How we spent our Christmas

 

Ive been reading blogs for the past 1/2 hour and it looks like everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

We had a bit of sad news come our way Christmas Eve! Around 6pm, if I can remember correct my dad got a call from his neighbor saying that his house (my fathers) was on fire! So him and Jason hopped in his car and drove over to my dads house which is 40 miles south of us. I was scared out of my mind because I was stuck home with the kids and had NO idea what was happening!

When they got there the fire was out thanks to the East Pembroke Fire Dept.

It had started in his bedroom with a space heater, taking the bedroom, bathroom and entry way. The rest of the house has major smoke damage, and will need to be completely gutted.

He was renting the upstairs apt out to a nice couple who fortunetly were NOT home during the fire. They also will loose everything to smoke damage.

As of this morning the electrician was there to cut power to the part of the house that burned to they can turn power on to the rest.

The cleaning company was there removing carpets, drywall, ceiling…anything that was ruined by the fire and the water. Once they have that all removed they will remove the furniture and small stuff to see what can be cleaned and salvaged and what can not.

The Red Cross has put my father up in a hotel room. THANK GOD he was at my house when this happened and not in his bedroom sleeping!

We went over yesterday so I could take pictures for his insurance and it is awful! EVERYTHING about this is just terrible, the smells, the way it looks.

I just shake my head because I cant fathom why or how this happened to us, my family simply can NOT take anymore.

In spite of this all, the kids had a great Christmas and they got to see “Papas” house and the damage that fire can do.

This picture is the entry way in from his garage at the opposite end of the house from where the actual fire was. ALL smoke damage!

This is his dining room and sun room. Notice the hardwood floors?

Here you can see where the little carpet was.

Spices on his stove that were melted. The fire was NO WHERE near the kitchen!

Bathroom that was destroyed

Bedroom, where the fire started!

UGH, as Im sitting here posting these I am getting sick to my stomach!

I know most of you are thinking, at least nobody got hurt and these are only “things” that were lost, which is fine! I totally agree with you! But, the past 3 years my family has had to deal with too many tragedies during the months of Nov and Dec and I have simply lost all faith! And I kinda feel like I deserve to feel the way I AM feeling about this right now without feeling guilty!!

I hope you can understand that.

My Cookie Recipes

I wanted to get these posted on Monday but time just wasn't in the cards for that one!

So here are a few recipes that I use for my Christmas cookies. If I don't post the one that you want, please email me and I will get it right to you.

*Sour Cream Cutouts*

These are the softest cutout cookies you will ever have.

My family likes them real thick so I generally don't get 6 doz out of this recipe…..

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

 

• Directions
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
• Tint some of the frosting with food coloring; decorate cookies as desired. Yield: about 6-1/2 dozen.

This is the icing I use along with store bought cream cheese frosting for the kids to work with.

Ingredients

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoons milk
• 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• assorted food coloring

Directions

1. In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.
2. Divide into separate bowls, and add food colorings to each to desired intensity. Dip cookies, or paint them with a brush.

Meatball Cookies

This recipe is from my Italian Grandmother. I'm sure you have tasted these cookies at a wedding or other Italian gathering.

Italian Meatball Cookies
2/3 cup bittersweet cocoa
3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup raisins

Glaze
1/2 cup butter ( room temp)
3 cups confectioner sugar
4 tbs. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
food coloring to tint icing
Preheat oven to 325.
For Cookies -
In medium size bowl combine flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
In another medium size bowl cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Stir in slightly beaten eggs. Add spices. Add flour mixture to butter mixture. Fold in walnuts, choc chips and raisins. Dough should beable to roll into 1 inch balls. If too sticky add more flour. If too dry add milk.
Bake time calls for 8-10 minutes. I bake for 7 minutes so cookies are moist. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Immediately transfer to counter or wire rack. Glaze when cooled.

Italian Pastry Shop Cookies (the red white and green bar cookies)

Italian Pastry Shop Cookies
3 sticks of butter or margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
1 (7oz) stick of almond paste (I use Solo brand in the can)
4 eggs
1 tsp almond extract
2 cups flour
Pinch of salt
1 (10oz) jar apricot or seedless raspberry preserves
2 packages semisweet chocolate pieces
Red and green food coloring
Preheat oven to 350.
Cream almond paste till there are very few lumps. Add butter and sugar to almond paste and cream together.
Slightly beat eggs in seperate bowl and add to butter mixture. Add flour and salt. (you do not need to combine flour and salt before adding to butter mixture)
Divide mixture into THREE equal parts.
One - leave as is.
Two - add about 20 drops of red food coloring.
Three - add about 20 drops of green food coloring.
Line THREE 13x9 inch cookie sheets with wax paper. (you can also do them seperate) Spread mixture evenly onto wax paper. (wax paper will smoke when in the oven)
Bake for 10-15 minutes - DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cakes will look glossy at first, when they loose their gloss they are ready to come out. You'll also notice the edges will turn brown.

To remove each cake -
cool slightly, loosen carefully and invert onto wax paper that has been placed over the back of a cookie sheet.
To assemble cookies -
spread 1/2 jar of preserves over red or green layer. I always place green on the bottom. Place white layer on top of green layer and spread remaining preserves on white layer. Place red layer over white layer.

Trim all of the edges!

Frosting -
melt 2 cups chocolate pieces in microwave and frost top and sides. Let is dry. Flip cakes over onto another wax paper covered cookie sheet. Melt 1 cup chocolate pieces in microwave and frost what is now the top. You will have enough chocolate to fix any mess-ups.
Let it dry to the touch and cut into 1 inch cookies.
Makes 4-5 dozen.

Walnut Horns ( I ALWAYS double this recipe as these are the first to go)

Ingredients

• 1 pound butter, softened
• 2 packages (one 8 ounces, one 3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 4 egg yolks
• 4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• FILLING:
• 4 cups ground walnuts (about 1 pound)
• 5-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
• 4 egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, egg yolks and flour; beat until smooth. Shape into 1-in. balls; place in a container with waxed paper separating each layer. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• For filling, combine walnuts and 3-3/4 cups sugar (the mixture will be dry). In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into nut mixture. Add extracts and a few drops of water if necessary until filling reaches a spreading consistency.
• Place remaining sugar in a bowl; roll cream cheese balls in sugar until completely covered. Place a few balls at a time between two sheets of waxed paper.
• Roll balls into 2-1/2-in. circles. Gently spread about 2 teaspoons of filling over each. Roll up; place seam side down on ungreased baking sheets. Curve the ends slightly. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. Yield: about 8 dozen.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, keep warm, keep safe!

80 Dozen Christmas Cookies!!!!!

 

I wasn't kidding when I posted to my FB this morning that I had 73 made and about 10 more to go…..

Jason thinks I am nuts! I've been baking for about 10 days minus a few so I could rest my achy body from whatever this crud is!

YES, I kept my hands clean:) I've got the cracks on my knuckles to prove it:)

In total I made 13 different kinds….

Meatball Cookies

Italian Pastry Shop Cookies

Eggnog Snickerdoodles

Peanut butter Temptations

Red Velvet Cake Balls

Sour Cream Cutouts

Christmas Sandwich Creams

Pecan Meltaways

Triple Chocolate Caramel Delights

Pumpkin Pecan Tassies

Walnut Horns

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Raspberry Ribbons

My list grows each yr. We have our favorites that I make every year and I also try new ones to add.

I couldn't even fit them all on the table!!!!

And that was my cookie baking adventure this yr:)

Merry Christmas!!

Giveaway Winner!!!!!!!!

 

Evening All!

I am cutting the entry deadline short by a couple of hours because my “cold” has returned with a vengeance!!

I felt it coming on last night and sure enough its got me down today! I spent most of the day on the couch in agony!

So there is no way I am staying up til 10pm so I used a random number generator and it picked number 95!

Congrats to Donna of One Simple Country Girl!!

Please email me your mailing address and Ill get these guys out asap!

jenn_martino@yahoo.com

A few of my favorite things!

I thought this might be a fun post and maybe would inspire others to list a few of their favorite things.

These are listed in no particular order here!!

1. Lands End hooded down jacket. I gotta tell ya, this jacket is my best friend. I stay SO warm with this baby on. When I am wearing this and its windy, I don't feel a thing, except for my hands and face!

2. My American Eagle hoodies. They too are so thick and warm. AE is running a buy one get one 50% off RIGHT NOW, ya cant beat that on hoodies!

3. My wood furnace! Smartest thing Jas and I ever did was invest in this! It keeps us nice n toasty in the winter

4. Tasters Choice instant coffee. GOTTA have my coffee in the morning and this with a little half and half is the best:)

5. Moonlight Path lotion, shower gel and spray by Bath and Body Works. This is my favorite scent of them all!

6. Yankee Candle Jack Frost, another one of my favorite scents.

7. Baking cookies for Christmas. This has to be my most favorite thing to do for the Holidays to give a plate as gifts.

My cookie list this yr includes…….

Walnut Horns

Sour cream cut outs

Raspberry Ribbons

Italian Pastry Shop Cookies

Pumpkin Pecan Tassies

Layered Mint Fudge

Eggnog Snickerdoodles

Gooey Butter Cookies

Peanut butter cookie cups

Mocha crackle cookies

Chocolate snowballs

Strufoli

Christmas sandwich creams

Chocolate covered peanut butter ritz bitz

I wont start baking until the Sat before Christmas so everything is fresh!

8. Kindle Isabella and Domonic, even though they are naughty naughty kids:)

9. Snow. It is so pretty as it falls and glistens in the sun.

I am wishing real hard for this much:)

10. Making primitive dolls. I have so much fun doing this and watching a Santa or snowman come to life:)

And those are a few of my favorite things!

I'm sending out a challenge to list some of yours:)

I’m having another giveaway!

I know, crazy right?!!!

I wanted to do  a 12 days of giveaways type thing but when I figured out what I was planning to give and the cost of shipping it was way too much money so I am just having ONE simple giveaway!

No special rules on this and no multiple entries. I do ask that you leave me a comment on THIS post only to enter. Entries left anywhere else will not be counted.

Giveaway is open to US and CA residents only.

I will keep entries open until Friday Dec 18th at 10pm and announce the winner Saturday morning!

You will receive this folk Santa but he will have a red robe and Old Man Winter.

Both are for sale by custom order if you don.t want to wait!

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Canal Country Artisans Christmas Open House - Christmas at my booth!

Well today is THE day!

Ive been busy for weeks working on prims to stock the booth!
Between me and my SIL we have (had) it jam PACKED!

I went in last night to check and all but 4 of my bowl fillers had sold from 10am so I think it will be a really good day:)

I am posting this in blogger because Ive had quite a few requests for larger pictures so just click on the pictures and it open larger.



Jas and I just got back from shopping for the kids. I am just about done and very thankful for that! I usually dont start for another week yet:)


Have a wonderful weekend!!

Zero Visibility!!!!

 

Noooooooooooooooooooope, not snow! At least not for us up here on Lake Ontario anyhow:(

They ARE calling for 2-4 today into tonight but who knows. I AM hoping!!!!!!!!!! It IS Dec 4th, time for some snow eh?

The zero visibility I'm talking about it this,

This is my F A V O R I T E ice cream of all time, Perry’s pumpkin pie, Southern Apple Pie and White Christmas follow.

Buffalo, N.Y. – Jan. 25, 2007 – There’s a storm front moving into freezers across the region and the forecast is calling for Perry’s Zero Visibility.  Perry’s Ice Cream, Buffalo’s regional ice cream company located in Akron, N.Y., is digging out its blustery flavor in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Blizzard of ’77.

Zero Visibility, with mixed precipitation of coconut rum ice cream and flurries of shredded coconut pieces, is sure to melt in consumers’ mouths.  The only shovel required for this whiteout is a really big spoon.

Perry’s first launched Zero Visibility in 1997 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Blizzard of ‘77.   “Most Western New Yorkers remember where they were when the blizzard hit 30 years ago,” said Brian Perry, executive vice president and vice chairman, Perry’s Ice Cream.  “We created this memorable flavor for consumers to enjoy as they reminisce about the storm.”

(Courtesy of perrysicecream.com)

I wait EVERY year for this goodness to come out, some years forgetting about it because its cooler debut is only for a couple of weeks!

You can BET this year I will be standing at the ice cream coolers waiting!!!

Special thanks to all who commented on my last post about my mom. She was a wonderful lady that loved life and her family. She would do anything for anyone, no matter what it was! She had a long and very hard battle with lung and bone cancer! I am glad she is at peace now and in no more pain but miss her terribly. It took me a long long time to realize that I cant just pick up the phone and call mom anymore. Still to this day when something good, or bad happens I reach for that phone!

So enough with the sadness, how is everyone doing?

Tomorrow is Open House at my booth and I am so excited to see what sells. Remember my cheese boxes I got a few months back? Well I picked up 3 more and this is how they turned out….

Stacked like they are they hit at my hip and I am 5’2 so they are fairly large and quite impressive!

Stay tuned as Ill be posting Christmas at my booth pics………..

Have a good one:)

Jenn

Three years ago today!

 

A Memorial to my mom, Linda

 

Your time on earth was far too short, only 59 years. Our lives are not as full, our hearts are heavy because we miss you in this life. We know, that one day, we will see your face again and feel your arms around us, holding us tight. We know that you are sitting at the feet of our Heavenly Father, no more pain or sorrow there.

Life is but a stopping place,

A pause in what's to be,

A resting place along the road,

to sweet eternity.

We all have different journeys,

Different paths along the way,

We all were meant to learn some things,

but never meant to stay...

Our destination is a place,

Far greater than we know.

For some the journey's quicker,

For some the journey's slow.

And when the journey finally ends,

We'll claim a great reward,

And find an everlasting peace,

Together with the lord.

 

(written by Judy, The Princess Ponders)

 

I miss ya mom!!