Thursday, November 29, 2007

Chestnut Stuffing Recipe


VideoJug: How To Make Chestnut Stuffing
A perfect stuffing for Christmas, this special recipe promises to make this favourite companion to the holiday turkey a great hit! Devour our Chestnut Stuffing recipe.

Ingredients:
8.8oz of skinless sausage broken in to pieces
4 celery sticks, chopped
1 onion chopped
1 carrot chopped
5.3 oz of peeled chestnuts
6 slices of bread
2.6 oz of raisins
2 tbsp chopped thyme
2 tbsp chopped parsley
2 tbsp of honey
2 eggs beaten
26.4fl oz chicken or turkey stock
1.4fl oz olive oil
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brown the meat and vegetables by heating up a sauce pan until very hot. Add a little oil along with the sausage (try and break it up as much as possible. Next add the onions, celery, carrots and the rest of the oil cook for 10mins stir in the chestnuts cook for a few mins more. Place in to bowl add the bread, the raisins, the thyme, the parsley the honey and eggs and season with salt and pepper. Now add the chicken stock and let it soak for 5 min. place in pan and level it with a spoon cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 min after time is up remove the foil and place back in oven for 15 min.

Pumpkin Pie Recipe


Pumpkin pie and the autumn season are partners. Here is a quick and easy recipe, perfect for the holidays.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Ingredients:

2 eggs
1 16oz. can of Pumkin Pure
1 14oz. can of sweetend conenced milk
1 tsp. of pumkin pie spice

Directions:

Mix indredients well.
Pour mixture into a pie shell
Bake for 15 min. at 425 degrees
Then reduce the heat to 350 degrees for 35-40 min. then serve

Enjoy the pie with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

How To Make A Christmas Tree Bauble


VideoJug: How To Make A Christmas Tree Bauble
Arts and crafts expert Arona Khan shows how to make this Christmas tree decoration.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Wrapping Presents


Tips to make the gift-wrapping process easier.

Mailing Your Christmas Cards


How to find the best time to send cards and save money on your mailing.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Scrooged


Frank Cross (Bill Murray) runs a US TV station which is planning a live adaptation of Dickens' Christmas Carol. Frank's childhood wasn't a particularly pleasant one, and so he doesn't really appreciate the Christmas spirit. With the help of the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, Frank realises he must change.

Scrooged is available on DVD at Amazon.com.

Traditional Mince Pies Recipe


VideoJug: How To Make Traditional Mince Pies
Mince pies at their very best. Delicious served cold or hot with a splash of cream. Simply irresistible! Sample our Traditional Mince Pies recipe.

Ingredients:
24 oz ready to roll short crust pastry
16 oz sweet mincemeat
1 egg beaten
Hand full of flour for dusting
2 tbsp of water

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 390 degrees. Flour your workstation as well as you rolling pin, now roll your pastry out in to a thin sheet cut out 12 pastry cups with the bigger cutter. Gently place in to bun tin until the touch the bottom then fill with mince meat use the extra pastry dough to make smaller lids brush a little water on the edges of the lids now place wet side down on the open mince meat then gently push on the edges to seal. Brush the egg wash on the top of the lids. Now back for 20 min dust with icing sugar and serve.

Digital Photo Keychain

This digital photo keychain holds over 60 full-color digital photos. So you can take your loved ones with you everywhere you go! Built-in memory stores up to 62 color photos. Clear, high-resolution 1.5" screen provides brighter images and a wider viewing angle. Keychain automatically resizes photos to fit perfectly. PC downloads are fast and easy—and the USB cable and software are included. The rechargeable battery delivers two hours of viewing time.

Digital Photo Keychain is available at Brookstone.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Decorating Packages


Get creative gift wrapping ideas with this how-to video on unique techniques for decorating packages.

Chestnut Sage and Apple Stuffing Recipe


A very yummy stuffing recipe!

Ingredients:
One stick of butter
½ lb pork sausage with sage
2 cup of chopped celery
2 cup Chopped onion
2 granny smith apples peeled cored and chopped
1 ¾ cup chopped chestnuts.
2 cup Chicken broth
14 oz dry stuffing
Fresh thyme
Fresh sage

Directions:
Melt the butter in a large saucepan at the same time cook the sausage will cutting it up in to chunks until it is brown. Once brown add the granny smith apples. Once the butter has melted add the onions and the celery and sauté. Add the chicken broth to the onions and celery. Drain the grease from the sausage and add the chestnuts. Once the onions are boiling add the dry stuffing. Dice the sage in to tiny pieces. And peel the thyme leafs off the steam. Then add to the sausage mixture. Combine the sausage mixture with the onions mixture. Now butter up a large casserole dish figurate over night covered in foil. Cook the next day for about an hour in the oven.

Carving the Perfect Holiday Turkey


Chef Marc shows you how two carve your holiday turkey in about two minutes or so.

How To Wrap An Awkward Shaped Gift


VideoJug: How To Wrap An Awkward Shaped Gift
Arona Khan shows us how to wrap an awkward shaped gift. A perfect video for all those gifts that aren't square or round!

Engraved Chopsticks for Two

Looking for a unique gift? An engraved gift is always a treasured gift. When the engraved pieces are chopsticks, the recipients know you have gone out of your way to make them feel extra special. Each wooden chopstick has a sterling silver handle that can be engraved with your personal message. Two pair of chopsticks are included in the gift along with two rests. Presented in a hand wrapped gift box for an outstanding presentation.

Free Engraving
Engraving area: one line maximum, up to 18 characters including spaces. Enter information to be engraved on each individual chopstick handle during the checkout phase of the ordering process. One additional business day is automatically added to shipping schedule to accommodate engraving process.

Engraved Chopsticks for Two is available at GiftTree.com

Thursday, November 22, 2007

How to Make a Bow


Learning how to make a bow is very easy with these instructions from AsktheDecorator.com host Meghan Carter. She will walk you through the steps of how to make a bow, and you'll also discover multiple ways to style your bow. Whether you want an elegant bow, a casual bow or a double bow, you'll easily be able to make many bows to use around your home and on gifts.

Digital Picture Ornament

Cherish the holiday memories of years gone by with a digital picture ornament that lets you take a stroll down memory lane when you put up the tree each year.

Available at Amazon.com.

Santa Claus Lane - Hilary Duff


Watch Hilary Duff's music video for Santa Claus Lane.

The Family Man


Jack Campbell (Nicolas Cage) is the quintessential Wall Street shark, scoring killer deals by day and shallow escort sex by night. His round-the-clock routine of empty luxuries is disturbed one lonely Christmas Eve when a gun-packing punk (Don Cheadle)--perhaps an angel of mercy--responds to an altruistic gesture from Jack by giving him "a glimpse" of the life he could have had. Could have, that is, if he had married the girlfriend (Téa Leoni) he'd abandoned 13 years earlier, raised two adorable children, worked in his father-in-law's retail tire outlet, and lived happily ever after in suburban New Jersey. Thrust into this "glimpse" of the path not taken, Jack's a single-malt man in a lite-brew world, wondering if he'll ever return to his "better" life of callous wealth and solitude--or if he even wants to.

The Family Main is available on DVD at Amazon.com.

Personalize Holiday Giving With Homemade Gifts

'Tis the season to draft your gift list, and you need something that will suit everyone -- from your always-on-the-go brother to your happy-at-home aunt. Something special for each, of course -- homemade would be perfect. Something fresh and unexpected, customized, yet budget-friendly.

By using essential oils selected with your recipients in mind, you can easily create unique aromatherapy gifts that will delight. Replace a stressful shopping expedition with a pleasant hour of fragrant creativity and craft the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

"Homemade gifts say that you care," says Tom Havran, product development specialist for Aura Cacia, a leading aromatherapy brand. "And when you make one using essential oils you can go one step further and personalize its aromatherapy benefits as well."

To personalize your aromatherapy gift, simply choose pure essential oils with benefits that best suit the person receiving the gift. To help you get started, here's a chart of the aromatherapy benefits of the essential oils suggested in the instructions for making the gifts below:

Experts caution that full aromatherapy benefits are available only from natural, unadulterated essential oils -- not petroleum-derived synthetic fragrances or essential oils that have been "stretched" with less expensive components.

Havran, who helped develop aromatherapy gift ideas for a Web site feature on the topic (www.auracacia.com/gifts), shares three of his favorites:

Aromatherapy Zen Garden
A creative way to deal with stress at the office or at home.

You'll need:

1 tiny garden rake or chopsticks (to serve as the garden rake)

1 decorative shallow glass bowl or ceramic tray

Table salt (enough to fill container)

Small decorative rocks and shells

One of the following meditative essential oils: frankincense, myrrh or sandalwood


To assemble:

Fill the container with the salt and mix in 10 to 15 drops of oil. Smooth and add the rocks and shells in a pleasing arrangement. Using the rake or chopsticks as a stylus, draw flowing continuous patterns in the salt. Experience the garden fully as you meditate.

You can assemble the garden ahead of time for a personal presentation or send unassembled over a distance.


Holiday Botanical Diffuser
Brighten the atmosphere as well as the table with this attractive and aromatic decoration. Your choices of spices will personalize each gift.

You'll need:

A decorative glass jar

An array of spices such as cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole nutmeg, cardamom pods, bay leaves, etc. to layer into the container

A spicy, holiday aromatherapy blend (To make your own, combine 1 teaspoon of sweet orange essential oil and 1/4 teaspoon each of anise seed, clove, and cinnamon bark essential oils in a .33- or .5-ounce essential oil bottle)


To assemble:

Layer the spices in the jar and -- just before giving the gift -- sprinkle 10 to 15 drops of the aromatherapy blend. (Include the blend with the gift so that the recipient can refresh the scent as needed.)


Festive Sachet
Here's a colorful gift that celebrates traditional wintertime scents. These delightful decorations are the perfect way to cheer up a home and announce that the holidays have arrived.

You'll need:

1 small drawstring bag or sachet (You can easily make one from a decorative handkerchief or fabric and ribbon)

Coarse rock salt

A small handful of bay leaves, crushed into small pieces

(You need just enough salt and bay leaves to fill your sachet)

One of the following 100 percent pure wintertime oils: fir needle, cedarwood, pine or peppermint


To assemble:

Combine salt and bay leaves in a glass container. Sprinkle with 20 to 30 drops of essential oil and mix well. Fill sachet with mixture. (Include the blend with the gift so that the recipient can refresh the scent as needed.)

Aura Cacia offers a full selection of 100 percent pure essential oils for purchase and a wealth of information on essential oils and aromatherapy at www.auracacia.com/gifts.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Christmas With the Kranks


When their only daughter Blair leaves the family nest, Luther and Nora Krank (Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis) decide to book an island cruise to beat the yuletide blues and just skip the holidays. But their decision to boycott tradition has the whole neighborhood in an uproar, and when Blair calls on Christmas Eve to announce a surprise visit with her new fiancée, the Kranks have just twelve hours to perform a miracle and pull themselves and their neighbors together to throw the best celebration ever! With fast-paced energy and support from Dan Aykroyd, Cheech Marin, Jake Busey and M. Emmet Walsh, this hilarious adaptation of John Grisham's best-selling novel, "Skipping Christmas" has become "an instant family classic!"

Christmas with the Kranks is available on DVD at Amazon.com.

O Holy Night - Jessica Simpson


Watch the Jessica Simpson's music video for O Holy Night from her CD Rejoyce: The Christmas Album.

How to Make a Curly Bow


Video on creative gift wrapping ideas, focusing on how to make a curly bow with ribbon.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas



The classic celebration of the spirit of the holidays comes home. Acclaimed director Ron Howard, his longtime partner and producer Brian Grazer, plus Jim Carrey (as the Grinch) bring Dr. Seuss' beloved tale to life in this adventure "that can make your heart grow three sizes - if you're not laughing too hard!"

With dazzling scenery and special effects, narration by Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins and Jim Carrey's own rendition of "Your a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," this gift from the heart is a "holiday package that kids will embrace and parents will adore."

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is available on DVD at Amazon.com.

Surviving Christmas



Surviving Chrisstmas is available on DVD at Amazon.com.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

How To Choose A Christmas Tree


VideoJug: How To Choose A Christmas Tree
Find out how to choose the right Christmas tree for you with help from Camden Garden Centre. Tall, short, fat, thin- this video will help you choose the perfect Christmas tree this season.

Southern Dressing Recipe


Chef Keith Snow creates a holidays favorite-- southern dressing.

Ingedients:
Cornbread
Button mushrooms
Green bell pepper
Organic celery
Leeks
Rubbed sage
Chicken broth
Cultured butter

Directions:
Place the skillet on med heat. Begin by slicing the mushrooms and chop the pepper. Starts by placing the butter in the skillet to help with smoke add extra virgin olive oil. Then add the mushrooms and bell peppers add black pepper. Once the mushrooms have browned up add kosher salt throw in the celery and the leeks, now reseason if it gets dry add more oil. Pour some chicken broth in and mix. Turn off the heat and add the sages as well as the corn bread then add a little chicken broth 2/3 cup cover and place in the oven.

Christmas Time - Christina Aguilera


Watch Christina Aguilera perform 'Christmas Time' from her CD My Kind of Christmas.

How to make a Wreath


We learn how to make a wreath and how to dress it up for any of the up-coming holidays.

How to Wrap a Wine Bottle


Video on creative gift wrapping ideas, focusing on how to wrap a wine bottle.

HomeWorks Plus Offers Tips for Christmas Tree Decorating

Large, medium or small, with a thousand lights or a few prominent ornaments, down the hallway or in a corner of the family room … the Christmas tree is a must for American families, and -- finally -- the time to decorate a new one has come! HomeWorks Plus (SM), a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC, reports that millions of Americans will keep the tradition alive by making their Christmas trees look like a work of art.

The Christmas tree has a long association with Christianity, tracing its roots back to the 16th century in Europe. Germany is the country where many customs, songs, images of Santa, pine trees adorned with ornaments and other Christmas traditions come from. In the hundreds of years since then, the Christmas tree has become more than a religious symbol, evolving into an emblem of a time of the year to celebrate love and family union. HomeWorksPlus members use their benefits to save on decorative purchases for the tree and all the areas of the home that need a touch of the holiday spirit.

From the ornaments to the lights to every branch of the tree, HomeWorks Plus has a few ideas about Christmas tree decoration:

Family decision. It's up to the family members to choose a specific theme or color, or simply to use their ornaments as family heirlooms and try to display them every year in a different, more creative way. No matter how the family approaches tree decorating, the goal is to achieve is a unique piece that reflects the family's personality.

The green trend. In this age of environmental awareness, many families are opting for an organic tree. To be part of this trend, the first step is to purchase the tree at a reputable farm (one that doesn't use pesticides and plants different types of trees). The second step is to purchase or make nature-friendly decorations. Use LED lights, which don't present the fire risk of conventional bulbs and also run on about a tenth of the energy. There's a great variety of colors and shapes in the market, all of which can be complemented with biodegradable ornaments made at home using recyclable paper and other materials.

The single-color tree. The key to a beautiful single-tone tree is to prepare beforehand. Once the color's been selected, the challenge is to get the ornaments in different shades, shapes and sizes. Begin with a single-tone string of lights as the base of the design, and build the rest from there. Pick only three or four kinds of ornaments, so the tree looks elegant and fun but not overstuffed.

A rainbow of colors. A multi-colored tree can easily look messy if ornaments and lights are not carefully selected, notes HomeWorksPlus. Follow a pattern, and pick at least one element that's going to bring unity to the design, like the same color ribbon to tie the items on the tree. Begin by wrapping the lights (all blue, red or green is a nice way to add color and break away from tradition) from top to bottom. Next, place larger ornaments first, evenly around all the branches, and continue randomly adding the others in decreasing size.

Ornaments. When it comes to Christmas tree ornaments, less is often more. Whatever the theme of the tree, be sure to keep some kind of pattern with the chosen ornaments. Beware of using too many garlands or too much tinsel, though; it's okay if the tree looks "snowy," but too much of it might create an "after a storm" look.

Top and bottom of the tree. This is the place where the originality of the family can really be showcased. Cap the tree off with a ceramic or a craft made by one of the kids, or pick something totally different from the traditional angel or star. You can use the same motif for the tree skirt, an item that's often forgotten but is equally important as the other decorative elements.

HomeWorks Plus members can access a variety of savings on home and Christmas decorating needs as well as gardening and entertainment interests. When it comes to finding elements for decorating, improving the house or creating a stunning look for a party or gathering, members can always count on HomeWorksPlus.

About HomeWorks Plus
HomeWorksPlus is a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC. Headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., Adaptive Marketing is a category leader in membership programs, bringing value direct to consumers through an array of benefits in healthcare, discounts, security, personal property and personals. Members may access their benefits at HomeWorksPlus123.com. With broad online and offline distribution capabilities, Adaptive Marketing offers its corporate client partners effective tools to enhance market presence, strengthen customer affinity and generate additional value through programs such as HomeWorks Plus.

Source: PRWeb

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Holiday Wreath Crispy Treats Recipe


Add some holiday spirit to regular crispy treats by making these adorable and tasty marshmallow crispy wreaths, dyed a festive green and decorated with candy to resemble the real thing!

Ingredients:
¼ cup butter
10 oz bag of marshmallows
13 oz box of rice cereal
Green food coloring
Powdered sugar

Directions:
Start by microwave the butter for about 45sec. add the marshmallows and microwave for 1 min or melted, when done stir it up and add the food coloring and stir again and repeat. Once done add the rice cereal. Spray your hands with cooking spray and use your ands to mold the wreath. Now ice. To ice take a small bowl add the powdered sugar the water and food coloring (optional) and stir. Now drizzle a little on the wreath you can also place m&ms if you like.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Bow Making


Bow Making Instructions for Beginners. Learn How to Make Bows.

How to make a Pine Cone Wreath


In this video, learn how to make a pine cone wreath for the holidays.

A Christmas Story


The Christmas spirit isn't served up with more observant hilarity than in this beloved adaption of Jean Shepherd's holiday story. In 1940s Indiana, nine-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) dreams of his ideal Christmas gift: a genuine Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. But when gruff dad (Darren McGavin) and doting mom (Melinda Dillon) regularly responded with "You'll shoot your eye out!" Ralphie mounts a full-scale Santa-begging campaign. He encounters a slew of calamities from snowsuit paralysis to the dreaded tongue-on-a-frozen-flagpole gambit. We triple-dog-dare you to unwrap a more welcome Yuletide classic!

Available at Amazon.com.

Pumpkin Pecan Cream Pie Recipe


This delicious variation of pumpkin pie can make a truly appreciated addition to your holiday meal or can be served anytime as a tasty dessert.

Ingredients:
8oz. Of Pumpkin Pure
10 egg yokes
1/4 cup of Brown sugar
1 cup of Pecans
1/4 cup of cream

Directions:
Put all of the ingredients and put them in a bowl and mix together
Put a cookie crust shell in the oven
Pour the pumpkin recipe on top of the baked shell
And then put it back in the oven.
After about 35 to 50 minutes, when you think its done take out the pumpkin Pecan Cream pie.
Let cool for about a 1.5 hours

Cream Ingredients:
3 cups of sour cream
1/2 cup of sugar
Vanalla extract

Cream Directions:
Add sour cream
Add sugar
Add a little bit of vanilla extract
Mix well, don’t over mix.
Then put the sour cream on top of the pie, cover the top.
Put this in the oven, for 325 degrees for about 8-13 minutes.
When the cream looks tan, you know that you are done.
Move the pie into the refrigerator, keep in there for about an hour.

A Scroll Saw Christmas: Step-By-Step Techniques With 30 Ornament Patterns

If you got that new scroll saw last Christmas, this Christmas you can use it to celebrate the holiday. Frank Pozsgai brings his unique knowledge and artistic ability to create 3-D scroll patterns that will delight the craftsperson. The main project is Santa's sleigh and nine reindeer, complete with instructions for giving Rudolph a flashing red nose and installing a music box that plays "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer." The step-by-step guide is illustrated in full color. It is accompanied by 30 other Christmas patterns. , 135+ color photos plus 30 patterns, 8 1/2" x 11"

Available at Amazon.com.

Mashed Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Parmesan Recipe


Try this quick alternative to regular mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Sea salt and pepper

Directions:
Wrap the sweet potatoes foil and cook at 450 degrees for an hour. When done unwrap and start peeling. Sprinkle some Parmesan, sea salt and pepper then take a masher and mash it all together.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

This is First Lady Laura Bush's recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole.

Ingredients
  • 8 medium sized sweet potatoes,roasted, peeled and passed through a fine mesh sieve
  • 3 whole eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ bag miniature marshmallows
  • cooking spray
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, lightly mix all the ingredients except the marshmallows.
  3. Spray a 9 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
  4. Pour the custard and top with a half bag of mini marshmallows.
  5. Bake for about a half hour.
  6. Keep warm for service.

The First Christmas in Origami

A one-of-a-kind book that allows children to enjoy the Christmas story while they learn the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. Each chapter features a narrative about one of the characters in the Christmas story with easy-to-follow directions on folding that character. Eleven characters compose the finished Nativity scene. Full color.

Available at Amazon.com.

How to Make Snowflakes


A tutorial on how to make a snowflake out of paper.

This Christmas


This year, Christmas with the Whitfield's promises to be one they will never forget. All the siblings have come home for the first time in years and they've brought plenty of baggage with them. As the Christmas tree is trimmed and the lights are hung, secrets are revealed and family bonds are tested. As their lives converge, they join together and help each other discover the true meaning of family.

This Christmas is in theaters November 21.

Sweeten the Holidays Naturally

From rich chocolate fudge to creamy caramels and sweet lollipops -- candy is always a crowd-pleaser. This season, serve up a few of your favorite confections, sweetened the natural way, using pure honey.

Using honey in a candy recipe not only provides a mild, naturally sweet flavor, it also dissolves and blends well and delivers a smoother candy texture. Candy making can be tricky, so keep the following tips in mind:

* For a candy making surface that can take the heat, use a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil. Cool the candy at room temperature and then gently remove from the foil.

* Use pure honey, which is already in a liquid form, to help avoid the hassle that comes with large sugar crystals forming during the candy-making process.

* Bringing the candy mixture to the correct temperature is essential A candy thermometer is the most accurate and efficient way of testing the temperature.

* Only use real butter in candy making.


The following candy recipes are easy to make and feature scrumptious, seasonal ingredients such as cinnamon, walnuts, vanilla, almonds and of course, chocolate. Friends and family will be delighted to savor these tasty treats at holiday parties, as hostess gifts, or even as stocking stuffers.

Visit http://www.honey.com/ for more delicious holiday candy recipes.


Chocolate Walnut Fudge
Makes 25 squares.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup pure honey
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup (4 ounces) coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions:

Line an 8-inch by 8-inch pan with foil; butter and set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine honey, sweetened condensed milk and salt. Mix well. Bring mixture just to a boil, stirring frequently. Lower heat to a simmer. Add chocolate chips and bittersweet chocolate, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts completely and mixture is smooth. Stir in walnuts. Pour immediately into pan and smooth top. Let cool, then refrigerate until cold. Cut into 25 pieces.



Honey Pops
Makes 15 to 20 lollipops.

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup pure honey
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon candy flavoring (or 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
red paste food coloring, optional

Directions:

In a heavy pan, combine sugar, honey, and water. Over high heat, bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-high and continue to boil until honey mixture reaches 300F on candy thermometer (hard-crack stage), about five to six minutes, stirring frequently. Add flavoring and color. Mix well. Pour into prepared lollipop molds (greased with lollipop sticks inserted), following manufacturer’s directions. Cool completely. Remove from molds and wrap in plastic wrap. Store in a cool, dry place.

Cinnamon candy flavoring is an oil-based flavoring, which can be found where candy-making supplies are sold. You may substitute 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, if desired.

Tip: Candy may be molded in buttered, wax-coated paper drinking cups.


Holiday Honey Caramels
Makes 30 caramels.

Ingredients:

2 cups pure honey
2 cups whipping cream
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
finely chopped almonds, optional
1 cup butter (no substitutions)

Directions:

Line bottom and sides of 9-inch square pan with plastic wrap and set it aside. Melt butter in medium-sized heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add honey, cream and brown sugar. Mix well. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture comes to boil, stirring frequently. Continue boiling, stirring frequently, until candy thermometer registers 250 F, about 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into prepared pan.

Let cool completely in refrigerator before cutting into individual caramels with very sharp knife. Roll in chopped nuts or coconut, if desired, and wrap each individually in clear plastic wrap. Store tightly wrapped in refrigerator up to one month. Caramels will be soft at room temperature and firm if kept chilled.

Serving Suggestions:

Drop one into a cup of hot coffee or tea or enjoy this delicious treat on its own.


Courtesy of ARAcontent

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Cranberry Sauce Recipe


Chef Keith Snow shows how to make this holiday favorite.

Ingredients:
Cranberries
1¼ cup sugar
¼ tsp. Nutmeg
Orange

Directions:
In a big bowl place the cranberries and the sugar, now sprinkle some nutmeg over. Now with a zestier zest the orange right in to the bowl. When done cut the orange in half and juice it right in the bowl. When done place the mixture on the stove with the heat on high. Stir for a min or two then cover, let I cook for 35 min half way through you might want to stir. When done let cool a few minuets and enjoy.

Paper Creations: Christmas Origami Book and Gift Set

Open this box for a celebration of Christmas…and creativity! Featuring a charming all-in-color project book designed to brighten the holiday season, 50 sheets of festively patterned 6" x 6" origami paper, and one completed miniature tree, it’s the fun, all-in-one way to make unique ornaments, decorations, and presents. Christmas Origami explains all the basic folds and forms up front, and offers 80 pages of seasonal ideas to try, including a gift box, picture frame, snowman, Kris Kringle, reindeer, and sleigh. Make them using the paper adorned with twinkling balls, tiny Santa faces, snowflakes, and wreaths. Anyone can master the techniques, and it won’t be long before you realize that crafting and Christmas go hand-in-hand!

Available at Amazon.com.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

How To Make A 5-Point Paper Star


How To Make A 5-Point Paper Star - The funniest bloopers are right here
Learn how to make a 5-Point star with a piece of paper. Great for Christmas decorations.

Fred Claus


Fred Claus has lived almost his entire life in his little brother's very large shadow. Fred tried, but he could never live up to the example set by the younger Nicholas, who was just a perfect, well, Saint. True to form, Nicholas grew up to be the model of giving, while Fred became the polar opposite: a repo man who then steals what he repossesses.

Fred Clause is in theaters now.

Christmas Vacation


This holiday season Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) vows his clan will enjoy "the most fun-filled family Christmas ever." Before you can sing "Fa-la-la-la-lah," he decks the halls with howls of folly in the perennial favorite National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

Seeing is believing. There are 25,000 lights on the roof. An exploding turkey on the dining room table. A SWAT team taking siege otside. A festive supporting cast (including Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Juliette Lewis, William Hickey and more). And a John Hughes' script full of wit, heart and sheer goofiness. Yule love it!

Available at Amazon.com.