Showing posts with label Tis the Season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tis the Season. Show all posts

March 25, 2013

Luck of the Irish

Come the month of March, I like to buy stock in green food coloring -and soon everything I ingest is a greenish hue. I think it's fabulous, Mr. thinks it's odd. But I look past this, and do what I want!

I draw the line at coloring cabbage and meats. I just can't do it. But I can trade my coloring for an irish banquet. St. Patrick's Day (March 17) is an annual feast day which celebrates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is a day celebrated with parades, the wearing of green, and of course, beer. It's also popular with many people because it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring.

Make this St. Paddy's Day memorable with these Irish-inspired recipes. And remember, if you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough! 'Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!'

This is what we had last week:

Sweet Irish Whiskey Glazed Corned Beef
Servings: 4 - 6 Prep Time: 15 min. Cook Time: 9 hours on low
This corned beef cooks all day in the slow cooker. Just broil the corned beef to make the sweet Whiskey glaze (we used bourbon whiskey) a few minutes before serving it up for your St. Patrick's Day Supper.

DIRECTIONS
• 3 lb corned beef brisket
• 1 lb red potatoes
• 1/2 lb carrots
• 1 bottle(s) beer
• 1/4 cup(s) orange marmalade
• 2 tbsp bourbon
• 1 tbsp ketchup, low sod.
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
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1. Place red potatoes, carrots (cut in 2 inch pieces), and 1 beer (we used Sam Adams lager) in a slow cooker. Place trimmed corned beef on top. Most corned beef comes with a seasoning packet. If it does, add the seasoning packet to the slow cooker. Cook for 8-9 hours on low (4-5 on high).

2. Remove corned beef from slow cooker. Whisk together bourbon, ketchup, marmalade and vinegar. Brush over corned beef. Broil beef about 6 inches from heat for 5 - 6 minutes or until it caramelizes.

3. Thinly slice corned beef against grain and serve with carrots and potatoes (quartered).

Second Beef Recipe
Muenster and Corned Beef Press
Servings: 2 Prep Time: 10 min. Cook Time: 20 min.
We usually buy deli corned beef for these sandwiches but it is also a great way to use up your corned beef dinner leftovers.

INGREDIENTS
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DIRECTIONS
• 1 head cabbage (green), thinly sliced
• 1 cup(s) chicken broth, low sodium
• 4 slice(s) rye bread
• 1 tbsp butter, with salt
• 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
• 4 oz deli corned beef, cooked
• 2 slice(s) muenster cheese

1. Combine cabbage and chicken broth in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Let simmer and cover for 20 minutes or until tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and season with s&p.

2. Spread butter on four slices of rye bread. Place buttered side down and spread dijon mustard on each slice. Top two slices with corned beef, cabbage and a slice of cheese. Top with remaining two bread slices.

3. Cook on a heated panini press (or in a grill pan with a heavy pot on top) for 4 - 6 minutes or until crispy and cheese is melted.

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October 18, 2010

Welcome to my home - come in my pretties

I take special pride in decorating for the holidays, so I wanted to show you the outside of our house BEFORE my husband thought it was a good time to rip off our aluminum siding. I am so psyched for the project to be complete, because hopefully it will reveal the original cedar shakes!  We are hoping to restore our house back to the original look of the 1920s - yes, but with a graveyard in the front.

If your least favorite movie is "Arachnophobia", our house is not the place to visit! We have HUGE spiders crawling all over....these are my absolute favorite! They hang around corners, and look like they are trying to break in!! eeek!
Who knew the trees in our yard casted such shadows!


I love the graveyard and how it turned out this year.  After I took this picture, we finally filled a wheelbarrow up with leftover dirt, and stuck a few skull heads (yup, who doesn't have those lying around!) and a shovel in it.  Looks like we stopped a grave robbing!


My husband a few years ago made the fencing for Halloween - complete with gargoyles.  

We took plywood and cut them to make pillars. Then we taped off the pillars and spray-painted brick work.  Mr. took piping and bought fencing.  We get so many compliments! Some people even think we should have it up year around!! (Not so sure about that......)
Who really wants this guy lurking around your property?  My husband's favorite cartoon was Gargoyles, so it made me happy that we were able to find some that looked as creepy as in the cartoon!!


And a yard isn't complete unless you have a furry beast. 
My favorite is our ferocious guard dog......

Alright, maybe not so ferocious....

Happy Decorating!!

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Project #20something

3D Halloween Wreath

What you Need
foam circle wreath (I used 14 inch)
ribbon (whatever color you would like)
wooden circles (this was the hardest to find!)
fun Halloween scrap booking paper
wooden ball dowels
orange paint

How to start
Wrap the foam with your choice color ribbon and pin it (I taped it but to look better, I would pin it!).
Then paint all the wooden circles and wooden dowels. I had 8 dowel balls and 18 wooden circles.  Glue the wooden dowels to painted side of the circle (so if the backside of your wreath shows it still is festive!).  Note that I did it backwards. oops!

I used Outdoor mod podge and glued circles of Halloweenie/fall scrap-booking paper on the wooden circles.

I figured out the pattern I wanted to place the circles on the wreath.  

I let it dry and then hung it up on my front porch!! Looks so cute! I would show you my porch, but we are residing our house and it's a disaster!

October 06, 2010

I see you! Project Idea #26 1/2

As a child, I had a doll house filled with tiny furniture, little people, and teensy appliances.  My favorite was an itsy bitsy gum ball machine.  It was painted red, and had multicolor dots inside to mimic gum balls.  Eventually, after playing with it too much, the mini gum ball machine met it's maker. I dropped it on the wooden floor, and the glass broke spilling out all the miniatures gum balls.  Sadden, I sought to find another one to replace it.  Years passed, and I forgot about it.   My father did not forget.  When I moved into my house, my father pulled out of his attic an old gum ball machine that he found at a garage sale years ago.  He wanted to restore it to its original color - fire engine red - much like my itty bitty doll house version. I told him not to worry about it because I was just so overjoyed to have a real one! And it even works!
This year for Halloween, I decided to fill it with eye balls.  I found at Michaels a pack of 4 foam eyeballs.  It would only make sense to purchase 13 packs!  
  
 They are a little too big to actually go through when you insert money, so I just put one eye ball in the bottom to make it more realistic!



We aren't sure where our jar of treats will go for the month of October, so right now it is by the front door next to another eye ball...just slightly larger :)

Do you have any decorations that you display throughout the year, that if you add something small - it becomes a Halloween scare?

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October 04, 2010

Project #29 Pimp your window

This isn't really a project, moreso a review.
In college, I didn't want to give up celebrating or decorating for the holidays, so an easy and little-space needed way was to decorate the windows. I had (and probably still have) quite an array of window clings for all holidays.  Though I can't tell you where I put my stash of plastic celebratory clings, I have upgraded my window status. I bought window clings that cover our whole window in Michaels and Christmas Tree Shop (both by Martha Stewart) - which look great on our porch.  I love Martha. And I like how I only have to use her first name, and everyone knows who I am talking about right away. This year, we purchased the witch cling and decided to create a - "witch" area on our front porch, including the witch cling, extra witch brooms leaning against the house, and a calderon (filled with the smoke machine).

The skeleton window cling we bought two years ago, and I liked it so much - I decided that every window should be covered.  Lucky for our budget,  we only have four windows facing the front! I didn't realize the vast array of choices that are out there.  In our Michaels, two types are offered - a witch and a Frankenstein (both of which we proudly own).  Using a 40% coupon, the clings are only $6!You can cut the plastic to fit your window, and it rolls neatly back onto the plastic from which it came from.

After researching Martha and her clings, I realized there was one design I do not have - but must get my hands and my windows on them.  Spiders! At a later date, I will show you the front of my house, and it will make complete sense why locating these spider clings are a must.  This is what our living room looks like (not finished yet!), we have them all over the place!  Imagine the front of our house,  attacked by 5 foot spiders! yuck!

 In addition to window designs, Martha has a bunch of adorable, yet scary (and not chintzy) decorations for your house and your craft room.  Some projects you need to actual put together, and some already come assembled - just find a place and voila! My fear of mice and the creekiness of our stairs made me purchase the black mice silhouettes.  Again, with a coupon I spent less than five dollars on over 15 mice.   They are eerie and atleast twice a day, I do a little jump when I pass our stair case.  But they still make me laugh because they are so gross, and it the dark - they definitely resemble the real thing! Right now, we only put a couple around the  stairwell, but plan to put the rest around the house.  To torture our little dog Princess, I tacked a mouse silhouette by her food dish, so it appears it is eating out of her food dish.   Apparently, she doesn't care (or doesn't see it!). What a brave little dog!  

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October 03, 2010

Project #31


Bagga  Bones
What you need:
wheel barrow
dirt
bones

Easy peasy.
(yes, I realize this was suppose to  be posted on Friday - but I had a little trouble with my computer. sigh. It's always something!) 
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October 01, 2010

Blog Par-tay!

Today is October 1st, which kicks off my very first blog mini series!   We go all out for Halloween, and I thought why not have a party to celebrate!? For the next 31 days, I will be posting spooktacular Halloween projects. recipes, and decorating ideas. I will happily feature anyone who wants to join the party and show off their cauldron of macabre ideas! Let's swap em! Some thoughts: Homemade costume ideas,  yard decorations, party treats and favors, fun food and drink concoctions!








How To Participate?
Please link up to my party and grab the "31 Spooktacular Projects" party button, and spread the word of this spooktacular event!   Add your link to Mr. Linky anytime between October 1st -31st. Please provide link to your Halloween post :)  If you don't have a blog, email me the pics or idea! I will gladly post for you!   


(Please keep your fingers crossed that it works, as I've never used McLinky - and I'm really excited/anxious of what to do!)


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September 30, 2010

Skip Halloween move to Christmas

Halloween? Yay!! Christmas? WHAT?! I can NOT believe when I went shopping last night, Halloween stuff was on clearance to make way for Christmas decor. I threw up in my mouth a little.  Then I went home, and fretted over what I am making/buying  for the holidays.


My friend received  an awesome gift  from her aunt after her recent wedding, a cookbook containing family recipes and memories.  After flipping through it - I would love to create the same tradition for my family.  Having six aunts, my mother, grandmother, and  cousins/sisters - we have dozens of favorite meals when it comes to the holidays/birthdays/family functions.  Why not create a binder to store all  of our family classics?


I searched the blogs (my favorite) for inspiration of how to set this project up.  Here is what I came up with:


Family Cookbook: Each page should contain a recipe, varied ideas and notes, and perhaps a picture of a family member taken within the last year(or perhaps what event the recipe is from!). However, I don't think each recipe will have a picture - because it might look too busy.  Each year (or every other year) I could continue to add to the binder, typing up new recipes that we've tried for that year and adding new pictures. I think using a large binder, divided into sections (appetizers, meat, desserts, etc.) would work.  Perhaps actually making use of the sheet protectors I have stored in the basement will make it spill proof? I'll have to figure out a system to date each recipe of when it was submitted so we know when it was added and who added them!  



Have to figure out how I am going to organize my recipes...and what program I am going to use to format them. I sent an email to nine women in our family, and asked them for their top 5 favorite recipes, or what they are known for (what people request most often).  I didn't give them any hints of why I needed them, as I wanted to make it a surprise.  I am thinking that for the first year, I won't add too many pictures or stories because I would rather people add what they want without letting on to what I am creating for Christmas.  

Any suggestions on how to create this? 



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March 18, 2010

Bake Me Pretty and Sweet

At work, there is a long list of things I should be doing. Key word - should. Instead, I am finding topics to blog about...all of which leave me feeling hungry or pained because I lack the finances to purchase all my findings.

To add to my themed "Tea Party" un-birthday, I have found Teacupcakes. They are adorable. The only problem I find is that the package comes in four, which wouldn't be enough for a party - you would need to spend hundred of dollars to buy enough to make tea with your dozen cupcakes. Nonetheless, this just may be my next purchase.

My new favorite website is Bake It Pretty - and if I could quit my day job (though I love teaching!) and run off to be a baker's assistant, I don't think I would hesitant (too much!).

My favorite Easter items from this website are the following:










How cute!!!!!Though I am a little late in ordering these items, I think they would have been super adorable! Oh well, there is always next year!

Happy Spring! Happy Easter!

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January 05, 2010

After the Holidays - Don't lose the meaning

After the holidays, I always find the best projects that I *wish* I completed. However, I also realize that time is always a crunch around the holidays. So maybe if I complete projects AFTER the holidays, I will be ready for NEXT season!

I adore the idea of an advent calendar. During the holiday season, when it should be about family and good-will, the shopping and frustration of weather/financial woes usually takes over. I feel like around the holidays, friends and loved ones take back seat until days before the actual holiday. Odd, right?

I think maybe instead of using an advent calendar to count down the days till Christmas with small trinkets, the prize inside the box should include doing special tasks/fun dates for those around you. That way, you don't lose focus of what is important - your family and friends.

This is the list I came up with for each day:

Dec 1 Watch It's a Wonderful Life, make spiced cider.
Dec 2 Put up a ribbon sash for Christmas cards

Dec 3 Put up a wreath/decorate

Dec 4 Make Thick Hot Chocolate and Homemade Marshmallows

Dec 5 Leave out wooden shoes

Dec 6 Attend City tree lighting event

Dec 7 Host a Christmas dessert party/Sweater Party

Dec 8 Sign up to purchase gifts for a needy child

Dec 9 Go to Borders and Pick out one new Christmas CD

Dec 10 Donate canned goods

Dec 11 Make Christmas craft

Dec 12 Find Christmas Tree

Dec 13 Make a Gingerbread House

Dec 14 Have a full traditional breakfast while listening to Christmas music

Dec 15 Address and mail Christmas cards

Dec 16 Have a movie party (classic Christmas clips)

Dec 17 Donate old clothing

Dec 18 Make Christmas cookies/Wrap gifts

Dec 19 Make hot chocolate and read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Dec 20 Give neighbors a present

Dec 21 Drive around to see neighborhood lights while listening to Christmas carols

Dec 22 Have a romantic candlelit dinner by the Christmas tree

Dec 23 Tell stories of childhood Christmas around the fire

Dec 24 Find Mistletoe, hang it in our house and kiss under it.

Dec 25 Spend time with those you love

The creative part would be how to display this? Would you fold these festive ideas into squares and place them in a glass jar? Would you build a box with 25 little cubbies so they each have their own space? Would you use a muffin tin and decorate the metal? So many ideas, yet you only need one way!

These are different designs I found...and maybe next year I will use one!

This fabulous design was stamped by Fresh & Fun.

She used metal tins, stamps, and velcro tape. I think my favorite part of this design is the font used. Anyone at work knows I do love a good font! (so sad, I know.) Her tutorial seems easy, that it makes me want to do a countdown for birthdays!



The above circle advent calendar brings out the seamstress in you....or will just make you feel bad about your lack of seaming skills. She Knits Shizknits gives a tutorial of how to make this lil booger. http://www.allsorts.typepad.com/ also has some really snazzy sewing patterns.




This was an advent calendar made on Etsy - but it seems easy enough (ha!). I like that each day looks different....it is colorful and friendly!

I will end on this note from FAO Schwarz. This advent HOUSE is worth over a grand, but how beautifully detailed.....

and I quote "A festive red Tudor style house with 24 turning windows, the Advent Calendar honours the 150 year old German tradition. Heirloom-quality ensures that generations of children will delight in revealing the scenes behind each window. A perfect display for on the mantle, the hand painted figures offer a simple traditional elegance. A fabulous new tradition for any family the German Advent Calendar will make counting down the days an event in itself. Buy it for a price of $1,125 from FAO Schwarz."

That would look beautiful, but since it's a grand....and I don't have that in my budget for the holiday...I better get my saw and drill out. Looks like I have a mini mansion to build!

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December 09, 2008

HOLIDAY cheer

"Christmas bells are ringing!" The sounds of Christmas music blares in all convinent stores, fancy boutiques and sometimes (if you are lucky!) music is playing sweetly down Main Streets.
Christmas time is my favorite time of the year. Between the holiday cheer and finding that "perfect" gift - I can't help but smiling :)

I have never been to a Live Nativity Scene and for some reason, this year I feel like going to one. Where can I go? That is a good question - but I have the answer! Here in Northern New Jersey, there are surprisingly alot of live Nativity scenes...

In addition to the Nativity (the true start of Christmas) I adore Christmas lights. After plugging in , what must have been over twenty lit decorations throughout my house, and about forty strands of lights outside, I turned off my regular lamps - and basked in the glow of the Christmas spirit. I sometimes wonder what my neighbors think.....

Moving away from the lights and the manger, I love Christmas for a multitude of reasons. I love the magic in the air. Yes, I still believe in Santa Claus. I believe that average people can turn someone's world around - but sadly, we only do it around the holidays. I love Christmas music. Something about all the songs I sang, rather loudly as a child, remind me of a more simple time. I love finding the "perfect" gift. I become giddy thinking about the receiver's reaction when they open up my gift.

I also love hte cookies. the piles and miles of cookies my mom and I bake. One or two days full of chocolately goodness wafting through the kitchen. I makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

October 21, 2008

Fridays on the Cheap - Halloween Version

When the full moon is out and the wolves are howling- where should you turn? How about the dozens of scary haunted houses and hayrides located minutes from your home!




If you live in the Northern Jersey area, or perhaps even NY area - I have the low down :)




A MASSIVE Haunted House Inside A Real Prison! A lost world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers stands behind the Eastern State Penitentiary's massive 30-foot high walls. This is the home of Terror Behind the Walls. Ranked as one of the 10 Best Haunted Houses in the United States by America Online, the Travel Channel and the New York Times. _Click Here for more info >>>http://www.terrorbehindthewalls.com/




http://www.hayrideofhorrors.com/





Haunted Hill FarmsVernon, New JerseyNorthern NJVoted Best New Jersey Haunted Hayride. Your adventure will transport you to a world of spooks and ghosts: where monsters lurk in the darkness waiting for you to venture past. A delightful mix of fright and fun for the entire family! Not recommended for small children 6 years or younger. For more Information, please call 973-764-4444.





Haunted Village at Dey MansionWayne, New JerseyHow brave are you? The actors of NJRF Players and Dunn-ley Productions challenge you to wander into the depths of insanity. Beware of the many creatures you nay unearth as you walk through the horrors of the night. The tour is PG13 and children under 15 MUST be accompanied by an adult. We dare you to let us scare you!



Nightmare Haunted Hayride and Haunted ManorVernon, New JerseyHaunted Hayride: In it's thirteenth year, our Haunted Hayride is sure to make your blood run cold with 50 live actors all anxiously waiting to scare the 'yell' out of you. Haunted Manor: The newest addition to the Halloween Spooktacular, the Haunted Manor is a frightening walk-through haunted house, with 13 uniquely bone-chilling rooms, featuring ghastly animated props and live actors.





Haunted Mill Historic Red Mill Museum Village Clinton NJNorthwest NJAs the moon rises and darkness reigns, the spirits summon the creatures of the SHADOWS to awaken from the perpetual slumber of death to feast on the fears and flesh of the living, those who are foolish enough to be at hand. Take heed of what lies “Beyond the Shadows”. Concealed in the gloom prowl the hunters and you are their innocent prey.The 18th Annual Haunted Mill will be taking place at the Historic Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, New Jersey. Performances are scheduled for the evenings of October 17, 18, 24, and 25 from 6:00 pm to midnight. General admission tickets are available for pre-purchase starting October 10 at the Red Mill Museum Office from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm daily. The ticket window opens on performance nights at 5:00 pm. General admission tickets are night specific and are available for $20 each, and XpressPass tickets, good for any of the four nights and are $40 each. Both prices include the notorious haunted hayride and infamous walking terror trail.


Forest of Fear600 Rte. 17A Tuxedo, New York 845-351-5174 and 845-351-5171 New York StateFridays: Nightfall - 12:00 AM Saturdays: Nightfall - 1:00 AM Sundays: Nightfall - 11:00 PM - $20.00 Admission at the gate. Ticket sales end one hour before closing time. Featuring: The Slaughterhouse - Dare to survive the most terrifying sights through this 26 room Haunted House. Over 6,000 square feet of dark, turning, shifting passages. Who knows what roams these rooms? The Cemetery of Lost Souls - Continuous fiendish fire manipulations featuring The Burnmasters - Fireballs, Firespinning and Flamethrowing! Midway of Mayhem - Thrilling rides and games including the Tilt-a-Whirl, the Gravitron, the Scrambler and more! The Carn-Evil Macabre - Visit the Haunted Marketplace filled with foods and scary. The Forest of Fear is held on the NY Renaissance Faire site. 600 Rte. 17A Tuxedo, New York 845-351-5174 and 845-351-5171. Less than an hour from most parts of Northern New Jersey.





Headless Horseman - Hayrides and Haunted HousesUlster Park, NY, 845-339-2666New York StateHeadless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses is located in Ulster Park, NY, part of the Historic Haunted Hudson Valley. The property incorporates over forty-five acres of naturally landscaped property that includes foreboding woods, surreal ponds, fruit orchards and more. It has been Named #1 Hayride in America by American Airlines Magazine, as well as #1 Haunted Attraction in the country by Haunt World Magazine, also receiving top ten national rankings from CNBC and AOL. Headless Horseman is a theatrical experience like no other! Every friday Saturday and Sunday in October as well as October 29th and 30th! About an hour and a half from most parts of Northern New Jersey, but well worth the ride!