Grow Your Blog

                   
 Hi everyone!!  My name is Cindi and I live in Northwest New Jersey.

                  I am fairly new at blogging and am thrilled to be able to participate for the first time in the

 2015 Grow Your Blog party!!

 I feel it is a way for me to connect with people all over the world that otherwise I would never meet.  The potential to learn something new through this opportunity is one in a million.

At a very young age, I realized the thrill I experienced when creating.   At 10 yrs I was introduced to a sewing machine and fell in love.  In Junior High School while the others were struggling with a simple apron, I was tackling a lined vest and skirt.

  I am the happiest sitting at my machine, which sets in my grandmothers treadle cabinet.

I am fortunate that I work out of my house and sell online what I create.   Here is a sample of what I have made.

I belong to an Etsy team called Folkart and Primitives, which covers a broad spectrum of art.

I am offering a GIVEAWAY for the Blog Party !

This little prim Peep is made from Warm n Natural, stuffed and nicely weighted.  He was then painted, stained and baked.   Is he not the cutest?

To be entered, please leave a comment below and make sure I have a way of contacting you.   I would also love to have you follow my blog, but it is not a requirement.   If you do follow me, I will return the follow.  :)

Good Luck to everyone, it was so nice of you to stop in  :)

And the winner of our first giveaway of 2015 is..

CATHY LEE

Congratulations Cathy, I will be in contact with you!!

As a few of you know, I am involved with a wonderful Etsy team called

Folkart and Primitives

This team will be celebrating its 2nd birthday on February 1, 2015 

I have been blessed to be involved with them,   I have learned so much and it is an ongoing process.   The friendships we have made will last a lifetime.  

If you know of anyone OR if you would like to become a member, please contact me.  Everyone has something to offer in life.  :)

We will be holding a celebration beginning February 1st running through the 8th.   

Here is our preview 

Stay tuned for MORE information!

Its GIVEAWAY time !

**Our FIRST giveaway of 2015**

The weather today in Northwestern New Jersey is ICE !

I stepped outside to get the morning newspaper and our driveway is a sheet of ice.

Forecast was for it to start with snow and then turn over to sleet and freezing rain.  

I guess Mother Nature had different ideas.   Days like today, I am so grateful that I am now able to work out of my house. 

To kick off 2015 I would like to do a giveaway here on my blog.

This is our popular Winged Heart.  The wing span is approximately 10.5"  wide.   There is a country air to this design.  It is suitable for hanging outdoors as long as it is in a protected area.

You have 3 chances to be entered to win:

1. Comment below, say anything you wish.

2.  Become a follower of my blog

3.  Like my Cozy Xpressions Facebook page.

If you would like a 4th.......share this on your Facebook page!

4.  SHARE on Facebook

Giveaway ends January 19th, winner will be announced on January 20th.

GOOD LUCK

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Its hard to believe we are now writing 2015.  Wait....how many of us actually write now a days? 

Time moves on and we can not stop it nor can we stop the changes.  The best is not to fight it, just go with the flow.

I have been doing quite a bit of reading lately dealing with Social Media, there are predictions out there that shocked me.   I usually do not believe the first article I read on a specific topic and I investigate further.  It will be interesting for sure, to see if things will come to pass as predicted.

Moving right along, I will share with you some of my new creations, that are for sale in my Etsy shop

Cozy Expressions

This beautiful heart door or wall hanging

Or how about a Winged Heart?

possibly a heart with a little bird sitting on top?

and finally, a hand cut wood heart

I hope you take a few minutes and browse my offerings.

My wish for everyone is to have a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!!

~Coated Nuts~ This recipe makes an excellent hostess gift!

I thought I would share with you a few pictures from my hometown of 

Bethlehem, PA

It is known as the Christmas City, USA.   Founded by the Moravians in 1741 it has become a very quaint and artsy community.   Rich in its Moravian History, they have embraced it as you will see with some of the photos here of the Central Moravian Church.   Moravian College is one of the oldest colleges in the USA founded in 1742.

The largest employer Bethlehem Steel shuttered its doors years ago and in its closing left huge empty industrial buildings.   Eye sores to some.   Due to the art and education influence

ArtsQuest

was founded and has created a wonderful art and education center on the grounds on the former Bethlehem Steel.   It is best known for its free 10 day music festival Musikfest

held each year in August.

Central Moravian Church on Main Street

Central Moravian Church and part of Moravian College on the right.

To the left of the Church is the Moravian Book Shop, the oldest continually running book shop in the world !

Horse and Buggy Rides during the holiday on Main Street

Main Street during the holiday season  

I guess you can tell, that I am proud of my hometown.  I am very fortunate, that even though I live in New Jersey,  I am only 30 minutes away from Bethlehem.

Okay now that I bored you to death with the brief history of Bethlehem, here is my recipe for today!

Coated Nuts

Beat one egg white with 1 tablespoon water until foamy. 

 Mix in 1 pound of pecans or walnuts in the egg white  mixture, completely coating the nuts (or 2 pounds of peanuts, or a combo)

  In another bowl combine 1 cup of sugar, 1 teaaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.  

 Combine nuts and sugar mixture.

  Spread on rimmed baking sheet and bake at 250 for 1 hour. 

 Stir every 15 minutes.  

 Cool in pan

Who would like some "Butter Horns"

Here is a easy to make version of the Hungarian Kipfels using a ground walnut filling.    I have never tried to use Lekvar or Apricot filling in these, but I may try this year.

BUTTER HORNS

2 cups flour

1/2 pound margarine or butter

Cut the margarine into the flour.  Add to it, 1 egg yolk and 3/4 cup sour cream.   Blend until smooth.   Wrap the dough in a floured sheet of waxed paper.  Chill at least 4  hours.   Once chilled, divide the dough into 3 equal balls.  Keep the dough chilled so it is easier to work with.    Take one ball out and roll into a large circle.  Sprinkle with nut filling.   Cut into "pie wedges"   Roll up starting with the wide end.   Place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 350 for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Nut filling

3/4 cup chopped nuts

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup sugar.

Enjoy!!

**Hungarian Pastry **

As a child I remember my Hungarian Grandmother and Aunt making this for the holidays.  This is done in layers.  There is a bit of work involved, but so worth it.   Use any flavor fruit preserve that you and your family likes.

HUNGARIAN PASTRY

1 cup soft butter

1 cake of yeast

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 cup lukewarm milk

6 eggs - separate all

3 cups flour

2 cups fruit preserves

1 pound finely chopped walnuts

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Dilute the yeast in the sugar and warm milk and stir until dissolved.

Stir in egg yolks and butter.   Add flour to form a soft sticky dough.  Divide the dough into 3 balls.

Roll out 1 ball and place in a jelly roll pan or cookie sheet.   Sprinkle 1 cup of the walnuts over the layer of dough.  Roll out the second layer and place on top of the walnuts.   Top with the 2 cups of preserves and then another cup of the walnuts.   Roll out third layer and place on top of walnuts again.   Press the edges together and set aside in a warm place to rise 1 hour.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  

While baking, beat your egg whites until soft peaks form.  Spread on top, finish with more walnuts.

Bake additional 15 minutes.

ENJOY !!