Homemade Holidays Gifts

Hi everyone.  Are you starting to freak out because Christmas is only 12 days away?  As the holidays approach, I am sure that you like everyone else, starts remembering all the people that you need to give a gift to.  Teachers, bus drivers, dance teachers, co-workers, etc……Of course you don’t have to, but it nice to thank those that do so much for you during the year by giving them a gift.  Obviously, I think the best give you can give anyone is Gourmet Rooster products.  That is a no brainer;)  But I do understand that there are some of you that just can’t make that happen.  For those of you that can’t find my products in a store, or order it from me for some reason, I have a cute gift idea that I will show you today.

This year, we (my kids and I) are making their teachers “Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate” baskets.  We live in Reno, and it has been below freezing these past few weeks.  Hot chocolate is a necessity.

In this basket, we put a jar of homemade peppermint hot chocolate, marshmallows, chocolate coated candy canes for stirring, and a nice porcelain
to go” coffee cup with a super cute “cozy” on it.  I will show you how to make the hot chocolate mix and chocolate coated candy canes, and I will tell you where to get the “cozies”.  If you are a moneybags, you could also throw in a gift card to a local coffee place.  I think teachers definitely need coffee to keep their spirits up.  Especially preschool teachers.  If it was appropriate, I would toss in some booze.  Especially for the preschool teachers;)

The homemade hot chocolate mix is super yummy and great to have on hand anyway.  I used unsweetened cocoa, non-dairy creamer (powder form), nonfat dry milk, sugar, a pinch of salt and peppermint crunch chips.  The peppermint crunch chips aren’t just busted up candy canes.  They are more like the texture of a candy cane.  They melt into the hot chocolate perfectly.  They are made by Andes…you know, the people that make those great “after dinner” mints.  If you can’t fine these particular chips, you can totally use busted up candy canes.  They just won’t melt as well.

I whisk all the ingredients together in a big bowl.  Then, I pour it into jars with tight fitting lids.  All this needs to become actual “hot chocolate” is boiling water or hot milk.  I love the addition of the peppermint in here.  This hot chocolate is creamy from the dry milk and non-dairy creamer, and minty from the peppermint chips.  This is a perfect hot drink for Christmas time.  I included directions on my jars……”Add 3 tablespoons to 8 ounces of boiling water.  Stir with a candy cane and enjoy!”

I thought the chocolate covered candy canes would be a great stirrer, and just a cute accompaniment to the hot chocolate.  This was my kid’s favorite part. 

I melted chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl.  I started the chips on 50% power for 1 minute.  Then, I stirred well.  I microwaved the chips in 30 second increments, on high, until the chips were melted and smooth. 

I dipped the ends (well, more than halfway up, actually) of the candy canes in the melted chocolate.  I placed the canes on foil to let the chocolate harden.  It will harden pretty quickly….in about 20 minutes.  I bagged these guys up, two to a bag.

Don’t forget the marshmallows!

Don’t you think this is such a cute idea?  It was easy too.  To be honest, my kids did most of this.  I just took the pictures;)

We got our coffee cups at a store down the street from us, but “to-go” coffee cups are available pretty much everywhere.  I bought the cozies off Etsy.com.  I found a wonderful lady who knits these cozies and sells them at affordable prices.  Her store’s address is www.etsy.com/shop/prednyspretties.  I wish I could knit, but since I can’t….I take help from Etsy.

Here is a picture of Addy enjoying her peppermint hot chocolate.  Even if you don’t have someone to give this too, the recipe for the hot chocolate mix is a winner.  You should make it for yourself!

Now, if you have read all of this and you still want Gourmet Rooster for gifts, and you just can’t stand the idea of hot chocolate….you can still order from me.  www.Gourmetrooster.com.  We still have time to ship, don’t worry;)

I will see you on Thursday with some more great ideas for homemade gifts!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix

2 cups non-fat dry milk powder

¾ cup sugar

½ cup unsweetened cocoa

½ cup peppermint chips (Andes)

½ cup non-dairy creamer (powder)

1/8 teaspoon salt

Whisk all ingredients together.  Store in a tightly covered container of resealable bag.

Makes 4 cups

4th of July-Part One

Good afternoon everyone!  Today is the first day of summer!  And coming up really soon is one of my favorite days of the year…..the 4^th of July!  I pretty much love any holiday, but I especially love the 4^th.  When I was a kid it was pretty much the best day ever.  I love being outside the whole day, barbecuing, watching fireworks, etc.  This year, I have my bestie coming to stay with us with her family for the 4^th.  I, of course, have already planned the menu…..

There it is….my menu, I mean.  Do you love the bulletin board?  I was feeling especially crafty and, patriotic apparently, last night so I made that.  Burlap and fabric covering a cork board.  Super easy.  I didn’t even use scissors.  I tore the fabric to give it rough edges…more rustic that way.

Here is a close-up of the menu…can you read it?  Isn’t the little girl adorbs?  I downloaded it from Freeprettythingsforyou.com.  That lady has great stuff;)  Anyhoo, back to the menu….I am going to split this post up into 3 different posts.  Today we will cover the apps, Thursday the burgers, corn and salad, and next Tuesday will be the desserts and drinks.

Of course, you don’t have to make the entire menu.  You can take from it what you want, especially if you are going to someone else’s house and just have to bring one thing.  I hope you get some inspiration from this!

So the name “Southern Hummus” might have you thinking…”what the heck is that?”  There is a good reason you have never hear of it….I made it up.  And no, I didn’t clear it with any southerners.  I just thought it was a cute name.  If you are southern, and it makes you mad…..sorry.  Call me a Yankee or maybe throw me a “Bless your heart” and get over it;)  Know that I do the things I do because I only wish I was southern.

Here is what I used…..(and what it is)

I used a can of baked beans, Gourmet Rooster BBQ Sauce, cheese and a baguette.  Not pictured, but also used is olive oil and salt & pepper.  So are you getting it yet?  As you know, hummus is garbanzo beans pureed with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and tahini.  My “Southern Hummus” is pureed baked beans with some BBQ sauce.  I know it sounds a bit weird, but you have to give it a chance.  It is delicious.

I pureed the beans in the food processor.  I used a 22 ounce can of Bourbon and brown sugar baked beans.  You can really use your favorite flavor, and if you have looked in the grocery store lately at the beans….you know there are a bazillion different kinds.  I also added about 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce.  Now here is where you can get creative…you can add onion, hot sauce, green chilies, a jalapeno (or as Peepers calls it a “hoppapeno"), etc.  You also get to decide if you want to serve it warm or room temperature.  I chose room temperature.

I served mine with sliced baguette that had been crisped up in the oven.

I brushed the slices with olive oil and sprinkled them with salt & pepper.  I put them in a 400 degree oven for about 8 minutes.

When they came out of the oven, I sprinkled them with cheddar cheese.  I popped them back in the oven for about 2 more minutes.

This really is the perfect appetizer for a BBQ.  What goes better with grilled meats then beans? 

The cheese toasts make an amazing dipper.  Tortilla chips would be great too!

I also drizzled extra BBQ sauce on the top of my dip.  I used Gourmet Rooster Whiskey Apple BBQ Sauce.  You can use your favorite….which better be Gourmet Rooster! ;)

This really is essentially just a bean dip, but the flavors of brown sugar, bacon, bourbon, etc. bring it to a whole ‘nother level. 

The fam loved it;)

My next appetizer isn’t a recipe at all, more of an idea.  Everyone loves veggies and ranch dip, but it is so hard not to double dip!  Especially if you are like me and the veggies are just a vehicle for your ranch dip.  I serve mine individually.  Everyone gets their own in a cup….with the dip at the bottom.  What is special about mine is the way I decorated the cups to make them fancy for the 4^th!

I used disposable plastic cups, ribbon, little flags and my trusty hot glue gun.  I decorated the cups ahead of time…..

I put a couple of tablespoons of dip into the bottom each cup.  Double dip until you are blue in the face.

My kids loved having their own cup.  I think this is a great way to make veggies and dip a little bit different.  You should try this!  The cups were easy to decorate, and you can even buy the veggies pre-cut….could not be simpler.

Ok, apps done.  I can’t wait to show you my recipes for pimiento cheese stuffed burgers and corn on the cob.  You’ll have to come back on Thursday for that;)

Remember that Gourmet Rooster products are now in Truckee and Chico, CA!  If you are vacationing in Truckee and lucky enough to be in Chico, stop by and get some.  We are at The Cooking Gallery in Truckee which is right in the cute little downtown area, and at The Galley which is off Park Ave. in Chico.  Go, go, go!!!

Valentines For Kids!

Originally posted 1/25/11

Hello everybody!  Well, it’s almost that time again……Valentine’s Day.  Whether you love it or hate it….it’s quickly approaching.  And if you have kids in school, there is no avoiding it.  We already got our letter sent home from Addy’s class describing what they will need to bring to their Valentine’s party.  Yep, a Valentine for everyone, and a fancy decorated box to keep them in.  And believe me; the letter was very detailed on what kind of treats can be attached.  Luckily, we can still bring in homemade treats, as long as they are peanut free. 

Now, I like to have Addy make her Valentines.  I think that hers should stand out.  I don’t want her to hand out the typical SpongeBob Valentine, or even the newer Justin Bieber variety.  You know, the kind with a super cool tattoo?  Nope, not for us.  I want Addy to put effort and thought into hers.  I want hers to be different.  Of course, I thought this last year too.  And the ones we made took us forever.  And by “we” I mean me.  They were too hard and took too long.  Addy lost interest pretty quickly.  There were flowers, and lollipops, and glitter……This year, I have come up with some ideas that are a whole lot faster and easier.  So easy that a 6 year old could make 20 of ‘em and not complain once. 

We created 3 different Valentines.  Don’t worry, I took close-up pictures of all of them.  You will be able to see exactly what we did, and then copy them.  Of course, you can add your own touches!  Don’t you want to make your Valentines this year too?  Be the one that stands out?  Be the one who looks creative and fun?  Of course you do….I know you by now;) 

Our first Valentine is a cute lil’ cupcake.  This one was the crowd pleaser at my house.  My kids thought this one was a winner.

It is made from cardstock, glue and poof balls.  That’s it.  Could not be easier.  Addy will give these away with real mini-cupcakes.

Here is the back:

Yes, that is my handwriting.  Addy is only in first grade…give the kid a break.  Her writing is still that huge, little kid writing.  Not that mine is much better.  She has big plans for making this Valentine for everyone in her life. 

Our second Valentine also involves poof balls.  What can I say?  I am inspired by the mighty poof ball.

Addy made the cute little buzzy bees with the aforementioned poofs, googly eyes, cardstock, glue and stickers.  She plans on giving these away with “Bit-o-Honey” candies.  We used stickers for the “Bee Mine” because we had them.  It would be just as easy to write it.

Here is a close-up of the cute lil’ bee…

His wings are made from cardstock punched out in heart shapes.  We have a punch, but scissors will work too.  The punch is easier for a 6 year old.  Or a 34 year old who has had too much coffee, and her hands are shaky;)

Our last Valentine is all about crazy faces. 

Paisley got into the act on this one.  She will seize any opportunity to make silly faces….and get her picture taken.  It would also be cute if you dressed your kids in crazy outfits, or did crazy hair do’s, or even crazy make-up??

Here is Addy’s…

Perhaps her should say “It’s scary how much I like you”, as her face is more scary then crazy…but you get the gist of it, right?  We printed this out on the computer…..see above about Addy’s handwriting;)

I really hope you and your kids give these Valentine ideas a try.  Remember when everyone made their own Valentines and didn’t buy them?  I don’t either, but I wish I did.  I’m pretty sure I handed out Punky Brewster or Fraggle Rock Valentines….

And keeping in the Valentine spirit….while strolling through the local Walmartz….I saw some cute little heart shaped snack cakes.  They were heart shaped brownies that were covered in white chocolate.  My kids, of course, desperate to have them.  But I refused because…..I can make that!  And we did.

I used my regular brownie recipe that can be found here http://gourmet.host.tetralogica.com/?Blog=10.  Boxed brownie mix will be fine too;)  I baked them in heart shaped muffin tins, but cookie cutters will work.   

Once the brownies were cooled, I dipped them in melted white chocolate that I thinned with a little vegetable oil. 

I left them to harden on a baking sheet covered with foil.  It only takes a few minutes for the chocolate to harden.  I had set aside some of the white chocolate, melted that, and added red food coloring. 

I swirled that over the top of the brownies.  Don’t look at the one in the back….not my finest work:)

So cute!  Literally, just like the snack cakes from the Walmartz…but I am pretty sure these are going to taste better.

All bagged up and ready to go!  Are you feeling really Valentiney now?  I will have more Valentine crafts and recipes coming up in the next couple of weeks.  I hope you like Valentines Day as much as me!

Gifts For the Wee Ones

Originally posted 1/18/11

So I feel like I have been bombarding you with recipes lately, and I haven’t provided nearly the amount of crafty stuff that I originally promised.  This weekend I decided to rectify that.  I dusted off my glue gun, and I got my craft on…..I have many friends that are having babies, just had babies, or in the process of trying to have babies.  This means many a baby gift will need to be provided.  I always like to make at least part of the gift.  I feel this makes it more special.  Of course, I like to provide what a new mama needs, but hopefully she will get that from everyone else.  It’s nice to make your gift stand out.

Usually I am a fan of making burp cloths for new mamas.  I still think that is a great idea, as babies are barfy and many new moms don’t realize this…..but I decided to try something new.  One thing a mama always needs is baby wipes, for obvious reasons….and for some not so obvious ones.  They really do clean up anything.  I use them all the time, and my kids are 3 and 6.  I use them to clean messy hands, clean milk spills on my car seats, and sometimes I take my make-up off with them.  The travel pack that they come in is boring.  Plain and simple….and boring.  With all the snazzy diaper bags available these days, and fancy bibs, burp cloths, etc…..I decided it was high time to spice up the travel pack of baby wipes.

How boring is this?

How fancy is this?

This really is such an easy project.  It is something that anyone can do, and it really only requires rhinestone type gems, a glue gun and some ribbon, and of course, the travel pack of wipes.

I have a good friend, named Shannon, who is having a baby girl in April.  This is Shannon’s second little girl, so she already had everything she needs.  It is always harder to give a gift for a 2^nd or 3^rd time mama.  By the 4^th, I think you just toss them some diapers and wish them luck.  I won’t give away what Shannon plans to name this baby girl, let’s just say it starts with an “A”.

To start, I used rhinestone type gems with a flat back (available at any craft store), ribbon and a glue gun.  And no, I’m not positive what that gross looking smudge is on my glue gun, but I think it’s paint.

I traced the letter that I want in the middle with pencil.  Then, I glues on the colored gems.  Like this….

You only need a little bit of glue.  If you squirt on too much, you will never get your gems down before the glue dries.  I squirt enough glue on for about 3 gems at a time.  I just do a thin line, as too much causes a big fat gluey mess.

Also, I use what would be the back of the travel pack.  I don’t use the front because it has the handy, quick access opening.

Once the initial is glued down, I start with the clear gems.  I try to make pretty straight lines, at least until I get to the initial in the middle. 

This is what it looks like with all the gems on….

Once I have all the gems on, I glue ribbon all the way around the rim, making sure not to go over the tab that opens the container.

I used purple ribbon….it looks blue in this picture, but I promise….it’s purple.

After the ribbon is on….it’s done.  It takes maybe 30 minutes.  That’s it!  30 minutes to a super cute gift.  I can’t wait to give this to Shannon.  Shan-if you are reading this…..act surprised.

Now just a little disclaimer:  this is just for grown-ups.  Please don’t give this to your baby to keep them busy or quiet.  Obviously, these gems can come off if pulled, and yes, that would be a choking hazard.  This is just for looks….to keep mama fancy and lookin’ good….it is not a toy.  That probably went without saying….but ya never know.

Here is a final shot, just so you can really see the beauty;)

Have a great week!  I will see you all on Thursday;)

Pillow Fight!

Originally posted 12/8/10

Good morning!  Only 16 days till Christmas!  But you still have plenty of time to make some gifts for those that you love!  Sometimes handmade gifts are just the thing to give the person that has everything.  Do you have that person in your life?  You know, the person that just buys whatever they want, so when it is time to get a gift……. they want, or need, absolutely nothing.  Handmade is the way to go, I tell ya!

Today’s idea is a quick one.  I decorated throw pillows for the holiday season.  So easy and so cute!  Definitely something that will be brought out with the holiday decorations, year after year.

All you need for this is throw pillows, hot glue or fabric glue, felt, scissors and ric-rac.  I bought my throw pillows at Target….2 for $12.  They are sort of a velvet-esque material.  I chose red because I thought that was festive, but you can choose whatever color you want.

For the “Nice” pillow, which by the way says “naughty” on the other side, I printed out the words on cardstock.  I chose a font that I thought would be easy to trace and cut out.  I traced the words on to felt and cut them out.  I hot glued them on, and that was that.  Done! 

For the ornament pillow, I free-handed the design onto felt.  I cut the felt out, and I hot glued the ric-rac onto the actual felt ornaments before I glued them onto the pillow. 

Then, I glued the ornaments onto the pillow.

I also glued ric-rac onto the pillow to “hang” the ornaments. 

I love the way these pillows turned out, and I am so excited to give these away as gifts.  Such an easy last minute gift!  And I’m not kidding when I say “last minute”.  These pillows took me less then an hour to decorate.  Since they are so easy to make….make some for yourself too!  Doesn’t your couch deserve some fun?;)

I kept today short and sweet to make up for the super long post I posted on Monday.  Can’t have you getting bored halfway through!  But before you go……I want to show you one last thing.  I have a friend, named Alena, who makes the most gorgeous things with beads!  She makes rings, hair clips, and I talked her into making me napkin rings.

Aren’t those amazing? 

Close up for you……

Alena sells her work at her Etsy shop.  I think that anything she makes would be an excellent Christmas gift.  Her work is one of a kind, and such a thoughtful gift to give.  You can find her work at http://www.etsy.com/shop/thebeadtanicalgarden.  Check it out!  You will love her stuff as much as I do!

See you on Friday!

 

My Baby is 6!

Originally posted 12/5/10

Good morning!  So we had Addy’s 6^th birthday party on Saturday…..I swear, I am STILL tired.  God bless Kate Gosselin (and her nannies)…I can’t imagine having multiple 6 or 7 year olds.  Especially that many girls!  But it went off without a hitch, and the girls had a great time.  Her actual birthday was November 19^th, but we bumped the party into December so we could make it Christmas themed!  We sent out cute little invitations that had elves on them…..they were adorable.  At the party, the girls decorated cookies, made a Christmas ornament and played outside.  And ate lots of yummy treats!!  I will show you what we did and give you some tips, so you can have your own Christmas party, cookie exchange, or if for some reason you are stuck with too many 6 year old girls.  This is a long post…..so hang in there;)

I will start with the food spread.  I did all desserts.  The party was at 2pm.  I did that on purpose so I wouldn’t be expected to feed the kids actual food.  I just wanted to give them the good stuff!

I made 2 different types of cookies (pre-made, I just baked ‘em), Rice Krispy treats (but out of Christmas Captain Crunch), cupcakes and the best part……donut hole trees!  I also had apple cider and vanilla ice cream.  Addy chose to have cupcakes instead of an actual cake, and I chose to bake mini-cupcakes.  That way the girls wouldn’t fill up on just one cupcake.  And I can power down 10 of them and tell myself it’s ok because they are mini.

The donut trees were super easy to make.  I used foam trees from the craft store, white frosting, toothpicks and donut holes.  This takes A LOT of donut holes, so consider yourself warned.

I started by spreading the trees with frosting.  I used a lot so that I could completely cover the Styrofoam……nobody wants to eat that.

I inserted one end of a toothpick into the donut hole and the other end into the tree.  I kept going until I filled up the tree.

Once the whole tree was filled, I dusted the tree with powdered sugar.  It gives the tree that snowy look that my trees are missing now that most of my snow has melted.  Isn’t it the cutest thing ever?  The girls all loved it, and they all wanted to eat it!

Here is another view…..

Quick pic of the cupcakes….I used a basic chocolate cake recipe, but you can totally use a boxed mix.  I used my basic cream cheese frosting recipe, (which you can find in my “football food” post) and I tossed in a teaspoon of peppermint extract.  I crushed candy canes for the tops.  So cute and so “Christmassy”.

I put my apple cider in a glass container that I had in my pantry.  One great tip for a party is to use things that you already have lying around, just re-purpose them.  Use things in new ways.  This container wouldn’t usually hold liquids, but it was perfect for the cider.  I just used a ladle to scoop the juice out.

Like I said, the girls decorated cookies.  I baked a whole bunch of sugar cookies……seriously, all I did was bake them.  I didn’t make ‘em!  I bought the pre-made and pre-shaped cookies they have this time of year at the grocery store.  When dealing with 6 year olds, it isn’t necessary to use your best recipes;)

I covered the table in butcher paper and lined the middle of the table with bowls of frosting, sprinkles and mini M&M’s.  I also had bags so the girls could take home their handy-work.  This would be a great idea for a Christmas Cookie Party!

The next activity we did was make a Christmas ornament.  I wanted to do something new and fun that the girls had never seen.  I didn’t want to make the typical candy cane reindeer or noodle angel.  We made picture frame ornaments out of jar lids and discs…..the kind you use for home canning (available at grocery and hardware stores).  I took a picture of every girl when they came in, and I had Chris print them out while the girls decorated cookies.

I gave each girl her picture, a jar disc, and a jar ring.  If you are having a hard time picturing this, here you go……

I also laid out a bowl of different kinds of ribbon, a bowl of rhinestone type gems, and glue and kid scissors (not pictured)

The first step is to lay your disc over the picture and trace around it.  Then, cut the picture out and glue it onto the disc.  Glue the picture to the non-metallic side of the disc so that they pretty metallic side shows from the back when the ornament is done.

First off…..yes…my hot glue gun is gross.  I know this and I have made my peace with it.  Everything sticks to it, obviously, and I haven’t cleaned it.  Now that’s out of the way….I want you to know that I didn’t give the girls a hot glue gun.  Can you imagine them reporting that back to their moms??  I gave them white glue, but for the sake of demonstrative purposes, I am using the gun.

I chose ric-rac to glue around the outside.  Some girls chose to use the jewels, some chose ribbon, and they all fought over the poof-ball trim……

Once the outside trim has dried, you can glue the disc in.  Before I glued it in, I tied a green ribbon on it that will be its hanger.

Our finished products….are they not the cutest thing ever??  The rings and discs come in sets of 12, so these are super easy to make at a party….

The last thing I want to show you is a cute little hair clip that I put in the goodie bags.  Now I realize that this is a hair clip that you couldn’t wear much after the age of 7 or 8, but once you see the technique, you can use it to decorate gifts, etc.

See what I mean?  This would be adorable on top of a Christmas gift. 

I started by wrapping red and green yarn around 3 fingers about 20 times.  3 fingers should be the right size, unless you have freakishly small Hobbit hands or huge giant hands….

I slipped it off my fingers and tied another piece of yarn around the middle.

Them, I cut though the loops and fluffed each side out.  It might be necessary to trim some of the pieces to make it more uniform.

I finished it up by gluing on a hair clip.  Make sure to hold the clip open until the glue dries! 

These clips look adorable in my girl’s hair, but again, they are little……a 13 year old probably couldn’t rock one of these;)

Phew!  Are you still with me?  I know, that was a long one, but you hung in there, and I am proud of you…..

See you Wednesday.