-Happy New Year 2015-

2014 has been a pretty nice year for us.

Thanks to all you lovely people for sharing it with me for the past few month since I started this blog. I hope the next year will be just as nice if not better. I will have no New Years resolutions for this upcoming year, because I never manage to keep them. I will however promise to do my best in everything that I do or try. I think that is all I can ask of myself. 

Have a safe, happy and healthy New Year.

May 2015 bring you everything you wish for!

-My New Die Cutter And Svg Cut File-

 
My hubby was so sweet and bought me an early Christmas present. The Cricut Explore Die Cutter.
I used to have a Cricut machine before, but I gave it to my daughter who just loves it and uses it a lot for her paper and decor crafting.

To be honest I wasn't all that impressed with the Cricut, mainly because you had to spend a fortune on their image cartridges and you were not allowed to make your own cut files or use third party software like Make The Cut or Sure Cuts A Lot. That put me off and I past the maschiene along to my daughter who was happy to get the cutter for free.
That was a few years ago and lately I've been seeing some nice projects that require a die cutter and found myself wanting a new one.

My first choice in my research was the Silhouette Cameo which has rave reviews and a large following, but then I started to run across the newest Cricut Explore and checked on how people liked it and the new improvements the company Provo Craft made.

I was impressed by the changes and the new freedom users were given in the creation of their own files and projects that I decided to give the Cricut brand another chance.
I've owned the Cricut Explore for about a week now and I must say I really like it. I'm still learning the software and how to create with Design space, but the difference from the older maschines to this one is like night and day and I'm glad I gave it a try.

This past week I've been learning the new Design Software for Cricut and relearning how to make my own cut files.

Below I have a set of 6 Snowflake cut files that I made, please download them if you have use for them.

These are in SVG format and for personal use only please!

Thanks for looking

-"Glühwein" A German Mulled Wine Recipe-

Glühwein means roughly translated "glow-wine," and is very popular in German-speaking countries. It goes with Christmas like present wrapping and cookie baking. Glühwein is a traditional beverage that is offered during winter and the Christmas holidays including New Years Eve.

This drink is served hot and most of the time made from red wine. White wine can also be used, but is less popular than the red wine version.
The basic recipe for Glühwein is pretty much the same for most countries that enjoy this drink, but can differ in the preparation and adding of spices and other ingredients that make it more unique to a particular country or even families.

No German Christmas market is complete without Glühwein to keep away the winter chill.
It is a long standing tradition and while you can buy pre made bottles of Glühwein it will never be better than homemade.

To make a pot of Glühwein you will need:

- ¾ Liter Red Wine
- ¼ Liter Water
- 3-5 Cloves
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks
- 2 Star Anise
- 1 Lemon
- 1 Orange
- 3 Tbs Sugar

Pour wine and water into a pot and add all the spices. Slowly heat, but do not bring to a boil.
Cut the orange and lemon into slices and add to the pot as well. Leave on the stove for about an hour keeping the wine at a low simmer. After, strain the Glühwein to remove the spices and citrus. Add the sugar to taste and serve hot in large mugs. Place an orange or lemon slice into the mug for some decor.

If you like a bit more kick you can also add a shot of rum or brandy.

Enjoy and please drink responsibly


Thanks for looking

-" Vanillehörnchen" Homemade German Christmas Cookies-

Vanillehörnchen are my all-time favorite, traditional German Christmas cookies.
These cookies are quick and easy to bake. I'm sure they will become a family favorite and be gone in no time. Store the Vanillahörnchen in a tin, they will keep for about 3 weeks if you can keep your family from eating them in one sitting.

Ingredients for approx. 25 - 30 cookies

• 260g (2 1/2 cups) plain flour, sifted
• 2 tablespoons vanilla sugar
• 100g (1/2 cup) ground almonds or hazel nuts
• 1 egg yolk
• 200g (1 cup) soft butter
• 1 pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons icing sugar to dust the Vanillahörnchen

To make you own vanilla sugar

• Put 200g sugar into a jar with a lid, slice one Vanilla Bean, remove the pulp with a small spoon and cut the bean into 2 or 3 pieces. Add the pulp and the vanilla bean pieces to the sugar. Close the jar and let the vanilla sugar rest for a few day, shake now and then. This sugar is so much better than store bought, with lots more aroma and taste.

Directions
Mix the butter, salt, vanilla sugar and egg yolk in a bowl with a hand mixer.
Add ground almonds and flour and knead to a firm dough. 
Divide the dough into quarters and form four rolls, each one about 2 to 3cm (0,78 zo 1,18 inch) thick. Cover the rolls with cling wrap and place them in the refrigerator for about an hour.
Dust your counter top with some flour and cut the rolls into slices (about as thick as a finger) and form little crescents.
Put the Vanillahörnchen on a greased or parchment paper lined baking sheet,
Bake at 160°C / 320°F in a pre-heated oven for 12 to 15 minutes.
Remove the Vanillahörnchen carefully and place them on a cooling rack.
Fill the icing sugar into a small bowl and dust the Vanillahörnchen while they are still warm.

Let the cookies cool completely on a cooling rack and enjoy with a nice cup of coffee or a glass of Glühwein.



Thank you for looking