Christmas Continues...

Let's see how these photos loaded...Sam called to me one evening to grab the camera...I almost missed the sunset. I've made candy several times......not to keep at home though! I need to superglue my lips together. Peanut brittle I can leave alone!
Florida Farm Girl commented on my pot. That was my grandmother's, Ruby Durham Sanford. I called her Little Mama. I have a couple of her pots, but only one this thick. This is my candy pot. I have NEVER burned candy in it. It is a thick aluminum. Of course, because of the wooden handle it is strictly hand wash. But that's okay. Even though I don't use it daily, I see it every time I open the cabinet for a pot, pan, or skillet and think of my favorite grandmother. She was such a sweetheart!

**Peanut brittle recipe is already on the blog...check the right hand side bar.

I made a mug rug for Da Judge to go along with a coffee mug I had made for her with a photo of the courthouse on it. The pattern of the square on the right is a Log Cabin variation called Courthouse Steps. I did not get a photo of the mug...but that's okay.

Sam is still working on toy boxes for the two grands. By the time he got the plans drawn, he did not have time to complete them. I took a photo of one nearing assembly completion. The above photo was printed twice and placed in cards so that the grands (and their parents) would know why they got chinchy gifts. ;-) Like the babies would even care! LOL Both sets of parents requested primer only on the bare wood. They will paint to match their decor.

Sam was going to build a regular toy box with a hinged lid. He'd commented on getting the spring loaded lid so that it wouldn't close on the kid(s). I pulled up a photo similar to the toy box my son, Jonathan, had. With the sliding doors. Sam liked it and drafted his own pattern. OH! The white sliding doors? Dry erase board!

Speaking of woodworking... ...this is the completed bed. If you remember from an earlier post, Sam built the bed at John's request...from just photos. Someone else slightly distressed it and applied the finish.

Yep. More candy. Peanut patties this time...without the red food coloring. I was going to make a double batch, but didn't have any extra sugar. THAT is unusual around here!

Christmas Eve at John and Erin's. Looks as if cousins Isabel and Colt are plotting against the parents - already! Who? US? Granny with Colt. His Papaw and Daddy finally took the bows away from me...especially after I put a pretty ribbon bow around his head and called it a "fascinator"... :-)


Isabel enjoys playing with the simple things. I untied the cord from my cell phone and handed her my "camera case"...a little something I made a few years back and initially called it a makeup bag.

Colt - Born to be WILD!!That's okay...Isabel has the new remote to the car!
Peanut Patties

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup white corn syrup
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup raw peanuts
red food coloring, if desired...I don't

In a heavy pan, combine all ingredients except vanilla, peanuts, and food coloring. Bring slowly to a rolling boil. Cook about two minutes to softball stage - 238 degrees. Remove from heat immediately. Add vanilla and peanuts; and a few drops of red food coloring if desired. Cool until lukewarm. Beat until thick and creamy. Drop by spoonful on was paper.

I don't use the food coloring. It adds nothing to the candy, so why use it?

You can run some cold water in the sink and set your pan in the sink while cooling..stir please. It won't take long. IF the candy sets up before you can get it all spooned out, just reheat long enough to soften, stirring constantly.