CatherWoods

Moonlight

2009-07-29T13:01:00.002-05:00

Currently listed on Etsy, Moonlight!

HUGS

Chrissi

Potatoes are a Sweet Treat.....

2009-03-15T17:14:00.012-05:00

Well, they can be :0)

Irish Potatoes are an easy, fast and super sweet treat to make yourself and with the kids! Simple ingredients, simple steps and a simply sinful sugar rush.

The true time tested recipe....yes that is TYPED out. As is a type writer folks (lol). See below for the full recipe, just in case your PC doesn't pick up the photo well enough to read.

Finished bite sized product ready to eat!

Variations: when you taste the mixture you may think of those large chocolate coated Easter Eggs you would get as a kid..the ones that were so big your mom would slice you off a piece! So pretty much you could use this sweet butter and coconut mixture with a cocoa coating OR shape and then dip in melted chocolate. YUM! Have fun with it...if you come up with your own tempting treat variation let me know, ok?!

Recipe in full:
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup Eagle Brand Condensed Milk (NOT "evaporated" anywhere on the can)
6 cups sifted confectioners sugar
1 1/2 cups coconut (I used a non sweetened organic myself, recipe is sweet already)
cinnamon for rolling and coating

In medium bowl cream butter, vanilla and salt. Blend in condensed milk until smooth. Add sugar slowly, 1-2 cups at a time. Blend well after each addition of sugar, until stiff. Then add coconut, mix. Shape into balls and toll to coat in cinnamon. Refrigerate. (NOTE: in pic above directions call for rolling and kneading in remaining sugar...I've never done this step, so I omitted here)

HUGS,
Chrissi

Winter's Delight......

2009-03-04T18:36:00.012-05:00

Well, we did get snow. Not quite as much as they originally called for, but at least 6-8 inches. I knew we'd be house bound for at least a day. So we planned ahead with food and entertainment. Make something that can be easy leftovers (check), movie rented (check), hot chocolate (check), marshmallows (check check check). And not those icky old store bought marshmallows that could and probably would withstand a nuclear bomb. No, not those. We enjoyed homemade marshmallows and they were gooooooood. So good I made another batch today with a different flavor extract.

Long story short, I was planning to make candies this year for Easter. And a snow storm was the perfect chance to try out this marshmallow recipe (linked, just click). It's a Martha recipe, but aren't most? ;)

The ingredients are simple enough and the results are FAB! I HIGHLY recommend trying. Not a recipe to make with the kids. The sugar liquid is hot and needs extra adult care to handle, but kids could definitely help with the eating part :)

Mini Marshmallows
HUGS,
Chrissi

Felt Fun.....

2009-02-16T18:33:00.017-05:00

My niece loves to host tea parties. She likes to make cups of pretend tea and then serve to everyone in the room. We must of course sip and sing praises of :). For being just under 2 years old she's very generous and will without hesitation share her last cracker with you over a cup of tea.

Her birthday is coming up next month and since I prefer homemade gifts I thought I'd have a go at felt food. And guess what....it's fun! Fun, but I won't lie...it is time consuming to get it just right. (Can you say 100 french knots??!!)

The stuff I'm making is super safe for a toddler, no beads for example. And it's really so much nicer than the typical play foods out there. What I'm making will be like heirloom toys she can play with (they're tough), pack away easily and then hand down if she wants to. She could even make them into Christmas tree ornaments if she wanted too :)

Here are the pieces I managed to make over the weekend. I'm hoping for a breakfast set, a pizza, and some random cookie designs. If time allows some veggie and fruit slices.

These here are made from the same felt I use on my bears, merino wool (the good stuff!). Since starting these I've found whole books (via random google searches) dedicated to felt foods. Most are written in Japanese, but the illustrations and photos are beyond adorable.

So, my first attempt at felt foods includes 2 doughnuts, an oreo type cookie, and a half dozen strawberries. (Now I'm hungry! lol)

HUGS,

Chrissi

Sweet Stuff......

2009-02-11T21:45:00.012-05:00

Too many sweet things to talk about!!

First, let me say out here (I did in earlier comments) Thank you to Daphne and Marlys for extending to me my very first blog awards :) "The authors say that blogs who receive this award are exceedingly charming. This blog invests in proximity in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends .They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandisement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these awards are cut, even more friendships will be propagated. Please give your kind attention to these writers! Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who will choose 8 more, and include this cleverly written text in to the body of the award."It's really so cool how we're all connected via something we're passionate about. In perusing all blogs teddy I think the award has made the full rounds, but I'd still like to extend it to all of those over there on my blogs I visit list, each is so worthy of this acknowledgment. I visit so many more, but I've got to sit down once and for all (since starting the blog back up) and add them all again. So, again THANK YOU ladies so very much!!

Sweet #2:
I was tagged this week by one of my personal favorites in teddy style (I have to add to my blog list over there....-smacking head!!)! For quite some time now I've drooled over the vintage bears and kitties of sreetzbears . Right from the pages of picture books and antique postcards.... -sigh-, too lovely.
So, in being tagged I have to list 6 random things about myself. Ok, so here goes. #1) I crave french fries when I'm stressed. We signed our agreement of sale for our home at a diner so I could have a plate of fries...no lie. Me, Deano, my dad and the realtor.....and my fries. #2) I'm addicted to the Bachelor shows (I know, it's beyond embarrassing). But I don't watch because I think it's true love, romantic, or anything like that. It's purely humor entertainment. I crack up at girls acting so ridiculously over some dude they just said hello to 5 minutes earlier LOL. #3) My favorite movie of all time is Goonies. I can use a random quote from Goonies during any day pretty much. #4) Yesterday in the morning my niece and I made a fishy out of a paper plate, torn construction paper (the scales), a glue stick, and crayons. In the early afternoon we made Nibble Sticks from the Alpha-Bakery Cookbook for kids (they were yummy, she said so...I can't eat the wheat or dairy, but she's a might smart kiddo so I'll take her word for it). #5) I hate bugs. Bugs at night are something I just can't take...uh oh random Goonies quote time " I like the dark. I love the dark. But I hate nature! I HATE nature!" I use that every summer out back swatting everything around me. #6) I once entered an essay contest to win a day with one of my all time favorite chefs and instead I won a years supply of bread. Out of hundred or thousands of entries I won 1 of 4 or 5 prizes, so that was pretty cool...but seriously...bread?
Alrighty then! So, I have to tag 6 people and they have to list 6 random things about themselves...... Daphne, Catherine, Ann (hello Ann, welcome! And thank you for following my blog!), Dagan (my BIL...let's see if he's up to this kind of random bloggin silly fun, I'm not sure. He might just comment), Kim, and Vicki. Here's the thing...I 100% believe in the blogging without obligation or expectation thing, so if you're not up for this don't sweat it! :) I don't know what the tag game started out as, but I don't personally believe in chain mail/email concepts that say things like ewwwww "don't break the chain" blah blah blah. Play for fun because you want to, there's no obligation at all gals!! :)

Sweet #3 (is this the neverending post OR WHAT??!!)

Today was my day off from sitting for my niece, so me and my youngest sis baked valentine's cookies! Again, I can't eat them...STINKS...but I love making these cookies and everyone else will enjoy them so it's totally worth it :) 3 sizes of iced hearts all wrapped up for our family to eat up. Aren't they puuuurty?

HUGS,

Chrissi

Twas a huge hit.....

2008-12-26T11:38:00.005-05:00

PS....

The cake was good :) If yah need something for a new years eve party this one's a keeper!

HUGS,

Chrissi

Tremendously Tiramisu........

2008-12-24T12:03:00.010-05:00

Fastest post in the East! Oh my GOSH I have so much to do in the next few hours before we head off to Christmas Mass!!!!

A ginormous turkey is in the oven, making me so hungry as I type. And I just finished up this giant of a cake! This was the easiest cake to make and it looks like a big old fancy bakery cake. I can't say how it tastes, I'll let you know later tonight when my Fam either yeas or nays it for future holidays! I can't tell you myself how it will taste....because it's all wheat and dairy and I can't eat it!! Oh, it's tempting though. I think that scores pretty nicely on the give unto others meter, dontcha think? ;) I'm guessing it's going to be a big hit and something I add to my holiday favorite's box. (I omitted the liquer and made one of the layers red, just for Christmasy fun)

Here's the recipe link: Tiramisu Layer Cake

MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY BLESSED NEW YEAR!!!

Talk with you all in 2009!!

HUGS
~Chrissi

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies.....

2008-12-13T06:23:00.007-05:00

Welcome to CatherWoods addition to The 2nd Annual Christmas Cookie Roundup (Thank you Lisa for again hosting this yummy event!!)

Cookies have a big place in my heart...LOVE cookies and love to bake. Once had a tiny little cookie biz on the side years and years ago. Since then my very specific allergy related diet has taken a teeny tiny bit (but not all) of the fun out of cookies. Most times I find I can alter any recipe to fit my wheat and dairy free needs AND I have one of the BEST wheat and dairy free baking books in the world...."Simple Treats" by Ellen Abraham. If you're Vegan, have specific dietary allergies, or just like the idea of using "healthier ingredients" in baking then try to find this book. I've not had a recipe in it disappoint and it's a well loved book in my house!! The recipe below is a standard reciped and not diet specific :)

So onto the Cookie Recipe!!

My recipe this year is in honor of Hub and his Grandma ma. Hub grew up with these classically Italian Cookies during Christmas. You need a pizzelle maker for these, but trust me...it's worth the $25-40 you'll pay for it. These cookies are fast, easy, super versatile in what you can do with them- how you can decorate them, and one batch makes a TON of cookies.

Pizzelles
1 3/4 Cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine melted
1 Tablespoon vanilla or anise

In a small mixing bowl stir together the flour & baking soda. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl beat the eggs, gradually adding the sugar. Beat until smooth.
Beat melted butter/margarine and the vanilla into the egg and sugar mixture.
Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and beat on low speed until combined.
Heat pizzelle machine according to manufacturers directions. Note if they suggest oiling the machine before the first cookies are tried. (I do this with a baking spray...NOT the kind meant to "flour" a baking pan, just PAM or something similar).
Place slightly rounded tablespoons of batter slightly off center toward the back of the grid. Close lid. Bake according to manufacturers directions.
Carefully (they're hot baby!!) turn wafer out onto cooling racks.

Options:

Once cooled dip edges in melted milk, dark or white chocolate.
Dip chocolate edges in sprinkles-toasted coconut-colored sugars-etc.
When these cookies are super hot right off the press they are still flexible. If your fingers can handle it you can roll these into super cute cookie tubes and then dip those in chocolate, etc.
Place hot off the press pizzelles over small upside down bowls until the cookies have cooled completely. (making a little cooled pizzelle "cup") Fill your pizzelle cups with ice cream, whipped cream and berries, or candies on a cookie tray!
Leave plain and simply dust with powdered sugar once cooled.
Add sprinkles to the batter to get a colorful and festive cookie.
Adding anise extract to the batter will make these taste like the traditional Italian cookies...but my hub doesn't like anise or anything licorice in flavor so we skip it.

PS....my first set or 2 of these cookies are ALWAYS "tester cookies". These cookies generally take 1 minute give or take on the press, so figuring out how much batter to exactly use and where exactly to place the batter is expected.

Pic below from Chef's Choice, a manufacturer of Pizzelle Presses

More Yummy Cookie Recipes are to be had!! Please visit Enjoying Life

(to get to the first recipe and starting point of the Cookie Round Up click the banner up there to the left :) )

HUGS,
~Chrissi

I'm baa aaaack :)

2008-11-30T20:57:00.003-05:00

Yes, I'm back in blogland. But mainly to list new creations, new inspiring finds and maybe a random post or 2. Maybe (lol).

I've been pretty darn busy as of late. Bears are still dancing about the studio, but I found myself drawing out a few new ideas and this here is one of them. Please meet the newest creations of CatherWoods...... Wood'ins ™!

Wood'ins™ are what I'm calling "Deliciously Delightful Dollybears". Made of wooden parts, put together by me and then painted, sealed, dressed and accessorized these dollybears are fresh and fun but still have that touch of old world something that I just love.

The first 3 Wood'ins™ from CatherWoods are now in my Etsy Shop. Hope they make you smile!!
HUGS
Chrissi

PS...Since most of my info out here was deleted ages ago please feel free to leave a comment with your link and I'll get an artist roll going over there again! :)