Oh my...who doesn't love hot from the stove...and made with a dash of love... homemade Caramel Sauce!
Here is a easy peesy recipe for you...to pour over...dip into...and lick from the spoon treat... this holiday season.
Be sure to make extra for last minute gifts...just cool...pour into small clean jars...label...and add a bow...to give as a sweet and thoughtful gift.
EASY HOMEMADE CARAMEL SAUCE
makes 3 cups
2 cups packed brown sugar
8 tablespoons salted butter
1/2 cups heavy cream
pinch of sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add the brown sugar...the heavy cream and salt to a 3-quart saucepan...and heat over medium low heat.Stir to combine...and keep your eye on this while it cooks...so it will not burn. Next add your butter...allowing the butter to melt completely...and continue to cook the mixture until it reaches a rolling boil...and once it does...continue to cook the caramel another 5 to 7 minutes...stirring and watching over the caramel until it thickens. Once it thickens...remove from heat...and add the vanilla. Allow to cool for a few minutes...use immediately...or pour cooled caramel into small jars...cap tightly and store in the fridge for later use...or to give as gifts.
Finger licking good!
Happy Holidays
Victoria
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
SEASONAL LIVING AND TIMELESS TRADITIONS DECEMBER 2015
December musings... The holiday celebrations...my family and friends... the shopping.. paper and bows....the gifts...and of course all the good food I will prepare...gladly eat and share with my loved ones...will create another holiday season...of sweet memories that will stay close to my heart forever.
The spirit of Christmas truly is about the rebirth of your soul...and goodwill to all...something I want to carry with me...each and everyday. I am the first to admit that in a world of constant turmoil... violence... and chaos...I have my moments of despair and worry...about what the future will look like for my children and grandchildren. This is only human...to worry and feel fearful...at times. But that is really not the answer for me or for you.To live in constant emotional turmoil is not living at all...or allowing your soul to embrace the goodness and joy that life truly is.
This month of December rebirth that place in your heart and soul...that knows that somehow everything will work out...and that your purpose is to not live in hate...fear or worry...but to have a faith in something that is far bigger than you are...or any human for that matter. Trust and have deep hope. Make each day count...and be grateful for all you have. This holiday season embrace your heart...and share your love for your family and friends...and focus on that beautiful light...instead of the darkness. Love is the most powerful force in the world...and the world needs your love...not your fear.
May you be blessed this holiday month...with all things right and good in the world...and the very best wishes...for a happy and abundant New Year.
Because there is hope...and goodness in the world...always...and you can make a difference...by sharing your love and light...because it is the right thing to do. The only thing to do.
Always.
Happy holidays to you,
Victoria
" I heard a bird sing
In the dark of
December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember
' We are nearer to Spring
Than we were in
September;
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of
December."
By Oliver Herford...I heard A Bird Sing
PRAYER FOR DECEMBER...
" Fill my being with hope...faith...and trust...and to always shine my inner light...out into the world".
WORLD TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR DECEMBER...
December 7th...Hanukkah begins... December 11th... L' Escalade Chocolate Festival in Switzerland...St. Lucia Day in Sweden December 13th...Winter Solstice is December 21st...December 25th...Christmas Day...December 26th...Kwanzaa... December 31st New Years Eve
FACTS ABOUT DECEMBER... December is the month with the shortest daylight hours of the year...in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
ST.Francis of Assisi is credited with making the first Nativity scene as part of the Christmas tradition...in the year 1223.
DECEMBER IN FRENCH...Decembre
DECEMBER IN ITALIAN...Dicembre
DECEMBER IN GERMAN...Dezember
FOLKLORE FOR DECEMBER...
" Snow on Christmas means Easter will be green."
"The nearer the New Moon to Christmas Day...the harder the Winter."
GARDENING TIP... Rake fallen leaves...prune dead limbs on trees
HOMEMAKING TIP...Find ways to decorate your home this holiday season with natural items...fresh greenery...lovely holiday flowers and herbs...pine cones...nuts...and fruits.
FULL MOON...December 25th
WINTER SOLSTICE... December 21st
FLOWERS FOR DECEMBER...Holly...poinsettia...Christmas cactus
GEMS FOR DECEMBER...Peridot
TEACHINGS FOR DECEMBER...Reach out to family and friends this month...share and give of yourself. Spend time reflecting ways you can live more from your heart so you can rebirth yourself.
NEW YEARS EVE TRADITION FOR THE FAMILY...
Simple...meaningful traditions are such a wonderful way to celebrate and honor all those special events in your life...as well as being a venue to teach and share life lessons and wisdom.
SUPPLIES: 1 large bowl of water...flower buds...tray or plate to hold the flower buds
Gather the family together...including small children...in a room where you have placed a large bowl of water. Have flower buds on a tray or plate next to the bowl of water. Ask each person...how they could be a more loving...positive and giving person in the New Year. Give each person a few moments to ponder this question.
When everyone is ready...have each person take a flower bud and say out loud what they are going to do to be a more loving...positive...giving human being in this New Year...and then place their flower bud into the bowl of water. After everyone is done...encourage everyone to clap and then hug one another...in celebration of everyone making 2016 a more positive life experience for the whole family.
Happy New Year!
SEASONAL LIVING AND TIMELESS TRADITIONS
...FOR YOUR HOME
Make it a beautiful...welcoming...and warm space...this month... by adding natural...simple...and organic elements...in your rooms. Pine cones...sprinkled with pure Pine essential oil...placed in bowls or trays...will not only look pretty...but smell wonderful too.
...FOR YOUR HEARTH
Oh my...I know you are ready for some lighter fare at some point during this month...and below is a simple...and healthy snack or before dinner appetizer.
WHITE BEAN AND KALAMATA OLIVE HUMMUS
Makes 6 servings
1 (15-ounce can) cannellini or other white bean...rinsed and drained
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon tahini (sesame paste)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin-olive oil
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
1 teaspoon sea salt
Place the beans...garlic and tahini in a food processor. With the machine running...slowly drizzle in the oil and blend to the desired consistency. Add the olives and pulse until they are just chopped and incorporated. Season with the salt.
Serve with assorted veggies...such as carrots...snap peas...cucumbers...zucchini...jicama...green peppers...or radishes. The hummus can be stored in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
...FOR YOUR HEART
OUT WITH THE OLD BATH SOAK
There is something so symbolic about taking a long soak...to cleanse and release yourself...on New Year's Eve or as close to the end of this year that you can get...that I believe should be a tradition for everyone. Before you take your cleansing soak to release the old...write down on a piece of paper issues...past hurts...patterns or anything that you no longer want or need in your life...in the New Year.
Run a hot bath...that you add 2 cups Epsom salts...2 cups of apple cider vinegar...and 10 drops of Rosemary...Sage...or Lemon pure essential oil while the water is running. Each one of these natural ingredients has cleansing and detoxing properties...and are also loaded with physical health benefits...for you.
Before you get in your soak...take a moment or two to read over your prepared list that you want to release...and you can if you want ask for guidance or say a prayer...or verbally make a deep commitment to yourself that you no longer what these listed items in your life...and are willing to do what it takes to let them go.
As you soak...imagine you are washing away all you want to release from your list...saying it out loud...to put emotion into it...declaring like you mean it...that you are done once and for all...with these issues.
When you feel complete...take a moment or two to just rest in the bath water...then towel off...and relax for a bit. Spend a few minutes writing down what changes you need to make...and the action steps necessary by you...to move forward without the issues you just washed away...in the New Year.
The spirit of Christmas truly is about the rebirth of your soul...and goodwill to all...something I want to carry with me...each and everyday. I am the first to admit that in a world of constant turmoil... violence... and chaos...I have my moments of despair and worry...about what the future will look like for my children and grandchildren. This is only human...to worry and feel fearful...at times. But that is really not the answer for me or for you.To live in constant emotional turmoil is not living at all...or allowing your soul to embrace the goodness and joy that life truly is.
This month of December rebirth that place in your heart and soul...that knows that somehow everything will work out...and that your purpose is to not live in hate...fear or worry...but to have a faith in something that is far bigger than you are...or any human for that matter. Trust and have deep hope. Make each day count...and be grateful for all you have. This holiday season embrace your heart...and share your love for your family and friends...and focus on that beautiful light...instead of the darkness. Love is the most powerful force in the world...and the world needs your love...not your fear.
May you be blessed this holiday month...with all things right and good in the world...and the very best wishes...for a happy and abundant New Year.
Because there is hope...and goodness in the world...always...and you can make a difference...by sharing your love and light...because it is the right thing to do. The only thing to do.
Always.
Happy holidays to you,
Victoria
" I heard a bird sing
In the dark of
December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember
' We are nearer to Spring
Than we were in
September;
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of
December."
By Oliver Herford...I heard A Bird Sing
PRAYER FOR DECEMBER...
" Fill my being with hope...faith...and trust...and to always shine my inner light...out into the world".
WORLD TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR DECEMBER...
December 7th...Hanukkah begins... December 11th... L' Escalade Chocolate Festival in Switzerland...St. Lucia Day in Sweden December 13th...Winter Solstice is December 21st...December 25th...Christmas Day...December 26th...Kwanzaa... December 31st New Years Eve
FACTS ABOUT DECEMBER... December is the month with the shortest daylight hours of the year...in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
ST.Francis of Assisi is credited with making the first Nativity scene as part of the Christmas tradition...in the year 1223.
DECEMBER IN FRENCH...Decembre
DECEMBER IN ITALIAN...Dicembre
DECEMBER IN GERMAN...Dezember
FOLKLORE FOR DECEMBER...
" Snow on Christmas means Easter will be green."
"The nearer the New Moon to Christmas Day...the harder the Winter."
GARDENING TIP... Rake fallen leaves...prune dead limbs on trees
HOMEMAKING TIP...Find ways to decorate your home this holiday season with natural items...fresh greenery...lovely holiday flowers and herbs...pine cones...nuts...and fruits.
FULL MOON...December 25th
WINTER SOLSTICE... December 21st
FLOWERS FOR DECEMBER...Holly...poinsettia...Christmas cactus
GEMS FOR DECEMBER...Peridot
TEACHINGS FOR DECEMBER...Reach out to family and friends this month...share and give of yourself. Spend time reflecting ways you can live more from your heart so you can rebirth yourself.
NEW YEARS EVE TRADITION FOR THE FAMILY...
Simple...meaningful traditions are such a wonderful way to celebrate and honor all those special events in your life...as well as being a venue to teach and share life lessons and wisdom.
SUPPLIES: 1 large bowl of water...flower buds...tray or plate to hold the flower buds
Gather the family together...including small children...in a room where you have placed a large bowl of water. Have flower buds on a tray or plate next to the bowl of water. Ask each person...how they could be a more loving...positive and giving person in the New Year. Give each person a few moments to ponder this question.
When everyone is ready...have each person take a flower bud and say out loud what they are going to do to be a more loving...positive...giving human being in this New Year...and then place their flower bud into the bowl of water. After everyone is done...encourage everyone to clap and then hug one another...in celebration of everyone making 2016 a more positive life experience for the whole family.
Happy New Year!
SEASONAL LIVING AND TIMELESS TRADITIONS
...FOR YOUR HOME
Make it a beautiful...welcoming...and warm space...this month... by adding natural...simple...and organic elements...in your rooms. Pine cones...sprinkled with pure Pine essential oil...placed in bowls or trays...will not only look pretty...but smell wonderful too.
...FOR YOUR HEARTH
Oh my...I know you are ready for some lighter fare at some point during this month...and below is a simple...and healthy snack or before dinner appetizer.
WHITE BEAN AND KALAMATA OLIVE HUMMUS
Makes 6 servings
1 (15-ounce can) cannellini or other white bean...rinsed and drained
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon tahini (sesame paste)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin-olive oil
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
1 teaspoon sea salt
Place the beans...garlic and tahini in a food processor. With the machine running...slowly drizzle in the oil and blend to the desired consistency. Add the olives and pulse until they are just chopped and incorporated. Season with the salt.
Serve with assorted veggies...such as carrots...snap peas...cucumbers...zucchini...jicama...green peppers...or radishes. The hummus can be stored in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
...FOR YOUR HEART
OUT WITH THE OLD BATH SOAK
There is something so symbolic about taking a long soak...to cleanse and release yourself...on New Year's Eve or as close to the end of this year that you can get...that I believe should be a tradition for everyone. Before you take your cleansing soak to release the old...write down on a piece of paper issues...past hurts...patterns or anything that you no longer want or need in your life...in the New Year.
Run a hot bath...that you add 2 cups Epsom salts...2 cups of apple cider vinegar...and 10 drops of Rosemary...Sage...or Lemon pure essential oil while the water is running. Each one of these natural ingredients has cleansing and detoxing properties...and are also loaded with physical health benefits...for you.
Before you get in your soak...take a moment or two to read over your prepared list that you want to release...and you can if you want ask for guidance or say a prayer...or verbally make a deep commitment to yourself that you no longer what these listed items in your life...and are willing to do what it takes to let them go.
As you soak...imagine you are washing away all you want to release from your list...saying it out loud...to put emotion into it...declaring like you mean it...that you are done once and for all...with these issues.
When you feel complete...take a moment or two to just rest in the bath water...then towel off...and relax for a bit. Spend a few minutes writing down what changes you need to make...and the action steps necessary by you...to move forward without the issues you just washed away...in the New Year.
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