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You are browsing the Blog for Christmas.

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by Hanna Trafford

Unique and Handmade Gifts Like No Others

November 17, 2011 in Featured Articles by Hanna Trafford

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I just have to share this with all of you!

After years of thinking about doing what I do best, I have finally launched Mama Knows product line – in my very own online store! I can hardly sleep now – it’s like having another child!

All the products have my personal name on them – all have been developed and well tested personally by me and I do believe they make incredible gifts!

Check out the Recipes in a Jar - absolutely perfect for trying them yourself and adding them to your gift list:

Good Old Fashioned Chili

Good Old Fashioned Chili in a Jar - complete with step by step instructions and attractively packaged in a re-usable jar - perfect gift idea!

Five different kinds of bean, my secret spice and seasoning mix in a separate pouch and the result? Awesome and huge pot of chili you can easily freeze for future use.

Also available in a gift bag!

Ready to use for yourself and your family and friends or add to your Christmas list for just about anyone - perfect gift like no other!

Friendship Soup

The name says it all - this good for you gift will make a huge pot of soup, ready to share with family and friends. You just have to add it to your Christmas gift list for all your friends!

One of my favourite soups – and I took my own recipe to create one that can be packaged in a jar or a bag and readily made with very little effort! Good for you ingredients include 2 different kinds of lentils, split peas, wite rice, brown and wild rice, 2 different pasta and of course – my very own secret mix of spices and seasonings. You will also get a recipe and step by step instructions folder – it’s just a perfect gift!

Friendship Soup is also available in a gift bag:

Perfect for all your friends on your Christmas Gift list or to use yourself and share it!

Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies

A definite favourite - this recipe has been in my family for ages - and I couldn't even tell you just how many cookies I have made! I am pretty sure you will not be disappointed if you give it a try or gift it to your family and friends

If I was to try to count just how many times and how many Chocolate Chip Cookies I have made using this recipe, I know I would end up and at least four-digit numbers! You really need to try these and add them to your Christmas Gift List!

Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies are also available in a gift bag package;

Definite favourite for anyone - try there or gift them - you will not be disappointed !

 

Best Ever Butter Tarts:

You will be able to make your own pastry and fill it with a wonderful butter tart filling, complete with raisins! Definite and delicious baked goodness!

I calls these The Best Ever Butter Tarts – I have made them thousands of time and always with no fail result! So I decided to share and created a recipe that can be packaged in a jar or a bag – and that is what you will get! Complete with recipe and step by step folder (pastry is really not difficult to make at all!) – there is no perfect gift like this one is!

And yes – it is also available in a gift bag package – check out my online store today!

Have a wonderful time browsing in my store – you will find not only the Recipes in a Jar line – you will also find handmade unique gifts – all designed and made by me! And keep checking it out and returning regularly- I have another line of products that will show up there within the next few days!

 

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by Hanna Trafford

Top 5 Turkey Stuffing Recipes

November 11, 2011 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Here are my favourite turkey stuffing recipes  for you – believe me, I have been cooking for many years and have made these stuffings lots of times. You can trust that what I share with you is easy to make and very, very good!

1. Mushroom Stuffing:

I have made this stuffing with a mixture of fresh mushrooms and also with mixed dried mushrooms - both worked very well

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons of butter
  • 2 large onions, diced into ¾ inch pieces
  • 6 celery stalks, sliced crosswise, ¼ inch thick
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 1-1/2 lbs. of assorted mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
  •  2 loaves of Italian bread (1 lb. total) cut into 1 inch cubes and dried
  • 1 can – 14 oz. of chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup of coarsely chopped parsley
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400F
  2. Butter 8 inch square pan for extra stuffing
  3. Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat, add onions, celery, 1-1/2 teaspoons of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper
  4. Cook, tossing often until beginning to brown – 12-15 minutes
  5. Add mushrooms
  6. Cover and cook until the mushrooms release liquid – 5-7 minutes
  7. Uncover, cook, tossing occasionally until tender and the liquid has evaporated – 10-12 minutes
  8. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool completely
  9. Add bread, parsley and ¾ cup of water to bowl – toss well
  10. Season with salt and pepper and mix in eggs
  11. Prepare and stuff turkey
  12. Transfer extra stuffing to prepared baking dish and cover with buttered foil
  13. Refrigerate until ready to bake
  14. Bake for 20 minutes and then remove foil and bake for about 20 minutes longer until top is golden

2. Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing

I love using cornbread instead of regular white bread for stuffing - it breaks up very nicely and adds to the taste

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. Of fresh pork sausage, casings removed, crumbled
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 stalks of celery, finely chopped
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 2 lbs. of prepared cornbread, cut into ¾ inch cubes
  • 3 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh sage
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1-2 cups of chicken broth

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. In a large non stick skillet, cook the sausage meat over medium heat, stirring often, until browned and cooked through – 5-8 minutes
  3. Transfer to a large bowl
  4. To the pan, add onion, celery and ¼ cup of water
  5. Reduce heat to medium, cook, stirring and cook, scrapping up browned bits with a wooden spoon, until vegetables soften – about 10 minutes
  6. Season generously with salt and pepper
  7. Add to sausage
  8. Add cornbread, sage and eggs to the sausage
  9. Bring broth to a simmer in a small saucepan, pour ½ over stuffing and toss gently (cornbread will break into small pieces)
  10. If needed, add up to ½ cup more broth, until stuffing feels moist but not wet.
  11. Stuff into turkey, using about 4 cups
  12. Spoons remaining stuffing into a baking pan – it should reach the top.
  13. Refrigerate stuffing in pan and remaining broth separately, covered until ready to bake
  14. How to bake extra stuffing:
  15. An hour or so before serving, moisten stuffing in pan with reheated broth (up to 1 cup) Bake, covered about 30 minutes, then uncover and bake until browned on top – 15 to 30 minutes

3. Basic Bread Stuffing:

Just like grandma used to make - this one was always liked by everyone I served it to

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 4 cups bread cubes
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • turkey or chicken broth

Directions:

  1. Sauté onion and celery in the butter until softened.
  2. Combine onion mixture with bread, pepper, eggs, salt, sage and poultry seasoning in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Stir in broth until well moistened.
  4. Enough for an 8 to 10-pound turkey.
  5. Or, bake in a greased covered shallow casserole at 325° for about 35 to 45 minutes.
  6. Take the cover off the last 5 minutes to brown.

4. Apple Pecan Stuffing

I got this one from The Food Network and absolutely loved it! The combination of apples and pecans is definitely one of my favourites

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups dry wheat bread cubes, about 8 slices
  • 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 teaspoon ground sage
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine chicken broth, celery, onion, butter, and salt.
  2. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine bread cubes, chopped apples, chopped pecans, sage, cinnamon, and pepper.
  4. Pour broth and vegetable mixture over the bread cubes.
  5. Gently stir to moisten.
  6. Spoon into a greased 1 1/2-quart casserole. Bake, covered, at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes.
  7. May also use as a stuffing for an 8 to 10 pound turkey.

5. Cherry Stuffing:

I used this recipe last Christmas and it was a definite hit! It was hard to believe that cherries can taste that good in a stuffing

Ingredients:

  • 8 bacon strips, chopped into small pieces
  • 1-1/2 cups of chopped celery
  • 3/4 cups of chopped onion
  • 4 cups of bread cubes
  • 1-3/4 cups of chicken broth
  • 1-1/2  teaspoons of sage
  • 1 teaspoon of thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 cup of dried cherries, chopped into halves

Directions:

  1. In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp.
  2. Remove and place on paper towel, reserving 1 tablespoons of drippings.
  3. Saute celery and onion in drippings until tender.
  4. In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, broth, sage, thyme, pepper and salt. Stir in the bacon, celery mixture and cherries.
  5. Just before baking, loosely stuff turkey. Skewer turkey openings and tie drumsticks together. Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan and brush with melted butter.
  6. Bake, uncovered at 325F for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours or until meat thermometer reads 180F for the turkey and 165F for the stuffing. Baste occasionally during baking and if turkey browns too fast, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
  7. Let turkey stand covered for at least 20 minutes before removing stuffing and carving.
Have a wonderful holiday season and please share your experiences – your input is very welcomed and much appreciated!
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by Hanna Trafford

Scandinavian Rice Pudding Recipe

January 28, 2011 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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I thought that I have all the possible rice pudding variations recipes on this website – but I was wrong. My friend Sverre from Norway sent me a message – subject: You gotta try this! He was kind enough to include personal experience notes – and that makes it special. I am going to try it soon but I wanted to share this recipe with everyone, because it sure looks awesome!

The original recipe is posted on: http://www.mirabilis.ca/recipes/riskrem.html

…

And here are Sverre’s comments – and what do you know – his “slight” change to the recipe by adding chillies – really? Honestly – I can’t wait to try this one!

Direct from Sverre:

I have no idea why they insist on using a double boiler, a regular sauce pan will do just fine.

 A tip is to precook the rice in equal amounts of water, then cook until water is absorbed, before adding the milk. This prevents the rice to stick to the bottom.

 Definitely drop the almond extract and use real vanilla in the whipped cream instead.

 The Danish version is typically served with cherry sauce, while the Norwegian is served with strawberry jam (home made, obviously ;-) ).

 This Christmas I tried it with a twist: Orange syrup with vanilla and chili:

Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 vanilla pod (just the seeds)
  • 1/2 mild chili, no seeds

 Bring to boil and let reduce to a syrup. Sample syrup and remove chili when you have sufficient “punch”. It’s not supposed to be hot in any way, only add a little extra to the syrup.

 Add zest of 1 orange, then set to cool in the fridge

 Enjoy :-)

 

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Ham and Hot Potato Salad Dinner

December 21, 2010 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Just in case you are thinking about your Christmas dinner menu, here is a great idea: Sugar Glazed Ham and Hot German Style Potato Salad. I know that ham and potatoes are probably on your menu already, but making them using this recipes will add a nice tasteful touch for sure! Enjoy!

 

 

 

Sugar Glazed Ham

Ingredients

  • 1 (12 pound) ham ,rump portion
  • 1/2 cup of whole cloves
  • 1 cup of packed brown sugar
  • 4 cups of water, or as needed

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Place ham in a roasting pan, and press whole cloves into the top at 1 to 2 inch intervals.
  3. Pack the top with a layer of brown sugar.
  4. Pour enough water into the bottom of the roasting pan to come to a 1 inch depth.
  5. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil or a lid.
  6. Bake for 4 1/2 to 5 hours in the preheated oven (about 22 minutes per pound), or until the internal temperature of the ham has reached 160 degrees .
  7. Make sure the meat thermometer is not touching the bone.

Let stand for about 20 minutes before carving.

 

Hot German Potato Salad

Ingredients

  • 6 potatoes
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 pound of bacon
  • 1 medium head escarole
  • 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes.
  3. Drain, cool and chop.
  4. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water.
  5. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes.
  6. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
  7. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet.
  8. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown.
  9. Drain, crumble and set aside. Reserve bacon drippings.
  10. Place potatoes in skillet with reserved bacon dripping, fry until heated through.
  11. Add escarole, bacon, eggs and vinegar.
  12. Cook until escarole becomes wilted and serve warm.

Hope you have enjoyed these recipes and that you will send in your comments, suggestions and experiences, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated

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Traditional Christmas Stollen Recipe

December 17, 2010 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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You may have heard the name and you may have wondered what it is. In plain words – it is a traditional Christmas fruitcake. Originated in 1427 whebn it was first baked in Saxon Royal Court and it was to represent baby Jesus wrapped in swadding clothes.

The recipe was adjusted and perfected over the centuries – the bread was originally made without butter and was pretty dry and hard. I like to serve it warmed up with butter and sometimes homemade jams for breakfast, but it is great as a snack as well anytime.

If you want to know more about this traditional baked goodie, here’s a great article on Wikipedia about Stollen.

Traditional Christmas Stollen Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1 -1/2 cups of milk
  • 1/2 cup of white sugar
  • 3/4 cup of butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 5 -2/3 cups of flour
  • 1 ounce of active dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom
  • 1/2 cup of raisins
  • 1/2 cup of candied citrus peel
  • 1/2 cup of candied cherries

Directions

  1. Scald milk.
  2. Add sugar, butter, and salt, and cool to lukewarm.
  3. Add 2 whole eggs, and 2 yolks.
  4. Mix.
  5. Add to 3 cups flour and yeast in food processor.
  6. Process and let rise until double.
  7. Add cardamom, raisins, citron, and cherries, and rest of flour.
  8. Process and put on floured board and knead.
  9. Let rise in greased bowl.
  10. When risen, cut into 3-4 pieces.
  11. Roll each into an oval, butter, and fold in half lengthwise.
  12. Put on greased baking sheet, cover, and let rise until double.
  13. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 minutes.
  14. Remove to rack.
  15. When cool, frost with white butter frosting and decorate with candied cherry halves and sprinkle with icing sugar.

Hope you have enjoyed this recipe, please send in your comments, suggestions and experiences, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated

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Easy Christmas Dinner Recipes

December 16, 2010 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Here are three recipes  for you – easy to make and delicious. Easy Roast Turkey, Ham with Pineapple and Apple Walnut stuffed Pork Roast. Making Christmas dinner should not leave you too tired to enjoy it with you family and friends so I do hope these will help you have great holidays!

…

…

…

Easy Christmas Turkey

Ingredients

  • 1 (18 pound) whole turkey
  • 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 -1/2 quarts turkey stock
  • 8 cups of prepared stuffing

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees .
  2. Place rack in the lowest position of the oven.
  3. Remove the turkey neck and giblets, rinse the turkey, and pat dry with paper towels.
  4. Place the turkey, breast side up, on a rack in the roasting pan.
  5. Loosely fill the body cavity with stuffing.
  6. Rub the skin with the softened butter, and season with salt and pepper.
  7. Position an aluminum foil tent over the turkey.
  8. Place turkey in the oven, and pour 2 cups turkey stock into the bottom of the roasting pan.
  9. Baste all over every 30 minutes with the juices on the bottom of the pan. Whenever the drippings evaporate, add stock to moisten them, about 1 to 2 cups at a time.
  10. Remove aluminum foil after 2 1/2 hours.
  11. Roast until a meat thermometer inserted in the meaty part of the thigh reads 180 degrees F ,about 4 hours.
  12. Transfer the turkey to a large serving platter, and let it stand for at least 20 to 30 minutes before carving.

 

Apple Walnut Stuffed Pork Roast

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 apple – peeled, cored and chopped
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts
  • 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 -1/2 cups of water
  • 5 cups of dry bread crumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
  • 1 (3 pound) boneless rolled pork loin roast

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Stir in the apple, onion, celery, and walnuts, and cook 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
  4. Mix in the applesauce, water, and breadcrumbs.
  5. Cook and stir until the breadcrumbs have absorbed the liquid.
  6. Season with cinnamon, kosher salt, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger.
  7. Unroll the pork roast, and place in a baking dish.
  8. Spoon the stuffing mixture over the roast.
  9. Arrange any excess stuffing around the roast.
  10. Roll the roast so that the fatty side is on top, and tie with kitchen twine.
  11. Bake 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven, to an internal temperature of 160 degrees

 

Christmas Ham with Pineapple

Ingredients

  • 1 (12 pound) bone-in ham
  • 1/2 cup of whole cloves
  • 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar
  • 1 (20 ounce) can of pineapple rings in heavy syrup
  • 1 (4 ounce) jar of chopped maraschino cherries
  • 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle of lemon-lime flavoured carbonated beverage

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F
  2. Place ham in a roasting pan.
  3. Score the rind of the ham with a diamond pattern.
  4. Press a clove into the center of each diamond.
  5. Drain the juice from the pineapple rings into a medium bowl, and stir in the brown sugar and lemon-lime soda.
  6. Coat the ham with this mixture.
  7. Arrange the pineapple rings over the outside of the ham.
  8. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring, and secure with a toothpick.
  9. Bake uncovered for 4 to 5 hours, basting frequently with the juices, until the internal temperature of the ham is 160 degrees F. Be sure the meat thermometer is not touching the bone.
  10. Remove toothpicks before serving

Hope you will enjoy these recipes – please send ion your comments, suggestions and experiences, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated!

 

 

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Festive Christmas Eggnog Bread Recipe

December 14, 2010 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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Here is a recipe that  just may add something very special to your Christmas baking roster. Using eggnog to make this delicious bread is a really good idea – the bread has a great taste and even better aroma when you are baking it. You could make it now – I am planning to make mine  this coming weekend – and freeze it for use during the holidays. It will defrost really well and if you want to, you can put it in the oven at 350F for about 10 minutes – it will taste as if you had just baked it!

 

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup of eggnog
  • 2 teaspoons of rum extract
  • 1 cup of white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of butter, softened
  • 2 -1/4 cups of flour
  • 2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Grease bottom only of a 9×5 inch loaf pan, or three 3×5 inch loaf pans.
  3. Blend together the eggs, eggnog, rum extract, sugar, vanilla and butter.
  4. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.
  5. Add to eggnog mixture and stir just enough to moisten; pour into prepared pan.
  6. Bake bread in large pan for 40 to 60 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Breads baked in the smaller pans require 35 to 40 minutes.
  8. Cool for 10 minutes, and remove from pan. Cool completely, wrap tightly and store in refrigerator.

Hope you have enjoyed this recipe – please send in your comments, suggestions and experioences, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated

 

 


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Christmas Decorating Ideas

December 13, 2010 in Featured Articles by Hanna Trafford

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I find that one of the best way for me is to look at what I could call “motivating decor”- pictures that give me ideas what to do as far as making our home festive for the season.

It is helpful to check out a few pictures and get ideas and then consider where you need to decorate, how much room you have and which ideas will make it mos sense. You also need to consider which ideas would negative impact space in your home – you don’t want your family and guests to be negotiating their movements around decorations – that would definite spoil the effect you are trying to achieve. Also consider children, their curiosity and excitement of the season could change you decor in a hurry!

I have picked a few here that may give you ideas you are looking for and added descriptions that may be quite helpful to you:

This works really well when you want to create an unusual centerpiece for your table when not in use. The minilights hang above an arrangement of Christmas Decorative Balls and bring out colours that really accent your decor. I have used this idea in a little different set up - I hung Christmas balls from a lighted ceiling fan at different levels, added decorative snowflakes and when the fan is turned on (low speed only or you will have a tangled mess on your hands!) the effect was beautiful. My little grandson loved it and I am going to use this idea again this year - this time, I will take pictures!

I have tried in the past to introduce different colour to my personal Christmas decor - but there is something special about the traditional red and white - it says Christmas right away! I also find that hanging decorations - I really like these red stars and white snowflakes a lot - makes the room three-dimensional and adds beautifully to the atmosphere. Pick a theme - whether it's stars, snowflakes to anything else you prefer and carry that idea to adding it to your table. You will achieve a beautiful look without a doubt!And when you add either silver of gold touches, the effect is absolutely beautiful!

This was the year when I decided that perhaps going away from the traditional reds and whites and turning to blue-white-silver combination is worth a try. That year's motiv was angels and I carried it in the decorations through the house. My tree stand in our front window and when lit, it adds to the outside decor beautifully.

We have a short railing from dining room to the upstairs level and I always decorate it, changing the colours of ribbons and adding other elements that go with the current theme. This one is from last year - I added holly berries and red ribbons - of course - the garland is lighted with mini lights. I just love the effect when those are the only lights on since the opposite side of the room has our Christmas tree

This picture took my breath away - this is the description of elegant, romantic Christmas decor if I ever saw one! Simple and very effective for those who are planning a special celebration of the season for two!

festive Lights

Here is an example of just how effective indoor lights can be - I love the lighted wreath under a lighted garland and all I am thinking is where can I put this kind of an arrangement in my house?

These are just few ideas and I will be adding others – hope they were helpful to you and please send in your comments, suggestions, experieces and pictures! You input is always welcomed and very much appreciated!

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Easy Christmas Crafts

December 7, 2010 in Gifts by Hanna Trafford

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Some of the best Christmas gifts are the ones that create memories. I chose those to pass onto you– as times go on and years fly by, thesecreative gifts will become more and more precious.

If you don’t have a tradition of making something like the Wreath or a little Christmas tree from your child’s handprints for grandparents yet – give it some serious consideration. You can create a sonderful tradition and these gifts have a very minimal cost attached to them!

Make a Wreath from Your Children’s Handprints

 

 You will need:

  • Green Construction Paper
  • Piece of red construction paper or a red ribbon
  • Pencil, scissors, glue
  • Glitter or glitter glue

Instructions:

  1. Trace your child’s hand on a piece of green construction paper.Cut out the hand print.
  2. Make about 10 paper hands for each wreath.
  3. Glue the hand prints together in a wreath shape, with the wrists overlapping a little bit.
  4. Glue on a red ribbon bow (or make one from red construction paper).
  5. Optional: Decorate your wreath with glitter or glitter glue.


Make a Christmas Tree from Your Children’s Handprints

 

 You will need:

  • Green construction paper
  • Brown construction paper
  • Yellow construction paper
  • Large piece of paper or cordstock for background (use colour you like)
  • Pencil, scissors, glue
  • Glitter  or glitter glue and paper ornament to decorate the tree with

 Instructions:

  • Trace the child’s hand on a piece of green construction paper.
  • Cut out the hand print and fold the wrist over.Make a lot of paper paper hands (the number you’ll need depends on the size of your tree). If this is a class project, you may want to put each child’s name on his or her hand print.
  •  Draw a tree shape on a large piece of paper.Cut out a small piece of brown paper in a rectangular shape – that will be the tree trunk – and glue it in place.

 

  • Glue the hand prints together in a tree shape, gluing the folded part of the wrist to the background. Start at the bottom of the tree. Starting with the second row, make the fingers overlap the next hand a little bit.

  • Cut out a yellow star for the top of the tree. Glue it on the tree.

 

  • Write a Christmas message around the tree. Decorate your tree with glitter, glitter glue, or paper ornaments.

 Hand and Footprint Reindeer

 

You will need:

  • Brown and tan (or orange) construction paper
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Googly eyes

Instructions:

 

  • Trace around the child’s foot using brown construction paper. This will be the reindeer’s head.

 

  • Trace around the child’s hands using tan construction paper. These 2 pieces will be the reindeer’s antlers.

 

  • Glue the handprint “antlers” to the top of the reindeer. Add a bright red paper nose, a paper (or drawn) mouth, and googly eyes (or paper eyes) to the reindeer’s head.

You can now decorate your house for Christmas with these cute reindeers. Don’t forget to put the child’s name and age on the back of the reindeer!

Hope you will enjoy making these and creating your own special memories – please send me your comments. suggestions and experiences along with pictures of your special creations, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated!


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by Hanna Trafford

Christmas Cranberry Orange Loaf Recipe

December 6, 2010 in Recipes by Hanna Trafford

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The combination of sweet bread with special taste of cranberries and irrestible flavour of orange will make this a definite favourite for your holdiay treat selection. You can serve it for breakfast, brunch or dessert with lunch or dinner – it lends itself to any occassion. And you can make it ahead of time and freeze it for whenever you choose to serve it, it tastes just as good after you take it out of the freezer. 

…

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 -1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 tablespoon of grated orange zest
  • 1 -1/2 cups of fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup of pecans, coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup of margarine, softened
  • 1 cup of white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup of orange juice

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Stir in orange zest, cranberries, and pecans.
  5. Set aside.
  6. In a large bowl, cream together margarine, sugar, and egg until smooth.
  7.  Stir in orange juice.
  8. Beat in flour mixture until just moistened.
  9. Pour into prepared pan.
  10. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until the bread springs back when lightly touched.
  11. Let stand 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.
  12. Wrap in plastic when completely cool.

Hope you have enjoyed this recipe, please send in your comments, suggestions and experiences, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated

 


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