Category: MISC

Tagged again!!

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My new bloggy buddy Mimi at Screaming Mimi recently received this tag and posted some really courageous things about herself. She tagged me when she truly reached out to really random people in order to meet new friends.

The tag requires that I tell you 7 random facts about myself that you must always remember! I totally agree with Mimi that the “always remember” part is a little much, but here goes.

1. I hate wearing shoes.

2. I love tomatoes any way you can make them except juice.

3. I hate, and I mean HATE in very large letters, tinsel on Christmas trees.

4. I LOVE roller coasters.

5. I am not fond of small dogs.

6. I usually have 2 or 3 books going at one time, one upstairs, one downstairs and one in the car – hubby is driving of course.

7. I can’t stand having dirty dishes in the kitchen sink.

Now while I’m supposed to pick 7 random people to follow this tag, I’m going to put this out there for everyone. Many of you are too busy finishing getting ready for Christmas and I don’t want to burden you, while many of you are ready and have some time to kill. So those of you who choose, please play along and be sure to let me know so I can come read yours.

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Aloha Friday

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would participate and take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

Today’s question is:
Turkey, Ham or something else for Christmas?

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Christmas Spirit – Evidently I have it!

Your Christmas Sprit Level: 95%

Your Christmas spirit is almost as big as Christmas itself. Christmas is definitely your thing.

You celebrate Christmas with enthusiasm. You love every minute of the holidays.

Your Christmas spirit is inspiring to everyone who runs into you during the holidays.

You make everyone’s day just a little bit brighter. And that’s what the holidays are all about!

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Slow Cooking Thursday ~ TOMATO SPINACH SOUP


Hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

TOMATO SPINACH SOUP
1/2 (+/- to taste) pound baby spinach, washed
1/3 bag baby carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic, jar
2 cans diced tomatoes with herbs
1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon basil

  • Toss all ingredients together in slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on high 4-5 hours.

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~ Thursday Thirteen ~


Thirteen things I made or accomplished for Christmas

  1. House is decorated inside and out
  2. Holiday Wreaths
  3. Muddy Buddies
  4. Peanut Butter Rum Balls
  5. Salted Chocolate
  6. Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole
  7. Honey Baked Ham glaze
  8. Christmas Bulbs
  9. Christmas Wrapping Paper
  10. Christmas Cards
  11. Gifts
  12. Both big dogs showered
  13. House is clean

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Ornament Swaps & the Secret Santa Shindig partner revealed

The Secret Santa Shindig was hosted by Kori at My Life as a CFers Wife. Christmas Ornament Exchange 2008 was hosted by Smoochiefrog over at In the Mind of a ThirtySomething mom. The 2008 Bloggers Ornament Exchange was hosted by Pampering Beki. The Island Life 2008 Christmas Ornament Exchange was hosted by Kailani at An Island Life. These are the ornaments I sent out:


I’m anxiously awaiting to see what comes my way.

This is what I sent my partner Rachel over at Something to Blog About. A set of hand painted Christmas tree bulbs, poinsettia salt and pepper shakers, hot chocolate mixes, a snowman cookie and tin, hot tea, Santa notes, Santa ornament and a Santa candle.

I received this adorable box from Jessica with lots of chocolate (made hubby SUPER happy) cute crystal candle holders, a little holiday clipboard, the cutest handmade card and an adorable soap basket with a hand knit washcloth and heavenly smelling soaps.
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BRRRRRRRRRR it's cold

Can I just say that I would rather have 2 or 3 feet of dry snow at 27 degrees than the below zero temperatures with the biting wind chill taking it to -19 any day?? This isn’t even for the birds!

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Tuesdays with Dorie ~ Buttery Jam Cookies


Heather of Randomosity and the Girl chose Buttery Jam Cookies on page 80 for today.

I thought these were going to be too biscuity for my tastes, but hubby loved them. After the sugar cookies last week, this week’s dough tasted so similar even with the apricot jam, but also bland, so I did make a small addition for flavor this week. I added a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice and it helped a lot.

Laurie of Quirky Cupcake formed Tuesdays With Dorie as a form of accountability for baking at least once a week using the cookbook, Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan.
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A Very Vintage Christmas Swap

Heidi over at Foxgloves, Fabric & Folly was our fabulous hostess for A Very Vintage Christmas Swap. My partner was Ann over at Annie Fannie’s Green Acres. Ann sent me this awesome box. She used my love for Snowmen and sent these awesome ornaments and an adorable snowman hand towel. The candle smells heavenly and I really love the heart plaque that she made. It matches my guest room perfectly and looks great in there. Thank you so much Ann. I love it all.

The package I sent Ann was fun to put together. I found these awesome snowflake mugs and filled them with fun hot chocolates and snowman & santa painted cinnamon sticks. To that I added some Mistletoe Mocha Coffee, a snowman cookie, a set of holly salt and pepper shakers, snowman placemats, a cute hot pad, a quilted ornament and a jingle bell tealight tree.

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Homemaker Monday, Making a Happy Home Monday & Tempt My Tummy Tuesday ~ Tropical Blueberry Coffee Cake & Chocolate Caramel Toffee Nut Fudge

I like to have this coffee cake around at this time of year for when people drop in unexpectedly. It’s wonderful with coffee.

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
TROPICAL BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE
1 large can crushed pineapple
2-3 cups blueberries*
1 small very ripe banana
1 white or yellow cake mix
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup coconut
3/4 cup butter, melted

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray a 9×13 baking dish with PURE.
  • Pour entire contents of pineapple can along the bottom.
  • Sprinkle the blueberries over top of pineapple.
  • In a mini food processor whip banana until liquidity.
  • Pour over top of blueberries.
  • Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the fruit.
  • Evenly sprinkle the nuts and coconut over the cake mix.
  • Pour the butter last over top, trying to get a thin even layer everywhere.
  • Bake 45 minutes to an hour or coconut turns crisp and golden.

*If using frozen berries, defrost them first.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL TOFFEE NUT FUDGE

1 cup + 1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup + 1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup + 1/4 cup + 1/4 cup JIF creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups marshmallow cream
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup Heath Bar toffee bits
14 ounces caramels
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

  • Spray a 9×13 baking dish with PURE.
  • For the first layer combine 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cup butterscotch chips and 1/4 cup peanut butter in a heavy saucepan*. Melt and blend together until smooth, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Pour into bottom of baking dish and chill until set.
  • For the second layer melt the butter in a heavy saucepan*. Whisk in the sugar and evaporated milk while bringing to a boil. Stir constantly for 5 minutes and then remove from heat and immediately stir in marshmallow cream, 1/4 cup peanut butter and the vanilla. Add the walnuts and toffee. Spread over the bottom layer and return to the refrigerator to set.
  • In a heavy saucepan* melt the caramels and heavy cream together and stir until smooth. Spread over the peanut layer and return to the refrigerator to set.
  • In a heavy saucepan* combine the remaining chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and peanut butter over a low heat until melted and smooth. Pour over the other layers and return to the refrigerator for at least an hour.
  • Cut into squares.
  • Keep refrigerated.

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