Wonderful Wed!!

What a great day I have had!!  Worked at the kitchen getting ready for market tomorrow and then came home played with the boys for awhile then worked a bit in the garden outside.

So here is my newest item!  A  COOKIELET a little cookie tartlet.   starting out with a shortbread cookie crust I pressed them into a mini muffin pan, baked til golden.  

I piped chocolate ganache' around the inside bottoms

Piped some homemade raspberry infused whipped cream filling into each one then dipped the tip in raspberry puree and sprinkleld some powdered sugar on top. 

Blueberry muffins with a butter crumb crunch topping

Red Raspberry almond muffins, and some cinnamon swirl coffee cake muffins

I strained some fresh red raspberries and then put them thru a sieve to use in the whipped cream

Whipping the cream up

Another newbie to satisfy your sweet tooth!! mini fudgey almond tarts.   Baked in little 6in springfoam pans these came out perfect and just the right amount.  A bit of almond glaze ontop. 

My glazed pistachio bread.  Most requested bread at markets!!  Never get tired of making it either!! LOL

Hope yall have a great week and be safe!!  There really are some terrible storms and tornados hitting across the country.   It was a perfect day only in the low 70s so much nicer than the past few hot and humid days we have had.  Sun is a good thing!!  Thanks for visiting and be back soon with more goodies!!
ALLEGAN MI MARKET TOMORROW 8-2
SOUTH HAVEN MARKET SAT 8-2
HUGS
Darlene
 ~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Memorial Day weekend

Hope yall have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!   We are goin tomorrow to a memorial service in our little cemetary down the road.  It is so peaceful and serene there with lots of big ol trees and birds singing.  So many people we knew from when we first moved here and recently lost are buried there, I like to ride my bike thru it or one of our tractors and just say hello to everyone gone. 
Well I got a gift from my hubby yesterday, little stinker didnt let on one bit as to what he got me.  And it is very difficult for both of us to keep surprises from each other very long!! LOL  Anyway he finally found another suburban similar to my old one I absolutely loved loved LOVED!!  I remember the day we both spotted ol blue in a car lot and quickly turned around to check her out.  Bought her the next day!  a 1987 chevy, dark blue with silver trim.  Our new one is welllllllllllllll not so new but in excellent shape and no rust, it wasnt a michigan truck that is for sure.  This one is a 91 burgandy with silver trim and already has a lift on it so it is actually a bit taller than mine.  I had a 4 in lift on ol blue and this one has a 6 in.  It needs some work on the motor and transmission but I cant wait to drive it.

So onto the work for the week!!  I was busy busy gettin ready for market yesterday and it was one of our best market days!!  I had a few new recipes I tried out one being  First I made a big double batch of my grandma Rose's babka.  This time I wanted more coffee cakes so brushed on some apricot preserves topped with some chopped dried apricots

Rolled into a log and shaped into a circle

Once they were baked I brushed some heated thinned apricot preserves on their tops and more chopped apricots added  

finished chocolate babka loaf

we interupt this bake sale to bring you pictures of my boys! LOL Bruno with his frog

Buster playin with a bear

and Mr. Boopie Woopie Boo takin a break from playtime. layin on my leg

Chocolate almond babka ready to be rolled and shaped

rolled out and cut into 8 pieces

ready for rising, I will brush melted butter on the tops before they go in oven

So onto the work for the week!!  I was busy busy gettin ready for market yesterday and it was one of our best market days!!  I had a few new recipes I tried out one being  some mocha tarts filled with chocolate ganache'  not too sure this recipe was from better homes and gardens magazine and I really didnt like the batter of the tart shell so ended up givin them to the chickens, will come up with my own I think.   Susan played with some homemade fondant.  she made some little domed butter cakes. 

they are just too stinkin cute! 

A layer of sealing buttercream frosting went on first then the rolled fondant!  Oh the yummy smell of almond paste!! 

Susan used a mini cutter to cut out dots and attach them to the cakes just some fun and whimsical cakes for market.

Oh and here's my Bruno now all tuckered out from playin with the froggy!  LOL

It was easier to pipe the cake batter in the pan than scoopin it out. 

I made a bunch of coconut macaroons and dipped them in chocolate before market.    I also made some of my rustic cheddar herb biscuit loaf, some of my berry berry banana bread, pineapple upside down cakes, my grandma Rose's recipe from long ago, some cinnamon struesel filled babka loaves, oatmeal raisin cookies, chocolate chip cookies, lemon shortbread cookies, chocolate chip shortbread cookies, peanut butter cookies, cranberry pecan sandwich cookies with lemon cream filling and my peanut butter whoppie pie cookies, chocolate chip brownies, peanut butter cream chocolate chip sandwich cookies.    Oh and some lemon blueberry muffins, butter crumb topped coffee cakes, my loaded carrot cake, cinnamon swirl muffins, and some banana nut bread.  I think that might be all!~~  LOL like I said it was a busy week.  I did also find some new recipes to try out this week in the Joy of Cooking old book, one of my favos!  So will let yall know how they go!!  I am gonna make sure to remember my camera this week!!  LOL

So my boys and I are gonna go outside since the storms are over and sun is coming back outside!

Stay safe and have a great long weekend!!

HUGS

Darlene

HAPPY BAKING!!

 ~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

recipe to share

Ok here is the mocha wands recipe!!
I found it in the newest better homes and gardens cookie book.
1 cup butter softened
3/4 cup sugar
4 tsp instant espresso powder  ( I used 5)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/3 cups flour
also you need 8 oz chocholate chips for melting
1 1/2 cups finely chopped nuts ( I used toasted hazelnuts)

Preheat oven to 375.  In mixing bowl beat butter on med to high speed for 30 seconds.  Add sugar, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder.  Beat until well combined.  Beat in egg and vanilla, scrape bowl as needed.  Beat in as much of the flour as you can and stir in any left.
Place unchilled dough into pastry bag or cookie press fitted with a star tip.  (I used a med size tip as I didnt have a large star at home) onto ungreased cookie sheets about 1 in apart. Strips are approx 3 plus inches long.  Bake 10-12 min or until golden brown.  ( I did leave mine in a bit longer to be nice strong crisp cookie)  Cool completely.
Dip ends in melted chocholate and quickly either roll in nuts or sprinkle them on.  Place on sheets of wax paper to set.  Store inbetweeen layers of wax paper in air tight container.  can freeze these in ziploc bags too for up to 3 months.
makes approx 72 cookie wands.
EASY PEASY AND SUPER GOOD!!


We had the last of our holiday art/craft sales last night, I am glad they are over but will miss them.   Now I just have to finish up all the cookie makin and do up the trays to deliver them next week.  I am gettin ready to go to BRONSON HOSPITAL for winter market this am and then I actually have a 3 week break! YEAH!! YIPPEE YEE HAW!! LOL,  With the exception of orders that will be a nice little break.      I will post some pics this weekend from the sale and also from a fully loaded decorated house my friend showed me last night nearby!! This is just gorgeous!!  I am hoping the pics turned out as I was low on battery power in my dig cam if not  plan on taking hubby over there to see them this weekend so I can take more!!  They have absolutley every inflatable holiday figure and displayed so nicely.  The lights and the movements and the colors and oh it is just spectacular!! They get my vote for the nicest holiday display!! I may have to take them some cookies for being the best  winter wonderland display I have seen!! 
So I am off to get ready for market.  Hope yall have a great day and wonderful weekend!!
HUGS
Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Terrific Tuesday

~WOW NOVEMBER 2nd already!! Goodness!!

This sign is almost finished and will have the saying "Believe in the season" on the top.

Gosh I still cannot figure out why my pics are flipping back to original after I rotate them and save!!???

This is a small standing block lamp that needs the hole drilled ontop yet and the candle light put in.  I think I am gonna go with all battery op lights so no plugs!!

One of 4 skates I am workin on in of cource that lovely green color again!! I basecoated a couple in a light soft blue too but am sure likin that green for snowmen!!

here is one of my snowmen that are made on top of an old rusty bed spring so they stand or can be a tree toppper also!!  Each one will hold a pot of pine sprigs and some berries and also a battery tea light.

Oh and here is my "mr boopie woopie boo" on the couch next too me under his blankie!! He is so funny, when I get up and head outside to do chores in the mornin he sneaks back into bed by daddy and his brother Bubba and hides under my pillow!  just his little nose sticks out! oh that's my baby!! 

I wanted to keep the packagin simple but still look like it could be a gift on my mixes and ended up doing this.  Just a simple paper sak, some scrapbook paper, gingham of cource!! LOL and a piece of homespun for a tie and a little tag to personallyze if ya want. 

My cobbler mixes which are so convient to use just add butter and fruit and your done! 

Here's my harvest time soup mix.  This is awesome!! filled with dried beans, peas, lentils, brown rice, egg noodles and seasonings, all you do is add meat and water and youre done!!  I like to put mine in a crock pot while we are sleeping then it is done in the mornin and it smells the whole house nice!! 

Oh and I had to make some toffee dipped pretzels for an order.  These are dipped in my homemade caramel then in milk chocolate then rolled in crushed toffee pieces!!  YUMMY~~

IF you want any pretzels the are $1.50 each and come with alot of different toppings: sprinlkes, crushed oreos, mini m&m's, crushed butterfinger bars, nuts, dried fruits n nuts, or german choc which has toasted coconut and pecans with the chocolate and caramel!! and another popular one is the crushed andes mint candies!

Just email me and I will fix ya right up and they make great gifts which I ship priority mail and dress the package up when it is for a gift and include a nice handmade gift tag!

It has been a busy tues!! but the sun is out and it really isnt too cold, it was this am though there was a layer of ice on the horses water trough so time to get out the water heater!!   I have been paintin and makin up my mixes gettin ready for our show this sat!!  St. Joseph MI this sat!!  So far this is what I have done today, this am I had to clean out all the water tanks and fill them for all the animals, mopped my kitchen floor, cleaned out all the nestin boxes in coop, gathered another 2 loads of kindling wood from the woods and then did some "me" paintin time!!  the best part of the day!   Tomorrow I am goin to the kitchen to work on cookies for the show and also maybe make some bread!!  and bread puddings~  I have fresh cranberries and want to do orange cranberry bread pudding with a creamy cinnamony nutmeg sauce!!  Will share more later!
Have a blessedly terrific tues yall!!
HUGS
Darlene
 ~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Apples, turtles and kolachky oh my!!

Hey yall!! happy monday mornin!! 

What another beautiful michigan fall weeekend we had! Hope yall enjoyed yours and it was just as nice out as ours!!

We cut and stacked lots of wood, hubby tilled the gardens, and we spent lots of time with our boys!! yeah!~! great weekend~

So I made my grandma Rose's apple walnut bread pudding for market sat and it was gone quickly.  A creamy cinnnamon sauce was also included in a cup when you buy the pudding. 

Chopped up french bread and some of our egg bread too.

Ready for baking complete with egg custard and chopped walnuts.  Love the taste of walnuts with apples.

These pretty red MacIntosh apples were used for the pudding and the dumplings and I did caramel apples with some others drizzeling melted white and milk chocolate on top and added some cute halloween sprinlkes!!  Sorry I didnt take pics of them but will surely make more this week for Allegan Market on thurs!!

Apple dumplings just out of the oven!  Oh if you have ever baked with apples and cinnmaon yall just know that wonderful aroma in the kitchen!! OH love it!!

Each one came with a cinnamon syrup to drizzle ontop of them and maybe then serve with some wonderful vanilla bean ice cream~  YUMMO!~

I also made some of my mothers sloveninan Kolachky cookies!!   The dough is very simple to make and easy to work with.  Just being sure to chill dough overnight, or at least a few hours.   The ones I made for market this past week were filled with homemade orange marmalade and red raspberry preserves.

After they cool they got a treatment of my "farmgirl bling" some pretty sifted confectionary sugar. 

And to the turtle part of the day! Chocolate pecan turtles filled with my homemade caramel.   These are so yummy I have to package them as soon as they cool so I wont be tempted to eat too many!!  They are really good!~!  I will put some on my etsy site for sale soon!  and my caramel candies too!  Those are just melt in your mouth creamy yummyness!! 

Well that was about all of the things I got done friday and I also made some decorated sugar cookies for halloween, I have a set left and will have to take some pics they were just too stinkin cute!! A ghost, a witches hat and a pumpkin were packaged up in a clear bag tied with some raffia!

I will be doin them for xmas too maybe a snowman head, a mitten and a gingerbread man would be cute and they are just too fun to decorate!!

So have a beautiful fall day!! I will be back soon to share more with yall~~

BLESSINGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~