bonding

I wrapped a few presents so the tree doesn't look so naked underneath.  Wayne needs to display the train set today. Gentle nudge here. 

Mike and Margarita invited us for an impromtu gathering last night - and to see their tree all decorated.  My Mom made the tree skirt.  It was fun to get together and chat about everything at their place for a change of scenery.

Mike decorated his deck with pretty red lights which are adorable when driving on Plainfield.  Nice touch, my son. 

They recently remodeled one of their bathrooms and it is so quaint.  They have a knack for decorating.

Ozis was so happy to have visitors and he loves his Mama Too (that's me).   I'm glad I followed my intuition and prepared things early this year.  I had a feeling my time would be needed for other things and I was right on.  Bonding brings me joy during the holidays for it keeps me focused on the true spirit.  I won't be hustling and bustling but rather making memories with the ones I love.  Now that the snow has subsided, today I hope to finish my Christmas shopping with Darcy and hit the Oakbrook mall for some scent purchasing.  The stars dictate I complete this by today, so I take heed!

My oven is back in working order so next weekend will be spent baking kolackys.  We hope to visit our friends up North for a baking exchange day.  Please keep some of our family members in your prayers.  As joyful as the holidays can be, this is also a trying time for others.  Keep the faith.  Have fun and be happy. xo



candy cane cake

Debbie's Candy Cane Cake

Happy December!  Some of us are being dusted with the first snow in these parts.  The first snows are nice as well as those that fall around Christmastime, but after that - forget about it.  Since I have time to experiment these days, today I will share a recipe from my dear friend, Debbie.  The photo just caught my eye and depicts a festive feeling just looking at it.  I highlighted all the ingredients you will need.  As a novice baker, I will be taking a trip to Wilton's, down the street, for some of these baking supplies.

Cakes

This recipe calls for 1 red velvet cake mix and 1 white cake mix, made separately.  Prepare cake mixes according to box directions so you will need eggs, oil (or apple sauce) and water.  Add 1 tablespoon peppermint extract to the white cake mix.  Divide the two batters into 4 9-inch round pans.  When you assemble the cake together, alternate the layers with a cream cheese filling.  The outer cake is frosted with buttercream and sprinkled with crushed candy canes on top.

Cream Cheese Filling

You can purchase cream cheese frosting but here is a recipe for homemade.  Take 1 block of cream cheese (softened) and mix with 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon pepperment extract and a little bit of milk.  The mixture should be somewhat thick but still spreadable.  If it seems to be too thin, keep adding powdered sugar.

Tip:  When alternating the layers, use an icing bag and put a band of icing around the inside edge of the first layer, then fill in with the cream cheese filling.  The icing band prevents the filling from running out before you frost the cake.  Put the next layer on top with another edge of icing and filling, etc. Ration your filling out into thirds as you go.  One third for each layer.  

Buttercream Frosting

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 stick softened margarine with 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.  Add 1 tablespoon Crisco oil.  Mix until smooth and creamy.  Add in 2 cups of powdered sugar.  Mixture will be sort of crumbly.  Mix in the another 2 cups of powdered sugar along with a small amount of milk.  Mix until smooth and creamy. If too thick, add a few more drops of milk. If too thin, keep adding powdered sugar until mixture is creamy.  You may also add flavorings or food coloring.  Just remember the more liquid you add, the more sugar you will need to add. 

Tip:  Before frosting the cake, it is best to refrigerate it for an hour after you put the layers together.  A cold cake is much easier to frost. 

To crush the candy canes, place them in a zip lock bag and wrap the bag in a kitchen towel and crush with a hammer.

Try not to be tempted to eat all the candy canes ahead of time, like my Aunt Diane. LOL. 

Have fun making this pretty dessert.  Methinks it would be a perfect project to prepare with a few friends.  Plan a get together and have each person make a separate portion (one prepares the cakes, another the filling and another the frosting), then combine all your creations together for the final layering and frosting.   Good times.  xo

stir fry

I finally bought my wok cashing in on the Jewel food store special.  I saved up my stickers each time I shopped and redeemed them for my new cooking utensil.  Previously I dabbled in a stir fry recipe using my dependable skillet but today I will attempt to use the official wok for this endeavor.  Here goes.

1 head cabbage

2 onions

1 lb. fresh shrimp

bean sprouts

carrots

broccoli

chick peas
water chestnuts

soy vay wasabi teriyaki

veri veri teriyaki

tuong ot sriracha hot chili sauce

various oriental noodles
(the one on the left is best)

Shred cabbage and chop onions, carrots and broccoli.  Saute in lots of butter and oil until tender.  Add cooked shrimp, water chestnuts and chick peas.   Prepare noodles then drain.  Mix together and season with teriyaki sauces.  Place all in a wok and blend together.  Add a little hot chili sauce as this is extremely potent and could potentially knock your socks off.   I always eat oriental foods with chop sticks.  For some reason it tastes better that way.

Please keep a few people in your prayers who are undergoing surgeries this month:  Brent, Aletha and Cindy.  They are connected to one family - things do happen in 3s.   xo



shortcuts

Dr. Oz

While relaxing in my simple abundance room, my remote happened upon some tips worth sharing by Dr. Oz.  I love this guy.  He is so genuine and down to earth - and brilliant, to boot! 

Shortcuts to Better Health

Eating an apple before lunch fills an empty stomach and deters us from eating more than we need to be satisfied.  This simple shortcut shaves off 5 pounds per year.

                                                                       

Replace oils with apple sauce by half when baking.  Those with a sweet tooth will not taste any difference and quite possibly it will taste better!  Plan to lose 6 pounds annually using this weight loss shortcut.

Refrigerate your cans.  Yep!  If you have any spare room, this will bring the oils and grease to the top and when you open the can, just scrape it off.  Shave 6 pounds each year with this tip.

Dilute juice with 1/2 cup seltzer water.  Juices contain sugar which can add up to 48 pounds of extra sugar that you can afford to stop putting in your body.  Simply diluting cranberry or orange juice, and any flavored drink for that matter, with seltzer, makes a huge difference.  Plan on losing 13 pounds per year. 

Fake carbohydrates by substituting a pasta for a veggie. Simply blend veggies of your choice (chives, peppers, cauliflower, broccoli) with potatoes or pasta.  This allows you to save 12 pounds each year!

The most significant shortcut shared by Dr. Oz was having a support system with endeavors to lose weight.  By swapping a gym bag with a friend or spouse, this encourages us to get to the gym more frequently so as not to disappoint our buddies.  It only takes 30 minutes 3 times a week to see results.  Plan on losing 13 pounds. 

The holidays are a time to share meals and baked goods.  Enjoy your creations with a little less guilt about gaining inches by taking shortcuts to a healthier you. 

Thanks, Dr. Oz.  xo

deena's easy peasy beer bread

Deena's Beer Bread

Today the area is hyped up for the  Bears vs. Eagles football game.  We heard at least four conversations at the grocery store with predictions and my fellow facebook friends are gearing up to watch the game.  All week news announcers mentioned this is a validation game which makes me scream.  How many times have I heard that this year?  Let's enjoy a good old-fashioned tight game (with the Bears ahead 47-3, per my better half.) 

My cousin shared an easy recipe for me to try.  She knows I have a hard time baking and thought my confidence could be boosted with an easier recipe with only four ingredients.  Thanks, Deena. 

beer bread with cheese

3 cups self- rising flour
1/2 cup sugar
12 oz. beer

butter for top

Mix first 3 ingredients and place sticky dough into greased loaf pan.  Bake at 375 for 50-55 minutes.  Drizzle melted butter on top of loaf while hot out of the oven so it gets nice and melted. 
Add cheese, bacon, nuts; or for a sweeter version, raisins or cranberries.  Substitute the beer with sugar-free or regular soda.  The beauty of this bread is the basic simplicity.  Serve with soups, stews or casseroles.  Today is chili for the football games.  Indulge your senses. 

GO BEARS! xo

ornaments

Originally trees were adorned with apples, strings of popcorn, white candy canes and pastries in the shape of hearts, stars and flowers.  Glass baubles and beads were created by Hans Grenier in Lauscha, Germany in the mid 19th century.  Today ornaments are made so we can place them on our trees year after year and many hold sentimental significance.

Little Stevie

   We trim two trees in our home.  One graces the entrance room with various ornaments collected throughout the years; the other is in our nesting room. One was purchased when Mike worked at Wannamakers and the other when Dan worked at F.I.M, so they are both sentimental to us.

The only ornaments that grace our family room tree are those made by my Mom.  To be honest, most of my indoor holiday items were made by her.  I would call every year to thank her when I hung these treasures of our boys.  She captured each of their childhood years in an ornament that tugs my heart.  And she boasted 17 grandchildren! Now I have warm fuzzies whenever I place them on our tree.  This year Steve and Darcy had the honor so they could begin to have that same feeling.

  

Little Mikey

These precious tokens can never be replaced, so we keep them in a special place.

Each ornament has a unique design.

Little Danny

One year I attempted to make ornaments for my special friends. This was the best I could come up with for our tree.   That was a long time ago, capturing the years when we were in taekwondo. 

The Wind Family 1996

Now that I have time to enjoy this season, perhaps I'll take another stab at continuing this tradition.  I still have quite a bit of tools so I'll put on my creative cap and see what transpires.  Thanks, Mom! xo

black friday

group shot

The feast is consumed.  Hugs and smooches were abundant.  Those who visited our humble abode enjoyed each other's company for awhile then continued our day of thanks with more family members.  Thanks to Steve for using his tripod, and Margarita for figuring out how to adjust it so we could capture this memory.  All the boys grumbled and growled when the camera started clicking, so we limited the exposures.  Got some good ones anyway...

greetings

It's always fun to catch up in person with the family.  Time has a way of passing a little too quickly the older we get.  I want to make as many memories as possible and share them with those who were not with us on this day so we feel more connected.  It's not that often that we can get everyone together at the same time these days.  Now Wayne has his coveted updated family picture. 

indulgence

I learned a long time ago from both my moms to always prepare more than you think you need, so we have plenty of leftovers and everyone took some home.  We will not be among the plethora of people shopping today, but rather will spend a quiet day at home digesting our meals and enjoying each other's company.  As Wayne says "I'll just sit here and catch my breath for awhile." Our shopping is done and the decorations are up already so we can spend the month sharing the spirit with ease.   It's very sunny on this day called black friday. 

birthday boy

We had a dual celebration as we sang to Steve for his 19th birthday.  I made an old fashioned double box Betty Crocker devil's food cake with cream cheese frosting.  Those who don't normally eat many sweets devoured a huge slice (Dan).  Go figure....We were chuckling last night when everyone left and Dan raided the fridge.  Wayne asked him "what do you have"; Dan's response "more". 

steve's seiko

Last year my Dad gave him a super deluxe watch that he never removes, but he asked for another so he wouldn't wear his out.  He loves blue; can you tell?  For some reason he wanted his Dad to choose this one.  He did good.

buddies

One of his best friends forever stopped by after work to eat my viddles and share a part of Steve's day.  He loves elephants.  It warms my heart when those we love want to be with us.  It's the fleeting moments that make our memories precious.

I had to share this gorgeous sunset, one of many we captured to everyone's delight.  This supercedes any LED light set.  To me, this is God acknowledging our gratitude for all His blessings. 

OK, Darcy, now we can play Christmas music in the house.  Let the season officially begin...xo