White Chocolate . . . Yum!!!

     September 22nd was a very special day. Not only is it the first day of the Fall season it was National White Chocolate Day. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate this day?! I had so much going on that I didn’t get a chance to celebrate on the official day so I’m going to celebrate today. On my birthday. And I’m not one to pass by a reason to celebrate especially if it includes chocolate.

     White Chocolate didn’t officially become part of the chocolate family until 2004 but it’s been around since 1930. Me? I don’t care when it became part of the chocolate family, I’m just glad Nestle created it.
     My two favorite chocolates are White Chocolate (bet you didn’t guess that) and dark chocolate. To celebrate National White Chocolate Day I’m combining these two great flavors into one delicious treat – Dark Chocolate Brownies with White Chocolate Chunks. 

  

Ingredients

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 ounces good-quality white chocolate (such as Lindt or Baker’s), cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Yield - Makes 16 brownies

   
   Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 8-inch square baking pan. Stir chocolate and butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Cool to room temperature.

I used Baker's Unsweetened Chocolate

Combine 2/3 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt in small bowl. Whisk 1 cup sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in medium bowl until mixture is very thick, about 3 minutes. Whisk in melted chocolate mixture, then flour mixture. Stir in white chocolate. Transfer to prepared pan.

I used Baker's White Chocolate

 Bake brownies until tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 28 minutes. Transfer brownies in pan to rack; cool completely then cut.

YUMMY for my tummy!!

Thanks for visiting with me at "Down Home at Dee's"

Deana

Halloween Creation

     A couple of years ago at JoAnn Fabrics I found directions for making a really great Halloween Mesh Wreath. I’ve been planning on making this wreath since then but just never got to it. Mostly because by the time I’m in the Halloween spirit the craft stores are already into the Christmas season and I couldn’t get the material I needed to make it. This year I’m trying to be proactive and get my stuff done early. 

     I didn’t follow the direction exactly as they were written since I always put my own creative spin on what I make.  Here’s a list of what I used and where I got it from along with the link for the directions from JoAnn’s. 

Materials
1 roll of large black mesh with orange, green and purple stripes – Walmart
18” metal wreath frame – Walmart
Halloween picks – Michael’s (I didn’t use the pumpkins)
3 rolls of ribbon – orange, green and purple – Michael’s
Floral Wire – Walmart
Scissors
Wire Cutters
Bowdabra – purchased a long time ago and don’t remember where
Directions – JoAnn’s

     Attach the end of the mesh roll to the back of wire frame at a cross section. Take the mesh to the front side of the frame, skip a cross section then secure using floral wire. Switch the mesh to the back and secure using floral wire, skipping a cross section. Do this twice around the wire frame. The second time around the mesh should attach to a skipped cross section. Basically you are going to attach mesh to every other cross section for two rounds. 

Tie ribbon around wreath where the mesh is attached to the front to hide the floral wire. Then insert Halloween picks into the bows.

Place the rest of the Halloween picks around wreath and add a ribbon bow.

 

  I made my bow with the Bowdabra. You can tell by the box I’ve had the Bowdabra for many years but I really haven’t used it.  I was at a festival, saw a vendor using hers and decided it was time I pulled mine out. You can get the Bowdabra from Amazon, Michael’s, JoAnn Fabrics Fabrics and Hobby Lobby. It is definitely worth getting if you plan on making bows and really easy to use. I watched several YouTube videos on how to use it that were great.

      This wreath is another project I plan on entering into the County Fair next year. I’m working on my list. One project at a time.

Thanks for visiting with me at "Down Home at Dee's"

Deana

Getting Ready for the Holidays!!!

    The first day of Fall just passed and I'm already talking about the Holiday season? Really?! I know you're thinking "Geez! She's rushing the seasons." 
     Well, it’s like this. I am always behind when it comes to getting ready for the Holidays. Every year I tell myself “This year I’m gonna be on top of it.” And I'm not. The season gets underway and I feel rushed and off-balance. I have that constant stress of feeling like I'm always behind and need to catch up. I get overwhelmed. Mainly because I don’t have a plan of action. It’s amazing how much a plan can help. For me anyways. Probably because I’m ADHD and have a hard time keeping my focus. A plan and/or a checklist really helps me keep on track.

     I was doing some web surfing and I came across a website called Organized Home where there are several getting ready for the Holidays plans. Each plan is designed to fit different needs. I am really excited about finding this website. I don’t have to create a my own plan I’m going to use theirs. I’ll tweak  it to fit my needs but this will be a great starting point.
     I’ve signed up for the email and Facebook prompts to help me stay motivated and started printing out my notebook for the year. Of course, I found this plan after it started so it turns out I’m about 3 weeks behind but I think if I work the current week and fit a past week in at the same time I should be able to catch up.
     I am hoping that by following this plan I will not only be ready for the Holidays but have my home organized and ready for the New Year. I’m not a complete mess when it comes to having my house organized but I’m not exactly in tip-top shape either. I really want to make my space more workable because I tend to have anxiety when I feel overwhelmed and crowded. Maybe this plan will get me motivated. We’ll see. One week at a time.
   If you’d like to join me on this Holiday Organization Adventure here’s the link to the website. 

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/

    I chose to do the Holiday & House Plan to see how that works for me. Let me know which plan you choose and how it’s going for you. I’ll be back with my progress as the weeks go by and look forward to hearing how you are doing. Good luck and have fun!!

Thanks for visiting with me at “Down Home at Dee’s”
Deana

Scarecrow Burlap Wreath

     I'm already working on getting projects done for the County Fair next year. With the list I have there's NO WAY I can wait until the last minute! I'm going to enter this into the  Handcrafts – Wreath (Artificial Material) category. 
     In my excitement of making the wreath, I was almost done before realizing that I didn't do pictures showing how I made it. But I am making another wreath similar so I'll give a tutorial then. Just in case you'd like to give making a wreath like this a try. It's super easy. So easy that even someone who thinks they aren't "crafty" can do it. I promise.  It's the first burlap wreath I've made and I'm really quite tickled with it.

     My year round decor is sunflowers, pumpkins and scarecrows and this wreath fits in quite nicely I think. 

Thanks for visiting with me at “Down Home at Dee’s”

Deana

Nuts!! Well . . . Peanuts!!

     Today is National Peanut Day! Did you know that there are over 300 practical uses for peanuts? I didn't either. George Washington Carver discovered that peanuts can be used in shampoo, fuel, dyes and flour. But here's the sad part. Historians believe that George Washington Carver  never tasted a PB & J. Really?! How can anyone go through life without tasting one of the most loved sandwiches? A good peanut butter and jelly is at the top of my list.

     To celebrate National Peanut Day why not make a snack using another favorite combo – peanut butter and chocolate. I whipped up a quick batch of Peanut Butter Squares. Not only are these easy to make they are very tasty. Hope you enjoy!!

Peanut Butter Square

1 cup butter cut in chunks
2 cups flour

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup chocolate chunks
Chopped peanuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375°

Mix butter, flour and brown sugar until well blended. Press evenly into sprayed 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden. Cool.

Melt peanut butter with chocolate chips (2 to 3 minutes on Medium [50%] in the microwave). Stir well to blend. Spread over cooled base. If desired, sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Cover and refrigerate until firm. Cut into squares or fingers. 

     Take a few minutes, relax, eat some of this delicious treat in celebration of National Peanut Day. 

Thanks for visiting with me at “Down Home at Dee’s”

Deana

The County Fair

     The last several of years I’ve helped at the Shenandoah County Fair in the Exhibit Hall for Photography Judging. And every year I tell myself I am going enter some of my photos and other items I’ve made for judging. This year I finally did just that. I entered ten photos, three quilted projects and five sewing projects.
     To my great excitement I won some ribbons. I received four ribbons for my photos and eight ribbons for my quilting and sewing projects. I ended up with a Best in Show, seven 1st place ribbons, four 2nd place ribbons and one third place. I won $36 in prize money.
     Next year is the Shenandoah County Fair’s 100th Anniversary which is a big deal. I’ve decided that for the Anniversary I’m going to enter a whole lot more items. I’ve already looked over the categories and started making a list of what I want to make. Chances are I won’t get everything done because I’ve got quite a long list. But there’s a saying that applies to my goal – “Shoot for the Moon and you’ll land among the Stars”.  I’m shooting for the Moon so I can land among the Stars. 
 
My list is as follows – 

Handcrafts –

Doll
Doll Clothing – Machine Stitch
Door Decoration (Wooden)
Door Decoration (Misc.)
Door Decoration
Fabric Decoration
Painted Design on Wood
Recycled Item
Scrapbook – 2 pages
Wooden Entry
Wreath – Artificial Material
Wreath – Holiday
Wreath (Other)
Misc. Hand Craft Entry 

Handwork - Counted Cross Stitch
Holiday Decoration
Picture, Framed, Small (worked area 8” x 10” & under)
Picture, Framed, Large (worked area over 8” x 10”) 

Machine Work – Garments
Active wear, shorts
Active wear, shorts set
Apron
Blazer, Other Fabric
Blazer, Unlined
Blouse, Dressy
Blouse, Sleeveless
Child’s Dress
Child’s Nightwear
Dress, Casual
Dress, Dressy
Dress, Sundress
2-Piece Ensemble
Holiday Costume
Jacket, Unlined
Nightwear, gown
Skirt, Lined
Slacks
Misc. Garment Entry
Skirt, Unlined 

Machine – Garment Accessory
Handbag, Tote
Handbag, Regular
Misc. Garment Accessory 

Machine – Home Accessory
Applique – Wall Hanging
Applique – Pillow
Applique (Misc.)
Holiday Decoration
Napkins (Set of 4)
Placemats (Set of 4)
Quilted Accessory
Quilted – Twin & Under
Quilt – Over Twin
Table Runner
Misc. Home Accessory

     I have 51 items on my list. Whew!! That’s a whole lot. I definitely am shooting for the Moon. But I think can do it. Maybe.  Well, you can eat an elephant one bite at a time. This list of projects is my elephant and each one I complete will be a bite. I think I'm going to have fun trying to eat this elephant. I already have some projects started so it’s just a matter of finishing them up. There are projects that I already planned on making and have most, if not all, of the materials. The last category is the “I don’t have a clue what I’m going to do” so I’m just going to figure it out as I go. I will have a lot of fun doing that too.
     A habit I do have is I get all excited about something, go all out, then lose steam and quit.  Then I get upset at myself for not finishing a goal I set. I know I have a whole lot of items on this list and realistically I won’t get them all done. But if I can complete half or even a quarter of these projects then I’m doing great. I have to give myself permission that it’s ok if I don’t complete them all. For me to use this list as a guide not as a “must do”. However many projects I get done I’ll have a good time putting them in the fair and see how well I do.
     As I complete a project I’m crossing it off my list. I’m going to keep track of which projects I get done here. This is going to be a very busy year. I hope that you’ll come back and give me feedback on the projects I get done. I’d love to have some opinions on my work.
     Come join me in eating an elephant, one bite at a time.

Thanks for visiting with me at "Down Home at Dee's"

Deana