Thanksgiving Tarts and Mincemeat Traditions

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving (if you celebrate it) and a great weekend.  I tried to post these pictures a few days ago, but had problems uploading them.  I just wanted to share some pics of my tarts.  I only just managed to take a picture of the last few before family members grabbed them up and finished them off!

 

 

I made my usual mincemeat tarts and then experimented with a few pecan tarts since I made extra pecan pie filling. They aren't quite as cute as the mincemeat ones, but they were really tasty!  Also, by making little tart versions we were able to eat one apiece the night before instead of staring longingly at our pecan pie and telling ourselves we had to wait.  Mmm!

 

Aren't the squirrel silhouettes cute??  They are my favorite little cookie cutters.  We also gave the traditional weaving top a try, but it was so much more effort we stopped after one.  LOL  Also used my acorn, maple leaf and turkey mini cookie cutters. 

 

The mincemeat tarts are a Thanksgiving Tradition in our house, I learned how to make them from my grandmother - if you are interested in trying an old fashioned (and VERY yummy) treat - just buy a jar of mincemeat at the grocery store - should be in the baking and/or holiay section - can be hard to find, but well worth the effort.  I then put it in a sauce pan and finely dice 1 or 2 apples and chop up about a half cup raisins and add to the mix, cook for about 15 min. or so, let cool slightly as you prepare crusts.  I just use ready made crusts normally and cut them to fit the little tart pans, then cut out fun shapes for the tops, brush with milk and sprinkle sugar (you can add some sugar to the mincemeat mixture, too, if you like it extra sweet), and bake at 350F until golden brown on top.  They are great as dessert or for breakfast! 

 

I also use mincemeat at Christmas, but as filled cookies!  I have a post somewhere in here with the cookie recipe - they are the sweetest, yummiest cookies ever and they go SUPER fast so I end up making tons so I can get a chance to eat one myself.  :)  Give it a try if you'd like to be a little Olde England this year.  I promise that these taste really good and not like meat at all.  I always find it funny when someone won't try it because of the name - they are so missing out on a good thing, but that's okay because it means More for Me!  LOL

 

If you have any questions about making mincemeat feel free to ask here.  I think it is a shame that it has fallen out of style and we need to fight to keep it in our Christmas tradition along with other older treats. 

 

Fun Fact - Puritans in England and the American colonies tried to outlaw mincemeat in the 1600's!  There were people called 'mince sniffers' whose job it was to patrol the town seeking out people who baked traditional mincemeat pies!  I'm glad they don't come around anymore - I'd be in trouble.  Check out more here. 

 

Back I go to Christmas decorating - I'm rather ambitious this year despite a really bad back and hip.  I'm not going to let it get me down!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving - or as we sometimes call it Turkey Day! This year we had a far smaller and less stressful holiday. With the main breadwinner out of work still we simply couldn't afford to have people over and cook a huge meal. Not to mention as we are stressed we wanted a bit of peace and quiet. I did decorate the house a wee bit, though...

My fireplace is the main place to see - gourds and (fake) leaves and bittersweet vine. I added our little Indian friends on that side with all the nature - a wood carving, a squirrel, etc...

And on the other side are our Pilgrim friends. They have our candlesticks and metal pinecone. Just a bit of blending of the two sides. :)

I thought it was cute.

We did cook a turkey and the usual sides for ourselves (stuffing, corn pudding, sweet potatoes, etc.) And I made pumpkin and pecan pies as well as a few mincemeant tarts. Most of the canned goods we had leftover from either last year or previous shopping so we didn't have to spend too much. Mincemeat in a jar is the most expensive thing and I had two whole jars left over from last year's sale - still good until next October, can you believe it?

We aren't doing any Black Friday shopping. I did most of my Christmas shopping ahead of time when Borders was closing - got a few books and calendars, etc. I've had them wrapped since August so I'm pretty much ready. Still probably do a tiny bit of shopping, but I must stay on budget. I'm hoping things take a turn for the better next year!

And I'd like to close with saying I'm thankful for every one of you who comments and shares here on my blog and on their own blogs as well as all the wonderful people who buy an item or two from the Etsy shop. Thank you and may you have a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

November Inspiration - Etsy Update

Hello, sorry to have been so quiet lately. I've been busy and sick - and then sick and busy, etc. I'm working on a commission for an Etsy customer for three Shabby Sheep canvases - each a bit different so they can be hung as a group. The canvases are being very stubborn about the whole thing and I've been tearing my hair out working on them when I feel well enough to, but I am nearly done so yay!

Also - there are a few new items in the shop I'd like to point out. First up - a new set of Thanksgiving/Fall Prim boxes.

This set is the best looking so far, I think. Since each one is handpainted and stenciled and then antiqued and sealed - they never look exactly alike. This one is more matte finish than the last one and I think the colors all over look very nice indeed. I'll gladly keep this one around if it doesn't sell. :)

They are nesting boxes - they store nicely - I also like to keep some of my other holiday decorations inside them and then I know just where they are since the boxes are of the same theme.

They look great individually and stacked up high. I just love the Early American Font that spells out 'Give Thanks' on the top box. The middle box has a sprig of Bittersweet on it and the bottom box has three pumpkins. I also stenciled the backs so there is no true 'back' to them - they look great all around.

Available at my store here.

And I have new jewelry to show off! First up - a Fairy Door necklace! I love fairies (as you probably know from my Fairy houses and also my Fairy silhouette) and this door pendant is so darn cute!

It's a Gothic/Medieval looking door - kind of Hobbit looking - just check out those tiny details! The door hinges, the window, the doorknob, etc.

Available at my store here.

And best of all? It opens up!!

You could put a pinch of glitter inside or a teeny tiny photo maybe. The door has magnetic closure - it doesn't swing open unless you tug on the knob to open. A very nice steampunk/fairy jewelry piece. I've strung it on a similarly colored chain, but you could change that easily enough - maybe a beaded necklace or on velvet or satin ribbon? So cute!

And the typewriter jewelry has a new addition, too!

I found a new setting I like a great deal - it is a bit more substantial than the filigree setting - I love both so much I've posted a necklace in both round settings. This H has the new setting.

You can see larger images at my etsy store, of course.

And here is another of the very popular filigree setting...

I love the letter E and as I was making this it struck me that it could stand for Edward. Yes, I am one of those secret Twilight fans. I like the books better than the movies. I can't help thinking this is an excellent necklace for Twilight fans as it is an old fashioned setting and using the typewriter key - well I'm sure he used one and probably has one in his room still. ;)

Available here.

If you have a Twilight fan you'd like to buy a gift for (or one for yourself!) - this would be a great choice. I could also make one with a B for Bella - or any initial you like. Make sure you convo me asap, though, the popular letters sell out fast. I've already run out of black N keys, but I do have some in white, etc. Just convo me on Etsy or comment here if you are interested.

Happy Thursday!

Shabby style Daybed + Cats, of course

There is a law of the land that states any clean and freshly made bed must be immediately appropriated by any fuzzy animal in the house. As you can see Smokey is making sure I comply fully with this law and not go to jail.

We bought this day bed at a garage sale years ago and it was my main bed for many years until I decided I really wanted to stretch out and have my kitties be able to sleep without getting kicked off so I bought a queen sized bed and put this away in storage. It is currently serving as my sickbed as I still find my own bed inconvenient and on really bad nights I don't want to wake others with moaning and frantic pill hunts plus I can get myself some juice or crackers, etc.


I love the colors - the quilt is new, something my mom bought while I was in the hospital and she wanted me to have fresh sheets and a quilt and be comfortable. Also...she couldn't remember where we'd put the twin sheets and it was either buy new or go bare. lol


Smokey: What on Earth do you mean you didn't just take all that effort to make the bed perfect for me?? You may have forgotten to take your medicine today, just saying... Now go fetch my catnip mouse and a brush and all will be forgotten of your little comments.



blurry pic of one of many little details I love so much they make it so vintage and pretty to me. It's my spare bed, if ever I have my studio finished...ahem, man of the house...I really want it down there so I can rest and straighten my back out like I need to in between projects.


There is no law against having two fuzzy creatures at a time on said bed, but there are times when three is too many or even two if they both try occupy spots too close to each other:

Sorry it isn't a Thanksgiving post, but I may have one tomorrow or so, I'm hoping I'm able to make some very old fashioned treats that I so adore: mincedmeat pies/tarts. They are good, really, don't let the name turn you off, no meat taste at all and I add lovely apples and raisins and my family can't get enough of them.

Actually I probably blogged before about them, but so what? It's all I'm up to making this year besides a salad for the meal. I had to beg off cooking and entertaining this year. I'm lucky and thankful that the surgery is over, if the regular schedule was followed I'd be just released and home and feeling much much worse so I'm grateful for having it over.

Monday Giveaway!!!!!!!

Shake off those Monday Blues and comment here for a chance to win this really cool fall pin with a beautiful fox on it.

Made of Polymer Clay by Stone House Jewelry, it's really a pretty piece and I'd never guess it was made from clay. Measures 2x2" and is really cool. I thought it was really an appropriate Fall giveaway. Giveaway ends this Saturday and will be shipped right away.

I'll be having another giveaway soon after Thanksgiving for a Xmas treat.

So the only rules for this giveaway is leave a comment - any comment on something interesting you've seen/done/wish you had/ etc. or something interesting.

And now for a cute pic I got of one of my kitties at Halloween. Ever try to get a hat on a cat? It isn't easy - I had to bribe him with candy. Naw, just kidding, he was real laid back about the whole thing I just wish all my other pics weren't so blurry.

Thanksgiving at Etsy

If you missed out on the first set of Thanksgiving/Fall boxes, have no fear - there's a new set in the shop right now. Hurry, it's the last one I'll have up for this year.

Gobble Gobble

We had a nice Thanksgiving this year - plenty of food leftover and a whole weekend to relax and recuperate. Below is a picture of the desserts we made - I made little mincemeat pies (on top) and mom made pumpkin and pecan pies.


Check out the little pie toppers on the pumpkin pie - cute!!

Little squirrel and turkeys ready to gobble up acorns pacman style. lol

And we used my favorite sugar bowl and creamer found at a flea market a few years ago.

I just love their little feet - I polish them up every year and use them for the holidays. Coffee, anyone?

And now it's time to pack away the fall decorations and pie tins and haul out the Christmas stuff. I'm looking forward to picking out a tree. Hope everyone has a great weekend!