Chocolate vs. Peanut butter fudge

My favorite candy recipes are hand me downs from my Mom. I think the chocolate one was also made by my Mamaw but not really sure. Some people call them fudge, but we always called the chocolate one chocolate candy. Not sure why. But I thought I would share my recipe with you today.

Chocolate Candy

2/3 Cup Cocoa

3 cups sugar

1/8 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups milk

Mix together in a large sauce pan and place over medium heat. Cook to the soft ball stage. Remove from heat and add the following:

4 1/2 tablespoons Parkay margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat until it looks like it is about to start setting up. Pour in a butter platter and let cool. Cut, eat and enjoy.

Peanut Butter Fudge

2 cups sugar

2/3 cup milk

Mix together in a medium sauce pan and place over medium heat. Cook to the soft ball stage. Remove from heat and add the following:

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 heaping tablespoon of  peanut butter

Beat until it looks like it is about to start setting up. Pour in a butter platter and let cool. Cut, eat and enjoy.

Whimsical Wednesday

Just a little Halloween humor to make you smile. 

The Wonder of Wonder-Under

I love Wonder-Under. I have become obsessed with finding crafts to make with it. On a recent trip to our local used book store, I found this book called "The Wonder-Under Book of Christmas Creations".  The price? Just .25 cents so I had to have it. 

They have some awesome craft and gift ideas. This matching scarf, hat and mittens is just too adorable for words. 

I love this angel that was in the pattern book. My cousin makes things similar to this and it made me think of her when I saw it.  

These would be so simple to make and would be an adorable way to decorate a small tree. I may have to do this for a little tree in my kitchen or the kids room.  

I just love these stockings. They would be easy to make. 

The reason is adorable. I love poinsettias. 

I like this idea. They have made the fabric ornaments then attached them to boxes. This would be perfect to give gifts of cookies in the boxes with the ornament on the outside like a tag. 

These were used to decorate a coffee can that had been spray painted red. Again, a great idea for a gift for cookies or baked goods. 

These little snowman dish towels would be so simple to make. 

I love these little trinket boxes. You can buy these boxes at AC Moore and paint them. Then simply make a yo yo for the top of the box and add a star, heart or button for decor on the top. Just too cute for words. 

I am loving these gingerbread men pillows. 

And the placemats with the gingerbread men. 

This would be cute to put on a fleece blanket and give it as a gift. 

If you have a small lamp that you love, you could buy a spare shade and do this so you could change out the lamp at Christmas.

I love Santa's and this would be so cute for my spare chair in the living room. 

These little trees would be so simple. You could put them on pillows, stockings, dish towels, table runners, the ideas are unlimited. 

And the wonderful part is that the book has all the patterns in the back of the book.

Now I can't wait to get started on some of these projects.

I was in Pyrex heaven

This has been my lucky weekend as far as Pyrex goes. I put some of my items I don't really want any more up for trade in my Facebook group. So far, I have traded several items so I should be getting some goodies delivered to me soon. I am getting a Snowflake divided dish to go with my set, a snowflake garland bowl, and a Colonial Mist mixing bowl. The one I am most excited about is the Pyrex black gooseberry 441 bowl. I am very excited to receive it.

I was on Facebook yesterday morning and my cousin surprised me with an unexpected offer. When I go to my Mom's in November, I will be bringing back this beauty with me. 

Since I was in Pyrex mode, I decided to head out to an antique store I hadn't visited in awhile. I was glad I did. I found this Pyrex cup and plate for just $3.00 for the set. This is perfect for hot chocolate and a donut. 

A few booths over, I found this beautiful Pyrex Opal Casserole dish for just $6.00. These prices are so rare at an antique store. Since I collect this style of bowl and I have nothing in opal yet, I snatched this up. 

I went into a booth that was loaded with Pyrex and found this piece sitting on the shelf. First off let me say that I never have any luck find pieces with lids and when I do it is usually not the lid that was supposed to be with it. This is a Pyrex 503 "fridgie" in the Verde pattern. The lid says 503 Pyrex on one end so that led me to believe they went together. The price was just $10 and I really wanted it but I wasn't taking any chances. So I snapped a pic and posted in my Pyrex 4 Trade group asking if this was the right lid and was $10 a good price. The responses came immediately. Everyone said YES and that it was an awesome deal. One later said "Pay the lady and run like h***." I assume that meant it was an awesome deal. Needless to say this baby came home with me. 

Then I was talking to my mom about all my good deals and she reminded me that she also has a bowl that my sister gave her to hold for me to get when I come in. It is the Butterfly Gold 444. I can't wait to get it. 

Needless to say I am in Pyrex heaven right now. 

Sisters

(Me, Daddy, and my sister Rachel)

 Sisters are a blessing from God. They are the other half of your soul. They are connected with the deepest part of your heart. My sister is one of my best friends. We shared a room; we shared our secrets. We shared our Barbies and we shared our clothes. But most importantly we shared our love. We are many miles apart and don't get to visit as often as we should, but one phone call can bring the joy and laughter back together. Today is my sister's birthday. Rachel is 13 1/2 months older than I am. She was and is still a great role model for a kid sister to have. I know there were times growing up that I probably drove her nuts, because that's what part of a kid sisters job is. 

I may have not always kept my side of the room as perfect as hers. I may have kept busy to avoid doing my share of the dishes many a times and she had to do them all by herself. I may have bugged her to borrow her favorite sweater. And I may have even teased her about her boyfriends. But no matter what, she knows that I truly and deeply love her with every beat of my hear. Here is a poem I wrote for her birthday many years ago. Sis, I hope you have a very happy birthday today and may God continue to bless you year after year. 

Sisters 

When she was one, she approached the crib. Her small steps were slow and a little unsteady as she was but a mere babe herself. The folks had tried to explain this little creature to her. But she did not understand. She gazed in awe at the little one and wondered, what exactly is this thing they call "Sisters"? But so much is not understood when you are one. 

When she was six, she could hardly sleep. She whispered across the room to her sister. "Tomorrow is the first day of school and I can't wait to go, but I hate to leave you." The kid sister just smiled. She knows her big sister has no choice. For that's how it is when you are six. 

When she was thirteen, she sat in her room trying to read. She's thinking what a pain kid sisters can be. All she wants is her own room. But all she gets is a kid sister who is a pain in the neck. But that's how it is when you are thirteen. 

When she was sixteen, she learned to drive. She discovered it's pretty good having a kid sister. Parents are less suspecting if you offer to take Sis along. But sometimes kid sisters can be so immature and embarrassing in front of the boys. But that's how it is when you're sixteen. 

When she is eighteen, she sits in the room they shared and stares at the wall. Tomorrow she will wed. A lone, silent tear slowly glides down her cheek. She thinks back on the times they've shared and the memories they've made. So much time has passed and so much love has grown. As she starts her new life, she knows she will never be alone. That other half will always be with her in her heart.

'Cause that's how it is when you're sisters.

Planning Ahead

Next Saturday, I am hosting an Origami Owl party for a friend of mine. I have never even been to one of these types of parties so I'm not sure what to expect. I did look at that catalog and I would love to get one of the lockets for a grandmother. This one is similar to what I would want. It is funny that the sample I found of what I like actually has three boys and two girls in it since that is what my grandbabies are. But the birthstone colors would be different in mine. I just love this.

I had it all planned out. I was going to have the theme a tea party since I have all kinds of tea pots and tea cups. 

Of course, I don't drink tea which is crazy since I have so many tea items. One pot may have to serve lemonade. But I kept getting stuck on a menu. What to do, what to do??

Then I got up this morning and when I checked Facebook to see what everybody was up to, I saw this in my Pyrex Passion Facebook group.

I just bought this exact bowl last week. This reminded me that we are still in the midst of fall and my house is decorated for fall and Halloween. So now I am thinking I may need to do a Harvest theme. I've been checking out my Pyrex this morning and I have some great fall pieces that I could use for serving. 

Plus I have a lot of wicker baskets, which reminds me of fall. Not to mention my new fall tablecloth and centerpiece along with a new milk glass serving tray and my ghost cookie jar That I could incorporate for the theme.

My coffee table in the living room is already fixed for fall and I could place some mints and nuts in the little candy dishes on it. 

I guess I will be visiting Pinterest for some fall food ideas. I want something simple and easy that doesn't have to be fixed at the last minute. Maybe something in a crock pot or some finger foods. I will have to decide soon.

Any thoughts on food ideas would be appreciated!

Loving Beth Moore

My sister and I were talking the other day about our mutual love of Beth Moore and her bible studies. My sister is currently attending one on The Beloved Disciple. The first one I ever attended was A Heart Like His: A Study of King David. I have also attended one on Jesus the One and Only as well as Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman. 

 

Beth holds your attention with every word she speaks. Whether she is using a bible situation to bring you closer to God or sharing a personal time of her life to teach you that we are all human, she can bring tears to your eyes and laughter to your soul. She sprinkles her stories with humor and seriousness. For those of you who have never heard or seen Beth in action, I thought I would share one of my favorite video clips from one of her meetings. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.