Repurpose Old Containers

I am a big recycler and like to re-use what we can...We pretty much save everything here for a future craft or repurposed container.

Which brings to mind, new ways to wrap holiday treats. I use egg cartons to hold cookies and just wrap them pretty.

Vintage jelly jars hold nuts or caramels, and we even re use plastic containers to put cookies in. Get creative and re-use...Make a difference. See Pics.

Candied Pecans

WOW, as I am currently repurposing containers to hold candied pecans as gifts. I realize, i do not think i ever posted the recipe...I will re use the photo i used last year and include the recipe this time..

Its a hit..these are easy to make and delicious!

Sugar Coated Pecans

Makes 3 cups

1 Egg White
3 Cup (12 ounces) pecan halves
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ stick unsalted butter

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Line a jelly roll pan w. aluminum foil
• In med. sized bowl, combine egg white w/ 1 T of water and whisk until foamy
• Add pecans and stir until nuts are coated with egg white.
• Set aside
• In another bowl, combine sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
• Pour sugar mixture over moist nuts and stir to coat evenly
• In preheated oven, melt butter.
• Spread nuts out evenly and bake for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally
• Watch them so they don’t burn.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool directly in pan

Enjoy!

Knitting

Ok, back to Knitting. In between cooking and experimenting and crafting, working and oh yes parenting...i do like to knit or crochet.

But like my sewing style (LAB method = Lazy Ass Bitch) I really do not like patterns or measurements, and even gage...

This photo says it all for me...

knitting is not something you can wing, regarding patterns or gage..As much as i hate doing it, some patterns have to have it...

My project du jour is a pattern from Ravelry which will be next post.

Peanut Butter Hugs

Who doesn't love a hug! These are delightful and easy.

This recipe i found was done with candy cane kisses, of which i did not know existed. I prefer the regular choc. and white choc. striped kisses. But choose any and go for it...so simple and delicious.

■2 bags of Kisses (Candy Cane or any flavor), unwrapped
■1, 1 lb bag of waffle-style pretzels
Instructions1.Preheat oven to 300°
2.Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
3.Place approx 120 pretzels on a large baking sheet about 1/2 inch apart. (You can use 2 baking sheets if you don’t have a large enough one…you don’t want them too crowded)
4.Place unwrapped Kiss on the pretzel.
5.Place baking sheet in oven for 2- 2 1/2 minutes until Kisses are glossy.
6.If Kiss is still hard in the middle place back in oven in 20 second increments until soft.
7.Press another pretzel on top sandwiching the kiss.
8.Place baking sheet in fridge for 15 minutes to set.
9.Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

Got to love the Reindeer cookie, how cute is this...See recipe attached. Not too labor intensive either. Enjoy!

3/4 cup peanut butter
1 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 egg
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
Chocolate-covered mini pretzels
Mini brown M&Ms
Regular-sized red M&Ms


Preheat oven to 375°F.


Combine brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add egg; beat until just blended.


In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended.


Form dough into 1-inch balls. To make reindeer-shaped cookies, pinch the bottom of the ball slightly to form a point, then gently flatten with your hand. Space cookies about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until set or just beginning to brown.


Remove from oven and immediately (and gently) press two mini pretzels into the tops of the cookies for the reindeer's antlers. Press two mini brown M&Ms in for the eyes and one red M&M for the nose (or any other color... some of mine ended up with green noses. They might be South Pole reindeer.).


Allow to cool 2 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack or paper towel to cool completely.


Makes about 40 reindeer cookies.

Yummy White Chocolate Coated Peanut Butter Uppers

Ooops! Did i actually say i was going to post 12/1 -12/12...sorry about that...been so busy crafting forgot to post...Here's what i have been up to...

Recipes...easy peasy for new food students that aren't quite ready for alot of recipe details...check out this great recipe for sinfully salty sweet peanut butter surprises.
First, YUmmy Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies dipped in white chocolate!

Just a few supplies is all you need to make these tasty treats. I used Ritz crackers, creamy peanut butter, white candy coating ( Almond Bark) and some rainbow coarse sugar (or color of your choice). A half pound of white candy coating will coat at least one dozen cracker sandwiches.

First begin melting the candy coating. Place Almond Bark in chunks, in microwave safe bowl, try about 30 seconds at a time, stir in between, do not want to burn. Do until melted and smooth when stirred.

While candy is melting make the peanut butter sandwiches. Spread peanut butter between two crackers (tops to the middle) and smooth the sides. You don't need much peanut butter ( I was a little generous ---but if you like peanut butter go for it).

Let the sandwich go for a swim in the candy!

Lift the sandwich out with a fork or tongs. Firmly tap the handle of the fork against the top edge of the bowl to remove extra candy from the cracker sandwich. Then place on wax paper on cookie sheet, they stuck alot to the parchment i used, try to use Wax instead.

While cookies are still wet sprinkle with some colorful holiday coarse sugar. Allow cookies to harden on wax paper. In about 10 minutes you have a sweet treat!

I must say, i generally try to boycott shopping at Walmart, but i had to venture in for the Almond Bark, if anyone knows where else to find this stuff, please let me know...I do not like to support Walmart for many reasons!!!

Enjoy!

Projects with Felt

I can't express enough my love for 100% wool felt, to me, this is the cashmere of craft wool. The purl bee has some excellent selections, hit link above...And i have enclosed a few things i have made using the felt and the some embroidery thread. Good ol' blanket stitck sews the sides to create cute old fasioned photo holders for Grandma's w/out i-phones to show off pics. Also, gift card or business card holders and book marks, if you still dare to read from paper, like me:) See older link about woven place mats made with the felt.