picture below is just a glimpse. I'll continue into Sunday.

Recipe's and Links

Oreo Cookie Truffles  I often reserve a little of the Oreo dust for the top instead of drizzling white chocolate. I learned Oreo's are actually vegan, so if you find a cream cheese substitute and don't use milk chocolate, these could be vegan.

Nutter butter Cookie Truffles  Basically the same as above using Nutter Butter cookies instead.  Here's a trick though, if you live in the US, Target's Archer Farms or now Market Pantry PB sandwich cookies are at least a dollar cheaper, plus the right size (Nutter butter is a smaller package so you need to buy two to get the right amount), and the taste is every bit as good. I don't know if other generic or store brand cookies would be as good, but I switched to the Target brand.

 Mounds Bar Candy There are dozens of versions and clicking around gets a person a bit dizzy. I keep it simple.
1 can Sweetened condensed milk
14 oz bag sweetened flake coconut
1 pound powdered sugar
Stir and mix it all together into a think paste. chill for an hour. this next step can vary. Either form into balls, and set on wax paper in the refrigerator to get cold, or form a couple flattened logs, 3/4 inch thick by about 1/ 1/2 to 2 inches wide. these will then be cut to make little Mounds bars, like the packaged version. chill the logs. 
Once chilled, melt 1/2 bag at a time of semi sweet chocolate chips, with a tsp or so of shortening to help with silkiness. If balls, dip each ball in chocolate to coat, then put on a cookie sheet with wax paper to set. for logs, slice the size/shape you want, then dip in the chocolate, putting on the wax paper to set.  I put the tray back in the refrigerator (or I start using my cold porch) until really set before storing in air tight containers. Variation-use milk chocolate chips and press a whole almond into the candy before coating for Almond Joy candy.

Chex Mix There's so many variations of Chex Mix, I'll just link to the main site. the wheat ones are not even sold it seems, so the mixes can be gluten free if you care careful what you select.  I make the ranch version, which this will send you to.  For gluten free, use only Rice Chex. For dairy free, skip any that use cheese.  I found oyster crackers, pretzels, and cheese crackers on sale, so that is what went in mine. Use what you like and what is cheap! 

Muddy Buddies As you only need 1/2 a box of each cereal, why not maximize the use and make the chocolatey peanut version.  I originally made this with Crispix cereal and called it puppy chow, because that was what my original recipe said it was. either way, but it is a family favorite.

Microwave Caramel Popcorn  I first made this 30 years ago with my four year old preschool class as part of their take home gifts for their parents and grand parents. Funny, no Internet back then, but this is the exact recipe I used! It can also be used to form into caramel popcorn balls.

These are very easy recipe's to make with kids. As they involve the microwave, and hot sugar can create horrible burns, you'll of course want to make sure an adult is overseeing and helping. The real difficulty is not over eating and making sure they last as gifts and for my parties.

AWOL Husband

DS has come down with a cold and his California body is telling him Vitamin C. I was really craving some orange juice to mix with the leftover Sprite I'll have from basting my ham and none was in the house. We were short of butter for the potatoes I'm bringing to my mother-in-law's tomorrow. I made a big batch of wild rice soup for a simple lunch and thought some crusty bread would hit the spot.  DS and DD#2 drank the balance of the beer I had in the house so reinforcements were requested. I made the mistake of sending DH to the store. A reason to leave the house on a holiday means he will disappear for sometimes hours. He never made it to the liquor store-we'll stop on route to my sisters, but did indeed disappear again after running the groceries inside. Another 90 minutes he comes back, all secretive.  

He was one of those mad, as in crazy, Christmas Eve shoppers. Deciding he needed to pick up last minute gifts for someone. I sure hope he avoided jewelry stores. One, I need nothing in that area (or other areas) and two, we were supposed to be intentionally downsizing and being more about the experience and less about the gifts. I'll fill you in later what he was up to to-once I find out. 

From my house to yours, Merry Christmas to those that partake in the holiday.  For everyone, have a  wonderful weekend and do you best to avoid the last minute shoppers. 

Update: I was correct and he was doing some last minute shopping. He went a little overboard though.  He went looking for a replacement plate to one he broke, but did not find.  Instead, he bought a Nutribullet, a lantern and candle, and a Sherpa throw blanket. Not sure we need the nutribullet since I bought him a juicer and we already had two blender type appliances, so that may go back.  I love the Sherpa throw. 

Late, But in the Mail

DS wanted a disclaimer to go out in the card that is holding our family picture that he was not the photographer. DD#2 echoed. Other than the glare I couldn't edit out from my low cost Canon Sure Shot and ultra budget laptop, I don't think it is an altogether bad picture.  Pup and Fish did not make this photo-neither are allowed in the living room. I used the 10 second timer and the tiny little try pod, perched on a couple books on the coffee table. Once I lined up the shot, presto like a flash I took my position behind the love seat. 

My children are beautiful, and DH has the smile he most often sports on his face when I make him be in pictures. Isn't he handsome? He drives me a little bonkers in that he rarely takes a bad picture, but never wants to be in them. "Just take one of the kids," he said.I insisted and won. My kids have great smiles too. They should after all the orthodontia.  DD#2 is still wearing them, but but they're not noticeable, which she is happy about. She picked a softer color on her last band change, but goes tomorrow so maybe she'll be sporting a green and red smile by Christmas. I know a picture is not necessary, and many of you, and no doubt some getting my card will roll their eyes. I like getting picture cards, particularly from friends and family I don't see often. I like the catch-up on their families, and see the changes year to year. If my picture is later tossed into a drawer, or makes it out to the trash with the post holiday clean-up, I won't be bothered. 

I had meant to have the cards all written and addressed, and just pop the photo in ready for a Monday a.m. mail. I didn't quite get the cards addressed until last night, and know I am missing a few addresses, but come 7:45 when I swing by a St Paul Post Office, the cards will be in the mail. I'll eventually find the addresses, and send even later cards once I do. What's your opinion on Christmas or holiday cards of any type?  Do you send, not send, or limit to just those you no longer see? I like the tradition, and while my fingers work, I'll still be at it each year. 

Nerding Out For the Holidays

https://www.reddit.com/r/doctorwho/comments/1r6r25/how_to_gingerbread_tardis/

I am both a Christmas and a science fiction nerd. I am particularly fond of Doctor Who, both classic cheesiness Doctor Who and the resurgence in the last decade. Christopher Eccleston was my favorite, but Peter Capaldi has grown on me. The two in the middle were adorable, but in a lovable nephew kind of way. Having no handicraft skills of any kind, I doubt I will be following the directions, link posted under the picture, to make this, but I sure appreciate the cleverness of it all. Two Christmas's ago I was laid up in bed with horrible flu.  BBC America ran a Doctor Who marathon. As I slept and woke up throughout the day, the shows kind of blurred together, adding fuel for a very interesting fever induced dream pattern. Who are the gingerbread house makers out there?  Anything clever you will attempt this year?

Surplus Baking... What a Problem

If you have been reading, you'll know I have been under weather, and have gotten off track with my Christmas preparations, mainly the baking and treat making.  Now that I am perking up and with working from home, I find I am able to work an hour or so, take a brief rest, whip up a quick batch of something, get back to work, and repeat the cycle.  My baking is slowly getting on pace with previous years.  However, with being semi homebound, it has meant I have forgone many of the usual festivities and treat sharing  opportunities.  I fear I am I danger of a post holiday bounty!  I just took a dozen cupcakes out of the oven, along with a cute little Christmas tree shaped cake.  I split the batter from a standard cake mix between the two projects.  Last night I got peanut blossoms and snicker doodles baked.  I did cheat and used mixes-at 2 for $3.00, I could hardly do better from scratch.  DD#2 and I will at least get the traditional Oreo truffles made, plus I'll do the Mars bars as they were such a hit, and so easy.  I also have rosettes I made at the beginning of the month and tucked away in the freezer. Items will go to both family Christmas's, but so will everyone else's bakery's, and let's face it, a person really can eat only so much.

 Here is my plan to use the surplus.  As these items are home made they can't be donated for charitable use. The less holiday specific stuff I'll freeze to use later in the winter. I'll encourage my nieces and nephews that are less inclined to make treats to bring home a goodie box-I picked up some treat packaging at the dollar store for this. I'll bring a treat container along to DD's basketball scrimmage on the 29th. I have three neighbors with households full of boys, home now for the break from high school, middle school, and college. A post Christmas cookie plate will make it's way to each of them.

I'll bring a tray in the day after Christmas for those that didn't take a vacation day and are holding down the office.  Many of these staff do not celebrate Christmas so would rather save their time for other times in the year.  I've found though the sharing of food and treats is multi-cultural and appreciated. One of my favorite work anecdotes occurred about 10 years ago when HR decided we needed to move away from a December all staff potluck as it aligned too close with the expectation of celebrating the Christmas holiday, and she worried we were at risk of not being inclusive.  I have the most diverse staff in the organization due to the nature of our community work.  One of my staff, a woman of Islamic faith, upon hearing the change in staff activity lamented, "Does that mean we won't get to have Christmas cookies?" 

I've not had this problem before, and one might just say "stop baking!"  This is one of the activities that gives me joy in the making, the arranging on a pretty tray of plate, and giving to and sharing with people in my life I care about. I think my plan will take care of this problem, but what a problem to have. Have fun with your week however you choose to spend it.

Bought the cute mold for 75% of after Christmas last year. 

Getting My MoJo Back

I don't actually really know what mojo is, and what the slang term is really supposed to say, but I like how it sounds, and I think mine is coming back. I'm home bound of sorts for another five days, able to work from home a few hours a day, but with orders to get plenty of rest and recuperation time.  I'm feeling less winded so my iron must be on the rise, and have tried to start puttering with organizing gifts.  If tomorrow goes well, I might try some candy making, but that might be over playing my energy. I haven't got DD#1 or  DS's gifts mailed, but I did get fun gift baskets ordered earlier, guaranteed by Christmas Eve, so if the other gifts don't arrive until after Christmas, they have things to help ring in the holiday. We still have access to make deposits in their checking accounts, so money was going to be the main gift anyway, much more practical than guessing at wants and needs for two struggling young professionals. I wasn't done with DD#2, but she is not asking for really any thing, but had a book title list with a few asterisk's beside the titles she really wants. I like independent book stores, but reality forced me to order  from Amazon, with Christmas Eve delivery.

My recuperation is going well, however DD#2 decided to join me and the poor thing has succumbed to the flu.  She had a temperature and headache earlier in the week, but no other signs, and we thought she was on the mend.  No temp or headache for a day, so let her  sing in her holiday choir concert last night.  As always it was beautiful. That was my short venture out. She made it through, barely, but has been back in bed ever since.  We have a flu strain running amuck in Minnesota right now that seems to be stronger than the vaccine-until I know she is totally well, she's staying put.  Some school districts have decided to start Christmas break early, and have today be the last day to try and curtail further cases. I was vaccinated, and they say for older people, the vaccine has been effective, with cases hitting kids harder, so I'm not worrying that I will pick it up too.  Crossing my fingers. She's a good patient, doesn't complain and is trying to stay rested, though hard to get her to drink enough fluids.  She has also eaten like a kitten, and has no spare weight to lose.  We're going through the remnants of the summer icey's in the bottom of the freezer to add variety to the water and PowerAde.

Needless to say I have fallen short on my reverse advent.  I will do a good donation after Christmas as we sort through and put things away.  I'll have hubby add a bit more to our Family Service donation as well.  With me home from work for an extra week, we're putting a tankful less of gas in the car, and I am fortunate to have a lot of sick time accrued so not missing any salary, so we shouldn't feel a pinch in adding some more to the donation.

Due to my  lack of preparations, it doesn't look very Christmasy around here.  There are no presents wrapped under the tree.  In fact with the exceptions of lights, there's nothing on the tree as that was supposed to be done on December 7th, the day this yuck escalated. I didn't get cards sent, though I did order photo cards online, and they will become New Years version instead.  I have a couple Christmas dish towels hanging from my oven door and a few cinnamon scented candles out. I short changed DD#2 again on the Christmas village. Yet, I am determined to still feel Christmas inside.  When DD perks up after her latest nap we'll find a cheesy Hallmark movie and snuggle with some tea.  What flavor is good for finding your mojo?