Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

4.25.2011

Mosaic Monday

Hello! Sorry to be away last week - I had surgery last Monday. Granted, not the best way to spend "spring break" but, my hubby was home to care for me and the kids. (he was VERY READY to return to work today). As much as I hate to sit still, it was nice to relax for a bit - but now, back to reality! Since I did not blog on Easter, my mosaic for the day is to commemorate the holiday! Enjoy!

Mosaic Monday: 4/25/11


Did you know?
(source: Wikipedia)

* Easter eggs are given to celebrate Easter or springtime.

* The egg is a symbol of the rebirth of the Earth in celebrations of spring and was adopted by early Christians as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus.

* The oldest tradition is to use dyed or painted chicken eggs, but a modern custom is to substitute chocolate eggs, or plastic eggs filled with candy.

* The egg is widely used as a symbol of the start of new life, just as new life emerges from an egg when the chick hatches out.

* The ancient Zoroastrians painted eggs for Nowrooz, their New Year celebration, which falls on the Spring equinox. The Nawrooz tradition has existed for at least 2,500 years. The sculptures on the walls of Persepolis show people carrying eggs for Nowrooz to the king.

* At the Jewish Passover Seder, hard-boiled eggs called Beitzah, are dipped in salt water, and symbolize Hashlamim, the festival peace-offerings sacrificed at the Temple in Jerusalem to be eaten on Erev Pesach.


Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

12.23.2010

Friday Favorites!

"A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence."
-Leopold Stokowski


Hello! I hope everyone is doing well. Today I would like to share and song and video that I feel is truly magical. Enjoy!

"Music is what feelings sound like."
-Author Unknown





Thought of the Day:

“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul”
-Plato


Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

12.20.2010

Mosaic Monday

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."
-W. T. Ellis


Hello! Since this is the last Monday before Christmas I decided to make one last holiday mosaic. It is comprised of photos of holiday lights from around the world - can you figure out the cities? Enjoy!

"The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect!"
-Charles N. Barnard


My creation

Though of the Day:

"Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong."
-Dandemis


Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

12.13.2010

Mosaic Monday

“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle”
-Proverb


Hello! I hope you had a wonderful weekend - don't they just FLY by? I know not everyone celebrates the holidays quite the same, but no matter how you choose (or not) to celebrate, you cannot deny the beauty of holiday lights! Today's mosaic is a different way to look at those lights! Enjoy!

"There are two kinds of light - the glow that illumines, and the glare that obscures."
-James Thurber




Thought of the Day:

“A smile is the lighting system of the face, the cooling system of the head and the heating system of the heart.”
-Unknown


Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

11.24.2010

✿ BLACK FRIDAY/CYBER MONDAY SALE ✿

Hello! In honor of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales taking place across the country I have decided to participate also. Happy Shopping!

My creation

WHERE:

Nicole's Homemade Treats

http://www.nikid.etsy.com

WHEN:

✿ Thursday 11/25/10 @ 11:00 PM to MONDAY 11/29/10 @ 11:00 PM

WHAT:

✿ 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER - CODE: BF2010

✿ Door Buster: Free 1/4 Lb. cluster to the first 10 purchases on 11/26 (do not add it to your cart)

Miscellaneous:

✿ Enter code in designated area when checking out and the deduction will automatically be calculated.


Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

10.15.2010

Friday Favorites: 10/15/2010

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving."
-H.U. Westermayer


Hello! I hope you have had a wonderful week - mine flew by! For today's Friday Favorites I will be featuring items to decorate your home and table for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I go all out for it! What is not to love? Good food, cool weather, good food, family and friends, good food, oh and I cannot forget the pie!! ENJOY!

"Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action."
-W.J. Cameron


My creation

1.) Autumn leaves (orange), place cards
2.) Thanksgiving place card holders
3.) Cornucopia door basket Wreath
4.) Thanksgiving Place Cards
5.) Large Pinecone and wild rosehip wreath
6.) Woodland Stoneware Platter Tray
7.) Fall cornucopia centerpiece
8.) Block print linen napkins


Thought of the Day:

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live."
-Jacqueline Winspear


Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

10.07.2010

Temptation Thursday!

Hello! I am sorry to be a bad blogger the past two weeks, I honestly don't know where the time has gone!! There is no way that I am going to be able to blog daily, but I think 3 or 4 times per week will suffice!

With Halloween right around the corner, I thought I would tempt you with some goodies! I hope you enjoy!

Perfect Endings Jack-O'-Lantern Cake


Frosted Ghost Cutouts Cookies


Franken-Family Marzipan Figures



Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

7.03.2010

Saturday Sale

US_Flag
Hello!

Happy Birthday America! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I am going to be
out and about the remainder of the weekend, so I will not be doing anymore blog posts for a few days!

I am having a 4th of July sale at Nicole's Homemade Treats! 10% off you entire order until midnight July 5, 2010. Please enter code: USA10 in the notes to seller upon checkout and I will refund you via paypal!

Have a great weekend and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!


11.13.2009

Foodie Friday!!

Hello!

Welcome to Foodie Friday!
You know what that means - Recipes!!!

Thanksgiving recipes to be exact!

Enjoy!

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.
-H.U. Westermayer


Turkey Gravy

Turkey gravy is the perfect complement to roast turkey. It is especially delicious when made from the pan juices, enhanced with turkey or chicken stock.

Servings: 2.5 Cups

Ingredients:

* Pan drippings from roasted turkey
* 3/4 cup water
* 3 Tbs. unsalted butter
* 3 Tbs. all-purpose flour
* 2 cups turkey or chicken stock, lightly salted
* Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

1.) Skim and discard any fat from the turkey drippings in the roasting pan.
2.) Add the water to the pan and set over medium heat.
3.) Boil for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom and sides of the pan.
4.) Transfer to a bowl.
5.) In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
6.) When the butter bubbles, add the flour and stir rapidly for a few seconds to cook the flour.
7.) Rapidly whisk in the reserved pan drippings and the stock.
8.) Cook until the gravy is smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 1 to 2 minutes.
9.) Season with salt and pepper.
10.) Pour the gravy into a warmed sauce-boat or wide-mouthed pitcher for serving.


If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice.
-Meister Eckhart





Old Fashioned Biscuits

Servings: 12 Biscuits

Ingredients:

* 2 cups soft winter-wheat flour
* 1 Tbs. baking powder
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 12 Tbs. (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
* 1/2 cup half-and-half

Directions:

1.) Preheat an oven to 500°F.
2.) Over a sheet of waxed paper, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt and sift again.
3.) Put the flour mixture in a large bowl and add the butter.
4.) Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, mix the flour and butter together until the mixture resembles small, coarse crumbs.
5.) Add the half-and-half and, using a fork, stir to form large, moist clumps.
6.) Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
7.) With floured hands, press the dough together to form a large ball.
8.) Roll out the dough to 1/2-inch thickness, dusting with more flour as needed.
9.) Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut out the dough and transfer the rounds to an ungreased baking sheet; gather the scraps and repeat.
10.) Bake, rotating the pan once halfway through baking, until the biscuits are golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.


Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.
-E.P. Powell




Pecan Tart

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

For the pastry dough:

* 1 1/4 cups soft winter-wheat flour
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 1/4 cup cold solid vegetable shortening
* 4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
* 3 to 6 Tbs. ice water

For the filling:

* 3/4 cup sugar
* 3/4 cup light corn syrup
* 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
* 3 eggs, lightly beaten
* 2 Tbs. bourbon (optional)
* 1 Tbs. grated orange zest
* 1 tsp. vanilla extract
* 1/4 tsp. salt
* 1 cup pecan halves, plus 1/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Directions:

To make the pastry:

1.) In a bowl, stir together the flour and salt.
2.) Add the shortening and cut in with a pastry blender, 2 knives or your fingers until the mixture resembles cornmeal.
3.) Add the butter and cut in until it forms tiny pea-size balls.
4.) Add the ice water a little at a time, stirring and tossing with the pastry blender or a fork until the mixture holds together.
5.) Gather the dough into a ball and flatten into a disk.
6.) Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes.
7.) On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough into an 11-inch round about 1/8 inch thick.
8.) Fold the round into quarters and place in a 9 1/2-inch nonstick or traditional tart pan with a removable bottom.
9.) Unfold, then press gently into the bottom and sides of the pan. Trim the overhang even with the pan rim.
10.) Refrigerate until ready to fill.
11.) Position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat to 325°F.

To make the filling:

1.) In a bowl, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, eggs, bourbon, orange zest, vanilla, salt, pecan halves and chopped pecans.
2.) Pour into the chilled pastry shell and place the pan on a baking sheet.
3.) Bake until the center is slightly soft to the touch, the edges are set and the crust is golden brown, 45 to 55 minutes.
4.) Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes.
5.) Remove the pan sides and slide the tart off the pan bottom onto a serving plate.
6.) Serve warm or at room temperature.


Have fun planning your Thanksgiving feast - I know I am!

Until tomorrow: Go Ahead and Indulge!

11.05.2009

Thanksgiving Thursday!

Hello & Welcome!

Every Thursday for the next few weeks will now be known as: Thanksgiving Thursday!

I will be sharing favorites that I prepare on Thanksgiving!

Enjoy!


Sausage, Chestnut and Mushroom Dressing



I adapted this recipe from a William-Sonoma recipe that I found years ago.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

* 4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
* 1 1/2 lb. mild Italian sausage, casings removed
* 2 yellow onions, diced
* 3 garlic cloves, minced
* 7 oz. cremini mushrooms, quartered
* 1 tsp. minced thyme
* 1 1/2 tsp. minced sage
* 2 tsp. kosher salt
* Freshly ground pepper, to taste
* 1 cup roasted and peeled chestnuts, halved
* 1 package (1 lb.) Focaccia stuffing (I but this from William-Sonoma)
* 2 Tbs. minced parsley
* 3 to 4 cups chicken stock, warmed

Directions:

1.)Preheat an oven to 375°F.
2.)Grease a 3-quart baking dish with 1 Tbs. of the butter.
3.)In a large fry pan over medium-high heat, cook and crumble
the sausage until cooked through, about 7 minutes.
4.)Transfer sausage to a plate.
5.)In the same pan over medium heat, melt the remaining 3 Tbs. butter.
6.)Add the onions and fennel and saute until soft, 10 to 12 minutes.
7.)Add the garlic, mushrooms, thyme, sage, salt and pepper and cook,
stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and beginning
to brown, about 12 minutes.
8.)Let mixture cool to room temperature.
9.)In a very large bowl, combine the sausage, vegetable mixture,
chestnuts, stuffing and parsley.
10.)Stir in the stock 1/2 cup at a time, making sure it is completely
absorbed into the croutons.
11.)Taste a crouton; it should be moist throughout but not crunchy or mushy.
You may not need all of the stock.
12.)Transfer the stuffing to the prepared baking dish (#2), cover with foil
and bake for 20 minutes.
13.)Remove the foil and continue baking until the top is golden brown and crisp.



Broccoli Rabe with Pancetta and Garlic



This is my husbands favorite!

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

* 2 lb. broccoli rabe, trimmed & cut into bite-sized pieces
* 3 oz. pancetta, diced
* 3 garlic cloves, chopped
* 2 to 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
* Small pinch of hot red pepper flakes
* Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
* Juice of 1⁄2 lemon, or to taste

Directions:

1.)Bring a large saucepan three-fourths full of water to a boil.
2.)Add the broccoli rabe and cook until just tender,about 5 minutes.
3.)Drain and set aside.
4.)In a fry pan over medium-high heat, saute the pancetta until
lightly crisp, about 5 minutes.
5.)Add the garlic, 2 Tbs. of the olive oil and the red pepper flakes
and saute until the garlic is just slightly colored, about 1 minute.
6.)Add the broccoli rabe, adding more oil if needed to prevent scorching,
and toss it with the garlic mixture until tender and heated through,
about 1 to 2 minutes.
7.)Transfer the mixture to a serving dish and grind black pepper over top.
8.)Add the lemon juice and toss well.
9.)Serve immediately.


Baked Corn Casserole



Last, but certainly not least is my ALL TIME FAVORITE!

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

* 2 large eggs
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1/2 cup melted butter
* 1 can (16 oz.) whole kernel corn (drained)
* 1 can (16 oz.) creamed corn
* 1 Pkg. Jiffy© corn muffin mix
* 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Directions:

1.)Preheat oven to 350.
2.)Lightly spray a 13x9 baking dish with nonstick spray
3.)Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
4.)Mix well (will be lumpy)
5.)Add the entire mixture to your prepared pan.
6.)Bake on middle shelf for 40 minutes, until set & golden.
7.)If needed, cover with aluminum foil during baking to prevent
casserole from getting to dark.
8.)Top with grated cheddar cheese.
9.)Bake 10 minutes more or until cheese has melted.
10.)Cut into slices and serve.


Until Tomorrow:
Go Ahead & Indulge!

11.04.2009

Thank You Etsy!

I am very excited and I just want to say, "Thank You" to Etsy admin. for placing my Chocolate Overload in a gift guide!

Here is a gallery of the Holiday Food Gift Guide on Etsy!


10.30.2009

Foodie Friday!

Yeah it is Friday!
However, as a SAHM I really do not think that holds much meaning. Do you?

Since every place I look is all gun-ho for Christmas, I decided to focus on the holiday that gets lost in the mix:

Thanksgiving!!!!!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! I mean what is not to love? Family, Food and Fun!

Oh and did I mention food?

We usually, much to my chagrin, go away for Thanksgiving!

However - this year everyone is coming to my home! I am so excited - I have not cooked an "OFFICIAL" Thanksgiving meal in 3 years!!!

I have my tried and true favorites and have already purchased many of them!

Today I will be sharing these wonderful products and in upcoming posts will share recipes using these ingredients!


Tuesday I headed to the mall and hit my FAVORITE store: Williams-Sonoma!!!
I do not know what I would do without that place!!!



We buy these turkeys all the time and they are wonderful!


Willie Bird Organic Free-Range Turkey






Don't feel like making your gravy from scratch, well this makes an awesome gravy!

Turkey Gravy Base





Hot soup that tastes great and is easy to make! This is a favorite in our home!

Organic Butternut Squash Puree





This next ingredient can be used so many ways - I always have it in my pantry!

Pecan Pumpkin Butter





Personally, I do not like cranberry sauce, but this is my husbands favorite!

Apple-Orange Cranberry Relish




Well, there are more, but you get the picture!!!
Coming next - recipes incorporating these ingredients!

Until tomorrow:
Go Ahead and Indulge!

9.07.2009

Labor Day!



God sells us all things at the price of labor.
-Leonardo da Vinci



What is Labor Day?


A United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September.


Without labor nothing prospers.
-Sophocles



Origin:

The holiday originated in Canada out of labor disputes ("Nine-Hour Movement") first in Hamilton, then in Toronto, Canada in the 1870s, which resulted in a Trade Union Act which legalized and protected union activity in 1872 in Canada. The parades held in support of the Nine-Hour Movement and the printers' strike led to an annual celebration in Canada. In 1882, American labor leader Peter J. McGuire witnessed one of these labor festivals in Toronto. Inspired from Canadian events in Toronto, he returned to New York and organized the first American "labor day" on September 5 of the same year.

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the US military and US Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. Cleveland was also concerned that aligning a US labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair.

Who Celebrates Labor Day:


All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.


Labor was the first price, the original purchase-money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased.
-Adam Smith



Random Facts:

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parades. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess.


Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day. It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken.
-Bill Dodds



Have a wonderful day everyone!

Until tomorrow: Go Ahead and Indulge!