Red Couch Recipes

My Son's LDS Mission Call Arrived

2013-05-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

Dear everyone, it has been awhile since I have posted. Happy things have happened in our lives, and tragedy has happened in our lives. Today I share with you a happy thing that happened. My 19 year-old son received his mission call to............Cusco Peru!!!

He will be sharing the gospel for two years.

This mission call fits him perfectly!. He will be learning Spanish, and perhaps some Quechua when he goes to Peru. He has always wanted adventure, and this will be a grand adventure. When he was yourng and learned about Easter Island or the Great Pyramids, he couldn't understand why we couldn't just go visit. Maachu Picchu is in the bounds of his mission.

We are so excited for him, but we will miss him soooo! Our home will be sooooo quiet without him. He departs August 28, joining his two cousins in the mission field: Mack to the Washington D.C. North mission (the state of Maryland) and Chase to South Korea (son of Jacqueline of Purple Chocolat Home).

Color Festival

2013-04-04T04:13:00.003-07:00

Welcome to Red Couch Recipes!

Over my children's spring break we attended a Color Festival. It was a celebration of spring held at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah.

It is estimated that over 50,000 people attended the day we went.

The whole point is to get colored chalk all over you. Sunglasses helped protect your from the chalk dust.

My son delighted in blowing and throwing chalk at people. If you are at a chalk festival then you are fair game for anything.

Every two hours they hold a big throw where they count down to 10 and everyone throws the chalk.

Their hands covered in green chalk.

Their shoes and pants covered in chalk.

It was, for the most part, a family friendly crowd, and believe it or not most of the chalk easily came off. My daughter Talley still has a bit of yellow hair from yellow chalk.

I also want to say congratulations to Chase, Jacqueline's son, who just received an LDS mission call to Seoul, Korea where he will be serving for 2 years. My son Skyler's mission call should be arriving soon also.

A Little Green Tablescape

2013-03-06T20:11:00.004-08:00

Dear Red Couch Readers, today I bring to you "a little bit of green" to brighten up your world as it brightened up my table today.

I found these green chargers for a quarter at Wal-Mart after Christmas and thought: "Ding, ding, ding, I will use them for St. Patrick's Day to give a pop to my table."

I tucked a bit of green checked fabric in my napkin bundle to add a little color.

I picked up these green plastic mugs at the Dollar Store. Don't tell my children, but I am reusing these to put little gifties in for St. Patrick's Day. Yes I am an awesome mom!

I have had these candlesticks for almost 20 years, and every once in awhile I remember to set them out for St. Paddy's Day.

Of course if you were here you would get a little treat -- Ande's Mints -- on your table.

The tablecloth is a new purchase from the Christmas Tree Store when I visited Virginia in February.

Here is a view of my bubbly glass.

I love this little Dollar Store sign, which I hang on my buffet -- it is my only St. Patrick's Day Decoration.

On the Homefront: My daughter Tati's end of the year swim banquet brought me doing table decorations. Our school colors are blue -- our Mascot is a dinosaur -- so I did these yarn balls in turqoise and blue and placed them on the tables. My daughter Talley and I made about 36 of these for the banquet. Yes, we have no life!

And some good news. My husband is coming home for about 5 days tomorrow. Soooo good to see him.

Thanks for dropping by my couch!

Tablescape Thursday

Meyer Lemon Shortbread Squares and Christmas Tree Shop Finds

2013-02-27T17:06:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers, pardon my absence from the blogging world. For the past few weeks life just got the better of me. Today I am sharing another shortbread recipe that I made using some Meyer Lemons that needed to be used. They are sweet little melt-a-way cookies.

I am also joing in Kathleen's party, Let's Dish, where you are invited to share your dish finds and tablescapes that you put together. Before I share the recipe, I want to share some of my finds from a Christmas Tree Shop store in Virginia. These little footed bowls went for twenty-nine cents. I was able to buy six of them.

These little napkin rings sold for a quarter, and I picked up 12 of them. I thought they would be perfect on a Santa table at Christmas as, to me, they look like Santa's belt.

Now to get back to the shortbread squares....

You can use Meyer Lemons if you have them; they have a short growing season, or just normal lemons.

I used these cookie cutters; they are from World Market

Recipe for Meyer Lemon Shortbread Squares

1 cup butter, no substitutes

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons lemon zest

4 teaspoons lemon juice

2-1/4 cups flour

Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In medium mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the lemon juice and the lemon zest. On low speed, gradually beat in the flour, beginning with 2 cups of flour, and adding more flour, if necessary. The dough should be able to be rolled out. Roll out cookies to about 1/3 inch and cut with a cookie cutter. I used a small square-shaped cutter. Bake at 325 for about 9 - 10 minutes. Let cookies sit on baking sheet a few minutes, and then remove and cool on rack. Note: If you want a really moist shortbread, which I like, under bake a little and allow to sit on baking sheet for about 30 minutes after you take it out of the oven. The cookies will be fragile, but oh so moist and melt in your mouth! The baking times will vary with the size and thickness of your cookie. Yield 36 small cookies.

Just dusted cookies.

Please take one before you leave.

Just a bit on the home front. This is our friend Danielle or "Wookie," as she is affectionately known as. She came over for dinner on Valentine's Day. We served asparagus with a little bit of butter. Weirdly, all the butter on the asparagus somehow got shaped into a heart shape! She asked me if I shaped it, and I said "No, but it looks like a good sign for 2013!" She is single and such a beautiful person inside and out.

Thanks for dropping by my couch!!

Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzled Shortbread Cookies

2013-02-11T16:16:00.002-08:00

Glad you dropped by Red Couch Recipes!

My mother made a maraschino heart-shaped cake for my father one year for Valentine's Day, and ever since I always associate maraschino cherries with Valentine's Day. So I put together this recipe for my children, and they loved them. These cookies are like chocolate covered cherries in shortbread form. Their lovely color is derived from the maraschino cherries and juice. My daughter Tati also took them for her church class as a treat and they loved them also, and I hope you love them too. Now that is a whole lot of love -- but it is Valentine's season, isn't it?

Recipe for Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Drizzled Shortbread Cookies

1 cup softened butter (do not use margarine)

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons almond extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice

2 cups, plus 2 -3 tablespoons flour, as needed (see note)

Maraschino cherries from a 10-ounce jar -- chopped very finely with the juice squeezed out of the cherries -- squeeze first, then chop

Small amount milk or semi-sweet chocolatechips for drizzling (about 1/2 cup for drizzling) -- I used milk chocolate chips.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In medium mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the almond extract, then beat in the salt. then add maraschino cherry juice. On low speed, gradually beat in the flour, beginning with 2 cups of flour, and adding more flour, if necessary. The dough should be able to be rolled out. Roll out cookies to about 1/3 inch and cut with a cookie cutter. I used a small heart-shaped cookie cutter. Bake at 325 for about 8 - 9 minutes. Let cookies sit on baking sheet a few minutes, and then remove and cool on rack. When cookies are cool, melt chocolate, and then drizzle on cookies. Let chocolate dry. Yield: 2 dozen small cookies. Now go on and serve them to a loved one.

Cookies waiting to be drizzled

Notse: I live in a very dry, desert area; the amount of flour you use will vary. For the drizzling of the chocolate, I just cut a small hole in the corner of a Zip-Loc bag. I then put a small amount of chocolate in the bag and drizzled the chocolate over the cookies with a back and forth motion.

Cookie waiting for chocolate to dry

Hope you are baking something up special for your loved ones.

Just a little picture from the homefront....

This is the cat named Ruby that we rescued from the street a little less than a year ago. He was sitting in the middle of the street. I recently bought him a little house, AND HE LOVES IT!! You know how you buy something for your pet, and they never use it...

Thanks for dropping by the Couch.

Va Va Va Valentine's Tablescape

2013-02-06T18:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers, welcome to my Va Va Va Valentine's Day Table!

I love Valentine's Day! My husband and I were married on February 12 many moons ago. Our reception was Valentine-themed complete with white painted manzanita bushes and red hearts. Jacqueline and I found these hear place mats at Home Goods recently. They are woven out of paper!

It seems like a long time ago since we were married, but in reality time has zoomed by.

The white heart plates are from Tai Pan Trading.

The napkins were also purchased at Home Goods. I tied them with a little gingham ribbon.

The table is graced with King's Crown goblets and red goblets.

Here's a little side view of the table. The red hob nail bowls were a find at Michael's a couple of years ago. We use them all the time for baked casseroles.

Just another happy little look at the red bowls.

We brought out the silver for this table. Of course we did, it is Valentine's Day.

A picture with the light streaming on the table. The red on the table is that reflected from the glasses.

I have just returned from a week in Virginia where I spent time with my husband. It was an early Anniversary visit. So good to see him! We made it to Colonial Village at Williamsburg, and I loved it! I may show a few photos later. I have never experienced such courteous drivers, than those at Williamsburg.

Our son and son daughter-in-law, and their two girls live in Richmond while he is attending medical school. We were able to go to their daughter Sydney's baby blessing.

Aivi, the big sister, is helping her mom cook. She was putting cooked pasta in cupcake wrappers.

Sydney is glad her big day is over. She was in a swing and I couldn't get a shot that wasn't blurry.

And nearby Richmond there is a famous Christmas Tree Shop Store that Kathleen has introduced many of us to.

I have to tell you that I was not able to find the bargains like Kathleen does. I DID find Friendly Village plates there.

Kathleen found them for one dollar, and I found them for $3.99! I didn't buy them. She does have a way with bargains. I think it is the kind of store that you need to shop often at. I did find a few bargains that I lugged home in my carry-on --- arghh!!

Thank you to Kathleen for hosting Let's Dish where I am posting this tablescape as well as at Tablescape Thursday.

Thanks for dropping by Red Couch Recipes!

Table Information:

Heart Placemats and Napkins: Home Goods

White Heart Plates and White Chargers: Tai Pan Trading

Flatware: Damask Rose by Oneida, wedding present from my parents

King's Crown Stemware: Ebay, present from Jacqueline

Red Goblets: Costco present from Jacqueline and my sister Jean

Red Hob Nail bowls: Michael's Arts and Crafts

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Bars

2013-01-29T09:31:00.000-08:00

Thanks for dropping by Red Couch Recipes where I am sharing a delicious, moist little peanut butter bar with a cooked chocolate frosting. This recipe makes a lot of bars and it whips up so quickly! Sometimes this peanut butter cake is served with a peanut butter frosting, but I have a daughter who isn't fond of peanut butter frosting so I switched it up and made it with the cooked chocolate frosting, which I adore, that was served on my Groom's cake at my wedding.

Recipe for Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Bars

Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

2 cups flour

2 cups white sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10 x 15-inch jelly roll pan. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Combine the water and butter in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove mixture from heat and stir in peanut butter and vegetable oil and mix until well blended. Stir this mixture into the dry ingredients. Combine the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla and stir into the peanut butter mixture until well blended. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 18 to 24 minutes. Make the frosting below while the cake is baking and spread the frosting on the cake when the cake is still warm.

Chocolate Frosting Ingredients and Instructions

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

4 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

6 tablespoons milk

3-3/4 cups powdered sugar

Melt the butter, milk and cocoa together in a small sauce pan. Remove from heat and mix in powdered sugar and vanilla. Ice cake with frosting as soon as cake is out of the oven. Wait until frosting sets before serving.

The Peanut Butter Cake recipe is from All Recipes and the Cooked Chocolate Frosting is a recipe that my mother-in-law Geniel has used for years.

Hope you make this recipe! Thanks for dropping by The Couch.

Silver and White Winter Wonderland Tablescape

2013-01-23T14:10:00.003-08:00

Today I am celebrating the wonderful world of winterland and snow with a Silver and White Winter Wonderland Tablescape. I love snow! I really do, and that is a good thing because when we get snow, it stays forever because our temperatures don't rise above freezing during the winter. I love how snow blankets the earth during the winter!

Let's start by looking at the dinner dishes. It's an all white showing in honor of snow!

For flatware, we will use the Damash Rose, by Oneida, sterling silver pattern.

The stack.

We will have a crisp white napkin enrobed by a pewter-colored napkin ring and an icicle tucked in the napkin ring.

At each placesetting will be a little silver snowflake candle holder.

Snowflakes grace the table in their various forms and shapes.

The centerpiece focuses on two silver snowflake hurricane lamps.

Another view here.

The snowflake glasses to the right of the photo are perfect for this table.

Just a few more favorite views. You can see the mercury glass tree in the background of this shot.

Thank you soooo much for dropping by Red Couch Recipes to view my Silver and White Winter Wonderland Tablescape!

Table Information

Wal-Mart: Silver chargers, Napkin Rings, Mercury Glass Tree, Silver Snowflake Hurricane Lamps (this year on clearance)

Tai Pan Trading: White Chargers and Salad Plates, Bubble Glasses

Dinner Plates: Gibson

Flatware: Damask Rose Sterling Silver -- Wedding Present

Silver Snowflake Candle Holders: Jo Anne Fabrics (awhile ago)

I will leave you with a funny picture of the downside of snow. This is a photo of a pile of old, dirty snow piled up in a parking lot. I myself prefer the pristine white snow!

Have a great day!!!

I am linking with Kathleen's Let's Dish Party where she is hosting a winter tablescape party and also with Tablescape Thursday.

Rooster Rendezvous Tablescape

2013-01-16T10:43:00.001-08:00

Well, today was ONLY negative three when I drove my daughter to school --- a veritable heat wave--because that is much better than the negative 8 on Tuesday and the negative 12 on Monday!

So today we are crowing here at Red Couch Recipes with these new Rooster dishes! This is the salad plate.

This is the dinner plate. I first saw the black version on Debbie's wonderful blog, Mountain Breaths, and had admired them -- I also love her blog :). This week she provided us a fun glimpse of her 2012 life -- in tablescapes, and she is sporting a new wonderful looking header. Unless I am colorblind, these are her plates in a navy blue version, not black. I keep on holding them up to black items and comparing. I found them at a Marshall's on clearance. When we were first married, we lived about a block away from a Marshall's store. I hadn't been to a Marshall's in many years.

We have two hens, no rooster, so it is fun to have some chicken dishes. Our hens won't mind if roosters take the stage today.

Proof of the price of the salad plate!

A view of the stack. The red hob-nail bowls are from Michael's Arts and Crafts, maybe two years ago. We use them all the time; they are great for little casseroles and soups.

I added napkins, Country Living, that I found at K-Mart on clearance in the fall. The napkin rings I purchased from the Style Sisters blog, a couple of years ago.

This picture provides a better view of the table setting.

The flatware is from World Market. It is very affordable and nice looking, but use caution when washing. I think it should be only hand washed because the metal part on flatware darkened, on some, but not all, of the pieces.

Before I knew it, Rocco, the Red Couch Rooster decided to hop up on the table. He said, Roosters, roosters, I am in! He usually resides in the red living room. I won him in a giveaway from Renee, Singing With Birds, two years ago.

I like to see my tablescape through a bubbly glass.

Just a few more shots.

We actually didn't eat at this table, like the many times that I set the table for my blog :). I had the table set, and the dinner made, and it was one of "THOSE" nights. My son was working, and my oldest girl Tati had a high school swim meet that my youngest daughter and I attended.

We did make some delicious creamy chicken noodle soup for dinner. I hope you don't think I am macabre for serving chicken noodle soup with the Rooster dishes.

It is really a delicious recipe. I will share it with you later in the week. Wow, who put sooo much pepper on the soup?

We also had some homemade potato rolls. I also want to add this recipe to my collection.

On another note, as it has been so cold, the weather has been good for ice skating. The chair can help you learn how to skate better.

Or you can just use your sister...

NOTE TO BLOGGERS: If you are having trouble uploading photos onto your blog, Blogger is experiencing trouble when you use Internet Explorer as your browser. You can add photos, not as easily in HTML instead of compose mode. I had to do this for this post.

Once again, thanks for stopping by my little Red Couch. I really do look forward to your visits. Blogging, without visitors, wouldn't be fun, would it?

Posted with Let's Dish at Kathleen's, and Tablescape Thursday.

Top 10 Tablescapes for 2012

2013-01-09T20:59:00.001-08:00

Dear Readers, I am back from a long blogging break and am excited to begin blogging again. Yesterday I sent back my husband to Virginia --- I took a blogging break so I could spend time with him and our children during the holidays. I hope you had a great holiday season.

Today I am highlighting the most viewed tablescapes of 2012. I have always enjoyed setting a nice table, and was able to entertain and set a nice table during the holidays.

Number 1 Most Viewed Post -- Christmas Home or Home for Christmas

I set the table for Christmas Eve with these dishes.

Number 2 Most Viewed Post -- The Naughty Table

I loved coming up with the concept of this table. Do you know of anyone who should have sat here this year?

Number 3 Most Viewed Post -- Easter

I did a short segment on tablescaping for the local cable television station using this table.

Number 4 Most Viewed Post -- Let It Snow

Last year I couldn't get enough of snow!

Number 5 Most Viewed Post -- Candy Corn Craze

I loved the look of plastic dishes with fancy dishes on this table.

Number 6 Most Viewed Post -- An Invitation to Sit at the Nice Table

Where did you belong this year ...at the Nice or Naughty Table?

Number 7 Most Viewed Post -- Favorite Colors Tablescape

It is no surprise that I am a lover of red, but I also think red and turquoise look smashing together!

Number 8 Most Viewed Post -- Love is in the Air!

Just love all the red going on here!

Number 9 Most Viewed Post -- Prom Tablescape

My son and his date, and another couple had their Prom dinner at our home. Our girls and Danielle, our family friend helped pull it all together. We used the elephant plates that my son had given me for my birthday!

Number 10 Most Viewed Post -- Pumpkins Elevated

Around the fall season, pumpkins take on a high role in my love! I am just crazy about pumpkins!

Tablescaping has been a bit of a challenge as all of my dishes are in boxes as I was prepared to move. I look forward to another fun year of tablescaping, blogging, and visiting your blogs.

Posted with the following: Let's Dish and Tablescape Thursday

Noel!

2012-12-25T19:24:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all my Red Couch Readers.

Today is Christmas, a time to relax after all the hustle and bustle. I leave with you a few pictures of my Christmas tree. I have decorated my tree like this for years, and plan to always do so -- we love it.

"The First Noel the angels did say,

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay.

In fields they lay while keeping their sheep,

On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel,

Born is the King of Israel!

I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas! May we always remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas!

I am taking a bit of break as my husband, who has been away for 10 weeks (and a day), must leave again soon. I will post again soon.

Thank you for all your wonderful support!

An Invitation to Sit at the 'Nice Table"

2012-12-20T06:58:00.002-08:00

Welcome again to Red Couch Recipes! Is there someone in your life, and I am sure there is, who deserves to sit at the NICE TABLE? Or do you deserve to sit at the NICE TABLE? Santa is right there, and as the song goes "He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you are awake. He knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake!"

Click HERE to view the post on the NAUGHTY Table.

At the "Nice Table," you get to sit with Santa and have some milk.....

and some cookies. These are the Anise Cookies that my Aunt Ionia made every December 24th.

I know of several people I would like to invite take a seat at the NICE TABLE.

It snowed 10 inches on Tuesday at our home. In fact, it snowed soooo much that I couldn't go pick Mr. Red Couch up at the airport that night...and he had been gone for ten weeks. He took a shuttle to his paren'ts home and spent the night. To get to the airport from my home, you have to go through a long canyon, and when it snows it is sooo treacherous because the altitude reaches 9,000 feet.

At the NICE TABLE, your flatware is in these cute little Santa Pants.

My neighbor deserves to sit at the NICE TABLE! He came and snowplowed my driveway for over an hour!

Then about 90 minutes later, there was 4 more inches of the snow on the driveway. I left to pick up my daughter from high school swim. "No, I am sorry but you can't go to the basketball game tonight, there is a blizzard going on..." My house sits on a little hill and when I came back from picking up my daughter, my car wouldn't go up the hill. So I am inviting my daughters who shovelled the snow around the car, and brought out some salt and poured it on the snow so that I could make it up my driveway.

The next day when I drove my daughter to school, I got stuck on some slippery ice. I stopped and then I couldn't go forward. My daughter Tati got out of the truck to try to push me...but to no avail.

I was stuck in the middle of the road blocking traffic! Then a girl, who goes to my daughter's school got out to help push. My daughter doesn't really know the girl, but she says that she is so NICE She is also very pretty, but NICE always trumps pretty, don't you think?

Then a mom in a van got out to help push me out....and success! Don't you think the high school girl and the mom deserve to sit at the NICE TABLE?

Our high school is also situated on a small hill. There was a line of cars from the high school to the little college. I looked at my daughter and said", You better get out and walk because I KNOW I will get stuck on that hill." The line of cars was stacking up because the cars couldn't get up the hill.

Tati told me later that there was a group of kids helping to push people when they got stuck. They also get an invitation to sit at the NICE TABLE.

And finally, let us extend an invitation to the teachers, who didn't give the students tardies that day because of the icy conditions.

I am so thankful for the NICE people in this world! Little things like helping push someone out of the snow really do make a difference.

I wish all you NICE Red Couch Readers a wonderful and marvelous Christmas season. Here at the Red Couch Home we are celebrating that Mr. Red Couch is home for while, and all is right at our home. I am deeply aware that some of you may be facing serious problems and afflictions this Christmas and my heart goes out to you this Christmas.

On another little note, Pottery Barn inspired me to make the little "milk glass snowmen." I bought Starbuck's Cappuchino, it comes in a 4 pack at Wal-Mart. We don't drink coffee at our home, and so I brought the 4-pack home and promptly put it down the sink! I bought it for the little containers. My son thought I was sooooo weird! Anyway, you just glue on some buttons and tie around a little ribbon, add a straw, and some milk....and voila a little snowman!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Posted with the following: Tablescape Thursday

Perhaps They are Making Anise Cookies in Heaven for Christmas

2012-12-18T10:32:00.001-08:00

Every year I watch a video of Christmas Eve 1986 at my Aunt Ionia's home and every year I cry for the memories, for the good times, and for the sorrow that those times have ended. My Aunt Ionia hosted all of us at her apartment for Christmas Eve -- sometimes we would have as many as 30 people in her home. As I grew older I helped her with the party preparations.

Ionia was our Christmas Angel, she always made Christmas fun! On her cookie tray there would always be Anise Cookies. For weeks before Christmas she would make cookies, probably 10-12 different kinds. She would store the cookies and fudge on the steps of her unheated attic. Aunt Ionia passed away in 2003. After her passing, my cousin Cindy made a cookbook including all the recipes that she made, including a recipe for Anise Cookies.

In that cook book she wrote the following about the Anise Cookies: "These are a long known favorite of Ralph's (my cousin's husband). He always got his private box of these cookies and they were for him only (although we know Pat (my cousin) has done her best to find his stash). Paul (my cousin and Cindy's brother) also loves these cookies and is working on perfecting the recipe. For those of us who have tried to make these cookies, it is very difficult to get them as thin and crispy as Aunt Ionia. Then, there is the debate whether they are better with or without frosting. Either way, they are an annual Christmas favorite."

My cousin Cindy passed away a few years ago, and this year(2012) my cousin Paul passed away. My dear Aunt Maxine, mother to Cindy and Paul, has lost both of her children, and her husband died about 20 years ago. As I was making these cookies, I wondered if Aunt Ionia was helping Paul perfect his technique in making Anise Cookies, and as I did this the tears flowed. As for the debate about icing or just colored sugar, I would say I like them with the colored sugar because that is how Ionia made them. So again I wonder if they are really making Anise cookies in heaven this year? I would guess that they are....

Some of my Christmas cookie cutters. Nothing fancy here just Wilton, Ekco, and Cake Mate Cutters. I do have some more substantial cookie cutters, but these are the kind Ionia would have used. She also had some vintage metal ones.

Recipe for Anise Cookies

1 cup butter (no margarine)

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons Anise Oil (not extract -- see photo below)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of salt

2-1/2 cups flour

In a large mixing bowl cream the butter, eggs, and sugar. Then add the anise oil. Then mix in the baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and flour.

Mix well and chill. I usually chill overnight. Roll out and cut, making sure you cut a thin cookie. Even if chilled over night, you will need to add some flour for ease of rolling out the cookies. Sprinkle with colored sugar before baking. Bake at 375 degrees for about 7 minutes.

Joni's Notes: This amount of anise oil might be too strong for some, but it is how she made them, and we love them. To avoid anise oil transfer, do not store these cookies with other cookies. Roll the cookies as thin as you can, and then watch them carefully to avoid burning, in the oven.

This is the oil I use. One little bottle is almost 2 teaspoons. In Utah, you can purchase Anise Oil at grocery stores. If you cannot find it in your grocery store, it can be purchased online.

This batch is for our second son Chris, he loves Anise cookies too.

Bloggers Pray for Newton, Connecticut

2012-12-17T10:36:00.001-08:00

I am joining other bloggers today, taking a break from posting and visiting other blogs in memory of the horrific tragedy in Newton, Connecticut. The Red Couch Family has been praying for those that lost their little souls, and the protectors, the teachers and staff, at Sandy Hook. My girls went to school wearing green in memory of those that were so tragically lost. Green and white are the colors of the Sandy Hook school.

Making Snowmen in Memory of the Tragedy in Connecticut

2012-12-15T17:09:00.000-08:00

We had our first snowstorm here -- about six inches. Today my daughter Talley was out making snowmen, and I decided to join her in making them. Like you, I am stunned and so horriby saddened about the terrible loss in Connecticut. My daughter Talley is in the sixth grade. Excited about life, excited about Christmas. Like you, I feel helpless about the tragedy in Connecticut, but I decided to go join her, because life is too short. Dirty kitchens and laundry and present wrapping and cookie baking can wait, but making snowmen with my daughter can't.

Let us all pray for those who have passed on, for their loved ones, those that were injured physcially or emotionally, and for the whole Sandy Hook community.

The Naughty Table

2012-12-11T14:08:00.003-08:00

Welcome to our Naughty Table at Red Couch Recipes!

You better watch out or you may find yourself seated at the Naughty Table. Have you been peeking, or unwrapping presents, to see what you will receive. Have you been tasting the grapes at the grocery store before you buy them? Have you been skipping flossing or exercising? If you have, then take a seat at our Naughty Table.

"You better watch out. You better not cry."

At the naughty table, you will not find candy, or sugarplums, but you will find COAL!

"You better not pout, I'm telling you why."

This coal is the real deal-e-o boys and girls, because I am living in an area that mines coal and uses it to produce energy. No, this is not candy coal or Rice Krispie Coal Balls, like I have made before. It is the real deal for those of you who are NAUGHTY, and NOT NICE!

Have you written your letter yet justifying why the Big Guy should come down your chimney and leave you presents and not COAL? Each year, I have my children write a letter to Santa. Okay, so they are getting a bit older and don't take it so seriously these days, but they did in the olden days. We put the letter in these felt envelopes and leave it with the cookies for the Big Guy and carrots for his reindeer.

"Santa Claus is coming to town."

This is a picture of my son, now 18 years old, putting a letter in the mailbox for Santa. and a transcription of that letter. He was about 3-1/2 at the time.

"He's making a list, checking it twice."

In this letter, Skyler justifies why he should sit at the NICE table because, you see, he didn't hit Tatti over the head or shoot her:)!

"Going to find out who is naughty or nice"

At this table we feature COAL BLACK goblets.

"Santa Claus is coming to town."

COAL black and white checkered napkins grace the Naughty Table.

"He sees you when you're sleeping."

COAL black mittens hold the silverware.

"He knows when you're awake."

Those sitting at the Naughty Table will eat off Coal black plates.

"He knows if you've been bad or good..."

On the Naughty Table, instead of candy for the centerpiece, there is a bag of COAL!

"So be good for goodness sake!"

When you are seated at the Naughty Table, you will be seated in COAL black chairs.

"You better watch out, you better not cry."

Just a shot that includes my Red Couch.

"You better not pout, I'm telling you WHY..."

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!"

If you have been good, (and I know YOU have), stay tuned next week for the NICE Table.

Thanks for dropping by to take a seat at our NAUGHTY Table!

Posted with the following:

Let's Dish, Tablescape Thursday, Centerpiece Wednesday

Amazing Almond Rum Balls

2012-12-08T16:21:00.003-08:00

Dear Red Couch Readers, it is that wonderful time of year, when your mind turns to dreams of making sweets for your loved ones. You go through old magazines and recipe files, and with the advent of Pinterest, you pour over the Pinterest boards. You think of these treats as you lie in bed, drive in traffic, or take a shower! Maybe this will be the year that you try making Venetian Bars or Linzer Cookies, or that smashing new fudge?

I have a new sweet for your to put on your list and make -- Almond Rum Balls.

These rum balls are really dream-worthy. Now these rum balls are not just your everyday kind of candy you make at Christmas. This is the kind of candy that you bring out or give to your "bestest" loved ones and friends. They have an amazing flavor and I love the crunch of biting into them and breaking the chocolate around the rum center. The rum center is so addictive.

My favorite candy to make at Christmas is my husband's Grandma Utahna Felix's Vintage Toffee recipe. I have made up to 24 batches at Christmas before. You can find the recipe and directions to make this amazing toffee here, but these rum balls are a close second.

I am not a chocolate dipping queen like my sister Jacqueline at Purple Chocolate Home. If you are like me, a non-chocolate dipping queen, these are the perfect chocolates for your to make. This is Jacqueline's recipe, and it is so good! Thanks for this yummy recipe Jacqueline. If you are a chocolate dipping queen like Jacqueline, you can find more precise directions for using tempered chocolate in this recipe on her blog.

The recipe for the rum balls is fairly simple.

Almond Rum Balls Recipes

4 cups confectioner's sugar

1 cup softened butter

1 can sweetened condensed milk (14-Ounce)

1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract

1/2 teaspoon rum extract

1-2 cups dipping chocolate -- I use good quality milk chocolate chips -- the best I can get in my small town is Guittard.

3-4 cups chopped and toasted almonds or pecans -- you can quickly whir them in a food processor or blender. Today I used pecans, other days I have used almonds. I prefer the taste of pecans. To toast, spread nuts over a jelly roll pan and bake for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Watch carefully, as they can burn easily. Cool, then whirl the nuts in a blender.

To make the almond-rum centers, put the sugar, butter, sweetened condensed milk, and the extracts.in a large bowl in a mixer and mix well. Store covered in the fridge overnight.

Take the mixture you have refrigerated over night and make into small balls, less than one-inch (1/2-inch to 3/4-inch) in diameter. Put a bit of flour on your hands to try to control the stickiness of the almond rum mixture. Store the balls in fridge for an hour or so so that they are firm when you are dipping them in chocolate. You could also freeze the rum centers so they are easier to dip.

In large medium bowl, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, in 10 second increments, being very careful not to burn the chocolate. After each 10 seconds in the microwave, be sure to stir the chocolate as the chocolate is most likely melted more than you think. Let the chocolate cool a bit before you dip the rum centers in the chocolate. Jacqueline says that the chocolate should be cool when you place a tad bit on your bottom lip. Dip the rum centers, and then try to flick off , with quick switches of your wrist, as much chocolate as you can. If the chocolate gets hard while you are dipping, just reheat it in the microwave.

The nuts pictured below were hand-cut. The rum balls pictured above had nuts whirred in the blender.

Roll the chocolate-covered rum ball in the chopped nuts. Then store the chocolate and nut crusted rum ball in the fridge.

This is a picture of the rum balls made with larger nut pieces.

Store all of the rum balls in the fridge until you give them away. You should also give instructions to the happy recipient that the rum balls should be stored in the fridge. Pack some up in pretty tissue and give them to a loved one. The silver jingle bells have magnets attached, and are a little "happy" I am including in my Christmas goodies this year.

On a Christmas side note, we have a huge basket of Christmas books in our Red Room. I caught my 16 year-old reading a Christmas children's book to my 12-year old today. As soon as I grabbed my camera, they hid. Now of course my younger daughter can read, in fact she is a great reader, but since they were little my older daughter has read to her. Sometimes they switch off reading. they are just like me; I love children's books.

Don't you just love the Christmas season?

I hope you are having fun in all your preparations for Christmas. Thanks for dropping by the Couch.

Posted with the following:

What's on the Menu Monday, Craft-O-Maniac Mondays, Made By You Mondays, MM

Christmas Home or Home at Christmas Tablescape

2012-12-05T15:36:00.002-08:00

Welcome to my Christmas Home Table. If you were coming to my HOME on Christmas Eve this year, this is the table that would await you. The table is set with Christmas Home dinner plates, salad plates, and soup bowls by Royal Stafford.

Here is a close-up of the soup bowl.

Doesn't everyone love to be HOME at Christmas?? Last year we almost didn't make it HOME.

We had spent Christmas Eve Day with our oldest son, wife, and grand baby, and my in-laws and sister-in-law. After the dinner, our son and family went to stay with his in-laws and we decided to drive to Salt Lake City to see the Christmas lights on Temple Square.

Napkin Ring Close-Up

Bad sign -- on the way there, I could feel our gears sliding. Then in Salt Lake I parked on a hill and I think I gave the gears a bad work-out.

Simple Greenery Centerpiece

The lights on Temple Square were exquisite.

After the beautiful visit on Temple Square, we had a two-hour drive home, with about an hour in a very steep canyon.

Close-up of Centerpiece

As we drove HOME, it became very obvious that we were having problems with our clutch. I tried to ignore it, and tried to ignore my husband telling me I should go back to his parent's home. You see, I wanted to be HOME for Christmas. I mean, Santa was coming, and there were all of our gifts there. The cats and the chickens needed to be fed.....yada, yada, yada....

I threw in this one because you can see my hand in the right red ball -- honestly, my fingers aren't that fat.

As I was driving, I noticed that there wasn't a lot of traffic in the canyon. The truckers were HOME for Christmas, and everyone else that seemed to travel in the canyon seemed to be HOME for Christmas. I thought, well we had some Martinellis, some oranges, and some chocolate to eat if we did get stranded. My husband kept on telling me to turn back...

The King's Crown that graced my Aunt Ionia's Adult table every year on Christmas Eve.

Then I began to think about the lack of cellphone coverage in the canyon as I eeked up the first small hill, barely making it. Since there was no cellphone service, and there was little traffic, the reality of becoming stranded on Christmas Eve loomed larger in my mind. Then I thought about the second hill, which is at an elevation of 8,000 feet. In my denying state of mind I still thought " Maybe I can make it...."

Ohhhh, don't you just love the RED?

My practical husband kept on telling me to turn back....and finally, I listened and turned back. I wasn't happy about it, because thoughts of HOME still were in my mind. It was late, probably about 10:30 pm by then, and we slowly drove back to my in-laws. Slowly because that is all the car would do at that point.

Of course we will use our silver, Damask Rose pattern, that my parents gave us for a wedding gift.

Don't get me wrong, I love my in-laws, but how was Santa going to find me if I wasn't HOME? Although I had some setbacks and some transgressions,, I had tried to be a really good girl last year, and I knew Santa would want to find me. I mean, did he really want to keep on lugging around all those heavy gifts in his big black bag, just because I didn't make it HOME?

Santa came early to my home for Christmas this year, SHE (Jacqueline at Purple Chocolat Home) brought me 16 soup bowls in the Christmas Home pattern and three servings bowls in her big black bag. Thank you Mrs. Santie Claus.

Mrs. Santa Claus also brought me this serving platter.

We found cellphone service as we eeked our way to their home. Thankfully my in-laws were still up. I was so happy because they graciously offered to let us drive home their car and we left our car with the broken clutch at their HOME. So we unpacked our car and put all our luggage and Christmas paraphernalia in their trunk, and made it HOME by about 3:00 am Christmas morning! Guess what? The big guy had not arrived yet, so I was safe! Santa could still deliver all those heavy presents he had to my HOME.

The sunlight filtering the table.

Wherever you call HOME, I hope you can make it there this Christmas.

Thanks for dropping by Red Couch Recipes!

Posted with the following: Let's Dish, Tablescape Thursday

Cocoa Peppermint Snowballs

2012-12-03T13:56:00.000-08:00

A warm welcome to Red Couch Recipes. Thanks for dropping by my little kitchen at this busy time of year. I have always loved this type of cookie whether they are called Russian Teacakes, Mexican Wedding Cakes, or Snowballs, and this version is a keeper. I would describe this version as hot chocolate in a cookie, laced with a bit of peppermint dust. The ground pecans in it give the cookies a rich, nutty flavor They are a cookie that just ring "Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming!" Make up some cookies right now and drink them with some hot chocolate. Don't you just love the baking and cooking at Christmas?

Cocoa Peppermint Snowballs

Adapted from a recipe from Good Housekeeping Magazine

1 cup pecans

1-3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cold, cut up (no substitutions)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1- 3/4 cup flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Candy Cane Dust (see Joni's Notes)

Shape dough by rounded measuring teaspoons into 1-inch balls. Place balls, 1 inch apart, on ungreased large cookie sheet. Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. DO NOT OVER BAKE. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool slightly.

The cocoa cookies, fresh out of the oven, being rolled in confectioner's sugar.

While cookies are still warm, roll cookies in remaining (1 3/4 cups) confectioner's sugar to coat; return to wire rack to cool completely. When cool, gently roll cookies in sugar again. Be careful, as they can break up while rolling. When cool, sprinkle candy cane dust on top of the cookies.

Joni's Notes: For a sweeter cookie, use milk chocolate chips. To make candy cane dust, place candy canes in blender and pulverize.

Candy Cane dust ready to be sprinkled on top of the cookies.

I think they look beautiful boxed up -- great for giving!

Thanks for dropping by Red Couch Recipes!

Posted with the following: Craft-O-Maniac Monday

Christmas Ornament Refrigerator Magnets

2012-11-30T16:27:00.001-08:00

A jolly welcome to Red Couch Recipes where I bring you a simple little craft to help you "Deck Your Halls." You might like to give these to your neighbors or a friend. They are so inexpensive, so cute, and provide a big impact.

Just get some small Christmas balls, plastic, from the Dollar Store and some magnets. Then attach the magnets to the back of the ornament with hot glue and VOILA, a cute refrigeration decoration. Joni's Notes: {You may want to try using a stronger adhesive, such as E-6000. One of my ornaments was knocked off the fridge last night and the magnet came off}. I love how it really sticks out on the fridge,

You can tie a bow on or leave it plain. I like it both ways.

You could tie a bow on and attach it to a cellophane bag filled with goodies.

Box it up and give it as a gift. I plan on giving a few of these :).

My daughter asked me while I was making these, "Is this your idea?" No, I saw it on Pinterest but I didn't pin it so I can't give it proper attribution.

Thanks for dropping by Red Couch Recipes and may your "Christmas Be the Merriest!"

Posted with the following:

Weekend Wrapup, Metamorphasis Monday, Made by You Monday, Dollar Tree Christmas, Craft-O-Maniac Monday

Cream Cheese and Pecan Stuffed Celery

2012-11-29T14:41:00.000-08:00

I know I have mentioned the wonderful Aunt Ionia that I was blessed with. Every Christmas Eve we would attend a party at her home and stuffed celery was always on the tray with the olives and carrots. It was always a favorite of mine.

When I got a little older, I always came on Christmas Eve Day and helped her get ready for the 30 or so relatives that attended. My jobs were always the same. Set the tables, grate the cheese for the cauliflower, arrange the cookie trays, and make the stuffed celery.

It's a very simple recipe, but it is very delicious.

Celery, washed, dried, and cut into small pieces -- this recipe will require 5 or 6 stalks of celery.

1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 small clove garlic, very finely chopped

Mix the cream cheese, pecans, and garlic together. Then stuff the celery with the cream cheese mixture.

Joni's Notes:

If you have any remaining cream cheese mixture, it tastes devine on crackers.

Posted with the following: Foodie Friday

Gratitude Tablescape

2012-11-21T17:53:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that you are almost ready in your Thanksgiving preparations. I spent the day cleaning my kitchen cupboards. I thought this might be the last time I might get at it before the holiday rush.

I made some little chocolate turkeys for you today. I remember the first time I put these on my Thanksgiving table; my kids were soooo thrilled. They are a little bit older now, and it takes more to thrill them :).

I found these little salad plates recently. Even though I already have some fall leaf plates, I couldn't pass up buying a few for a $1.00.

I added a fall spray for color.

The floral centerpiece was made by my daughter Tati. She is taking a floricultural class and is learning how to make floral arrangements.

I love elevating pumpkins for table interest.

A larger view of the table.

I also picked up a few of these fall leaf/acorn chargers for one dollar.

On your way out, grab some chocolate. I made those little acorns yesterday. Click here for a tutorial. I think they are charming.

I would like to count some blessings before I close this post.

We have a new grand daughter that showed up healthy on the scene on Monday. This is number two for us. Welcome Sydney!

We are going to my in-laws for Thanksgiving. My mother-in-law has dodged a bullet health-wise recently. We are glad she is with us getting healthy. She is sweet, an anchor to the family, and a little bit sassy.

My sister-in-law, and family, from Melba, Idaho is joining us for a Thanksgiving dinner on Friday at my in-laws. They are turkey farmers and are bringing a turkey to cook. I have visited their farm. One of the funniest things is that every time we said "TURKEY," the Toms, not the hens, would all say GOBBLE, GOBBLE.

The turkeys on their farm.

Their son Riggins holding the some turkey eggs. They sell the turkey eggs at the Boise Co-op.

They also sell their organic turkeys.

My daugther Talley turned 12 recently. She is such a good, beautiful daughter.

So many things to be thankful for.....

We hope you have the best Thanksgiving!

Posted with the following:

Let's Dish, Tablescape Thursday

Candy Acorns!!

2012-11-20T14:27:00.002-08:00

Welcome to Red Couch Recipes.

I have a little candy crafting to share with you today. It would be perfect for the little ones to make while the turkey is cooking. I found them to be easy to make and delicious to eat! All you need is some Tootsie Rolls and Caramels.

Heat the caramels and the Tootsie Rolls, separately, in the microwave for about 10 seconds, or until the candy has softened and ready to roll into balls or be rolled out. If the candy is not ready in 10 seconds, just add a few more seconds in the microwave. Do this in small batches (4 or 5 caramels or 4 or 5 Tootsie Rolls) and really be careful when heating in the microwave. Take out of the microwave and begin rolling the caramels, into oblongish rounds for the "nut" part of the acorns. They don't have to be perfect -- mine weren't :).

Roll out the Tootsie Rolls into a thin round. Then cut the Tootsie Roll round with a small cookie cutter. If you don't have a suitable cookie cutter, then just cut out a small round of Tootsie Roll.

Score the "caps" or capules with a knife, making cuts both horizontally and vertically. Then make a hole in the center with a skewer or toothpick so that you can insert the stem.

Press the Tootsie Roll "cap" on the top of the caramel oblong. If your acorn is "out of shape" at this time, just press on it gently to get it back into shape. Then roll a small amount of Tootsie Roll into a stem.

Voila, you will have lots of cute acorns in just minutes!

This kind of candy crafting is right up my alley! I first saw these on Pinterest; they were pinned from Linet's Cake's Facebook page. There wasn't a tutorial, so I decided to blog about them and provide a tutorial. Thanks Linet; they are so charming! They would be adorable on a cake or cupcakes!

I hope you make some of these. They are so fun and easy to make, and I think the end product was charming. Quick, I see some squirrels, or was that my 12 year-old daughter, with stuffed cheeks grabbing some to store up for the winter?

Candy or the real thing?

Wilkipedia Photo

We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Cranberry Crunch Salad

2012-11-19T12:53:00.003-08:00

A warm welcome to Red Couch Recipes!

Today I made one of my favorite salad recipes that is perfect for a holiday get together. I adapted this recipe many years ago and I have made it repeatedly. It goes together quickly -- which you will love, and you will also love the sweet and salty taste in just the right combinations.

Recipe for Cranberry Crunch Salad

1 (16-ounce) package of coleslaw

2 packages of Top Ramen chicken noodles broken in small pieces (do not cook!) -- Reserve the dry flavoring package for the marinade

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1 cup pepitas or sunflower seeds

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup dried apricots

1/2 cup salad oil -- I usually use Canola oil

1/4 cup white vinegar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons poppy seeds

2 packages Top Ramen Seasoning

Directions:

Combine coleslaw, Top Ramen Noodles, red onion, pepitas, cranberries, and apricots in a large bowl. Mix ingredients well. In a separate, and smaller bowl, combine oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, poppy seeds and Top Ramen Seasoning and mix until well combined. Just before serving, add the dressing to the coleslaw and Top Ramen noodle mixture and make sure you combine the dressing well with the coleslaw and Top Ramen noodle mixture.

Joni's Notes:

I found the pepitas in the nut section of Wal-Mart; they were from the World Table brand. I don't always add dried apricots, but I had some on hand and I liked the salad with the apricots in it. This is best eaten when it is freshly made; the cabbage tends to get a little soggy when it sits around a bit.

Thanks for dropping by Red Couch Recipes!

Count Your Many Blessings.

2012-11-14T15:41:00.002-08:00

Welcome to Red Couch Recipes at this wonderful time of year when we take the time to take stock of all our many blessing. There is a hymn in my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, that is called "Count Your Many Blessings." I love hymns and this one is a great one to help you remember that even though things may be wrong in your life, there are still many things you can be grateful for.

"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one.

Count your blessings, see what God hath done.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings; see what God hath done.

I have included the three other verses.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold.

Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy.

Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict whether great or small;

Do not be discouraged God is over all

Count your many blessings; angels will attend.

Help and confort give you to your journey's end.

I hope that you will not think that I am trying to minimize others' struggles, but amid sorrow and trials, there is most likely a bright spot.

My turkey cake.

This is the first Thanksgiving I have spent without my husband in 26 years. I will miss him, but I am thankful and blessed with a husband who would sacrifice so much for our family, that he would take a job 2,000 miles away to support us. The housing market and job opportunities in our area remain in a deep slump. When he comes home for a visit in December it will have been 18 weeks since he left. He was able to come for a visit in October.

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Table Information:

Myott Turkey Plates: T. J. Maxx

White Dinner Plates: Gibson

Bubble Glasses: Tai Pan Trading

Flatware: World Market

Placemat, Green Stemware, Napkins, and Napkin Rings: Wal-Mart

Posted with the following: Let's Dish, Tablescape Thursday