Themed Blog & Shop Hop - The Colors Green &/or Red

 

WELCOME to the 10th

"Themed Blog & Shop Hop"

December 14th 2012!

I'm so glad that you stopped by!

For those of you who are not familiar with "Hops" (a.k.a. Linky party) - a Blog Hop &/or Shop Hop is an event where viewers/followers can upload links onto my blog......Links to their items in their Etsy shops (or online shops) or links to their Blogs. And then we can "hop" from blog to blog or shop to shop.

The theme this month is:
"The colors GREEN &/or RED"

Link up anything that is mostly RED &/or GREEN -  whether it's a recipe, a craft, something about a green Christmas tree. Or anything that has both of these colors or one of these colors.

If you have anything that remotely touches this topic - then please share it with us.

 

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Please checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!!

Cynthia Tessmer from "Shoreline Designed" creates Natural Beach Stone Jewelry (Please click on the ad below):

Find out more about this amazing artist CLICK HERE

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Although I would love it if everyone joined my blog or became followers of my blog - that is not a requirement to participate in this "Hop". All I ask is that you keep your submissions decent - no offensive content please.

Well, actually there is a second rule:

only 2 submissions per person please.

If you do not have a blog or a shop then please still stop by and take a digital walk through our virtual mall.

I will be having a "Themed Blog & Shop Hop" once a month - the middle of each month. Next month's hop will be on:

JANUARY 15th, 2013

ENJOY!!

To Etsy shop owners - please only upload links directly to the items that you would like to share with us - not a link to your entire shop - Thanks.

To Blog owners - you may submit any post that fits into the theme - it can be an old post from many months ago (it does Not have to be a recent post). Also, please submit the link directly to the post and Not a link to your homepage - Thank you!

I will be "tweeting" about the submissions throughout the week to come.

 

 

 

November Blog & Shop Hop - THE RESULTS

  

I would just like to thank all of you again for either visiting or participating in my ninth "Themed Blog & Shop Hop" - I had so much fun and I hope that you did also!

Now - The Results (If you haven't already - please checkout these wonderful blogs & shops) (Remember I have 2 "featured buttons" if you were featured and wanted to place one on your blog - NOT a requirement)

For the most "likes":

<a border="0" <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>=" http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">godsgrowinggarden</span>.com/" target="_blank"><<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>=" <a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>="http://s1145.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">photobucket</span>.com/albums/o501/<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">AngieOuelletteTower</span>/?action=view¤t=DSCF0380-Copy.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>" target="_blank"><<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="http://i1145.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">photobucket</span>.com/albums/o501/<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">AngieOuelletteTower</span>/<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">th</span>_DSCF0380-Copy.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>" border="0" alt="The Most "Likes", http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">godsgrowinggarden</span>.com" ></a>"/></a>

Checkout this amazing wood & plaster cross - painted wall sculpture!! - Kimberlie received the most "likes".

Kimberlie from Kimberlie Dykeman Shop

For the most "clicks":

<a border="0" <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>=" http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">godsgrowinggarden</span>.com/" target="_blank"><<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>="http://s1145.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">photobucket</span>.com/albums/o501/<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">AngieOuelletteTower</span>/?action=view¤t=DSCF0378-Copy.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>" target="_blank"><<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="http://i1145.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">photobucket</span>.com/albums/o501/<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">AngieOuelletteTower</span>/<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">th</span>_DSCF0378-Copy.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>" border="0" alt="The Most "Clicks", http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">godsgrowinggarden</span>.com" ></a>"/></a>

and look at this unique & scrumptious Kit Kat Cake!!! Jamie received the most "clicks" for 2 months in a row!

Jamie from Love Bakes Good Cakes

Thank you all for your amazing submissions!!!

Please join us tomorrow for the 10th Themed Blog & Shop Hop!

 

 

Mom's Marzipan Cookies

Mom's Marzipan Cookies

This cookie recipe is my mom's delicious creation.  There is something wonderful about the combination of almond, apricot and chocolate!  My husband loves the taste of these morsels and I love the visual enjoyment (well OK - I love the taste also).

I'm going to be honest with you - these cookies are very time consuming to make but just look at the beauty! - It is so worth the effort!

No offense to the Italian Almond paste but for this recipe you must use a more solid German Marzipan - I recommend Odense Marzipan.





 






            

Printable Recipe

2/3 cup butter (softened)

1/2 cup sugar

2 egg yolks

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 2/3 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

 1 to 2 rolls Marzipan (Odense Marzipan)

 Apricot jam
Chocolate for melting

With an electric mixer - cream the butter, sugar, egg yolks and lemon juice until well blended.  Now with a wooden spoon, stir in the flour & baking powder by hand. 
NOTE: You are supposed to sift the flour and baking powder together before stirring but "sifting" is a step that I often skip - If you are not going to sift then make sure that you mix thoroughly. 
Form the dough into a ball and chill in the fridge for about 2 hours.
Divide the dough into quarters.  Roll out 1/4 of the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut the cookies into solid circles using a Linzer Cookie Cutter.
Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes (or until desired color is achieved) (see the 2 pictures above - before & after baking).  Cool on cookie racks.  

Now you will need to cut the Marzipan.  Have a bowl of warm water on the side to dip your finger tips into if needed.  Slice the Marzipan as seen above.  After slicing - use you fingers to flatten each round a little more.  Now with the little Linzer shapes - cut out the middle of the Marzipan rounds.  Set the little Marzipan shapes aside for later (as seen above).

Assembly: 

Layer#1 - Baked & cooled cookie

Layer#2 - Drop about 1/2 teaspoon worth of apricot jam on top of the cookie

Layer#3 - Place the Marzipan round (remember the middle shape has been removed and set aside) on top of the jam (see picture below)

Layer#4 - Spread some melted chocolate on top of the Marzipan round (see picture below)

Layer#5 - Top with one little Marzipan shape (that had previously been set aside).  Make sure to place the little shape on top while the chocolate is still soft!

Continue until all of the cookies have been assembled

Cool in the fridge & store in the freezer until Christmas.  ENJOY!!

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Christmas Cookie Swap Linky

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Please checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!!

Cynthia Tessmer from "Shoreline Designed" creates Natural Beach Stone Jewelry (Please click on the ad below):

Find out more about this amazing artist CLICK HERE 

Making Your Own Cedar Roping or Pine Garland

  

 NEW ebook! - How to make your own Cedar Roping or Pine Garland:  5 easy steps plus 5 decorating ideas

Only $1.75

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The Great Blog Train - Coming Soon!

 

A fun blog hop travelling around the world! 

Hosted by 3 lovely bloggers:

Angie (that's me)



Marci


Helen


Join us once a month - on the first Wednesday of every month -
starting in January 2013.

Everyone is welcome!



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Frank's Flowers - Reddy Rosie





Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Frank's Flowers - Reddy Rosie

Click here to learn how to Prune & Trim Roses

Today's Flower Feature is The "Reddy Rosie" Rose.

This is the brightest of reds - a perfect Christmas rose.  The red color pops out next to it's complementary color of green from the stem and leaves.  My father started this rose bush from a cutting taken from a friend's plant.  This stunning rose has very tiny darker red streaks running throughout the petals.

Please ENJOY these digital examples of the "Reddy Rosie" Rose!

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower



Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Other Roses on this blog:

The Rolly Rose

The Eiffel Tower Rose

The Black Cherry Rose

The Sunset Rose

The Mauve Miracle

Peach Feather

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Please checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!!

Cynthia Tessmer from "Shoreline Designed" creates Natural Beach Stone Jewelry (Please click on the ad below):

Second of Advent - O Little Town of Bethlehem

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.' Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.' 'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.' 'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26 to 38

I think of Mary and wonder if she doubted what had happened to her at first - obviously when she felt and saw the physical signs of pregnancy she would no longer be able to doubt - I just wonder if she kept saying to herself "was that just an unusual dream?" No, it was not that way with Mary - even at the end of this passage Luke shows us that Mary immediately believed and trusted God "May it be to me as you have said."
I also think it is very interesting that the angel Gabriel gave Mary extra proof that this miracle was real by telling her about Elizabeth being six months pregnant.

As we go through this week, let us think about the amazing gift that God has given us through Mary. Let us pray and thank our Lord God.

 Advent Wreath

Two candles have been lit on the Advent Wreath

Now turn with me to number 96 in your hymnals and let's sing:

O Little Town of Bethlehem

by Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893                              composed by Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908

1.  O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!  Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by;  Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light;  The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.

2.For Christ is born of Mary, And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love.  O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth!

3.  How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given!  So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven.  No ear may hear His coming.  But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, The dear Christ enters in.

4.  O holy Child of Bethlehem!  Descend to us, we pray;  Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today.  We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell;  O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel!

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Please listen to the video below - I couldn't find a YouTube video that played all 4 verses - but this one plays 3 of the 4 verses (skips over verse 2).


Special thanks to ccipineville for sharing this song on YouTube



Other Christmas Hymns on this blog:
O Come All Ye Faithful
Away In A Manger
The First Noel
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Joy To The World

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