Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries

BACK FROM VISITING

I am back from spending some time with my daughter and her family, hence why I missed last week’s posting. I had a wonderful time seeing the grandkids playing football and basketball, going to the Halloween parade, walking all around an amusement park and the finale….trick or treating with them. I always enjoy spending time with them even if the air flight down is absolutely horrible!

So, what has everyone been up to? Did everyone have a fun Halloween? Well we are on to Thanksgiving now and then the Christmas rush. I have been busy getting everything tagged and finished for the local Christmas shows. They start this weekend. I have shows the next 3 weekends so November will be pretty busy. I made lots of new tote bags so I am hoping they do well. This is one of them.

 

I did have time recently to read an article about “kitchen shorties” that I thought I would share with you.

·         When you are making Rice Krispie squares, run your hands under cold water before pressing the mixture into the pan. The marshmallow won’t stick to your fingers.

·         To reduce the odor of cabbage, broccoli or cauliflower as it cooks, add a slice of lemon to the water

·         To wash odors like onion or garlic off your hands, scrub them with salt.

·         When making mashed potatoes, preheat the milk and butter so the potatoes stay hot.

·         When mixing bread or pastry dough, use a glass bowl. The dough won’t stick to the bowl making for easier clean up.

·         Keep a large shaker containing salt and pepper mixed at 6 parts salt to 1 part pepper.

·         Instant potatoes are good thickeners for stew.

I especially like the one about using salt to wash onion odors off your hand. Who would have thought this?

Speaking of cooking…for a lot of us it is starting to get colder and with that comes thoughts of cooking and baking all those wonderful holiday treats. One of the favorite treats is gingerbread men so I thought I would share this treasury with you. It includes wonderful items made from the OFG team on Etsy. There are so many talented people on this team I always enjoy sharing their creations. And be sure to check out the gingerbread granola recipe on the Recipe Exchange.

Primitive Gingerbread M... PrimitiveHart $12.99	Lil Gingerbread Man Chr... mycountrycotta... $5.95
Holiday GINGERBREAD MEN... BeyondTheAttic... $12.95	Salt Dough Gingerbread ... cookiedoughcre... $24.95
Gingerbread Sign, Round... ToleTreasures $14.95	Sweet Gingerbread Wood ... cherylweaver $9.00
Primitive Gingerbread M... CaneRiverCraft... $18.00	Gingerbread HandPainted... PublishedArtis... $12.00
Christmas Gingerbread M... NeedlesnPinsSt... $15.00	Christmas Ornament Cros... Stitchcrafts $16.00
Primitive Gingerbread M... primitivelymad... $10.99	Gingerbread pin Pippisdesigns $7.00
Gingerbread Kitchen Tow... SnowNoseCrafts $5.00	Gingerbread onTwig Star... Warmth $5.00
Christmas gift tags co... lizziebusyhand... $3.00	Gingerbread Primitive M... Primgal $13.95

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

 

So are all of you ready for Thanksgiving? What special plans and traditions do you have for the holiday?