Rose of Sharon Jewelry

Holidays are for splurging on calories and budgets. These rich, sweet macaroons do both and are guaranteed to please coconut lovers.

Here’s my favorite macaroon recipe from the almond paste manufacturer, Odense, for you to try this season.

Coconut Almond Macaroons

Yield Yield: 35 cookies

Time 20 minutes to assemble 18-20 minutes to bake per tray

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup egg whites, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1-7 oz Almond Paste, grated

Sharon, note: Do not use marzipan, a presweetened almond paste.

2 cups powdered sugar

14 oz package sweetened flaked coconut

Optional: Melting chocolate, to drizzle over baked cookies

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment or Silpat® non-stick sheet

In large bowl, beat egg whites and extract until firm, but not dry.

In a separate bowl beat grated Almond Paste, sugar and coconut until the texture of small crumbs.

Gently fold mixtures together.

Drop tablespoons of dough 1 inch apart onto cookie sheets (small scoop with wire release works well).

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly browned on bottom and firm to the touch. Cool cookies on wire racks.

Leave plain or decorate with melted chocolate if desired.

 

Enjoy!

 

5,487 U.S. men/women have died to date in Iraq & Afghanistan. Stop right now to remember our individual and collective losses.

While we honor their sacrifice, we must also remember the sacrifice and toll that their deaths have on the loved ones they left behind and our collective consciousness.

With advanced weaponry, computer wizardry and well trained troops, the numbers are significantly less than a single battle in WWII. However, the lasting effects cannot be measured and must be born alone by those we honor today.

I am hoping that next year there won’t be any new deaths to remember and pray that if we truly wanted to honor our military that we won’t ask them to do the impossible.

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Tomorrow Sandra leaves and we'll slowly go back to the Fullen family's normal. We've laughed, ate and lived well since she arrived on the 19th. I will absolutely need to go on a diet after our feasting. Here's a few of the many fattening delights we ate this holiday season - fudge, rum cake, fruitcake. coconut shrimp, whip cream, lemon meringue pie, candy and cookies. Our island themed Christmas meal was a success thanks to Dawn's inspiration. Off to enjoy our last feast - Sandra's famous beef stroganoff!

Still enjoying the aftermath of Christmas. I've always suffered from the post-Christmas blues so I decided to just celebrate every day until reality sets in. Still have decorations up, company is still here, kids are still excited about gifts and we have tons of leftovers. Just thought I'd stop by and let you know where I've been. See ya in a few days!

You don’t have to look under the sofa cushions for extra money to buy her a beautiful jewelry for Christmas. Our A.F.F. Jewelry Line at Etsy is handmade, one-of-a-kind and budget-friendly. Every handmade jewelry piece is priced under $25!

She’ll know how much you care when she opens our signature eco-friendly purple gift box!

 

1.	Cheerful – Purple and spring green faux pearl necklace
2.	Jitter Bug – black agate on chain necklace
3.	Mountain Dew – yellow and green caterpillar style bracelet
4.	Peaceful Blue – peace sign necklace with lots of blue beads
5.	Pure Hearts – pink Strawberry Quartz illusion necklace

Don’t see the perfect piece of jewelry for her? You’ll find more beautiful handmade jewelry designs from our A.F.F. Jewelry line at Etsy. Most items are under $50 for one-of-a-kind pieces.

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Merry Christmas to all! Santa is getting ready to fly around the globe for all the boys and girls. We're putting the finishing touches on stockings, rum cakes and gifts to the neighbors today. The weatherman was promising a white Christmas but looks like it will just be cold. Our kids and grandkids will be here on Friday and we'll open presents first so we have plenty of time to play.

Sandra is here for the holiday so we're having great meals and making lots of jewelry. Ideas fly when we bead together, so you never know what you'll find in the Rose of Sharon Jewelry gallery in the new year.

Hope you all have a wonderful time with your family and friends. May Peace be in your heart and may 2009 bring change to us all. God bless.....