Reflections of 2014

As I write this blog post 2014 is in its final day. And while it has been a decent year, I am not sorry to see it end. There is always something refreshing about starting a new year and saying good bye to the negative parts of the past.

This has been a year of ups and downs. We said good bye to Ben, Connie, and Lindy, and said hello to Aaliyah. We took on more family responsibilities while finding more free time in our schedules. We tried some new things and added more craft shows. We learned of many friends and family who are suffering and counted our blessings that we have escaped such things so far. We brought smiles to many children this Christmas season as Santa and Mrs. Claus. And we welcomed Melissa into our family! As I look at our 2014 calendar I do not see many empty spaces. It was a full year, yet one filled with a bit of time to relax.

I could get into all that has gone on in the world this year, but will leave that up to the Weekly Standard, Time, Newsweek, and all the rest. I'm sure you're aware anyway, and don't need too many reminders.

So, what will 2015 bring? I'm looking forward to a peaceful world, a smaller me, Mike's retirement, travel, more craft shows, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying life. And while we will face more loss, and will feel the void of those who go before us, we do recognize that it is all a part of the life cycle and vow to enjoy every moment because life can change in an instant!

So Happy New Year to you! May you enjoy a year filled with many blessings!

Until Next Time...

Diane

#cruisincreations
#happynewyear
#2014
#2015
#knittedscarves

Ribbon Jewel Cakes

This recipe has been in our family for years and is a favorite! Every special occasion includes a batch of Ribbon Jewel Cakes. While they are very tedious one bite confirms that they are well worth the effort!

4 eggs
2 sticks butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 cups sifted flour
1 can (about 5 oz.) toasted slivered almonds
1 cup dairy sour cream
1/2 cup apricot preserves
1/2 cup red raspberry preserves
butter cream frosting

Separate eggs placing whites in a medium bowl and yolks in a custard cup. Beat egg whites until stiff enough to form soft peaks.

Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl, using a spoon or electric beater, until light in color. Add egg yolks all at once. Beat well. Stir in flour until it disappears completely. Fold in beaten egg whites.

Butter and lightly flour the bottom of an inverted metal pan, 13" X 9" X 2". Measure about 2/3 cup batter. Spread thinly with spatula on pan almost to the edge. Bake 350 F for 10 minutes or until golden brown around the edge. Carefully remove entire layer and cool on wire rack. Cool pan, wash, butter, and flour for each of 4 succeeding bakings.

Grind or chop almonds until very fine. Stir into sour cream. Set aside.

Place 1 cake layer top side up on a cutting board. Spread about 1/4 cup apricot preserves on layer, then spread 1/3 cup sour cream and almond mixture. Add second layer and spread with 1/4 cup raspberry preserves, then spread with sour cream mixture. Repeat alternating apricot/cream and raspberry/cream between remaining layers. Leave the top layer plain. Weigh down layers with a board or flat pan. Cover and chill overnight.

Remove from refrigerator. Trim crust edges, spread top with a thin layer of frosting. Save 2 tablespoons for next step. Cut cake crosswise into 8 strips about 1 1/2" wide, cut each strip into 8 cakes.

Tint saved frosting pink, decorate cakes with a flower swirl.

Butter Cream Frosting

Cream 3 tablespoons butter or margarine until soft in a medium bowl.

Stir in 3/4 cup sifted confectioner's sugar, 1 tablespoon cream, dash or salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Gradually add more confectioner's sugar, about 1/4 cup until mixture spreads easily.

Makes about 3/4 cup.

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We are working with some new yarns and new colors for 2015. Watch for announcements in this blog, on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest!

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Merry Christmas from Cruisin' Creations!

Until Next Time...

Diane

Favorite Family Cookie Recipes

Yesterday was a great day! I lit up the kitchen, turned on the Christmas Caroles, and baked the day away. Baking is something I love to do but something my waistline can't handle so I don't do it often. But what would Christmas be without those favorite homemade cookies on a tray?

Viennese Walnut Cookies

These cookies have an interesting story. It was our first Christmas as husband and wife. I knew my mother would be baking the family favorites and decided to create some new family favorites so I searched cookbooks and found this recipe, thought it would taste good with the butter cream frosting between the layers, and decided to bake them. 

I followed the directions to a T; however, when I took the dough out of the refrigerator to roll it out it crumbled on the counter. Hmmm? What to do? Well, being one who doesn't like to waste food, I rolled the dough into balls and baked them. I actually think they are better this way. They are basically a walnut shortbread cookie.

1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/4 cups sifted flour

1 1/3 cups chopped walnuts

Cream butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla together. Blend in flour and walnuts using hands to form dough into a ball (I use the electric mixer.)

Chill 30 minutes.

Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350 F. for 15 minutes.

Cheesecake Dreams

I don't remember where I found this recipe, but if you love cheesecake and want an easy way to enjoy the flavor without baking a large cheesecake then this is a recipe you will want to try!

1/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

1 cup flour

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup margarine, melted

1 - 8 ounce cream cheese, softened (Can use reduced fat cream cheese)

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

Grease 8 inch baking pan. 

In a small bowl mix first 3 ingredients. Stir in melted butter. Reserve 1/3 cup crumbs. Pat remaining crumbs gently into pan. Bake 12 - 15 minutes at 350 F.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in remaining ingredients. Pour over baked crust. Sprinkle remaining crumbs over top of cheese mixture. Bake 25 minutes.

Cool on wire rack. When cool, cut into 2 inch squares then cut each square diagonally in half. 

Yields 32 cookies.

Butter and Jam Thumbprints

My husband loves these and bakes them every Christmas!

1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

2/3 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup raspberry, cherry, or strawberry jam

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.

In another bowl whip the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined. Slowly beat in the dry ingredients in 2 additions, mixing just until incorporated.

Scoop the dough into 1 inch balls with a cookie or ice cream scoop. Roll in sugar and place about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Press a thumbprint into the center of each ball, about 1/2 inch deep. Fill each indentation with 3/4 teaspoon jam.

Bake cookies until the edges are golden, about 15 minutes. Cool cookies on the baking sheets. 

Yields 24 - 30 cookies.

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Did you know that Cruisin' Creations make great stocking stuffers? Add a bracelet, birthstone necklace, eyeglass holder, or necklet as a little something extra for the special girls on your list! Click on the link below each picture or go to www.cruisincreations.etsy.com to view our entire line of accessories.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/129362578/purple-beaded-knitted-nylon-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_9

https://www.etsy.com/listing/130028539/teal-blue-knitted-beaded-nylon-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_13

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/128736958/black-beaded-nylon-knitted-eyeglass?ref=shop_home_active_11

https://www.etsy.com/listing/128737147/olive-green-beaded-knitted-eyeglass?ref=shop_home_active_13

https://www.etsy.com/listing/190462762/handcrafted-red-beaded-knitted-necklet?ref=shop_home_active_12

https://www.etsy.com/listing/190469560/rainbow-necklet-necklace-wrap-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_10

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The Shaker Heritage Society Christmas Craft Fair ends on Saturday, December 20! If you are in the Albany, NY area please stop by 25 Meeting House Road daily between 10 am & 4 pm to support the Shaker Museum and local artisans. Thank you for your support!

Until Next Time...

Diane

#cruisincreations

#favoritecookierecipes

#cruisincreationsblogspot

#knittedbracelet

#eyeglassholder

#necklet

#birthstonenecklace

#stocking stuffers

Favorite Family Candy Recipes

As we get closer to Christmas my focus is on purchasing meaningful gifts for everyone on my list and continuing our family traditions by baking the sweets that our family enjoys this time of year. This week I thought I would feature three candy recipes that are family favorites.

* Peanut Cluster Candy

If you love chocolate and peanut butter then this is a must for your recipe collection! And it is sooooo easy to make!!!

1 bag of milk chocolate chips
1 bag of peanut butter chips
1 cup peanuts (I use dry roasted, unsalted peanuts)

Melt chocolate and peanut butter chips together. Add peanuts. Mix until fully blended. Drop in teaspoon size clusters on waxed paper lined cookie sheets. Freeze for 15 minutes. Store in the refrigerator.

* Peanut Butter Snowballs (A Taste of Home)

This can be made with white or chocolate melts.

1 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon margarine, softened
1 pound of white candy or chocolate wafers

Mix confectioners sugar, peanut butter, and margarine until well blended. Shape into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Chill for 30 minutes.

Melt wafers in a double boiler or microwave. Dip balls into melted wafers and place on waxed paper to harden. I usually cover a douple recipe of peanut butter balls with one pound of the candy wafers.

* Salty and sweet go so well together in this candy recipe, They're like potato chips! You can't eat just one!!!

1 pound white candy melts
2 teaspoons oil
3 cups stick pretzels
1 generous cup of peanuts.

Break up pretzels to about 1 inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Add peanuts.

Place wafers and oil in double boiler or microwave safe bowl. Melt wafers stirring frequently. Pour melted wafers over pretzel/peanut mixture. Stir together and mix thoroughly.

Spread mixture over waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate 1/2 hour to harden. Break into chunks and store in a tin.

If making candy isn't your thing then perhaps you would like to order from Blue Goddess Confections! You can contact them at bluegoddessconfections@gmail.,com.

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It is a cold rainy day in the northeast and all I can think of doing is curling up under a blanket to keep warm. When my schedule doesn't permit me to keep warm under that blanket I warm up with one of Cruisin' Creations warm winter scarves? Made of warm acrylic yarn they are light and airy but keep me nice and toasty warm. Why not purchase one for yourself or your favorite girl?

Choose from collar, shawl, infinity, or traditional styles! Click on the links below each picture to order those specific scarves or click on this link to view the entire selection of winter scarves at Cruisin' Creations! https://www.etsy.com/shop/CruisinCreations?section_id=14094484&ref=shopsection_leftnav_9

https://www.etsy.com/listing/202355743/lime-green-acrylic-knitted-beaded-winter?ref=shop_home_active_14

https://www.etsy.com/listing/207288188/pink-knitted-shawl-scarf-with-beaded?ref=shop_home_active_9

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122899487/ruby-red-beaded-acrylic-winter-scarf?ref=shop_home_active_23

https://www.etsy.com/listing/116165011/shimmery-platinum-acrylic-scarf-with?ref=shop_home_active_21

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Cruisin' Creations will be displaying at the Shaker Heritage Society Christmas Craft Fair until December 20. The Shaker Heritage Society is located at 25 Meeting House Road, Albany, NY. It is across from the Albany International Airport.

Gift shop hours are Monday - Saturday, 10:00 - 4:00

Until Next Time...

Diane

#cruisincreations

#bluegoddessconfections

#shakerheritagesociety

Blue Goddess Confections

Do you love chocolate? Well, if you do then you have to try Blue Goddess Confections chocolate recipes! Blue Goddess Confections is a new business specializing in premier chocolates prepared in small batches with the finest ingredients.

This past weekend we had the pleasure of being neighbors with Vera and Frank of Blue Goddess Confections at the Saratoga Holiday Craft Marketplace in Saratoga Springs, NY. They were delightful to visit with. And, naturally, being a chocoholic I just had to sample each of their recipes. Delicious!!! And their packaging is adorable, don't you think?

Vera prepares and packages each batch of chocolate in a small commercial kitchen in Saratoga Spring, NY. While their webpage is still under construction perhaps you will come across their confections at an upcoming show. Keep an eye out for Blue Goddess Confections!

You can also contact Blue Goddess Confections at bluegoddessconfections@gmail.com!

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The blue topaz Swarovski crystals in this December birthstone necklace and bracelet just sparkle and pop against the white yarn! Imagine your favorite girl wearing this set during the holiday season. She will be the "Belle of the Ball". Measuring 18" in length, the alligator clasp closure attaches to a 4" extension chain allowing for flexibility with the length of the necklace. The bracelet slides over the hand and hugs the wrist.

Purchase individually by clicking on the link below each picture or save when you purchase the set at - https://www.etsy.com/listing/204089762/sets-birthstone-necklace-and-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_22.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with?ref=shop_home_active_24

https://www.etsy.com/listing/194695617/birthstone-bracelet-knitted-beaded-with?ref=shop_home_active_21

Other months as well as custom Mother's necklaces and bracelets are available in my Etsy shop - www.cruisincreations.etsy.com

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Cruisin' Creations 2014 craft show schedule has come to an end; however, you can still purchase our designs online at www.cruisincreations.etsy.com. 

If you are in the Albany, NY area you can also purchase our designs at the Shaker Heritage Society Christmas Craft Fair, 25 Meeting House Road, Albany, NY. This craft fair is a major fundraiser for the Shaker Museum so please stop by often and purchase from the many artisans who are displaying at the fair. Open from 10:00 - 4:00, this show runs until December 20. The Museum is closed on Sundays. 

Until Next Time...

Diane

#cruisincreations
#bluegoddessconfections
#decemberbirthstone
#birthstonejewelry
#etsy
#shakerheritagesociety
#chocolate