I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Off-Topic => Off-Topic: Talk about anything you want. => Topic started by: tamara on December 17, 2006, 02:50:07 AM

Title: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: tamara on December 17, 2006, 02:50:07 AM
I make home made Christmas presents, cookies, chocolates that look like Christmas puddings, trees made out of cookies, etc. When I have them all cooked (By Thursday) I will post pics, but was seeing if I could get some more inspiration from IHD posters or from your families.
Can anybody help me ?
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: Sara on December 17, 2006, 07:11:42 AM
That's so cool, I wish I was crafty like that.
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: Sluff on December 17, 2006, 07:21:41 AM
I make home made Christmas presents, cookies, chocolates that look like Christmas puddings, trees made out of cookies, etc. When I have them all cooked (By Thursday) I will post pics, but was seeing if I could get some more inspiration from IHD posters or from your families.
Can anybody help me ?


I can help by sending you my address...just kidding >:D :)  Anything home made beats store bought.
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: okarol on December 17, 2006, 02:29:37 PM
Every year a friend makes us some Almond Roca - it is WONDERFUL!

Here's the recipe if you're interested...

SIGNE"S ALMOND ROCA RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

1 pound salted butter
2 Tablespoons water
2 cups white sugar
1 1/3 cups blanched slivered almonds (Planter’s makes this exact size)
˝ - -12 oz. package Nestle’s semi-sweet chocolate chips
Finely chopped walnuts


TIPS

I use a 4 qt. quart sauce pan with tall sides, and a flat bottomed wooden spoon to stir.  I wear a mit on my hand to protect from the heat or splatters.  Have the sugar and almonds on the stove within easy reach, because you must stir constantly.  I use a 11 x 16 inch cookie sheet with sides.  Have the cookie sheet set out so that when you take the candy off the burner you can immediately pour.  I have the cookie sheet sitting on a wire rack because the candy is so hot.

DIRECTIONS

•   Melt butter with water on highest burner
•   Add sugar and stir for 5 minutes
•   Keep burner on High throughout and stir constantly!
•   Add almonds and stir until brown as desired.  I find that this is approximately 4 additional minutes.  I take the candy off the burner instantly when it reaches what I call a “flash point” where the candy actually starts to smoke.  There is a fine line after which the candy tastes over done.
•   Pour candy into cookie sheet and even out
•   Let cool a bit until the candy is still warm, but firm to the touch
•   Sprinkle with chocolate chips and let melt
•   Spread chocolate with a spatula like frosting
•   Sprinkle with finely chopped walnuts; pat nuts into the chocolate so that they stick
•   Once the candy is completely cool, I cover tightly with aluminum foil and allow to stand overnight to harden
•   Twist pan so that the candy separates from the edges and can be removed in chunks for chopping
•   On a cutting board use dull knife to chop candy into bite size pieces
•   Store in an air tight container
•   Candy can be frozen if desired
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: kitkatz on December 17, 2006, 02:41:32 PM
I will send me snail mail addy, too.  That is how I can help.   Now i bet you are on the floor laughing at me! :rudolph; :santahat;

No seriously are you packaging them up in tins, or plastic.  Use pretty bows to add color.   My Mom has a great recipe for No bake chocolate coconut somethings.  I will see if I can get it from her.  I made them one year and the dog loved all three dozen.  Unfortunately she also threw them back up for three days!
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: tamara on December 18, 2006, 04:14:42 AM
Pictures of my efforts (sorry some stupid tired dialysis patient with the shakes took them so the focus is a bit iffy )
Made three trees tonight that require 30 biscuits each, then painting then decorating.Gee and I said I would make more, What was I thinking! ( But I will I like doing it but it takes time )
If you all lived closer I would make u all some!
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: Sluff on December 18, 2006, 04:32:25 AM
I never saw a Christmas cookie tree before... looks yummy....how cool!
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: tamara on December 18, 2006, 04:36:47 AM
Thanks Sluff, each one has 30 cookies, with 5 different sizes.Thank god three aredown, now need to make another 3. But that can wait to later in the week...........
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: Hawkeye on December 18, 2006, 07:17:07 AM
That is some nice looking stuff you made there.  Not all homemade x-mas gifts are good though.  I remember one year an aunt of mine gave everyone a homemade ornament that was just a dried out orange slice.  Everyone just kinda looked at her as if to say WTF is this.  I know her heart was in the right place, but nobody kept them very long because they started getting moldy.
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: Sara on December 18, 2006, 08:28:53 AM
Those look great Tamara!
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: mallory on December 18, 2006, 08:42:39 AM
Tamara, Those are really great.  I made one of those trees once, it was really hard, you are very talented to make all of those, and the chocolates are beautiful.  Good job!
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: angieskidney on December 18, 2006, 12:24:24 PM
That tree is beautiful!! I have over clay to make homemade gifts myself thanks to someone here in IHD (I don't know who lol). Home made gifts are cool because they truely come from the heart!  :cuddle; I LOVE that tree!!
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: jbeany on December 18, 2006, 12:35:04 PM
ohhh - that looks yummy!
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: kitkatz on December 18, 2006, 01:32:51 PM
Those look good.  Ship some this way. LOL
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: charee on December 18, 2006, 03:53:59 PM
They look great you must be very crafty, it seems a shame to eat them... :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: Ohio Buckeye on December 18, 2006, 04:08:24 PM
Those are so nice.  Looks like lots and lots of work.
I'm sure they are much appreciated.
I remember years ago I used to bake a lot at Christmas and give out
cookie gifts to friends, etc. but now I'm doing good to make one kind of cookie.
This yr. I haven't even done that.
I did make my grandson an ornament tho. 
It is round ceramic and has his name on one side with a snowman.
On other side has a ginger bread man.
Then signed it Grandma Evans, 2006.

Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: tamara on December 18, 2006, 04:23:04 PM
Grandma Evans thats so cool, I think that will be cherished forever.....................

Can you tell I love Christmas, Allan even said to me he loves me more this time of year, cause he sees how I get involved and get the Christmas Spirit happening.............

Merry Christmas Everbody.................................. :christmastree; :rudolph; :christmastree; :rudolph; :christmastree; :rudolph;
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: goofynina on December 18, 2006, 10:11:30 PM
Tamara, that tree is amazing, and to think it is edible, makes it even more better ;)  You are gifted girlfriend,  do you make anything else?  any certain crafts you may make? 
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: tamara on December 19, 2006, 02:38:33 AM
As long as its got food in it I'm crafty LOL, yes we have an obsesssion for food in our family, hey we have 5 chefs, so it has to have  rubbed off!

Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: paris on December 19, 2006, 06:00:27 PM
They look wonderful.  How much fun!  I bet everyone wants to be your friend so you will make a tree for them!
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: tamara on December 19, 2006, 11:47:46 PM
Actually, this is the 1st year of the tree making experience and only one of my sisters has seen them.

But I can see my other relo's giving orders for them  next year !
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: Joe Paul on December 20, 2006, 01:12:58 AM
Very nice Tamara, you have talent for sure!
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: jbeany on December 25, 2006, 12:44:21 PM
My homemade gifts for the year - I made quilts for my friend, her sister, and their 4 kids.  My friend's mother passed away 2 years ago.  Another family member took most of her mother's clothes, but she saved a handful of pj's and nightgowns.  She gave them to me, and I made quilts out of them.
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: tamara on December 25, 2006, 01:59:07 PM
jbeany love your quality control !
Title: Re: Home Made Christmas Gifts
Post by: Hawkeye on December 26, 2006, 06:54:14 AM
Very cool quilts, and with meaning behind them too.  They must have loved them.