Twas the Text Before Christmas (2023) - Great American Family Movie

A romantic Christmas movie review & recommendation, just in time for Christmas!

Have you ever dialed a wrong phone number and unexpectedly ended up talking to a nice person you don't personally know?  

These days, phone calls are often replaced by emails or text messaging. Sending a text to the wrong person is not unheard of.  Usually we send text messages to someone on our saved contact list, but it would certainly be possible to send a text message to the wrong person if you are trying to remember a phone number off the top of your head.  Especially if you have a new phone without your contacts added.

Thus is the premise of the movie, "Twas the Text Before Christmas". 

When a grandmother inadvertently sends a text message meant for her granddaughter to a stranger, she ends up making friends with the kindhearted woman who replies to the text.  This is just the beginning of what ends up being a chance for fun, family, and romance.

 

Twas the Text Before Christmas Movie Synopsis 

Twas the Text Before Christmas

Addie (Merritt Patterson) has a good job, a loving father and brother, and an ex-boyfriend.  Christmas this year is expected to be a rather lonely time for her because her father will be spending Christmas in Australia with her brother.  Even though she is invited to join friends in Florida, that trip would be too expensive since she is trying to save for her own vacation in Australia.

When Addie receives a text message from an unknown person, she decides to respond to let them know that they have the wrong number.  After exchanging a few messages with a sweet grandmother who meant to be texting her granddaughter, she receives a phone call from "Nana" who opts to call her instead of continuing the texting.  After talking a few times, Nana invites Addie to join her family for Christmas.  Since it would only be a 4 hour drive to Vermont, she decides to accept and makes a reservation for 1 night at the local Inn.

When she arrives for Christmas dinner, she is introduced to Nana's family which includes the granddaughter Nana originally intended to text, as well as her son, James.

After 3 years, Addie, Nana, and the whole family are close friends and Christmas together has become a new tradition.  It is not really surprising when Addie & James discover a they have deeper feelings for each other.

 

Where to Watch "Twas the Text Before Christmas"

I watched "Twas the Text Before Christmas" on Frndly TV, however the Great American Channel now has their own streaming service available at PureFlix.com which thrills me!  When I told my husband about the new streaming service, he happily gifted me with an annual subscription to PureFlix for Christmas.  I am guaranteed a year's worth of wonderful movies and I am pretty excited to start watching them.

You can also subscribe to PureFlix through Amazon or directly at Pureflix.com.

More Great American Family Movie Reviews

A Dash of Christmas (2023)

From Chicago With Love (2023) 

Accidentally Engaged (2016)

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White Beans and White Bean Soup Recipe Review

Making white bean (Great Northern Beans) soup is a holiday tradition in our home.  I don't just make white bean soup during the holidays, but it is a part of the holiday week menu of recipes that I look forward to making and eating.

Every holiday, whether it is Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter, I bake a big ham for the family.  I can hardly wait for the ham to be devoured so I can use the bone in a big pot of white bean soup.  The ham, itself, is usually served at least twice over the course of a few days.  I admit, sometimes (like this past Thanksgiving) I don't wait for all of the ham to be gone before I claim the ham bone for soup.

I love the holidays and cooking for the holidays, but after several days of heavy feasting, I am always ready for a lighter fare of soup for a few days.  For some, white beans are exclusively a side dish.  For me, they make a fabulous soup!  And, just so your know, I do make white beans as a side throughout the year.  I make the side dish exactly the same way as I make the soup, but with less water.

 

White Bean Soup Recipe by Sylvestermouse
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Camellia Brand Dried Great Northern Beans, 1 Pound (Pack of 2)…

I use a package of dried white beans.  I do have a preferred brand, but I have been known to use different brands if I can't find the Camellia Great Northern Beans in the store.  I have found that the Camellia brand has less beans that I need to throw away before cooking.

I use the entire package of beans in one pot of soup.  I start by inspecting the beans as I rinse them in small batches in my colander.  I toss any shriveled, dark or broken beans, as well as any bean loose or floating "skin". 

All whole, white beans that pass inspection are placed in a large dutch oven size cooking pot, covered with water, and left sitting out on the kitchen counter to soak for 8 hours, or overnight. 

 

Directions for White Bean Soup

• Rinse the Beans & Soak for 8 hrs. or overnight (water should be 2/3 up the pan since the beans absorb water while soaking)
• After 8 hours, Rinse the Beans again and put them in a dutch oven pot with Ham (Ham Bone Preferred) OR (2 T Bacon Grease if a ham bone is not available)
• Bring to a Boil, then turn the heat down to a low boil  (on my stove top that is 3­½)
  
• Add a generous amount of salt and pepper and stir the seasoning into the beans
• Cook covered (tilted lid or Pampered Chef Boil Over No More cover) on low simmer for 1½ - 2 hours 

*Note: I normally check the cooking beans a few times to add water as needed to keep the water from boiling down too low 

 Pampered Chef Boil-Over No More Pot Cover Splatter Guard

Wisconic 2 Pack Mini Colander Berry Baskets - Plastic, Durable Kitchenware, Dishwasher Safe - Made in the USA - Prussian Blue & Light Teal

Cooks Standard Dutch Oven Casserole with Glass Lid, 6-Quart Classic Stainless Steel Stockpot, Silver

 

 

Bacon Grease

I mentioned bacon grease in the recipe above because I season white beans with bacon grease if a ham bone is not available.  Bacon grease is exactly what it sounds like.  It is the grease that is rendered when cooking bacon.  I cook bacon in the microwave on a bacon tray or rack that allows the grease to settle below the bacon.  I literally pour the bacon grease from the tray into a bacon grease jar to use as needed, whenever needed.  You will find a partly filled jar of bacon grease in my kitchen at all times.

Nordic Ware Microwave Compact Bacon Plastic Rack,10-Inch by 8-Inch

Ceramic Bacon Grease Container Keeper with Strainer, Frying Oil Storage Can, Turquoise

 

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White Beans (Great Northern Beans) and White Bean Soup Recipe Review Written by:

© 2023 Cynthia Sylvestermouse
 

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Banana Bread Mini Loaves Recipe and Mini Loaf Pan Review

After getting the Wilton mini loaf pan that makes 8 mini loaves of bread at one time, I have found that I actually prefer the mini loaves to one large loaf of bread.

My husband likes walnuts in banana bread, but I don't like walnuts in mine.  Therefore, I often end up making two large loaves or one loaf that is not going to please both of us.  Making a pan of mini loaves is the perfect solution!

After I have mixed the batter, I add walnuts to half of the batter.  Therefore, I can make 4 mini loaves of banana bread with walnuts and 4 without walnuts. 

I can also share the mini loaves with friends and family.  These would make lovely gifts of homemade food during the holidays.  For our friends who have differing ingredients preferences like us, I could send several loaves.  

A variety of bread mini loaves will certainly make the food at family gatherings more appealing.  By labeling the mini loaves, everyone will know exactly what they are getting.  No more surprise walnuts in my piece of banana bread!

 

Mini Banana Bread Loaves Recipe by Sylvestermouse
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Heat Oven to 350°

Grease & flour pan 

Ingredients 

• 1/4 Cup Shortening 
• 3/4 Cup Sugar 
• 2 Eggs 
• 2 Cups  Bisquick or Jiffy Baking Mix  
  
• 1 Cup Mashed Banana (usually 2 or 3 very ripe bananas) 
• 1/3 Cup Chopped Nuts, if desired

Instructions 

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar together with a mixer

Then, add eggs, baking mix, & mashed bananas. Mix until well blended 

Stir in walnuts - If you are dividing the number of loaves that have walnuts, divide batter into two mixing bowls and stir walnuts into only one

Pour into the prepared pan 

Bake mini loaves for 30 minutes - Check if done by sticking a toothpick in the center of a mini loaves.  If the toothpick comes out clean, the bread is done

Let cool for 10 minutes and remove from pan 

Let the mini loaves cool completely before you wrap them in foil or plastic wrap.  

Wilton Perfect Results Non-Stick Mini Loaf Pan, 8-Cavity, 15.2 IN x 9.5 IN x 1.6, Gray

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Mini Banana Bread Loaves Recipe and Loaf Pan Recommendation Review Written by:

© 2023 Cynthia Sylvestermouse
 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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304 Stainless Steel Colander Set with Catch Mixing Bowl, 5QT Reviewed

When my brother was in town for the holidays last year, he watched me drain the grease off fried ground beef into paper towels in the sink.  When he asked if I didn't have a colander bowl set, I had to admit that I had no idea what he was talking about.  He promptly looked them up on Amazon and showed me.  I was amazed!  I had never even seen them.  Since neither my mother nor myself had one, he promptly bought each of us a set and had them shipped to our homes.  

Now that I have the set, it makes practical sense to have a colander that perfectly seats into a slightly taller solid bowl.  This allows the grease, or water, to drain through the colander and be caught in the bowl below.  After the grease is drained, I can pour it off into the trash, never risking any grease going down the sink drain.

I wipe the residual grease out of the bowls and put them in the dishwasher.  

Now, how cool is that!  I can't believe I didn't know about this colander set long before my brother's visit.

 

304 Stainless Steel Strainer with Bowl Set

Ptinyiv 304 Stainless Steel Colander, 5QT [Extra Large] Rice Strainer with Mixing Bowls, Strainers and Colanders for Kitchen for Draining Cooked Pasta, Washing Fruits Vegetables(2PC), Dishwasher Safe

The set includes a 304 stainless steel colander strainer and matching stainless steel bowl.  304 stainless is important because it is food safe.  It is also corrosion resistant. 

The colander set comes in a variety of sizes.  My brother sent me the 5 quart size which is large enough to soak, wash or rinse beans, cabbage, lettuce, rice, or vegetables.  It is really nice to be able to simply lift the filled colander directly from the bowl of water without risking any kind of spills.  You don't realize just how convenient it is until you actually start using it.  Well, at least I didn't realize how convenient the set could be until I started using it.

The solid bowl can also be used as a mixing bowl.  The strainer can also be used separately to strain boiling water off pasta and more.

This made the perfect gift for me and my kitchen and I truly appreciate my brother's consideration and thoughtfulness.  Frankly, I think everyone should have one.

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304 Stainless Steel Colander Set with Catch Mixing Bowl, 5QT Reviewed by:

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A Dash of Christmas (2023) - Great American Family Movie Review

While preparing for the holiday season this year, I discovered the Great American Family movie, A Dash of Christmas.  A dash of Christmas is, of course, the secret ingredient to all fabulous holiday baking.  That makes "A Dash of Christmas" an awesome Christmas movie title, especially if the movie plot is centered on a bakery and cooking. 

With Laura Osnes and Christoper Russell starring as the main characters, I expected it to be a great, relaxing Christmas movie.  I was not disappointed!  As a matter of fact, this movie definitely got me in the mood to cook.  The opening scenes alone made me want to pull out my pans and start baking. 

The Great American Family channel has become my favorite movie channel.  They offer heartwarming, clean and wholesome movies, which can be somewhat predictable. Since most movies are predictable, that doesn't really bother me. It actually makes them easier to watch, especially if I am cleaning or cooking.

Streaming movies also makes watching easier.  If I miss part of the dialog, or an important scene, I can easily go back immediately and pick up where I left off.

GAF (also known as GAC Family) is available on several streaming services including Frndly TV, which is my preferred streaming service on the list.  That channel alone makes subscribing to Frndly TV worth the cost, but they are also home to television classics and more than a dozen other popular TV channels.

This is the first Christmas movie I have watched this year and it was a great place to start.  I look forward to seeing more of the Christmas movies presented this season by the Great American Family channel.

 

A Dash of Christmas Movie Synopsis

When Megan Blake accepts a severance package from the new owners of the company where she worked, she finds herself at a crossroads in life.  At 33, she is too young to retire, but she isn't sure what she will do next.  She has already contacted a recruiter, so perhaps something will present itself soon.  Going home for the holidays seems like a good start.  Plus, she will get to spend Christmas with her sister and niece.  That is something she has never been able to do before.

Megan's trip home starts with a bit of a snag when her ride doesn't show up before the train station closes.  She walks to a lighted area to wait for the car and ends up standing in front of Hometown Bakery where her "good deed" causes a problem for the owner.  He has left his delivery truck door open while he runs inside to grab the boxes to deliver.  When Megan sees the truck door standing open, but no one around, she decides to close and lock the door.  When the owner comes out with his hands full of boxes, it all becomes clear, but now he needs help getting back into his truck.

Aaron McBay owns Hometown Bakery where he bakes, offers baking classes, and makes his own deliveries.  However, trying to carry too many boxes to his delivery truck at once, can be dangerous for the baked goods, especially if his truck door is locked. 

As in many great romance movies, there is an instant attraction between two strangers.  The opportunity for further acquaintance is clearly essential and what better than one of them needing help from the other.  Needing each other's help actually happens a few times in this movie and makes for a very enjoyable show. While their final "decisions" may be expected, it is still a heartwarming and delightful movie to watch.

A Dash of Christmas

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Black Magic Chocolate Cake Made with Coffee Recipe Review

This black magic chocolate cake is made with black coffee and buttermilk (the magic part) which makes it a rich, delicious cake.  It is my son's favorite cake, therefore I make it for his birthday every year.  

If you love chocolate, this is definitely the cake for you!  The combination of real cocoa, buttermilk and coffee make it a chocolate lovers dream cake.  

For the last few years, I have frosted it with Barbara's chocolate icing recipe which is better than the icing recipe I previously used.  Serve it with chocolate ice cream, if you dare, and you have a triple chocolate masterpiece.  

 

My Mixing Note

I set my mixing bowl in my sink to keep ingredients from blowing or splattering when mixing.  It is so much easier to simply rinse the sink when I am finished mixing batter than it is to clean the counters, walls and floor.

I also pre-measure ingredients before I start.  That way, I know I haven't forgotten any of the ingredients should I get interrupted. 

 

Black Magic Chocolate Cake Recipe by Sylvestermouse
ReviewThisReviews.com

Prep Time	Cook Time	Cool Time	Ready In	Yields
20 min.	30-35 min.	60 min.	2 hrs.	12 - 16 servings

Ingredients 

• 2 cups Swans Down Cake Flour (or 1¾ cups all-purpose flour)
  
• 2 cups sugar 
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (100% cacao)
  
• 2 teaspoons baking soda 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 2 eggs 
• 1 cup strong brewed coffee 
• 1 cup buttermilk 
• ½ cup vegetable oil 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Grease & flour two 9" round cake pans or one 9"x13" pan
   
3. In large bowl, combine/whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  (Set mixing bowl in the sink to keep the flour/cocoa from blowing everywhere) 
4. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil & vanilla
   
5. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Batter will be very thin
   
6. Pour into prepared pans
   
7. Bake at for 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean
   
8. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and completely cool
9. Frost as desired
   

See the Items I Use For Pre-measuring in the Following Reviews:

 Cooking & Baking Prep Tools: Shot Glasses Used As Pinch Bowls Set of Stainless Steel Stackable Magnetic Measuring Spoons Reviewed Mini Increment Measuring Spoons for Tad, Dash, Pinch, Smidgen & Drop

 

 

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Black Magic Chocolate Cake Made with Coffee Recipe Review Written by:

© 2023 Cynthia Sylvestermouse
 

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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