Yellow Birds

Thanksgiving is over; company is gone; snow is gone; ice is gone; turkey remains; sweet potatoes remain; and my yellow feather friends remain. As we were house-bound for a few days due to mostly icy conditions along with a bit of snow, I noticed a new kind of bird had showed up at my house. These yellow-breasted fat little fliers have red eyes and are very colorful. Had to take a few closeups of them and will have to do some research to find out their names and a bit about them. Hope they stay around as they are not noisy like my Stellar Jays! Enjoy the pictures and take some time to enjoy the small things during the days leading up to Christmas.

Baklava

So I volunteered to bring a baked good to the church Harvest Festival on Saturday. Hmmm...what can I do that's special? It will be for our church women's booth to raise money. After giving it some thought for about a week I decided to try a recipe that one of my friends is famous for. She has made baklava for as long as I have known her, which is about 30 years. She generously gave me the recipe, telling me it wasn't hard, but just time consuming. Give her an "A" in that category!!! She did give me a couple of tips along with the recipe. "Be sure to clarify the butter or it will turn out soggy and don't thaw the phyllo dough on the counter; do it in the refrigerator."

Yesterday I made the syrup mixture so I wouldn't have to do everything in the same day. So today I tackled the project.

 Everything is all together, so lets get started.

The first 8 sheets all layered with butter between each.

One-third of the nut mixture sprinkled on top.

Another 8 buttered layers. So far, so good; not a single sheet has torn.

Two more nut layers and 16 more buttered phyllo sheets later.

It was a little tricky slicing the top 8 phyllo layers because some

of the little top pieces wanted to jump around.

An hour and a half later it is finally ready for the oven and

I am ready to sit down and put my feet up!

 

Out of the oven exactly 55 minutes later.

After cooling for about 15 minutes I poured the honey mixture

all over it.

And a close up just to make your mouth water.

It is currently in the refrigerator to rest and absorb the honey.

I am now keeping my fingers crossed that it won't fall apart

when I slice it and look terrible for the bazaar.

We will have to wait until then to rate the taste.

Until then, here is the recipe for anyone who would like to give it a try.

Baklava

Ingredients
SYRUP:
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon peel finely grated
1 teaspoon orange peel grated
1 stick cinnamon
1 cup honey

NUT MIXTURE:
4 cups walnuts
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cloves
2 teaspoons vanilla

CLARIFY:
1 1/2 cups butter

2 packages phyllo sheets

12x16 inch pan


Method
Syrup:
Combine first six ingredients and bring to boil.  Continue cooking on low to medium for 10 minutes.  Slowly add honey and simmer for 5 more minutes.  Cool in refrigerator.

Nut mixture:
Grind nuts in food processor to fine texture, add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Set aside.

Clarify :
1 1/2 cups of butter

Assembly:
Unwrap purchased phyllo dough and lay flat between dish towels.  With a pastry brush, butter bottom of pan.  Lay one sheet of phyllo in pan.  Butter top of sheet.  Continue until 8 sheets are completed, buttering between each sheet.  Layer 1/3 of the nut mixture.  Then another 8 sheets of phyllo, another 1/3 of the nut mixture, 8 more sheet, the last of the nut mixture.  Finish with 8 more sheets of phyllo.  Always butter between each sheet of the phyllo.  With a sharp knife, score the top 8 sheets in a diamond pattern.

Bake at 325, 45 to 50 minutes or until golden.  Cool for 10 to 15 minutes.  Pour cooled syrup over warm Baklava and let stand overnight, covered in the refrigerator.

Will keep for 3 weeks in the refrigerator

December Projects

I have been busy working on Christmas and birthday projects lately, both sewing and digital projects. So sorry to those friends who haven't found anything new here in awhile. Figured it was time to share what I have been having fun doing and possibly guess which one might be yours.

Saw this table topper in Fon's & Porter Magazine and just knew it looked like something my best friend would love! Found the perfect candle for it at Pier One.

I am having a hard time finding the perfect candle for this candle mat. Thinking maybe when more Hanukkah things come out that I will get lucky.

I plan on making one of these for myself to put out in June during tulip festival time.

 This lap quilt is in the process of being quilted for a special lady.

This table runner is not a gift. It is my own that I am using right now.

Of all the ones I have made, this one is my favorite. One day I hope to have one for each month for myself. I am about half way there now.

While I was taking pictures today Shadow was making sure I got everything right.

I've been also very busy doing some digital projects: a calendar for 2011, a cookbook scrapbook, and an ALS Charity Walk scrapbook. This is in addition to my own genealogical scrapbook. I will post some of those projects at a later date. Thanks for any comments or input. Happy November!