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That most wonderful time of year is finally here! There's just something magical about watching the first snowfall, a fire crackling away in the fireplace. Our lights are twinkling, our stockings are hung and some spiced cider is simmering in the slow cooker. Imagine we're inviting you in for a warm mug of cheer and some homemade cookies and enjoy this holiday edition of Feather Your Nest.
Whether you've already checked your list twice or you're just starting to shop, our Holiday Gift Guide will help you choose that perfect something for all of your family & friends. Stuff their stockings with a few of our most-loved Our Favorite cookbooks...they're the perfect size! Why not pick up a few of our best-selling slow-cooker or casserole cookbooks for an aspiring cook or a pair of newlyweds? These books are sure to come in handy year 'round.
Eventually we all have to take a break from playing in the snow, shopping in the hustle & bustle and trimming the tree to whip up some tasty treats. We're sharing some of our favorite open house recipes below, including a cookie recipe that everyone loves...even Santa!
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So snuggle up in your favorite blanket and enjoy the spirit of the season...it only comes once a year!
Want more videos like the ones we're sharing below? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and find LOTS to watch, plus be the first to know when we share something new!
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Here are 3 of our open house favorites...enjoy sharing them with
family & friends this holiday!
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Mini Sausage Tarts
Wanda Boykin from Lewisburg, Tennessee shared this recipe with us. She writes, "These look so fancy on an appetizer tray...your friends will never know how easy they are to make!"
1 lb. ground pork sausage, browned
and drained
8-oz. pkg. shredded Mexican-blend
cheese
3/4 c. ranch salad dressing
2 T. black olives, chopped
4 pkgs. 15-count frozen mini
phyllo cups
Optional: diced red pepper,
diced black olives
Combine sausage, cheese, salad dressing and olives; blend well. Divide among phyllo cups; arrange on ungreased baking sheets. If desired, sprinkle with diced pepper and black olives. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 5 dozen.
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Jo Ann's Holiday Brie
This is one of Jo Ann's favorite holiday recipes...great for pop-in guests because it's so quick & easy to prepare!
13.2-oz. pkg. Brie cheese
1/4 c. caramel ice cream topping
1/2 c. sweetened dried cranberries
1/2 c. dried apricots, chopped
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 loaf crusty French bread, sliced,
toasted and buttered
Place cheese on an ungreased microwave-safe serving plate; microwave on high setting for 10 to 15 seconds. Cut out a wedge to see if center is soft. If center is still firm, return to microwave for another 5 to 10 seconds, until cheese is soft and spreadable. Watch carefully, as center will begin to melt quickly. Drizzle with caramel topping; sprinkle with fruits and nuts. Serve with toasted slices of crusty French bread. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
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Candy Cane Thumbprints
Jennifer Martineau of Delaware, Ohio shared this recipe with us. She writes, "My daughter insists on making the thumbprints herself. Won't Santa love finding a plate of these cookies on Christmas Eve?"
2/3 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 t. salt
1 egg, beaten
1 t. vanilla extract
1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
Garnish: finely crushed peppermint candies
Filling:
1/4 c. butter, softened
1/4 t. peppermint extract
1-1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 to 3 t. milk
Blend butter, sugar and salt with an electric mixer on low speed. Mix in egg and vanilla. Beat in as much flour as possible; stir in remaining flour. Cover; chill for one hour. Shape dough into one-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly golden around edges. Remove from oven; make a thumbprint in each cookie with thumb. Cool. For Filling: blend butter and extract. Gradually add powdered sugar and milk to a piping consistency. Pipe filling into centers; sprinkle with crushed candy. Makes about 3 dozen.
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Want to add a little sprinkle of Gooseberry Patch to your holiday
season? Download our December wallpaper here...couldn't be easier!
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Shopping local for Gooseberry Patch this Christmas?
Visit our Store Locator to find shops in your neighborhood.
This month we're featuring... |
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The Olde
Farmstead
We asked the owner, Becky, to share a little bit about it...
The Olde Farmstead began in November of 1998 when a dream for a country store became a reality. This family-owned store opened its first location in The Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek, Ohio. Since then, we have expanded to a total of three stores, with locations in Polaris Fashion Place in Columbus, Ohio and Tanger Outlets in Jeffersonville, Ohio.
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We have a wide variety of product lines including: hand-poured candles, framed art, unique jewelry, scarves, clothing and gifts for children. We also carry linens, Williraye Studio, Bennington Pottery, Carson Pewter, decorative lighting, Ohio State gifts and décor, Stonewall Kitchen soaps and lotions, Gooseberry Patch, grapevine trees and seasonal items.
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Our popular line of handcrafted furniture is made in Ohio, exclusively for us, and can be custom designed in many colors. We also have a website and offer a newsletter to connect with our customers. Visit us at www.theoldefarmstead.com and order online or through our stores.
How long have you been carrying Gooseberry Patch cookbooks & calendars?
We have carried Gooseberry Patch cookbooks since the very beginning in 1998. They have always been one of our strongest categories and best sellers. This line is one of the very few that has stood the test of time.and remained strong through the past 13 years. Our customers anxiously await the new titles, and our employees love getting the first peek when they come in!
Which titles are your customers' favorites lately?
The original hardbacks are still the best selling, but the full color cookbooks do very well also. 101 Autumn Recipes is one of our top sellers, and we were delighted to also use that as our free gift to our customers at our Holiday Open House in November.
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Thanks to Becky and The Olde Farmstead for offering Gooseberry Patch cookbooks to your customers. We're glad to be part of the great selection at your store...keep up the great work!
If you're ever in the area, be sure to stop by
The Olde Farmstead at these 3 locations!
Prime Outlet Mall
8320 Factory Shops Blvd.
Jeffersonville, Ohio 43128
740-948-2433
The Polaris Fashion Place Mall
1500 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 43240
614-888-9104
Fairfield Commons Mall
2727 Fairfield Commons Drive
Beavercreek, Ohio 45431
937-426-0486
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