Christmas Candy

Nov. 20, 2024, noon


No, these recipes are not healthy.  But at holidays, especially Christmas, we allow ourselves some indulgences.  These are some of my family's favorite Christmas candy.  

NELL'S PEANUT BRITTLE

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup water
2 cups raw peanuts
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Put sugar, salt, syrup and water into a heavy saucepan and set over medium high heat.
Bring to a boil and cook until it spins a thread. No need to stir.
Add peanuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes light brown and the peanuts begin to pop.
Add the butter and vanilla and blend quickly.
Then add the soda and remove from heat stirring quickly and thoroughly.
Pour onto greased cookie sheets - not spreading - and let cool.
Break up and put in airtight container.

BILLYE'S ...


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Winter Squash and How to Cook Them

Nov. 13, 2024, noon


All pumpkins are squash, but not all squash are pumpkins.
Winter squash begins to ripen in September. Because they store well, they are available all through the fall and winter.
Here is a list of different varieties...
Green Kabocha, Buttercup, Carnival, Acorn, Red Kabocha, Red Kuri, Delicata, Sweet Dumpling, Hubbard, White Acorn, Honeynut, Turban, Spaghetti, and Butternut plus many more.
Winter squash has a lot of antioxidants, which can boost your immunity and help your body to fight off certain diseases. 
Most winter squash can be used interchangeably in recipes. Many can be peeled, cut into pieces and roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper. Many can be boiled just like potatoes and mashed with butter and salt. You can eat the skin of many varieties. Here are just a few varieties of these winter prizes and some recipes that use them.


SUGAR OR PIE PUMPKINS

Make sure to choose a variety of pumpkin that's i...


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Cantucci

Nov. 6, 2024, noon


When my husband and I were in Tuscany taking cooking classes, we made these cantucci or biscotti.  Biscotti means twice-baked in Italian.  Since they are very dry, biscotti traditionally are served with a drink, into which they may be dunked.

In Italy, they are typically served as an after-dinner dessert with a Tuscan fortified wine called Vin Santo.
Outside of Italy, they more frequently accompany coffee, including cappucinos and lattes.
No matter what liquid you dunk them into, they are delicious!
With the holiday season upon us, these make excellent gifts!
Here is the recipe...


ALMOND CANTUCCI

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
zest from 1 orange or lemon
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup almonds, whole, raw, and unpeeled
Mix the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, make a well in the center and add the zest and eggs. &nbs...


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Fall Iron-on Applique

Oct. 30, 2024, noon


Last week we embroidered our kitchen towels with our basic embroidery stitch.  

This week we are going to applique a pumpkin on the towel and then blanket stitch around the pumpkin.  Here are the supplies we will use......

Scrap fabric - seriously a piece that is 4 inches by 4 inches will be big enough

Heat 'n' Bond Lite -https://www.amazon.com/HeatnBond-Iron-Adhesive-Value-Inches/dp/B001687ZDA/ref=sr_1_2?crid=10UDZ2FS28HSP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.z1_NoKIuUQUHE58V9qqRnyhF8PddTWwrdsvwAHSrYslejOnJxoLZd3skX581MU-W4lJ9mcQzA-vf31Sv2OA71TXwD6-oYeJ9wPBeSeLBdJRwQCUDx4TauaJxQHVeU3Y_IbDg7qtFIKrASYj9Vo6VuU7fwWmc4JVEdAniHXi0pKH638Yyp1DXreat-CWAM9T_1Lq2Ecbw4mTW8rKtsK7Q9g_qBp8jyzTN1-Ep80CRU26-LuOXcCshF_p3SfJDPe8DNE1E8ChZM0v7NlDhsepn-T64MAbVCvDXMgpBLnTTEOY.9Yl4I-Gpeuwhi0D0cbZhoe92Mc5lWfEbJ-6ZPSnFcyw&dib_tag=se&keywords=heat+n+bond+lite&qid=1729875267&sprefix=heat+n+b%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-2

Embroidery floss

Embroidery needle from l...


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