"Jenny Can Cook" ...and you can too...

Homemade bread right out of the oven is sooo yummy.

And what a perfect time of year for baking.

Remember the Jenny Jones show?



Jenny had a very popular talk show for 10 years,
"Always relaxing on the weekends", she said, by cooking!
Jenny was also a talented comedian, singer and a drummer.

In fact, in 1986 Jenny appeared on TV’s Star Search

 winning the comedy grand prize!

Since retiring...Jenny started a cooking blog filled with many 

wonderful recipes and videos.
 Jenny says her father was the cook in the family, 

sparking her lifelong interest in cooking.

She is routinely approached by companies who would 
like to advertise on her site or pay her for endorsements
 but she always declines. “I am not here to make money,” 
says Jenny. “l simply love to cook and my only goal is
 to share what I love and to motivate more people 
to cook at home. 
It’s one more way I can give back.”

In 2013, Jenny requested and was given permission from
 her publisher to share all of the recipes in 
her cookbook for free on her website!

Jenny Can Cook (her website)

This no knead bread recipe is just one of them...

and it is a cinch!

I baked some for my hubby and I yesterday...

and enjoyed some yummy toast this morning!

Thank you, Jenny!

Happy Baking,

Carrie

Jumpin' Java...

Playing games with a large group or even just two can really be food for the soul.
 And some games are more fun to play just because they are so darn cute...

Like this one.... Jumpin' Java

I mean the little cups and saucers...and the wooden box!

It's almost as much fun sitting on the shelf as it is to play!

But don't let your games just get dusty sitting on a shelf.

Reach out and invite someone over for "Game Night" or "Afternoon Cards".

Remember how much fun Lucy and Ethel had at the card table!

They just set up the table in the living room of their New York apartment,

nothing fancy, and had a ball playing cards, catching up and laughing.

Last night we played a game of "Gimme 5" with some dear friends.
It was an old game my friend, Peggy found when cleaning out her mother's
 home last summer.

There were just four of us...chilled wine and some chips + dip.

We LaUgHeD so much our sides ached!

And you know what they say,

"Laughter is the best medicine!"

It really is...so grab a board game or a deck of cards and
 invite someone over.

You certainly won't regret it...it's even good for your abs!

Stay Cozy and have a good laugh today.

♥ Carrie ♥

It's as clear as the nose on your face...

Well it was clear to me when I saw this silly little guy on the shelf at

 my local thrift store - he had to come home with me 

and join my other kitchen gadgets.

Seriously ...cute....

A Pinocchino Funnel!

With his darling smile and his rosie cheeks...

I just could not pass him up.

 “Now, remember, Pinocchio, be a good boy. 

And always let your conscience (or your nose) be your guide.”

Stay Cozy, 

Carrie

Pretty in Pink...

I picked up this perfectly beautiful pinecone on my walk this morning. 

Isn't it gorgeous?  It truly needs nothing else but its natural beauty....

What shall I do with it?

Perhaps make a succulent garden?

That would be beautiful...but I am not sure it would work for this type of pinecone.

So how about a Valentine Pinecone?

What do you think?

Pretty in Pink and ready to decorate.

Pinecones aren't just for the Christmas holiday season...

Voila - some easy pink touches!

Stay Cozy, 

Carrie

I'm a Basket Case...

Baskets can be difficult to store.

There are so many shapes and sizes...

I keep a variety of baskets on hand to use for

 gift baskets I put together for friends and clients,

to transport baked goods to and from places

or to hold supplies I need to carry somewhere.

But where do you keep them???

I strung this chain across the wall in front of my

craftroom window and use hooks to store my baskets

up and out of the way!

My baskets are right there, in plain sight, where I can

choose and grab the one I need. 

How about you? Any ideas for "basket storage"?

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

Sliver Slippers...

I am rocking in my New Year by wearing these silver sneakers!

When I saw them on the shelf at the store - I just couldn't resist!

They called out to me.

As soon as I put them on I knew I made the right decision.

Instantly they put a skip in my step, a bounce to my walk and a smile on my face!

Every time I looked down and spotted the glittery glow from the shiny silver I felt just a little bit lighter....a little bit brighter...and a little bit happier.

Oh I know - they are just shoes you say?

Well just think what Dorothy's Ruby Red Slippers did for her...and how about Cinderella's Glass Pumps? In literature a great pair of shoes can take on magical powers for the women who wear them... shoes are often transformative not just because they're made of glass or rubies: they’re a symbolic means through which women find grounding in the world, and have their lives changed, for better or worse.

I already have my prince and there really is no place like home...but trying something new,

even a little something like sporting a pair of silver sneakers can be a bit transforming

and could actually lead to a new discovery about yourself!

Go ahead - give somethig new a try.

Perhaps tromorrow I will have ice cream for breakfast  :)

Stay Cozy, 

Carrie

Is it over?

Christmas has come and gone - ever so quickly! 

 The stockings were hung and eventually filled and emptied!

A new handcarved Santa was received with open arms -

and is now safely tucked away with the others for next year.

The tree was of course erected and then...

...beautifully decorated and adorned with shiny ornaments and gifts!

 The mantel was strewn with garland and tinsel...

... and delicious gifts arrived from near and far.

It can seem a bit melancholy to have it end...the day after Christmas can

 hang in the air with anticipation unfulfilled...

But looking back over the days before Christmas and the special day itself...

all the preparations and the list making, the shopping and gift wrapping,

 the card sending and food baking....what I cherished most was the time...

the time stamped with love and spent with friends and family...

attending Christmas Eve Candlelight Service where we worshiped together with songs and praises, dropping by a friend's house and surprising him with some Christmas company, sipping a Mimosa while I watched my grown up kids laugh and smile as they played with a silly toy....and seeing the joy on my husband's face while his eyes filled with pride and gratitude to see how his children have become real blessings to us and to the world. 

There is no need to be heavyhearted...

Christmas is not just on December 25th...

Christmas is celebrating the Love that came into the world through the birth of our Savior and being grateful for the sacrifice He made for us - every day can be Christmas - if we remember to show that same love to those around us by spending time with those we love and reaching out to those we don't love so much, surprising someone who needs a little boost, sharing a smile with a stranger and remembering to be grateful for what we have been given today and always!

Merry Christmas Today and Every Day,

Carrie

It's Vanilla Cupcake Day...

Yes - November 10th is "Vanilla Cupcake Day"

That's Naked Vanilla Cupcake Day For Me!

There are so many kinds of cupcakes out there, many very fancy,

but sometimes you just want a plain old vanilla cupcake.

No froo-froo involved. No sprinkles or glitter, no fondant or frosting ...

just a yummy "naked vanilla cupcake".

Celebrate the day and treat yourself to a not-too-sweet one...

with a cup of coffee perhaps. 

Pick one up at your local bakery or make one yourself. 

Here is an easy recipe. 

Makes 1 dozen

1/2 cup plus 1 tbl butter (soft)

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 1/2 tea. baking powder

1 3/4 cups plus 2 tbl. cake flour

1/2 tea salt

3 egg whites

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 tea. pure vanilla extract

• Whip butter with sugar until fluffy. Sift dry ingredients and set aside.
• In another bowl, whip egg whites and gradually add buttermilk. Combine.
• Go back to butter mixture and intermittently add buttermilk with flour, stopping every once in a while to scrape down the sides. Finish by mixing in vanilla. Pour batter into lined muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Stay Cozy

and enjoy your treat...

Carrie

They're Back......

 Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars -  A blondie dotted with white chocolate and cranberries

                                               with a slight hint of orange.

I'm not sure how you feel about these sweet treats - but I always look forward to 

seeing them show up on the deli shelf in Starbucks each holiday season. 

I have seen so many people that have duplicated the recipe and they really look 

delicious and so close to the original bars.

Below is just one recipe to try if you want to try making them at home.

 As for me, I will continue to treat myself here and there throughout the season. 

 It might be too dangerous for me to have an entire pan at home :)

Stay Cozy...

Carrie

Cranberry Bliss Bars

Ingredients

Blondie Layer:

• 3/4 cup 1 1/2 sticks salted butter, cubed
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 6 ounces white baking chocolate , coarsely chopped

Frosting:

• 1 package (8 ounces cream cheese, softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar , sifted
• 6 ounces white baking chocolate , melted
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries , coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the blondie layer: In a medium bowl, melt butter for one minute in the microwave or until melted; stir in brown sugar. Pour the butter and sugar into a large bowl and let cool to room temperature. Use an electric mixer to beat in the eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon; gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture. Stir in the cranberries and chopped chocolate (batter will be thick).
3. Spread the blondie batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool completely on a wire rack.
4. Prepare the frosting: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until combined. Gradually add half of the melted white chocolate; beat until blended. Frost brownies. Sprinkle with chopped cranberries. Drizzle with remaining melted white chocolate. Let the frosting set (speed this up by throwing them into the fridge) then cut into bars- square or triangle-shaped. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Let me "Show" you what I found...

 Did any one else have this wonderful toy?

Remco's "SHOWBOAT"?

 My sister, Diane, from Saturday Finds and I shared this wonderful toy

 when we were young girls. 

Each envelope was complete with the the scenery, characters and scripts

 to produce wonderful plays on the "Showboat" .

Heidi, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella and Pinocchio.

We played with this toy for hours and hours...

so much so that the cardboard characters had to be reinforced

 with tape over and over again so they

 would stand upright in their plastic stands.

It was sitting on the shelf behind the register at my daughter's local thrift store, 

minding it's own business, apparently waiting for me to bring it home....

if for nothing else but for the "oh so fond" memories it holds.

And to my delight it held a "red sticker" which meant 1/2 price day!

My sister will be coming up to visit in December...

maybe we can put on a show! 

If it only had "The Nutcracker".

♥ Thanks for the memories Remco! ♥

What toy brings you fond memories?

Stay Cozy, 

Carrie