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!

Tasty Tuesday

Let me introduce you to sourdough baking, now I'm sure some of you have already dabbled in the almost forgotten art of sourdough cookery. If this is your first time, it won't be your last, I can promise you that much. I've been playing with sourdough for almost 30 years, gee that makes me sound really old, but then again some starters are pretty old too. For beginners, you must start by making a starter, you will need a gallon size, clean jar, glass or plastic container, no metal. I like to use the biggest mason jar I have or a flour holder like the one above. They are under $10 at Walmart and I suggest you invest in one if you are serious about sourdough, and you just may be after this post, I hope so.



Sourdough Starter

3 pkg. dry yeast

1 1/2 c. warm water

1 Tbsp. sugar

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large plastic container, add sugar. When yeast bubbles, about 10 min. stir in flour till you have a smooth paste. Cover loosely to allow gases to escape and place in warm spot in your kitchen for 2-3 days. This mixture will bubble and give off a sour smell, which is good. You will need to stir your starter once a day, making sure to stir in any crust that may and does form. After this point, you can store your starter in the fridge, or leave it out in a cool, dark place.



Now, that you have your starter all set, you will have to feed it, you do this by adding 1 c. flour and 1/2 c. water everyday if you leave it out and every few days if it's refrigerated. Once the starter has grown a few weeks and has reached full strengh, you can decrease feedings to once a week. Take note, if you don't use your starter regularly, it will get unruly and burst out of it's container, but you can always share your starter with family or friends. I usually make a starter for fall/winter baking. I have also froze my starter with good results.


Now, to get to the good stuff, the bread! Keep in mind, with time comes a stronger sourdough taste, which I love but some esp. beginners might not so I suggest trying to make your first batch of bread within the first week of making your starter. This classic bread recipe is easy and once you get the hang of sourdough cookery, you can try other goodies, but for now this simple bread is perfect for your first season of sourdough. Better things are ahead, sourdough pancakes are the best!

Sourdough Bread

1 c. sourdough starter
2 1/4 c. warm water, divided
5-7 c. all purpose flour, divided
2 pkg. dry yeast
1 t. sugar, divided
2 t. salt
Mix sourdough starter, 2 c. water and 5 c. flour in a large bowl. Mix well; cover with a dish cloth and allow to rise 8 hrs. or overnight. I prefer overnight, much easier
Combine yeast, 1/4 c. warm water, and 1/2 t. sugar. Let stand 5 min., till it bubbles. Pour yeast mixture into the flour bowl and mix well. Knead while adding up to 2 more cups of flour, 1/2 c. at a time. Knead till a smooth, soft dough is not sticky. Place dough in a oiled bowl, cover with a dishcloth and let rise about 2 hrs. Punch down and divide in half for 2 large loaves. Knead each portion on a lightly floured surface, cover with dishcloth and let rise another hour or till doubled in size. Preheat oven to 375. Bake for about 45 min. or till loaves sound hollow when tapped on. Makes 2 loaves.

I know this is time consuming but if your home for the day, this bread is worth all the fuss and wait, believe me. Mother Earth News got me hooked on sourdough some 30 years ago, and I've been making it ever since, mostly in the winter months. There are many books devoted to sourdough cookery, I have one and the recipes are endless! Let me know your thoughts on sourdough, I'm sure I'm not alone here?

Another Winner

This little guy flew into our glass door on the deck, as so many do, but it took him longer than usual to get his barrings, so I grabbed my camera and got up close and personal, isn't he cute! Onto the winner of my last giveaway, who's name came from the hat this time...........Sandy from Love Ya to Stitches, congrats! I got your email and waiting on your info. Blogger wouldn't let me post at all yesterday and took several trys this morning so blame blogger for this being late! Sandy's blog is delightful and crafty, so check it out if you need some new ideas.

More giveaways are planned for the holidays so stay tuned. Our weather sure has been warm and sunny, making up for October and above normal seems to be the norm. I've enjoyed reading all your comments from the last 2 posts, I am in good company! Together we can make it, take it and like it! It's always a blessing when bloggers come together to share and learn. Enjoy your Monday and get ready to share tomorrow for Tasty Tuesday, see you then!

Thrifty Thinking

With our hearts full of gratitude and our minds busy with holiday planning, my thoughts are leaning towards winter, just a little. The heater has been on for a month now, propane isn't any cheaper than last year and my little ole pantry isn't full. The harshness of knowing that if my hubby lost his job today, we wouldn't make it very far is sad, but true. We are one of too many households that live paycheck to paycheck. The only comfort in this is our track record so far, we have always made it. Alot of credit goes to being thrifty, conservative and alot of hard work, all of which I am proud of. God does provide for those who provide for themselves.

With this in mind, I've been doing a little research this week and silly me, didn't write down all the links to the great ideas I found. But a simple click to google will take you where you need to go. I found a blog where they feed their family for under $20 a week. I thought about this, could I do it? And I might try, it will be hard especially since we have a family dinner on Mondays and the kids might wonder what got into Grandma, but I think the challenge would be interesting and my budget would be happy!

Alot of bloggers are making all their Christmas gifts this year, ALL of them. I love this idea, and keep saying each year how I'd love to do that just one year. Of course, you'd have to start early but what fun and how special those gifts would be. Keepsakes really! Jar recipes have always been popular to make and receive, and from the research, they have really been upgraded! I found a site and I do have that link for you, where they have a jar gift for just about anything or anyone, even your pet! Check out All Free Crafts for some neat and cleaver ideas, it's also a great way to use up some of those canning jars we tend to hoard.

Being thrifty is hip these days and I'm all for that! Now, onto my pantry, it needs to be filled before winter, but first we must take note and get it ready for the holidays. Make a check list and yes, there are even printable pantry lists you can download, some in pretty patterns to make the chore even better. I enjoy stocking my pantry, even more so, doing it cheaply. I scan the Wednesday ads for each store and plot my course of action. I hit the stores that offer what I need at what my budget will allow for that week. If a staple comes on sale, I will stock up as much as I can. Flour freezes well, and most baking supplies will last for sometime without much waste. Canned goods are always a good investment. One blogger used her down stair shower as a pantry, showing you can turn just about anything into a storage space.

Winter always worries me, last year we had a record ice storm and many in my area lost power for weeks, we never did. But, I like to be prepared in case we do, having a backup plan eases the worry and concern, so try to have a plan B, just in case. We can only prepare so much, but I think if we work at it to take care of ourselves, we can make it through just about anything, and with Gods grace, we will.

A Thankful Heart

I don't know what it is about November but this month just begs us to be thankful, it could have something to do with Thanksgiving and I'm sure that plays a small role, but my heart is beating with gratitude, daily. I think Thanksgiving just reminds us that we need to show it, live it and reap it more. A thankful heart never forgets......

Last year I did a month of Thanksgiving and it proved to many that by vocalizing just one gratitude moment each day, allowed us to look for more ways to pay thanks forward. I end each day in prayer and gratitude, I sleep well.

To honor this month of Thanksgiving, I'm hosting a quickie giveaway with gratitude in mind, because I am grateful for all of you, I am a better woman because of blogging. And I love to give stuff away! So, no special instructions for this one, just leave a comment on this post and I'll choose a winner on Sunday and ship out your giftie on Monday so you have in time for Thanksgiving. Post away!

Tasty Tuesday!

I had this idea early this morning and now I'm finally getting it out to you, blogger wouldn't let me post for most of the day? But, I thought since I like to share recipes and I sure don't want to over load you with calories, I'd post a recipe each Tuesday, calling it Tasty Tuesday. And if I can ever figure out how to do the Mr. Linky thing, we can link together and share. Till then, if you want to join me on Tuesdays with your recipe, please do so and let me know so I can come visit and drool.......

For the first post I'm sharing a Southern Biscuit recipe with you, because who doesn't enjoy a good biscuit and I love this recipe for it's ease and you can always add herbs to it for a dinner biscuit, that is what I'm doing tonight for supper along with our ham steaks, adding some fresh chives to the mix.

Southern Biscuits

2 c. all purpose flour
1/4 t. baking soda
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 t. salt
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold
3/4 c. buttermilk
Preheat oven to 400. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut the butter into chunks and cut into flour till it resembles course meal.
Add buttermilk and mix just till combined. If it appears to be a bit dry add a bit more buttermilk. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently pat dough out, do not roll. Use a round cutter to cut out biscuits, place on cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 12 min. Makes about 10.

Can you cut comfort into a biscuit, I think so. There are generations old that lived off homemade biscuits with every meal, I won't go that far, but when I crave a good, flaky biscuit, I turn to this recipe and go snip some fresh herbs and you have a meal! Enjoy!

Blueberry Bread Pudding

I'm still baking, this time for a good cause. Our church is having a fall fun fest this evening and among the events is a pie auction to help feed the hungry, so I got busy to come up with a few desserts that would bring in the big bucks, so I'm hoping my baking bash will pay off!
I made my caramel apple cake, 3 in fact. Plus this yummy blueberry bread pudding that I came up with for Thanksgiving last year. I also made a frosted apple pie and a rhubarb/strawberry pie. I'm anxious to see just how high the bidding will go. Since I love to share my recipes with you, here is the recipe for the bread pudding. Now, I've never been a fan of bread pudding but my dear hubby is, and this concoction is more like a coffee cake, I guess that is why I like it so much.

Blueberry Bread Pudding

1 loaf blueberry crumble bread
1 c. frozen or fresh blueberries
4 eggs
12 oz. can evaporated milk
1/2 c. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in microwave for one min. In a large bowl combine milk and butter, mix well. Tear bread into bite size pieces and add to milk mixture. Add remaining ingredients and blend well, adding more milk if needed. Mixture should be moist but not too soggy. Transfer into a 9x13 baking pan and bake for 30-40 min. Drizzle cream cheese or vanilla frosting on top once cooled. Enjoy!

This is perfect for a bunch or pot luck. Keep your fingers crossed that my desserts bring in more than they are worth, to help feed the hungry and homeless. Don't forget to turn your clocks back tonight, fall back means a extra hour of sleep! woohoo!

Bliss....

What brings you bliss? For me, it's many things....gardening, crafting, photography, baking and most of all blogging. It can't be said enough, blogging has become apart of my life, I just can't imagine not having that connection at my finger tips. I've learned so much in the last couple of years that I've been blogging, and I credit my new found spirit to blogging. I'm more creative, more eager to try new things, live more simply and share my ideas and ways with others who reap friendship.

With Thanksgiving just a flip of the calendar away, my thoughts like so many of yours, is leaning towards gratitude. I give my creator thanks every night for all he has blessed me with, but sometimes that just isn't enough. Sometimes, it has to be seen or felt. Last year I did a month of Thanksgiving here, and the response and comments were wonderful, I may do it again this year or something different, not sure yet. But what I am sure of is that we must try to show our gratitude every day, even in small ways. We are blessed so we may bless others.

We need more bliss in our lives, so don't feel bad about taking some special time for yourself, to do what ever it is that brings you bliss, if we are happy and content, the rest of our little world will be too. And what better gift to show our children, that we matter enough to practice enjoying the happy things in life. I blog for bliss and am proud of it! What brings you bliss?

Caramel Apple Cake

I'm trying out new recipes for our church's fall fest this Saturday, were having a pie auction to raise money for the hungry, and since it's also my youngest son's 25th birthday, I made this caramel apple cake for him, he loves my caramel apple pie but I think this is his new favorite. It was very moist and full of caramel flavor. I searched for recipes on the Internet and ended up rearranging two recipes into one and came up with my version, which was a hit! Both recipes said it would be even better the second day so I'm looking forward to sharing the last piece with hubby tonight.

Caramel Apple Cake
1 yellow cake mix
1 small box french vanilla pudding
1 c. water
4 eggs
1/3 c. oil
3 apples, peeled and chopped fine
1 tsp. vanilla ( used my homemade stash)
Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour and 10 in. bundt pan. Beat first 5 ingredients in bowl on low speed till blended well. Beat on high for another minute. Stir in apples. I cut them up then ran them through my food processor. Pour in greased pan and bake for 50-60 min. till toothpick comes out clean. Cool cake. Remove from pan and place on plate. Drizzle caramel ice cream topping all over the top, I used almost the whole jar, depending on your taste. Enjoy!


Needless to say, I'll be making one of these cakes for the pie auction along with a few pies and my blueberry bread pudding. I really enjoy baking and so glad I don't eat everything I bake, I'd be huge! But I love to get creative in the kitchen and it warms the house up with scents of fall and winter. Baking is good, oh soo good therapy!

Pumpkin Butter

It's all about the great pumpkin right now, isn't it. I'm not complaining one bit, I just hope I have enough time to try all the new recipes I've collected for pumpkin season. I like to try out a recipe before I actually use it, say for Thanksgiving or Christmas. These try-outs are enjoyed by family members as well as our Sunday school class, no complaints so far and the feedback is priceless!

I'm always on the lookout for a easy recipe, and this pumpkin butter seems to fit the bill. In fact, I've two to share today, so take your pick or try them both, like I am! Pumpkin butter is so good on just about anything, but my favorite usage is on pancakes and biscuits......my tummy heard that!

Easy Pumpkin Butter

3 1/2 c. cooked or canned pumpkin

1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice (make your own, see post below)

1 3/4 oz. box pectin

4 1/2 c. sugar

Place pumpkin in a large saucepan, add spice and pectin, mix well. Place on med. heat, stir well till it comes to a gentle boil. Add sugar and stir again. Bring to a rolling boil and boil hard for 1 min. stirring so it doesn't stick. Remove from heat and ladle into clean jars with lids. Store in refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks. Makes 5 1/2 cups.

Maple Pumpkin Butter

2 c. pumpkin

1/2 c. apple juice

1/2 c. maple syrup

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ginger

Mix everything together in a food processor or mixer and blend well. Heat over med. heat in large saucepan and allow to simmer on low for about one hour or till color deepens and thickens. Ladle into clean jars with lids and store in fridge or can.

I know everyone has a favorite pumpkin butter recipe but it never hurts to try a new one now and then. It also makes a great gift. Our annual fall fun night is this evening with lots to do before hand, so enjoy your weekend and I hope you will get out and hunt up some color, I plan to on Sunday after church. Autumn blessings!

Homemade Helpers

With all the fall baking were doing lately, I thought it was time to share my home made vanilla with you again. And I found a recipe for homemade pumpkin pie spice too. The way I see it, if your going to go to all the trouble to bake from scratch, you need the best of the best ingredients and if you can make them at home, yourself, even better!

A nifty baking blog "Bake at 350" is full of yummy recipes but it was this easy pumpkin pie spice that lead me to be a follower. I love it when I can make my own spices or condiments. I've thrown in the Apple Pie Spice too.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
makes 1 teaspoon
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. ginger
1/8 t. nutmeg
1/8 t. allspice.

Apple Pie Spice
makes 1 teaspoon
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/8 t. cardamom
1/8 t. allspice

Our efforts and end products from the kitchen deserve high quality ingredients that will always result in high praise! So, if you've never attempted to make your own vanilla, let me tell you, it's so easy and good, you will wonder why it took you so long to try this. Yes, it's a bit pricey at first, depending on the grade of vodka ( a quart of vodka will do) you buy, but any grade will work well. I got my vanilla beans for $1 each at my favorite health food store, you will need 3. You will also need a clean bottle or jar able to hold the same amount of vodka, or you can use the vodka bottle if nothing else, but I like to have mine in a pretty decanter or canning jar. Next, there are two methods to making your own vanilla, and either way, you will have the best vanilla in town! I've done it both ways but the easiest and quickest way is to just drop the beans whole in the bottle of vodka and place in a dry, dark place. Be sure to shake once a day. Now, I prefer to slice the beans down the middle to expose the seeds, and you can either leave the seeds in or discard them. I leave them in, a little settlement at the bottom of the bottle doesn't hurt the recipe at all, in fact, I think it adds to it. Close tightly and shake once a day, storing in a dry, dark place for 3 months. I usually make mine in September so it's ready for my holiday baking. By 3 months you should have a nice dark colored vanilla. I leave my beans in the bottle for the life of the vanilla, it gets better with age. I have a bottle from 2 years ago, it's my secret weapon when I want to add something special to a recipe. Yum!

I think we are better prepared for our holiday baking now with some homemade helpers, don't you? Feel free to share any of your favorite homemade helpers with us. Happy baking!