Christmas Cookie Cookbook is Free! (A Prairie Flower Farm Download)

A free downloadable CHRISTmas Cookie Cookbook! 

Here are my pages:

(These are the two pages Linda put in from me; 

I've added my cookie-girl watermark here)

Linda, of "Prairie Flower Farm", is so talented! Go to her blog to read about the story of how this wonderful CHRISTmas Cookie Cookbook came together.  You can download the cookbook on her blog, and/or print it out and keep it right there on your kitchen counter for the Christmas holiday.  (Here's another site to view it.)

What is YOUR favorite cookie recipe for Christmas, or any day cookie? 

Remember....

Have a blessed day,   Heidi

Blog Giveaway Drawing Winner Announced & Snow & Finnish Pulla Bread

The winner of my Giveaway is:  Number 3!

Barbara of  Among the Saguaros

(I used the Random Generator to pull the winning number.)

Barbara said...

I am a little teary thinking about your daughter showing up unexpectedly last year. I am anxiously awaiting news from my son right now. He has been 8000+ miles away from home and I can't wait to hear from him. I am so very thankful that he is on his way home.

I pray that Barbara's son will join her for Thanksgiving this year. Barbara, please email me with your SIGN selection from my Etsy store!  (And your shipping info> hwoodredATaolDOTcom)


Guess what? It snowed all day today!  Lookie here...

It was so beautiful!  Here is a scene from the front of my house. Doesn't the red barn just pop out of the snow?  I stayed inside and kept the wood stove stoked--it never got out of the thirties today, and tomorrow it's going to be a twenties sort of day.  It sure feels like it should be Christmas instead of Thanksgiving.

(It was a good day to set bread dough in front of the wood stove!)

Short and sweet.  Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  May you always find something to be thankful for.  I will post when I can about our weekend to visit the newlyweds.  We were there just a few hours when we got word that Craig's sister wasn't doing well.  She passed away that evening.  Very sad.  Could you please keep Craig, Jessica and Craig's family in your prayers now?

Right now I've got Finnish Pulla Bread waiting to be braided on my counter.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving (in case I don't get back before then!).

     Blessings, Heidi

My Thanksgiving Table and a Giveaway

Here's a photo of Jessica from Thanksgiving last year!  She was scheduled to work that day and we didn't expect her.  Out of the blue she came driving up just in time to help make dinner and set the table.  Her boss had given her permission to come home for Thanksgiving.  (She was working 4 hours away.)  I'll never forget how surprised and happy I was to see  her!   So much has changed this past year, for one she's married now!  She's living 5 hours away now and again has to work so won't be home for Thanksgiving.  I'm sure she and her hubby (Craig) will set a lovely table and enjoy their first Thanksgiving together.


I know she has to work......but a girl can hope, can't she?  Repeat?  :)   Just thinking out loud.

Here's my list of things I wanted to talk about today but don't have time:

Thanksgiving Psalm 100
Dinner Table
Menu
Turkey Talk
Family
Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

I'll be blogging some things mentioned above soon.  We are driving up to see the newlyweds this weekend!  I'm super excited, it's the first time we've seen them since they got married.  We'll have a fun weekend and I have lots of packing to do now. 

But for now I want to leave a *Thanksgiving Giveaway*! 

On Tuesday (November 23) I will randomly select one person from comments left on THIS POST. 

All you have to do is comment on "What you are thankful for."

What will you win?  Any sign of your choice from my Etsy store!

Blessings!
             Heidi

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."  Psalm 100:4

(This post is also linked to Between Naps on the Porch 117th Tablescape Thursday)

Making Monday Lists

First I'd like to point you in the direction of a few printables that I love!

(picture from Allsorts blog)

The uber-talented Jenny of AllSorts designed a free printable Holiday list here.  Yes, I should join the club:  "Hi.  My name is Heidi.  I am a incurable list maker."   Not to point fingers or lay blame, but I get this from my Mom.  Every morning when I got up I'd see my mom sitting at the kitchen table, with her Bible open.  After reading the Word she would then start her list.  Lists, I should say.  Groceries, chores, names, bills to pay, phone calls to make, letters to write, gifts to buy, and the lists go on and on.  That is me.  "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." 

So here's just one of a million printable lists you can download.  Jenny's is so bright and cheerful for Monday morning, that's why I'm pointing it out to you.  Oh, and remember, Jenny has a project included in Amy Power's free down- magazine, "Inspired Ideas Christmas Issue".  Have you downloaded your issue today?

(picture from Madabella blog)

Next, I found a link for a set of Scripture cards to personalize.  You can print out these cards then write in the name of who you want to encourage.  When you print them out be prepared for a set of 8 pages to print.  Melissa has made 30 designs.  I printed mine on card stock, so that I could hand them out if I wanted.  They would also make a nice tag booklet as a gift. The artwork is delightful and of course the Scripture is Wonderful.  I found Melissa's, Madabella, via Jenny Doh's blog.

        Today....be "steadfast in the faith".... 
                    What's on your list?
                         Blessings, Heidi

Quick Thanksgiving Table Craft- Lift your glass!

Here's a quick craft for your Thanksgiving table: Name tags for your glasses. 

Grab your scalloped hole punch and a sheet of scrap booking paper and punch away! 

After you've punched out the circles cut a short line into the center of the circle, then cutting a small hole for the glass stem.  I usually make these as people are literally driving up my driveway for dinner so I just free-form cut.  But you can take a small round object (like the Bingo call out number I've shown) and trace around it to get a perfect circle. But it doesn't really matter, no one will notice if your center circle is a little lopsided!

Then stamp the names on with a small set of alphabet stamps.  My set is by "Image Tree" and are called "Antique Alphabet".  I love using this set, it's my favorite, guess because the letters are so tiny and cute.

                                

Tag your glasses and away you go!

For Christmas dinners I use Christmas wrapping paper or even old Christmas cards.  Also, if you don't have time to pull out your alphabet stamps just write the names on the tags with a pretty script lettering.

For fun I tried punching felt in the paper puncher.  (Which is made by McGill, and is 2 1/4" diameter, in case you want to track one down at the craft store.)   The lesson I learned is that felt does NOT punch well in a paper puncher.  I will say, it did punch most of it, but it was not easy and I ended up trimming the felt with scissors to finish it off.  At that point it'd just be easier to cut the circles out with a scalloped scissors!  (In the photo below, the red felt tag was punched out, the white felt tag is the one I just cut with my scalloped scissors, which I love by the way.)

With felt (or even fabric) I could stitch on the names, and save the tags for other dinners.  Since it's family names for most holidays this would be fun to do.  Here's our a couple examples: 



Just an idea, but wouldn't a set of these hand stitched for a family with the family names be a great Christmas gift?  People really love handmade gifts, and a set of these would be greatly recieved.  I think I'll do just that!

Have a blessed weekend!  Blessings, Heidi

(THIS POST IS ALSO LINKED TO CINDY'S ROMANTIC HOME FRIDAY SHOW AND TELL)

ps...  Our family's drink of choice is Red Robin's copycat recipe for

 Strawberry Lemonade.  You can find it by googling it, such as here or here or here.

A Party! A Tupperware Party! Food, Recipes and Fun!

                            

 

Tomorrow night I will be hosting a Tupperware party at our house.  At the last Tupperware party I somehow got caught up in the fun and excitement and said "yes" to hosting a party.  Do you ever do that?  I am excited to have some friends over and taste some more yummy Tupperware recipes. You can do a google search for Tupperware recipes and come up with some good recipes.

At that last party I attended I bought the Quick Chef chopper, because we love salsa.  Really, it's me who eats most of the salsa.  I really like a pineapple salsa, but the ones sold in the store are often just too spicy for mild-me.  So I plan to make pineapple salsa next, just as soon as I finish this bowl we made yesterday....

Here's the recipe my Tupperware rep sent along with my chopper.  We didn't follow this exactly, but Mark sure got into it when it came to the jalapeno peppers!  He had fun, and my mouth is burning still!  What's your favorite salsa flavor? Or send me your recipe if you use one!  I'd love to try it.

                      

I didn't send out invitaions, but I gave out tags to friends and family as I saw them in person.  I made up this funny list of a dozen reasons why they might want to come to my party.  Feel free to copy the list for your next party (the one you get talked into hosting, or showing, like a sales party. 

*Remember, you can click any photo to enlarge and read all those 12 reasons you want to come to my party.......

Today on the way home from Bible study this is the rainbow I saw.  It reminded me that God is always true to His promises.  What promise from the Bible do you hold on to?

Blessings, Heidi

(Posting for Between Naps on the Porch's "Metamorphis Monday")

24 Miniature Coffee Cake Muffins in a Pampered Chef Pan

While in town yesterday I took a quick look-see in the local gw thrift store for things I could use for "Inspired Christmas" projects. What I was primarily looking for was a cheap 24 count miniature muffin tin to make the advent countdown project that Teresa McFayden wrote.   I only fount one pan, it had that nice "no stick" coating on it, so I wasn't sure it would work, if that coating would accept the spray paint I would use.  I bought it anyway, as it was brand new and only $2.99.  When I got home I looked at the back a little closer and saw it had the famous Pampered Chef emblem!  Whee...now I can't use it, at least not for the craft.  I can, however, use it for some miniature coffee cake muffins! 

Lea had posted a note saying she was going to make some coffee cake muffins tomorrow morning. She gave the link to the recipe.  The recipe comes straight out of the Better Homes and Garden Cookbook, which I have (page 12). 

 

I made up a quick batch (reducing the time to 12 minutes for my miniatures) and presto....

Take a bite, and don't forget the butter!

Here's my altered recipe:
COFFEE CAKE MUFFINS -MINIATURE FOR PAMPERED CHEF PAN
In a small bowl mix 3 Tblspn, 3 Tblspn brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, then cut in 3 Tblspn butter
Set this aside, now mix in a separate bowl:
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
Now cut into this 1/4 cup butter
Now add 1 egg (beat before you add)
Now add 1/2 c. butter milk or sour milk
 (I make "sour milk" by adding 1 Tablespoon vinegar to the milk and let it sit 5 minutes)

Don't mix this too much.  Then drop about a tablespoon into each of the 24 miniature muffin cups.
Now sprinkle about a teaspoon of the brown sugar mixture on top of each of the 24 muffins.

Bake in a pre-heated at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.
Eat immediately, with butter and a fresh cup of coffee or a glass of milk!

Happy Weekend!
Blessings, Heidi

(Posting for Cindy's Romantic Home Friday linking)

Farm Chicks Christmas Book Signing

Today is the day, a book signing!  And if you're here, you're there, because Serena, (The Farm Chicks), is holding a blog-wise virtual book signing party!  All you have to do is go to her website, here, and place your order for her new book, "Farm Chicks Christmas", and she (and other contributors) will sign the book before shipping it to you.

***NOTE-The book order must be placed before 1 PM on TODAY Friday, November 5, 2010, for the SPECIAL book signing.****

The book looks fantastic, from the pictures and sneak peeks I've already viewed.  I bought Serena Thompson (and Teri Edward's) first book, "The Farm Chicks In The Kitchen" and it is one of my favorite books in my kitchen.  If her Christmas book is like the Kitchen book, I'm sure she's filled it with wonderful tasty recipes as well as fun projects and stories.  The first book, "Kitchen", included a cute stencil to use on our projects and I hear rumors that her "Christmas" book has a special addition to it as well.  The photography is exceptional and inspiring as I'm sure we'll see the same in the "Christmas" book.

You'll have fun shopping Serena's store, too.  Just look at the cute tins of lip gloss!  The girls would all love these in their stockings, I'm sure (hint, hint, Santa!).  I also adore the cute little "banner" stamp!

Be sure to add Serena's blog to your list of daily visits, she posts frequently.  You can click on her categories for special posts, such as RECIPES, where I often hang out!  Enjoy, you'll feel like you're sitting in her kitchen.  Soon, though, Serena will have a new kitchen, as they are in the process of having a home custom built for their family.

I've followed the Farm Chicks Blog since it was first opened, and have always enjoyed the quick and easy styling of her posts.  A couple years ago I followed her idea for little "Sweetie Pies".  Here are the ones I made:

(Sweetie Pies I made from Serena's recipe)

If you are lucky enough to live anywhere near Spokane, WA go to Chaps this Friday and you'll ge to meet my special friend, Serena, in person!

Blessings and Happy Friday!   ~Heidi

Amy Power's "Inspired Ideas" Christmas 2010

(one of my cookie cutter necklaces...)

Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year.  And this year our friend Amy Powers is giving us a wonderful collection of inspiring Christmas ideas with her online magazine,  "Inspired Ideas" . She describes it as a crafter's Christmas "smorgasbord".  You'll be inspired beyond anything I could begin to describe.  You'll start smiling at the cover page and your heart will begin beating at a faster pace by time you get to the contributors page (page 10-11) where you'll see a the wonderful collection of fellow crafters and friends.  Your heart will just about beat uncontrollably when you see Mary Engelbreit has contributed, Charlotte Lyons and over 20 others...including me!


Yes, Amy so sweetly included an inspiring cookie cutter project I created.  But I won't spoil it by telling you any more about my project or the others in the magazine.  To view it online just click the link below.  At that point you can continue to view online, or you can download to your computer to view while you are offline at your convenience.  Amy has designed this magazine to be viewed at no cost to you and I.  There are ads included by wonderful crafters and sponsors.  By visiting their stores or websites you will be supporting this wonderful Christmas addition of Amy Power's "Inspired Ideas Christmas 2010".


A side note about Amy. Many years ago as I was reading the ads in the back of a Mary Engelbreit "Home Companion" magazine (I still have every single issue), I came across an ad for Amy's website, which I visited and then followed her link to her blog.  At that point I had never visited a blog before, not really knowing what a blog was.  I remember reading every blog post Amy ever wrote, and then visiting every blog she had on her "blogroll".    I. Was. Blog. Hooked.     Do you know what I mean?   Now almost 5 years later Amy has so sweetly included one of my projects in her magazine.


Now, before you do anything else..... Go be "Inspired"!     And could you be so kind to about "Inspired" on your blogs, send the link to your friends, and get the word out about "Inspired"!   Thank you!


        Blessings!  Heidi


PS  If you want to go back to Amy Power's first issue for Autumn, click here:  "Inspired Ideas Autumn."