Another Corner Decked Out

     I 'decked out' another corner of the living room this morning, cleaning and dusting the piano and all the candles and glassware that were on it.  The quilt wall hanging was done by Judy Curry and my mom

bought 2 from the shop in Cooperstown years ago to give as wedding gifts but never did.  I decided this year to finally hang one up.  One of the glass snowmen lost his carrot nose in the wash but I managed to glue it back one.  (It looks ok if you don't look closely.)  He'll make it for another year!  I know the wall hanging isn't up exactly straight, but it will do.   The rest of 'crystal forest' is in the TV room and I haven't gotten in there yet. Maybe tomorrow I'll dust the corner hutch, but I don't think I'll make it to the TV room before Christmas!

Pignolata (Strufoli) or Italian honey clusters

In a large bowl place

      2 cups sifted flour

     1/4 salt

Add 3 eggs, one at a time, mixing slightly after each addition.

Add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Mix well to form dough.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead.  Divide in half.  Roll each half into a rectangle 1/4" thick.  Cut each rectangle into strips 1/4" wide and roll in your hand to form rope pencil thick.  Cut each rope into pieces 1/4-1/2" long.

Frying only as many pieces of rope that will float uncrowded in your pan, fry one pieces 3-5 minutes until lightly browned, turning occasionally.  Drain over pan before removing to absorbent paper.

In the meantime, over low heat cook

1 cup honey

1 tbl sugar

for 5 mins.  Remove from heat and stir in fried dough pieces.  Stir constantly until all pieces are coated with honey mixture.  Remove coated pieces with a slotted spoon and shape on a platter or in cupcake papers.  Sprinkle with

1 tbl tiny multicolored candies.

Advent Swap Day 2 & 3

Here are Day 2 & 3's Advent Swap gifts.

Those 2 wash clothes will be put to good use!  I've never seen a Yarn Daisy before!  It should come in handy balling hanks of yarn. 

Advent Swap

It's Advent Swap time on Raverly!!

     

    My Advent Swap package was delivered today and oh, boy, is it full! I can hardly wait to open the wrapped gifts!  But I 'controlled' myself and dug out the package labeled 'Day 1'.  Zoey inspected it and since it didn't appeal to her doggie nose, I opened it. This is a 'blind swap' and you are supposed to scout out your partner's history to learn her likes and preferences. The rules call for 24 inexpensive gifts and a more expensive gift for Christmas.  You can make or buy your gifts.  

Yesterday I had put a small ziploc bag in my pocketbook with a skein of sock yarn and 2 small circular needles so I could carry a sock in progress with me, but the 'stuffed baggie' didn't really fit in my pocketbook.  It popped! And I think the needles punctured the plastic bag.  This fabric bag was a much better fit.  Not only did the yarn and needles fit but I even managed to slip in a book (in case I got tired of knitting while waiting).  Jeff's got a CT scheduled for this afternoon and another next Wednesday so I can take my 'work bag' with me and get something done while I wait. Oh, my Swap package came from Karen in Florida! Thanks, Karen!

  I'll post photos as I open the packages so everybody can see what I got.  I sent a package to Saginaw, Michigan and it was delivered yesterday.  I hope she liked it!!