Buckets of Christmas Ideas

http://bucketideasforchristmas.blogspot.com/

I found a great idea blog! if you are looking for Christmas ideas that you can make, this is it!

I especially like the "I Spy Tree" and the Photo CD ornament.

Maybe this will help me get inspired to start on Christmas. When you are making things, it may take less money, but it takes a lot more time.

3rd Picture Tag (from a Tagg)

I picked up the tag (from someone who's last name use to be Tagg). So this is the 3rd picture in my 3rd picture file. But it needs some explanation.


Our vacuum was just not working. TK decided to change the bag. As you can see, it wasn't full at all. So I got down on the floor and took the vacuum apart.

Guess what I found? There was a small section, about 6 inches, long that was PACKED with what you see in the picture. What you don't see is that this was only about ONE THIRD of the junk I pulled out.

But since this tag was for the 3rd picture in the 3rd picture file, i am only going to share this one pile of whatever this is.

Now you can be tagged--if you want to share your 3rd picture in your 3rd picture file. Just leave a comment if you take the dare, I mean the tag.

Time for some Crochet

I started working on an afghan for Alyssa close to 6 months ago. I finished it about 6 weeks ago, but haven’t posted about it. Since it is really nice and very large, it deserves posting.
The pictures have been chosen at random.
I worked on this on my king size bed because of how large this was getting. And I was watching NCIS!
They show the color (rose & off white)
Alyssa taking her pictures with it before it was finished

The cat giving her approval by kneading it and then finding her spot to lay on.

This was made for her TWIN bed, but as you can see it is much larger than that.

Confessions of the Cookie Dough Monster

Yes, I love to eat cookie dough. Apparently many others like it too, which is why they make so many things in “cookie dough” flavor. But if you are at all worried about eating raw eggs, cookie dough is not the best snack.

UNTIL I FOUND THIS RECIPE – Edible Cookie Dough

This is dough that is not to be baked, but to be eaten as the dough! My kind of snack -- save the eggs and still have dough! So, I made it, and A & I eat it so fast that I have to make double batches just so it will last more than 24 hours!

I share this with you after looking at many recipes for this and putting together my own.

EDIBLE COOKIE DOUGH

½ cup soft butter
¼ - ½ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup milk
½ - 1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup sugar
1 ¼ cups flour
½ - 1 cup chocolate chips (optional – yeah right!)

Cream together first 5 ingredients. Add the salt and flour and mix well. Add the chocolate chips, stir to distribute.

After the dough is ready, you can leave it in the bowl and serve like that. But I prefer to form it into the same shape as the store-bought “break & bake” style. I use a large piece of plastic wrap, place the dough on it and shape into a rectangle. Then I make the cut marks to it will be easy to break off. I wrap it completely and put in the freezer/fridge.

This is also the kind of dough you would use to make your own “COOKIE DOUGH ICE CREAM”. Add it to softened store-bought ice cream and re-freeze. Or add it to your homemade ice cream just before you think it will stop churning so it has time to mix in.

NOTES:
* I have left out the baking powder/baking soda that most of the recipes called for – I find it doesn’t do anything for the flavor and I don’t need the leavening properties.
* Try adding some peanut butter chips or nuts, if that is your preference.
* We have to put a limit on how many sections you can take at once.

Sorry I don't have any pictures. It gets eatten too fast!!

Microwave Fudge

I first was introduced to fudge made in the microwave almost 25 years ago. Now it is the only kind I will make! I think I will share it with you.

Recipe (follow it EXACTLY)

1 box Powdered sugar OR 3 ¾ cup
½ cup cocoa
¼ cup milk (I like the canned evaporated milk for this)
½ cup butter, in small pats
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Take out of microwave and mix until smooth. Add vanilla and nuts.
Spread into a buttered dish (about an 8 inch dish). Cool then cut and serve.
NOTE: you may get small balls of sugar in your fudge if you don’t sift it first or use a mixer after cooking. I don’t think it’s a problem, but you might.

Sometimes I add Peanut Butter and maybe some Cinnamon after cooking. Wonderful!!



This is the simplest recipe!! It makes up in a couple of minutes and you are licking the bowl in less than 15 minutes. If you are a chocoholic, you must try this recipe!

This is what Insomnia looks like

One night, I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t want to turn on a light because my eyes were so tired, but my body wasn’t co-operating! So I reached over to the side of my bed where I keep my yarn and grabbed a ball. I had no idea what color it was. I also fumbled for a hook in any size.

I proceeded to crochet - in the dark. I tried a number of different stitches.

I saved it to look at it and see where I need to work on my technique. As you can see, my turning needs some work! But I could feel it and worked at changing it, as the picture shows. But it still needs work!!!

There is a reason I do this – crochet in the dark and while in the dentist’s chair (see post from March 27, 2008). I want to be able to do something with my hands even if my sight gets really bad. Not being able to do something with my hands if basically a form of torture for me. I tend to talk with my hands too. If you make me sit on them, I can’t speak. (That is not a suggestion! So don’t even think about it.)

An Invitation

When Jesus Christ was on earth, He formed His church with living apostles. When He was not on earth, He had living prophets. These men were commissioned to testify of Christ, receive revelation for the people at the time they were living and to prophecy of things to come.

I believe that Christ’s church today would have the same thing; Prophets and Apostles commissioned to testify of Him, receive revelation for our time and to prophecy of things to come. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a living prophet and living apostles who are given those duties.

If you would like to hear a Living Prophet of God and Living Apostles of God, you have that opportunity this weekend.

October 4-5, Saturday and Sunday 10am & 2pm MDT
Watch on BYUTV, or listen at http://www.lds.org/broadcast/gc/0,5161,8176,00.html

(you can chose what language you would like)

These are 4 different meetings that will be broadcast to the world. There are approximately 13 million people worldwide that will try to find a way to listen to these meetings.

I strongly recommend that you take the opportunity to see who is leading The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and what counsel is given to the people of the world. A Prophet that has been called by God is not only a prophet for His church, but is in reality a Prophet to the world, just as Jesus Christ was.

For more information about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints go to “About the Church” at http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=5a7f3c7ff44f2010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD&locale=0

I would love to hear what you thought about the things you heard.