Archive for December, 2012

Ava’s New Year Wish!!!

Happy Monday everyone! The New Year is almost upon us!
Just a quick reminder that those Limited and Special Edition horse and k-9s sale is ending tonight!

So if you have not picked yours up yet you still have time! There are lots of hidden surprises in them if you breed them togther! You have a chance and some new horse traits or the wild k-9s!!

I hope everyone rings in the New Year with loved ones, laughs, and a good drink or two!

Here is my New Years wish to all of you!

My Happy New Year wish for you
Is for your best year yet,
A year where life is peaceful,
And what you want, you get.
A year in which you cherish
The past year’s memories,
And live your life each new day,
Full of bright expectancies.
I wish for you a holiday
With happiness galore;
And when it’s done, I wish you
Happy New Year, and many more.
Be safe and Happy Breeding all!! Talk to you next year! This is Ava over and out!

Gather ‘round and listen here

K-9 kennels are birthing near

Bred from two Holiday K-9s, New or Retro

Something “wild” is about to unfold

Would ya look at that, is it so?

A Giraffe putting on a show

And over there, behind that tree

Is that a Zebra staring at me?

Ahh! Oh no! What made that tremendous growl?

It is a ferocious Jaguar on the prowl!

My goodness, could it be true

A fierce little Tiger is wandering through!

Now you know the savage truth

It’s In to the Wild for me and you!

So grab your Holiday K-9 and put them together to breed

The Kennel you get from them could be a WILD surprise indeed!

 

That’s right…

If you breed any of the holiday K-9 together, The 2012 or The Retro, you have a chance at getting an “In to the Wild K-9”. These are amazingly cute little pups! The coat, eyes, and collar are passable from the In to the Wild K-9!!  So gather up those Holiday K-9 and start breeding them together! I have included a pic for you to drool over!

wildk9s

Happy WILD breeding!!

Until next time….

Goodbye Old, Hello New

Well, it’s almost time for the New Year!

 

Saying goodbye to the Old Year.

 

I have been doing a lot of thinking about the past year. A lot of good times, that will stay in my memories and also some sad times that have taught me things and made me a stronger person.

 

Saying hello to the New Year

 

To new beginnings

Let us all start fresh, and make this the best year we ever had.

 

To our Dreams

May everyone find a path that leads them to fulfill their most wanted hopes and dreams, a path that is lit by happiness,

 

To our friends and loved ones

Let us not forget to take the time to let them know how important they are, and that we cherish each and everyone of them, and how much they mean to us to have them in our lives.

 

 

 

 

Recipe for a Happy New Year

Author: Unknown

 

 

take twelve whole months, clean them thoroughly of all bitterness, hate, and jealousy. Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

 

Now cut each month in to twenty-eight, thirty, thirty-one different parts, but don’t make up the whole batch at once. Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.

 

Mix well into each day one part of faith, one part of patience, one part of courage, and one part of work.

 

Add to each day one part of hope, faithfulness, generosity, and kindness. Blend with one part prayer, one part meditation, and one good deed. Season the whole with a dash of good spirits, a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play, and a cupful of good humor.

 

Pour all of this into a vessel of love. Cook thoroughly over radiant joy, garnish with a smile, and serve with quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness.

 

Your final results may vary depending on your attitude.

 

Have a Happy New Year!

 

 

For those of you who go out for New Years Eve, please be safe, don’t drink and drive, and be aware that there are others out there that are drinking and driving.

 

From Mal to all of you….YOU are special to me!!!

Happy New Year

A Month of Mystiques!

The long wait to know next month’s Showhorse and Best in Show K9 is finally over!

 

 

Starting January 5, 2013 Amaretto is introducing a new Show Horse.

 

* Starting January 5, 2013 at 12:00 am SLT any bundle dropped from the breeding of 2 Mystiques you have a chance at the bundle being an “Showcase Mystique”!

* That’s it! The only qualification is they both have to be Mystiques, they can be any color but Mother & Father MUST BOTH be Mystiques. This includes Mystique Rainbow Quartz!

* We will announce what horse is next close to the end of the 30 days of Mystiques!

* Keep your eyes peeled as you won’t know what the “Showcase Mystique” looks like until it hits the grid !

* This “Mystique Showhorse” will have a chance of passing its special eye!

 

 

ALSO Starting January 5, 2013 Amaretto is introducing a new Best In Show Mystique K-9!

 

* Starting January 5, 2013 at 12:00 am SLT any Kennel dropped from the breeding of 2 Mystiques you have a chance at the Kennel being an “Amaretto Best In Show Mystique K-9”!

* That’s it! The only qualification is they both have to be Mystiques, they can be any color but Mother & Father MUST BOTH be Mystiques. This includes Mystique Rainbow Quartz!

* We will announce what Best In Show K9 is next close to the end of the 30 days of Mystiques!

* Keep your eyes peeled as you won’t know what the “Amaretto Best In Show Mystique K-9” looks like until it hits the grid!

* This “Amaretto Best In Show Mystique K-9” will have a chance of passing its special eye and collar!

 

So until next time I hope the New Year brings you lots of happiness and joy!   Until next time Happy Breeding!

Ready for Some Fun?!

Hi everyone! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and I hope everyone is looking forward to a Happy New Year! 2013… Can you believe it!? Time flies by so fast when you’re having fun!

I wanted to take moment to remind everyone about our events for the rest of December! Tomorrow Friday December 28th at 10am we have Ice Fishing!!! This should be a fun event fun complete with prizes going to the top ice fishers!! We also have Club Amaretto on Saturday December 29th  at 5pm slt with the one and only Avalon Crystal rockin those tunes for us!!

So come on down and join us for this exciting events! It a wonderful way to visit with fellow breeders, mingle with the Amaretto staff, and if you have any questions we can certainly answer them for you there!

Let’s finish up December with some fun!! Keep your eyes open for notices with the landmarks to the locations of these 2 events!

Until next time ….

A few announcements!

Wonderful Wednesday Everyone! Hope everyone had a Happy Holiday with the ones you love!

Just a few announcements double haven, paradise, and sanctuary points have ended. Hope you were able to clear out some room in your inventories and take advantage of that holiday surprise!

Don’t forget that the 2012 Limited Edition and Special Edition animals are still up for sale until Jan 1st! So if you haven’t already picked yours up there is still some time!

If you haven’t noticed there are renovations going on at Boomtown so don’t worry if you are unable to get there, we will be opening to the public again very soon!

A new ARU and event calendar is coming soon so keep a eye out for all the great things Amaretto will be doing in the month of January.

Well thats all I can think to share with you guys today, Happy Breeding Everyone! This is Ava over and out!

 

Hey guys just stopping in and wanted to share some Christmas Cheer!

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

 

Happy Holidays everyone! Until next time this is Ava over and out!

While in the Holiday spirit, or while he was in the holiday spirits I don’t know which, but sometime during the Holiday Office party here at the ranch Jaysin bumped the Horse Haven vendor which toppled into the Puppy Paradise Vendor that went flying into the Bird Sanctuary Vendor, omg was it a mess but now as a gift to everyone Haven, Paradise & Sanctuary points are DOUBLED!

Everyone at the Amaretto Ranch would like to wish the entire Amaretto Community a Happy Holiday!

1. If you are purchasing horses/bundles, K-9s/kennels, or Birds/nests to haven you must re-rezz them so that you will get the points and not the person who previously owned them!

2. The double points will begin tonight December 23, 2012 at 11:59 pm SLT and end at 11:59pm Slt, on December 25th.

3. You can check your points at any Amaretto location by using the balance inquiry button, or you may visit the haven sim and use the chess piece(for horses) the fire hydrant (for K-9s) or the giant Henny Penny (for Birds).

4. Please be sure when you are using the vendor that you are choosing the item you wish to purchase as returns and exchanges will not be given.

5. Horses must be above version 1.3 to receive double points for horse haven. K-9s and Barnyard Birds must all be 1.0 or higher.

Happy Holidays to all!!

Amaretto’s Christmas Holiday Carnival !!

The Holiday Season is a Special time.

There is nothing that can compare to getting together, spending time, and having fun with friends !!!

 

 

Lots of fun was what we had today at the Amaretto Holiday Carnival, and I think Santa really had a great time. I must say seeing him dance and swing that gift sack around was quite funny.. Below are lots of pictures of the fun we had.

 

Upcoming event is Ice Fishing December 28th at 10:00 am slt… See you there !!!

If I don’t see you all before Christmas, I hope each and everyone of you have a wonderful Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Snapshot _ santa bumper

demylynx & Santa Winter Carnival

Alpha Prim & Santa @ Winter Carnival

Janielayne & Santa @ Winter Carnival

Jaymee and Santa

Dakota & Santa @ Winter Carnival

Josie & Santa @ Winter Carnival

demylynx & Santa Winter Carnival

santa_002

Roe Milena & Santa @ Winter Carnival

Saphire Juneberry & Santa @ Winter Carnival

saphire, demylynx & Ariella with Santa @

santa_004

SantaStyle
santa flume

santa on deer

Snapshot _ Horse Haven, Puppy Paradise & Bird Sanctuary Vendors

Well it appears we’ve all survived the latest apocalypse and there are only 4 more days until Christmas so it’s time to finish up my series of Amaretto Treats from Around the Globe. This time we are going to traverse the globe with recipes submitted by the group moderators (including the Cookie Monster) and your own Amaretto Staff! I hope you have all enjoyed my blogs and I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday Season!!!
We will start this final leg of our journey in Germany with our extremely talented bi-lingual moderator, Lisabella Lane. Lisa says this recipe is for a typical Christmas cookie from the region where she lives in the south-west of Germany. Thank you so much for sharing Lisa!

 

Swabian Butter-S

125 g Butter
250 g Flour
65 g Powdered Sugar
Some Vanilla sugar, if you like that
3 Yellow of Egg (egg in medium or large size)
Abrasion of 1/2 Lemon
1 White of Egg
50 g decoration sugar

Mix the butter, powdered sugar and eye yellow with a stirrer, then add the flour – you get soft short pastry dough. Put the dough in your fridge for at least 2 hours. Then make strands of 1 cm diameter (round about) and cut off 8 cm pieces. Build an S from the pieces and put them on a baking tray, which is covered with baking paper. Brush them with egg white and then put some of the decoration sugar on it.

Baking time 10 minutes, ca. 160 °C

(1) Swabian Butter - S
Next stop, United Kingdom and Trinityskye Zarco! If these “biscuits” are as good as Trinity, well I want 2 batches! Thank you for sharing Trinity.

 

Spicy Scottish Shortbread

100g caster sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
425g plain flour
225g butter, softened
1. Preheat the oven to 180 C / Gas mark 4.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice. Divide into two equal parts, and set one aside. Add the flour and butter to the other half, and stir until blended. It should be slightly grainy.
3. Press the dough evenly into a 20cm (8 in) square tin. Cut into 2.5x5cm (1×2 in) pieces using a knife, and prick with the tines of a fork. This will keep the shortbread from warping while baking. Sprinkle the reserved sugar and spice liberally over the top, brushing into all of the cuts and holes.
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden at the edges. Do not brown. Cool completely in the tin, and break into pieces along the lines to serve.
These biscuits can be decorated with icing (frosting) and sprinkles for that extra festive look. But just on their own gorgeous.

(2) Spicy Scottish Shortbread
After crossing the big pond back to the States our first stop has to be at the home of the world famous Cookie Monster! That’s right this next recipe is from none other than our own Draco Carpaccio whose cookie empire is located, where else but New York! Thank you for sharing Draco!

 

 

After opening the safe and deciphering the code… here are some recipes from me to you all!

-Nut Crescents-

350 degrees 15-20 minutes

1 cup butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups All-purpose Flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Stir flour and nuts

Shape into crescent

Place ungreased cookie sheet

Let cool – Take powder sugar and roll crescents in.

*these are DEEEEEEEEEEEEELICIOUS!!!*

(3) Nut Crescents

Hope these will bring a smile to you and your families if/when you do try these…
Happy Holidays!!!
Draco “the Cookie Monster” Carpaccio

 

 

 

Well how do you follow up the Cookie Monster??? You head to Tennessee to see the Bucket Head of course! That’s right Nashville Cortes counts among his many talents, master baker! These cookies look delicious! Thanks for sharing Nashville!

 

Nash’s Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Dark Chocolate & Mint Morsels

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 325° F.

COMBINE flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop by well-rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 11 to 13 minutes or until cookies are puffed and centers are set. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

 

(4) Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

After all the excitement of the last two stops I think we will head up to Indiana and stop at my place for what is my kids favorite desert at the holidays, Pink Stuff! Don’t let the ingredients fool you, this stuff is delicious!

 

 

Pink Stuff

1 (16 ounce) package cottage cheese
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 can of mandarin oranges
1 bag of mini marshmallows
1 (3 ounce) package of cherry flavored Jell-O mix

Stir it all together, chill and serve!

 

(5) Pink Stuff

 

Now after that brief stop at my place we’re going to head to see little Miss Avalon in the great state of Texas! This recipe that Ava submitted is one of those that I really want to try! Thank you for sharing Avalon!
Oreo Truffles

What you need
36 OREO Cookies, finely crushed, divided
1pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
16oz. BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
Make it

RESERVE 1/4 cup cookie crumbs. Mix cream cheese and remaining cookie crumbs until blended.

SHAPE into 48 (1-inch) balls. Dip in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm.

(6) Oreo Truffles
Yum those Truffles were good! Now let’s head on out to California and see what our next Moderator Anaconda Carter has shared with us. We have to be brave and hope she’s fed the real snakes but luckily this recipe requires no baking so we’ll be in and out in a jiffy! Thank you for sharing Anaconda!

 

Peppermint bark–no baking required
What to do with any leftover candy canes?? I know, make more candy!
You need 16 oz. of white chocolate
6 medium size candy canes
Mint extract
Wax paper or foil
Cookie sheet

Crush the candy canes to small bits
Melt white chocolate in large metal bowl or double boiler
Add 1/2 tsp. mint extract
Combine candy canes with chocolate
Spread mix out evenly and thinly on wax paper, set in cold place, and let set. When set break into pieces, and pig out

 

(7) Peppermint Bark

Now finally where would we end our journey other than at the home of the amazing Amaretto creators, Jaysin and Josaphine Cooperstone. After a beautiful drive down the California coast we arrive to find their delicious submission of White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookies! I may never leave!! Thank you Jaysin & Josie for sharing your wonderful creations with us, the Amaretto Breedables and the cookies!!

 

Cooperstone’s White Choc Macadamia Nut cookies
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
1 cup coarsely chopped white chocolate

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in the macadamia nuts and white chocolate. Drop dough by teaspoonful’s onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

(8) White Choc Macadamia Nut cookies

 

Thank you all for following me on the most delicious journey ever! From all of us here at Amaretto Ranch, Happy Holidays, Happy Baking & Happy Breeding!!