Repurposed Christmas Tree Ornaments

Have you ever kept something when it was empty thinking that this would be perfect to make something out of.  I have done that with Bath & Body Wallflower fragrance bulbs.  They look like little tree lights and I when I was using them all the time (we don't have a Bath & Body here anymore) I saved everyone of them. A while back I found my stash and threw a lot of them away as I never used them, keeping only 6.  This week as I was thinking of  what to make as ornaments ~ I had an uh huh moment.  

This moment came when I was going through some of my craft supplies and came across some rub-on that I had from Plaid and Christmas Washi Tape.  And that is how this project came together.

Materials:
Used Bath and Body Wallflower fragrance bulbs (other bulbs might work too)
Rub-on  transfer (I used Plaid rub on transfers)
Washi Tape
Pliers
Heavy Thread to make holder and hot glue ( I had some leftover from balls that I used in a wreath)

Directions:
Unscrew the lid from the fragrance bulbs.  Using pliers pull out wick and plastic piece that holds the wick in place.  Screw back the lid on.
Making sure the outside of bulb is clean and dry,  place rub-on transfer onto the surface of bulb and using stick provide rub the transfer on.  If needed, you may have to rub some of the transfer and then pull it off to be able to rub the rest around the round surfaces.  I also made sure my rub on was on the opposite side of the raised words of the fragrance bulbs.
Using washi tape, tape the edges of the lid.  (I just did the outside of the edges).
Make loop with thread and tie a knot at the end.  Glue the knotted end to the top of the lid of the bulb using hot glue and let dry.

Finished Ornaments

 The only problem I had was with the Merry Christmas rub-on as it didn't want to transfer properly.  Still looks ok and I might use a fine tip marker to fill in any of the letters that didn't all transfer.  I really wish that I would have saved all the fragrance bulbs that I had as I love these ornaments.

 
LINKED TO:  Nap-Time Creation

Spiced Crock Pot Turkey Breast

Have you used your crock pot to make turkey?  When my hubby first came to America I made a whole turkey in the oven.. thinking that I would give him a taste of American cooking.  Well, he didn't like it, he thought it was dry and had no flavour.  He didn't want to have turkey again.  It was a few years later that we decided to try and make it in the crock pot and put in some spices and VOILA it was terrific.  Full of flavour and moist.  So since that day I have made my turkey in the crock pot.

I know, you are going to say .... everyone does that.  This is not new.  But what is new is what spices that I use and how I infuse the spices throughout the turkey breast, so that not only the outside has the flavour, every bite has it.

Here is how I do it.

    
Ingredients:
3 lb turkey breast
1 garlic clove
1 inch fresh ginger
1 tbsp anise
1 tsp grains of paradise (you could use black pepper
1-2 tbsp onion
Salt water

Directions:
Place turkey breast in water to cover and approx 1 tbsp salt.  Let sit while you mix your spices.
I use my mortar and pestle and grind together garlic, ginger, anise, grains of paradise and onion.  Add a small amount of water to this so it makes a paste.
Take turkey breast out of salt water, remove skin,  cut a few slits throughout the turkey.
Rub spices all over the turkey and into the slits that you cut.  Cover the breast with the skin and rub some spices over the skin.
Place turkey in crock pot.
Cook on low for 5-6 hours.   Remove from crock pot and let sit for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Cooks notes:
My crock pot is a 6 qt which is probably too big.  You could use a smaller one if you have it.  I do not add any liquid to my turkey as it has enough already.  Most of the time the liquid is covering the turkey breast when it is done.
If you don't have a mortar and pestle, a small food processor would work to grind the spices.  I have not tried this recipe with ground spices as I use fresh garlic, ginger and onion and whole anise and grains of paradise.

Linenspa Lucid Mattress Giveaway (up to a $1999.99 value)

I am so excited to bring this giveaway to you guys!  Everyone could use a new mattress and wouldn't this be a perfect Christmas Gift for yourself or someone special in your life.
This one looks SUPER comfy. This particular mattress that one of you lucky people could win is a Natural Latex and Memory Foam Plush Mattress by Lucid. When you read the description of this mattress, nothing will be able to stop you from wanting to curl up on it and float away on dreams ;)

"This mattress comes with three layers that work
together to bring you optimal comfort in your sleep. First up is the
thin quilted bamboo charcoal memory foam layer. The bamboo charcoal is
especially good for sensitive skin, has better
thermal regulation, and is antimicrobial.

Directly beneath that is a layer featuring our
softer and lighter plush memory foam. The memory foam helps to isolate
motion transfer between sleeping partners. Beneath that is an additional
comfort layer of natural latex.  The latex pairs
well with memory foam because its instantaneous give will better
support your body and stop you from bottoming out. We ventilated the
latex comfort layer to allow air flow which will keep you cool and
comfortable while you sleep.

The combination of latex and memory foam provides
optimal orthopedic support and pressure relief to help alleviate neck,
back and shoulder pain.”

Now doesn't that sound amazing!?!? And, if you're the winner, you get to choose if you want a King Size or something smaller. (King Size retails at $1999.99). So get to it and enter below!!



Also, Linenspa is offering my readers (you) 30% off everything store-wide. Linenspa sells mattresses, sheets, mattress toppers, pillows and more. Their stuff is really great quality and is being offered to you for a great price. Just use the code MATTRESSGIVEAWAY30 when you check out. Go here to start shopping! 

 Thanks to Linenspa for hosting this giveaway, and thanks to all the great bloggers helping me promote! 

 Also, I'm sorry, but this giveaway is only open to the Continental United States.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Apple Cranberry Croissants and a Sugar Review

Have you heard of Zulka Morena Pure Cane Sugar?  It is a sugar that is minimally processed which you can tell as soon as you open the bag.  The sugar has a slight tan colour instead of white.  I also like that it doesn't taste as sweet as regular white sugar does and can still use less of it and my baking or cooking tastes wonderful.  Zulka Morena Pure Cane Sugar can be used cup for cup of regular sugar. Zulka Sugar is coarser so when I use egg white and sprinkle the sugar over my baking for example sweet bread, the sugar doesn't dissolve and you can still see some of the crystals after baking.

I have been using this sugar for a while and contacted the company to let them know that I loved their sugar. They replied back to me and asked if I would like some for my holiday baking... Of course I said yes, who doesn't like free things.  I offered to do a review for them as I am that kind of gal.  When I find a product that I like, I want to let you all know about it.  The free stuff is just a great perk.

I am also looking forward to some of their new products ~ brown sugar and powdered sugar.  They also have a Picante sugar that peaks my interest.

Now onto the recipe that uses this wonderful sugar....

Apple Cranberry Croissants

Ingredients:

2 cans Pilsbury Crescent ( I used the butter flake)

2 apples

Cranberries (1 per roll)

1/2 cup Zulka Morena Pure Cane Sugar

1 tbsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg*

1 egg white

1/4 cup butter

2 tsp heavy cream

1/8 cup Zulka Morena Pure Cane Sugar

Directions:

In small bowl mix sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Set aside.

Roll out crescents, If they don't roll out flat, use a rolling pin and roll them out flat.

Slice apples into 32 pieces, 1/2 apple will make 4 crescents.

Slice cranberries in half

Sprinkle sugar mixture over each crescent.

Place 2 half cranberries between 2 slices of apple at the large edge of the crescent.

Roll fruit into the crescents from the wide end to the narrow.

Whisk egg yolk and brush to the top of each crescent roll.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until croissants are brown.

For Glaze:  In a small pan add butter, heavy cream, 1/8 sugar mixture and 1/8 cup Zulka Sugar.

Over medium heat, bring to boil stirring to dissolve the sugar.

Remove from heat and drizzle over each croissant.

Notes: 

* I would add a little more nutmeg next time as I couldn't really taste it and I love nutmeg.

Next time I make these I am going to add a little more apple and cranberries.  

You will have extra Cinnamon Sugar Mixture ~ save the leftovers and make cinnamon toast.

I did have extra glaze.. I let it sit until hardened and it tasted wonderful on a spoon.

I took this recipe to our Christmas Party at work and it got great reviews.  It is easy to make and great tasting. 

An added bonus if you already use Zulka Sugar or plan to buy it soon ~ 

 Zulka is hosting a Holiday Bake-Off Facebook contest for a chance to win $500 to Sur La Table!  Entering is easy:

1.           Create a recipe using Zulka Pure Cane Sugar

2.           Upload the recipe with an image of your creation to Zulka’s “Bake-Off” Facebook tab by December 22 for a chance to win a $500 gift card to Sur La Table!

Good Luck and let me know if your recipe wins. 

 Other recipes I have made with Zulka Sugar:  Homemade Cranberry Sauce,  Baked Beans ,  Pumpkin Spice Syrup and Seared Gingerbread Tenderloin with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms.  As you can see with these examples this sugar can be used in any type of cooking.


Disclaimer:  I did receive this product and was in no way under any obligation to do a review.  All opinions are 100% mine.

LINKS: Create it or Bake it, In and Out of the Kitchen , Blogger's Best of 2013

Time for a cookie exchange at Foodie Friends Friday.

This time of the year it is always fun to have a cookie exchange that way you don't have to make so many different types of cookies but you can still have them.
So we here at Foodie Friends Friday are going to have a virtual cookie exchange.  Bring over you best cookies for us...

First Highlights from Last Week's Party

Host Favorites

Head over to the Daily Dish Magazine to check out the wonderful pies

My Host Favorite

I am not a big fan of eggnog.. it is much to thick for me but I love the flavor in baking and cooking.  I use it all the time and even freeze some at the end of the season so that I can have some eggnog baking during the year.  Nicole from 365ish Day of Pinterest brought over a wonderful Eggnog Pie.  It is also a no-bake recipe which is also perfect during the holidays when your oven is full.  I do need to make this recipe soon and check it out.  I know it will be perfect.

picture credit: 365 (ish) Days of Pinterest

Recipes with the Most Clicks

 Let's Party

 

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

-b

Turkey Chili with the Help of Mrs Dash

Oh the cold weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no where to go

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!!

This song has been going through my head just about everyday... We have had snow... and snow... and snow.  It just doesn't want to stop.  It also has been cold and windy.  This is the perfect time to make Chili. Even though you have to go out in the snow and the cold it isn't so bad if you can come into a warm bowl of Chili.

I am always filling out forms to get free samples and one of the samples that I got was Mrs Dash Chili Seasoning Mix.  I decided to try it and YUM!  I love the flavour that it gave my chili.  It even tasted better after sitting in the fridge for a couple of days.  I was not asked to do a review of this seasoning and but wanted to share this wonderful seasoning.  It makes it so much easier to make a great chili.

Turkey Chili

Ingredients:

1 lb turkey (can also use ground beef or hamburger)

1/2 cup diced onion

1 garlic clove minced

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes (I used Red Gold) 

1 5 oz can tomato sauce

1 15 oz can kidney beans

1 pkg Mrs. Dash Chili Seasoning Mix

1 cup corn (I use frozen corn)

Direction:

In large frying pan or saucepan, fry turkey. Add onions and garlic and continue to cook for a couple of minutes.

Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, Kidney beans, corn, Chili Seasoning Mix.  Bring to a boil and turn down and simmer for at least 15 minutes. 

Enjoy.

LINKS:  Tasty Tuesdays

Crocheted Christmas Mitts Ornaments

This fall and winter I have been having so much fun making more ornaments.  I used to do this every Christmas and I would give my nieces and nephews homemade ornaments every year.  Well for about the last 10 years I haven't done so much.

I decided to pick up my crochet hook and do a few ornaments with them.  I found this pattern for mitts and thought they would be perfect.  My biggest problem was reading the instructions.  I am not so good at that but I do think they turned out looking alright.

After making many different ornaments I decided that this one was the one I was sending to my partner for the Ornament Swap 2013, hosted by Tutus and Tea Parties, Robyn's View and Baby Bump and Beyond.  I had so much fun last year, that I joined up again for this year.  I know that my partner received her  ornament as she sent me an email.  So, that means that I can write about what I made.

Crocheted Christmas Mitt Ornaments

Materials:
Yarn
Crochet Hook
Pattern for Mitts
Burlap
Button
Fabric Fusion Sheet
String

Instructions:
Crochet your mitt using this pattern.
Apply Fabric Fusion Sheet to back of burlap with iron.  This is used to give the burlap some stability and to prevent unraveling.  The first mitt I cut out my pattern first and then ironed the fabric fusion sheet to back - BAD idea.  It didn't work as good.  Works better to do this step first.
Cut out patterns - I used hearts and stars, but you can use whatever you would like.
Find buttons that match or even just the colours you like.
Thread your button and burlap shape to the mitt and tie ends.

That's it, your done.  Depending on your expertise in crocheting will depend on how long each ornament takes.  It took me about an hour or two to do one mitt.   These ornaments would be perfect to put small gifts, candies or money in, use as gift toppers or you could also use them on your table to hold your cutlery.

to use on your table for your cutlery

Tuck small gifts or money inside

Here are some of the other ornaments that I have made this year.... Hot Chocolate Ornaments, and Sheet Music Ornaments .


Links:  Craft Frenzy Friday Link Party, Create it or Bake it, In and Out of the Kitchen