Saturday, December 12, 2009

~CANDY CONFECTIONS ALL WRAPPED UP~

SUGARED PECANS
(A Family Favorite!)

As most of us know, homemade confections and goodies make wonderful gifts! With a little imagination and some easy planning they can make very special Christmas and Hanukkah presents for a neighbor, a hostess or a friend.

~JARS FROM ROSS~
Jar on Left was an Estate Sale Find

Many years ago when my Mr. AGPMan and I moved into our La Chaumiere de Briarwood we began the simple tradition of sharing home baked goodies with those we love. Little has changed over the past seventeen years, unless of course you want to talk about the price of chocolate and sugar...

~ALL WRAPPED UP~
(And Soooo Yummy, Too!)

During the Spring and Summer months, when I'm out junking about in my town, I'm always on the hunt for neat little jars and glass containers to hold our yummy holiday gifts. I love it when I can find them for about a quarter, but if the truth be told that is rare price these days. Usually they are about a dollar, maybe two. Because this was lean jar-finding-year I was forced to purchase a few at ROSS (3 for $11.99). Overall they were still VERY inexpensive when you consider what a crystal container might cost! Through the years I've used small baskets, boxes, canning jars, thrift store plates and even little tins to hold our tasty offerings. Even brown paper packages tied up with string (especially sweet with rubber stampings, glitter, etc.) make a sweet presentation! :) You can package your treats as simple or as elaborate as you wish! After all, they are from YOUR HEART! ~>>><3>
~SELF PRINTED TAGS~
(My Favorite Part!)

This year I decided to make Sugared Pecans for our friends, neighbors and Mr. AGPMan's co-workers. Earlier today I snapped a few pictures of my finished jars for you and I'm also including the very SIMPLE recipe in case you want to try them out for yourself. If you are a NUT-LOVER :) I think you will love them...

~ROSES-MY GARAGE SALE FIND~
(Remember? Shared With You Before!)

I always wrap my jars with clear cello wrap (skip the dollar store stuff...not enough on the roll for the money). I used regular Christmas Ribbon (the kind you might put on a Tree) for the bow and added tiny springs of garland, berries and one of the roses I found on those garage sale baskets this past summer! If my calculations are right the larger finished jar above cost me about $5. The smaller jar (junk store find) cost me about $2.

The best deal I've found this year on Pecans was at SAM'S. They were about $9.88 for 2lbs.

~RIGHT OUT OF THE OVEN~
(Easy-Peasy~ I Promise)

Here's the recipe I used:

SUGARED PECANS
(Makes 1 pound)

1 Pound Pecan Halves
1 Egg White
1 tsp. Cold Water
1 Cup Fine Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Salt

Preheat Oven to 250 degrees. Beat Egg White with water until fluffy (soft peaks). Fold Egg White into Pecans until well coated.

Mix together Cinnamon, Sugar and Salt. Fold coated Pecans into Sugar Mix. Bake on un-greased cookie sheet for 1 hour. Cool. Serve. EAT. :)

I told you it was simple!

Blessings to you as you give gifts from your kitchen, birthed from your heart...Rebecca

32 comments:

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Oh, this is such a beautiful idea! And the recipe does look easy. We have pecans, MANY pecans here in Louisiana and we love to just sit out on the patio, cracking and peeling them. Our trees were abundant this year. I'd love to do some sugared pecans or make something with them. I guess we just take them for granted down here, I usually end up doing all the hard work and giving them away. But the good thing is that I usually get a pecan pie out of it! haha
Your sweet packaging is a treat in itself...your friends are going to love these!
Merry Christmas~
everything vintage

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Rebecca!

The pecans look so good! Your presentation it incredible!! Love the look you've achieved. Thanks for the recipe, I think I'm gonna have to try that this year.

The socks in your previous post were so beautiful. The lovely pillow I won is so happy living in the French Room at my house!

Big Christmas Hugs, Sherry

Anonymous said...

What a nice idea.They look so beautiful.Im loving the recipe I have jotted that down.My with a little thought of some cute jars and some sweet tags etc a lovely gift indeed Rebecca.

Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

G'morn ~ Doing catchup, won't be on much for awhile as you already know ...

How pretty & Christmas-y these beautiful decanters are ... you have a real knack for making simple utterly elegant, R.

Your stockings are exquisite & exactly what I would expect you to create, particularly love your son's cuties.

Weds 'Love Is ...' is precious. I dream to have my DH with a smile on his face when it comes to anything that isn't in Lowe's.

Have a beautiful weekend.
Forever hugs, TTFN ~ Marydon

Ginger said...

Rebecca,
What a wonderful gift idea, I will be making some of these for sure.
You always have the cutest ideas and so beautifully wrapped.

Thanks for stopping by my blog to see my precious ornament.

Hugs
Ginger

Unknown said...

Ooooohhh, i do love sugared pecans, Rebecca. You sure made it sound easy, I think I may make some and plan on giving them next Christmas...
happy holidays,
glenda@SerendipityCottage

Anonymous said...

Your presentation is always so inspiring! I love to visit you for a little pick me up....thank you!

Abby:)

Julie Marie said...

Oooh yummy yum Rebecca! I love those pecans, and I am going to use your recipe and make some! They look so pretty in your jars, and with your special tags... everything you touch turns into something magical! Love to you... Bisous... Julie Marie

Stacey said...

Good Morning Rebecca. I love sugared pecans but the way you've presented them is amazing! It's great what a little cello wrap does, isn't it?

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Good information..and pic's.
Sounds way YUMMY and easy indeed !

Thanks,
Rose
http://delightfulclutter.blogspot.com/

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Yum and beautiful as always!

Jocelyn said...

Love the idea. Thanks for sharing.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Dolores said...

Good morning Rebecca,
Your packaging is so beautiful, and the recipe does sound easy and delicious.
I copied the recipe, and plan on making the Sugared Pecans this afternoon..... thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and support that you sent me.....!!!
Hugs,
Dolores

PS...... just had to say the cute little baby on my blog in 1964 is really a boy..tee/.hee.

Moments of Grace said...

Dearest Rebecca,
I have been looking for a giveaway for friends that are coming to my annual Christmas Tea party. Each year I invite a small group of friends to come for Christmas tea. This will be the perfect gift for my guests.
Thank you, dear friend, for all you do to bring joy and inspiration to those of us who follow your lovely blog. You have been such a blessing to me this year. May His blessings follow you today and always.

In Grace,
Marie

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Those pecans look divine! Thanks for the recips...

XO,

Sheila :-)

stefanie said...

what a gorgeous idea!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

Cathy said...

Rebecca,

This is one of the most beautiful blogs I've ever seen. It's warm, welcoming, and enchanting. I also make the sugared pecans and dress them up in pretty jars. (Great minds think alike).

I am in heaven visiting here looking and reading all your posts. I remember the your features in Romantic Homes too.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday and thank you for sharing such a lovely feast for the eyes on this Pink Saturday.

xo Cathy

June said...

Sweetie these are beautiful gifts to send out to your friends and dear ones. They are going to love all the beautiful packaging. Thank you so much for including the recipe too.
Most of the time it's the presentation that I love in receiving gifts. I don't really care what the gift is if it is lovingly wrapped.
hugs

A Rose Without A Thorn said...

Rebecca, all of your gifts look so lovely and I am sure that the recipients will love them, Maureen....

Mr. AGP said...

Yes, oh yes they are easy to make but there is one thing you can do with them that is even easier.

EAT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

I told my wifey she better get those all wrapped up so I would not be tempted and gain all my weight back. My woman can make some of the most tempting treats imaginable. Of course, she is quite a temping little treat herself....ahem....but I digress. :-)

It's so nice having the password, she cannot moderate my posts! He He!

It is hard not to gain weight around the holidays here as she also makes the most wonderful, from scratch, pies as well. Of course the tops of her pies are always beautiful like everything else she makes, a work of art.

Well, it's back to work for me now. I have to finish the french doors you will all be seeing soon.
Hint, hint!

Rebecca Nelson said...

STEVEN!

I will talk to you LATER!

xoBaber

GwendolynKay said...

I so love this idea. Your jars are beautiful! the presentation is gorgeous. I am going to save this idea and borrow it. Thank you for sharing! Blessings!
Gwen

Sue @ Not the Good Scissors! said...

We are definitely on the same page. I was going to make my spiced pecans tomorrow. And I did get my pecans from Sam's too. They really are the best price.
xxoo, Sue

Elyse said...

hi rebecca!

this is a wonderful idea and the packaging is awesome! what is more fun to give than a beautifully packaged gift?! love your tags, too.

xo
elyse

Cottage Rose said...

Hi Rebecca; My though's sound so yummy.. I love sugared nuts.. your gifts looks so pretty... I used to make up gift baskets of baked goodies,, for family,, they loved it... thanks for sharing the recipe with us.... have great weekend

Hugs;
Alaura

Beach House 27 said...

uh oh Steven's in trouuuuuuuuble!

i am so going to make these pecans - we also exchange goodies with our neighbors and one of them owns the local bakery so who wants to give
her baked goods? Actually, she shares with all of us all year long, and she's the best.

maybe i'll just use canning jars for the holders since time is flying by -
thanks for the idea -

marsha

Martha's Favorites said...

You have some very lucky friends! Everything looks beautiful, I would not expect any less. Blessings dear friend, Martha

Barbara Jean said...

OOOH! All so beautiful and wonderful.

Just love my viists here.

blessings

barbara jean

Rita said...

Oh, thank you for such a wonderful idea. I wanted to do something for the neighbors on either side of me and didn't know what to do. And thanks for the recipe also. Your posts are always so beautiful!

Unknown said...

Rebecca, what a lovely gift to give and to receive! I'm going to give your recipe a try . . . I love pecans!

Thanks so much for sharing!

Blessings,
Teresa

Cherished Treasures said...

Dear Sweet Rebecca,
Thank you for the recipe. I love spiced pecans. They remind me of my Father in Law, long passed. He was such a dear man. My husband and I lived about 90 miles away from my inlaws when we first married. They would come to visit about twice a month and always in hand was a large container of spiced pecans. Their was a Stuckeys Store on the route from their house to ours. He would always make a point of stoping and buying me some spiced pecans for a treat.
I made some from your recipe last night and they are quite similiar, a little saltier, but just as good as I remember from long ago.
What a blessing you and your shared inspirations are to each of us in Blogland.
Have a Very Merry Christmas.
XOXOXO, Carol

Carol said...

I keep returning to this Post, just to savor the great idea of preparing a batch of pecans and will try to imitate your presentation. I found a suitable jar at Hobby Lobby and picked up some ribbon & the trappings to make a simple decoration.

Happy Holiday to you & the family
Blessings
Carol

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