Saturday, December 18, 2004

Presents, and Baking, and Football... Oh my......

  Busy, busy day planned for today.    Mom took Grace to see real reindeer and take a carriage ride at her workplace today (my old place, as well).  I try to avoid going back to that hospital at all costs.... yeah, I still hold a grudge against them and their policies..... so, I didn't want to go.  But they had a great time even if the line to see Santa was too long.....  

The Steelers play today against the Giants.  Would love to see Eli Manning (NY's QB and Peyton's younger brother) have a great game, but NOT today   :::evil grins:::  

I want Roethlisberger to set a high Rookie QB win record.... and for him to have a perfect season... well, it doesn't get much higher than that!   Kick-off 1:30 pm on CBS.  

Mel is coming over so we can start on Christmas yummies.  She's making her awesome Peanut Butter Fudge.. YEA! 

My Aunt Lauri (aka Aunt Zombie) made her scrumptious seasoned mixed nuts ::::drooling::::    She slipped me some extra because I told her I wanted to make Aztec Chocolate Bark.... it's my own concoction combining chocolate with spicy seasonings and nuts, of course... from a recipe I adapted of an Aztec drink called cocao (pronounced ca-cow).  Its yummy!  But one either loves it or hates it.....    

I'm making Grandma Fran's toffee recipe, handed down from her grandmother... it is divine :)   I am also making some mock toffee bars with graham crackers, butter, chocolate and nuts.... as good as the real thing, without the fuss!!  If you don't have this recipe already, I'd be happy to point you in the right direction....  

Next on the agenda are sugar plum pops.  These I got from Food Network's Sandra Lee on 'Semi Homemade'.  Simple as pie!  Frozen cheesecake scooped into balls, stick inserted, and dip in melted dark or white chocolate, maybe some caramel and nuts added.  I got sugar-free melting chocolates and sugar free caramel from my local cake supply place and a sugar free, fat free cheesecake at Meijer (grocery).  

As if that's not enough, I'm making truffles.... full of luscious chocolate ganache flavored with Bailey's Irish Creme, Gran Marnier, or Brandy.  I've got some flavored oils I may also use.  

And of course, cookies of all kinds.... but they will be made on Wednesday or Thursday... so they'll last ;)  

So, I'm off to indulge my fantasies......  

Cat

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for making me really hungry!!!  Gonna share?  LOL
*hugs*

Anonymous said...

Oooh, am slobbering into my keyboard at the thought of those sugar plum pop thingies!!  Nice!!
Sara   x

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, can I come over and have truffles?!  Or maybe just a little of your motivation, I haven't made any cookies yet ;)
It's just wrong to me to see Manning on the back of a Giants jersey, sacreligious it is!  Course I'm a Pey fan...and I seriously dislike the Giants.  Too bad Manning did pretty good yesterday, poor Warner must be getting bench sores ;)
Have fun in the kitchen doll~
xoxo~Bernadette

Anonymous said...

Oh, I am drooooooling here! lol  Enjoying all of your festive cooking and creating! xox

Anonymous said...

mmmmmm sounds so good!

Stacy