Christmas Spirit

Sweet Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom tagged me with this special award/meme. She is certainly full of the Christmas spirit and it is a joy to receive this from her and be able to pass it on.


5 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT CHRISTMAS

Now my list may seem like Sandra’s but let’s face it she listed the important things! So I’ll keep her titles and fill in my reasons.

1. Christmas Tree – There is something sooooooooooooooo magical about the Christmas tree when it’s all lit up, especially at night. I absolutely love the end of the evening when all is quiet. I turn off all the lights except for the tree. I just sit on the couch and stare at all the twinkling lights and the lifetime of accumulated ornaments and what they represent for the memories of our life. I’m so totally mesmerized by it.

2. Christmas Baking – I start baking the week before. I always make a plate for all the neighbors of our family favorites. You know Christmas wreaths, rum balls, fudge and peanut brittle. Hubby always pops his head in so he can be a taste tester. The house always smells sooooooooooooo good and we never lack for yummies!

3. Christmas Snow – One of the things I don’t lack for at Christmas time is snow. But I look forward to seeing the flakes actually fall ON Christmas Day night with the Christmas lights in the foreground and the deer eating their dinner of cracked corn in the front yard nose to nose with the rabbits.

4. Christmas Movies – It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street the original & the remake too), White Christmas, Holiday Inn, The Santa Clause and all the wonderful ones on Hallmark and Lifetime too.

5. Christmas Mail – I try to make my own cards every year, a true labor of love and I really appreciate receiving handmade cards. I have such an awe and respect for those. I just love hearing about everyone’s year and seeing the new pictures of kids as they grow and grow.

I’m passing this Spirit of Christmas Award/Meme Combo to the following wonderful ladies who have made blogging such a joy to me and have such beautiful spirits year round as well as Christmas.

  • Barbara who I know is too busy to participate, but has one of the biggest Christmas spirits I know.
  • Diana who has become such a dear blogging buddy and has a HUGE Christmas spirit.
  • Anni who has sooooooooooooo much holiday spirit for every holiday!
  • Jen who is awe inspiring with her ability to manage 9 kids and have such a beautiful spirit too.
  • Michelle who manages to inspire me ALL the time.
  • Jenn who (though I’m a bit biased) has been filling me with the Christmas spirit since her Christmas eve birth – Happy Birthday sweetie
  • Janet and her ability to find the fun and joy in everything.
  • Kiy who has such a beautiful spirit and wants to make everything perfect for her family.

I know there are sooooooooooo many more, but my baking timer just went off and I must go! LOL

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Homemaker and Making A Happy Home Monday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday and Slow Cooking Thursday ~ CrockPot Cinnamon Raisin Maple Oatmeal


This week in particular with all that still needs to be done, this recipe will come in handy! It’s another great recipe for Christmas morning.

Cinnamon Raisin Maple Oatmeal

2 cups whole milk
1 tablespoon PURE maple syrup
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup golden raisins

  • Spray inside of crock pot with PURE.
  • Mix all ingredients together.
  • Cover and set to low for 8-9 hours.

Raspberry Pineapple Cheese Bars
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup crushed vanilla wafer crumbs
1/2 cup finely minced walnuts
1-8 ounce crushed pineapple
1-8 ounce raspberry cream cheese spread, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 JUMBO egg
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup +/- shredded coconut

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Beat butter and brown sugar until well blended.
  • Add flour, vanilla cookie crumbs and walnuts and mix until well blended.
  • Spray the bottom of 9×9 baking dish with PURE.
  • Press cookie crumb mixture into the bottom.
  • Bake 10 minutes. Cool.
  • Drain pineapple reserving the juice.
  • Beat cream cheese and pineapple juice together until smooth. Add sugar and egg and beat again until smooth.
  • Fold in the pineapple.
  • Pour over the crust.
  • Sprinkle with the coconut.
  • Bake 20-22 minutes.
  • Cool completely.
  • Cut into bars.

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Menu Plan Monday

Weekday breakfasts are always either toast, scrambled eggs or cereal so I don’t post those. Working from home, lunch is “whatever” so it isn’t definitive either, but weekends are usually a brunch and I will start posting those along with the dinners.

Monday December 22nd ~ Snow Bound Casserole
Tuesday December 23rd ~ Sweet & Zesty Meatballs
Wednesday December 24th ~ Crab Cakes w/ Remoulade Sauce (recipe soon) & Noel Log
Thursday December 25th ~ Christmas Day ~

Brunch (10ish)
Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole
Caramel Truffle Coffee

Appetizers (2ish)
Artichoke Krab Dip
Sweet Onion Spread
Assorted Crackers

Dinner (4ish)
Ham with honey glaze
Holiday Carrots (recipe soon)
Cheesey AuGratin Potatoes
homemade Green Bean Casserole (recipe soon)
Parmesan Rolls
Cranberry Sauce

Dessert (7ish)
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Black Bottomed Cake (recipe from Michelle at Scribbit)

Evening Snacks
Muddy Buddies (recipe on the back of your Corn Chex box)
Corn Flake Wreaths
Crumb Cookies

Friday December 26th ~ CORN and/or ham sandwiches
Saturday December 27th ~ Farm Style Chicken & Noodles
Sunday December 28th ~ Cream of Chicken Rice Soup -(recipe soon)

I participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, $5 Dinners is hosted by Erin at $5 DInners and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!
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Favorite Ingredient Friday blends into Homemaker Monday ~ Cookie Edition & Bonus Honey Baked Ham glaze

Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy Homemaker Mondays is hosted by Jen at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven Making a Happy Home Monday is hosted by LL at As for me and my house… and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace
CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL RAISIN PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
aka KITCHEN SINK COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup maple sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Jumbo eggs
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cups minced walnuts
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup golden raisins

  • Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and espresso powder.
  • Cream butter and peanut butter together.
  • Add the sugars and cream again.
  • Add the vanilla and eggs and cream until smooth.
  • Gradually add flour mixture until well blended.
  • Add oatmeal until well blended.
  • Add nuts and combine well.
  • Add chocolate chips and combine again.
  • Add raisins and mix well.
  • Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.
  • Press down slightly.
  • Bake 12-15 minutes.


My great aunt who I only got to see a couple times a year used to make these every year special for me and I would wait out on the steps for her arrive just to see them. She always made them soooooooooo pretty and perfect!

HOLIDAY WREATHS
(these are better when they are made a few days ahead)
30 large marshmallows (or 1 jar marshmallow cream)
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoon green food color
3 1/2 cups cornflakes
Red Hots

  • Combine marshmallows, butter, vanilla and food color in top of double boiler. Heat and stir frequently until well blended.
  • Gradually stir in cornflakes until well blended.
  • Drop onto wax paper and arrange into wreath shapes. I plop them onto the wax paper and then push out from the center to form the wreaths.
  • Decorate with red hots.
  • Let cool.
  • If your house is warm – chill in refrigerator until set.

CRUMB COOKIES
(This is a large recipe and is great for using up all those holiday crumbs)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter
3 eggs
1 pound crumbs (cookies, cake and/or crackers)
1/4 cup milk
1 cup molasses
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground gloves
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup ground nuts
2 cups chopped golden raisins

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Sift together the flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and cloves. Set aside.
  • Cream butter.
  • Add sugars and cream again.
  • Add eggs and cream yet again.
  • Add molasses and beat until fluffy.
  • Add crumbs and blend well.
  • Add milk, raisins and nuts and blend well.
  • Gradually add flour mixture.
  • Chill dough for at least an hour.
  • Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls and then roll in a bowl of fine sugar.
  • Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and press down gently.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes.

and just for Janet:

OLD FASHIONED RUM BALLS
1/4 cup dark or golden rum (I also use spiced sometimes)
3/4 cup vanilla wafer crumbs (I use my mini food processor)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup finely ground walnuts
4 cups powdered sugar

  • Melt the butter
  • Mix in sugar, cookie crumbs, nuts and rum.
  • Chill until firm.
  • Roll into balls.
  • Roll in coconut, more nuts, colored sugar or leave plain.
  • You can also change the flavor by adding 1/4 cup cocoa.
HONEY BAKED HAM GLAZE
1 cup honey
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup pineapple apricot preserves
3 ounces orange juice concentrate
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
7-10 pound ham, spiral cut

  • In a small food processor combine all the ingredients and pulse until smooth.
  • Heat in a small saucepan until translucent.
  • Let cool to lukewarm.
  • Place ham in a shallow roasting pan.
  • Pour glaze over ham making sure to allow glaze to run in between spiral layers.
  • Cover and allow to sit 48 hours in refrigerator.
  • Bring to room temperature before baking.
  • Wrap tightly with foil.
  • Bake at 200 degrees for 6-7 hours until done.
  • Unwrap and baste once an hour making sure to get glaze between the layers.
  • Unwrap, increase heat to 450 degrees and bake another 15 minutes for a crisp skin.

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Shhhhhhhhhhhh this is my secret Christmas gift roject for Hubby – his ARMY quilt.

Shhhhhhhhhhhh this is my secret Christmas gift roject for Hubby – his ARMY quilt.

I’ve had the pieces cut since before his last deployment in 2003. I thought for sure with the horrendous time we had during that deployment, the surgery after it, the major retirement from the ARMY and the red tape to go with it and the cross country move that this quilt was destined to become a UFO (unfinished fabric object), but alas I still have 3 days until Christmas and think I’ll actually make it in time.

I love this pattern. It’s called Yellow Brick Road by Atkinson. It goes together quickly and offers a lot of variation and is very forgiving.
The squares are done. Now for some sashing, borders and backing. Wish me luck.

Red and green shredded beef burritos

These are the greatest burritos for leftover pot roast.

I take the leftover pot roast and shred it adding red enchilada sauce. Then I throw it in the freezer until we want enchiladas.

Then I spread some sour cream on the tortillas, plop some red meat inside and add a bit of cheese.


Roll them up, top them with green enchilada sauce and a bit more cheese. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes and serve with homemade refried beans.

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Shhhhhhhhhh this is my secret project for Hubby ~ anARMY quilt

Shhhhhhhhhhhh this is my secret Christmas gift roject for Hubby – his ARMY quilt.

I’ve had the pieces cut since before his last deployment in 2003. I thought for sure with the horrendous time we had during that deployment, the surgery after it, the major retirement from the ARMY and the red tape to go with it and the cross country move that this quilt was destined to become a UFO (unfinished fabric object), but alas I still have 3 days until Christmas and think I’ll actually make it in time.

I love this pattern. It’s called Yellow Brick Road by Atkinson. It goes together quickly and offers a lot of variation and is very forgiving.

The squares are done. Now for some sashing, borders and backing. Wish me luck.

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Unconscious Mutterings

  1. Carpet :: Wish we had carpeted over these old hardwood floors
  2. Bottoms :: UP – Cheers!
  3. Music :: Always
  4. Nails :: square ones are cool
  5. Watch it! :: Look out!
  6. Your life :: Is what you make of it.
  7. Candies :: oh yeah, a must at this time of year.
  8. Chafing :: avoid at all costs!
  9. Svelte :: once upon a time
  10. Ding :: dong the witch is dead!

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Tallest Snowwoman — Made In Maine


Have you guys seen this? It just came across my email and I thought it was too good not to share. The world’s tallest snowman was made in Bethel Maine. The “snowwoman” that towers over this Maine village features eyelashes made from old skis and her bright red lips are made from painted car tires. She wears a giant red hat and a 100-foot-long scarf, and her blond tresses are made from rope. She gets a little bling from a snowflake pendant that’s 6 feet long.With the temperature in a single digit, several hundred people, including bus loads of school children still turned out for the dedication of the 122 foot tall mountain of snow. It took more than a month, dozens of volunteers and tons of snow to create.

To get an idea of scale, Olympia is about 30 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty (without the base). Her arms consist of 27-foot-tall evergreens. Her “carrot” nose, painted by school children, is 8 feet long and her eyes are made from giant wreaths.

This ski town of about 2,400 residents already holds the record for tallest snowman, dedicated in 1999. Since then, they have been waiting for someone else to break the record. When no one rose to the challenge, the folks here decided they’d have to break their own record. What does Bethel , Maine , do when it gets tough? They build a snowman!” ” Olympia ,” named for Maine ‘s senior senator, Olympia Snowe, stands nearly 10 feet taller than “Angus, King of the Mountain,” who was dedicated by the town in 1999. That snowman, named for the then governor, Angus King, was created by the same folks responsible for Olympia.


And here is King Angus!

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MAGIC MIDDLES

I have been BAKING a ton of lately. When I stopped by to see Natalie and saw these cookies over at What’s for Supper which she had seen over at Recipe Girl I knew they were next on my list to make. Who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter? It’s hubby’s favorite combo. I experimented a little with caramels and marshmallows too.

MAGIC IN THE MIDDLE
DOUGH:
1½ cups (6¼ ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
½ cup (1½ ounces) unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup (3½ ounces) granulated sugar (plus extra for dipping)
½ cup (4 ounces) brown sugar, packed
½ cup (4 ounces or 1 stick) unsalted butter
¼ cup (2 3/8 ounces) smooth peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg

FILLING:
¾ cup (7 1/8 ounces) smooth peanut butter
¾ cup (3 ounces) powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets.
  • Prepare dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In another medium bowl, beat together sugars, butter, and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg, beating to combine, then stir in dry ingredients, blending well.
  • Prepare filling: In a small bowl, stir together peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth. With floured hands, roll the filling into 26 one-inch balls.
  • Shape cookies: Break off about 1 Tbsp. of the dough, make an indentation in the center with your finger, and press one of the peanut butter balls into the indentation. Bring the dough up and over the filling, pressing it closed; roll the cookie in the palms of your hand to smooth it out. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
  • Dip the top of each cookie in granulated sugar and place on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Grease the bottom of a drinking glass and use it to flatten each cookie to about ½-inch-thick.
  • Bake cookies for 9-11 minutes, until they’re set.
  • Remove them from the oven and cool on a rack.

Yield: About 30 cookies

Cooking Tips
*These cookies freeze well. They would travel well too.
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Front Door Decor

Front Door Decor at Candy Hearts and Paper FlowersBarbara over at Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers is hosting Front Door Decor today.

The “NOEL” gets a little lost amongst the garland, but stands out well when it’s darker. It is made out of grapevines and white lights.

We put up the candy canes from the flag pole to the porch to discourage the local teenagers from using our front yard as a snowboard jump and scaring away “our” deer.

I love my snowman door man! He’s my favorite. It got too cold too fast this year and we could only be outside for short spurts of time decorating so you have to imagine Santa and his sleigh full of toys up on the porch roof. He’ll be there next year.

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