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Archive for December, 2009

Calendar Stickers

Skip on over to AlphaMom where she has a free little gift for you. I made a sheet of pictures to dress up you and your child's calendars! I hope you enjoy!

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Tomato Basil Soup

It is cold here and the kids are home on break so this is a perfect lunch. Actually this soup is the best --- great for company too!

In Texas there is a wonderful restaurant, La Madeleine,  that serves the most delicious Tomato Basil Soup. La Madeleine would not reveal the recipe for it's soup, however  the recipe was out there.   Apparently the company allowed it to be published in a charity cookbook early  on, before it became a favorite of everyone. Then one day the recipe appeared in a press kit for La Madeleine's 15th birthday. This recipe was published in the Dallas Morning News and my sweet aunt forwarded it to me.  This recipe isn't quite as chunky or as rich as La Madeleine's but it is still soooo good.

La Madeleine Tomato-Basil Soup

Ingredients

4 cups tomatoes, peeled, cored and chopped, or 4 cups canned whole tomatoes, crushed
4 cups tomato juice
12 - 14 washed fresh basil leaves, plus additional for garnish, chopped
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup sweet, unsalted butter, softened
Salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Crusty bread (optional)

Directions

Combine tomatoes and juice in saucepan. Simmer for 30 minutes over
medium-low heat. Cool slightly, then place in a blender or food
processor. Add basil and process to puree; this will have to be done in
batches.

Return mixture to saucepan. Add cream and butter. Stir over low heat
until butter and cream are incorporated. Stir in salt and pepper before
serving. Garnish with more fresh basil and serve with fresh, crusty
bread. Makes 8 servings.

Per serving: Cal 237  Fat 22g  Fiber 1g  Chol. 67 mg  Sodium 165 mg  Carbs 10g  Calcium 45g

Recipe by: La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe, Dallas TX

Notes: When I don't have fresh basil I use 1 Tablespoon dried. When making this soup for my family for a quick meal I often use half and half in place of the the heavy cream and cut back on the butter.  It is still yummy, but the real thing is divine!

Easy Appetizers

Looking for something quick and yummy for New Year's Eve? I love these recipes.

From Bon Appetit,

Grilled Pesto Breadsticks with Goat Cheese-Pesto Spread

Ingredients

  • 11 ounces soft fresh goat cheese (such as Montrachet), room temperature
  • 2 7-ounce containers prepared pesto
  • 1 1-pound French bread baguette, cut into 6-inch lengths
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions

Purée goat cheese in processor.Mix in 7 ounces pesto. Transfer to medium bowl.(Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before serving). Can also be frozen, thaw completely before serving.

Prepare grill (medium-high heat). Halve each bread piece lengthwise, then cut each half lengthwise into 1 1/4-inch-wide strips. Combine 7 ounces pesto and oil in small bowl. Brush bread with pesto mixture. Grill until brown, about 45 seconds per side. Serve with cheese spread. The breadsticks can also be toasted in the oven on broil.

From Guy Fieri,

Pomodoro Fresco Sourdough Bruschetta

Ingredients

  • 1 (12 to 16-inch) sourdough baguette
  • 2 garlic cloves, halved plus 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
  • 2 cups diced Roma tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut the baguette in half lengthwise, place on a sheet tray and bake in the oven until lightly brown. Rub with the garlic cloves. Drizzle with 2 ounces of the olive oil and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Return to oven to melt cheese.

In a medium mixing bowl, add the tomatoes, minced garlic, basil, vinegar, remaining olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and let sit for 5 minutes at room temperature.

Remove baguette from oven and top with the tomato mixture. Garnish with basil and Parmesan.

And if you made the Onion and Pepper Relish just mix half a jar with 8 ounces softened cream cheese, YUM!



How to make a pinata

A snowman pinata that is...

Blow up balloons and tape together in desired shape.

Mix up a thick soupy mixture of flour and water.

Cut or tear pieces of newspaper and begin covering balloons. The balloons will need 2-3 layers depending on the strength of the party attendees. Older children might need more layers.

Before final layer add a strong string for hanging the pinata. The string went all the way around the snowman to keep the head from being knocked off. Pieces of tape kept the string in place around the snowman until final layer was put on and dry. When paper is completely dry, cut a hole somewhere on the pinata (we cut the hole in the top of the head). Fill with goodies.

Fold strips of crepe paper in half. Make a slits on the folded sided 1/4" - 1/2" apart.

Glue uncut edges of the strips of crepe paper.  spiraling around entire pinata, cutting more strips as needed. Slightly pull crepe paper as gluing to allow the cut edges to pop out.

Allow pinata to dry and then add details. Hot glue construction paper buttons, eyes and a cone shape for the nose to the pinata. The scarf is made of felt (one piece cut in thirds lengthwise, sewn end to end, with slits cut on the outside ends to make fringe).

See the pinata in action at Bella's breakfast with Santa birthday party.

Preserving family memories

I wish you a joyous and happy holiday filled with wonderful moments, enough to make loads of happy memories. Thank you for making my days bright by stopping here and sharing your time with me!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.... And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

May you feel His peace today and always!


I had to share this lovely post from Sandy, Reluctant Entertainer. What a beautiful way to preserve family memories.

Sandy writes......

Stencil a Plate

When my mother passed away, I inherited a large box of some of her Christmas decorations. After a few years of lugging this box in out and out of the attic and re-taping it each time, the box literally started falling apart.

Stencil a Plate

So last year as I was getting ready to recycle the box, I cut out my Mother’s precious writing of “Christmas” from it and tucked the piece away in my hutch for an entire year.

Stencil a Plate

I couldn’t wait to pull it out this year, because I knew I had plans for this cardboard piece. It also reminded me of this song, and the power that heirlooms can hold in a family. When Amy Grant sang this popular song years ago, my good friends Debbie Meador, Jane Houston and I also sang it at our Christmas service. Little did I know, a few years later, the impact of these words after I lost my mom to cancer.

Up in the attic
Down on my knees
Lifetimes of boxes
Timeless to me
Letters and photographs
Yellowed with years
Some bringing laughter
Some bringing tears

Time never changes
The memories, the faces Of loved ones, who bring to me
All that I come from
And all that I live for
And all that I’m going to be
My precious family
Is more than an heirloom to me

Wisemen and shepherds
Down on their knees
Bringing their treasures
To lay at His feet
Who was this wonder, baby yet king
Living and dying
He gave life to me

Time never changes
The memory, the moment His love first pierced through me
Telling all that I come from
And all that I live for
And all that I’m going to be
My precious savior
Is more than an heirloom to me

My precious Jesus is more than an heirloom to me
(Sung by Amy Grant, here.)

Stencil a Plate

My Mom, Millie, is very dear to my sisters’ and my heart, as we miss her very much. It’s very special how the memory of a loved one can live on through heirlooms, pictures, videos, letters, and even writing.

So this year, this is what I gave my sisters for Christmas.

I stenciled Mom’s writing of “Christmas” with a black Sharpie marker onto stencil paper.

Stencil a Plate

Then I cut it and glued it onto a white glass plate.

Stencil a Plate

I poured a high gloss finish onto the plate.

Stencil a Plate

And used a hairdryer to get the bubbles out.

Stencil a Plate

They are not perfect, but I think they turned out nice.

Stencil a Plate

One for my sis Di, my sis Linda and me, with black plate stands to display and to keep Christmas alive, through our mom, in years to come, which hopefully we’ll pass down to our kids!

Sisters Christmas 2009

More than anything else, I’m thankful for my family at Christmastime. I feel blessed. Yes. Very blessed.

What have you done to preserve your special family heirlooms or memories?

Mom and Grandma Dubs

(Thank you Kelli Novak, for the inspiration! You may also enjoy An Elegant Toga: Grandma’s Tablecloth, or a bit about sisterly love, or Can I please hold your hand? A Mother’s Day Gift. Above photo is my beautiful Mother and her mother, Grandma Dubs.)


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