Happy Thanksgiving

This will probably be the only time I get to sit down today, and I couldn't forget you all in this day of Thanksgiving, for you have blessed me in more ways than one deserves! I wish for you, a day of blessings, bliss and bounty. Give thanks to everything! Happy Thanksgiving!

Tasty Tuesday

You remember the Brady Bunch, well, were the Brownie Bunch here! It has to be our all time favorite dessert, and there's a brownie to please everyone and as you know, I like to try out new and different recipes so brownies are something that always catch my eye. We like them frosted, with nuts or without, blond, mocha or ala mode, there's not a brownie we don't like! So, for this weeks Tasty Tuesday I thought I'd share a new brownie recipe with you that I'm gonna try out for Christmas or sooner! What I like about this one is contains several of my favorite things, chocolate, coffee and hazelnut, so this is a must add to my baking list.

Hazelnut Mocha Brownies

1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips, divided

3/4 c. butter, cubed

1 Tb. hazelnut flavored instant coffee granules

2 eggs

2/3 c. packed brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 c. all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 c. chopped hazelnuts, toasted

Frosting

1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

1 Tb. butter

1/4 c. heavy whipping cream

1 1/2 tsp. instant hazelnut flavored coffee granules

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

In a microwave safe bowl, melt 1 c. chocolate chips and butter with coffee granules, stir till smooth and cool.

In large bowl, beat eggs with brown sugar, stir in chocolate mixture and vanilla. Combine with flower, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to chocolate mixture, stir in hazelnut and remaining chocolate chips.

Pour into a greased 9 in. baling pan. Bake at 325 for 25 min. or till toothpick comes out clean. Cool. To make frosting, melt chocolate chips and butter with cream in microwave and add coffee granules, stir till smooth. Cool. Transfer to a med. bowl and beat for 2 min. at high speed. Blend in powdered sugar and vanilla till fluffy. Frost, refrigerate for 30 min. before cutting. Eat!

I'm not sure I would refrigerate them before cutting or eating but that is what the recipe states, you can find this recipe and a ton more in the new "Holiday Gifts and Crafts" magazine from Taste of Home. It's full of yummies for the tummies and crafts for the kids, young and old!

Pie Please...

I'm planning the big menu today, hunting up recipes and taking requests. My dear hubby wants a pecan pie this year, and I guess after 18 years together, he's waited long enough, but I've never made one before. I've found plenty of recipes for one, and I never knew there were so many different kinds or ways to make a pecan pie. I don't really bake with nuts much, and pecans aren't my favorite but I must master this pecan pie request, so can you help me? I'm looking for a tried and true recipe, that is easy and not time consuming. Do you have a family favorite that you care to share with me that would wow my man? I'm not pie shy mind you, in fact, I'm kinda famous for a few of my pies but pecan isn't one of them! Any and all recipes will be considered and saved, and in advanced, I thank you all! I do have something in return, just in case you don't already know this, but the secret to any pie crust is ICE water! Really, it works for me every time! Now, to wait for the pecan pie people to respond to this plea! lol

Swap Partners Paired

The emails have all been sent and all that is left to do is gather your goodies, package them up nicely and get them in the mail by Friday or so. If you haven't received a email from me with your partners info. please let me know soon so I can work on fixing it. There were 3o of us between bloggers and the farmgirls over at MaryJanes Farm Connection so you just may know your partner, if not, consider her a new friend sharing some Christmas cheer. I'm anxious to hear all about your swaps, and if you post about it, let us know, so we can click over to check it out! This is so exciting and I think were all ready for some holiday smiles in the mailboxes!

And I think we need Christmas right now! Another blogger made me think about this from her post, and she's right. With all that is going on in the world, we need Christmas to restore the good in people. I just wish we all could feel the spirit all year through, not just one month out of twelve. So, as we prepare for Thanksgiving, keep in mind the many blessings we all should be thankful for, each day. Happy swapping!

Traditions

Do you have any for Thanksgiving? We all eat turkey and pumpkin pie but is there a special thing you do or way to share with your family and friends as you gather? I started one a few years ago for my family, and I wish I would of done it sooner. I started a gratitude journal that I pass to each member of the family to write down what they are grateful for this year, and they look back to the older posts, smile and pass it around. This little act helps them to stay grounded and I'm happy to say, all really look forward to it. I was afraid some might not want to join in but all do and some even take up a whole page or two! This tradition will become a treasure in our family and all it took was a pretty journal and pen to be passed around, I'm thrilled! Sometimes, it really is the small stuff that turns out to be big! What is your favorite tradition for Thanksgiving?

Cookie Cutter Swap News

Time is flying, little did I know when I posted the little reminder this morning that our swap was coming to a close soon, sooner than I thought, tomorrow! I've only heard from 11 of you with mailing info. so if you are serious about swapping Christmas cookie cutters with us, please send me your mailing info ASAP! My email address is wesue@townsqr.com I hope to get us paired up by Sunday so we can have the week to get our goodies packed and ready to ship by the 27th. So, here I am again, with a little reminder: TOMORROW IS THE DEADLINE to get signed up but you must email me with your mailing info. for your partner. If you are new and want to join, just scroll down the the original post and sign up there then email me your mailing info. Thanks and I'm looking forward to another fun swap!

Giveaway News

The spirit is in us, and bloggers are most generous! If your a tea lover, here's a sweet giveaway and something I've wanted for years, a tea cozy. Prairie Flower Farm is a lovely blog, full of faith and friendship, real cozy. Check out this adorable tea cozy, it could be yours just for stopping in. Good luck!

Just a reminder on my cookie cutter swap, I'm so excited about all those who are interested in joining in on this fun swap, but I need your mailing info. so please email me with your name, address and email info. My email address is wesue@townsqr.com . This swap will close on the 20th so I can get the names paired up and info sent out, but don't wait to shop for those cutters. Half of the fun is hunting for the goods! In just a few days, the list will be posted, so stay tuned!

Tasty Tuesday

I'm a day late due to my internet tower being down and out, makes you realize just how much you depend on the internet. But a day late is better than nothing, especially since the soup is on! I love a big ole bowl of hot soup on a cold winter day, nothing warms you up like soup does. Growing up, the only soup I ever ate was chicken noodle so my taste buds were sheltered, but not any more! Canned soups are out and homemade is in, have you seen the salt intake on canned soups? Making your own soup is better for you, alot cheaper because you can usually get two meals from one pot and you can experiment and make up your own, like I do!

Our favorite is potato soup, and each pot turns out different for some reason, but the main recipe is below created by me on a very cold winter day. Soup simmering on the stove, combined with fresh bread hot from the oven is a perfect day no matter how cold it is outside.

Potato Soup by Sue

6-8 good size potatos, peeled and cubed

1 onion, cut up

1 can pepperjack soup ( cheddar or nacho cheese can also be used)

1 can creamed corn

1 can carrots, drained

2 stalks celery (cut into bite size) or 1 tsp. celery seed

1 c. milk, may need more

garlic, pepper and salt to taste

chives

Cook potato's and celery till done, drain, add carrots and mash. In soup pot add potato's, carrots, corn, cheese soup and milk, blend well. Add garlic, pepper and salt to taste and simmer till hot and thick. More milk maybe needed to thicken soup to your liking. We like it thick, almost like a chowder. Top with minced chives. Serve hot.

I've also added chopped ham or bacon a time or two, but this standby is nice for a meatless meal on a cold day. Soup season is here! Enjoy and feel free to share your potato soup recipe with us.

Christmas Jam

It would be a good day to make some jam if I only had the goods, but since I don't and you might, I'm sharing my recipe for Christmas Jam today, cuz it got me to thinking that I really need to get busy and make some homemade goodies, or at least plan out my list. Jams and jellies are easy to make and it's a gift someone can always use and never gets. Pair with some homemade biscuits, vanilla and fudge and you have a goodie basket fit for a queen! And all the recipes are listed here on my blog for the above items, just search away! I know I'd love to get some jam or jelly this year! Enjoy and be sure to save a jar for yourself, you've earned it!

Christmas Jam

2 c. cranberries
1 orange, peeled & quartered
16 oz. frozen strawberries, thawed
3 c. sugar
3 oz. liquid pectin
5 half pint jars (ready to fill)
Coarsely grind cranberries and orange sections in a food processor. Spoon into a heavy saucepan, add strawberries and sugar. Bring mixture to a full boil, stirring for one min. Remove from heat and stir in pectin, skim off foam. Pour into prepared jars and process for 10 min. Makes 5- 1/2 pints

Cookie Cutters Wreath

So, here is a neat idea for all your cookie cutters or it's a good excuse to buy a bunch if need too, esp. if you've joined the fun swap below. I feel in love with this easy to do wreath, a glue gun is all that is needed, the short directions can be found at Better Homes & Gardens but as long as you match up the points and have your glue gun hot and ready this is simple and quick! And wouldn't it look cute in your Christmas kitchen!

I'm so happy to see so many signed up for the cookie cutter swap, it's not too late, you have till the 20th to scroll down and get signed up, be sure to email me (wesue@townsqr.com) your mailing info., I've got several but I need so many more. I love the idea of mixing old and new cutters and tuck a little something extra in also, and try to keep it all including shipping about $10 so it's not a burden. A favorite recipe would be sweet too, oven mitts or kitchen towel are examples from last years swap, which was so nice and fun! So, to those who joined and got their mailing info off to me already, thank you! And if you'd like to join, please sign up on that post below, gotta make it easy for the hostess here. The more the merrier!

Cookie Cutter Swap

Ok, I can't stand it anymore! So many blogs are all decked out for Christmas, and sharing ideas, crafts and decorations that I've got to have a little Christmas fix, so I'm hosting a Christmas cookie cutter swap here and over at MaryJanes Farm Connection. I will combine the names from both places and pair you up with a partner close by to help out with shipping. Last years swap was so much fun that this has become a tradition here at Country Pleasures so I hope you join us.

All you need to do is sign up here at this post, then email me your mailing info., and start shopping for Christmas cookie cutters. Walmart already has there's out, that is what reminded me today. You can buy new or old if you or your partner prefers, once you get emails you two can figure that part out. I usually add something to it, like a Christmas kitchen towel or oven mitts, just something fun and festive to add to the excitement of the swap. Please sign up by Nov. 20 so we can ship by Nov. 27 giving us plenty of time to use them for the holidays. Keep your swap under $10 including shipping, this is easy to do since cookie cutters aren't heavy and if you use a big bubble mailer it won't add much weight to the cost.

I'm getting anxious to decorate for Christmas so hopefully this swap will feed my fix a little! Are you in? Come on, join us for a fun and easy swap plus you will help spread some joy in the mailbox and kitchen!