"My mind sees that I am nothing, my heart sees that I am everything, between these two poles my life unfolds."

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

I'm Back!!


Homemade ornaments are the best!
I spotted this adorable gingerbread man on our friends' tree yesterday;
turns out it's the handiwork of their granddaughter (with a little help from grandpa :) 

Seeing as this is the second time I've 'popped by' when I'm supposed to be taking some time off, I'm guessing my bloggy-break is now officially over, lol! I trust your Christmas was a merry one; ours was lovely. I was actually quite excited this year in anticipation of the Kindle Reader Santa was bringing me - don't ask me how I found out - I never reveal my sources... :) So far I'm really enjoying it. I'm a hoarder collector of books and will likely end up picking up many of the books I read on the Kindle at Goodwill for my collection anyways. I finished Harry Potter a few days before Christmas and have started a new book series which I downloaded to my reader (see my Good Reads page)

Food is such a big part of any Christmas, that I thought I'd share a few recipes with you. I made an apple crisp for our dessert on Christmas Eve and a Sour Cherry Trifle for Christmas Day. I put it together early on Christmas Eve, except for the whipping cream and almonds which I added just before serving. If you haven't yet decided on a dessert for your New Year's celebrations - this would be a perfect one. Very showy and delicious!


The above photo is from the Canadian Living website where I found the recipe (link). I had full plans of posting a pic of my trifle but in all the excitement, I only realized I'd forgotten to take one after having dished out numerous servings...! You'll just have to take my word that it was essentially identical to the one above :)


Something I did manage to get a shot of was one of the numerous pans of Graham Breakaways I've made over the past week (my sister calls them 'Crack' because you can't have just one, lol!) This was just before I'd broke them into pieces. Below is the recipe (which I've adapted) from the Kraft website. (link)


Take 1 sleeve (30) Honey Maid Graham Wafers and 2/3 cup butter and 1 cup packed brown sugar and mix & match your recipe from these options...

chopped nut optionstopping choices
pecansflaked coconut
walnutsdried cranberries
peanutsBaker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped
almondsBaker's White Chocolate, chopped
Pre-heat oven to 350ºF. On parchment paper spread wafers onto large baking sheet.
In a saucepan melt butter on low heat with brown sugar until incorporated, then raise heat to med-high and boil for 1.5 minutes. Quickly pour over your prepared wafers, spreading mixture evenly.

Bake 5 min. or until topping is bubbly and lightly browned. 

Remove from oven, sprinkle generously with chocolate (I use semi-sweet chocolate chips) and put back in oven for 2-3 minutes, remove from oven and spread melted chips over caramel layer.

Add your toppings (nuts, cranberries, coconut) Press down gently and bake another 2 min. max.

Cool completely in fridge. Break into pieces. Enjoy!

Note: Other yummy toppings would be Skor pieces &/or substituting 1/2 butterscotch chips for regular chocolate.

Also: Do not use carob chips - they won't melt properly!



Here's another one of Jinnaya's creations :)


Cheers!

12 comments:

  1. Those Graham Breakaways look amazing,I would have never thought to make something like this but I think it's going to have to get added to my long list of things to try! Lovely blog and welcome back x

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  2. Jane...

    I love getting to know you!!!

    I am going to try these amazing recipes...especially the graham cracker one...that just sounds like way too much fun!!!

    The ornaments are lovely...and I am glad you are back!!!
    I am so glad that you are starting to love your Kindle!!!

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  3. I can attest from experience those Breakaways are so very yummy and they are so easy to make.

    I must make the trifle, it looks awesome.

    How are the Christmas ornaments made? Are they paper? Very pretty

    Welcome back to your blogging, I can't wait to see what we are going to see and learn in the coming new year.

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  4. Sounds so good!

    Thanks for stopping by Reading Confetti! Happy to have found your blog and I'm a new follower!

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  5. I think it is delicious. Thank you for visiting. I wish you a Happy New Year and best regards.

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  6. Yum yum yum...those Graham Breakaways look soooo good. It had me at the white chocolate option. Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas - good company and good food!

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  7. sarahflight, Thanks! A good friend forwarded me the recipe and was raving so much I had to give them a try :)

    Patty, Thanks, you are so kind :) I am totally loving my reader - when they first came out a few years ago, I wasn't even remotely interested - funny how our tastes change.

    Lorene, I believe they are heavy paper. I'm back, but I'd better keep my five commandments in mind though!

    Lorie, Thanks for stopping by and following back! You have a lovely blog :)

    Miss Charming, :) Thanks, the best thing about this trifle is that it wasn't overly sweet.

    Giga, Thanks for stopping by and blessings in the New Year.

    Martha, I haven't tried out the white chocolate option, but I expect it would be both yummy and quite attractive.

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  8. I left a comment this morning to you but looks like it didn't make it to you! Hey, I can't be stunningly beautiful AND brainy!!
    So happy that you somehow found my blog! I think yours is lovely!
    Trifle is something that I truly LOVED in England, my husband's Aunt Doreen makes such a good one. My husband has to be on a gluten free diet, so I can only make something if I can make it gluten free!
    Thank you for being one of my new followers. I have been doing my blog since late August, but there is still so much to learn!

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  9. Hi Kay, Lol!! Thanks for stopping by and becoming a new follower - I don't know how I managed to stumble across your blog, but I'm glad I did! I'm looking forward to learning about your life in Georgia.
    We've been enjoying all kinds of goodies over the Christmas season that we normally avoid - sometimes I wonder if I should be gluten-free - bread, rice, pastas do not agree with me. I feel so much better when I stick to meat (beef, poultry, fish, eggs) veggies and fruits :)

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  10. Dianne Stretch-StrangDecember 30, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    I love your recipes and all your photos!!! And it's lovely to have you officially back from your break!!

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  11. Thanks Dianne :) I see I can't stay away for long!

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Thanks for stopping by - and leaving your comments! I love reading them :)