For the Love of Swapping

I recently participated in a wonderful matchbox advent calendar swap over at A Swap for All Seasons. I have been receiving so many wonderful matchboxes. Here is my advent tree and a few boxes.

Thank everyone who made me such wonderful matchboxes. Each day I wake up to see what surprises the tree holds.

Have Yourself a Stitchy Little Christmas

Ho Ho Ho! MEERRRY CHRISTMAS! Stitchy Santa has a little treat for you. Enjoy!

Bah Hum Bug!

Tis the season for holiday movies...fa la la la...One of the greatest and oldest holiday movie has to be A Christmas Carol. It has been remade year after year and each time there is a little twist.

1951's version of A Christmas Carol is the one that is the most well known and has stood the test of time among it's counterparts. Alastair Sim is classic and his face is what most people know as Scrooge. You feel the loneliness of Scrooge, the pain of Tiny Tim and the hope of Bob Cratchit. This adaptation definitely captures the feel of Dickens' England and the times in which it is set.

Although not called A Christmas Carol, Scrooged with Bill Murray offers a comedic yet thought provoking take on the classic story. There are parts in this comedy that will make you tear up and you will hear your heart break a little but just as you are reaching for your tissue, you are pulled back in with that classic Bill Murray sense of humor. This movie is in standard rotation during our Christmas celebration. When Frank Cross tells the ghost of the future to "Back off, it may work with the ladies but not with me." I nearly split a stitch! It is a light hearted comedy with a wonderful message of hope and redemption.

Okay, I'm going out on a limb here and recommending The Muppet's Christmas Carol. Why, you may ask...well, it 1) it has the muppets in it and 2)there is singing and 3) The closing credits include Rizzo the rat's personal caterer. Oh yeah, I can't forget Michael Cain as Scrooge. I'm not sure how that worked out but he does give an excellent performance along side those cute fuzzy muppets. This film is a wonderful way to introduce children to Charles Dickens.

Three different version, three wonderful movies. No matter how you interpret it-A Christmas Carol is a wonderful story that continues to stand the test of time. Now roast those chestnuts on an open fire, snuggle in for the night and enjoy.

PS-If those aren't your style check out these other versions.

A Christmas Carol with: Patrick Stewart, Gerorge C. Scott and Abert Finney

Or animated versions such as:
An All Dogs Christmas Carol 
Christmas Carol: The Movie
A Flintstones Christmas Carol
The Jetsons Christmas Carol
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Our Scrappy Dog Christmas card to you

Remember, Santa is watching.......

Pete, the  other reindeer.

I think she is trying to catch the snowflakes on her tongue.

Happy holidays to you and your family! May the season be bright and joyous. 

Love, 

Jujube, Pete,and Lola

PS-no dog was harmed in the taking of these pictures, however-dad may have lost a finger or two.

Salivating Saturday

Wow! The holidays have kicked into full gear! The tree is up, the house is decorated and all I have left is baking and crafting. Today was the first day of my cookiefest 2010!

First, I am not a huge Maraschino cherry fan. As a matter of fact, they kind of scare me. They have an interesting toxic glow that is just a little too creepy for me. So, with that being said, the following cookies kick major butt! White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread have become an instant favorite in the Pedersen household. Even though they have those toxic cherries in them-I could eat a my weight in these yummy little morsals.

1/2 cup Maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
2-1/2  cups  all-purpose flour
1/2 cup  sugar
1  cup  cold butter
12  ounces  white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, finely chopped
1/2  teaspoon  almond extract
2  drops  red food coloring (optional)
2  teaspoons  shortening
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread cherries on paper towels to drain well.

In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in drained cherries and 4 ounces (2/3 cup) of the chopped chocolate. Stir in almond extract and, if desired, food coloring. Knead mixture until it forms a smooth ball.

Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-1/2-inch rounds.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until centers are set. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

I can not believe how easy these cookies are to back and how absolutely tasty they are!  Make this wonderful shortbread and you will instantly be on Santa's nice list!

Tie One On Tuesday

BRRRRRR! It's cold outside...and inside. Our furnace is still on the fritz, but that's no reason for me to worry. I can just whip up a few warm beverages and sit by the fire with OMP and the pups. Let's see...warm drinks...

Ah! The first is a real eye opener. I have to start the day off right. Now, this one doesn't have any hooch in it, but it's still delicious. This recipe comes from Food Network's wonderful super cute Anne Thornton. I can't believe how easy and brilliant this recipe is.
Anne's Spiced Coffee
8 scoops ground coffee
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon orange zest
Fill a coffee filter with the above ingredients and brew. SOOOO yummy!

Alrighty then, the day is wearing on and I'm still cold!  A nice hot toddy will take the edge off, but not just any hot toddy-how about a Hot Baked Apple Toddy.
2 oz whisky
1 teaspoon sugar
apple cider
dash of cinnamon and a dash of clove
honey
Coat the bottom of the mug with honey.
Add whisky and then fill with warm apple cider.
Add dash of cinnamon and clove and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Oh looky! Here comes the furnace repairman! Oh Mr. Repairman-you need a big hug! You need a little Brotherly Love.
1 1/2 oz. gin
3/4 oz Licor 43 or a similar vanilla/spice liquer
3/4 oz simple syrup
4 oz steam milk
nutmeg for garnish
Pour gin, Licor 43 and simple syrup into a mug and stir.
Add steam milk and nutmeg.

Awwww yeah, all nice and toasty from the inside out. A nice warm blanket, a warm puppy and OMP by my side. Who needs that stupid gas furnace-I've got my love to keep me warm.

Feel Good Friday!

Oh my belly! I ate so much food yesterday! I just couldn't stop. OMP and I cooked an amazing Thanksgiving dinner and then crashed on the couch, cuddled up and had visions of little puppies dancing in our heads. Ahhh....bliss...let's see what I can whip up to make you feel the same way.

Our wonderful 60 year old furnace is out right now and it's a little bit chilly at Casa de Pedersen. I really think I need these to keep me warm on those chilly nights when OMP is at band practice. Tiny Toadstool has the cutest hats, mittens and scarves. I want EVERYTHING from her shop.

I love this winter scene. I feel like I could jump right in to the stitching and go for a walk. The textures are so rich. Kayla coo's pieces are rich and beautiful.

My husband told me that I should get use to the cold and a little bit of "roughing it" if we ever plan on having a farm (which we do). Missing Willow Farm is a great blog for checking out what farm life is like. Her pictures are wonderful and the little tidbits of information are so helpful. Plus, she raised hairless cats, one of which was named Turd Ferguson and in my opinion is absolutely awesome. 

  

Okay my tasty little turkey legs. I'm going to warm up some leftovers, throw a blanket over my legs and watch Wizard of Oz for the 900th time. I hope you have a wonderful lazy weekend. I know that's my plan! 

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home.  ~Edith Sitwell