Opening Soon

Took a drive today to downtown Ottawa and thought you might enjoy these pictures of the Rideau Canal.

It is said to be one of the longest skating rinks in the world. Unfortunately it isn't opened for skating yet because the weather has been mild for the last little while, but come January, it will be bustling with people.

The building in the background is the Chateau Laurier, one of the famous Fairmont Hotels.

Views Of The Canal From The Bridge

This is the walking bridge over the canal.
I took a few pics looking down over the canal.

Baked Apple French Toast

Here is a recipe that serves 8-10 people.
Perfect for breakfast on New Years Day.
I served it for breakfast on Christmas Day and its great because you can prepare it the night before, and just pop it in the oven in the morning when you get up. Here is the recipe for Baked Apple French Toast.

12 eggs
2 cups milk
2 tblsps. vanilla
1/2 cup butter melted
3-4 medium green apples
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tblsp. water
6-10 slices of white, whole wheat, or french bread
cinnamon and sugar

Preheat oven to 350o and grease a 9 x 13 pan
Melt butter and mix in brown sugar and water. Set aside.
Thinly slice apples and evenly place in bottom of pan. Pour the butter and sugar mixture evenly over apples.
Cut the bread slices ( I used french bread) in half and place them over the apples, over lapping slightly, covering the entire dish.
In separate bowl, beat the eggs until light and fluffy.
Pour in the milk and vanilla, mixing until no yokes are showing.
Pour the mixture over the bread, making sure that all is saturated.
Refridgerate overnite and just before baking, sprinkle with a few teaspoons sugar, mixed with cinnamon.
Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes, or until golden.
Serve dusted with icing sugar and warm maple syrop.

Happy Holidays

Christmas Table

Mirrors always give such a nice reflection.

Tea Towel Creations

I found these cute tea towels for a great price, a few months ago and I have been busy making placemats, napkins, and grocery or gift bags with them.

The napkins were made by cutting the tea towel in half and sewing the four edges, with a 1/4" then a 5/8 "seam.

The bags were made by folding the towel in half and sewing the two sides to-gether. Then I did a box pleat to square off the sides, and it defines the bag.I added handles by cutting 2 straps of purchased 2 inch webbing, which can be bought by the yard or meter. You have to sew them very securely , I used an x pattern at the end of each strap on the towel and sewed above and below the x.

For the placemats, I cut the tea towel in half again and ironed on a 1/8" fusible web onto the wrong side of one half of the towel, then with right sides together, I sewed around the edges leaving a 2 -3 inch opening and turned them inside out. You have to stitch the opening by hand and then press.The fusible web gives them a bit of stiffness.

My Dog Billy

Our dog "Billy" is all set for Christmas.

HOT CHOCOLATE CONES

Hot Chocolate Cones

Just filled clear icing or pastry bags with hot chocolate then tied the bag with a clear elastic, and put it inside a second bag. Then added the chocolate chips and topped with the mini marshmallows.
Yum! Makes great gifts for teachers, neighbors, and children of all ages.

Chocolate Chip Date Cake

Chocolate Chip Date Cake
Another recipe passed down from my mother-in-law. Delicious and easy to make. Here is the recipe:
1 cup chopped dates
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup boiling water
Pour water over dates and soda and cool.
1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tblsp. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
1 pkg. semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
Cream butter and sugar well and add eggs, vanilla and date mixture. Mix together. Add dry ingredients and half the pkg. of chocolate chips. Put in 8x8 greased pan. Cover top with remaining chocolate chips and walnuts. Bake 325F for 40-50 min or until nicely browned.

Melt in your mouth shortbread cookies

Here is a recipe for shortbread cookies that my mother in law past down to me years ago and it is a tradition to make them every year in our family.
Just wouldn't be christmas without them!

Shortbread Cookies

1 lb. butter
1 cup icing sugar
1 cup cornstarch
3 cups flour
Pinch of salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Bake at 300 F for 15-20 min.
Combine all ingredients and use a cookie press to press cookies out on pan.
The dough is very soft, that is why a cookie press is needed.
Decorate each with chopped marachino cherry before baking.

Flower Pot Toy Soldier

I finished my flower pot soldier last night. He now has all his buttons and trims.

Pretty Table Runner

Here is an inexpensive way to dress up your table for Christmas.
Take some pretty gift wrap and role it down the center of your table, over a white linen table cloth. You can choose from lots of different patterns and colors.
Last year I used a red poinsettia print. This year I'm going with silver and white. If anything is spilled, you just through it away and roll out a new one.