Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas Eve!




While I'm wrapping and putting goodies out, Miss Abigail would like to tell you and all your canines, Merry Christmas Eve. We are loving the fireplace that has been going all day and wishing for a white Christmas but the weather man keeps changing the predictions so we'll see.

Thank you, Parsley for this sweater, she is so cute in it. Finishing the touches of a sampler to show soon. Now to sit back and sip some cidar and munch on goodies that are so delightful.

Love ya,

Jennifer, Abbie, and Bodyguard

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Thursday Thoughts


Thank goodness it's Friday  Thursday!

Work-week is over and a 3 day weekend, hoping for snow as the weatherman says tonight. I may see my first white Christmas in 47 years. We'll see. Supposed to get 4-6 inches Christmas night and the day after.

Early morning rush to the stores tomorrow----to get my new glasses, 2nd pair. These are supposed to be transition lens for outside so the lights don't hurt my eyes. Otherwise, I think we will collect all the dollar store readers and donate tomorrow while we are at the store so that someone else can use them.

Then on to who knows what for our Friday tomorrow............definitely will be a spontaneous kind of day.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

My Grown-up Christmas List


Every year I put out the huge Christmas village that I have collected over the past 15 years. This year, I did not. I found this "Jennifer's Craft Store" from Walmart one year to add to it and couldn't believe they had my name on the craft store.

I've often dreamed about how cool it would be to own a cross stitch shop, just as we all have dreams. So, I own one, but it's quite tiny!!! LOL

My Grown-up Christmas List

  • a hug from my kids
  • to find a good family in need to leave our Christmas jar at the door anonymously
My list is short this year. Funny, how Christmas is so commercialized now that we forget the real meaning behind Christmas. Sometimes, the smallest things can mean so much. 

 Thank you for your friendships all over the world. You mean alot to me and sending out a Christmas hug to all, from my craft shop.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Canine Treat Recipes for Christmas Baking


It's hard to tell this one that TREATS are running low in the house.



In browsing through some recipes for doggie treats, I came upon this one. I think Miss Abigail, Raven and Ruby will like these.

Working most of the week in a frenzy and then off Christmas Eve.

 As usual, Christmas cookie baking starts about 2 pm on Christmas Eve and then Apple Cidar is brewing on the stove with a bag of spices, cloves and orange slices with cookies there to munch on through the evening. This year Abbie, with her sweet tooth, I think would like these to add to the list. 

I have made a wish on the Lunar Eclipse tonight for a Christmas miracle and hope it comes true on Christmas. I guess we all can hope.

I have never made doggie treats from scratch but have collected recipes such as this. I already have the dog bone shaped tins from  last year and we'll see how this goes.

Peanut Butter Slice and Bake Biscuits !!!!!!  Recipe number 1


Ingredients


•1 cup whole wheat flour

•¾ cup smooth peanut butter

•½ cup water

•2 tablespoons molasses

•2 tsp plain wheat germ

•¼ tsp sea salt

•¼ cup shredded dried beef, saved for top of cookies



Directions
1.Pre-heat oven to 375°.

2.In a pot on top of the stove, place your peanut butter, molasses, water, wheat germ and salt. Warm at medium heat.

3.Melt the ingredients together, whisking quickly.

4.Once melted and smooth, take the peanut butter mixture, which should now be nearly liquid, and put in a small bowl.

5.Measure your flour into a large mixing bowl, and fold in your liquid mixture slowly until your dough is soft. Be sure to have a well-floured board ready to go!

6.Once you have your dough mixed to the consistency you desire, turn it onto your floured board, roll it into a log shape. Place it in the refrigerator for two hours, until your dough is hard enough to slice into ¼-inch sections. If you are in a real rush, you can place it in the freezer for ½ hour until firm.

7.Have a cookie sheet ready to go, and spray it lightly with a non-stick spray.

8.Place your slice and bake cookies on the cookie sheet.

9.Put the dried beef in a blender or food processor to chop it.

10.Sprinkle the top of each cookie with your shredded, dried beef.

11.Bake for 25 minutes. Turn off the oven and let your cookies dry out as the oven cools down. This will make them hard and help keep them fresh. It will also bring out the flavor and make it more intense.

12.Once your cookies have completely cooled, it is time to place them in an air-tight container. You can either gift wrap them if you are giving them as a gift, or store them in your freezer up to three months until you are ready to serve them. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

To save time in a pinch, you can also make the dough and freeze it for up to three months until you are ready to use it. I love these slice and bake treats because they are fun, fast and, most of all, easy!

Recipe number 2

 Apple Crisp Dog Biscuits


These biscuits can be kept frozen for up to three months, or kept in an airtight container for two weeks.

INGREDIENTS:
•¾ cups beef broth

•1/3 cup sunflower seeds, shelled

•1 cup dark rye flour

•1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour

•½ cup barley flakes

•½ cup rolled oats

•½ cup buckwheat flour

•1 cup dried apples, chopped

•½ cup apples, peeled, seeded and chopped small

•2 tablespoons plain wheat germ

•1 large egg

•2 tablespoons safflower oil

•2 tablespoons dark molasses

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 375°

2.Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray.

3.Separate the egg yolk from the egg white, and set aside in two bowls.

4.In a blender or food processor, combine beef broth, oil, egg yolk and molasses until mixed very well.

5.In a large mixing bowl, add all of your dry ingredients.

6.Now, slowly add the liquid. This will form sticky dough. Make sure you flour both your hands and your cutting board.

7.Roll out your dough to ¼ thickness and cut into any shape you like. I use my small dog bone cookie cutter, but feel free to use any shape you like.

Now, here is the second part that will make your biscuits brown and crunchy.



1.Bake for 20 minutes at 375°.

2.Remove the biscuits from oven, and use a pastry brush to paint the tops with your egg whites. This will make them shiny and give them a nice golden color.

3.After you brush the biscuit tops, return them to the oven to bake for another ten minutes.

4.Very important: When the biscuits are brown, turn the oven down to 200°, and leave them in the oven for two hours.

5.Then and only then, turn the oven off. Leave the biscuits in the oven as long as you can to dry them out further. This will make them hard, and it will also give them a more intense flavor. Chewing very hard biscuits helps keep your dog's teeth clean.

6.I like to leave the biscuits in the oven overnight. The more moisture you take out of the biscuits, the longer they will keep.

7.Be sure to let the biscuits cool at least eight hours before storing.

Yields 30 biscuits.
This biscuit has great fiber and flavor, and is a healthy treat for your dog.



Just because she sits in my lap ALL the time whether it's writing or stitching.


Doesn't mean she is spoiled one bit.



But she loves treats. So, because she is not spoiled a bit, I will consider making one of these recipes for her this year.  ;)

This lump of white sugar has been a huge blessing this year.

Till later,
Jennifer