Loonies for Lindor Fundraising Crop

Wow, the time is flying by and our major fundraiser for Autism Dog Services on April 6 will be here in no time. I'm happy to report that the Crop is SOLD OUT with 92 participants and a waiting list. It's always a relief when the crop is full and I know how much product to get ready and how many tables to order etc. There is a lot of work that has been taking place behind the scenes so I thought I would share a sneak peak without giving too much away.

Lots of colouring and card prep. The completed card sets and card kits have always been very popular so I try to keep making them until the big day. At the same time, though there are many other details including Donation Requests so we can have the very best raffle table possible. That's what I'm up to later today.

Although I would prefer to stay home and card prep, the other parts of organizing a major event need to be done as well. I should mention this year our mini theme is LEMON, although you've probably already figured that out.

There are so many adorable puppies coming into the program. It's an expensive venture getting these guys ready to go out and work as Service dogs so we hope to raise our highest amount yet at this year's Event.

Almond Cookies

When I was down in Florida, I wanted to check out the Sam's Club because we no longer have one here in Ontario. BOO! I don't know what possessed me but I ended up buying a Club pack of Almonds with the brown edges. I'm not sure what they are called but they are sometimes hard to find here and nuts are so expensive right now. So of course, I had to find some way to start using up this large package of almonds. I found this recipe on the Internet and even though glazing takes a bit of extra time, it's worth it and the little nut rosette on top looks so pretty on your Christmas platter. And the extra almond flavour is delish!

Glazed Almond Cookies
1 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp almond extract
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Glaze
1 cup icing sugar
1 tsp almond extract
3 tsp water

Cream butter and sugar and extract. Add dry ingredients.
Roll in to balls and bake at 350F.  10 minutes or so
When cookies are slightly warm, cover with glaze and decorative nut arrangement.
Freezes well.

Gluten Free Granola

You need to take out a bank loan and make this granola. Seriously, even though the ingredients add up just a spoonful or two on your yogurt turns it into a delicious treat worthy of being called dessert instead of breakfast. I'm sure you could substitute your favourite nuts etc. Thank you, Janice for turning me onto Greek yogurt and this yummy granola.

Gluten Free Granola

1 cup of each of the following:
- chopped pecans
- sliced almonds
- slivered almonds
- pumpkin seeds
- sunflower seeds
- shredded unsweetened coconut 

1/4 cup of butter (melted)
1/4 cup of honey

1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves

1.  Preheat the oven to 325F
2.. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Melt the butter in a pan over low heat and slowly stir in the honey.
4.  Pour the liquid ingredients over the nut mixture and stir well.
5.  Spread the contents over a large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
6.  Bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overbake!
7. Stir after the first 15 minutes.
8. Allow to cool completely then store in airtight containers. (it will crisp up as it cools)

You may add craisins in the last 5 minutes of baking.

Before baking

After baking

Honey Beer Bread

 I know it seems like I'm not making any cards but in fact, I'm prepping TONS of them but they are for the upcoming Loonies for Lindor fundraiser so I can't let the cat out of the bag.

Bread with soup is a must and when one of the gals (Robin) made this at our week away, I thought it was just delicious and couldn't believe how easy it is to make. It's best served warm but delicious later as well.

It's puffy, buttery and has that yeasty taste without all the kneading and waiting. I will definitely be making this regularly.

Honey Beer Bread

3 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup honey
1 bottle (12 ounces) of beer
4 Tbsp butter, melted

Pre-heat oven to 350F. Grease a 9x5x3 pan.

Whisk dry ingredients. Slowly pour beer and honey into the flour mixture and stir until combined.
(slightly warm honey in microwave so its easier to pour).

Pour half the melted butter in the bottom of pan. Then add batter on top and brush the rest of the butter evenly.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Super easy and delicious recipe.

It doesn't get much easier then this.

Dutch Meatball Soup

This was a classic growing up and it is especially handy to have in the freezer on days like this. The thermometer is still reading minus 22C at 930am.
It's a pretty simple recipe but you need to get the ingredients from the Dutch store. And you need to be able to read a bit of Dutch or find a package that has the English translation on it.
I'll spell it out for you, just in case you want to make it yourself.

*I usually make a double batch

You need these ingredients. Dutch Vegetables (2) Vermicelli (1/2 pack) and Vegetable soup (2)

Boil amount of water on package. Meanwhile mix lean ground beef, a few bread crumbs and salt and pepper and make tiny meatballs and drop into water. Boil for about half an hour.

Then add soup mix and vegetables and one can of tomato paste. If you want more noodles add a bit of Vermicelli but remember it puffs up a lot.

Enjoy immediately or freeze for future consumption. Eet smakelijk!

An Evening of Card Making

I recently spent an lovely evening of Card making with my local Stampin Up Instructor. Thanks Micheline. It was my first time attending such an event and as I'm not that familiar with the products, it was fun to see what's new in the catalogues and learn some new techniques.


I adored the coloured and printed vellum that this card used.

This card used a fun froggie and the best part was that the clear hearts could be coloured with markers! Who knew?

I loved the layering technique of this next card and the coloured image was beautiful also...

The next card used a beautiful die and lovely foil paper. I left it kind of plain as I'm not sure how I will use it so I haven't added a sentiment and additional hearts yet....

The background is a really subtle embossing folder. Hard to see in the photo.

So lots of fun and I'm looking forward to trying this again.

Nineteen in Nineteen and a recipe

Well I'm finally getting around to thinking about my Nineteen in Nineteen. I was considering not doing it this year as it keeps getting longer, but its fun to refer to over the year and I look back on them to see how I did.

So a couple of my goals last year were a little unrealistic eg. 100 Blog posts and Participate in 4 challenges a month. Even my book count was a little too high so I've redone what I think is a bit of a challenge but also doable.

I've already started the year off by finishing 2 books, I've got 10 on request from the library and I'm currently reading this one...

I'm only a few chapters in and I think its going to be excellent. Sam was born with a rare genetic condition that resulted in red eyes. That's all I'm going to say about that but I think its a rare jewel like Wonder. With a strong start, I think I can meet this year's goal of 40 books. I'd also like to participate in a Readathon which I think is just basically laying around all weekend and giving yourself permission to ignore the chores and read.

I also would like to instigate a bit of a cleaning routine. This one looks like it is pretty straight forward....

Some of them are so complicated, forget it. I'd be spending hours everyday with 2 shedding dogs. I also want to try and not leave dishes in the sink. My dishwasher is broken and I don't want to replace until I redo kitchen so it's a challenge to not let them drip dry.

You can read my other goals on the sidebar if you're interested but another one that I've started already is only use the freezer for main meal item and other things if possible for the month of January. Early in the year, I cleaned out and organized it with oldest items up front and its been working great now that I know what's in there and I don't grab meat etc just because its on sale. It will be interesting if it lowers my grocery bill. Which leads me to turkey... I usually have one or two on hand but I've cooked them up and had a lot of chopped meat left over which I used up in this yummy casserole..

Turkey Noodle Casserole

2 cups of cubed turkey or chicken
1 condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream (light is ok)
chopped onions/mushrooms/red pepper (optional)
1/2 cup frozen peas
salt and pepper to taste
I add at least a cup of milk or water as it tends to dry out in a large open casserole
16 ounces of egg noodles, cooked

Mix all together and place in a greased 9x13 baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or you can freeze unbaked (but then you'd be back to having another freezer item to use up, lol)

You could put some buttered breadcrumbs on top or crushed Ritz crackers but I thought it was already decadent enough.


I should also say that I'm running another major Fundraiser in April for Autism Dog Services so a lot of my time and energy will be dedicated to that.