Happy 20th Birthday Caitlin!

I bought this pan set years ago for really cheap.  Have always wanted to try it and never have until now.  I have also wanted to try to make fondant from scratch.  I found a marshmallow recipe, so I gave both a try. 

The marshmallow fondant has only 4 ingredients:  marshmallows, water, vanilla extract & confectioners sugar.

At first the fondant is very sticky, but once the powdered sugar is incorporated it becomes very pliable and easy to work with.  I kneaded it for about 8 minutes and then used Wilton food coloring.

Happy 20th Birthday Caitlin!

More Snow

Friday night we had more snow - about 6 inches.

The next day was a perfect winter day.

Glass roosters in the snow.

Homemade spinach, ricotta and mozzarella bread.

Turkey cutlets in a creamy paprika dill sauce over egg noodles.  I tried a new recipe.  It was just OK.  This was a one time meal.

Happy New Year

  A huge Monk Parrot nest.

Gus at the beach.

Snow

We finally had our first significant snowfall of the season.

Same view taken at night.

Sunrise

Putting the snow blower to good use.

Christmas

The table was set. 

 The turkey was delicious.

The cream puffs were even better.

Dinner for tonight is already made - turkey tetrazzini - yum!

It is currently snowing.  The prediction is 10 to 12 inches.  The firewood is stacked.  I hope someone will start the fire in the wood burning stove soon so I can stay nice and warm!

Praline Yam Casserole

My co-worker made this one year for our Thanksgiving dinner at work.  This is the best recipe and it was such a hit.  We'll be having this tomorrow.  I can't wait!

6-7 yams
1/4 C butter
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar (I omit this - I try to cut down on sugar)
3/4 cup buttermilk (I used half & half this time)

Steam yams.  Place in mixing bowl with butter and remaining ingredients, and beat thoroughly.  Place mixture in buttered casserole dish.  Sprinkle with praline topping and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Praline Topping
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup pecans, finely chopped
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup butter, softened
Mix ingredients until thick and crumbly and spread on yams before baking.

Great Expectations

I sewed these gingerbread people a few years ago from scraps of material I had at home.  I have a whole week off from work and plan on doing some reading.  I went to the library and came home with four books.  Let's see how much reading I actually do get done!