Holiday Recipes

I tried out some new recipes this past Christmas and New Year season that I wanted to share with you here and so I can remember where I found them. They were all winners but things that I probably would only make for a holiday or party. We ate well as you can see from this picture taken on New Year's Eve at my in-law's cabin.

I am a big believer in having a yummy special breakfast on Christmas morning after the opening of presents. I had found a recipe on The Pioneer Woman's cooking blog a few weeks back and knew I had found what would be made for my family. The recipe is called Make Ahead Muffin Melts and you can find it HERE. These were so, so, so, so good and so easy. You make the egg mixture the night before so all you have to do the morning of is scoop the mixture on english muffins and broil. They were superb and got rave reviews!

On Christmas Eve we had snacks to eat while watching Despicable Me. I made homemade French Onion Dip from an Alton Brown recipe on the Food Network site. You can find the recipe HERE. This again was an easy recipe to make and the results were 1,000x's better than the plastic container stuff from the grocery.

On New Year's Eve my mother-in-law and I made an incredible ham from a Neely's recipe. We had watched them make it on their show and knew that this was to be our New Year's Eve masterpiece and that it was! It was a show stopper as you can see from the below picture. The recipe is found HERE.

And now it's a new year and we're all looking for light, low calorie recipes!!!

A Handmade Christmas

This year I tried to make things to give as presents. I love getting handmade things myself. There is something about knowing the work that someone went to make a beautiful thing out of a creative heart. I think handmade gifts are special and full of love. I wanted to share this with others this year. I wanted to share here what I made and where I found the ideas.

I have two knitters in my life and stumbled across a tutorial on making a knitting needle case...PERFECT! This was really not difficult to make and I was so happy with how it turned out. I found the idea on the blog Multicrafty. The actual tutorial can be found HERE.




When I was a preschool teacher I received a Hot Rice Pack that was handmade. It is one of my favorite things to use when I am not feeling well. I found a tutorial on line for making these. They were insanely easy!!!! I foresee many more of these in my future. The tutorial I used is HERE on the Pie Birds, Buttons and Muddy Puddles blog.


I also made a few of the Felt Rose Wreaths to give as gifts. This is such an easy project and can literally be done in one evening. If you don't sew, this is a good crafty project for you as long as you are armed with good scissors and a hot glue gun. I got the idea from The Pretty Poppy on THIS blog post.
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Each year I want to make something my for my girls with my own hands. This year I decided on handmade dolls. I found an incredible book called Wee Wonderfuls: 24 Dolls to Sew and Love (which my mother-in-law ended up buying for me for my birthday after I raved about it). It is awesome and has such fun ideas in it. I made a boy doll and a girl doll for my girls. They love them which makes my heart happy!

I made one more thing but forgot to take a picture to share here. I made an iPod cozy for one of my nieces using THIS tutorial on Sew, Mama, Sew!

Other Christmas Cookies

Today was cookie making day at our house. The biggest girl helped add the ingredients to the mixer while the littlest girl screamed in protest that she was not able to eat the dough or even reach the mixer. We had fun to say the least.

We made three different kinds of cookies...all types that I have never made before for Christmas, two of which I have never made at all before. They have all been tasted and passed with flying colors!

The first cookie we made was the Homemade Oreos which you can find at Smitten Kitchen and my tips in this post.

The other two I found in my current issue of Ladies Home Journal. (I have no idea how I got a subscription to. It comes in my name but I never paid for one. It is not a magazine I would generally look at but it's free and it comes to my mailbox.)

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies (found on a Betty Crocker advertisement in the magazine)
1 pouch or box of sugar cookie mix
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 t. mint extract
6-8 drops green food coloring
1 egg
1 c. creme de menthe baking chips (***see note below)
1. c. semisweet chocolate chunks

Mix cookie mix, butter, extract, food coloring and egg in bowl, until soft dough forms. Stir in creme de menthe baking chips and chocolate chunks. Using small cookie scoop or teaspoon, drop dough 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to wire rack. Serve warm or cool completely. Makes 36 cookies.

***I could not find creme de menthe baking chips so I bough a box of Andes chocolate mints, unwrapped them (with the help of two beautiful little girls), and chopped them up.

White Chocolate Thumbprints
2 2/3 c. flour
1 t. salt
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 large egg
1 t. vanilla extract
9 oz. white chocolate, chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour and salt. In another bowl beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium high until fluffy, about 4 min. then beat in egg and vanilla. On low speed, stir in flour mixture. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 1 1/2 hours. Roll 1 inch balls of dough and place 1 inch apart on baking sheets. Flatten each ball slightly; using your finger or a round half teaspoon, make an indentation in the center of each. Bake cookies about 15 minutes until cooked through but not golden. Re-indent center if needed and cool on baking sheets. Melt chocolate in 15 second increments in the microwave, stirring between each pass until just melted, 1 - 2 minutes total. Spoon white chocolate into cookie indents. Let set about 1 hour. Makes 5 1/2 dozen.

***I also sprinkled green and red sugar on the white chocolate before it set. They look really pretty with that.

So...go bake! YUM!

Homemade Oreos

That title alone should have you drooling! I stumbled on a recipe for Homemade Oreos from Smitten Kitchen a couple of months ago and knew they would be made some point at Christmas. They have now been made twice. I made a batch for my mom's group cookie exchange and have a batch ready to be filled on the counter.

They are delicious! I do not get as many cookies as the recipe says it will yield. I actually only get like half so hers must be much smaller. I LOVE using my mini ice cream scoop for cookie dough so it must not be small enough. She also says to use your fingers to flatten the cookie, I dipped a glass with a flat bottom in warm water and flattened them. I thought that worked much better.

Also follow the recipes directions! When I made them the first time I creamed my butter and sugar then added the dry ingredients like I was taught to without paying attention the actual recipe until after I was done. This time I followed the directions and they turned out a little different, probably how they are supposed to turn out.

The filling is super, super thick and sweet. When I make it today, I'm going to add a little milk to the mixture. Last time I also did the peppermint extract in place of the vanilla which I will do again because peppermint screams Christmas! Then I divided the frosting in half and made half green and half red. They were so cute!

You definitely need to try these!

Pillowcase Dresses

I have been in love with pillowcase dresses for a long time. I have a beautiful vintage pillowcase just waiting to be made into a summer dress for my oldest daughter. Alas I kept procrastinating and/or forgetting. The other day I was in JoAnne's and decided my girls needed matching Christmas pillowcase dresses and it was time for me to do it! So I picked out some fabric. It wasn't exactly what I wanted but it works and they turned out cute.

I used the tutorial found HERE on Naptime Crafts. I added a trim to the bottom of their dresses to set them off. Between the main dress fabric and the trim fabric I sewed on a red pom-pom trim which really added to the dresses, I think.

I am happy with how they turned out. I especially LOVE seeing my girls in something I made for them. Obviously since it is winter and blustery out we added the red leggings and white turtlenecks.

Felted Sweater Garland

A few weeks ago I was able to get together with a really sweet friend who loves to make crafts. She had a really sweet project started that we got to finish together. (A friend, a craft, yummy food, awesome conversation and lots of laughs equates bliss.) She had bought some wool sweaters and felted them. (Washing in hot water and drying.) Then she cut out mitten, heart, and star shapes and glued matching sweater pairs together with fabric glue except for one small hole where she stuffed the shapes with stuffing.

This was what she had done already. Then together we stitched all the way around the edges with black embroidery thread. We stitched some small hearts onto some of the shapes and added button and rafia. To finish we strung all of our shapes onto twine to make a garland. At home I tied on strips of Homespun fabric for a finishing touch. The garland is hanging in my kitchen entry. I love how it turned out.

To give it a homey look I used clothespins to hang it. I attached those sticky removable strips to the clothespins and tied the twine to the two end clothespins then hung it from the wall.

Merry Christmas

What a beautiful song. What a beautiful reminder of what really took place 2,000 years ago. Take a moment and quiet your heart in this season that can bring such busyness. "It was not a silent night on the streets of David's town...but the baby in her womb, He was the maker of the moon, the author of the faith that could make the mountains move."

(Remember to pause the playlist at the bottom to hear the video.)

Christmas Music

I love Christmas music, so sue me! If it has a Christmas ring to it, I will probably love it. My husband does NOT love Christmas music as I quickly realized our first married Christmas when I popped in my Harry Connick Jr. Christmas cd. It makes him grumpy. He is a music snob. He would tell you this too. (I can't find that cd anywhere anymore...hmmmm.) Anyways...over just the past couple of years we have found a few cds that we both like, well he tolerates and I thoroughly enjoy. It wasn't too hard on my part as like I said before, I love Christmas music. I thought I would share with the Christmas cds thatwe have been listening to most the past few weeks. I highly recommend them if you are in need of some new Christmas tunes. So there you have it...along with a Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra one, this is pretty much what is playing non-stop at our house. Ahhh...the sounds of Christmas.

What's your favorite Christmas CD? Let me know in the comments.

The Christmas Cookie

I am joining Mom's Creative's Christmas cookie exchange.



When I think about Christmas and all the yummy goodness that goes with it, I always think of one certain cookie, the Mexican Wedding Cake. This cookie has all sorts of different names, but this is the name that my mom called it and so I will always call it this too. They are melt in your mouth yummy! My mom made these at Christmas time. Another fave of hers was the Date Rum Ball but I am not a huge fan of this round, chewy cookie so I will help her memory live on with Mexican Wedding Cakes.

Mexican Wedding Cakes
1c. pecan pieces, ground
1 c. unsalted butter, soft
2 c. powdered sugar
2 c. flour
2 t. vanilla
1/4 t. salt
Beat butter and 1/2 c. powdered sugar in large bowl at medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add 1 c. flour, vanilla, and salt. Stir in the other 1 c. flour and ground nuts. Form into ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into 1 inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12-15 min. (pale golden brown). Cool 2 minutes. Place 1 c. powdered sugar in 9x13 dish. Transfer cookie to dish and roll until coated.

Makes 4 dozen.

My Christmas Wish List

Hubby in years past has asked me what I want for Christmas. I ALWAYS have a difficult time with this. I don't know why. It is hard for me to think of things that I really want. Weird? So I have been thinking about what I would like this year and I am going to put my list here for everyone (all 2 readers) to see. The funny thing is that this year we'll be focusing mostly on getting for our kiddos as hubby is back in college, we're trying to sell a house that we're still making payments on and renting an apartment in our new town, we are on a TIGHT budget. I think the kids are the only ones getting presents this year. So, I can dream! Ha! (You can click on all red or green highlighted words to see the item for yourself.)

1.) Perfume - I adore a good bottle of perfume and I am currently out. My dad started this love affair of mine with perfume. When I was a teen he took me Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve (our yearly ritual) and told me to pick out whatever I wanted for my present. I picked out a bottle of Eternity. I can still smell it. I still love it! The scent of perfume or even cologne can whisk me right back in time.

2.) The Office Season 5- I know this sounds silly but my hubby and I are huge Office fans and have all the seasons. It has killed me to know this one is out but we do not own it yet. I typically put an Office DVD in after the girls in bed just for background noise while hubby and I are working on things. We just giggle away.

3.) Sara Groves Fireflies and Songs - She is one of my favorite artists. This is her brand new CD.

4.) The Pioneer Woman Cookbook - I am a huge fan of The Pioneer Woman. This would be a welcome addition to my cook book collection (which is currently packed away since I have nowhere to put it).

5.) SLR Digital Camera - This certainly needs to be researched more and I know Santa will not be bringing one this year, but I'm dreaming here! I would love to have an SLR Digital to get those perfect shots of the girls!

6.) I Will Carry You by Angie Smith - This book is only available in pre-order but I would love to know that it will be coming soon. I have followed the Audrey Caroline blog for almost two years and this family has a very special place in my heart. I am so amazed at how the Lord has worked in their lives and turned tragedy into beauty.

7.) Clothes - I NEED some new clothes desperately. This isn't just a whim or just some girl who would really like the latest fashion trends in her closet. This Mama NEEDS some new clothes. My closet is SAD, SAD, SAD! VERY SAD! Do shoes fit into that category, because mine are in a sad, sad, sad state too.

8.) Anything from MD Sparks - Now I am not a jewelery fanatic, but I adore this etsy shop. Her jewelery is just gorgeous! I have a beautiful silver bird's nest necklace with the cutest 3 little pearl eggs in it. I LOVE this necklace and get TONS of compliments when I wear it, which isn't much as the baby LOVES to grab and pull it.

9.) Anything from Lisa Leonard - I think this hand stamped jewelery is so unique and sweet. I could handle anything from this site also bearing the names of my girls.

10.) Paula Deen Pots and Pans in Red - I love this set of of pans. I am using hand-me-downs and I am OK with that. My pots are fine but my skillets, well they are in bad shape. These are just gorgeous!

This was fun and now the first napper is up from naptime and ready to eat, so I must get. What do you want for Christmas this year? Link your list to my comment section if you make one.

Advent Calendar

We have been doing lots of fun Christmas activities in our household with the help of our nifty advent calendar. The Mom's group that I have been going to at our new church gave out all of the materials and ideas for this. I was so excited about making one this year because I knew our oldest daughter would really get into it now that she is 3 years old and she has. She loves getting up in the morning and finding out what our special activity will be.

It was very easy to make. We were given assorted scrapbook papers cut into squares. I just rolled these into cones and glued one side down. We then hung them by the cutest little clothespins to a piece of yarn that was hung on our kitchen wall. It is so cute and adds a festive, Christmas spirit to our home.

Here is the list of our Advent activities:
1.) Go downtown to see the Christmas lights and take pictures of the girls.
2.) Make paper snowflakes to hang on patio door.
3.) Make a paper chain to decorate with.
4.) Write a letter for Santa Claus.
5.) Have family game night with Christmas music and hot chocolate.
6.) Go to the mall to see Santa and the Christmas decorations.
7.) Make a Christmas craft.
8.) Buy a present to donate to Toys for Tots.
9.) Make cookies and decorate them.
10.) Go to a local town (with Gigi, YEAH) and see the Christmas lights.
11.) Make Christmas cards to send to family.
12.) Go to the library for a Sound of Music for a preview performance.
13.) Have a Christmas tea party with our family.
14.) Read Christmas books together and enjoy some more hot chocolate.
15.) Drive around after Daddy is off of work to see the houses all decorated.
16.) Go to Christmas story hour at the library.
17.) Make a birthday cake for Jesus and read the Christmas story from the Bible.
18.) Watch a Christmas movie and camp out for the night by the Christmas tree.
19.) Donate canned food to charity.
20.) Go to Gigi's canata.
21.) Make and hang an edible treat for the birds.
22.) Be a Secret Santa to someone.
23.) Make Christmas cookies to give away.
24.) Open one gift before bed and leave cookies for Santa.
25.) Celebrate the birth of Jesus!!!

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

Ahhh...finally, the creative juices are flowing! I made some Christmas cards this year to send out. Now if you didn't get a homemade Christmas card, please do not fret. I only made 20 and I had more than 20 people on my Christmas list. I wanted to make more, but that box of already made cards was so tempting. The card that I made this year was this one...

The past two years I had the full intention of making cards and sending them out, but only got a few made and ended up just giving cards to immediate family members. (Sorry again!) But I had a couple extra ones from the years past that I used also this year.




That ceramic Christmas tree behind the card is a family heirloom to me. My grandma, my mom's mother, and my great-aunt made a whole bunch of them many years ago. I am so thankful to have it. It is always displayed with pride in our home.

Tonight I got busy making some Christmas goodies to give away as gifts. I hate to even tell you how to make them because they were SOOOO easy.

Peanut Candies
1 whole bag of butterscotch chips
1/2 bag of chocolate chips
1 jar of dry roasted peanuts, salted

Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips in a double boiler (or in microwave). Once melted stir in peanuts. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper. (I used a small ice cream scoop.) Let harden.

These are so yummy and so easy to make, such a great combination!!!!! My daughter enjoyed the taste test part of making them.

I have some fun things up my sleeve that I hope to get made for Christmas. I will post pics when I am finished.

Look What I Got in the Mail Today

This is what was waiting for me in my mailbox today. I love it already. I discovered Mindy Smith after we lost our baby in January through her song One Moment More. The lyrics to that song were exactly how I was feeling. I listened to the My Holiday cd while cleaning up the house this afternoon and I really like it.



This is the cd that I am really hoping will appear very soon in my mailbox. I became quickly addicted to Sixpence None the Richer after meeting my hubby who is a huge music critic! When the band broke up, I was brokenhearted. To my great joy, they have reunited and this is their new cd and it is a holiday cd. I need this one! It is actually one that hubby will like too.