Showing posts with label hostess. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hostess. Show all posts

Thursday, December 14, 2017

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 ~



Tuesday, December 13, 2016

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

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 ~




Tuesday, December 1, 2015

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!