Tannenbaum

Christmas trees are very personal. Never judge someone's Christmas tree. There may be a very good reason why there isn't a 6-footer covered with balls and lights and tinsel. Maybe like a CAT in the house.



This is our "New Age Tannenbaum" - for this year. It was fun to make, and hasn't made a dent in the power bill.

So far Birdie has ignored it. So far. She just hasn't noticed that sparkly star yet. Too busy chasing mice.

And stealing the wrapped hard candies out of the candy dish, which is right next to this charming little tree. That is strategy, my friends. Strategy.

Maple Truffles

Got your attention, huh?!



Here's my Christmas present to all of you with even the tiniest sweet tooth (is there such a thing??) The holidays are all about indulgence, and boy, do these little morsals fill the bill!




MAPLE TRUFFLES
makes about 42 candies


Ingredients:


1/2 c. butter, softened
2 tsps. maple flavoring
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. finely chopped pecans (optional, but tasty)
1 pkg. (11 1/2 oz. Nestles Tollhouse Milk Chocolate Morsels (or equivelant brand)
2 tsp. shortening



Directions:


In a large bowl, cream butter and maple flavoring until light and fluffy (hand or stand mixer works). Gradually add sugar and mix well. Stir in pecans. Shape in 1" balls. The mix may seem dry, just squish a spoonful very firmly and then roll gently into a ball. Place on a plate. Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour, until firm and well chilled.



In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and shortening (takes about 2 min. or so, stirring a few times). Stir until smooth.


Here's the coolest tip I've found for a long time. Don't run out and buy special chocolate dipping tools. Dig into the back of your silverware drawer and resurrect a plastic picnic fork. Break off the two middle tines. Wa-lah! A dipping fork that is better than anything in the stores - and you don't even have to wash it when the job is done!

Here's how I do the dipping. Other folks will undoubtedly have their own secret methods. I'm not like that. I share.

Place the bowl of melted chocolate into a larger bowl filled with enough very hot water to come up to the level of the chocolate in the smaller bowl. Got that? Then drop, one at a time, the maple balls into the chocolate bath, roll gently with spoon to completely coat. Lift the coated ball out with the special one-of-a-kind dipping fork you have cleverly made all by your big girl or big boy self.

I drag the bottom across the edge of the bowl to take off excess chocolate, then carefully deposit the coated ball on a sheet of wax paper placed on a small cookie sheet.

Using the edge of one tine, swirl the top of the chocolate around a few times and lift to form a cute little curly top. By the end of the batch, you will feel like a pro.

Place the pan of chocolate coated balls in the fridge to harden. You have now officially made truffles.

Here's the best part. You MUST taste test.

After all, one wouldn't want to share an inferior product with one's friends, would one?? Besides, 1) you deserve it, 2) they are definately irrisistable, and 3) Santa said to (but watch out for jealous elves, they'll be sneaking those glorious goodies right out of the fridge when you aren't looking).

With any luck and a strong ability to say "NO!" to your greedy fingers, you will have a lovely plate of truffles to proudly present to guests.


Store any truffles left from marauders in a covered container in the refrigerator. You may not have to worry about this step.

Now that I have become a chocolatier and can make swirlys on the top of dipped candies, I've started collecting truffle recipes. Next up: Orange Coconut Creams. Or perhaps the Oreo Cheesecake Truffles.

So many recipes, so little time before New Year's Resolutions.

Potato bug...

OK. So it's a CARROT bug.


But he's definately after those potatoes, destined for Indian Spuds not a bug's belly.


It's so fun to go out to the raised bed and pull carrots in the middle of winter. Crisp, sweet, delicious nuggets of goodness.


And sometimes funky.

This is how its done...

Sister Becky is our go-to gal for haircuts. Whenever she's planning to head for the coast, we remind her to bring her scissors. She almost never remembers. So she usually ends up using some of our almost-sharp scissors. So far we still have our ears... But our hair sure looks good!

During the family Thanksgiving weekend, we called upon a little known talent that Becky has been able to cultivate through being the slave of four demanding cats. She cuts cat nails. When she isn't putting caps on them, that is. This is not as simple as it may sound. There are very sharp stickers on all four corners of a cat. Most cats object strenuously to having their hunting tools dulled.

The first time Tilly visited after Birdie moved in, the cat landed on Tils face and left broken-off claws actually sticking out of the poor dog's nose. We had to pull her off. Literally. So our Birdie got a professional trim. Becky just picked her up, plopped her in her lap, and started explaining to the TERRIBLY upset cat why her nails needed nipped. You can see how upset Birdie is...can't you? Well, ya. She just doesn't project trauma. We're still trying to decide if she's blaise, or just plain lazy.
"HEY, that's a little close there. Leave me some mouse-grabbers, will ya?"

"For the love 'o Mike, get it DONE, already. I've got serious business lined up...that mouse is under the couch again...and QUIT TICKLIN' MY TOES."

She is definately SMART. She knows a cat slave when she smells one. Just a word to the wise, Becky - now she'll expect this expert service everytime she sees you. Trust me.

I should add, those are FAKE mice, folks. Rabbit fur, etc. Honest.