Holiday Yum!

I Recently made these with my daughter and they couldn't be more simple and delicious! We opted not to use the candy canes, but used lolly pop sticks instead. It's still a bit warm and sometimes sticky here in Texas, so I figured the Candy Canes might get sticky and soft. 

We dipped them in both white and chocolate bark... Sprinkled with chocolate sprinkles... YUM!

Candy Cane Brownie Lollipops

Ingredients:

1   pkg (18-21 oz or 450 g) fudge brownie mix (plus ingredients to make brownies) 24   candy canes 10   oz (300 g) chocolate-flavored almond bark Additional decorations such as red jimmies (optional)

Directions:

1. Line Medium Sheet Pan (9 x 13) with a 13-in. (33-cm) piece of Parchment Paper; lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions; pour batter into pan. Bake 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Remove from oven to Stackable Cooling Rack; cool 20 minutes or until still slightly warm.
2. Meanwhile, cut off straight ends of candy canes off to form 4½-in. (11-cm) sticks using Utility Knife. Place candy cane tops into resealable plastic bag and crush using flat side of Meat Tenderizer; set aside.
3. Using Medium Scoop, scoop brownie into 24 rounded scoops, packing brownie into scoop using hands. (Entire brownie will be used.) Roll brownie scoops into smooth balls. Insert candy cane sticks into centers of balls, mounding brownie around stick.
4. Place almond bark into Small Batter Bowl; microwave according to package directions until melted and smooth. Spoon melted bark evenly over each brownie ball, turning to coat completely. Allow excess bark to drip off. Dip into reserved crushed candy canes or additional decorations (see Chef’s Corner) and stand upright on a piece of Parchment Paper. Repeat with remaining almond bark, lollipops and crushed candy. Let stand until set. Place into miniature cupcake liners.

Yield: 24 servings

Nutrients per serving: (1 lollipop): Calories 260, Total Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Carbohydrate 40 g, Protein 2 g, Sodium 75 mg, Fiber 1 g

U.S. Diabetic exchanges per serving (1 lollipop): 1 starch, 1½ fruit, 2 fat (2½ carb)

Cook’s Tips: While still slightly warm, the fudgy brownies rolls easily into balls. Although the edges of the brownie are crusty, they do not need to be discarded. Simply scoop the edges along with the center, and they will soften as they stand.

Lollipops can also be decorated with colored sugars or nonpareils.

Wrap lollipops in cellophane, tie with ribbon and use as table décor, place settings or take-home party favors for a special holiday touch.

© 2011 The Pampered Chef used under license.
www.pamperedchef.com

Handmade for the Holidays!

With the Holiday's just around the corner, It's time to start thinking about what to wear to those Holiday parties, family gatherings, and of course, start looking for gifts.

If you are wanting to support your local economy more, seriously consider buying handmade! Whether you shop online Via places like Etsy, or Artfire, or shop at local weekend markets, small locally owned gift shops that sell items made by local artisans... It all makes a difference! Sometimes it takes more planning than that last minute trip to the mall, but I think you'll find a great satisfaction in buying something directly from the person who made it!

 Finding unique, one of a kind gifts is a fun and interesting way to shop! I think the recipients of these gifts feel the thought that went into their selection and enjoy getting something not everyone else will have.

My Etsy shop right now has lots of items that are ready for the Holidays and beyond! Jewel tones are really big this fall/winter and I have plenty of beautiful vintage jewel pieces to choose from!

I have a full schedule for the next two months of Trunk shows and Weekend Markets, so if you've had your eye on something in the shop, don't wait too long! A lot of things I am not able to get more of!

I've added a lot more crystal earrings and bracelets to my shop! I have quite a few that are not listed as well, so if you see something you like, but are wanting a different color, I may have it in stock, or can make it in a short period of time.. Just ask!

While I haven't had time to make bead for my Principessa Glass shop over the past few months, I do hope to get back on my torch after the Holidays and start filling my shop again!



                                            

 Whatever your plans are for the Holidays, no matter what Holidays you celebrate, I hope you have the most festive of seasons! Enjoy the people who are close to you, eat something yummy, and laugh a little more!

What's New? Keep Reading...............

This will be a busy month for me! We were able to get into two different Markets, the one we did last month in Boerne Texas and New for this month will be the Market Days in Gruene Texas! I am very excited about the Gruene Market.... It's a juried Market, Artisan only, so it's NOT easy to get into. We know we've been accepted for September, but not sure about the follow on months... We'll find out more when we do the Market.

The Boerne Market Days are September 10th-11th and Gruene is the following weekend, September 17th--18th. If you live in the San Antonio area, please come out and see us! These Markets are both really cool, have lots of interesting stuff and it's NOT too soon to start thinking about getting great handmade items for Holiday gifts!

I have a number of items I am selling at the Markets only.. You WON'T fond them in my Etsy shops... You'll have to come out to the Market to purchase them.  Plus having the opportunity to look, touch and feel is great! I don't have photo's of my "Market Only" items to taunt you with yet, but will get some taken and post them!

I am gearing up for the Holidays! I know it seems early and it does seem annoying when you go to the store and see Christmas decorations out before Halloween has even past, but from a retail stand point, you have to start early, and when you make EVERYTHING you sell by hand.. YOURSELF.. it takes a bit of planning!

The pretty soft pink earrings pictured are a nice, different, slightly less showy version of Vintage Jewels. They are transparent and domed, rather than faceted and foil backed. They still take in lots of light and have a nice sparkle, but are a nice, more subtle option for those who like things a little less.."Look at me". I have a similar jewel in a beautiful olivine green soon to be listed, and just got in a wonderful ruby red, which will be great for the holidays.. I have them in both antiqued brass and silver settings, but I have a limited supply. Sometimes I can get more... Sometimes I can't.

I have a nice stash of new crystals in and have been making Vintage Style bracelets out of them. I am working on some coordinating earrings as well, so look for those to be coming soon!

If you want updates on new listings, follow my Twitter! I post things there daily. I also post to Facebook, but less frequently. I have buttons on the side bar on the right if you aren't already following those pages. Be sure to check my Principessa Jewels shop for new jewelry listings and Principessa Glass for beads! Thanks for stopping by!

I Bought A Kiln!!!

Yes, I bought a kiln and am currently doing quite the little happy dance! This finally brings it all together! After months of torching, taking classes, buying more equipment, tools, supplies and getting things re-set up after a considerable move, I can finally make and anneal my beads! Being that is is the middle of the holiday season, I won't be killing myself to try and make beads and get them listed in my Etsy shop until after the first of the year and all of my holiday festivities are over, decorations are packed away for another year long hibernation and I have regained what sanity I still posses. I'm sure there isn't too much sanity left, but I have always though crazy people had the most fun anyway! I mean if you are too nuts to care, I'd say there is great freedom in that!

I will post some photos here when I get that far and likely on my other blog, Juniper Gems, as well. Thank you to all who have placed a heart in my empty Principessa Glass shop! It means a lot to have so much support in advance! I still have a lot of inventory in my Juniper Gems shop if you are looking for Holiday gifts still. I ship everything from that shop via USPS Priority mail, so as long as you buy before or on December 21st (early in the day) You should have no trouble getting and on time delivery. Just remember, I do my best to get things out the door in 24 hours or less, after that it's up to the postal service to do their job!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!

Making Some Progess....

I've been out torching glass like a fiend having a mix of success and failure. Such is life! I have made some strides in my quest to beat the cold, but it still plagues me. I am able to be out there on cooler nights, but COLD is out of the question. I stayed out last nigh a little too long and had a large rod 8-9 mm of new violet Effetre explode about 2-3 inches into flying glass projectiles! I am used to glass getting shocky, especially since it tends to get cool in my garage at night, but this was a big rod of glass that literally exploded! I decied then it was time to call it quits for the night. I have been making an effort to get out there earlier in the day, while it's still light out and the sun is warming up the garage door. However I tend to get lost in the art and spend hours out there! I thought I was doing good yesterday, got out around 4pm, wanted it to be earlier, but was distracted by other things. I came in and made dinner at 7pm, then back out a 8:30pm. I figured with the door closed I could reheat the space while I was in the house, which did work, but with the temps dropping into the 30's overnight that didn't do me much good for long!

I'd take some pictures of my recent work and post them here, but it is too darn cold out this morning to do so... another day! Plus I am still cozy in my PJ's.. The beauty of working from home! No one knows that you look like something that cat drug in from behind a computer! I will hopefully have a kiln just after the beginning of the year and start listing some beads in my Principessa Glass shop. I have a few new listings up in my jewelry shop Juniper Gems. The Holiday pieces are clearing out quickly. I still have a large selection of my Swarovski crystal Christmas tree earrings, but some versions are down to just one pair.

I think I am starting to feel my holiday "Fa La La"... that's what I call it anyway. That feeling  that it IS Christmas time and you are enjoying the whole idea of it. It took awhile being in a new place that doesn't exactly have a real winter. I just got my shipment of goodies I need to make my holiday candies, so I am set to start that any day now. I still have some shopping to do, but I was waiting for Friday to roll around with another paycheck to fund my efforts! Thankfully I really like shopping and enjoy finding the right thing for people. Have a great day! I'm off to torch some more!