It's All About The Merry-ment!!!

It is always all about the Merry-ment....Thanksgiving just whizzed on by---without a single piece of pie left to be had anywhere's in this house, sooooo I am sitting here reflecting on the Holiday with a very lonely cup of java in hand---and here's what I came up with---days of prep work---nooo months it seems---baked and baked and had lists of grocery 'runs' for this and that (all good stuff mind you) and of course we had to go several times the DAY before Thanksgiving just to feel what crazy truly is----and then the DAY--the DAY that we cook a very large Turkey in our oven--we overshoot the baster right over the top of the large bird and spray the back of the oven with drippings that run to the bottom and start a small fire---no biggie---except that everyone is now standing IN the kitchen--and are totally unaware of the impending danger---I would like to say that I usually enjoy vistitors in the kitchen while I am cooking---even though my kitchen is very small, it seems to be the place everyone NEEDS to be--I think it's because all the good stuff is stored there----OR could it be that they just really want to be around me---yup--true---it's gotta be me---as the only time I didn't have someone asking me some silly question that makes me get knocked off task and have to THINK--OR holding out an empty glass like I am supposed to remember what was once in there and replace that liquid with a new batch of WHATEVER---the ONLY time I had no one talking to me ('cept the voices in my head) was when I went to the bathroom---soooooo as I was looking at the bottle of homemade pure vanilla that I steeped using fine brandy and madagascar vanilla beans and thinking--hmmmm--I wonder if anyone would notice me taking shots of that here and there----didn't happen--but thought it---I then did the Hokey Pokey and turned myself around---only after trying the several different wine selections my son brought---let's not even go down the road of menapause and that falling on the happy occassion---AND the fact that our 11 year old German Shepard chose to have a leaky bladder that particular week---yaaaa--let's not even GO THERE!!  One added note---I was very Thankful of all of my Blessings and the day actually was WONDERUL---and that my dear ones is truly what the day is supposed to be!

Here is a picture of some of my new items that I have listed in WSOAPP. org and Birchberry Farms Etsy---and the window picture is an old window from my childhood home that I placed a large glass snowflake and glass icicles on it as well---that is mine here at my house---just wanted to show it off----tres chic! ENJOY!

Homemade Paperclay Recipe!!

After going to Michaels to get my paperclay and giving them an arm and a leg to purchase it---well I decided to make my own---and yup---it really works and has a great consistancy---this one here is a keeper---so jot it down!

Homemade Paperclay

Stuff you'll need:

Paper scraps (any kind, newspaper, construction paper, etc)

Flour

Water

Blender

Plastic bag or plastic container for storage

Start with about 2 cups of paper, torn into strips. Add 4 cups of

water

and blend until it is mushy. Remove the paper from the blender and

squeeze out all the water you can. I poured mine into a strainer and

just picked up handfuls at a time, then put them into a large mixing

bowl

after I squeezed out the water. Mix 1/2 c water and 1/2 c flour in

mixing bowl. Add the paper pulp after water is squeezed out. Knead

until it

has the consistency of soft dough. You may need to add more flour as

you go. Now you can use it as you would paper clay. I've noticed it

dries slower than paperclay, so after I finish my piece, I dry it in

oven at 150 Some people use a hair dryer,until the surface is dry,

then let it air dry for 1 or 2

days, but this could vary. After it is dry, you can sand and paint

it.

Store any left overs in a plastic bag or airtight container in the

refrigerator until you're ready to use it!

Unbelievable!!!!--- 'Believe' Christmas Hanger

There have been times in my life when I have made things and thought they were just the bomb diggity---and sometimes I am right and sometimes of course not so right---this little hanger I designed last year---made them and brought them up to the shop here in town---I thought---hmmmmm--these are cool---Well---either I was ahead of myself or behind in the thinkin for what peeps were wanting in my area---cuz I didn't sell a one----soooooo this year----this year I decided to list them on Etsy---I had the listing up and it sat and it sat---for about 3 weeks----then for some 'trip' of faith I ended up on front page in a treasury---and whamoooo gazowee---I sold all of the ones I had here and I am on my second batch----at first I was totally amazed at how this all worked----almost 3 years have past that I have first started to list on Etsy---and regularly too----it was like my guardian angel was pokin my butt with a stick most of the time to get MOVIN---alright alright!!!! I got it!!!!!  Don't get me wrong---I am diggin the fact that I am selling these like mad----funny part of it is---and my regulars all know this about me---(I think I have ADD) I am having trouble setting down my new creations that I am working on to make these---and correct me if I am wrong---am I not doing this as a form of income??? Yes---why yes I am---It cracks me up----well---back to making cones and wiring them---I have orders to fill and the day is just getting started-----OH and just for the record---I did design a new one for this year---and that will be listed this week on Etsy---it is rather cute if I do say so myself---OH BOY--here we go again!---I will however, be stopping for a time this afternoon to watch my beloved Vikings 'swirl' the tank once again this week---I just can't get enough of the pain and suffering of watching them muttle through this season---now THEY are really making me NUTS!!! Short Trip I know!  PS.  Please feel free to order one of these if you would like---I really do like making them---and don't want you to think otherwise!  Later Sweet Tarts!

A FABULOUS Cranberry Bread Recipe!

This is quite possibly one of the best breads I have ever made---it is fabulous! Just in time for the holidays it is sure to be one of those recipes people will want a copy of! AND I am pretty sure it is good for you as well---not alot of sugary stuff in it--- ENJOY!!!

Cranberry Pecan Oatbread

1 1/4 C. Flour

1/2 tsp. Baking powder

1/2 tsp. Baking soda

1/8 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2 C oats

1/2 C honey

1/4 C vegetable oil

Juice and zest of 1 lime

1 egg

1/4 C milk (I tried this w buttermilk and YUM!)

1/2 tsp. Vanilla bean paste (regular vanilla extract works fine)

1 C fresh cranberries

1/2 C toasted pecans -chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350, grease an 8x4 pan

2. In large bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice and oats.

3. In small bowl mix together honey, vegetable oil, juice and zest of lime, eggs, milk, and vanilla bean paste.

4. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just moistened. Stir in cranberries and pecans.

5. Bake 40-45 minutes until tester inserted in center comes out clean.