Gifts

*Wedding Gift Inspiration*

/ Fiddle Dee Dee / 2 Comments
 If there is one thing I have learned over the course of my marriage, couples can have a lot of fun in the kitchen together!
We might be cooking, we might be throwing food at each other, we might be entertaining guests together, but some of mine and Audley’s best conversations and most memorable times have come as we prepared meals together.  I have always maintained magical things happen in the kitchen.  As we have welcomed more people to our kitchen, it has become even more of a special place.
The kitchen is also the center of our home.  It’s where I connect with my kids after school and enjoy “story-time with Kenzie” (kind of like chasing rabbits from one field to another for an hour every afternoon), catch up on middle school drama with Madeline, or listen to the details of the latest book my Bradley is reading.
Over the weekend I was fortunate enough to attend a wedding shower of a sweet young lady from church. I love wedding showers.  It’s so much fun to watch an eager young bride tenderly opening presents as she is anticipating where they will go in her new home.  As I pondered what to give as a gift, I reached for a cookbook.  So many young girls don’t know how to turn on a stove when they marry, much less cook a meal for their husband.  I thumbed through the cookbook thinking of  some of the wonderful moments spent with my husband in the kitchen and had the desire to pass it on.
The cookbook I chose was the Pioneer Woman.  I love this book as all of her recipes are so simple.  We all like simple, especially when most of our days are anything but!  I also chose this book because of the detail Ree puts in recipes.  The clear color step-by-step recipes are a comfort when you are working in unfamiliar territory.

 

For the gift I added a serving spatula and a dish towel, in which I wrapped the book.  Tied up with a blue ribbon, it was a very unique presentation.

 

My girls thought it was silly, but I thought it was charming.  You can never have too many towels in the kitchen!  And a serving piece?  We all need them!  I included a card with a note and tip for the newly married couple:  always date each other.  You might not remember what movie you saw at the theater, but setting a pretty table, cooking a meal together?  
I promise, it’ll be a date you will remember.

 

The shower was memorable for me as I was asked to make the cake that was to be served.  It was a pleasure to make something so simple for such a wonderful occasion.
Moving week has arrived…. 

More Gifts from the Kitchen

/ Fiddle Dee Dee / 2 Comments
I am not sure where this year has gone, but it is fast approaching its end.  Christmas celebrations are already  commencing all over the world as friends and family are gathering together making memories and eating until they are absolutely stuffed like the Christmas goose!
Just in case you forgot someone on your list, or find your self in need of a last minute hostess gift here are a handful of last minutes suggestions from the kitchen.
Most all of your craft stores and even in Target’s dollar section you can find seasonal “Chinese take-out” boxes.  Line with tissue paper and fill with your favorite cookie.  Not only is it an easy gift, it is so cute!
Fudge is a super easy treat to make for any holiday function.  I posted my easy recipe that calls for Eagle brand milk last week.  You can find it here.
I found this cute little jar at Target, also and it was just perfect for holding enough fudge to gift to a Sunday school teacher.
And finally, a combination of sweet treats not only makes a lovely gift, but can be set out for all to enjoy.
Here I took a canister that I found at Dollar General decorated up like a reindeer and began filling it with peppermint bark, peanut butter cups and mint fudge.
Peppermint bark is super easy to create.  First, I spread a 12-ounce layer of melted chocolate chips on wax paper, and placed in the refrigerator to harden.  Next I covered the layer of chocolate with Wilton white candy melts and sprinkled with crushed peppermint sticks before it hardens.  The bark just peels off of the wax paper.  Break it into pieces and serve.

For the peanut butter cups, line 24 miniature cupcake pans with foil liners.  Melt about 16-ounces of milk chocolate and add about a teaspoon of chocolate to each liner.  The chocolate should cover the bottom.  Place in the refrigerator to harden.

Make your peanut butter center by mixing together one cup of creamy (or chunky, if you prefer) peanut butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar and two tablespoons softened butter.

Removing the chocolate from the refrigerator, spoon just a small amount of peanut butter into each cup.

 

Finally, using your remaining melted chocolate, cover the top of each peanut butter cup.

 

The entire process might take 30 minutes, which is perfect when you are short on time!



Merry Christmas, y’all!

 

Gifts From the Kitchen

/ Fiddle Dee Dee / 2 Comments
Christmas is just a few days away.  Are you ready? 
I have a few last minute things to pick up for family, but for the most part I am finished.  If you are looking for an easy and delicious gift for Christmas giving this year, step no further than your own kitchen.
My kitchen is the source of many gifts this year as I am at a total loss for what to give those who honestly have it all!

 

 I used my bread machine to make up several loaves of french and whole wheat bread.
Wrap your baked goods in a pretty seasonal towel, tie up a spreader in the ribbon and gift it with a jar of homemade apple butter.

 

 

 I would like to think that breakfast is served.
Other ways to create this similar treat would be to bake a pound cake in a loaf pan, gifting it with a jar of lemon curd.
My pick?  Dickinson’s Lemon Curd.
This also would make a lovely hostess gift for a party over the holiday season.  Get creative and give a gift that will be remembered!

For the Hostess

/ Fiddle Dee Dee / 4 Comments
As everyone is returning to work today after a long holiday weekend, I hope your Independence Day celebrations were memorable and fun!

 

Getting into the spirit of the holiday!
Despite an extremely rainy day, there was not a dull moment to be found at our own family celebrations!
Pile on Party!!
****************************
Over the weekend, one of my girlfriends posed a question on Facebook about whether or not to carry a bottle of wine to a dinner they had been invited to, and it really got me thinking….
 
Is the hostess gift a thing of the past?
 
If you read any etiquette book, there is a section on when you are invited to someone’s home.   These sections will tell you how to pitch in, how to behave, and to take your host or hostess a little gift.  A bottle of wine or a lovely scented candle is the most common gift, but I decided for the two July 4th BBQ we were attending, to go a different route and I carried homemade BBQ sauce.

 

BBQ sauce just seemed fitting as it could be used immediately, but there is a lot of time left for grilling this summer, so it can be used later as well.
 
Have you given a gift to your host or hostess recently?  How was it received?
And just so you are prepared for the next BBQ that you are invited to, here is my recipe for homemade sauce.  I am not even sure where the original recipe came from, but it has been altered and used continuously in our home for nearly 16 years!
2 Tablespoons Olive oil
2 cups finely chopped Vidalia onion
1 head garlic, minced
3 cups catsup
1 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
2/3 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 Tablespoon (more if you like the heat) cayenne pepper
Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add the garlic and onion, cooking gently until fragrant and the onion is transparent (abt. 5 mins).  Add the remaining ingredients, mixing well (a flat whisk works great for this), reducing heat and simmering about fifteen minutes.  Stir continuously while the sauce simmers to prevent sticking.  The sauce should thicken a little.
Remove from heat, store in a canning jar & refrigerate.  This makes about 3 pints.
 
To give as a gift, tie a bow on your jar and type up the recipe to share.  
 
And if you are lucky, maybe your very own Grillmaster will use the remaining sauce for some babyback ribs!