Archive | November, 2011

Candy Cane Sugar

27 Nov

It’s here!!

I absolutely, positively LOVE this time of year.

No matter how old I get Christmas just seems to be a magical time.

It’s not the getting or the gifts.

For me it’s just the time together.

I always try to be finished with all of my shopping by Thanksgiving,  but I never seem to succeed.

I always want to go out Black Friday shopping even if I don’t NEED anything, just to be a part of it all.

But beyond those things my main goal is to enjoy the time with my family.

To indulge in family traditions.

To linger a little longer over meals with loved ones.

To just soak up the wonder of it all.

I don’t need a lot of “stuff” to make this season magical.

I just want to surround myself with the people I love.

I also want to figure out what to do with all those candy canes that show up this time of year.

So I made candy cane sugar.

You want to know how to make candy cane  sugar?

It’s super easy. Oh so good!

And makes a cute little gift for very little money.

In other words it’s a Win, Win, Win!

Candy Cane Sugar

1 1/2 – 2 C sugar
6 – 8 broken candy canes

Pour your candy canes and sugar into your food processor. Process until all of the candy cane pieces are incorporated into the sugar and everything seems to be a uniform size.  Pour into a cute jar and embellish with ribbon, fabric or another whole candy cane if you are giving this as a gift.  It’s great mixed into morning coffee or coco.

Need another use for all of those candy canes?

Use them to embellish your favorite cake with white frosting.

How would you use candy cane sugar??

Leave me a comment and let me know.

P.S.  I’ll be posting another use for this sugar in a few days.

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Microwave Caramels

15 Nov

You ever have those moments where you just feel full?

No.  Not THAT kind of full.

Just full in your soul.

I’ve had a lot of those lately.

Moments where I feel full of contentment.

Full of happiness.

Full of gratefulness.

Full of thankfulness for the life I have.

For the blessing I’ve been given.

For my family.

My friends.

My home.

My job.

For all of you who come here.

Who read what I have to say.

Who leave me nice words.

Instead of focusing on the “have nots”

Today my heart is just full of the “haves”

During this season of Thanksgiving what are you thankful for?

P.S. I’m also thankful for a super simple, but still delicious caramel snacks.

Microwave Caramels

1/2 C. Butter (1 stick)
1 C. White Sugar
1 C. Brown Sugar
1 C. Lt. Karo Syrup
1 can (14 oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk

Prepare an 8×8 baking dish or pan by greasing lightly with cooking spray or rubbing with shortening. Place a piece of waxed paper into the pan allowing enough paper to come over the edges of the pan. Spray paper with cooking spray or rub with shortening. Set aside.

Combine ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Cook in 2 minute, increments stirring after each, for a total of 12 minutes. Pour caramel into dish and allow to cool completely. I placed mine in the refrigerator to cool. Remove from pan and cut into squares. Wrap in waxed paper. I cut approximately 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 squares of wax paper to wrap my caramels in.

Store wrapped in an air tight container or in the refrigerator. (Caramels can be soft)

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