Santa on a

fan blade!!!

Chocolate Coconut Sweeties

1 cup butter or margarine softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
Beat butter or margarine until fluffy. Beat in powdered sugar, salt and vanilla. Gradually add flour, beating well. Cover and chill 8 hours. Shape into 1" balls. Using your thumb, gently make depression in center of each ball. Place each ball on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes. Spoon a teaspoon of filling into each depression while warm, drizzle with frosting when cool. Makes 4 dozen.

Filling:
6 ozs. cream cheese softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
Combine all ingredients.

Frosting:
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup water
1 cup powdered sugar
Microwave chips, butter and water in a one quart glass bowl on high for one minute or until it melts. Gradually whisk in sugar until smooth and creamy.

Very good!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

This is a nice change once in awhile.

12 oz package mini semi sweet chocolate chips
12 oz package peppermint candies crushed
8 oz package cream cheese softened
1 cup chopped pecans
chocolate sugar wafers

Blend chocolate chips, peppermint candies and cream cheese together and roll in pecans. Serve with chocolate sugar wafers.
Makes 2 1/2 cups.

Vanilla is............

smelling so good. I started it on 2-17-12. Will give some out for Christmas gifts.

House Seasoning Salt

This is from Paula Deen. I have made it for 3 or 4 years now. I give it in jars as a gift. We love it mixed in with grilled hamburgers and some cut up onions also mixed in.

1 cup table salt
1/4 cup pepper (I grind ours)
1/4 cup garlic powder

Combine the ingredients together and store in an airtight container for u to 6 months. Use on meats and when cooking vegetables.

Gingerbread House

This gingerbread house seems like a cute little one.

Turtle Pizza

4 10"flour tortillas
1 12 ounce package caramel candies, unwrapped
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup toasted pecan pieces

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cut each tortilla into 8 wedges. Bake the tortilla wedges for 7 to 9 minutes, until a light golden color.

Combine the condensed milk and caramels in a microwaveable dish. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, and microwave again for 1 minute. Stir again. When the caramels are melted, stir the mixture until it is smooth. Spread it evenly on tortilla wedges (32)

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave on high for 1 minute, stir and heat for about 12 seconds more. When it is smooth, spread over the caramel. Place the pecan pieces evenly over all. Keep in fridge until ready to serve.

Stick Horse

My kids were quite young when my parents made them each one for Christmas one year. My parents did wood crafts years ago.

BLT Dip

A co-worker introduced this to me back in '01 and it has become a favorite among my family.

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1 pound bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
2 medium tomatoes chopped up
green onions diced up (optional)

Combine everything in a bowl and refrigerate until serving time. I like to make it a day ahead so flavors can mix.

Serve with crackers or toast cut into pieces.

Old Jeans

Several years ago I made my son Ryan, daughter Jaymee, nephews Shane and Garrett and my sister Miranda all a quilt from old jeans. Sew so the seam side is out (my grandma kept trying to get me put the seam side down!) and then I just tied them and did the binding. Would make a easy, nice gift for kids/teenagers.

Few miscellaneous shots

A quilted purse I ordered from Lakeside. Comes also in purple and then a blue and black one mixed.

My daughter Jaymee was 25 on the 23rd so this was her cake. Nothing fancy.

Cranberry Relish

Makes 10 to 12 servings

1 cup chopped pecans
2 (16-ounce) cans whole-berry cranberry sauce Ocean Spray
1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a small nonstick skillet heat pecans over medium-low heat stirring often for about 5 minutes or until fragrant and toasted. Remove from heat.

In a small saucepan combine cranberry sauce, orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice and cinnamon over medium-low heat. Bring to a boil: reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. remove from heat, stir in pecans. Cool slightly cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.

Another ideal from ......

Pinterest. Using old wine bottles to put candies in or even dry mixes for gift giving.

John Deere diaper cake

This is a gift that my daughter (Jaymee) put together for her friends baby shower. She was assembling it yet as the pictures were being taken. We put 2 different sizes of the baby wipes under the boxes and taped the wheels to them. The headlights are spoons with socks wrapped in them. The wagon had stuff animals, clothes, burp rags, a blanket Jaymee made, and the smoke stack has crochet beaded soxs in it. It was the hit of the shower! Lily was due August 2oth but she was born on June 25th (shower was July 1st). She was 3.9 and is now 4 lbs 15 ozs.. She is schuduled to come home on Friday. :) Was taken to Cardinal Glennon in St. Louis.

Clearance Christmas Gift

I found this black throw and pillow on clearance after Christmas last year and brought it for my daughter. She loves pegiuns. This could be made by easily too.

Reeses Peanut Butter Cake

I have been making this cake for quite a few years now and my daughters b'day was Monday and tonight they will come for supper.

Use a chocolate cake mix and bake according to instructions. For the frosting use 1 vanilla can of icing and add about 1 1/2 cups peanut butter-mix together. (if alittle thick just a tad of milk may be added) Frost and then put cut off Reeses on top. This time I just used the minis.

A few zucchinis

to work up. Have some new recipes to try with them. I love all you can do with them.

Ornaments and decorations from...

old game pieces.

Baked Pita Chips and Dip

8 6" round pita breads
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Split pita bread rounds. Brush cut sides with olive oil, then cut into 6 wedges. Sprinkle with garlic powder and bake in a single layer at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes, or until crisp. Store in airtight container. Makes 8 dozen.

Santa's Zesty Mix
1 tablespoon dried chives
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon onion powder

Combine ingredients in a small bowl, spoon into a small clear plastic zipping bag. Seal and use within 6 months. Attach instructions.
Instructions are:
Combine mix with one tablespoon lemon juice, one cup mayonnaise, and one cup sour cream. Refrigerate until chilled. Makes 2 cups.

Popovers

1 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs

Let all ingredients come to room temperature. Stir together milk, butter, flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended do not over beat.
Pour batter into large buttered muffin pans, filling 3/4 full. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 20 more minutes or until edges of rolls are firm.

Don't forget your feathered friends

Decorate a tree for them.

Meatball recipes are posted all over but

there are so many good ones. Here is another one.

Easy Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs

2 lb. package frozen meatballs thawed
2 8- 0z cans pineapple tidbits
18-oz bottle barbecue sauce
1 onion diced
1 green pepper, diced
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Combine all ingredients except parsley in a 4 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting for 2 hours or until heated through. Stir in parsley just before serving if desired.

A pinterest ideal to use for birthdays, Christmas, retirement ......

Using an empty kleenex box wrap it (according to the occasion) and scotch tape the dollar bills together end to end and roll up and place in the box with one sticking up so they can pull them out. The receiver will love it.

Gazing Ball

Using an old bowling ball and the flat glass marbles. This ball is like a seafoam green and I used green marbles on it. Different colored balls and the marbles really make a statement. This is my ball and was made like 15 years ago if not more. A few are missing now. We used the clear silicone glue to place the marbles on. We did several for gifts and all were received well. Bowling balls are sometimes given away free at the allies. Ones that are chipped and old.

Creamy Corn & Zucchini

2 tbsp. Zesty Italian Dressing
2 cups fresh corn kernels
1 zucchini chopped
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 cup Mexican Style Shredded Four Cheese with a touch of Philadelphia
1/2 cup Breakstones's or Knudsen Sour Cream
3 slices Oscar Mayer Bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Heat dressing in large skillet on medium-heat. Add vegetables, cook and stir 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove to heat.

Stir in cheese and sour cream, cook on medium heat 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is heated through stirring frequently.

Top with bacon and cilantro.

Optional: Can drizzle with a squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving.

Presto

1 cup tightly packed fresh basil or cilantro leaves
1 cup tightly packed fresh parsley leaves
1 to 2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a food processor, puree all ingredients. Refrigerate for several weeks or freeze in a tightly covered ziploc container. To use, toss a few tablespoons pesto with hot cooked pasta.
Yield: 3/4 cup

Counted Cross Stitch

A very close friend (started as pen pals) made this for us several years ago. From Ag letters. Below is a crocheted last name that we also have. Either would make nice gifts. I am sure there are several forms of the lettering that you can use to cross stitch from.

One of my favortie

that we received for Christmas one year. Was made by my sons ex girlfriends grandma. The frame is pretty too. Sorry but took the picture looking up.

Nutty Berry Trail Mix

This was in my new Taste of Home magazine I got today and thought it sounded good and would make nice gifts.

1 can (15 oz) mixed nuts
2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
1 pkg. (9 ozs) raisins
1 pkg (6 oz) chopped dried pineapple
1 jar (5.85 oz) sunflower kernels
1 pkg (5 oz) dried cranberries

In a large bowl combine all ingredients mixing well. Store in an airtight container.

Recycle

Have some pretty Christmas cards that you have been keeping or pictures? Use pretty foil paper on the back, put card and then lace. Decorate as you wish.

Wooden heart....

marvel painted and glitter on it.

Barbecued Turkey Bake

1 1/2 cups cut-up cooked turkey
1/3 cup chili sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon red pepper sauce
1 small onion sliced and seperated into rings
1 1/2 cups original Bisquick
1/3 cup cold water
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)

Heat oven to 375. Mix turkey, chili sauce, honey, soy sauce, pepper sauce and onion set aside.

Mix bisquick and cold water until dough forms beat 20 strokes. Roll or pat dough into 12 X 6" rectangle on ungreased cookie sheet, pinch edge to form 1/2" rim. Spoon turkey mixture onto dough.

Bake 25 minutes or until edge of crust is light brown. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Sugar Cookie Cutouts

I have not tried these yet but was recently given the recipe and told was really good.


3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup margarine or butter softened
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
2 cups original Bisquick
Coarse sugar crystals (decorating sugar), colored glitter sugar or granulated sugar if desired

Stir all ingredients except Bisquick and granulated sugar in large bowl until well blended. Stir in Bisquick until soft dough forms. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until chilled.

Heat oven to 400. Roll 1/4 of the dough at a time 1/8" thick on surface sprinkled with Bisquick.
(Keep remaining dough refrigerated until ready to roll) Cut into desired shapes. Place about 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle cookies with sugar crystals.

Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack to cool.

Approximately 3 dozen

Kitty Cookies

Don't forget your kitty cat. Our cat and family cats really like these!




1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 warm water
1 cup all purpose flour
1 envelope unflavored gelatin mix
1 cup powdered milk
1/4 cup corn oil
1 egg
6 ounce can tuna
1/4 cup water

Dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside. Combine flour, gelatin mix and milk in a mixing bowl. Stir in yeast, oil, egg, tuna and water. Stir until well blended. Drop dough by half teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 300 for 25 minutes. Cool completely store in refrigerator.
Makes 8 to 10 dozen

Loaded Potato Rounds

2 baking potatoes
olive oil
1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
6 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1/3 cup green onion, sliced
1/4 cup barbecue sauce

Cut unpeeled potatoes into 1/4" thick rounds. brush both sides with oil, arrange in one layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes, or until tender and golden. Combine cheese, bacon and onion in a small bowl; set aside. Brush baked potato rounds with barbecue sauce, sprinkle with cheese mixture. Bake an additional 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Makes 2 1/12 dozen.

These are really good.

Decorating

Have a bottle collection (or can go to a winery for empty bottles free) and a tree topper collection? Put in a window sill with other ornaments among the bottles for a dazzling display when sunlight or Christmas lights hit them. Pickles our cat would like to check this out to much so I will have to pass on it. Sorry the picture is blurry!

Puppy Mat

Don't forget about your fur babies! Have scrap material? Make a patchwork mat with batting in the middle or old towels.

Christmas Morning Cappuccino Mix

2/3 cup instant coffee granules
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup chocolate drink mix
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 12 oz jars and lids

Blend coffee granules until fine, place in a large bowl and add remaining ingredients. Stir until well mixed. Divide mixture between the 2 jars secure lids and attach instructions. Makes 2 jars.

Instructions: Mix 3 tablespoons cappuccino mix with 3/4 cup hot water or milk. Makes one serving.

Marshmallow Puffs

I am digging up recipes that I made years ago and forgot about and also some new ones that I would like to try.


Arrange marchmallows in a aluminum foil lined greased 9x9" baking pan and set aside. combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a microwave-safe container. Heat on high setting, stirring after each 30 seconds, until melted. Stir until smooth and pour over marshmallows in pan. Chill completely then cut into squares between marshmallows.

I have added pecans or walnuts on top before at times.

Makes 3 dozen.

A rock painted as a pice of coal

This is cute to sit around during the winter. Give it to somebody with the coal candy. You can find several poems online to go with it.

Snowman from the .....

finger of a glove. It has stuffing in it and then glued to a piece of cardboard that has the glitter snow on it. That didn't show up in the picture well. Paint your face and buttons on it and put a scarf. Could make this a tree ornament by putting a string on it and even a hat. Pair of gloves would make 10. Just cut down the fingers. Received this one in a swap several years back.

Carmelitas

18 oz tube refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
6 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips
32 vanilla caramels, unwrapped
1/4 cup half and half

Slice cookie dough 1/4" thick; place slices in the bottom of an ungreased 9"X9" baking pan. Pat to make an even crust then bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Let cool slightly, sprinkle with chocolate chips and set aside. Melt caramels and half and half together in a double boiler over hot water. Spread caramel mixture on top of chocolate chips. Refrigerate for one to 2 hours, cut into squares. Makes about 3 dozen.

An easy gift for co-workers or

friends or etc.. I know this has been around for awhile but I still love it. Purchase a set of mittens or gloves (sometimes you can get 2 prs. for $1-1.50 for 2 gifts) and put in a lip chap, travel size hand lotion, sunscreen small size, hand santizier, packets of hot chocolate, tea, some homemade cookies or candies, gum, lottery ticket scratch offs, post it notes, pen, or even one of the LED keychain flashlights at Wal-Mart for like $2. Even a pair of soxs (can find for $1) can roll up in there. Several more things you could use.

Peanut Butter Chipper Cookies

18 oz. tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup peanuts coarsely chopped

Bleand together cookie dough and peanut butter in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and nuts until evenly distributed. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Let cool slightly on baking sheets, then remove to wire racks to cool.

Approximately 2 to 3 dozen.

Beaded Monogram Ornament

Print out a letter from your computer to use as the pattern to whatever size you want. Bend a length of 20 gauge wire into the shape of the letter. Depending on the letter you may want to use more than one piece of wire. Make a small eye loop at one end of the wire, thread beads onto the wire, then make a small eye loop at the remaining end to secure the beads in place. Repeat for additional beaded wire to complete the letter. Twist beaded wires together at intersections to join them. Add a ribbon hanger to top of the beaded letter.

Chocolate Dip Pringles

Dip 1/2 of a Pringle into melted dipping chocolate, then place them on lined cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Refrigerate until chocolate coating hardens.

Decorate the pringle can with cardstock paper or scrapbook paper.

People love the sweet/salt of this gift.

Chocolate Covered Cherries

16 oz. package powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter softened
1 tablespoon evaporated milk
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 10 oz. jars maraschino cherries, with or without stems, drained
12 oz. chocolate flavored candy coating
6 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Blend together sugar, butter, evaporated milk and vanilla. Wrap each cherry in about 1 teaspoon sugar mixture. Arrange on wax paper in a baking pan and chill overnight. Melt together candy coating and chocolate chips in a double boiler, stirring just until melted and blended. Use a candy dipper to dip cherries in chocolate, tapping off excess. Place on wax paper to cool. Makes about 4 1/2 dozen.

These are very good.

Reader's Scarf

This would be nice for cuddling up on chilly days/nights for reading or just to sit out in. Pocket can always be taken off or made smaller. Takes 2 1/4 yards of fleece and 1 yd. of material for binding. If anybody is interested in the instructions please just ask and I will post them.

Easy kid craft

They can decorate how they want.

Melting Moments

1 cup (2 sticks) butter softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup cornstarch
1 cup all-purpose flour

Icing:
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with mixer until fluffy and light. add cornstarch and flour mixing until well blended. Chill dough overnight.

Preheat oven to 350.

Scoop or roll 1" balls or cookie dough and place on cookie sheet 2" apart. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges just start to brown. Don't overbake.

For the frosting:
Beat cream cheese, powder sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add coloring to shade you want. Can marble with 2 colors. Add nonpareils or other decorations if desired.

Approximately 3 dozen

Turkey Pot Pie

Several years ago when my kids were younger we went by some friends house to exchange Christmas gifts and she was making a turkey pot pie from left over turkey and I have did it that way since.

Depending on how much you are making I use the jar turkey gravy --put it into a large pan, add the diced up turkey meat, and then I add cans of mixed vegetables or just seperate cans of green beans, carrots, corn and diced up potatoes. I add sage, Old Bay Herb Seasoning and some cajun seasoning letting it all get hot together and then I pour that into a dish and I add canned biscuits on the top and bake it at 350 until biscuits are done. We love it.

I add a dab of cajun seasoning to alot of dishes for some reason. Even to my chicken and dumplings.

Christmas Stocking Ornaments

This is from a Country Woman hardback Christmas book (comes out annually-normally in August). It is 5x4!

Red Rock Candy

2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup red cinnamon candies
1 teaspoon butter

Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a saucepan, cook over low heat stirring until sugar dissolves. Cook to soft ball stage, or 234 to 243 degrees on a candy thermometer. Stir in cinnamon candies, cook to hard ball stage or 250 to 269 on a candy thermometer, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and add butter stir slightly. Pour onto a greased baking sheet. When cool, break into pieces. Makes about a pound.

Can add alittle red food coloring to make it redder.

Decorating Ideals

Using kids blocks to spell out holiday greetings.

Other one if doing a candy theme holiday, it would be good.

Christmas Tray

This is from a 11x14 whitewashed wood picture frame. This has a glass in it but I think I will change to a plastic one. Put drawer handles on it. If you have a cricut you could do a design with it, Christmas cards, scrapbook paper, pictures of Christmas from the past, etc.

Peppermint Candy Cheesecake

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup sugar divided
6 Tablespoons butter, melted and divided
1 1/2 cups sour cream
2 eggs
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 8-oz pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup candy canes, coarsely crushed
Garnish frozen whipped topping thawed and crushed candy canes

Blend crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter in bottom of ungreased 8" round springform pan; press evenly over bottom. Blend sour cream, remaining sugar, eggs, flour and vanilla in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add cream cheese and blend; stir in remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter until completely smooth. Fold in crushed candy and pour over crust. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. remove from oven, cool then refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Loosen pan sides and remove springform; serve garnished with whipped topping and crushed candy. Makes 12 servings.

Bedside Catchall

I ran across this ideal and thought it would be a nice gift for a couple people I know. Can use a heirloom one and embroider a new one.

Predd teh open end of a pillowcase about 10" toward the closed end. At the side edges topstitch together. Sew up the middle , creating pockets. Put a button at top of each line of stitching. Tuck the closed end between the box springs and mattress. So handy for books, magazines, remote, glasses etc..

Banana Supreme Pie

1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
3.4 oz. package instant vanilla pudding mix ( I use banana)
8 oz. container frozen whipped topping thawed
3/4 cup peanuts, chopped and divided (I have used pecans and walnuts before)
10" graham cracker crust
1 to 2 ripe bananas sliced

Stir together sour cream, milk and pudding mix. Fold in whipped topping; set aside.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup peanuts on bottom of pie crust, arrange banana slices on peanuts. Spoon pudding mixture over bananas, sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup peanuts. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Makes 8 servings.

My 4th of July banner

My husband got it for me in a box he brought at a rummage sale one year.

Christmas Angels

Angel shelf sitters that I made a few years ago. The really small clay pots are used. Everybody seemed to really like them.

Too-Easy Toffee Cheesecake

2-8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese softened
2/3 cup brown sugar packed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup chocolate-covered toffee baking bits, divided
9" graham cracker crust

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in 3/4 cup toffee bits, pour mixture into crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, until center is set. Sprinkle with remaining toffee bits while cheesecake is still warm. Cool, cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Firehouse Hot Meatballs

40-oz pkg. frozen meatballs
2 15-oz. bottles hot & spicy catsup
2-ltr. bottle ginger ale

Place frozen meatballs in a slow cooker; pour both bottles of catsup over top. Add enough ginger ale to cover meatballs. cover and cook on high setting for one hour. Turn setting to low; cook an additional 3 to 4 hours. Stir before serving. Makes about 6 1/2 dozen.

Snowman Pillow

My sister made these for gifts 4 or 5 years ago. Stuffed the pillow after painting the face and letting it dry. I have made little ones for ornaments.

Few decorating ideals

Chill your bottles of wine, water, etc in a bowl of frozen cranberries.
This ideal has been around but I have always liked it. Group of graters on a mirror with tea lights under them.

Sifters decorated with peppermint sticks or holiday twigs.

Buffalo Chicken Soup

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6 cups of milk
3- 10 3/4 oz cans of cream of chicken soup
3 cups cooked chicken shredded
1 cup sour cream
1/2 to 3/4 cup hot pepper sauce, to taste
2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix
shredded cheese optional

Combine all ingredients in a 5 quart slow cooker, stir well. Cover and cook on low setting for 4-5 hours. If desired, garnish individual servings with cheese. Serves 12-16.

Today is July 1st!!! So that means that......

"CIJ" starts!!!! (Christmas in July) I will be posting a recipe daily and a craft that I have did in the past or one I am hoping to do!

We have 6 months to get stuff done and by starting early we can prepare alittle better and not have so much to do closer to time. By watching sales and clearance items you can pick up stocking stuffers and things.

Do you can your garden produce, or make preserves? People are always appreciative of those items. Salsa, pickles, pickled beets (okay maybe just some people on these), apple pie filling, seasoning salts or rubs, popcorn seasonings and such.

Barbie Doll Sleeping bags

A few years ago I made sleeping bags for barbie dolls for my 2 nieces for Christmas. They really seem to love them.

Cinnamon-Spice Popcorn

3 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons sugar
8 cups popcorn, popped

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter slowly: gently mix in spices and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture is smooth. Place popcorn in a large heatproof bowl. Pour butter mixture over popcorn tossing to coat all pieces. Approximately 8 cups.