Cheesecake Christmas Tree

While in New York City a few years ago we visited a place called Junior's that makes the "Most Fabulous Cheesecake", AND sold a cookbook with many cheese cake recipes.  For Christmas this  year I decided to make one.

Under their section "Celebration Cheesecakes" was a Christmas Tree.  Perfect!!  You didn't even have to make a crust.

I sprinkled it with Christmas Green Sugar and used M & M's for bulbs.

A little whipped cream for garland and presto!!!

And it was delicious!!!

Child's knitted sweater

This pattern was called 'tiny tea leaves cardigan' and it was designed by Melissa LaBarre.  The site is:
                    http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/tiny-tea-leaves-cardigan.html

The yarn is from Knit Picks, the Swish Worsted in Lava Heather.

http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Swish_Worsted_Yarn__D5420153.html

It's a very cute stylish sweater for a child.

Here is the finished product.  Ally is 3 yo and she should be able to wear it for several years.  I made size four.  The pattern goes up to size 12.

Yo-J Homemade

I like to make this homemade Yo-J for my grandchildren.  The Kemps brand Yo-J they sometimes bring smells really gross so I decided to try some with fresh fruit (instead of fruit flavors, whatever that is).

1 1/2 cup full fat yogurt like Brown Cow (kids need fat for their brains to grow)
1/2 cup coconut milk (you may need more if it gets too thick)
2 cups of fresh or frozen fruit (you can put thru a fine mesh strainer to get seeds out of you are serving in a sippy cup)
Protein Whey (optional)

                                                             Delicious!!!!!

Here are the ingredients in Kemps Yo-J.  Mine is sweeter without added sugar.  What is Artificial Color red 40 anyway and how do they make it????

Kemps Yo-J Strawberry
A smooth and refreshing mix of yogurt and fruit juice and featuring a strawberry flavor

Ingredients

Nonfat Yogurt (Cultured Skim Milk), Water, Sugar, Strawberry Flavor [Juice Concentrates (Strawberry, Pear), Natural Flavor, Artificial Color (Red 40)], Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Xanthan Gum, Rebiana (A Sweetener), Vitamin D3.

Perfectly Easy Dinner Rolls

I love to cook and on Thanksgiving I like to make everything from scratch.   For many years I have failed at making the dinner rolls, even with repeated efforts.  This year I found a recipe that actually worked for me on food.com.
                        http://baking.food.com/recipe/perfectly-easy-dinner-rolls-107026

They were delicious too!!

Minnesota Felted Mittens

These felted mittens are made of mohair/wool and are the warmest things ever and easy to make.

Quilted Casserole Carrier

I found this 50's fabric and just had to make something.

This casserole carrier makes a nice little gift for a wedding shower.

So I machine quilted it with my walking foot....

You cut pattern after the quilting is done.

Use bought bias or make your own.

Lastly, make the handles and sew all together.

The pattern has an oblong and a smaller two quart carrier. I found that if you just make the bigger oblong one, two quart dishes with work it it also.

                                     http://www.sewbaby.com/shopbaby/index.php

Peasant Dress

I had this old fabric I don't even remember when or where I got it. It is a Daisy Kingdom print called "Raggedy Ann & Andy Outline"

I found this peasant dress/blouse pattern I wanted to try and the fabric seem lightweight and would work.

I had to modify the sleeves......

and lengthen the skirt. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Here's it done in a different fabric. I think this would be so cute with a pair of cowgirl boots.

Nap Mat

I was looking for something for my three grandchildren who are toddlers and a preschooler, to nap on the floor. I was surprised at how expensive the really cute ones were so I decided to make my own. I decided to make them about 24 X 60 and divided them into three 20 inch sections with the end one stuff more for a pillow. I bought two yards of fleece that was wide enough to fold in half.

I also bought "extra loft" batting. This is how I did it. I folded the fleece in half and cut it 25 X 61 so I'd have a 1/2 inch seam. I made two lines marking the three 20 inch sections. Then I layered the batting inside the fleece and pinned it like a quilt.

I made two 24 inch ties folded in half, to put and the head of my mat so I can roll it up and tie it. (Make it longer if you want a bow.) I next pinned the seams and top stitched using my walking foot,

about 1/4 inch all around the mat. Then I sewed my two seams on top marking the 20 inch sections. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Beach Robes

I found this amazing beach robe pattern and just had to buy it and make it for my grandchildren. The pattern was purchased from www.dana-made-it.com. I found this cute fabric with little fish on it in two colors and bought the towels from Ikea.





I think the final result is adorable.

Cherry Wine Jelly

A while back my sister Deb and I went to Door County in Wisconsin. While there, we took a wine tour and did a little tasting. They make all kinds of wine including cherry wine made from the famous cherries they grow.




Today I finally got around to make that Cherry Wine Jam.



Here is the recipe:

3 1/2 cups wine (which is a whole 750 ml bottle)
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 (2 oz) pkg dried pectin
4 1/2 cups sugar

Technique:

Combine wine, lemon juice and pectin in a large pot. Bring to a boil frequently stirring. Add sugar and stir until all the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has come to another boil. Boil hard for one minute and continue stirring. Remove from heat and skim off foam if necessary. (I put a tsp of butter in my mixture to prevent foam, seems to work).

Ladle hot jelly into prepared sterilized jars and top with two piece lids. Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes.



I found some free downloadable labels for the top of my jars at this site.
                    https://www.box.com/shared/ovqfde97mj