Saturday, February 17, 2018

Cozy Camping--Indoors

When the winter weather is at times way too bitterly cold and snowy to even think about a real experience like camping in the great outdoors, a bit of improvising can make camping indoors just as fun.


Here in Wisconsin, we have our snow and very cold weather.  So let's do some cozy camping -- indoors.........  First, let's set the table----camping style.












It just wouldn't be camping without some red, white and black plaid placemats and candles.




Some pine cones for fire starters and a homemade, red and black buffalo plaid hand warmer to slip into woolly mittens are a necessity for gathering some wood for the fireplace.


And with all that snow.....we may need some snowshoes to go outside.







Definitely, a thermos of hot coffee is needed to combat the chilly morning.


Now that the table is set and the fire is going, lets use our cast iron skillets and have a hearty breakfast before the day unfolds.


Lets start with some Breakfast Sausage on a Stick.  This fast and easy dish is perfect for camping whether it is indoors or out.  It starts with fully cooked breakfast sausages that are skewered, dipped into a thick, buttermilk pancake batter, fried in oil until golden brown and topped with a shake of powdered sugar.  Served with some warm maple syrup for dipping and some hot, steamy coffee and breakfast has you feeling like a lumberjack.








One other recipe that makes for a grab-and-go breakfast for camping is some peanut muffins topped with a peanut butter glaze  (recipe provided below).  It has just enough sweetness to provide energy to start the day or to play in the snow.






Peanut Muffins


2 C flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C brown sugar
1 C peanuts, coarsely chopped (If using salted peanuts, omit or reduce salt from recipe)
2 T butter, melted
1/4 C peanut butter
1 C milk
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract


Mix together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl. Add chopped peanuts. In separate bowl, mix butter and peanut butter. Add milk, egg and vanilla extract. Add peanut butter mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until blended. Fill muffin tins or foil muffin paper almost full (about 3/4 full). Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Let cool and drizzle with peanut butter glaze (recipe below).


Peanut Butter Glaze


1/4 C creamy peanut butter
3/4 - 1 C powdered sugar
1 T corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 T or more, depending on consistency, whipped cream, half and half, or milk


Mix until smooth and drizzle over cooled muffins. Top with chopped peanuts.


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An end to a busy day deserves a yummy campfire cake and some fun, classic games such as checkers and tic-tac-toe.








































Now does anyone know a few campfire songs before it is time to slip into a warm and cozy sleeping bag? 

Happy Camping!

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Just another note to mention....The Little Yellow Corner Store now has a a Pinterest page.  It is work in progress, but for now, you can see a collection of tablescapes throughout the years.  Pop in and take a peek at https://www.pinterest.com/thelittleyellowcornerstore/

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Saturday, February 3, 2018

Zesty, Peppy Love

Are you reminded each year on Valentine's Day of your early childhood days when there occurred busy trading of Valentine's Day cards among your grade school classmates?  If your elementary school class participated in a party and card exchange, I am sure you can remember just how exciting it was to get these cute little messages of love from each and every fellow student and friend in your grade.


To celebrate such memories, this week's tablescape entitled Zesty, Peppy Love is one of several Valentine's Day tablescapes in the Valentine's Day Romantic Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by Chloe Crabtree of Celebrate and Decorate.  The blog hop, which Chloe has graciously organized, begins Monday, February 5, 2018 and runs until Friday, February 9, 2018.  Please be sure to visit and indulge in all of the "love" created by other very talented tablescapers listed on the schedule at the conclusion of this post.

So lets sit down at this Zesty, Peppy Valentine's Day table.........


The Zesty, Peppy Valentine's Day tablescape is complete with some homemade, faux vanilla ice cream from the recipe in my previous post, Faux Ice Cream.  (If you happened to have missed it or wish to learn how it is made, visit: How to make Faux Ice Cream.








Just so that you are not entirely disappointed with the artificial ice cream dessert, some real delicious, steamy hot chocolate with a white chocolate stirring spoon and some healthy oatmeal, cranberry granola bites are served.












































Thank you for visiting with me and I hope you have a cozy and romantic Valentine's Day.  Take a moment to visit the following blogs for more creative and artistic Valentine Day tablescapes from some very bright and innovative designers.


Monday



Tuesday



Wednesday



Thursday



Friday