Frost on the Windows..

One of the best parts of winter is the sun shining through the designs that Jack Frost does, especially on the window.  With the sun shining in the designs they are awesome..

All these pictures were taken in different rooms in the house.  I think because of the cold this year, more frost has been deposited on the windows.  Jack has given me more opportunity to play with my macro lens.

My favorite frost picture is this one:

I love how the sun is shining on the tree in the background.

Google + then animates some of the pictures... Which I think is cool....

This post is being shared over at Sunlit Sunday., Mosaic Monday

Tea Bag Holders

This is a pinterest craft that I have pinned and have wanted to make for some time.  I thought it would be perfect gift to make for friends that may be tea lovers.  For anyone that does any kind of paper crafts like scrapbooking this would be an ideal way to use up those scraps.  An inexpensive and easy way to send tea.

Black-eyed Beans Beignets

One of the recipes that my hubby always wanted to make was Beignets using Black-eyed Beans (or peas).  He said growing up in Togo, West Africa they would take Black-eyed Peas to the mill to be ground and then they would use the flour to make the Beignets.  These Beignets were called Gawoo in Ewe or Beignet de Haricot in French.

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party ~ Berries

Berries, Berries, Berries is our theme for this week's linky party on Foodie Friends Friday. I hope you will join us and bring your favorite berry recipe or two to our party.  I know everyone has a recipe that includes berry.  Can't wait to see what you will bring.

We Got some Snow... and some Sun

As you all know if you read my blog or even my facebook fan page... that we live where we get lots and lots and lots and lots of snow.  This year has been no exception and because it has been colder, that snow just keeps piling up.  The only thing that makes it at least bearable is that occasionally we do get to see the sun.  I just wish that sun would come out more often...

Some Snow and Some Sun

We did get a blizzard with snow one day this week, a blizzard that at times we couldn't see across the street or even our balcony rail from the living room window.  So the next morning meant that we did some shoveling.  As the daylight started, we could see the sunlight coming out.

Brown Rice Crackers and Salmon/Tomato Salsa

I have been fortune enough to be given a Wondermill through Grain Mill Wagon and absolutely love it.  We have had so much fun grinding my own flour.  So far we have ground black-eyed peas, popcorn and brown rice.  It is easy and  I am wondering if it is cheaper to do it this way then buying these different flours.  You can grind all sorts of whole grains and also beans.  They have a list of what the Wondermill Grain Mill can Grind.

Foodie Friends Friday ~ Peanut Butter Party.

I am a big fan of peanut butter... Fresh Bread and Peanut Butter ~  YUM!  This week on Foodie Friends Friday we are having..... Guess.... You are right a....

DIY Valentine Tea Bags with a free printable.

DIY Valentine Tea Bags

I am a big fan of tea... I drink at least one cup of tea every day if not more.  I also love to drink tea made from loose tea, but it is always a problem as  I end up with strainers full of loose tea all over the house or at least my kitchen.  

Did you know that you could make tea bags from coffee filters?  They work perfectly and you don't have to worry about straining the loose tea... you can just throw out the tea bag.  Perfect, simple and the bag can be in the shape you want.  I didn't have the big size coffee filters but did have some filters from EZ pod so used them..  You could also make them in the EZ Pod shape, just stitch around the top and then they could be put in your Single- Cup Pot.

I decided to make them up with some valentine labels but also did some teacup labels.  You could even write on the back what type of loose tea you placed in.  For the labels you can print them here.

Materials:

Coffee filters

Loose Tea

Printable Labels

String or Thread (I used heavy thread)

Directions:

Print labels and cut out.

I used EZ Pod refills so pulled them apart slightly,  Filled with 1 tsp of loose tea and sewed the filters together with thread into a semi circle.

If using large coffee filters I would cut them into a circle about 1 1/2 inch diameter, add loose tea and sew them into a semi circle.

To attach label, tie knot, thread through the tea bag and then through the label, keeping a length of string of 1 -2 inches between the tea bag and label.  

Use DIY tea bags as you would bought tea bags.  

  

Perfect gifts to give teachers, grandmothers, aunts or anyone that is a tea lover.   I love teavana tea and this would be a way to personalize the gift.

Note: Make sure that you attach the thread to the top of the heart or when you use it you will have a upside down heart like mine in the picture.  My threads where cut too long for my cup.  You could measure them so that the bag fits nicely into a cup.

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Disclaimer:

“This and That is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.”

Printables were made with the help of Clker.com

Linked to these Great Blogs: Inspire Us Thursday, Valentine's Day Saturday Dishes, Weekend Block Party
In & Out of the Kitchen

Tea Cups in the Snow for Sunlit Sunday

We finally got some sun in these parts.  Today was a wonderful bright and sunny day.  The snow was glistening and as we had just got a few fresh inches of fluffy snow, it looked wonderful outside.

I had seen some pictures of tea cups in the snow floating around facebook and always wanted to do some pictures like that and today I got my chance.  I really should have looked at them earlier as they weren't exactly how I wanted them to be... I guess I will have to go out again on the next sunny day and take more.

Tea Cups in the Snow 

This picture I did in pencil style....

If you would like to join Sunlit Sunday, click on the button below.

Linked also to these great blogs:  Make it Pretty Monday, Twirl & Take A Bow, Treasure Box Tuesday


Disclaimer: “This and That is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.”

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party ~ recipes that have a story

Many of the recipes we make tell a story ~ whether it is a personal story about how we came to making the recipe or a family recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation.  I think we all have a recipe in our box that has a story behind it.  This week on Foodie Friends Friday we would love to hear the story that your recipe has...

Ginger Lemon Rooibos Tea

I go in streaks were I will drink lemon water in the morning before I do anything else.  It happens every once in awhile.  I would like to do it every morning but I don't always seem to remember.  I found a wonderful recipe for a cleansing lemon drink with a punch in Get Naked in the Kitchen by Briana Santoro.  This book has wonderful recipes in it and I love that they give a story behind each recipe.

Persimmon Pear Spice Bundt Cake

A fuyu persimmon fruit (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Persimmons are one of my favorite fruits... That is from about a month ago or so. I had never had a persimmon and not too long ago I saw them at Walmart. I decided that I would buy one to at least try them. I came home to see if hubby has ever eaten one and no he hadn't, so we didn't have a clue to how figure out when they would be ripe... but we lucked out and they were wonderful. Kind in between an apricot and a mango...that looks like an orange tomato... YUM!

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Jars to Valentine's Candle or Candy Dish

One of my go to places to find ideas for crafts in Pinterest and I found this great, simple inexpensive way to make candles or even a candy dish or cookies... or what ever you may want to put in it.  I know I would love to have this on my mantle or even on my dresser, holding knick knacks.

No Sun for Sunlit Sunday...

This week came and went... with only a bit of a peak of the sun ... I noticed it the other day when I got up in the afternoon... But my eyes just couldn't stay awake to enjoy it and when I got up for the day the sun was gone.... and then I was sad and wishing that I hadn't wasted the day sleeping.  Looking at the forecast it doesn't look like we will see any kind of sun until next weekend.

Foodie Friends Friday Healthy Choice Linky Party ~ #foodiefriendsfriday

The New Year has come and I am sure all of us have made goals to eat healthy or at least most of us.  I know that is one of the goals I have set out to do this year.  So far I have done pretty well.  I have tried to change the way we eat and use ingredients that may be a healthy choice for us.

Fill the Cookie Jar with Granola Cookies

It is time to Fill the Cookie Jar and I think mine was empty for a long time... as when I asked hubby what I make his comment was ~~ "You make cookies".  His only suggestion was to make something that wasn't too sweet and I think I fulfilled his request.

Almondina Cookie Review

Disclaimer:  I was given Almondina product to review.  All opinion are 100% mine

photo credit: Almondina Biscuit

Almondina Cookie Review

I was asked to review Almondina Biscuits and I am sure glad that I did.. These cookies/biscuits are wonderful, so full of flavour and just downright yummy.   The day that they came in the mail, we opened a couple of the packages right away... scarfing them down right out of the package.  Both hubby and I loved them.

You have never heard of Almondina Biscuits... well let me tell you a little about them.  These are Grandma's secret recipes and everyone knows that Grandma makes the best cookies.

'Generous as she was in giving away her recipes, Grandmother Dina kept the one for Petit Gateau Sec a total secret until the end of her life. Only then did she finally reveal the secret to her daughter, Ahuda, my mother. It is with her blessing and with pride that the Zaliouk family shares these delicious, healthful wonders with your family.”

I, for one am very glad that she gave her blessing and these cookies are on the market.  They are all natural, no added salt or fat, no cholesterol or preservatives, just good taste.   The only fat in these biscuits are from the almonds which is the main ingredient.  They are low in calories also ~ 30 calories per slice, are kosher and pareve (no dairy) and are made right here in America. Along with the original flavour they have a total of 8 flavours of biscuits... and so far I like them all.  I am lucky as I get to eat the Cinnaroma all by myself as hubby doesn't like anything with cinnamon so won't even try them.. Not that I am complaining. 

As you can see in the above picture they are chock full of almonds and raisins.  They are crunchy, addictive (I can attest to this) and healthy.  Once our supply is gone, all I have to do is hope that I can buy them here locally as this is a cookie that I will be continuing to eat.  It is perfect for any occasion and sweet enough that I feel that I am having a treat and healthy that I don't have to worry about going off my New Year's goal of eating healthy.

If you want more information about this delightful cookie head over to their almondia or follow them on facebook or twitter.

I like them with a cup of coffee or tea or even just alone.  They are the perfect snack for us.

Almondina's Mission is accomplished...

"To Put a delicious healthful cookie on every table"

Winter Sunset

I have decided to combine my photography blog with this blog... You didn't know I had a photography blog did you?  Well, know you will see those post over here.  All I have to do is figure out where to put the tab so that it is easy for you to find these post.

Karen from My Little Home and Garden each winter has a meme called Sunlit Sunday.  I am so excited that she is doing it again this year.    It is a little way to get some sunlight into the dreary winter we are having everywhere... cold and snow.  If you would like to join, head over and check out what you need to do and bring a little Sunlight into Our Lives. 

 We haven't had much sunlight this winter as it has snowed every day... and I mean every day.... Snowed so much that the last I heard we have had a total of 170 inches so far.  A couple of weeks ago we did get a little sun  and the sunset was magnificent.  I did take these pictures through my second story window on my phone.

Winter Sunset

I love the colour of the sky in this picture and the sun shining on the house that is in the background. 

Linked up to these great blogs:

 

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party ~ 30 Minute Meal Party

We are always in a hurry and it is hard to take the time to make a proper meal.  This can be changed with meals that take only 30 minutes to make.... I know I have a few that are healthy and delicious and quick to make and I am sure you do to.. Can't wait to see what you will bring.

Highlights of 2013

2013 has seem to come and go so fast.  In a blink of eye it is over.  When I look back to what I have accomplished and what I have done it seems very small and that I haven't accomplished my goals from last year.  I do know that I have you my readers to thank for the continued support that you have given me this past year.  I enjoy reading all your comments, I love that you are pinning my recipes and crafts.  These things are what brings me pleasure, that you do enjoy my blog and what I have to offer to you.  My goal over the next year is to hopefully to continue to grow, to bring you  great recipes, great reviews and increase my crafts.

Roasted Salmon with Grapefruit and Avocado Salsa

Today I decided to do some major housecleaning in my kitchen.  I haven't done that in a while.  One of things that I have been meaning to do is move my cookbooks.  I have them over the stove and they are getting mighty greasy.  So, I took them down, washed all the covers (good thing they are all hardback cookbooks) and moved them so that hopefully they won't get as greasy and dirty.

Of course when I take my cookbooks down, I have to read a few of them.  I found my cookbook called Weeknight Fresh + Fast by Kristine Kidd.  I had bought this one a while ago at a book sale at work and really hadn't read it yet.  Long story short I found this recipe for Roasted Salmon with Grapefruit and Avocado Salsa that sounded interesting.  I planned on making salmon for dinner and I had a grapefruit and avocado in the fridge.  Perfect....

Well this meal was fantastic.  I loved the flavors of the salsa ~ tangy and sour of the grapefruit, sweet of the avocado with a hint of hotness from the peppers.  It worked well with the salmon.  I did have to change the recipe slightly but I think the way I did it worked. I will write the ingredients that she had and then what I used.

Roasted Salmon with Grapefruit and Avocado Salsa

Ingredients:

3/4 lb salmon 1 1/2 inch thick (I used about 1 1/4 lb)

olive oil

course kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

Ancho chile powder (I didn't have this so didn't use) 

fresh lemon juice from a Meyer lemon about 1/2 lemon used (I add this ingredient)

1 large grapefruit

1 small, firm but ripe avocado - pitted peeled and cubed

1/2 large jalapeno chile ~ seeded and minced (I used about 1 tsp of a hot pepper)

3 tablespoon red onion diced (I used 1/4 cup)

2 tbsp fresh cilantro minced (I used 1 tsp ground)

1 tbsp fresh lime juice (I used fresh lemon juice)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Place parchment paper on small cookie sheet.  Place salmon on parchment paper, skin down.

Brush flesh of salmon with olive oil.

Add salt and pepper to taste.  If you have ancho chile powder add it here.

Squeeze juice of 1/2 Meyer Lemon over salmon.  I just used my hand and then cut the lemon in slices and place over salmon.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 18 minutes until almost opaque in the center.  (Once it is easy to flake it is done).

While salmon is cooking, peel and remove white part of grapefruit.  Over small bowl, using a sharp knife cut between the membrane to remove grapefruit.  Squeeze membrane to get all the juice.  Cut grapefruit in small pieces.  

Add avocado, hot pepper, cilantro and lemon juice.  Mix gently.

To serve add salsa on  salmon and enjoy.    

Foodie Friends Friday ~ Best of 2013 Linky Party

This year is coming to an end and we would love to see what recipes are your best, either what you think is the best or what your viewers think are the best.  I am excited to see what is your best recipes.  The recipe that has had the most views in 2013 for me is my Apple Caramel Oatmeal Cookies.  This is one of our favorite cookies too.

Apple and Cranberry Pork Tenderloin

Happy Boxing Day

Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th in Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Malta, Hong Kong to name a few of the countries.  It was the day after Christmas when the servants and tradesman would get their gift, known as Christmas Boxes from their bosses or employees.  It is a bank day in Canada and an observed holiday.  It is also considered a great shopping day, like Black Friday where stores put sales~ a great day to get some wonderful Christmas sales.  It is also a day to return the gifts that you don't like or want ~ hence the name Boxing Day... possibly not really the reason for the day but it is something that I like to people when they ask me what Boxing Day is about.

So, if you are from a country that observes Boxing Day, I hope that you have a wonderful day of shopping, returning gifts, packing up your Christmas decorations, eating leftover Turkey or possibly making something new like this recipe ~ Apple and Cranberry Pork Tenderloin.

This recipe came about when I wanted to make some tenderloin, and had extra cranberries to use up.  I did a search for cranberry pork tenderloin and found this recipe called Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Cranberries.  As I was reading the recipe, I remember that I had my gingerbread spice from the recipe that I made for a Crazy Ingredient Challenge ~ Seared Gingerbread Tenderloin and this recipe happened.  I have to apologize for pictures as they aren't very good... but we were hungry and this recipe was fantastic and we ate every morsel up.  It was a recipe that we both agreed we would eat again if I made it.  A sweet and tangy dish where the meat is tender and juicy.

Apple and Cranberry Pork Tenderloin

adapted from Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Cranberries

Ingredients:

1.5 lb pork tenderloin

1 apple sliced thinly (I used a gala apple as that is all I had)

1/2 -3/4 cup fresh cranberries

1 tsp gingerbread spice

1 tbsp sugar (Zulka Morena Pure Cane Sugar)

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In small roasting pan, spray with non-stick spray.

Arrange tenderloin in pan.

Slice apples and arrange around tenderloin, sprinkle cranberries over apples.

Pour apple cider vinegar over tenderloin and fruit.

Sprinkle salt, sugar and gingerbread spice over tenderloin.

Cook for 30 -40 minutes, basting about half way until thermometer reaches 155-165 degree F (per your preference).

Let sit for 5- 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Enjoy

Linked up to:  You're Gonna Love it Tuesday

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Merry Christmas and Finnish Prune Tart

We woke up to a wonderful beautiful day this morning.. The sun was shining brightly and the snow was glistening...

A perfect Christmas Eve Day!

picture taken this morning.

This Christmas season I didn't do as much baking or even candy making.  Last night I did make some tarts, so that we would have a little Canadian and Finn in our Christmas.  I made some Butter Tarts and also some Finnish Prune Tarts called Joulutorttu.  Some of the tarts I put Apricot Jam in them, along with prunes.

Finnish Prune Tarts  

Ingredients:

7 oz Prunes

water to cover prunes

1/8 cup sugar

1 pkg Puff Pastry sheet

1 egg white beaten

Directions:

In small saucepan, place prunes, sugar and enough water to cover prunes.  Cook on medium-low until prunes are soft and water dissipated .  At this point you can blend the prunes or mash them  with a fork. Set aside.

Roll out Puff Pastry and cut each sheet into 9 squares.  Cut slits into each corner of each square.

Add a teaspoon of prune filling in the center of the square and fold one end of pastry to center so that it looks like a pinwheel.

Brush top with beaten egg white.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes until pastry is slightly brown.  

Let cool.

Make glaze with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp of vanilla and enough milk to make glaze runny.  Pour glaze over top of tarts.

Cook's note:

You can also use apricot jam instead of prune filling.  I usually make some of each.

Tray of tarts to give to the neighbors

Wishing All a Merry Christmas!

Thank you for all of your support.  

Linked to these great parties:
Craft Frenzy Friday, Twirl & Take A Bow

Pretzel Salad

Pretzel Salad has been a tradition at my house for years.  It wouldn't be a holiday meal without it.  If there is turkey there is this salad.   Over the years I have changed it slightly, using different flavours of strawberry jello like strawberry banana and I have also used raspberry jello with raspberries.

Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath

One of my favorite bloggers and friends Cynthia of Feeding Big made this wonderful Christmas wreath from using material that she bought at the Dollar Tree.  I have been obsessed with the Dollar Tree and spend a lot of time going through the aisle.  I buy dishes, crafts, some food items and my cleaning items from there.  So when I saw her wreath I knew that I had to make one too.

By the time I got to the store a lot of the Christmas decorations where gone but I did find some.  I also cheated just a little bit as I bought some of the ornaments from Walmart as they had a package with a green ornament that I wanted.  I liked them as it brought a little bit of different colour then the gold and red.  For my base I used an evergreen wreath that I twisted the evergreens to make them tight around the wire.  This I bought from the Dollar Tree too.

Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath 

I thought that I took a picture of the materials that I used but I either deleted them or put them in a file that I can't find.

Materials:
16 evergreen wreath
Assorted sizes and colour ornaments
1 sprig holly berries
ribbon to make bow - approx 1 foot in length
hot glue gun

Directions:
I twisted the evergreens around the wire wreath so that it was solid.  Don't worry if some are showing as you can see some of the every green in my wreath.
Glue large ornaments to wreath with glue gun covering 3/4 of wreath.  (I realized that I hadn't bought enough balls and decided to leave room for a bow.)
Continue to glue ornaments in random arrangement over the wreath.  Try not to leave to many holes.
Pull holly berries off sprig and glue to bottom of the wreath.  I tried to glue them all about the same distance apart.
Tie a 4 loop bow and glue to wreath where there are no ornaments.

This wreath cost me about $10.00 to make.  You can still make one before Christmas either for yourself or give as a gift.


 
Shared at these awesome parties:  Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party, Dat be Nice

Gingerbread Eggnog Waffle with Pear Sauce

I make waffles often and lately I have been trying to spice them up a bit so that they aren't just plain waffles. I had a couple of pears in the fridge that were just on the verge of being way to soft and thought that they would taste yummy with waffles.

As I was starting to get the waffles ready, I spotted the Torani Gingerbread Syrup on the counter top and thought that would be perfect with the pear sauce that I planned to make.  I already was going to add eggnog to the waffle batter and gingerbread syrup would go great with the eggnog.  The results... YUM. This is perfect recipe to make for the holidays.

Gingerbread Eggnog Waffle with Pear Sauce

Ingredients:
For waffles:
2 eggs separated
1 1/4 cup flour (I use 3/4 cup white flour and 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour)
2/3 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup egg nog
1/2 cup milk
3 tbsp oil
2 tsp Gingerbread Syrup (I use Torani)
For pear sauce:
2 pears diced
1 tbsp sugar (to taste)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp tapioca
For Gingerbread Glaze:
5 tbsp powder sugar
1 tbsp gingerbread syrup
1 tbsp egg nog
enough milk to make glaze thin enough to pour

Directions:
Pear Sauce:
In saucepan add diced pears, sugar and nutmeg.  Over medium-high heat cook until pears are soft.  Stirring often.  Add tapioca to thicken.  Bringing to boil and cook until sauce is thickened about 3 -5 minutes.  Set aside.
Gingerbread Glaze:
Mix powdered sugar, gingerbread syrup, nutmeg and eggnog in small bowl.  Add milk to make a glaze, you want it thin enough to pour.
Waffles:
Separate eggs in two bowls.  I use my mixing bowl for the whites and another moderate size bowl for the yolks
Beat egg whites on high until light and fluffy. Set aside.

Add flour, salt, baking powder, milk, eggnog, gingerbread syrup and oil to bowl with egg yolks.  Mix until everything is combine.
Fold in egg whites.
Heat waffle iron (I use a flip Belgium waffle maker).  Add waffle dough per instructions of waffle maker and bake until desired brownness.
Assemble by placing waffle on plate, drizzle with Gingerbread Glaze and add Pear Sauce.  You could also serve with a dollop of whipped cream and drizzle more glaze over the whipped cream.
Enjoy

Also check out Whole Wheat Avocado Waffle with Caramel Drizzle.

Linked up to these great parties:
Craft Frenzy Friday

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Crazy Ingredient Challenge ~ Holiday Mix

So, I wrote out my post for this challenge, got right to the bottom and the whole post disappeared.  Not to be found.  And it was a good post and I am not writing out everything again... So here I go with the post a second time tonight.