New Thrifty Gifty - Organised for Christmas and all ocassions 2010- Santas Challenges

esmer

diddly74 wrote: »

This is the receipe I used. I got if from one of the forums here.

500g golden granulated sugar
500ml whipping cream
50ml Baileys
150g white chocolate

Butter and line a 22cm x 22cm tin, leaving a small overhang. Put sugar, cream and Baileys in a large pan and, stirring slowly, bring it to a simmer. Make sure the sugar is dissolved (it will stop feeling grainy on the base of the pan), then turn the heat up to a rolling boil.

1. Adjust the heat until the mixture bubbles without getting too near the top of the pan. Keep bubbling, stirring occasionally, until a small amount of mixture dropped into a glass of cold water will form a soft ball that you can pick up on the end of a teaspoon.
2. At this stage, the bubbles will have gone from being large and unruly to smaller and more even. Stir in the chocolate and pour the mixture into the tin. Cool and cut.

All I can think of is its not got to the right temp for it to set. Do you have a candy thermometer?


If your doing the cold water test, start with Ice water, drop a very small amount of the fudge into the water. if the fudge makes a small, soft ball, it is ready to take off the heat. if the ball makes a little tail, boil it longer and test again in a minute.

I find it easier with a candy thermometer todo fudge, toffee etc.......

HTH

fedupandskint

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG I am buzzing - not christmassy but so so happy - I reached my 10K target in the snow and ice./ I have the biggest smile on my face I've had in a long time!!!!!!!11

I had a few 1min walking intervals due to the conditions but who cares - I'll be running with no breaks soon!

Right then onto Christmassy things - have ordered a fudge making kit for pressies and also buying the Christmas glee album tomorrow. Then next week will write the cards and post and then make the final few cards by next weekend or maybe a little bit longer than that!

Happy week ahead I think!

abdonz

Diddly-- that's the recipe I followed and I have done it twice now and not set either time so I gave up. But did wonder if its worth trying a little less baileys and I bit more choc maybe worth a try if you have some ingrediants left over.

I am going to learn to knit and sew after christmas got a new sideboard to have allocated all the drawers I want lol, going to try card making too.
Well we got tree and decs up, the tree is massive it touches ceiling lol. The kids have been a total nightmare this weekend they just would not listen, I have come off my anti depress tabs and don't think it was time, don't want to take them forever thou. I have been moody, shouting no patience so not been a great weekend.
Off to see santa next sat morn so looking forward to that.
I made mince pies yesterday for first time ever, they where nice but could have done pastry a bit thinner, also made my stuffing balls this aft for christmas dinner, so that's pig in blankets and stuffing frozen ready. Will do my gravey next week.
Got my mother sleeping here tom night as she can't get home in snow arrgghh l, love her but drives me mad after an hour!!
It's DS 2&3s school Christmas play tues ones a shepard and littlest one a camel ( he's only 3), they at same school a yr between them its a small school so nursey and reception are together.
Hope everyone's going to be ok in snow tomorrow and you all stay warm
Xxx

esmer

Well done Fedupandskint, I started running in the summer, doing a walk run program.............. but the weather got so bad, lately and not been out. I will keep it for the summer I think, and go to Zumba in winter.... Starting after christmas as most nights im crafting, or making something

SugarSpun

Well done fedupandskint, and Diddy/others if fudge doesn't set you can always mix your un-fudge into some cream cheese or marscapone and use it as a cheesecake topper. I think 1:1 proportions would be right but experimentation is the key to nommy cheesecake

elysia2003

Hi everyone,

Sorry Diddley - I haven't made fudge before so I can't help you with the recipe.

Esmer and Fedup - I often wish I was more active - couch potato I am. My house is like a Gym, but I don't use any of it. I've just scared OH, by telling him I was buying an exercise bike for the wii after christmas - anything to get me motivated. I don't think he ws very happy.

All snow has now gone as it rained non stop yesterday. It did leave some ice, but I'm hoping that's gone too now.

Abandonz - are you sure you're ready to come off your tablets yet? Maybe after Christmas when things are less stressful. Does the doc know. You don't want to do more harm than good. Thinking of you. Let your Mum, take over the kids for a bit, so you can have some me time.

Had a lovely afternoon indoors. We had a load of bananas going ripe this afternoon, so DD1 made banana bread. Yum. Then we all had to play Monopoly again, I hope Santa brings some different games DD2 sat and wrote her cards before dinner. It's been nice - no moaning for a change.

foxy219

Dinner was lovely - roast chicken followed by home made (and home grown) apple crumble and custard. Managed to get my ironing done, but not much else! Ah well there's always tomorrow. I have both kids school plays this week and lots of wrapping to do and card writing in between work but the end is in sight!

mum2one

esmer wrote: »

I know nothing of knitting AT ALL. I did knit years ago.

What is a Bodkin?
If getting new needles, what is the standard size to buy?
Are there any knitting bagsI could get for her to keep all her stuff in, bearing in mind my budget.

Sorry, im more of a sewer and cross stitcher than a knitter.............. :rotfl:

Knitting side - needles go for 3 1/4mm (old size 10s) and 4mm (old size 8), there the basic needles for double knitting wool.
Most knitting bags are the same size - you should get one off ebay or a wool shop - they can anything from £6 to £10+
get some accessories - needle, white cotton (ready for sewing buttons), safety pins (great for a few stithes)
Stitch holder
tape measure
Scissors

They could be put in pencil case - always have a set ready for sewing up.
I wouldn't really bother with patterns - most are around £2 to £3 and I always find patterns are personal choce, depending on what she wants to kint.
xx

sarahf191979

Morning All

The snow has gone, but has left a lovely ice rink on the pavements for me to contend with this morning :eek:

Managed to get some more wrapping done yesterday (nearly all done now) and finished the shopping on my list :j all thats needed now is for us so it's just bits and bobs and the food for over christmas. My bedroom is looking somewhat more respectable after the wrapping yesterday too.

Got DS1 to stamp his cards and they both wrote their letters to santa, We had a great time sending it up on the Lantern for the elves to cacth and take back to Santa, Thought it was going to land in next doors garden to start with, but then it just soared up into the night until the fog made it disapear. Kids loved it, so Thanks again Scattymam - Brilliant Idea!!!

Anyway of on a course this morning, so better go and get a few coffee's in before I go out.

Take Care
Sarah
x

NickyBo_2

You're up early Sarah! I've only just been able to drag myself out of bed. Coming on here while I have my breakfast is my motivational treat for getting out of bed on such a freezing morning!

I need some more help ladies (and gent). I've thought of a joint gift I want to make DH and DS - an activity ideas jar. DH looks after our son during the day while I'm at work, then he goes out to work in the evenings. Recently he was asking me for ideas about what he could do with him as he felt they were just doing the same things over and over. I thought I could print out lots of ideas and put them all in a jar for him to use as a lucky dip when they need inspiration. I've already thought of lots of activities but I think I'm going to need LOADS to fill the jar, so I'm looking for suggestions please My son has just turned 3.