NANA DIANA'S CARAMELS--EASY PEASY-NO FAIL RECIPE

Every couple of years I post

this recipe because people

LOVE IT!

AND- you can't screw it up.

 When I was a kid,

 my mother

often whipped up a batch 

of fudge from scratch

after the chores were done

on a snowy Pennsylvania night.

I make caramels instead.

As you can tell, I love to bake

and make candy.

I don't know how many 

caramel recipes I have tried

over the years.

Some of them called for

stirring for what seemed hours

and then...

they might or might not

"turn out".

These are quick!

Less than 10 minutes from

start to finish AND they

NEVER FAIL 

to set up properly.

I am not sure how these would 

turn out if you have an old

low wattage microwave.

I think most of them are at least

1000 watts now.

I have made them in 1000W,

1200W & 1500W mics

and the timing is the same.

Ready?

Get yourself a nice big 

microwave measuring cup.

I use an 8 cup one.

Make sure it is microwave safe.

Before I start-

One warning-

You CANNOT double this recipe.

You would have to make two batches

if you want more.

Everything that is measured out

is in 1/2 cup increments.

Melt 1/2 cup butter.

Remove from microwave.

Add 1/2 cup Karo syrup,

1/2 cup light brown sugar,

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup sweetened CONDENSED MILK

(not evaporated milk)

Stir until mixed and dissolved.

Microwave on high 3-1/2 minutes.

Stir down.

Microwave on high 3-1/2 more minutes.

Remove from mic.  Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts-if desired- I don't.

Stir until few air bubbles remain.

Pour into 8x8 buttered dish.

Refrigerate until set.

Cut into squares.

You can wrap these if they last long enough.

Ours never seem to make it to the

wrapped stage!

Serve these to your husband.

Make sure he eats twice as many

as you do.

Remember- the fatter he gets

the skinnier you look

standing next to him!;>)

If you do have some left to wrap

they make a perfect little 

take-along gift in a pretty 'card box',

like the post before this with the fudge in it.

CHRISTMAS ON THE COAST--AND I AM IN WISCONSIN BECAUSE????

Well, this is NOT

the Michigan coast

that we live on.

Green Bay is actually on the
bay across the peninsula
from Lake Michigan.

But this post is not taken from this area.

Our Christmas Coast

looks cold and angry here.

That means that I am always longing

for the warm, beachy

Christmas that is found

on a Southern coast.

Sometimes I dream
that I am actually living
in the South again..
where it warm and sunny
year round.

But today I am content
to find these images
in an old 
Coastal Living

and dream my own little

dreams about actually

living there.

Look at the view

from this living room.

The dining room is equally awesome.

And the deck.

Now I'm not saying that this

is STAGED...but did you notice

that the same RUG that is

under the dining room table

now appears on the deck?

Hmmm...or maybe they have

two identical rugs?
And two identical trees with
the ornaments switched up a bit?

I have to tell you that

when I lived in Florida

in the 70's, and again in the 80's.

that shell encrusted pieces

were considered kind of

um..I hate to say it..tacky.

But tastes change

and there are people that would

love to have this shell covered chest.

Don't you just love beachy keen

feeling in that bedroom?

And, what

Coastal Home is complete

a

Gingerbread Lighthouse?

And,  personally, being

a former

MERMAID myself,

 I LOVE these cookies.

Do you think every sailor

is always looking for his

own personal mermaid?

Whaddaya mean you don't

think I used to be a

MERMAID?

Really?

Well, then, here's the proof!

What?

You don't believe that's me?

Well....you know what I have to

say to that?

Glubbb...glubbb...glubbb...

which translates (roughly)

to ..............

oh-never-mind

I will back in a day or two

with a special

GINGERBREAD BOY

idea for you.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS CARD BOXES FULL OF PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

 I have done a post about this before

 

but I wanted to do it again

just in case you need a

Little sumthin/sumthin 

 

to give as a little gift.

AND you can use those beautiful boxes

that Christmas cards come in---

you know the ones that are so pretty

you don't want to throw them out.

Here is a use for them.

It's the sweetest little gift ever!

This is 

THE EASIEST HOMEMADE

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

ever.

I wish I could tell you where

I got the recipe but I can't remember.

Here's how to take the box below
and turn it into a 

special gift.

Don't you hate to throw them away

because they have such pretty

"faces"?

They make wonderful little

Candy Boxes.

Open the box and line it with tin foil.

Butter the tin foil.

Then make this:

In pan over medium heat melt

2 sticks of butter

When melted stir in 

1 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy.

Like this.

Stir in one teaspoon REAL vanilla.

Add 2-3/4 cups CONFECTIONERY SUGAR

(not granulated)

(That old tin scoop belonged to my Mom-Good Housekeeping 1954)

I beat it quickly with a hand mixer

(it sets up fast) 

and then pour it into the 

buttered foil lined box.

Put it in the fridge to harden

and as soon as it sets up

lift it out and wrap it in 

parchment paper,

then wrap it with a piece

of ribbon and place it

back in the box.

 I pick up knives all year here and there
and include one in each box.

The fudge stays fresh
until they cut it.

Put the lid on and it presents

like this when opened.

 

Recipe:

SMOOTH AND EASY

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

2 sticks butter

1 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

2-3/4 cups confectionery sugar

In saucepan:

Melt butter

Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.

Use hand mixer and quickly

mix sugar in. It sets up fast.

Place in tinfoil lined box and

set in fridge until hard.

This is the smoothest peanut

butter candy I have ever made.

This recipe makes two card boxes 

full OR 1 8x8 buttered pan.

It's quick, easy and just
a sweet little surprise.

Save a few pieces for your friends.

 Let them eat this while you sip

black coffee or diet Coke.

Remember...

The fatter THEY get the 

THINNER YOU LOOK

next to them!

It's nice to have some

HEALTHY SNACKS 

this time of year, too.

HAPPY CANDY MAKING!

I am almost finished shopping!

Whooo Hoooo for me!

As to what happened to the spacing

on this thing?

It's a mystery to me...and one I can't seem to fix.

Yes-thank you- I AM blonde!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Wishing You All

A Beautiful

And Blessed

Happy Thanksgiving

Now WHERE did that

turkey get to?
He knows we have a date!

 

PLEASE have a SAFE

THANKSGIVING!

We will be joining family via

ZOOM this year.

I am thankful that we are all 

virus free this year.

Praying for all of you that 

have had losses this year.

My heart aches for you.

See you soon with

Christmas Cheer!!!!

PICK YOUR FAVORITE THANKSGIVING TABLE RESULTS!

 Here we go!

Who is sitting where you ask?

Well---read on!

Here were the choices.

#1-Elegant & Colorful

Katie/Preppy, Penny, Ron(martini in hand-which will make bj VERY happy-trust me), Dawn P, Kim, Gayla, Kris(wants to face away from the mirror-doesn't want to see herself STUFFING herself with stuffing), Fabby, Louise, Dewena, HappyOne, Rita, Jan/Lowcal, Sheri, Julie H, Kathy, Buttercup, bj, and of course, BeachGypsy (insists on dancing and twirling and bringing bells for everyone)-Oh My!

#2-Copper Light

StartingOver, bobbie, Mevely, Melanie,Lynne, Lisa, Vee, KatieIsabella, Unknown, BabblingBrook, Kay(stealing napkins and anything not bolted down)

#3-Green Ivy

Debra/SheWhoSeeks, Dear, dear Gert, Karen, Ginny, BillieJo,Diana, Sylvia, Connie F(Hi Connie!) and Unknown-Unmask at once!

#4-Rustic Plank

Michele, Diane/LavenderDreams (bringing pinecones-okay then), Constance, Doris, Lorrie(2nd Thanksgiving but I won't tell), PamelaS, Doreen-(really wanted to sit at #1 but thought it was impractical), Jettie withBo her comfort pet, Jack&Sherrie(her table pick), BeachGram, Jenn,                Laurie/Heaven'sWalk-(going to make it tropical-which undoubtedly means she will show up in a bikini-and sadly look good in it), Jeanie, Julie, Bonnie, Missy(as long as the candles aren't scented-whine-whine-whine), Judy,Pogonip, Diane, Woody(Hi there-friend of Jack & Sherrie), Pam & Sweet Becky! Oh- and JennythePirate (who has flitted from table to table but finally parked her buTt here)-Lucky you!

#5-Just Plain Fun

A small but OH-SO-FUN group!

Ann, Rose, Carla, Susie & Ceclia

#6 - Refined Roses

Well- Ain't Nobody Sitting Here!

#7-Going For The Gold

Another small intimate group-

MA, Terri D, Liz, Kathy

and last, but not least

#8-Whisper of White

Leena, Nancy (a soul soothing table), Estelle, 

Bless & Denise

I HOPE I didn't misplace anyone (hahaha-get it-mis-place/place setting-)Never Mind!

As always, thank you so much for playing along.  I love doing this and will be doing a Christmas one very soon.

I have been decorating a bit and working outside to dress the condo.  I am sure the people here think I am a bit crazy out there on my ladder.  They wouldn't be far wrong.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

PLEASE STAY SAFE-EVEN IF THAT MEANS STAYING HOME ALONE...WHICH IS JUST WHAT WE ARE DOING THIS YEAR.

PICK YOUR FAVORITE THANKSGIVING TABLE

Well, here we are!

Thanksgiving week is almost upon us.

I have been saving ideas for setting a fine

THANKSGIVING TABLE.

So,

Let's see what our choices are.

If you want to play along pick 

ONE TABLE 

that you would like to be seated at.

Got that?  ONE pick!!!!  lol

Some of you are  kinda naughty 

about picking more than one

you know who you are.

I think I have sources for all of these

this time...Okay-

Ready?

#1

Elegant & Colorful

 Think it's not  a Thanksgiving table?

Look at the place setting~

Southern Living

#2

Copper  Light

Romantic Homes

#3

Green Ivy

DigDigs

#4

Rustic Plank

DigDigs

#5 

Just plain fun!

Looks like MacKenzie Childs 

DigDigs

#6

Refined  Roses

 

DigDigs

-

#7

Going For The Gold

DigDigs

And,

last, but not least,

#8

Whisper White

Martha Stewart

So-There you have it~

Vote for your favorite.

This will be the last 

Pick Your Favorite

I do before I do a Christmas one 

or two or three.

Have fun voting and I will be

back to tally the votes

and tell you who you are sitting with.

I hope everyone has a 

wonderful Thanksgiving planned

even if it is just for you alone.

We are dining alone this year

but will zoom chat with our

connected family 

in the afternoon.

I will be back this coming week with

the results.

Be good--and if you can't be good-

include me!

THE RUMOR HAS BEEN EXAGGERATED. I AM NOT DEAD

 So!  

There you have it~!  

I am alive but have been thinking 

of taking up drinking. 

My good friend, Laurie, 

has offered to help me with the process.

 I want to thank everyone 

that reached out to me 

and asked if everything was OK.  

Everything is good!  

I have been trying 

to get the condo done 

before winter sets in.  

It has been hard to find anyone 

to do final touches because of Covid.  

However, I finally found 

a wonderful young man 

to come in and install light fixtures 

and handrails, etc.  Whoo Hooo.  

We didn't even have 

smoke alarms in the house.  

I have spent all week painting trim.  

All the trim was a dark blackish-brown.  

It is now a sparkling white.  

I am pretty sure it is blessed 

because of all the times 

I called God's name 

while I was painting....just sayin'....  

If you have ever painted windows 

and/or trim-

you know exactly what I am talking about.  

I plan to get back to blogging 

regularly soon.  

My old computer doesn't  work right or

like me anymore  SO

I am now the proud owner of a 

Macbook Pro and I LOVE IT.  

Who said you can't teach 

an old dog new tricks?  

I will soon be sharing 

some Christmas fun 

from the new place 

so please bear with me.  

Plus, I still haven't  had time to figure out 

the new blogger

...and where the heck are my pictures

on the Mac book now?  LOL....

We are still seeking answers 

to John's medical issues 

and I have been very involved 

with that process.  

I need a few more hours in the day.  

Take good care and thanks for

sticking by me as I find my way back!  

Is it too late to do a 

Pick Your Favorite Thanksgiving Table?