Cranberries

                                                                           Week 51 ( Save $51)

With Christmas just 5 days away, there is so much to do.  Don't stress over the little things, do what you can and everything always seem to come together at the end.

With that said and done, lets talk cranberries.

These cranberries were dropped off at my house and I really not sure what to do with them.  It's not a common staple fruit I deal with like apples and oranges.  What does one do with sweet tarty cranberries?  With a little help from my friend, we brain stormed to came up with these ideas:

1.  Baking: Toss cranberries into muffins, cookies,  cakes, scones and even pancakes.

2.  Mix cranberries into your favorite meats:  meatballs, meat loaves, and wings...why not?

3.  Take butter, cream cheese or camembert to another level by adding chopped cranberries.

4.  Add cranberries to your leafy salads, pasta or grain salads.

5.  Puree the cranberries and add it to your favorite oil dressing.

6.  Add cranberries to your favorite breakfast cereal , granola's or hot oatmeal.

7.  Add a spark of color into your favorite drink whether it be juices, soft drinks  or alcohol drinks.

8. Chopped cranberries to mayonaise to make that sandwich amazing.

9. Your favorite pie filling with cranberries to give it that extra zing.

10.  Mix Cranberries to jams and sauces

Cranberries seem to be a super fruit that is under rated and we only buy or use it during Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I have a different perspective and respect for these little red berries and will be buying and using them more in my everyday cooking.  Look out for future everything cranberry blogs!

The gift of love.
The gift of peace.
The gift of happiness.
May all these be yours at Christmas.     

                                                      

Did you say Chocolate Pretzel's?

                                                                                Week 50 ( Save $50 )

Just when you thought nothing can get any better than chocolate ... this combination of salty pretzel and chocolate, takes it to another level.  They are just out of this world and delicious!  Make a batch or two today and dazzle your friends.

I love making these Holiday Chocolate covered Pretzel Rods. They are easy to make if you are just pouring one color.  Personally, I think the dark chocolate looks amazing!  Spot colors take a little more time especially with the intricate detailing. 

Supplies: Pretzel molds, 7" pretzel rods, melting chocolates, pretzel bags with ties can all be purchased from a large baking store, Michael's, online etc. 

Merkin's chocolate melts come in all colors and they are also available at larger bulk food stores.

The pretzel molds do come with an instruction sheet.  Here are my tips and instruction on making these delicious delights.


Hand wash the molds and dry thoroughly before using.

Give the clear molds a good rub and buff with paper towel every time before pouring.  The chocolate surface will unmold oh so shiny!





It's best to melt a few handful of chocolate melts in a small ramekin bowls in a pan of hot water that is 3/4 full to a simmer.  Melt the chocolates completely and stir until smooth.  Using a large pan, you can melt more than one color per ramekin.

Using a parfait spoon, spoon two spoons of the melted chocolate into dry mold. Place a pretzel rod into the mold with the chocolate.

Spoon enough chocolate to fill the remainder of the mold with the pretzel rod.

* If you are using one or more color for your molds as spot colors.  Pour carefully either by using a thin knife.  Allow the colors to dry completely before pouring the next color.  Cotton swabs are handy for cleaning accidental color drips.

Tap the mold lightly to remove any bubbles that may be trapped.

Repeat until all the molds are filled.

Place the filled molds carefully into refrigerator on a flat surface until set.  Twist the mold lightly to pop the finished pretzel rods.

How easy was that?  Now they are ready for tasting or packaging. 

It's best to package these delights quickly or they will quickly disappear.









                                                                     Enjoy!

DIY Tea Cozy

                                                                              Week 49 ( Save $49 )

Here is a easy DIY Tea Cozy project you can make for Christmas for the Tea Lover's in your life.  I tried to simplify the project for all sewing levels with the contrasting colors fabrics.  For those who are more elite with more sewing experience, you can add your twist on how you want to design and finish your cozy.   Note: Loop for the cozy topper is optional

This tea cozy will fit a 6 cup tea pot, whether it be a standard brown betty to a more modern spout tea pot.  The finished size of the cozy is approximately 10 x 14 inches. 

Materials:
 
Piece of cotton fabric for the front of the tea cozy. Enough to cut 2 pieces of the pattern folded ( I suggest 11 x 17 - times 2 or larger )

Piece of quilted fabric for inside. Enough to cut 2 pieces of the pattern folded
( I suggest 11 x 17 -  times 2 or larger )

Double wide bias tape or quilting binding ( or make from remnants of scraps )

Matching thread


Instructions:

1.  Draw a pattern using an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper. 

This pattern is only half a cozy. Place the pattern on folded fabric to cut full size or cut out two patterns and tape together to make full size pattern.

Note:  1/2 inch seam lines are included. 

>Make sure all the fabric are prewashed, dried and pressed.

2.  Pin and cut 2 fabric pieces of the cotton (fronts) and 2 quilted (inside) on folded fabric.
(The quilted fabric will insulate and keep the tea pot warm just like a little jacket) 

3.  Cut 5 inch bias tape for top loop.

Cut 29 inch x 2 inch strip for bias tape and 2 inch x 5 inch for top loop. 

>Cut only if you are making your own seam binding. Follow the Instructions to follow below for sewing.

4.  Pin 1 front fabric to 1 quilted for each (I like to hand base my pieces together)










5.  Make the loop with the bias store bought 5 inch tape by stitching on the folded raw edge
                        or
> If you are making your own seam binding for the loop, fold the 2 inch by 5 inch in half on the 2 inch side.
 
Press and fold the raw edge again and press.  Finish by sewing on the edge and you will have an 1/2 inch x 5 inch for the loop.

6.  Fold the loop in half and centre the folded loop on the front side top of the cozy.  Make sure the loop is on the finished side facing towards the bottom opening. Pin the loop and the 2 fronts together on the curvy edge.

7.  Sew 1/2 inch seams all around curvy edge and carefully over the loop on the wrong side.  Turn the cozy to the right side and press.




 

8.  Finish the bottom edge opening with your seam binding.  Pin and top stitch the trim around the base on the right side of your cozy.  Press the cozy and your done!

> If you are making your own contrasting seam binding.  Fold and press the 2 inch x 29 inch on the 1 inch side.  Pin and top stitch the trim on the bottom.  The edge will be raw but with a zigzag stitch, it will finish the edge nicely.

There you have it a simple tea pot cozy warmer that will warm someone's teapot and heart. 
  

                       I hope you enjoyed the project

Lay's 2015 Winning flavor

                                                                          Week 47 ( Save $47 )
                                                                   Week 48 ( Save $48 )


I only had a chance to taste 3 of the 4 final flavours.  My winning pick would have to be the Butter Chicken.  Second would be the P.E.I. Scalloped potatoes and I just did not like the Montreal Smoked meat flavor and that turned me off on even buying a bag of the baked bean flavour.  I noticed that the store shelves were always stocked with the Baked Beans and Montreal Smoked meat flavour chips.  Maybe that was a sign that they were just not too popular with many potato chip connoisseur's vs. the other flavors.

 Flavours I tested

2015 Winning Flavor

                        

 

Look out for the P.E.I. Scalloped Potato Chips, coming to a store near you. Yum!

                                                Enjoy!

 

Priceless memories

                                                                                   Week 45 ( Save $45 )
                                                           Week 46 ( Save $46 )

It's a sign that Christmas is just around the corner when our neighbours across the border just celebrated their Thanksgiving this week.  We have less than 30 days to pull and put everything together before December 25th.  With our busy lifestyles trying to juggle family and work on a day to day basis, no wonder why December is a very stressful month.

I feel the true meaning of Christmas has got lost through out the years with all the commercialism of materialistic things. Christmas is about love and sharing with friends and family.  It's not about how much you spent or how many gifts you received or bought . It's a celebration of faith, hope and love. 

Christmas truly is a magical time and remember that greatest gifts from the heart can never be wrapped in the finest paper nor ribbons. 

Celebrate this Christmas season and everyday after with a kinder and giving heart.  Christmas is everyday.


                                              Enjoy!

Remberance Day

  

 

 

We must Honor

We must Remember

Today and Always

 

Movember

Week 43 ( Save $43 )
Week 44 ( Save $44)

November is also known as Movember.  Movember is a global campaign to support men's health to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer. 

For the next 30 days (or until the end of this month) , we will see more Mo growth on more men and it's finally ok to stare at some handsome guy because they are walking billboards raising awareness, funds and supporting the cause. It even gives you an excuse to strike up a conversation with that total handsome stranger ...

Movember encourages men to talk/communicate and to take action and control when it comes to their health. 

Do your part by supporting your Mo Bros and donate to this worthy global cause.

 

 

Grow your moustache