Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

Christmas Countdown: Day 23

 
I bought the Christmas Countdown Day 23 gift as kind of a joke.  We have been having problems with the drain in the bathroom sink (my DD has very long hair!) and while I was in line at the checkout I saw the Sink Wizard package.  It vows to eliminate the need for chemicals and plumbers - and has a storage hook included!  It is basically a bottle brush on the end of a very long cable (BONUS: you get the tub wizard too!) that you stick down your sink drain to remove clogs.  Since this was exactly what DH said he needed to fix the problem, I knew I just had to get it for him.  I can't believe the incredible Sink Wizard was only $7.97 and I'm confident it will help DH work his magic! ;)

Christmas Tags

In order to discourage snooping this year, or at least render it a futile exercise, I made up these gift tags using the Christmas Punch stamp set (Stampin' Up), along with the various punches that co-ordinate with them (Scallop Oval, Extra Large Square, Curly Label, & Extra Large Oval).  I stamped them in Black ink on Very Vanilla card stock and then simply punched them out.  I have designated one type of tag for each member of our immediate family - randomly, so there's no chance of guessing based on perceived personality association!  This way, they won't know which wrapped gift under the tree is for whom...mean, huh?  It's bound to make them a little bit crazy!

Christmas Countdown: Day 22

 
I always worry when DH goes off in the woods to find a trout stream for good fishing...so today he found a useful item in his Christmas Countdown Box #22 - a combination compass, thermometer, and whistle on a carabiner-type clip.  He needs to be able to find his way home...I'd be lost without him.

Reminisce Pool Photos

After having so much trouble with my first attempt at scrapbooking our vacation pool photos, I am so happy I was actually able to eventually incorporate my turquoise photos in my Reminisce-coloured album.

I still used the Tone-on-Tone Reminisce Power Palette paper from Creative Memories, but instead of trying to build upon a blue background, I switched to a warm orange.  I also used the Flower template page planner to help arrange the page layout.  My title words were cut using my Cricut and the sun icon is from the Life is a Beach cartridge.

Sometimes if you are stumped on a scrapbook page, taking a break and leaving the photos for a few days allows you to have renewed creativity and ideas on how to work them into a layout.  Don't give up and try a different approach if you're stuck!  My initial frustration with these pictures has vanished and I'm now counting this page as one of my favourites in the whole album! 

Christmas Countdown: Day 21

 
It's the Day 21 Christmas Countdown Box and DH found a gift that says "I Love You"...no, it really says "I Love You"...because nothing says "I Love You" like retro peppermint gum!

Indoor S'mores

Happy First Day of Winter!  Even though it is officially the start of this cold and snowy season (here in the East, anyway!), there's no reason not to enjoy that camp-fire favourite: S'mores!

There's no way I could go all through winter without this tasty snack.  It's actually very simple to make a big batch of these right in the kitchen.  I line a baking sheet with foil and row up the graham crackers.  I add 2 squares of milk chocolate (I use Jersey Milk bars) and then top with one marshmallow per cookie...cut in half.  (Put them cut-side down so they don't roll off).  Then, just broil them under the burner in the oven - watch them carefully!  It only takes seconds to toast the marshmallows...and a few seconds more to fill the kitchen with smoke!  Take the tray out and top each s'more with another graham cookie lid.  Smush down and give them to your hungry snow angels - really nice with a mug of hot chocolate! Nomnom!

Christmas Countdown: Day 20

 
Today's gift in the Christmas Countdown Day 20 box is disgusting...but...it makes DH think happy thoughts of spring time and fishing.  Just purchasing and touching this package of wax worms (preserved bait) gave me the heebie jeebies but there is no end to the things I will do for DH's happiness!  5 more treats to go...

I am feeling pretty good that the presents are wrapped and the house is clean.  The kids are home from school and the extended family arrives shortly - with chaos to ensue.  I have most of the grocery shopping done for the big day and even though I still have baking to do, it should be a fairly relaxed week.  I have always been a bit impatient and eager for Christmas morning to arrive and now at almost 45 (eek!) the only difference is that I am far more excited to give the gifts and see the reactions rather than receive them.  (My DD says that's how you know you're old!)

Maple Syrup Tarts

These delicate, sweet Maple Syrup Tarts are so easy to make and really quick to prepare.  They make a perfect 'go to' dessert when you need one fast.  The recipe can easily be halved, although, I'll warn you...it's very easy to eat more than one.  You just might want to make the whole batch!  Be sure to use real, pure, maple syrup.  We like the darkest variety for the most intense flavour.  Enjoy!

Maple Syrup Tarts**

2 eggs

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp vinegar

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup melted butter

24 prepared tart shells

400 degrees F, 20 mins. or until golden

** Thank you to my friend Natasha for sharing this wonderful recipe! (And the syrup, for that matter!)

Christmas Countdown: Day 19

 
The timing of today's Christmas Countdown Box #19 gift was pretty funny since DH suggested we play crib last night.  We always play cribbage with the extended family over the holidays and have been using toothpicks and broken pegs for years.  I finally realized that replacement markers could be purchased from Bicycle at a very fair price!  Now we can use those toothpicks for hors d'oeuvres!  (And yes, I had to look up how to spell hors d'oeuvres!)

Memories Scrapbook Page

Here is another page from my Washington trip album.  This time I used the flower Page Planner template (it really is a great product for inspiration!) and grouped similar photos from a trip to the Museum of American History.  I titled the page "Memories" because I vividly remember the episode of the Carol Burnett Show where she donned the curtains, and the rod, in a parody of Gone With the Wind and got a record-setting laugh from the audience.  It seems the pop-culture exhibits at the Smithsonian were tailored to a person of my age since Star Wars and C3PO were pretty significant during my childhood also.  The space suit was a bit before my 'conscious' time but I was still fascinated to see it in person.  I was quite astonished how flimsy it actually is!  It appears pretty 'mickey mouse' to be worn while blasting through space, with only regular-looking zippers and buckles holding it together.

Once again I used the Reminisce designer print paper, paper flowers, and Cricut cartridge to build my layout and add my title and embellishments.  I am showing several of these scrapbook pages to emphasize that layouts needn't be fancy or complicated to get the photos and memories preserved.  Also, by using the templates, or just a series of standard layouts, you can vary the look of your scrapbook pages simply by adding new embellishments, turning the templates or photos a different way, or by substituting photo sizes, mats, or journaling boxes.

Recently, Marie Osmond was on Oprah talking about the loss of her son.  The whole show was very emotional but when Marie held up her son's scrapbook and read something he had written, it was heartbreaking.  Obviously, Marie treasures that scrapbook and I'm sure it is even more significant because Michael made it himself.  I always knew that scrapbooking was both meaningful now and in the future, but examples like the segment with Marie remind me just how valuable and worthwhile it is for everybody to do!