MerryChristmas!!!

From our home to yours!!!

May u spend this time connecting/reconnecting w/those u love. Make lasting memories doing ordinary things---together. This year in our home, Christmas was more about crafting and cooking and beautifying our space--together--than about any other thing.

I released the need to micromanage baking projects and boy did the creativity flow. Santa had his fair share of colorful confection...

I awakened my sewing machine after a seven year cryo sleep. ;)) Made Christmas stockings, repaired a recycled bear for my son, and was genuinely amazed at the rush of creative possibilities...finished five crocheted scarves w/ the intention to keep my babies warm throughout the year. And I reflected...on the times when I awakened to holiday smells and trimmed trees and presents with my name and the flurry of ripping paper, the smell of oranges and peppermint and the feelings of safety and love....and I realized that now, we are the magic makers.....

Tresalyn's SweetPotatoPie Recipe

Tresalyn's SweetPotatoPie Recipe
Ingredients
3cups raw sugar;
1tsp nutmeg;
1/2 tsp cinnamon;
1tsp vanilla ext;
2Tbsp baking powder;
3eggs;
two sticks butter
Approximately 1/2 cup of milk (or buttermilk)
Orange zest from one orange & and three capfuls of real lemon juice

Procedure
Preheat oven to 375•
Mix all ingredients while potatoes boil; then drain potatoes when they're bright orange and tender
Mash into mixture then whip with whisk
U can blend with mixer, but not fully necessary
375 for 45min-1hour

TIPS:
**Remember to bake the crust for about ten
-15 min before filling;
Keeps the crust from getting soggy underneath;
***Put two pies caddy corner on a baking sheet for better leverage and so u won't break the crust edges

Blowing off Dust

After a long hiatus, I'm back.  Much better for the wear, I suppose... I can't begin to describe the many ways my life has turned upside down and righted itself over the last three years.  Suffice it to say that things have shifted so much that I hardly recognize myself.  I am living each day in the present moment and focusing on breathing and making choices that keep me connected to the "now".  Yeah, yeah, I know.  It sounds kinda froo-froo la-la and mystical, but really all I can do at this point is to focus on staying in the moment and considering strongly what I want my subsequent moments to look like.

Going forward, I will use this blog as a holding tank for recipes, and random musings and other tips that I might find helpful and would like to bookmark in some way.  As the holidays are but 9 days away, I will try and check back, because i'm suuuuuure there will be more steam to expel.  ;))

Happy Holidays

Oatmeal Bars to Live for ;))

3-4cups quick oatmeal
1c brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar
1/4c honey
1/2 stick butter
pecans (or preferred nut)
1/4tsp vanilla
cinnamon to taste
nutmeg to taste

melt butter, sugars, and honey together.  add vanilla and spices then fold in nuts and oats; press dough into greased cookie sheet; bake at 325˚ for about 15min or until golden.  remove from oven and slice into squares or bars while hot; let cool; enjoy!!!

There's been a lot going on lately.  I've seen more young people dying than I care to--and of medical complications.  I pray the families surviving the losses will find peace and comfort in one another and in the support and love of friends....*sigh*

~~~A Little Christmas Cheer~~~

Here's a sample of the Christmas cookie jars....

Per Shawny's Request

Here's that Cornbread Recipe You've been waitin' on :))))

Tresalyn's 1-2-3 Cornbread
(start by using a 1/3 cup measuring scoop)


1 scoop  sugar
2 scoops corn meal
3 scoops flour
1 pinch of salt
2T baking powder
2/3 stick butter melted
3 scoops milk** (regular or buttermilk--if using buttermilk add a bit more**)
2 eggs
Cooking spray
Oblong baking dish or cast iron skillet

Preheat oven to 375° In medium sized mixing bowl mix dry ingredients, until evenly distributed.  Add milk*. Add eggs, mix well, add melted butter.  spray baking dish or skillet w/ cooking spray.  Pour in batter and bake for 25-28 min or until golden brown.