grace grits and gardening - ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Uncommon Goods Literary Scarf

December 11, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

This post is sponsored by Uncommon Goods. All opinions are my own.

When Uncommon Goods asked me to work with them on a product review, I jumped on board. Committed to the environment and sustainability, Uncommon Goods promotes handmade items and donates a portion of each sale to various non-profit groups. For those hard to shop for people on your Christmas list—you know the ones—you will find something in the company’s catalog because its filled with, yes, uncommon goods.

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffers? Uncommon Goods has a wonderland of choices HERE.

A personalized gift? Take a gander at these one of a kind ideas HERE.

There are must-have artifacts for the man cave dweller, the sports fan, gardener, geek.

Gifts to charm ladies of all ages.

You get the picture.

I’ve had my eye on this literary scarf for some time.

What a truly unique gift for anyone who loves the written word. Writer friends? Check. Voracious reader? Check. Anyone who wants to be stylish and warm this winter? Check.

First let me say, I am impressed with the texture. This infinity-style scarf is medium weight—not too heavy but substantial enough to keep me warm—and it’s soft like a well-loved t-shirt. The color, more eggshell than stark white, will go with most anything. The print is clear (much clearer than my fuzzy photo might lead you to believe) and includes not only passages from the book, but fun illustrations too.

The Literary Scarf comes in three styles: Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights or Alice in Wonderland. (I am wearing Alice in Wonderland, one of my all-time favorite books.)

So seriously, before you drag yourself to the crowded mall, spend some time browsing the Uncommon Goods website. Click HERE to view the holiday catalog. Not only will you find uber cool gifts for everyone on your list, but the company promotes Instagram challenges, design contests, and includes an entire category of odd yet interesting things you need to know. Like whether or not men yawn more than women. And if cats can be allergic to people. Curiouser and curiouser, right? Because the company is uncommon.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

“Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds like uncommon nonsense.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

[tweetthis]Something uncommon for everyone on your #Christmas list! #LiteraryScarf @UncommonGoods #anythingbutordinary [/tweetthis]

Handmade Snow Globe

December 10, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

Yesterday during a short burst of craftiness, I made a snow globe using a Mason jar. From start to finish, this handmade snow globe took less than thirty minutes which included scrubbing clean the Mason jar which contained oily, congealed, leftover Thanksgiving salad dressing inside.

Last year, Annabelle gnawed the base off the tiny white Christmas tree (pictured below). Since I couldn’t throw it away, it’s been waiting for the perfect project. I’ve had the miniature snowman candle since my children sold wrapping paper and other stuff no one needed during school fundraisers in the early 1990s. Not kidding.

Step One. Secure embellishments to the jar lid using a hot glue gun. Use whatever you have on hand. I used the snowman candle and tree. (I added a tiny piece of berry garland to my tree – visible in the last picture.)

Step Two. Add snow. I used a combination of granulated sugar and…wait for it…wait for it………..GRITS! Yep. (You can use that cool fake snow sold at craft stores, but I improvised. Plus, I’m partial to grits…) And I added a sprinkle of red glitter which served no purpose, and I would omit next time.

It looked pretty cute on my windowsill, and I considered stopping there, but then I would have made a snow lid instead of a snow globe. Not that there’s anything wrong with a snow lid.

Step Three. Screw the jar onto the lid. I did this backwards, but it worked. Next time, I’ll glue my embellishments onto the lid, pour my snow into the jar instead of the lid, screw the lid on and flip upside down. But whatever. It’s meant to be shaken, so no biggie.

Step Four. I glued a little festive decoration on top because once I start with the hot glue gun, I can’t leave well enough alone.

Step Five. Shake it up. Watch the snow (grits – heehee) fall. Admire the marshmallow world you’ve created. Gift it to a friend or keep it for yourself.

Mr. Snowman does look a bit freaked to be in there, doesn’t he? Bless his heart.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]I made a snow globe. Guess what I used for #snow? [/tweetthis]

P.S. I discovered through the wonderful world of Instagram, my friend Busvlogger and his adorable kids made snow globes yesterday too. If you don’t know about Busvlogger and his YouTube videos, you are truly missing out. He is a stay-at-home dad who shares his daily adventures with wit and charm. Check out his snow globe project below. He shows how to do this with children (sans hot glue). You are very welcome.

Musicial Pairing:

A Marshmallow World – Frank Sinatra / Dean Martin

Simple Pecan Fudge

December 9, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

Fudge was one of my Daddy’s all-time favorite desserts. Momma stood at the stove all night (it seemed) stirring together chocolate and milk and sugar. She always used the recipe on the back of the Hershey’s cocoa canister. You know, the canister that hasn’t changed since forever? Two hours later after it reached the right temperature and set, it was yummy. Daddy said so. I never really knew because by the time it was ready, I had fallen asleep.

Today I’m sharing a simple pecan fudge recipe inspired by one I found on Allrecipes. With only four basic ingredients, this may become your new favorite holiday treat. This recipe is quick and won’t dirty up your kitchen. ‘Tis the season when everyone needs a quick dessert recipe, and let’s be honest, no one has extra time to waste slaving away in the kitchen.

Simple Pecan Fudge

Print Recipe

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup chopped pecans

Method

With your microwave set on 50% power, melt chocolate, milk and butter in a large glass bowl for approximately 4-5 minutes, pausing to stir every minute. (Microwaves vary so heat only until melted and smooth.)
Once the ingredients are thoroughly melted and combined, mix in pecans. (You can substitute walnuts or almonds, or eliminate nuts altogether.)
Spread chocolate mixture onto a piece of Glad Press and Seal Wrap that has been lightly sprayed with cooking oil. Shape into a log approximately one inch thick. Top with a second sheet of wrap and seal the edges.
Place in the refrigerator to set (which only takes about an hour).
Cut into squares.
Enjoy!

Pack a few pieces of this rich, creamy fudge into decorative tins and voila(!), an simple, delectable gift.