Here's The Dish: Beer Cheese Fondue

Here's an easy and fun recipe that's perfect for your next party or get-together with friends. We tried it on Christmas eve at my mom's ~ she even whipped out that retro fondue pot you see in the photo. It was a wedding gift from back in 1970 when my parents got married. I think it still looks cool today!

Beer Cheese Fondue

Ingredients:

1 clove garlic - peeled

12 ounces can or bottle of flat beer

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 splash Tabasco sauce

1 pinch salt

1 dash ground mustard seed

1 pound aged cheddar cheese

Directions: Rub garlic clove over the inside surface of a fondue pot; mince garlic clove; set both aside. In a saucepan, stir together a small amount of beer and flour; once a paste has formed, stir in remaining beer and all other ingredients, except cheese. Over medium heat, heat mixture through. Slowly add cheese, stirring as you add it to the pan, until all cheese has melted. Transfer contents of pot to a fondue pot. Serve with bread cubes or vegetables. Serves/makes 6

This Year, I Resolve . . .

In just over 24 hours, we will be saying goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010. I don’t know about you, but I am welcoming the New Year with open arms. Not only is this a time to reflect on the trials, tribulations, joys, and celebrations of the past year, but also to erase the slate and start anew. Although I used to resist making resolutions for the coming year, I’ve learned to keep them simple and realistic. That way, the odds are in my favor that I’ll actually attain them, rather than give up altogether with much frustration. For 2010, I’ve decided to make some resolutions for my shop. These are more or less goals I hope to reach over the next year. Here we go: 1. Get my new craft room in order and organize supplies. This is really going to be my first course of action, since I am feeling rather stifled by my surroundings right now. Now that the holidays are nearly over, I can get down to business and make this happen, before I do anything else.

2. Learn some new techniques, i.e. Pearl knotting, which I started last year, but never got really good at. I’d also like to venture into metal stamping and mixed media jewelry designs.

3. Continue to offer well thought out designs. I’m talking Quality vs. Quantity here. You might not see new designs from me as often, but when you do, I want them to really “wow” you.

4. Roll out my second Etsy shop. I’ve already created the shop, but I have yet to fill it up with vintage treasures and jewelry supplies that I want to de-stash.

So that’s my list . . . for now. I have the best of intentions to accomplish these over the next 365 days. Hopefully you’ll stick with me to find out if I do :)

Can't Get Enough of Those Lights!

We took some time out from our Christmas preparations to enjoy the beautiful light display in nearby downtown Rochester, MI. The historic buildings of this quaint town are draped in multi-colored lights at the holidays. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. These pictures don’t really do justice to the beauty of the scenery, but I thought you might enjoy them anyway:

It was the perfect evening ~ not too cold to walk around outside. Snow fell lightly from the sky and added to the picture perfect ambience of the night.

And look who we ran into . . . none other than the man in red himself!

Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to all who entered my latest giveaway :) I always enjoy reading your comments. And now, the winner of the ravishing red earrings is . . . Jessica! Congratulations to you! If you didn't luck out this time, don't worry! There will surely be another giveaway (or two) held next month, when my shop turns 3 :) Be sure to check back for that!

The Crazy Christmas House

Wherever you live, I'm betting you know of a house that goes a little bit overboard with the Christmas lights ~ sorta like the Griswold's did with theirs. The house you see in these photos has been putting on quite a display for years. Whether you think it's completely terrific, or just plain tacky, you can't deny that it is a sight to behold. I took these photos last year. Recently, Woman's Day asked to use one for a feature on crazy Christmas light displays. You can see that here.

When I was a little kid, one of the Christmas traditions we had as a family was driving around and looking at all the lights on the houses and buildings in our town. We would spend an entire evening doing it. I suspect others probably did this, too. Even now, as an adult, I still enjoy it! What are your silly Christmas traditions?

Here's the Dish: Blueberry Hucklebuck

When she learned of all the blueberries that are stocked away in my freezer from our blueberry picking trip last summer, my friend Kathy suggested this recipe. It comes from her 92 year old great-aunt, who lives in a very small town in Michigan’s upper Peninsula. I’ve heard that Aunt Maude makes a mean bloody Mary, so I didn’t hesitate for a second in baking this treat. It’s one of those simple recipes with very basic ingredients ~ so easy to make. The dessert itself reminds me of a cross between coffee cake and a cobbler. It smells absolutely heavenly while it bakes. Really, really yummy!

Blueberry Hucklebuck

Batter Ingredients:

2 c. Flour (plus a little extra for dusting the blueberries)

2 T. Baking Powder

¼ t. salt

½ stick butter

¾ c. Sugar

1 egg

½ c. milk

2 c. blueberries

Directions:

Wash and drain blueberries. Spread on paper towel and sprinkle lightly with flour. Set aside. Mix flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Cream together sugar and butter. Add egg and mix well. Add milk, mix well. Add flour mixture and mix well. Turn blueberries into batter gently. Spread in 9x9” greased pan.

Ingredients for Topping:

¼ c. sugar

½ stick butter, softened

1/3 c. flour

2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix together; drop by spoonfuls onto top of batter. (Don't worry about making it look pretty!)

Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

December Earring Giveaway!

Hopefully you've all been nice this year :) Santa Claus will come early for the lucky person who wins the ravishing red earrings you see pictured below. They feature lovely antique brass filigree links that look rather gothic to me, gorgeous Siam Swarovski crystals, and plenty of chain that you naughty girls might especially like ~ haha! They measure about 2½" in length, and you can enter to win them by following the instructions below: Leave a comment on this post ~ be sure to leave a way for me to contact you in the event that you are the winner. Entries must be received by 12:00 am EST on 12/18/09. A name will be selected at random and the winner will be contacted no later than 12/19/09. This giveaway is open to anyone age 18 or older.

EARN EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN!!

***Here’s how to increase your odds of winning ~ you can earn up to two additional entries by doing any of the following:

• 1. Become a follower of this blog -------------------------->
• 2. If you have a blog of your own, post a link to this contest on it.
• 3. Tweet about this contest on Twitter.
• 4. Become one of my fans on Facebook.

Just be sure to let me know in your comment which of the above you have done so that I can give you extra credit for them ;)

This will be my last giveaway of 2009, so good luck to all!!

Shop Update: New Items and A Reminder About Holiday Shipping

If you've visited my shop lately, then you've probably seen that I've been steadily listing new items. In case you haven't, here's a glimpse of what's new:

La Paz - Gold Branch Necklace with Green Quartz, $25

Miss Fickle - Smoky Quartz and Pearls on Oxidized Silver and Gold, $52

Gold Digger - Czech glass and Brass Necklace, $40

This piece sold within minutes of being listed :)

Sangria Twist - Oxidized Silver and Lampwork Bead Bracelet, $40

I still have several new items to list, which I plan to accomplish by the end of this weekend. Then that will be it until 2010 :) If you live in the US, you still have about one week to purchase something from my shop and have it shipped in time for Christmas. I do offer free gift wrapping and Gift Certificates, too ~ make it easy on yourself! I will ship through the 23rd of December, so if you need to upgrade to Overnight shipping, that will be available for an extra charge. I'll be away from the shop starting December 24th, so that I can enjoy the holidays with my family.

My New Motto

Scrabble Tile pendant, from Jesse Janes

Buy it here