Christmas in July with Gooseberry Patch and a Blog Hop Giveaway

Welcome to population-we™'s Christmas in July edition. In our household growing up homemade crafts and recipes went hand-in-hand when it came to Christmas. Back in the day, my sister would snarl at me when I was wasting wrapping paper with my homemade gifts for everyone. Many Christmases later there is a twinkle in her eye when she unwraps a homemade Christmas gift; especially, from our nieces and nephews. Today, Pinterest offers a craft and recipe haven for this blogger. At a whims moment, I can check a board or pin something on Pinterest from my iPhone. However, before there was Pinterest...there was Gooseberry Patch. Gooseberry Patch is on Pinterest, too. Even with this technology; however, I still enjoy the old school ways like a tangent hardbound book full of decorating ideas, easy-to-make gift ideas and recipes. This is where I was first introduced to Gooseberry Patch.

Started by two next door neighbors (Vickie Hutchins and Jo Ann Martin) in Delaware, Ohio. The two country friends decided to start a mail order business more than 25 years ago. Gooseberry Patch is best known for their family-friendly catalogs, books and cookbooks. Today, Gooseberry Patch has made country friends from all over the world. I’m happy to report--I’ve been one for years! I was elated to get my 15th Christmas Book in the mail recently. Over the years, I’ve made several recipes and homemade gifts using my Gooseberry Patch Christmas Books. My favorite homemade food gift is in the book again this year. I’ve not only made Holiday Pretzel Rods for gifts but also for Husker football parties and New Year’s Eve bashes. Due to copyright, I can’t give Gooseberry Patch’s recipe in its entirety, so here’s my version.

population-we™ Tasty Chocolaty Pretzel Rods

• 1 ½ cup or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup peanut butter (preferably creamy)
• Bag of large pretzel rods

On high for 1 ½ minutes microwave semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass bowl. Mix in ½ cup of peanut butter. Dip pretzel rod halfway into melted chocolate and roll onto a topping mixture of choice (see suggestions below). To dry, put dipped rod on: a Silpat, parchment or wax paper.

Topping suggestions: chopped nuts, cookie crumbs, red hots, mini chocolate chips and sprinkles. Basically, pick anything you could find yourself putting on a sundae. So, the sky's the limit here!

Packaging ideas: Buy holiday baggies, place in mason jar or wrap in saran wrap and tie with a bow.

For readers with chocolate or peanut allergies; you can also replace the main ingredients with chocolate or vanilla almond bark. Almond bark does not contain almonds or any nuts at all. Microwave time will need to be increased. Microwave the almond bark for two minutes at a time until you can stir it into a velvety melted mixture.

Overall, this is a fun recipe to get the kiddos involved with; this way they can pick their very own toppings. Also, it is a fun idea instead of using a fondue pot. Next, night-in with friends--try this recipe--it really brings a group together.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Christmas in July treat! To celebrate even more population-we™ is participating in a Christmas in July Blog Hop. What is a Blog Hop? A place in the blogosphere where bloggers band together and offer readers (hoppers) an incentive to visit their blogs. Blog Hops can be very participatory in nature because hoppers are asked to leave comments. Bloggers get to introduce their site to new hoppers who also have the opportunity to enter a giveaway. This particular Christmas in July Blog Hop is set for Friday, July 19, through Monday, July 22. Stop by on one of those dates and leave a comment below. Tell us your favorite holiday memory, recipe or homemade gift to give or receive. Those population-we™ readers who participate will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card from QVC. Your name and email address must accompany your entry.


population-we™ wishes all our family and friends a very happy Christmas in July!

-population-we™ blog post by Becky Bohan Brown

© 2013 population-we, LLC 

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