tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post8025047852806113025..comments2024-01-01T19:20:57.438-05:00Comments on Culinary in the Desert: Our 2007 holiday gift baking spree report...Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12900263145684208002noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-21091176721036843122007-12-22T23:06:00.000-05:002007-12-22T23:06:00.000-05:00Alysha - hee hee! No worries... it was hard to ta...Alysha - hee hee! No worries... it was hard to take a good clear shot of all the stuff!Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12900263145684208002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-83216179972155391302007-12-21T14:57:00.000-05:002007-12-21T14:57:00.000-05:00Joe - Okay - duh! I thought they were decorated co...Joe - Okay - duh! I thought they were decorated cookies wrapped up in clear bags. I think I'll go take a nap...... :-DAlyshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06914870543398140819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-33377040114537805272007-12-20T22:42:00.000-05:002007-12-20T22:42:00.000-05:00Jeph - kind of, but I'm already trying to figure o...Jeph - kind of, but I'm already trying to figure out what to bake now!<BR/><BR/>Rachel and anon - Thanks!<BR/><BR/>Alysha - Hmm, I'm not sure what you mean. Did you click on the picture to blow it up? I *think* what you see are just the treat bags - we used ones that had fun holiday images on them!Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12900263145684208002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-7213499833871778542007-12-20T22:10:00.000-05:002007-12-20T22:10:00.000-05:00Joe - On the table of treats I'm spying something ...Joe - On the table of treats I'm spying something that looks like decorated sugar cookies - santas, maybe penguins to the left of the santas and something on the far right - soldiers?<BR/><BR/>Did you decorate them yourself? I wondered because they look awesome and I didn't see any mention of them or any pics.Alyshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06914870543398140819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-13569152382390019922007-12-20T19:04:00.000-05:002007-12-20T19:04:00.000-05:00WOW!!!!!!!WOW!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-56147688966568023582007-12-20T15:18:00.000-05:002007-12-20T15:18:00.000-05:00Wow, I can't believe you made all of those yummy t...Wow, I can't believe you made all of those yummy treats. There are so many I want to try now. Thanks!Rachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15249708595170127524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-90744395700355289422007-12-20T08:44:00.000-05:002007-12-20T08:44:00.000-05:00OH.MY.GOD.Joe - you know Peter, Steven and I all p...OH.<BR/>MY.<BR/>GOD.<BR/><BR/>Joe - you know Peter, Steven and I all post about our holiday baking, candy making (except for Peter), etc, but you just go all out gang busters. Holy cow!<BR/><BR/>I LOVE the dismembered gingerbread men - VERY creative to do that INTENTIONALLY (as opposed to just having to make the sacrifice of eating those that break during the baking/decorating/packaging process). VERY cool!<BR/><BR/>So, um, just how sick of sugar are you right now? LOL<BR/><BR/>Totally gonna have to try some of these recipes - most notably the gingerbread popcorn!Jephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02843262392217281569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-73264116650597290622007-12-19T22:46:00.000-05:002007-12-19T22:46:00.000-05:00Thanks everyone! It was a lot of fun, but quite t...Thanks everyone! It was a lot of fun, but quite time consuming. I loved it though!<BR/><BR/>Peter - I'm lucky enough that I'm able to do my work from home.<BR/><BR/>Crafty - The are definitely firm and "snappy", but not rock hard either. I'm not sure I would describe them at being chewy though.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12900263145684208002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-80360666642610353582007-12-19T21:21:00.000-05:002007-12-19T21:21:00.000-05:00Squeeee!When I picked up the box, I didn't look to...Squeeee!<BR/>When I picked up the box, I didn't look too closely at the return address, I just saw J <I>something</I> and J <I>something</I>; I expected that it was from my aunt and uncle and merely thought it strange that they couldn't fit a gift that size in my folks' luggage.<BR/><BR/>I wasn't sure whether my aunt wrapped the gift before putting it in the mailer, then I decided that she would - my heart started to race when I saw it wasn't from her but instead was going to be a package of delicatable Christmas treats.<BR/><BR/>I now understand why Jeff says he eats all the fudge so that you have to hide it from him: so smooth with no hint of the graininess often found in others' efforts. The roca simply melted, which makes no sense for that type of candy, but I mean that it was suitably brittle without breaking my teeth. Prior to tasting, I wasn't sure about the gingerbread popcorn, it just sounded odd, but once I tasted it, OMG! Fantastic!<BR/><BR/>Sierra is also happy that she was remembered; it's hard to get a coherent review out of her, but I think it's safe to say she likes them. Without having read the recipe, I know that homemade dog treats are generally safe for human consumption, but I've decided to pass on trying them myself.<BR/><BR/>Thank you so much! I don't think they'll last another day.Urdarbrunnrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10105143785457701880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-88492946596011871122007-12-19T20:20:00.000-05:002007-12-19T20:20:00.000-05:00Wow! That all looks so delightful- your recipients...Wow! That all looks so delightful- your recipients are going to love you.<BR/><BR/>Next year you should consider putting one of your baking spree packages on the Menu For Hope raffle. You'd get a TON of entries trying to get a taste of Joe's homemade treats.Erika W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16817539364974864595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-6069627858126423852007-12-19T06:42:00.000-05:002007-12-19T06:42:00.000-05:00please post the cut outs and your recipes for thos...please post the cut outs and your recipes for those. woowowowowowow! they look great!!!!!!!!! Krista,Canton OhioAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-16552747911862432592007-12-18T22:07:00.000-05:002007-12-18T22:07:00.000-05:00Honestly, I just want to know how to get on your r...Honestly, I just want to know how to get on your receiving list? :) Absolutely incredible, and then to do tamales the next day. I want your energy and drive.Robynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14715305578825299329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-61916970695992160162007-12-18T21:13:00.000-05:002007-12-18T21:13:00.000-05:00awesome work! those candy cane biscotti look fabul...awesome work! those candy cane biscotti look fabulous. And can you tell me if those gingersnap cookies are chewy or more "snappy"? I'm looking for a chewy gingersnap.<BR/><BR/>Merry Christmas!Crafty Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13770432469384389912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-58610605819326082442007-12-18T21:11:00.000-05:002007-12-18T21:11:00.000-05:00The people who get your baked goods are sooo lucky...The people who get your baked goods are sooo lucky! Everything looks wonderful.<BR/><BR/>I think I'm going to try that gingerbread popcorn!Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04465184138365516108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-51773311124661966252007-12-18T20:47:00.000-05:002007-12-18T20:47:00.000-05:00Someone called my holiday baking "hard core" today...Someone called my holiday baking "hard core" today... I think I might need to redirect them to this post so that they can see what hard core *really* looks like!<BR/><BR/>Everything looks wonderful. I think I'm going to have to give the Kahlua Spiced Pecans a try.<BR/><BR/>Happy Holidays to you both!michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02789069824051895690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-31612767495631197482007-12-18T20:25:00.000-05:002007-12-18T20:25:00.000-05:00A true work of art. May you and Jeff have a Merry...A true work of art. May you and Jeff have a Merry Christmas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-87622237722271257172007-12-18T19:45:00.000-05:002007-12-18T19:45:00.000-05:00The best post ever---thanks for sharing your exper...The best post ever---thanks for sharing your expertise!JEPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17776382458522825473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-14701971123246996632007-12-18T15:44:00.000-05:002007-12-18T15:44:00.000-05:00Joe, I am totally impressed and amazed with all th...Joe, I am totally impressed and amazed with all the beautiful goodies you created for Christmas! <BR/>AugustinaHenny A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07599479300876817338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-69912621253189353702007-12-18T11:56:00.000-05:002007-12-18T11:56:00.000-05:00Oh, my!! I bet you all are exhausted!! That is q...Oh, my!! I bet you all are exhausted!! That is quite a spread.Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11741861711308777389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-58984181451317204472007-12-18T11:37:00.000-05:002007-12-18T11:37:00.000-05:00I have decided that is the pool table...the only t...I have decided that is the pool table...the only thing big and strong enough to hold the treasure trove of goodies!<BR/><BR/>Tx for many great recipes over the months.... I am a big biscotti fan...so will try the pepperminties...<BR/>check out the chocolate covered cherries on my food blog if you get a chance...they look pretty festive in their little red foil cups.BumbleVeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13272892605379537233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-83389130172777856962007-12-18T11:27:00.000-05:002007-12-18T11:27:00.000-05:00um... the kahlua spiked pecans? YUM! i made them...um... the kahlua spiked pecans? YUM! i made them last night to add to my gift baskets. they are SO delicious! thanks for sharing.barbie2behttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00572224850124869618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-91766630948828082572007-12-18T08:11:00.000-05:002007-12-18T08:11:00.000-05:00Wow, Amazing Joe!!!Everything looks delicious!!! I...Wow, Amazing Joe!!!<BR/>Everything looks delicious!!! I will try your changes in the almond rocca when I make it again. I did make a couple batches already with the original recipe and did get the butter separating a little. Thanks for all these great ideas and recipes!<BR/>AnaAnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02059525939843970727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-88790272913020979322007-12-18T05:20:00.000-05:002007-12-18T05:20:00.000-05:00Even though I've been too busy to leave comments l...Even though I've been too busy to leave comments lately, I always look forward to this post! Phenomenal job again Joe! The recipients are in for a treat as usual! Happy Holidays!<BR/>ValAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-33840378592170756872007-12-17T22:50:00.000-05:002007-12-17T22:50:00.000-05:00You weren't kidding about the baking spree.Jeph an...You weren't kidding about the baking spree.<BR/><BR/>Jeph and I have long wondered: what is your day job? How do you manage the time to do all these wonderfl things.<BR/><BR/>The Swedish gingersnaps are similar to my Mum's recipe. Always a hit at home and when I bring them in to work!Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03285897619531989328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14099844.post-3692154508928096062007-12-17T21:28:00.000-05:002007-12-17T21:28:00.000-05:00You're Amazing! Someday I hope to conquer the rec...You're Amazing! Someday I hope to conquer the recipes in this post. :) But, instead of in a matter of days, I'll take a few years!The Gladd'shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11910424754712175788noreply@blogger.com