Crafty Holiday Time!

Since becoming a mom, I seldom have time for crafting (aside from making jewelry, obviously). When I think about the amazing quantities of quilts and knitted goods that I used to be able to crank out pre-child, I am awestruck. But every once in a while, especially for the holidays, I make a point to carve out some time for crafty pursuits. Here's a cool little advent calendar I just made for Carlos.


It has a little drawer for each day leading up to Christmas, so you can stash a cool little toy or treat in there. Can't wait for December to arrive!

Cookies!

I didn't get too crazy with holiday baking this year, but I made a few things. I posted links and info yesterday for the ginger-lime cookies, Gene's holiday cookies, and peanut butter topped fudge. Here's the super-easy recipe for the no-cook mint meltaways (front and center in the photo above).

3 ounces Tofutti Better-Than-Cream-Cheese
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 drops green food coloring
4 cups powdered sugar (or perhaps a bit more to achieve proper consistency)
granulated sugar

Using a stand mixer or hand blender, cream together the cream cheese, mint extract, and food coloring. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until mixture becomes fairly stiff but still workable. Form small balls, flatten slightly, and roll in granulated sugar. Place on wax paper sprinkled with more granulated sugar. If you want, you can press the tops flatter with a fork. Refrigerate mints in a tightly covered container until ready to serve.

Holiday Sweets - Fudge Variation

Last December I posted my foolproof vegan fudge recipe. This year I tried a different fudge recipe, was disappointed by said fudge recipe, and ended up making my original recipe today to make up for it. I felt like doing something a little different, so I whipped up a simple creamy peanut butter topping. If you'd like to try it, just prepare the basic fudge as directed in the link above, set it aside (no need to chill it quite yet), and melt 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 2 tablespoons soymilk on the stove (stirring constantly) until completely combined. Then pour the peanut butter mixture over the fudge, smooth it out, and chill. I'll try to get a photo in the morning to post.

Also on my holiday sweets plates this year... mint meltaways, ginger lime cookies, and Gene's holiday cookies. What are you baking this year?

Vegan Holiday Shopping Made Easy

Hi folks! For those of you who are vegan, or just like to support vegans, did you know I have a list of other vegan Etsy sellers (besides myself of course) in the sidebar of my blog? I though it would be a good time to highlight my fellow vegan artists so you can all send them lots of business with your holiday shopping. I'll post the list here just so you don't have to go searching for it -

• AnabellaDesigns
• asacco9642
• brokedownbarn
• DaisyWares
• darktemptations
• goddessnaturals
• hellokiddo
• JadeParade
• julep115
• lilypig
• Literatavian
• midnightrabbits
• mvegan5
  
• silentlotus
• SomethingSparkly
• teenytinytantrums
• threadedglass
• vegandish
• VeganHoney
• vesselsandwares
  
• zakiyaa

Also check out the EtsyVeg blog, which contains a list that also includes vegetarian sellers. Now go do some shopping!