A simple Hostess gift....

Every year I make a simple chocolate bark.
It has become a tradition in our Humble Bungalow...
it is a tasty treat.
I love to package it up and give it as a Hostess gift.

I use 225 g package of semi sweet chocolate...

melt it gently in a double boiler or in a micro wave.

Be very careful not to burn it.

I vary the ingredients from year to year.

Sometimes I use almond slices and dried cranberries.

This year 

I am using pistachios and candied ginger.

I roughly chop about a cup of pistachios and 1/2 cup of candied ginger.

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper

pour the melted chocolate on top and using a spatula spread it out.

Sprinkle the chocolate with the nuts and ginger 

then put it in the refrigerator to harden.

Break it apart and put into cello bags or a pretty container.

I keep it in the fridge.

Ready for snacking or a handy gift!

This is the "test batch" 

we ate it all up 

 I need to make some more!

I plan to make a double batch next time.

How are your holiday preparations coming along?

I am one of the many volunteers who are serving a turkey luncheon to the seniors at the club so I must close for now.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Gifts and some festive ideas from the Humble Bungalow

I finished knitting the cozy scarf I was working on this past week.

 I delivered it this afternoon after the Christmas coffee with my knitting group.

Our group took up the challenge and opened up our wallets to donate to the local newspaper The Times-Colonist Christmas fund.

The scarf is a simple 4 row repeat.

I can visualize this enlarged as a cozy throw or made in to a lap blanket.

This week I made a delicious apple chutney with the apples that were left in the fruit bowl.

 Recipe is from The Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten

found on  The Food Network website here is the recipe.

It was easy and quick to assemble.

Simmered for about an hour and the whole house smelled wonderful!

As it turns out, I was out of raisins, so I substituted dried cranberries instead 

they add a nice sweet tang and pretty seasonal colour.

It keeps in the fridge for 2 weeks...

 I am planning to serve it with turkey, pork, ham and a strong cheddar cheese.

I melted some cheese on a whole wheat wrap and topped it with this chutney

and ate it for my lunch.

I could not wait to try it

and 

oh my it is good!

Traditional "Grannies" dish cloths are in production

using up cotton leftover yarn.

They make a useful Hostess gift paired with a luxury soap or fancy dish detergent.

Glazed Lemon Loaf with raspberries

I doubled the ingredients and made two loaves

recipe here

One off to family and the other shared with Mother and some for our house.

It freezes well so I may end up popping half into the freezer for future use.

It is a time of year where we give tokens of appreciation 

to those who work with and for us 

and

 give gifts to friends and family.

When considering "Hostess Gifts"

I prefer gifts that are consumables...

we have enough "stuff" 

so I give things that do not take up unwanted "space" 

 gifts that are (hopefully) useful.

~ HOSTESS GIFTS ~

Beeswax candles

linen tea towels

chocolate

wine

bath salts

soaps and a dish cloth

scented votive candles

emollient hand cream

baking

tea

candied nuts

jams and marmalade

olive oil

balsamic vinegar

napkins

aprons

~ PLANTS ~ 

Orchids

Amaryllis

African Violets

Forced Bulbs

Ferns

Succulents

~ PERSONAL GIFTS ~

These are gifts chosen specifically for the individual based on their tastes

and 

are considered much more intimate than a Hostess Gift.

scarves

socks

gift certificates

pajamas

books

journals

CD

stationary

spa vouchers

wallet 

tote bag 

restaurant or event gift certificate

perfume

bath robe

a collectible chosen specifically for the recipient

or

something specific from their "wish list"

There are so many wonderful things to see in town at this time of year.

We took Mother to the Festival of Trees last week and this week we went to the gingerbread displays at Laurel Point Inn.

Entry #10 Wanderlust

Gingerbread at its finest!

A cookie dough Pentax!

Chris Hadfield our Space Station, guitar playing Canadian astronaut. 

I recognize these landmarks...

now it is time to close...

It has been a busy day and with more to do on my list I will say goodnight.

Sweet Dreams

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Hostess Gifts ~ Part 1

I have been giving and making gifts for many years...
Mother always took a Hostess gift. She impressed upon us how important it was to properly and politely recognize invitations and the efforts that a Host or Hostess put into having an event in their home.

Flowers, plants and chocolates are the first gifts that come to mind.

If you decide to give one of these items I would suggest a bouquet arranged in a vase 

or a potted plant or an orchid...

be considerate

leave nothing extra for the busy Hostess to do on the night of her open house or dinner party.

If you are giving chocolates...

opt for a local artisan chocolate shop over a box of "store bought" sweets.

(or make your own!)

If you are invited out to a dinner or house party do not arrive empty handed...

the gift does not need to be extravagant 

and please consider the Hostess and her tastes.

A bottle of wine

jam

a scented candle

marmalade

fancy teas

French milled soap

beeswax candles

exquisite olive oil

nuts

pretty napkins

a linen tea towel

lavender sachets

Hostess gifts need not be purchased if you are handy in the kitchen.

I have a few things that I like to make every year just before Christmas.

Our social calendar gets filled up quickly and I like to be prepared with a variety of gifts.

I buy pretty tins and doilies at the local Dollar Store.

My latest gift is dried fruit from the health food store dipped in chocolate.

Buy an assortment of fruit...melt the chocolate "buttons" and dip the fruit.

Cool on a parchment lined sheet pan then store in air tight containers

a layer of parchment or waxed paper between each layer of fruit.

Trust me...these are delicious!

They do not take very long to dip once the chocolate is melted.

Work in smaller batches so the chocolate stays smooth and pliable.

Arrange tins so that you can divide the fruit evenly.

Assembly line seems to be the most efficient way for me to get things done.

The fruit made ahead and stored in separate tins...

Each tin has a variety of chocolate dipped fruit.

You could add nuts if you like...

I make a batch of spiced nuts that I package in separate containers.

This is an easy and inexpensive Hostess gift...

delicious

but

 be warned

the fruit is slightly addictive!

(I reserve a large tin of dipped fruit in the pantry for our use)

Organic Chinese Mandarin Oranges are so sweet...

we have eaten one box so far and are into the second one!

BTW

I like to make one dinner and serve it twice when I am busy.

I made a big batch of soup...

I served it for dinner

and packed the leftovers for another day.

You can freeze it of you want and bring it out on a night when you are pressed for time.

Keeping Calm

is always so much easier if you "plan ahead!"

Stay tuned for more Hostess approved recipes!