We wish you and your family and friends a very Merry Christmas and an amazing 2014!
The day after Christmas I will start the official countdown to spring. But, just to get you started—it’s 85 days! 🙂
I am just crazy about spring and here are two of the reasons why—ROSES & LILACS…
Spring’s gonna be so much fun!
Many of you have asked for the recipe that my daughter affectionately named “Christmas Cran.”
I was introduced to this recipe when I bought my first microwave and was given the gift of a free microwave cooking class!
Several of the recipes I learned in the class I still make — but none more consistently than the cranberry sauce! Our family enjoys “Christmas Cran” every Christmas AND every Thanksgiving!
Sweet, citrusy goodness….
3/4 – 1 Cup of Sugar
1/4 teaspoon each of ground cloves, cinnamon and allspice (I usually add more cinnamon)
1/2 cup of apple or orange juice (This year I used the juice from the tangerines I had on hand and it was fab.)
1 lb of whole cranberries
1 medium apple – peeled, cored and chopped
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts (They go in AFTER the cooking process.)Combine SUGAR, SPICES and JUICE in 2 qt casserole. STIR. Add CRANBERRIES and APPLES. STIR.
COVER
Microwave on HIGH for 9 – 10 minutes.
Remove and add NUTS. STIR. (Caution: This is screaming hot!)
Pour into pretty dish and COOL.
Hope you enjoy and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Even though we love our traditional recipes, we also love trying new things! Share your family favorites for the holidays!
My good friend, Wendy Tilley, TheRoseGardener.com, and her husband, Ryan, have a garden of 350 roses and a business of caring for 85 rose gardens in the Atlanta area. So, they made it their goal to find gardening tools to make their job easier, more fun and give them the ability to be gardeners for a long, long time. This goal led them to some wonderful products for gardeners. Some of these products I already have and highly endorse, and others are high on my Christmas list. (Hey Santa!)
First up is a product that I’ve used for more than 20 years–
Harlane Plant Labels … read all about them here.
Barnel Pruners
Bionic Gloves...
Bionic technology was first developed for hockey gloves, and evolved to batting gloves, catcher’s mitts and first-base mitts.
This technology is available in garden classic, garden extended-wear, driving/dress, golf and heavy duty gloves.
And, they are machine washable! Read more.
Easy Arrangers … Grids that fit over the top of vases. I have these and they really work! For more details, read on.
Wendy has many other great products for gardeners like the Muletto garden cart and even cute little rose purses!
ROSE CHAT RADIO GUEST…
I had the pleasure of talking with Wendy on the Rose Chat Podcast. To hear all about Wendy, how she and Ryan got started growing roses, their products and garden advice, listen here.
WENDY SIGHTINGS…
Wendy travels around the South East to garden shows and holiday markets. Click here for Wendy’s schedule. You can also find Wendy on Facebook (here) and Twitter @thegarose.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
There are so many wonderful Christmas movies out there and it is hard for me to pick just one favorite but here is a clip from ONE of my favorite Christmas specials…
Enjoy this special season with your family and friends!
I look forward to sharing my garden adventures with you in 2013 and hearing about what’s going on in your world.
Teresa
A post from 2012 but the recipe is still delish & the book is fantastic. . . . .Â
For as long as I can remember, every year we had Christmas Tea. I’m not sure where my mom got the recipe, but we all loved it! It is warm and citrusy and good!
THE TRADITION…
Making Christmas Tea is a tradition our family continues. Each year we make tons and tons of tea to share. Last night was my 2nd round of tea making.
All packed up and ready to go…
THE BOOK…
In the 80s Tom Hegg wrote a book called, A Cup of Christmas Tea.
This book tells the story of a young man’s “obligation” turned into a great blessing. When my children were still at home one of our traditions was to slow down for an evening, read the book and enjoy a cup of tea together.
It is a short and sweet book and if you’d like to hear it read, check out the YouTube video below…
THE RECIPE…
2 cups Tang
1 1/2 cups sugar (white)
1/2 cup instant tea powder
1 cup powdered lemonade mix
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well and store in an airtight container.
Use 1 -3 T of mix in a mug. Stir in boiling water. Adjust to taste.
Sit down and relax and enjoy a cup of Christmas tea.
