Resolutions

Do you make New Year's Resolutions? About 10 years ago my New Year's Resolution was to never make another one. I was successful until last year. Last year's resolution was to accept any free food offered to me. I didn't mean to accept every cookie or candy I was offered. I was thinking more about the abundance of fruit and vegetables that have been offered me in the past. I usually didn't make time to go get it. This year I only turned down one thing and that was green beans from a neighbor. I was buried in garden work of my own and didn't get the time to go pick them.

I did find myself with more peaches and apples than I really knew what to do with. I made more jams, jellies and pie filling than we can possibly eat in a year, but I'll send some home with the kids when they go. We have enough vegetables from our freezer to last all year. And it has really helped with our grocery bill.

I can't decide what resolution to make this year. I do have a few in mind, but I don't make more than one a year. I would like to hear some of your ideas. If they aren't too personal. And I will even share mine a little later.

I hope you have a happy New Year!

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face;the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
traditional gaelic blessing

Day After

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I am sorry that I haven't been on-line lately. I have been enjoying the time with my granddaughters and children!

The time they have here is flying by much too quickly, but since they are all sleeping I thought I'd take a few minutes to post before we go out and hit the day after sales!

I am beginning to hear murmurings coming from their rooms so I know I don't have long. I wanted to send every one Christmas greetings!

I hope you all enjoyed your family time!

Mae

Taking A Break

I have been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. There are lots of changes going on at my job. I have a new position; I am trying to train the girl who took my position and learn my new one. I had already taken on more responsibility and now with the addition of training someone, work has been very busy. My hours also changed, so I am having to adjust to that.

Christmas is coming faster than I would like. The kids will be here on the 20th and I still don't have the house quite ready, all of the baking or shopping done. So right now I am taking a break. That is why I am posting. This is a break. I will get my thoughts together and tell myself that if everything isn't done I'll be okay with that and so will my family.

I will not think of all the things I have to do this weekend. Ha!

Weekend Plans
Finish outside lights
Get the house ready
Grocery shopping
Gift shopping
A birthday party for my niece on Sunday
Church on Sunday
Baking (if time permits)
Buy elf candy (see below)

When my kids were little, I would put a bag of chocolates (kisses, balls, etc.) in the freezer. About 2 weeks before Christmas I would, at different times each day, ring a jingle bell. The kids would come running for elf candy. The secret is to really hide the candy in the freezer and just before you ring the bell, lay some on the counter. The frozen candy is cold like it would be if it came from the North Pole. (Elf Candy)

I am going to re-start the tradition with my grand kids this year. I am also anxious to see if my adult kids will come running for the elf candy. I think they will.

Mae

Chocloate Covered Cherries

This is my recipe for Chocolate Covered Cherries. I have been told that they are the best Chocolate Covered Cherries in the world. I hope you will try them.

50 Maraschino Cherries with stems (stems are very important)
1 12 oz package semi sweet chocolate chips
1 T shortening
2 cups confectionery sugar
3 T Butter
3 T light corn syrup
14 t salt.

Drain the cherries on paper towels until most of the juice is removed.

Mix the butter and corn syrup until smooth. Add confectionery sugar and salt. This will form a dough. Powder your hands with confectionery sugar. Pinch off about a teaspoon of the dough. Roll in palms until you have a marble sized ball. Press 1 cherry in the ball and work the dough up the sides of the cherry until it is completely covered. Roll in palms again until smooth. Place on cookie sheet covered in wax paper. Repeat until all cherries are covered in the dough. Place in refrigerator for 2 hours (can be left longer). Keep your hands dry and powdered with the sugar.

In top of double boiler melt chocolate chips and shortening. Use stems to dip the cherries in the chocolate. Make sure you seal up the stem area with the chocolate. After dipping each cherry return to the cookie sheet. Place the cherries back in the refirgerator until set.

I then drizzel melted white chocolate over the tops just to make them pretty. After they are set store in air tight container in fridge. (I think the older they get the better they are)

You can double or triple the recipe for the dough. But I always only do one batch of the chocloate at a time.

I will try to post pictures soon. I have been so busy I really haven't had time to post, I am sorry and I will try to do better.

Mae