Chocolate Ice Cream Cake...

What are your plans for the
New Year..?

Long time friends are coming to my home

to help bring in 2011 ...

They are bring a Bottle of Wine 

and

A Dessert..

I'm not sure what I am more excited about,

a New Year

or 

the wine and dessert..?!!

Easy Chocolate Cake to make for your 

New Year's Eve Festivities...

• One box of Devil's Food Cake Mix

• 3 Large Eggs

• One cup of water

•  One Pint of Chocolate Ice Cream

This cake is very moist and very very delicious..!! 

One my Mother made often...

Mix with Mixer,

place in Angel Food Pan

Bake for Approx 30 mins at 350 degrees

cool and turn upside down onto flat plate 

and icing with your favorite icing..

I use the cooked icing of...

• 5 Tablespoons Flour

• One cup of Milk

Cook on top of stove stirring until thick,

place saran wrap on top until cool..
(this prevents a thick skin from forming on top)

Add 

• One cup of sugar to flour mixture and mix well with mixer

and 

• Two sticks of room temperature butter...

Mix until very fluffy and smooth

Keep Cake Refrigerated...

 Enjoy

Ice Cream Cake

Sealed With A Kiss..

 Last minute sweets...

Believe it or not I had a cake baked for an 

afternoon Christmas gathering...

But someone or two decided to sample it last night...

I must confess..I was one of the two

I decided I would take the cake any ways with only two small pieces 

sampled and then decided to bake some 

Chocolate Pies...

I found this recipe several weeks ago and thinking they would be so easy 

and quick to make if your in a pinch for a small dessert or appetizer..

The preparation time was about an hour,

Ingredients Needed:

One Round Pie Shell (not in pie pan if store bought)

Hershey Kisses or in my area, Wilbur Buds are a favorite 

One Egg

One Tablespoon Water

Sugar

 I wanted a sturdy surface to work from and easy clean up,

I placed the round pie dough on my very seasoned round stone..

I lined my rectangular stone with parchment paper..

I did this because my rectangular stone is only 6 months old from 

Pampered Chef and not seasoned enough...

I did not want to spray the pan with a non stick stray for this recipe..

I used a small jar to make the round circles

needed for the small pies...

It worked great!

 

I then placed a Kiss in the middle of each dough circle

 Folded the two sides into the middle and giving a pinch

 I then did the same to the other two remaining sides..

 Gently Pinching the tops closed and sealing them

One 9 inch Pie Shell gave me 15 Chocolate Pies

Egg wash the outside with the egg mixture of one egg and a Tablespoon of Water

Sprinkled on top some large Sugar Crystals I had on hand

And Baked at 350 for 20 mins...

You need to watch these closely while baking..

I started at 10 mins and then added another 10 mins..

Remember this is pie dough and not cookie dough..

so baking time will be a bit longer depending on what type of baking pan you use

and how thick your dough is..

The Chocolate Pies were a big hit..

I came home empty handed...!

Even the Cake was left behind..

what was left of it..!!

I was "told" I'll get my empty plate back...!

I love sharing my treats with those who

really appreciate them and the sincere
 thankfulness I receive for sharing, 
they truly are Dear Friends and a Blessing..!

Winding Down..

What a week it's been...

Thank Goodness Christmas ONLY comes once a year,

Although I have scaled down,

way down in the gift purchasing department...

This year has been a busy one.!

I only have one package to wrap and ship..

It will be a bit late,

but will be a nice surprise between the 

Christmas and New Year Celebrations..!

Christmas Dinner Menu is planned

and all the food is purchased...

I think I'm ready..!!

Now I am able to enjoy the Reason for the Season..

I am thinking of maybe attending two Christmas Eve Services..

My church has early services which I attend when home,

and a beautiful old church in the City where the services start at 11pm...

 

It's been years since I attended this service,

I have family and friends who attend this late service

and will be more than surprised to see me there, also...

All we need is a little bit of snow..!!

Just a little bit

 

Have A Wonderful Christmas

K

This Year's Pick....

 I always make at least one hand crafted gift for giving,

this year I decided on Mr. and Mrs Frosty..

Surprisingly, I had all the material needed on hand to 

bring Mr and Mrs to life...
(instructions below)

This years pick for Truffles....Chocolate Peanut Butter

Along with my hand crafted item,

My Truffles are a most...

I have family and friends who look for these every year...

I love watching their face when the container is found at the bottom of the Gift Bag

filled to brim with the rich savory chocolate melt in your mouth o so good delectables...

  Mr and Mrs Frosty are made from a clear glass Christmas ball ornament,

I hand painted a face with acrylic paint directly onto the glass surface....

Hand Painted Face on Glass Ornament Ball

Using some bright red yarn I knitted a scarf and hat to match,

the set was hot glued directly onto the ball,

gluing small sections at a time....

Each ornament is a bit different,

with either the color of  yarn I used and/or placement of the scarf and hat...

You can either tie a pretty ribbon onto the top of the ball for hanging on your tree,

or use the conventional ornament hooks...

I chose the hooks

Completed Mr and Mrs Frosty...Packaged all snug for Gift Giving

Single Mr Frosty...He needs a mate

Homemade Gingerbread Cookies are always a
Must for those good little Boys and Girls

and a few Big Boys and Girls, too:)

Home made Gingerbread Cookies...

I decided to dress up the candy bars  I usually add to some gift bags...

I took a piece of regular print/copy paper and folded in half,

wrapped the paper around the candy bar as I would wrap a gift,

hand painted a face on the front side with acrylic paint,

took some yarn and wrapped it several times around the outside for a scarf,

and wrote a personal message on the bottom...

This is Amy:)

I received this absolutely beautiful Christmas Sleigh from My BFF

for Christmas...She knows I love Ice Skates and found a Glass Pair she added to the

front of the Sleigh....

I LOVE IT...!

And it adds a Beautiful Sight to my Hearth..!

Christmas with Kathy...

Merry Christmas.... From My Home To Yours

K

What's That Vegetable....??!

Marinated Artichokes....

I must confess....

I have not really been a big fan of the Artichoke

Over the years I have had several dips with this unusual  vegetable..

and to my surprise do enjoy a good Artichoke dip.

I came across this recipe while getting a menu together for a Pool Party

and Cook Out this past Summer

I am all about easy, simple and good tasting...!!

And this recipe passed the requirements...

Artichoke Dip with Garlic:

• 2 8-oz. packages cream cheese (light works great), softened

 

• 1 c. mayonnaise (no Miracle Whip or fat free mayonnaise, although low-fat mayo also works great)

 

• 1 c. (packed) shredded Parmesan cheese..Use Fresh Parmesan Cheese that comes shredded and sealed or a block of fresh and shred yourself...

(do not use the fine grated you sprinkle on top of pasta..)

 

• 1 12-oz. jar MARINATED artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

 

• 6-7 cloves garlic, minced

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with the mayonnaise and shredded Parmesan cheese. Gently add in the chopped artichoke hearts and minced garlic. Place the mixture into a 9" pie plate (or divided evenly among smaller dishes) and bake for 25-30 minutes or until it's lightly browned and bubbly on top. Serve hot with slices of bread, crackers and/or tortilla chips.

 

This dip has become a favorite of mine and others to which I can confess I have 

made several times since that first time enjoying the company of good friends and many laughs...

 

It was also  a big hit this past Thanksgiving...

After our belly busting dinner,

time was spent with family and friends with this dip in tow..!

I keep the ingredients on hand for a quick grab when I need something to serve 

or take along in a short days notice.....

 

 

Contact From The North Pole....

This is the coolest...EVER!

O..why do I not have Grandchildren ...??!

Here is a Link to create a Personal Video Message from Santa

You have three different Scenarios to choose from..

 

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/home

What fun I had creating a personal message for my Nephews and Niece...

I just had to share this with...EVERYONE!

Happy Holidays and Be Safe while Christmas Shopping.

A Little On The Top.....

I am Totally in Love with
"Five Guys"..!

Best Burger I have eaten in a very long time...

Mine included!

To know me, I usually eat the boring Chicken, Turkey, Seafood or Salad when I order out..

Rarely do I order a burger or even "Red" meat...

unless dinning at a favorite restaurant that serves a great steak.

NOW that has all changed

Yes...I have found my Favorite Burger Joint...

And the guilt is NO where near that place..!

And the Fries Cooked in Peanut Oil aren't too bad, either!

Lets just say, I forced them...

ONLY because I couldn't stay away from them...!

I was so impressed with the selection of toppings that are FREE..

the size of the burger and the total cost for two,

which was under 20.00..

Life is so good....

HOPE......"Angels In My Hand"

 Karl Miller was a guest speaker at my Church this past Sunday,

Karl has been giving his Angels Of Hope to locals for over

20 years.  Karl was inspired to give back after losing his Mother and his own Personal Struggles...

Listed below is the Link to Karl Miller's Site sharing his 

Message Of HOPE through Angels he handcrafts with Tin Can Lids..

His story is one to be admired with so much Inspiration..!!

http://angelsinmyhand.com/index.html

Karl takes every opportunity to reach out to those God has placed in his presence and

who are struggling with their own personal difficulties...

Karl carries a bag filled with his Angels Of Hope with him, 

which are neatly tucked inside a white square box adorned with a beautiful Red Bow..

He waits for the right "opportunity" to give his gift and message,

with the receiver most times trusting and sharing their own story....

I was so touched and moved with Karl's tenderness and understanding of Others...

His willingness to reach out and hearing the stories of those who, God Placed Karl

in their lives at the right moment of time..!

No Good Deed Goes Unnoticed..!!

Karl's book he has written about his many personal experiences when giving his Angel Of Hope

Link below will show you a pictorial on how Karl Makes his Angel Of Hope

 http://angelsinmyhand.com/angels1.html     

If you Want to inspire others or you need a little pick me up,

read Karl's book...

Be safe as you do your Holiday Shopping...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING..!

From Our Home To Your Home....

The Bread Stuffing has been made, 

The Pumpkin Pies have been baked......

I SSsoooooooo Love Thanksgiving!!

It's the one day of the Year you can eat til you literally burst,

and NO one is watching...

Cause they are eating just as much as you or more..!

As you gather around your Thanksgiving Meal this year...

Give Thanks..!

\
HAPPY THANKSGIVING and GOD BLESS..!

And The Sign Says.....OPEN HOUSE

Saturday was my Salon Business Open House...

And what a Fantastic Day it was!!

Since this was my first,

I was totally unaware of what to expect..

with that being said, my expectations were not high.

Much to my surprise, those expectations were met beyond what I ever imagined!

In Three hours, (which actually turned into 3.45 hours) 

we greeted and serviced well over 60 people...!!

I offered a variety of complimentary services..

~Facial Wax~Chair Massage~Polished Nails of Hands~

~Polished Nails of Toes~Hand Treatment~

Along with some light refreshments..

And everyone left with a Complimentary Gift Bag filled with Professional Products

AND

For the First Person to arrive and every Tenth person there after,

Received a Cranberry or Pine Yankee Candle..

My Manager, Amanda who has been through hosting an Open House many times in the past,

shared with me after our doors were closed, She started to have an anxiety attack

when she saw people lined out the door into the parking lot only 20 mins into the event...!

A constant flow of existing customers, new faces from the community, friends and family of

mine and the staff made our Open House a very Huge Success!!

For that, I am so very Blessed and very much Appreciative..

Will I be doing this every year?,  I was asked...

I am not sure..maybe an "Appreciation Day" for the future years.

Here are some Pictures my BFF, Kathy was able to snap when time permitted...

We missed so many available pictures, I remember saying to many..

"Please don't leave until we get your picture"...However

  Greeting, Keeping the flow moving and refilling the Refreshments was top priority..!!!

Polished Toe Nail Station

Friend Carrie and her Daughter, Laney

Kelly enjoying her Hand Treatment with April

Facial Waxing by Amanda and Chair Massages by Jennifer

Tiffany's Polished Toe Station was easily turned into Polished Hand Station to keep up with requested services

Friend Kelly

April Barber, Mary Kay Consultant, Lititz PA

Waiting Patiently 

Light Refreshments...Pumpkin Cookies, Chocolate PB and Vanilla Cupcakes, Pretzels, Punch and Coffee

My Pumpkin Cupcake Arrangement

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes...Always a winner!

I can't tell you how many times we refilled the cupcake tray...Just Awesome!

Jennifer Brossman, Licensed Massage Therapist, "Therapeutic Massage By Jen", Lebanon PA

Very Dear and Long Time Friend, Vickie

My Cousin, Sharon

This picture is mild showing the waiting that occurred for services...Everyone was so patient and very appreciative...!

Salon Kritique Staff (L)Stacy and Amanda, (back) Me and Tiffany