Wednesday, December 8, 2010

~ANGEL TREATS and INSPIRATION from ME to YOU~

~YUMMO TREATS FOR FAMILY and FRIENDS~
(nothing finer than gifts from the kitchen)

To My Special Readers...

Before I begin to share some FUN and HAPPY with you this morning first let me take a second to say a huge THANK YOU to those who took the time to respond to my POST from yesterday evening.  I'm still very saddened over the passing of Elizabeth Edwards even though a good night of sleep helped to soothe the sorrow I continue to feel in my heart for her family.  No doubt my reaction to her death related in some way to my own mother being ill during my childhood and how I thought constantly about losing her.  Thankfully for my siblings and I that never happened.  Still...like many of you I don't do well when I know people are hurting (especially little ones) and sometimes those feelings just pour out.  Thank you again for allowing me to be my authentic self and share from the deepest part of my heart.  Your comments BLESSED ME and I want you know it...
~BROWN PAPER PACKAGES~
(wrapped up with all the bells and whistles)

Now...are you ready for some SWEET CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION?
 ~SIMPLE and SOOO TASTY~
(almond brittle rules yules)

I have an awesome recipe for ALMOND BRITTLE that is not only easy to make, but tastes pretty close to those 2die4 Heath Bars!  I generally rotate making Sugared Pecans (what we gifted out last Christmas) and Almond Brittle from year to year and this recipe is sure to please.  You can also make it with or without the chocolate topping and trust me when I say it is fabulous either way!
~SWEET HANG TAGS ARE A MUST~
(a sweet little touch)

Here are a few pictures I snapped of the candy Miss K and I enjoyed making...
 ~COOLING ON THE COOKIE SHEET~
 ~SPREAD WITH MELTED CHOCOLATE~
 ~SPRINKLED GENEROUSLY w/ALMONDS~
~BROKEN INTO PIECES~
~FABULOUS GLASS JARS~
(look for them at discount stores)

Check out the recipe below...easy-peasy!  PROMISE!

ALMOND BRITTLE

Ingredients:

2 C Sugar
1 pound salted butter
1/4 C Water
16 oz. sliced almonds
8 oz. Milk Chocolate Chips

Recipe:

Combine sugar, butter, and water in large pot.  Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over slightly high heat (don't cook slow or your candy will be cloudy).  Boil rapidly, stirring all the while until the temperature reaches 295 degrees (you need a candy thermometer).  Quickly stir in about 2/3 of the almonds and then spread mixture onto a large cookie sheet.  Press/pull candy to the outer edges of the cookie sheet with the back of a wooden spoon to spread as evenly as possible.  Melt chocolate and spread over the top of the brittle.  Crush remaining almonds with your hands and sprinkle over the top.  Once chocolate has hardened you can easily break the candy into chunks.

This year we used decorative glass jars once again (shop ROSS or stores like Tarjay (Target) and TJ Maxx for GREAT deals)!  Except for a few found at thrift stores and estate sales, all my jars this year were purchased at ROSS where I enjoyed their deep discounts!
If you are shipping candy via snail mail then skip the glass jars as they can easily break in transit.  Miss K and I made up lots and lots of small boxes which we wrapped with simple brown paper and decorated with reprinted vintage Christmas music.  Pink and gold ribbons were added, tiny snowflake charms and a single painted pink jingle bell gave our packages a sweet little touch.  Don't forget to add a gift tag, too!
~OUR TAGS THIS YEAR~

I'll be back later today with photos of my LAST GIVEAWAY for the year.  Come back this evening to see what I have for you if you can squeeze in the time!

Blessings for a lovely winter day!  Thank you again for your kindness~

Love to you...

25 comments:

Sherri B. said...

Thanks for sharing the recipe and photos for the brittle. I have seen many in print but nothing compares with seeing a blog friend's finished product!

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Rebecca,

Wow for sending out such heavenly sweet treats that is a great idea! Thanks for the recipe.
Wishing you strength for your inner thoughts...

Love,

Mariette's Back to Basics

Unknown said...

Oh..you busy gal you! You put me to shame..I am still in the midst of decorating and you are onto your dear neighbors and friends!!!

I am copying this recipe! My favorite Blizzard is HEATH! You just made my day with this recipe!

Christmas blessings to you my sweet friend!
Lorena

Tanza said...

Good morning my friend,
Just getting ready to go about our day, can't wait til it's actually all over, soo I than too, can just get on to some happy !!
Now girlie, all this made me to the mooners happy !! Don't think I could EvEn unwrap the beautifully wrapped jars and BoX to eat the yummy candy !! Those are lovely !! Now, what a delight for your neighbors to recieve one of these specially made for them .. To DiE for gifts from sweet you !! I wish I WAS your neighbor !! Spectacular !! Truly !! You are my inspiration !! Your graciousness, LoVe, and tenderness always shine through .. Thanks for always just being sweet, lovable, unique YoU !! Always one to bless others, and act upon your kindness ~
BiG yummer HuGs ~TeA~ xo

ileyssilver said...

Hi Reb,
You are always such an inspiration. I made your sugar pecans last year. now i just need jars.
Iley

Home and Heart said...

Bless your heart! As always these look SO GOOD! Your packaging is always beautiful too!

Carol said...

Beautiful as always with such "SWEET" ideas. I am going to get abit brave and try your brittle recipe...and a jar filled with sugared pecans for my dear Brother.
First off I am in desperate need of JARS and EVERYONE is sold out..but I haven't set foot in Ross yet this season, so off I go. And must remember to pick up a candy thermometer. Now the trick is can I remember to do all of this??? You inspire me so much :)

Thanks again for sharing your creations..

Carol from
Good 'Ol Texas

Donna said...

Thanks for the recipe...as usual your packaging is beautiful.
I enjoyed the post yesterday :)
Hugs,
Donna

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Rebecca,
Your Almond Brittle looks yummy. I used to make Peanut Brittle and give it as gifts. The recipe you shared looks so pretty too. I will have to try to make it. Thanks for sharing and hope you're having a better day today. Take care.

Christmas blessings,
Sandi

Theresa said...

Sounds yummy and pretty easy:) Thanks for sharing the recipe with me! HUGS!

Lady Farmer said...

Thanks, Rebecca, for another *sweet* idea!
I loved your little treat bags so much, I made some similar to gift to all the ladies in our church's Secret Sister program. They are turning out so festive! You have some beautiful ideas. I think I will make the Tea Bag Covers for the ladies around Valentines Day!
Christmas Cheer!

Blondie's Journal said...

I absolutely adore Heath bars and these have to be 1000 times better. I can't wait to make them! Thanks so much!

XO,
Jane

Linda said...

Oh my that candy looks good! And it would make lovely gifts as you have shown. I am allergic to nuts and can't eat chocolate...so I wonder if it would be any good just as plain toffee? I might try it. (:>)

Linda

Sonya Badgley said...

Rebecca,
I will definitely be trying this! I love heath bars and yours looks just yumm-ee! And your packaging is adorable, of course!
I'm glad you are feeling a little better today.;)
Blessings to you dear,
Sonya

Cathy said...

Rebecca,

What a sweet post, literally. This is my all time favorite candy. Love your beautiful tags. You are so right, pretty packaging is a must! Love it.

xo Cathy

Char said...

I wouldn't mind opening a package like that one, beautiful. And, I certainly wouldn't mind eating what is inside either, Char

Pat Winter Gatherings said...

Hey! That is the same almond brittle recipe I use. I found it many years ago in a magazine and my dad loved it because it was a soft crunch, not teeth shattering. I don't put the choc on though...something to try. Thanks for sharing, and your presentation is gorgeous...as usual my friend!
Hugs,Pat

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Rebecca,
What a great gift idea and so beautifully wrapped and tagged with one of your gorgeous tags!!

Thanks for sharing the recipe.

hugs
Sissie

NanaDiana said...

Rebecca-Another wonderful post. I did a post about Elizabeth too..and as you know, my heart aches too for those kids.

Love the brittle recipe...some of them are not so good and don't turn out right. We love it so I will give this one a try. Hugs-Diana

Anonymous said...

Looks so yummy! I will definitely be giving this one a try.

Anonymous said...

Looks so yummy! I will definitely be giving this one a try.

Gloria Westerman said...

These make me so hungry!!!!...you wrap them so pretty....and your cards are just prefect......love em.....thank you so much for sharing these awesome project with us.....Merry Christmas!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Rebecca..it is 5 AM Dec.9 and I am just now getting the chance to read your blog...have to tell you the brittle recipe sounds delicious and I think I am going to make it for my son
Kasey this year instead of his usual can of "Texas Trash"!! This will be a nice switch....and looks like even I could make it!!
Loved the way you packaged it in the pretty little jars to give as gifts to neighbors and friends. Girl friend,
do you EVER sleep....or rest?? You're one of the busiest young ladies I know
and just make or do the most wonderful
things!! You are just a joy to follow
as I love everything you do!
I know Miss K loved helping with this
project...she will have so many happy
memories of doing things with her Nana
And, I, too, was saddened by the death of Mrs. Edwards...she was a TRUE
lady and had such dignity about her in the face of so much heartache. I was hoping she could overcome the cancer, too...
Have a good day, my friend..Love ya, Francy

Anonymous said...

Me again.....Rebecca, I lost all of my contact info on e-mail and I need yours again....could you send it to me when you "come up for air"
Thanks sweet friend.....Francy

Cora said...

Thank you so much for this recipe...I'm going to try this and gift it as well!
Thanks again~

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