After holiday musings with Fudge

Welcome!

Kaleidoscope by inkspired

Most of the presents have been delivered now,

with a few strays still waiting to be given.

Having a chest cold has delayed a few things here in our home.

I do hope you have all had a safe, warm

and loving Christmas, surrounded by 

people you love and that love you.

Artist Inge Look

I am still hoping to be over this cold soon

so I can make some fudge and cookies for neighbors.

This year I felt too much like Typhoid Mary

to bake much and give away.

I had also been hoping to make some pizelles.

While I don’t decorate my fudge quite this fancy

I do enjoy adding edible embellishments!

Cookies by Cook; Pinterest


Here is my tried and true recipe for yummy fudge:

Fantasy Fudge

1 7oz jar marshmallow creme 

3 cups sugar

3/4 cup margarine or butter

2/3 cup evaporated milk (NOT sweet condensed)

1 12oz package chocolate chips*

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon vanilla extract*

Grease 9x13” Pan. (You can line with foil and then grease if you want, see note at bottom).

Combine sugar, margarine/butter & evaporated milk in heavy saucepan over medium heat to dissolve sugar.

Bring mixture to full boil for 5 mins, stirring constantly. Really.

Remove from heat.

Stir in chocolate chips, stirring until melted and thoroughly mixed.

Add in marshmallow creme, walnuts and vanilla extract, beating thoroughly.

Pour into prepared pan. Let cool. Cut into small squares, diamond shape, etc.

I always want to use my pan again right away, so if you have lined your pan with foil, you can lift out the fudge to cool and cut, and your pan is ready for the next batch immediately.

Now comes the variety!

*in place of chocolate chips, substitute butterscotch chips, mint chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, etc.

I add pecans to my butterscotch fudge instead of walnuts.

*get out all those flavored extracts! 

Cherry extract goes well with semi-sweet choc chips.

Butter rum extract goes well with any kind of chips!

Try hazelnut extract and use hazelnuts as the nuts.

Have fun experimenting!

Found on Pinterest, unknown source

Aren’t those decorations so pretty?

If you don’t have the time or desire for something quite that fancy, use the photo to give you ideas.

A simple frosting-piped wreath with a couple red sprinkles is quick and easy to add.

Triangle tree from frosting, then sprinkle decorating confetti is very cheerful!

You get the idea.

I like to buy the frosting in a can or bag that comes with a set of 4 screw-on decorator tips.

Super easy. Stores well.

December 1919 magazine cover

Have a fun  and safe New Year’s Eve!

‘Til next time,
Inkspired

Kaleidoscope by inkspired

Truth: (usually discovered before coffee and/or 10 am)
Now is NOT the time to organize the pantry.
Or anything.
You will just have to re-do it when you wake up.
😁

Yes! Another kaleidoscope by inkspired! 
😆

Peace on earth

Welcome!

Kaleidoscope by inkspired 

The crowds and stress and 

Hurry Hurry Hurry

of the days before Christmas

are done.

It is Christmas Eve now!

Things are quiet here.
A dog barking in the distance.
Christmas lights twinkling inside and out.

‘Ornaments’ by Sulamith Wulfing

Okay, I still have wrapping to do
and some clean up from last minute 
craft projects.
I also need to make my Pea Salad for tomorrow.

But I’m not feeling rushed.
Just enjoying the quiet
and reflecting on what Christmas means to me.

Found on Pinterest

Kaleidoscope by inkspired 


My wish for you is that you know
You are loved.
That you know true inner peace,
and that you never forget
how to laugh.

Artist: Inge Look (with 2 dots over each ‘o’)

Lil’ Peeps ‘round the world
Created by inkspired, and Cricut.
The ‘earth’ was made by M. Nelson.

With that in mind,
let’s share some giggles!

Cartoon funnies found on...where else?
Pinterest!

Tee Hee

Now, let’s not leave out the canine part of the family:

Time for me to go wrap a few presents
and have a bite of dinner.

Who knows?
I might even write out a few 
belated Christmas cards! 

Kaleidoscope by inkspired 

‘Til next time,
Inkspired

 Truth: Addressing Christmas cards
before coffee and/or 10 am
is a waste of time.
You’ll just have to re-address them after coffee.
🤤

Reading is good for the Soul

Welcome!

Kaleidoscope by inkspired

‘A reader lives a thousand lives
before he dies.’

- George R.R. Martin 

Unknown artist; found on Pinterest

Apparently I am in a reading books mood!
I think the early nightfall contributes to this.

Cozy up with a soft blanket in front of the fireplace
and reading a good book -
Wonderful!

Artist Inge Look

 ‘Reading gives us someplace to go
when we have to stay
where we are.’

- Mason Cooley

In a bookstore, somewhere!

I love the poems in a dispenser idea!

This is a free library found in Larimer Tree Gardens,
Wiltshire, England

London, England Book Barge
‘word on the water’

C.S. Lewis quote

I hope you have been encouraged to go visit your local bookstore, and also your local library!

Bibliobarn’s Bibliobargains

Photo credit: yeksitra

(Anybody know where this can be found?)

Chicago South Side, IL, USA

This large library has an interesting story behind it.

In 2012 artist Theaster Gates purchased an abandoned bank building. The roof had fallen in, and it was a wreck.

He paid $1.00.

He is in the process of turning it into a huge 

Arts Center!

This photo is of the Johnson Publishing Archive,

at Stony Island Bank.

😲

So go find a book to read, already!

‘Til next time,

inkspired

Kaleidoscope by inkspired

Truth:

It works best if you take the lid off your tea kettle 

before attempting to fill.

(lessons from actual experience)