Autumn Adventures for the whole family!

I was looking around, trying to find the greatest fall activities and I think I found them!!

This link will take you to an awesome, fun, filled place for the whole family!!!!!!!

This is my favorite time of year.  I love to decorate and go for rides on the hay wagon to the pumpkin patch to pick my own pumpkin!

Discover Ohio

Autumn Adventures

Whatever we plan on going to, you bet i will be posting pictures!!  And what a great time for the family!!!

Chai Tea Mix

So everyone loves a good Chai Tea...but what if you made it yourself?  I have the coolest cook book that was made with all of my families (secret) recipes in it.  It's a collection of recipes and family remembrances from my roots.   It was made by Carolyn Jones and my Aunt Sharon Perry for our family reunion this summer.  Everyone submitted recipes and stories, these were added to the book.  It's called the "Orahood Kitchen Table"  That is my mainden name and this recipe was submitted by Carolyn Hall Jones....your very own Chai Tea Mix.  Another wonderful gift for the holidays!!

Chai Tea Mix

by Carolyn Hall Jones

1 cup nonfat dry milk

1 cup powdered creamer

1 cup French Vanilla powdered creamer

2 1/2 cup sugar or splenda

1 1/2 cup unsweetened instant tea

2 teaspoons ginger

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon allspice

Place ingredients in a blender or food processor to mix well.  To make a cup of tea, add boiling water to 2 tablespoons of mix and enjoy!

Fireside coffee

I made this recipe for the first time a couple of years ago and then again last year.  We put it in multiple Holiday baskets for gifts and it has went over really well.  We made a regular version and a sugar free version.  I actually still have some of this left but will need to make more this season.  Eric, my husband loves this stuff and when it starts to get chilly you can bet he will be requesting that I make him a hot cup of fireside coffee!!  

 

 

 

Fireside Coffee Mix

2 cups non-dairy coffee creamer (regular or fat free)
1 1/2 cups hot cocoa mix (regular or sugar free)
1 1/2 cups instant coffee granules (regular or caffeine free)
1 1/2 cups sugar   (regular or sugar free)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine instant coffee, sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg in blender, blend until fine power.  Put into bowl/coffee can add non-dairy creamer, hot cocoa and mixing well. Store mixture in an airtight container. Yield: 6 1/2 cups mix.
 
Note: To make 1 cup, spoon 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of coffee mix in a cup. Add 1 cup boiling water; stir until well blended.

Weight Watchers Chocolate Espresso Biscotti

Holidays are coming up and this recipe would be great in a coffee gift basket.  I LOVE a good cup of coffee with a Biscotti!!  I will let you know how this turns out!!

In Italy, biscotti are traditionally served along with a glass of sweet Vin Santo wine for dunking and sipping.  As for these chocolate treats, try dipping them in espresso, cafe' latte, or hot chocolate.  These do really make great holiday gifts-but save some for yourself!






Makes 42 servings

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cups slivered almonds
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 tablespoons ground coffee
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons strong brewed coffee/espresso
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1.     Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray; set aside.
2.     In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the flour, almonds, cocoa, ground coffee, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3.     In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, eggs, brewed coffee, and vanilla.  Add the sugar mixture to flour mixture and beat on low speed until well combined and a fairly dry dough forms.  Divide the dough in two.  On a lightly floured surface, use the palms of your hands to shape each half of the dough into a long about 15 inches long x 1 3/4 inches wide x 1 inch high.  Transfer the logs to the prepared baking sheet and pat down the tops until each piece is about 3/4 inch high and 2 inches wide.
4.     Bake until the logs are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes.  Transfer the logs to a cutting board and let cool 10 minutes.  With a serrated knife, cut teh logs crosswise into 1/2 inch slices, 42 total biscotti.  Arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet.  Lower the oven temperature to 300F.  Bake the biscotti 12 minutes per side, turning once.  Transfer to a wire rack. The biscotti will crisp at they cool.

PER SERVING: (1 biscotti):  54 Cal, 1g Fat, Og Sat Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 10mg Chol, 35mg Sod, 10G Carb, 1g Fib, 1g Prot, 11mg Calc.
POINTS value:  1

removing wax buidup on wood surfaces

We have an amazingly beautiful dining room table that I really love.  Previously though, my husband had used a dusting product on it with beeswax that caused a heavy buildup of wax.  When we would sit our coffee cups on the table, once removed we would have a white ring from the wax build up. 

I have been working on removing all the layers of build up over the last year and slowly but surely it is a process.  There are two methods that I am using.  One is a combination of white distilled vinegar with equal parts water.  Clean repeatedly will remove the excess wax.  Or any wood cleaner/wax buildup remover will do.  I have used the Holloway House Wood Cleaner.  Once used, wipe off with clean cloth and then use a wood oil product to condition the table.  Use products as directed. 

This is a white ring left on our table by the wax buildup. 

This is the table after the wood cleaner and once I applied the Wood oil. 

 

 

 

Making your own house cleaning products

We struggled when I was a kid and I completely remember my mom making her own cleaning products.  Did she know it was better for our environment or was she just trying to save a penny?  she is pretty smart so I will say it's probably a bit of both.  One of the products I remember using the most is a combination of white distilled Vinegar and water mix and newspaper to clean windows.  My mom swore by it and it never did leave a streak!!

My favorite recipe is to combine 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, and up to 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle. That’s all there is to it.  The soap is used for the wax buildup on the windows from commercial cleaners that causes streaking.  By adding the liquid soap or detergent that takes care of this problem.

Here is a web page that I also found a ton of other uses of white vinegar for cleaning a number of things in your house. This is a great list and the most complete list I have ever seen. Enjoy.

http://www.vinegartips.com/scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=7

Nestle' Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Mmmm....Good!

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

PAN COOKIE VARIATION: Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen bars.

SLICE AND BAKE COOKIE VARIATION:
PREPARE dough as above. Divide in half; wrap in waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Shape each half into 15-inch log; wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.* Preheat oven to 375° F. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

* May be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week or in freezer for up to 8 weeks.

FOR HIGH ALTITUDE BAKING (5,200 feet): Increase flour to 2 1/2 cups. Add 2 teaspoons water with flour and reduce both granulated sugar and brown sugar to 2/3 cup each. Bake drop cookies for 8 to 10 minutes and pan cookie for 17 to 19 minutes.

The best cookies around...hands down!

This is one of the best choc chip recipes I have ever used!