A Harry Potter Happy Christmas Scribblings
Just Magically Scribbling Away…
Time for a Snack of Magical Hot Cocoa, and a Grimmauld Place Dinner Roll
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You Are Cordially Invited To A Magical Christmas
(This is the sister website page to the website link above.)
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I Got My Letter!
I was never a big Harry Potter fan at all, initially. I could have cared less about the books. I can remember when we were living in Maryland at Ft. Meade that I saw some kids Trick-or-Treating and they were wearing these very elaborate robes. I asked them who they are for Halloween? The father answered me very snootily, ‘They are from the book, and movie, Harry Potter.’
In looking at these kids I couldn’t imagine why anyone would have any interest in anything like that? 🙂
It wasn’t until the second movie came out, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, that my family that was visiting us, thought it would be a good idea to go and see the movie at the theater. This was in 2002. I believe that I reluctantly agreed.
It really wasn’t until I saw the Spiders, and the Flying Car that I started to become interested.
I ended up loving it! But, with all things I then forgot about it until the next movie came out. I really wasn’t that interested, and it wasn’t until The Order of the Phoenix that I became really interested. That’s where we meet Luna. I adored Luna! She is a 100 year old woman in the body of a teenager. I did eventually read a few of the books, the last two of them. They are really good!
I have discovered that the Harry Potter Franchise is very inspiring.
The stories, the characters, the antiques, the castles, the paintings, the stairways, the costumes, the friendships, the romantic relationships, the history, the villain’s, the Hero’s, the house’s, and most of all, The Magic!
My Tribute to Luna, the Tennis Shoes Hanging from Above
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Early Christmas Gifts of Official Harry Potter Christmas Cookbook to my Favorite Ladies
(I talk more about this in the sister website page.)
Happy Birthday Brodie!
He got a Card, a Trunk full of Goodies, (and a Check.) 🙂
(Still keeping in the Harry Potter theme.)
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Of Course There Are Neckties and Glasses Everywhere
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I Also Bought Several Copies Of:
From Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, By J.K. Rowling
Christmas At Hogwarts
Illustrated By Ziyi Gao
I happen to love Children’s Books. They are usually large hardback books, with lovely illustrations from excellent artists.
I don’t think it’s childish for an adult to read a children’s book for themselves. Besides, everyone is a child at Christmas.
I Signed All The Copies I Gifted
A Nice Keepsake
Reading, Christmas at Hogwarts
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The “Invitations” you see above are actually a hanging garland.
I did hang some, but I also just spread them out on the tabletop as well.
Just Enjoying Immersing Myself In Harry Potter
The Beautiful Wooden Box of Roses Was A Gift From Mackenzie’s Parents, Carol and Bill
I’m Doing Some Christmas Cards in the Photo Above
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I wrote this:
January 1, 2025
Another New Year
Today is the start of another new year.
This has been a day that I have been dreading since the election in early November, 2024.
I haven’t wished one person a Happy New Year. Oh, I’ve said things like ‘may we all have a nice new year,’ but that’s different from wishing someone a Happy New Year. It’s not that I don’t want everyone to have one, it’s just that I don’t feel that too many of us will be having a very happy new year so it just seemed pointless to even ring in a new year when this could very well be the beginning of the end of America as we know it. I also noticed that when I was out shopping on New Year’s Eve that not one person wished me one either. I thought that was unusual seeing as how that’s kind of what employees in business do every single holiday to the people they encounter. Whether it be the cashier’s, the bag boys/girls, the receptionist at the doctor’s office, the vet, and any neighbors we may encounter when crossing paths.
I was so depressed after the election that I immediately cancelled Thanksgiving. After all, Thanksgiving is a feast based on a slaughter as it is, but it represents Native Americans coming together with immigrants to have a peaceful feast. So, with that in mind, how can any of us be so hypocritical as to celebrate Thanksgiving when we have so many anti-immigrant Americans among us? Well, actually, they are just anti-black and brown immigrants, but any white Canadians that care to migrate over then you are all very welcomed!
I also just didn’t have the strength to even muster any semblance of an attempt to plan any Thanksgiving, so I cancelled it.
But, when it came to Christmas I was inspired. Although I didn’t start out that way. It was a gradual gravitation in that direction. Or rather I ‘levitated’ in that direction. 🙂
It was while I was browsing online when I came across the Harry Potter Official Christmas Cookbook, by Elena P. Craig and Jody Revenson.
It’s really not like me to even want to buy a Harry Potter Cookbook, but for some reason I did. When it arrived I was flipping through it and I loved every page, every photograph, every recipe.
I WAS INSPIRED!
I just couldn’t put it down. I ended up looking through it so much that I told Gordon (who is working overseas), that I have the best idea for a Harry Potter Christmas but I just don’t know if I have the energy to do it? I told Gordon that I think it would be a great idea for me to buy the same book for Veronica, Mackenzie, and even her sister Susannah, who is a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I also had the idea to have each of them to make 1,2, or 3 things from the cookbook to bring over here for our Christmas Party. He told me to go for it! So, I thought about it and decided that if I didn’t do this now then I might regret it later on. After all, we don’t know what Christmas, 2025 is going to be like? We don’t even know if any of us will want to celebrate Christmas, 2025. Therefore, now is the time for me to do this.
This just might be the last ‘Happy Christmas’ for all of us.
The Christmas Books and Gift Bags
As a rule I don’t believe in Miracles, but I do believe in Magic
It was at this point that the ideas and inspiration just flowed like a waterfall all over me. I couldn’t contain my excitement and I just started to dive right in with all the prep work. Everyone was also very excited about our very own Harry Potter Christmas. There was also this baking show on the Food Network, hosted by the Weasley twins, Fred and George Weasley, A.K.A. James and Oliver Phelps. That too was inspirational. A baking competition based on the Harry Potter movies and all the baking was being done by huge fans of the movie franchise. I contacted everyone to tell them about the show and they then informed me that they were already watching it. Great!
It was then that I started looking online for other Harry Potter cookbooks, etc. I came across some more and ordered them for me to look through and perhaps become even more inspired. They arrived, and I WAS! Even though I may never cook anything from those books they were still enjoyable to read and look at. After all, that is what books do for you. They make you feel good.
My sad and depressed mood starting lifting up and I was becoming so happy.
I have no earthly idea why someone would prefer that small handheld cold device that most people are glued to the majority of the day, to holding a book in your hands. Large enough to see and read. Colorful enough to enjoy all the photographs, to read all the words. To even touch and turn all the pages.
Did you know that the average person is on their phone a total of 2 1/2 months a year?
I never would have even thought to have a Harry Potter Christmas had Trump not won the election.
I never would have ordered all those books that have made me so very happy this past month, and inspired me more than I have been in awhile. I can’t imagine burning any of these wonderful books like some in my country want to do. Books teach us, books entertain us, books inspire us, books make us happy.
I sent my mother-in-law, Sarajane Whann, the Harry Potter Cookbook and Hogwarts book stand for Christmas. She too is a huge fan of the franchise. I heard that she loved it! She had developed Bronchitis over the holidays and was bedridden and the only book she had with her to read in bed was the cookbook I sent her. The thing is, I totally get it! I know she will never cook one item from that cookbook. You don’t have to, to enjoy reading it.
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This is perfection to me! Snuggly covers, comfy pajamas, and lots and lots of inspiring books! Oh, and my Blackberry Gingerale.
Harry Potter Glasses (Optional)
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The Christmas Party, A.K.A. Our Harry Potter Pot Luck Supper
Before My Party Starts
Although you wouldn’t know it to look at me in the photo above, I was rushing around like crazy doing last minute things and I’m surprised I look as calmly as I do. I really can’t believe that I pulled off such a big party all by myself. You know, it’s a lot more work than it looks and seeing as how I kept Isabelle up until a day and half prior to my party. I so wished that Gordon could have been here to help me.
Isabelle’s crib had to be moved out onto the lanai in order to create some more space inside the house. I was moving/dragging furniture to the bedroom and the den. I had to create space in order to fill space. Christmas trees, etc.
It wasn’t just the family that came, it was also Mackenzie’s twin sister Susannah and her boyfriend Matt.
Mine and Gordon’s bedroom was such a mess that I just closed that part of the house off and everyone had to make due with the guest bathroom. There were so many pots and pans and dishes and skillets, that I just piled everything into the laundry room sink just to have somewhere to put them all. Otherwise, nothing could have been prepared in the kitchen. I know that it took me a good 3 days after the party to get all those things washed and put away.
Our Harry Potter Table
Everyone did such a great job making their food to bring from the cookbooks I bought them all. Veronica was so inspired by the Focaccia Breads that she made that she wants to make more of the bread in the future. Same with Brodie and his Pumpkin Rolls. They were so good too! I would like to think that this Harry Potter Party was inspiring to everyone. I know that I am looking forward to doing the write ups. I even told everyone to take photos while they created their foods so that they can be included in the website page recipe write ups. I just wanted everyone to have fun with it.
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I was so busy with this Harry Potter Christmas throughout December that I really didn’t have that much time to work on past Christmas website page write ups. Looks like I will be devoting January to try and catch up. Perhaps even into February. I’m really not planning on doing anything big until Gordon comes back home in March. We are already planning a few fun things to do while he’s home.
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I do wish every single one of us a nice new year.
I think that is about the best that any of us can hope for.
Julie
How About a Fortune Cookie? Can’t Hurt!
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Decorating Isabelle’s Harry Potter Christmas Tree
(Longest 35 minutes of my life!)
Tree, Lights, Ornaments, Stuffed Characters…
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They Start Out Like Such Angels, And Then Turn Into This!
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After Constantly Scrambling For Ornaments Being Thrown Everywhere…..
Success!
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Harry Potter Gift Bags, Large and Small
Ribbon, and “Invitation Garland” I cut apart.
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I Did This For People, and Pets
All The Gift Bags Are Ready
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Enjoying My Slug Club Christmas Party Spiced Nuts,
Along with my Durmstrang Punch
(This recipe is located on the sister website page.)
Veronica Had Given Me The Costume Yule Ball Ornaments For Christmas
I Like Having The Punch At A Separate Location From The Foods
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Restricted Section: Puff Pastry Books
I Added The Turkey Sausage “Binder’s,” and Some Coleman’s Mustard
I really enjoyed these.
I would love to make them again sometime.
(Recipe Down Below)
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Yule Ball Cocktail Shrimp
I Served Them In The Tri-Wizard Cup
(Recipe Down Below)
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Decorating Christmas
(Check out those arms! From having to do everything myself.)
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Liquid Luck
I really do love this scene with Professor Slughorn. I think because of the great lighting.
Whoever lit this is extremely talented. I am very impressed.
Professor Slughorn is just Glowing Here!
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A Chocolate Wand Dipped Into My Peanut Butter Pie Filling
And,
Grated Harry Potter Chocolate on My Peanut Butter Pie Filling, with Chocolate Lightening Bolts on my Pretzel Crackers
I simply melted some chocolate and drizzled the ‘lightening bolts’ onto each cracker.
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Harry Potter Chocolate Smores
I used Graham Crackers with Harry Potter Hershey’s Chocolates, and my Peanut Butter Pie Filling.
They were perfect! Especially with some Magical Harry Potter Hot Chocolate.
If you would like my, ‘My, My, Peanut Butter Pie Filling Recipe,’ Just click on the link below:
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
When I was looking through my photos I was surprised that I had taken these. Why? I had forgotten that I had. I think that I took these photos because this scene is pivotal to me in distinguishing the importance of the Hogwarts Houses. When Harry, Ron, and Hermione come back into the castle (Hogwarts) from a secret entrance to look for a Horcrux that Voldemort had hid there, they didn’t know what they were looking for? It was the Ravenclaws that figured out the item they needed to find. The Ravenclaw’s are the smart ones. They figured it out, and then told the Gryffindor’s, the brave ones, what to look for, and the brave one’s ran in and got it.
The Hufflepuff’s are always so overlooked. To me they are like Switzerland, the Moderates. Normally, I really don’t care for Moderates but they do serve their place, sometimes importantly. Although not much progress ever came out of Hufflepuff, no dark wizard ever did either. That says a lot right there.
Harry, Hermione, and Nevil
(Yes, Hermione is intelligent, but the Sorting Hat took into consideration that Hermione would rather be known for her bravery over her brains. Which is why she wasn’t placed into Ravenclaw.)
My Favorite (Fellow) Ravenclaws
Cho, Luna, and Padma
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The Chaos of the Situation
Sweet Luna exerting herself into telling Harry what he needed to do.
Luna and Harry Seeking Out the ghost, Helena Ravenclaw
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Helena Ravenclaw
(Giving Harry the location of the Diadem, which should have been obvious to begin with.)
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After Christmas
Popcorn, Butter Beer, and a Harry Potter Game
See The Popcorn Tin?
Gordon’s brother Jeff, who lives in Virginia, sent us that. Jeff always sends us popcorn from Ocean City, Maryland, Fischer’s Popcorn.
It was quite coincidental that the tin was of a very snowy, wintery scene. Something you would see in Europe this time of year. It fit quite well with our Harry Potter Christmas. I loved it!
Also, interesting to know, Jeff actually looks a lot like Hagrid. I even told everyone that Hagrid sent popcorn. They immediately knew it was from Jeff. 🙂
(To be compared to Hagrid in these times is actually a huge compliment. I just wanted to say that.)
I inserted a scoop, and provided lots of large sealed baggie for everyone to load up on it to take home with them.
There is no way I can eat all of this myself.
The Harry Potter Movie Questioning Game
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Food Recipes Start Here:
The Harry Potter Dinner
Our Foods From The Harry Potter Christmas Cookbook,
Also Some Additions Not In The Book
(I cannot show the process of some of the items cooked by some of my guests that came to the party, as they made them at their homes themselves. But, I can show you all that I did.)
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Bubbling Cauldron Bites
(I forgot to add my cute little wooden spoons to the eggs, but I did set them on silver crowns and even topped a few as well.)
Every Good Witch Needs A Cauldron
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I knew that I wanted to make these when I came across the recipe.
I love a good Deviled Egg.
(Obviously, I Tripled The Recipe)
Ingredients:
6 Eggs
1/2 Cup Rice Wine Vinegar
3-4 Drops Black Food Coloring
1/2 Cup Creme Fraiche
1 t. Horseradish Cream (I didn’t even know what this is so I just used regular Horseradish)
1 T. Snipped Chives, Plus more for garnish
1/4 t. Salt
1/4 t. Garlic Powder
Flat ended toothpicks, optional
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(My Black Food Coloring And My Hard Boiled Eggs)
To boil the eggs:
Fill a large pot, big enough to hold the eggs in a layer, with cold water, until it just covers the eggs. Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat, cover, and bring to a boil. As soon as the water boils, remove the pan from the heat, leave covered, and let sit for 5-6 minutes depending on how firm you like your egg yolks. While the eggs are cooking, prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. When the eggs re done, submerge them into the ice bath and leave for 2 or 3 minutes.
Peel the boiled eggs.
Alternatively, you can use your preferred cooking method or use store-bought hard-boiled eggs.
The small bowl is to collect the yolks.
Cut each egg in half across the middle, along the short side.
With a paring knife, carefully remove a sliver of egg white so that each half will sit upright.
(I didn’t cut the eggs as the instruction recommended. I wanted mine to look like cauldron’s, so I sliced the top off. I wanted 2/3 of the egg to be a cauldron, and the remaining 1/3 to either be a lid or to be discarded.)
I used Isabelle’s baby spoon to remove the yolks from each egg. It was a perfect tool for this job.
Remove the egg yolk from each half and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
(I then placed the egg whites in a colander to be rinsed of their yolks, and then placed them on paper towels to dry.)
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Combine the rice wine vinegar and food coloring with 3 cups water in a container large enough to hold the eggs in a single layer. Add the egg whites to the container and push each one down so it fills with the dye and place a piece of parchment paper over the top to help them stay submerged. Let he eggs soak in the dye for 5 – 10 minutes until the desired color is reached. They should start to resemble small cauldrons.
(I didn’t follow the step above. My eggs did not take to the dye immediately. So I did what I have done in the past when using food coloring on egg whites, I placed them in 2 large Zip Lock Baggies, added some water and black food coloring, then placed them in a drawer in the refrigerator for a few days.)
(This is the method recommended in the book, I used my own method which worked just fine.)
Line a baking sheet with a few layers of paper towel and use a slotted spoon to remove the eggs from the dye, place them open side down, and let them dry while you make the filling.
I dumped my egg “blacks” into a colander to drain in the sink.
I did rinse they off and then placed them down on some paper towels to dry, just as they recommend in the instructions.
My Egg Blacks Are Drying
They Look Great Don’t They?
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(Cooking My Peas On The Stove Top)
To the bowl of a food processor, add the cooked peas, creme fraiche, horseradish cream, chives, salt, and garlic powder.
Run the processor until the mixture is mostly smooth, about 1 minute. Add the egg yolks and run the processor again for about 30 seconds or until the egg yolks have been incorporated.
My Other Ingredients
Adding Them To The Food Processor
I ran the processor before adding the egg yolks to the mixture. Then ran it one final time.
Set each egg white upright and use a small spoon or cookie scoop to fill each egg with a mounded tablespoon of filling.
Garnish with more snipped chives and add a toothpick “spoon if desired. Serve immediately.
(You can see that I never cut off the bottoms of my egg blacks so that they would sit on their own. Instead, I am using these silver crowns for them to sit on. I wanted to keep their bottoms rounded and not flat.)
I wish that I had taken more photos of me assembling them, but I was here by myself to do it all, and it was ‘crunch time’ when it came to getting ready for my party. I did put them together and then set them in a large Tupperware container where they were stored overnight and I just had to plate them for the party.
They were really good! Any Deviled Egg is good as it is!
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Slug Club Christmas Party
Spiced Nuts
(I don’t really have a good close up photo of my Spiced Nuts, but I was really proud of them. I am now in love with Garam Masala! Trust me, you will love these nuts!)
I Did Double This Recipe
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Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar. Firmly Packed
1 T. Kosher Salt
1 T. Cayenne Pepper
1/2 T. Garam Masala
2 Egg Whites, or 4 T. Pasteurized Egg Whites
1 lb. Roasted, Unsalted Peanuts
1 lb. Roasted, Unsalted Cashews
1/2 lb. Roasted, Unsalted Pecan Halves
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, and cayenne, and garam masala.
Add the egg whites and whisk until completely combined and a thick paste forms.
(I did use 4 T. of Meringue Powder in place of the egg whites. I also added about 1/2 Water.)
If you find your liquid is too runny, you can always add more Meringue Powder.
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Add the peanuts, cashews, and pecan halves, and stir until they are evenly coated.
Preheat the oven to 300F and line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Spread out the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets in the even, single layers.
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Bake for 25 – 30 Minutes, rotating once halfway through, or until the mixture is dry and fragrant.
Cooling….
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Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
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Dragon Balls
I wanted to have some sort of a Meatball, but a healthier version of a Meatball, so this is what I came up with.
I call them my Dragon Balls
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Ingredients:
2 Pounds Ground Turkey
Green and Yellow Bell Peppers
1/4 Cup Dill Pickle Relish
2 t. Dried Basil
2 t. Dried Oregano
1 t. Salt
1 t. Freshly Ground Black Pepper
4 Egg Whites
Hand Full of Fresh Parsley
2 Cups Oatmeal
1 – 1 1/2 Cups of Shredded Parmesan Cheese
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You will need a blender for this. I have all of my ingredients ready.
My Parsley and Bell Peppers Are Washed and Ready
Relish, Spices, Salt and Pepper
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In a Blender you want to place your Parsley, Dill Pickle Relish, Bell Peppers, Dried Herbs, Salt, and Freshly Ground Black Pepper.
Separate the Egg Whites from the Yolks
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Add The Egg Whites To The Blender and Mix Together, Then Add Your Ground Turkey
Now Place Your Oatmeal Into The Blender As Well
\
Now, Blend Together Until Everything Is All Combined Nicely
(You may have to do this 2 times as your blender may not be able to hold all of the ingredients at one time. If so, then blitz one batch, place into a bowl, then blitz the second half.)
With the Mixture in a Large Mixing Bowl, Add the Shredded Parmesan Cheese
(If you find the mixture to be too moist, you can always add more Oatmeal.)
You can also refrigerate this a few hours, or even overnight, before frying them in order for them to harden a bit.
Form Into Balls
When ready to cook, place some Olive Oil in a large Skillet and place on a Medium-High Heat.
I wanted to fry them up on all sides to get that char. The Olive Oil and the frying give them that great taste.
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Once they have that char on all sides, I then place them into a 350F Oven for about 20-25 minutes to finish the cooking process.
The Bell Peppers Gave Them A Distinct Taste
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Roasting Chestnuts
These are a favorite of Gordon’s, he just opens the bags and starts snacking.
I however, wanted them roasted in the oven and then placed into bowls and set on the table for snacking. I think I put the oven on 350F for about 10-15 minutes.
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My Haunted Jezebel Cocktail Sausages
Click Here For: A Haunted Jezebel, Together With A Haunted Mansion Halloween Repast
Before I can begin to give you this recipe, I need to first give you what my cocktail sausages will be marinated in. That recipe is on the link above.
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Cocktail Sausages are a favorite of ours regardless of what we may use to marinate them in.
Here I have 4 packs of cocktail sausages, and 2 jars of my Haunted Jezebel Sauce.
Simply drain and rinse the sausages into a colander….
Then place them into Zip Lock Baggies, douse them in Jezebel Sauce, squish around so they are totally covered.
Then place into the refrigerator for a few days to marinate.
After a few days remove them from the refrigerator and drain into a colander in the sink. Do not rinse!
Then place them into a casserole dish, and pour new Jezebel Sauce over top to make sure they are nicely coated.
Then place them in the oven on 400F for about 30-40 minutes. I would check them to see how well they are doing. Ovens do vary. You want to see them plump up nicely. The Jezebel Sauce will caramelize them nicely. Making them even more delicious. Allow to cool a bit before serving.
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Drunken Devil’s On Horseback
I first heard of Drunken Devil’s on Horseback from Nigella Lawson’s Christmas Cookbook. They have since become a Christmas staple at our table.
They are easy to make, and delicious to eat!
Ingredients:
Pitted Prunes, Brandy, Bacon, and Toothpicks
We have expanded the recipe to include Dates, and Figs
You start by marinating your Prunes and Dates in Brandy for a few days prior to making these.
Slicing Some Bacon To Wrap Around Each Prune, Date, and Fig
I didn’t use any Dates here, and I don’t marinate the Dried Figs.
Ready to put them together.
My Dried Figs
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I Drained The Brandy From The Prunes
You Will Need A Cutting Board For This Assembly
You want to take some bacon and place a prune onto it, then just roll the bacon around the prune and insert a toothpick to make it secure.
Set Aside Until Ready To Bake
You can store them in an airtight container, and place in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them, and eat them.
These are ready for the oven. I placed some Aluminum Foil down onto a Baking Sheet, and then placed a baking rack on top of the foil, then I placed the readied Prunes and Figs onto the rack. Into the oven they go on 350F for about 20 minutes or so. Always monitor cooking.
When done, on the table they go!
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My, My, Peanut Butter Pie Filling
I knew this would make a great sweet dip to add to our Christmas Table.
If you would like to see the entire recipe for My, My, Peanut Butter Pie, then click on the link:
Click Here For: My, My, Peanut Butter Pie
This is More of a Shorter Version
Ingredients:
2, 8 oz. Cream Cheese, Softened
1 Cup Peanut Butter
1 Cup Florida Crystals Sugar
1-2, 8 oz. Tubs Cool Whip, Softened
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You will need a Mixer for this. Place your 2 Softened Cream Cheeses into the bowl,
And Add Your Peanut Butter, and Sugar,
Like So…..
Mix it All Together on a Low Setting just Until Blended
Place into the Refrigerator to Set Until Ready to Serve
Served With Some Grated Harry Potter Chocolates Over Top, and Some Pretzel Crackers
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Fever Fudge
I came across this recipe in ‘The Unofficial Universal Theme Parks Cookbook,’ and just had to try it.
It just looks perfect! I love the electric blue coloring, and the reddish/pink jelly beans.
I Used Harry Potter Cherry Jelly Beans
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This is an Easy Recipe
Ingredients:
4 Cups White Chocolate Chips
1 1/3 Cups Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 t. Vanilla Extract
1/2 t. Salt
5 Drops Blue Gel Food Coloring
1/2 Cup Cinnamon Jelly Beans
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Harry Potter Cherry Jelly Beans
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Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
(How you do this is to just set the baking dish you will be using on some parchment paper and draw and outline with a pencil. You then cut it with some scissors and place it in the bottom of the pan to make sure it fits. Easy enough.)
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Pour white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk into a large microwave-safe bowl,
and microwave 1 minute, 30 seconds at 70 percent power. Stir well. Add vanilla and salt, and stir to combine.
Stir in food coloring.
Stir in Jelly Beans.
Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Allow to set in refrigerator 4-6 hours or until hard.
Cut into sixteen squares and serve.
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I found these Quidditch Birthday Candles and placed them in my fudge.
Happy Christmas!
Fudge Is Packaged Up And Ready To Go
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Restricted Section:
Puff Pastry Books
This Ravenclaw Is In The Restricted Section
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I LOVE This Recipe!
First and foremost, I love musty old books, so when I saw this recipe I knew it was one that I wanted to make. When looking at the photograph in the cookbook, the books looked as if they had a sausage link down the middle. I then realized that it wasn’t, it was just some of the dough. It was then I decided that I was going to add a sausage link to my books. I think the addition of that made them more savory and breakfasty, especially when you add some Coleman’s Mustard.
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Ingredients:
One 17-ounce package Puff Pastry, thawed according to package directions
6 T. Unsalted Butter, melted, divided
2 to 3 drops Black Food Coloring
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/2 t. Five-Spice Powder
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Prepare a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and make sure that the pastry is thawed.
Put 2 tablespoons of the melted butter in a small dish and add the food coloring, stir to combine. Have the remaining melted butter in another small dish with 2 pastry brushes. Mix the sugar with the five spice in a small bowl.
(I didn’t have any Pastry Brushes so I used my Mermaid Make-up Brushes that were clean and dry. I thought they would work well seeing as how there are Mermaids in The Goblet of Fire.)
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Working with 1 sheet of pastry at a time, roll it out to approximately 12 inches by 10 inches. Cut the sheet into 2-by-3 inch rectangles, creating 20 from each sheet. Use a 2-inch egg-shaped cookie cutter to cut an egg out of 4 of the rectangles.
(I didn’t do that because I was putting a sausage down the middle.)
Working on the prepared baking sheet, place 1 rectangle down, and brush it with the black butter mixture. Use a fork to prick the center of the rectangle to make about 4 rows of marks, and place another rectangle on top. Use the second pastry brush to brush this piece with the plain butter, sprinkle with the spiced sugar, and score the center again with the fork. Layer 2 more rectangles on top, brushing each with plain butter and sprinkling with more sugar. When you have a stack of 4 rectangles, take a chopstick and press it down in the center of the stack, across the short side, creating the center of the “book.” Gently indent the top and bottom of the book by pinching with your fingers.
(You can see the steps that I did in my mini photos above.)
Paint the egg-shaped pieces with the black butter and use the tip of the chopstick to create eyes and a mouth. Place this in the center of the book, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat with the rest of the rectangles and the second sheet of pastry. Chill for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
(I didn’t really do that step, but I did place them into the refrigerator to chill.)
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While my “books” are chilling in the fridge, I am frying up some delicious Turkey Sausage Links in some Olive Oil to use as my binders.
Resting on some Paper Towels
While the books are chilling, preheat the oven to 400F.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
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I sliced my sausage links in half, lengthwise, and placed down the center of each book.
I Did Put A Bit Of The Mustard Underneath The Sausage
I Thought It Added To The Mustiness Look
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Yule Ball
Shrimp Cocktail
Served In The Tri-Wizard Cup
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Ingredients:
For The Sauce:
1 Cup Greek Yogurt
1/4 Cup Mayonnaise
1 t. Curry Powder
1/2 t. Salt
1/4 t. Cayenne Pepper
To Make The Sauce:
In a 2-Cup airtight container, mix together the Greek Yogurt, Mayonnaise, Curry Powder, Salt, and Cayenne.
Cover, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or until ready to serve, to let the flavor develop.
(I just made it in the bowl you see above, and it was fine.)
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For The Shrimp:
1 lb. (16 to 20 count) Whole Shrimp
4 Cups Low Sodium Vegetable Broth ( I didn’t do this part.)
1 Small Lemon, Cut in Half, Plus 2 More, Cut Into Wedges, For Garnish (I didn’t do this part.)
2 Bay Leaves (I didn’t do this part.)
1 T. Whole Peppercorns (I didn’t do this part.)
2, Cloves Garlic, Peeled and Smashed
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To Make The Shrimp:
Use kitchen shears to cut along the back of the shrimp, leaving the tail intact, and the devein. Leave the shells on.
(I didn’t do that. I had already deveined the shrimp, and the shrimp was already shelled.)
In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the vegetable broth, lemon halves, bay leaves, peppercorns, and garlic cloves. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down to medium-low, add the shrimp and cover. Simmer for 3-5 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
(I didn’t do any of the above. I did mince some garlic and place into a saucepan with some butter. Once that was a bit soft, I then added the shrimp to the pan and cooked them until they were pink.)
Use tongs to move the shrimp to a platter. When cool enough to handle, peel and then chill for a least 30 minutes before serving.
Shrimp can be made up to 1 day ahead, refrigerated in a airtight container.
(I just placed my shrimp onto a plate to cool a bit.)
When ready to serve, put the sauce in a small bowl in the center of a plater surrounded by shrimp.
Garnish with lemon wedges.
My Sauce Has Been Added To The Cup
It was Deliciously Perfect!
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It Was A Very Happy Christmas!
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Oh, and something for the Death Eaters in your life. 🙂
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I would like to say that I kept my Harry Potter Christmas up all through 2025.
I thought about taking it down after the new year, but I just didn’t want to. It made me happy to turn on all the lights, and to see all that “Magic,” whether it was April, or June, or August.
I know that there were a few that thought I was nuts to still have up my Christmas, but I didn’t care. I did what I wanted to. We are here on this Earth for such a short time that I say that we all just do what we want to do, and to hell with whatever anyone judging us thinks.
If I lived in a bigger house then I would love to have a Christmas room where Christmas stayed up throughout the year. We are taught to try and keep the Christmas Spirit with us throughout the year, perhaps that would be easier to do if we keep Christmas Decorations up all year long. Either way, come 2026 I will be taking down the decorations. I’ll have Gordon to help when he comes back in February, but until then I just want to enjoy Harry Potter just a little bit longer.
Happy Christmas to All!
Julie