Saturday, December 14, 2013

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow..

Good Morning:
This is What Happened Last Night Where I Live.
I will be sharing a few photos.. You knew that..

I don't care how old I am I live in the mid west and when we get our first significant snow I love it. I will admit when it gets super cold and it usually does after, NO I don't like that.. Its always so serene and spectacular to me when we have freshly fallen snow storm. As I work on this blog its still snowing. My family is going to be making ginger bread houses today something they have been doing for years right befor Christmas if this keeps up I don't know if I will go and join in the fun of it because YES Its always a fun time.. When the grand kids were all very young I would have them over on the weekend a few weeks befor Christmas and we would make Christmas cookies together.. Mind you I worked all week and partied Friday nights with my family, playing guitars singing and having fun.. So you know I was really tired by Saturday, but we made our Christmas Cookies. and I will always remember the fun we had together creating memories..
Here are a couple I took this morning Hope you enjoy them..

Well you get the picture if some are blurry its because,
it was snowing or I was moving..
Some were taken the other day
That's the reason it dosen't look like its around my house.

I guess I should share a recipe since its the Christmas season

Magic Spice Cake

I guess you figured out by now I like sweets..

Original Recipe
Yield
1 - 9 inch round layer cake

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup shortening

I replaced shorting and used butter

1 cup buttermilk

I used 1/2&1/2 instead of buttermilk

3 eggs

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans.

2.Sift together flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, cloves, and cinnamon into a large bowl. Add shortening and buttermilk; beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Add eggs, and beat 2 minutes more. Pour batter into prepared pans.

3.Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until done.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese. Add the vanilla extract. Slowly beat in the sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway, until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.

SUPER Delicious Cake..

Thanks for Looking I hope you enjoyed my photos and recipe.

UNTIL Next Time!!

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Welcome to December recipe, Swedish MeatBalls & Christmas Cookies

December Already..

I just cant think of a lot to say.

So here is a little something I created a few years ago when I was in this group, to get us into the mood for the Holiday to come.. Actually I created a whole lot of little things like this on the computer something I loved doing.

I did take a few pictures lately! coming up below..

I cant make up my mind weather to put up my big tree or not its driving me crazy should I or shoulden't I..

Im also moving recipes in my diane louise because Im not going to pay for it any more after the time runs out.

All these big decisions. LOL
I didnt end up putting a second tree up I cleaned up out side instead..
I feel better about that, I know its crazy..

I made this one a few years ago it is always a favorite..

Of course I know its not Christmas But!! Actually like I said I have a lot..

The one above is a favorite as well, I should start making some new ones..I always enjoyed it so much but got burnt out.. Maby soon.

I thought I would share a recipe my friend Peter I cant call him my boyfriend he's not a boy so you all know what I mean, My Man friend.. LOL was eating swedish meatballs so that inspired me to check it out here is one that sounded good to me.

Swedish Meatballs

Ingredients

Meatballs:

6 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 onion, diced
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons evaporated milk
2 pounds ground beef
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried parsley

Gravy:

2 cup low-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
¼ cup heavy cream
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried parsley
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup fresh parsley, if desired

Directions

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 5 to 10 minutes, or until onions are tender and translucent.
In a medium bowl, combine bread crumbs and evaporated milk; stir to combine. Add the ground beef, cooked onion, egg, salt, pepper, and dried parsley. Mix well, and form golf ball sized meatballs.
Heat remaining oil in the same skillet over medium high heat. Add the meatballs – do not over crowd pan. Carefully shake skillet to turn meatballs, as needed. Saute for 10 to 15 minutes, or until meat balls are browned on all sides. Transfer meatballs to a serving platter.
Deglaze the skillet with 1 cup beef broth. Let broth simmer for 3 minutes wile scraping the brown bits from bottom of the skillet. Strain heated broth into a clean bowl and add remaining beef broth to bowl.
Melt butter in the skillet. Add flour and whisk to combine, cook roux for 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in warm beef broth. Simmer gravy until thickened slightly. Add cream, onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and pepper.
To serve, cover meatballs with gravy and garnish with fresh parsley.

Yes I made that whole creation
I told you I was really into Pixel Art on the computer..

No Tree this year next to my fireplace but the lights are working for me..

Im not in the mood yet for all that work..

This one is working for me this year..
I never thought I would see that day but its here..
The year I did the big Cut Down On Christmas Decorating.

Last the Christmas Cookie
Yes I always made them a lot of them so here are some favorites.