Answer to What Was In The Box

If you read my previous post " What's In The Box"  you might be curious to know the answer.
First a little background. My wonderful husband is an avid fisherman. He's what I affectionately call a" blade of grass fisherman" ( I should probably trademark that term). He will get himself into all kinds of positions, balance on one foot on the top of a rock, climb down the rocky side of a cliff, stand on a blade of grass outstretched over the river,etc. all to get to the perfect fishing hole. Fishing does not slow down for my husband when the temperature drops below zero, that's actually just another opportunity to go fishing. He will drive to the frozen lake in a blizzard, drag his gear to the perfect spot, drill a hole and he is a happy fella. This year to make it easier to haul all of his gear I bought him ,drum roll please,.......... An ice fishing sled!  Taa Daaa, that's right I packed it in a big box wrapped with gold paper and tied with a bow. He was so thrilled with his surprise. Sorry no photos of him allowed, he reused to let me post the photos of him in his Christmas morning attire and with his wild and woolly hair, giggle.

I loved your guesses and the emails you sent. Thank you for always participating in my blog, it really does make me smile.

I hope you all received something special and maybe a surprise or two under your tree this year.

What Is In The Box?

I know some of you will be able to relate to this post. Every year I'm faced with the same dilemma. What do I buy for the man who has everything ( my wonderful husband.) He never asks for anything, except socks and underwear!
Every year without fail I try and come up with something unique and fun that he may have shown an interest in during the year, or something I just know he'll like. This year I found it more challenging than most. But, I think I did it.
I thought I'd make this fun and ask you to guess "What's in the Box."
The big box to the right of the fireplace, you can't miss it!

So without any clues at all, I challenge you to guess "What's in the box?"

After it has been opened on Christmas morning I'll post the answer.  Have fun guessing.I can't wait to read your comments on this post.


Don't Forget To ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

Wordless Wednesday Nativity

please pause music player on the right sidebar before watching

Candy Cane Bark Two Recipes

Some people call it candy cane or peppermint bark, others call it peppermint brittle, whatever you call it, I know you'll call it yummy. Here are two recipes I hope you'll enjoy making this holiday season. Great to fill holiday tins with and give to friends and neighbors too.

Recipe One

 6  oz. chocolate-flavor candy coating (chopped)

 3  oz. milk chocolate bar (chopped)

 6  oz. vanilla-flavor candy coating (chopped)

 3  oz. white chocolate baking squares (chopped)

1/4  cup ( about four) peppermint candy canes (crushed)

Baking sheet (should accommodate a 10 x 8 rectangle)

Foil

2 Small saucepans  ( thick bottomed)or double boilers

Spatula

Before You Start Line a large baking sheet with foil.

Let’s Make It! In a small saucepan or double boiler, melt chocolate-flavor candy coating and milk chocolate bar, stirring over low heat until smooth. Pour onto baking sheet and spread into a 10x8-inch rectangle; set aside. In another saucepan or double boiler, melt vanilla-flavor candy coating and white chocolate baking squares, stirring over low heat until smooth. Slowly pour white mixture over chocolate mixture on baking sheet. With a thin spatula, swirls white candy mixture into chocolate mixture. Shake baking sheet gently for even thickness. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Chill in refrigerator 30 minutes or until firm. Use foil to lift candy from baking sheet; break candy into pieces.

Katie’s Tid Bits *Try substituting milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and/or white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter for candy coating.

Makes 1-1/4 pounds. Store in air tight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Or try this simpler recipe using white chocolate…..

What You Need

12 large candy canes

2 Lbs white chocolate ( chopped into 1/2-inch pieces)

1/2 tsp peppermint oil

Large baking sheet ( 11x 17 works well)

Parchment paper

Knife or meat tenderizer and cutting board

Double Boiler

Before You Start Line the baking sheet with parchment; set aside.

Let’s Make It!Using a chef's knife or meat tenderizer, cut or smash candy canes into 1/4" pieces. In the top of a double boiler, melt white chocolate, stirring constantly. Remove from heat as soon as the chocolate is melted. Stir candy cane and peppermint oil into the chocolate. Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet; spread evenly. Refrigerate until firm, 25 to 30 minutes. Break into pieces, and serve.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Wordless Wednesday Believe

Holiday Posting Continues with My Christmas Shoes

I'm continuing my Christmas Holiday posting by re-posting my Christmas Shoes poem, I hope you like it.

My Christmas Shoes

I turned on the light and threw open the door.

The closet was full from ceiling to floor.

My shoes were all lined up in nice tidy rows.

Some high and some low, and some even with bows.

They shined and they sparkled and were in all different colors.

Some even looked just like the others.

Today I will sort them and decide which to choose.

So I search and I sort and I find the best pairs.

I stack them on floors.

Put them in boxes, and on chairs.

I package them up in a box marked from Kate.

It’s Christmas you see, and it’s time to donate.

I give all year long and at holidays too.

So out they will go ,to be someone’s new shoes.

What’s next you might ask?

Well it’s easy for me.

The coat closet for sure, no one needs more than three.

Katherine( a.k.a. Katie) Corrigan

P.S. only 8 more followers needed to reach 1000 and have a giveaway!
Copyright ©Bobskatie Enterprises-GoAskKatie blog/Katherine's Corner-all rights reserved

Wordless Wednesday Our Christmas Tree

Cyber Monday Celebration

I'm on board for any shopping you do while wearing your favorite fuzzy slippers and sitting in a comfy chair. No makeup, hair in a ponytail and  fuzzy slippers on my feet I happily search the internet for the gifts on my list. Grinning from ear to ear knowing I'm not driving the car to the crowded mall on icy roads, or waiting with my blinker on in the parking lot for a parking spot makes me positively giddy. Hey, there's always that one car that sneaks in before I get to it anyway.

I find some amazing deals on the internet. Although my presents are always given with love, the cost is always a consideration and keeping my sanity in check is eased by shopping from the comfort of home.

I know I can't buy everything on the internet. But, lets face it, I rely on the cyber shopper to make a living. So I'm a happy supporter. Think of me on the corner holding one of those huge signs that says shop on the internet , visit Katherine's shops! My online shops Gifts By Katherine, Be Well Gifts,Blue Iris Gifts,shop Polka Dots and my Avon website are my full time job these days. So I say, shop, shop, shop! Find the deals, relax in your favorite chair, and spend your money wisely.

By the way if you shop at my online shops I always provide excellent customer service, and undying gratitude.






P.S.starting next week my blogs will focus on the upcoming holidays, recipes, crafts and more with the holiday theme.

Black Friday Freeze Out

Ahh Black Friday, just the name send chills down my spine. The image of eager shoppers desperate for a bargain. Their red noses pressed, or frozen to the shop doors at the ungodly hour of 3:00 am! Giggle, I was one of those anxious shoppers many years ago. After a tug of war over a sweater ensued, reminiscent of an old Laverne and Shirley episode I decided you can count me out.
I know the deals are amazing, but all deals are. I stand stead fast that black Friday will remain blacked out on my calendar.

Never again will I withstand the harsh winter wind that freezes even the smallest nose drizzle to your nostril. Never again will I endure the pushing, shoving, and sometimes ridiculous behavior of the half awake holiday bargain shoppers. That's right, I shout loudly, not I my friend!

But, to those of you who dare participate in this ongoing ritual. I send praise for your fortitude, your perseverance, and your savvy shopping skills. I lend you my cozy mittens and pat you on the back with a smile. I wish you well on your journey. God speed and happy shopping. I'll be her drinking tea.

Wordless Wednesday Giggles

Wordless Wednesday Tastes Like Christmas

After Christmas Happy Helper

After Christmas Happy Helper

Here it is three days after Christmas and I’ve just taken down all the Christmas decorations. There’s no sign of Christmas wrap or angel glitter anywhere…. Blank walls stare back at me. No corners filled with gifts, no animated jolly Santa figures greeting me with ho, ho, ho Merry Christmas .No nativity filling the mantel. No Christmas tree shining brightly. Nope, it’s all gone, tucked away neatly until next year.

I have wonderful memories, photos of grandchildren neck deep in gift wrapping and covered in holiday spirit. Smiles as bright as the sun, and teeth covered in chocolate. The smell of pumpkin spice scented candles still fills our home, and there’s no missing the extra inch around my middle (no diet during the holidays.)But the décor is all gone. I’m ready to ring in the New Year.

I know some people get the after Christmas blues. So, I thought I’d share my “Happy Helpers”, simple ways to put the Happy back into your home ;

• Add a bowl of bright yellow lemons to your table. They smell great and the vibrant color triggers happy feelings.

• Throw a few brightly colored pillows around or add a bright colored throw to help lift your spirits.

• Clear away clutter and display a collection of your favorite things. Why keep them in a box, show them off and get some Happy too

• Handmade objects can also add Happy to your surroundings.

• Listen to Happy music; this is my favorite Happy Helper. Here’s a short list, but there are many more to chose from.

Come On Get Happy by The Partridge Family

Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and The Waves

Shiny Happy People by-R.E.M.

I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas

What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles

I hope you had a wonderful holiday. The decorations are gone but the Happy can still remain. I wish you a very Happy New Year filled with only good things!

Copyright ©Bobskatie enterprises-all rights reserved

Christmas Shoes

A re-post of My Christmas Shoes Blog from last year.


I turned on the light and threw open the door.
The closet was full from ceiling to floor.
My shoes were all lined up in nice tidy rows.
Some high and some low, and some even with bows.
They shined and they sparkled and were in all different colors.
Some even looked just like the others.
Today I will sort them and decide which to choose.
So I search and I sort and I find the best pairs.
I stack them on floors.
Put them in boxes, and on chairs.
I package them up in a box marked from Kate.
It’s Christmas you see, and it’s time to donate.
I give all year long and at holidays too.
So out they will go to be someone’s new shoes.
What’s next you might ask?
Well it’s easy for me.
The coat closet for sure, no one needs more than three.
Katherine (a.k.a. Katie) Corrigan

Copyright ©Bobskatie Enterprises-all rights reserved

Wordless Wednesday Christmas Message

Wordless Wednesday

Candy Canes

Candy Canes

The candy cane, it’s one of Christmas’s “fun foods” you can eat it, decorate with it , put pipe cleaner antlers on it, and lick it until your tongue turns red. It’s one of the “sweetest Symbols, of the holidays.

Candy canes came from the creative minds of European choirmasters, who bent candy sticks into the shape of shepherd hooks to present to children attending the Crèche ceremonies. Candy canes came to America in the 1900’s and a few red stripes were added to the peppermint sticks. I’ve often heard that the three red stripes represent the Holy Trinity. What have you heard? I’ve also heard that the hard candy represents the solid foundation of the church and the peppermint flavor represents the hyssop used by Jesus for purification.

So now you know a little something about the candy cane. It’s not just a fresh breath making treat, or a delicious holiday decoration, it’s symbolic too!

Remember the reason for the season.

Copyright ©Bobskatie Enterprises-all rights reserved

Avoid Holiday Shopping Madness

I'm home now, thank you to those of you who left such kind messages for the passing of my Father. Now it's time to get back to making a living.

Avoid Holiday shopping madness and receive a gift with $20 purchase at Blue Iris Gifts

Hugs for you all!!
Click the image to start your holiday shopping!

Toys For Tots

You still have time to donate a new unwrapped Toy to “Toys For Tots”. Please give generously, don’t let any child go without a present this holiday. Please add “Toys for Tots” to your Christmas list this year.

For more information on the Toys for Tots program, or where to donate in your area, or how to be a recipient. Please visit their official website. http://www.toysfortots.org/

Thank you my friends! Sending holidays hugs your way. Katherine

Copyright2008 ©Bobskatie Enterprises-GoAskKatieblog/Katie’s Corner-all rights reserved

Christmas Shoes

I turned on the light and threw open the door.

The closet was full from ceiling to floor.

My shoes were all lined up in nice tidy rows.

Some high and some low, and some even with bows.

They shined and they sparkled and were in all different colors.

Some even looked just like the others.

Today I will sort them and decide which to choose.

So I search and I sort and I find the best pairs.

I stack them on floors.

Put them in boxes, and on chairs.

I package them up in a box marked from Kate.

It’s Christmas you see, and it’s time to donate.

I give all year long and at holidays too.

So out they will go to be someone’s new shoes.

What’s next you might ask?

Well it’s easy for me.

The coat closet for sure, no one needs more than three.

Katherine a.k.a. Katie Corrigan
Copyright ©Bobskatie Enterprises-GoAskKatieblog/Katie’s Corner-all rights reserved

Christmas is coming Christmas is coming!

Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming!

I love this time of year. I’ve already decked the halls and joined the chorus. There’s no mistaking it, Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. I have cinnamon scented candles burning and carols playing. I’ve hung the wreaths on the doors and filled the candy cane jars. Bring on the non stop Christmas carols on the radio and in every shop, I plan to sing along.

Light covered houses and school Christmas programs, soggy wet mittens and red runny noses, yes, yes, yes bring it on!

I’ve made two trips to drop off food at the local food bank and I’m gathering some toys for the toys for tot’s donation. I’ve made my list for my four beautiful grandchildren and I’m, ready to fill it! Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming!

Merry Christmas everyone! Seasons Greetings, Happy Hanukah and Happy Kwanzaa too!

Copyright ©Bobskatie Enterprises-GoAskKatieblog/Katie’s Corner-all rights reserved