French Christmas Cookies

1/2 cup butter softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup whole milk
2 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups milk chocolate chips
2 cups finely chopped walnuts

Topping:
1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips melted

1.)  In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in the milk.  Gradually add the crumbs and mix well.  Stir in chips and walnuts.

2.) Fill miniature foil baking cups three- fourths full.  Place cups 1" apart on baking sheets.  Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until set.  Cool on wire racks.  Top each cookie with 1/4 tsp. melted chocolate, if desired.  Store in the refrigerator.

Yields: 9 1/2 dozen

Snowman Ornament

You probably have all seen the ornament where you paint a childs hand and fingers white and then let them hold a ball ornament and then finish them out with face and all.

In 2016 I used the small canvass and painted 4 of Teigans fingers with white paint and had her put them onto the canvas that I had painted blue.  I finished the snowman out with faces, scarfs, and hats.  Then I put snowtex along the bottom with glitter and put on a small jute hanger.

The canvas is like a 2.5 by 2.5.

Address Labels

I ordered Christmas address labels today.  (Tuesday the 3rd) Had been looking at them and decided to do while a discount was offered.  I wasn't rushed in trying to make up my mind so could think about it and also another expense off now besides later with other stuff.

I posted a cookie recipe also today----post below.

Creme de Menthe Cheesecake Cookies

1 tube (16 1/2 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
6 tbsp. all purpose flour
1 large egg
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 1/3 cups Andes creme de menthe baking chips

green candy coating disks and sprinkles, optional

1.) Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, beat cookie dough and flour until blended and dough is softened.  Beat in egg.  Add cream cheese, beat until smooth.  Stir in baking chips. (dough will be soft)

2.) Drop dough by tablespoons 2" apart onto ungreased baking sheets.  Bake 11-13 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown.  Cool 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

3.)  If decorating cookies, melt candy coating in a microwave.  Cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag or in a corner of a food-safe plastic bag; insert a small round pastry tip.  Fill bag with melted coating.  Pipe designs onto cookies decorate with sprinkles.

To Make Ahead:  Bake and cool cookies as directed.  Freeze for up to 1 month.  Several hours before serving proceed with finishing cookies as directed.

Microwave Peanut Brittle

1 cup raw peanuts
1 cup sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 cup white corn syrup

Spray cookie sheet with oil.  Cook above ingredients in microwave on high for 3 minutes 20 seconds.  Take out and stir after this time then put back in for another 3 minutes and 20 seconds.  When buzzer goes off take out and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda.  Stir until foaming and then dump onto sprayed cookie sheet and spread quickly. Using 2 greased butter knives work good for this.

My sister and her friend gave this out at Christmas and it was very good.  I have not made it yet.  I love cashew and pecan brittle so might try it with them and see how it works.

Wish Box

Several years ago I had a decorative box (red and white striped) that I kept out all year and people would write down something that they wanted when they thought of it or as I heard somebody mention something I would write it on a slip with name and put it in there.  Then when time to buy stuff I would go through and see.  Granted hubby didn't do it so I had to listen for him to mention----that would be when he was doing something and hed say I need to buy whatever to do this.

I pick stuff up all year for Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers--but come July I really start trying to get a couple things here and there for gifts, stockings and also baking/candy making items when I go to town.  Or if I give gift cards I get one here and there and items for game prizes I always look for.

It is time to think about Christmas!

It is July 1st and with many means Christmas in July!

I think of Christmas always---when I see recipes, games to try, shopping for gifts and stocking stuffers.

This month I would like to think about decorating the yard.  We use to go ALL out and then got away from it when my hubby was down some but really hoping to get back to it.

What ideals would you like to try this year?  Inside, outside, meal wise, gift giving, games, charities etc..

Last year we also did Christmas bingo.  Have also let people draw a card when they came in and then had a card on a gift and they received it.  I normally mark a plate or cup and then they get a gift card.  Last year I put a scratcher ticket on the bottom of each plate and the one without got a gift card to Hobby Lobby.  (I keep the gift cards at $10)  I would like to get some different ideals this year.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!!!