Scrumptious Biscuits

We had these today and they were delicious!  Great biscuits for the holidays, for all your dinner gatherings!  Pumpkin Parmesan Biscuits....

Cardboard Art

I saw this in a furniture store on a wall, except of course it was perfectly done with precision.  My "artwork" is not perfect by far, but it was fun framing our wall opening from our den to our kitchen with painted pieces of cardboard, and fabric covered ones, too, to match our decor, adhered with upholstery tacks!

Spaghetti Squash Dinner

Tonight we had spaghetti squash, topped with a mixture of grilled onions, black beans, fresh salsa and cubed avacado.  It was very tasty, and healthy!

Just cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise (scoop out the seeds and goop) and place cut side down on a microwave - safe plate, cook for 18 minutes.  Meanwhile, cook 1 medium onion until tender, add the beans and salsa to heat through.  Top with the fresh avacado, and place the whole mixture atop the spaghetti you've scooped out of the squash.  Enjoy...

Christmas Scene (edible!)

Another fun thing to make for the holidays uses Ranch dressing (in a jar), pretzel sticks, cucumbers and zucchini.

This looks pretty on a small rectangular tray.

Spread the Ranch dressing and pile it up like "snow." Slice the cucumbers and zucchini so that they look like trees, and cut the bottom so that it will stand up straight. Pile up the "logs" on the sides, and you've got your edible Christmas scene!

Appetizer Wreath

This was so fun to make and came out so pretty. I saw it in a magazine and tweaked it a bit to use what I could find.

Line a round dish with fresh rosemary sprigs, and cut out circles from a red pepper to use as berries on your "wreath."  Inside the wreath, roll up thin deli ham, lay out a pile of little turkey sausages, cubes of two kinds of cheese, olives, and a small bowl of almonds in the center.  What a festive dish!

Finger Puppets

These little finger puppets sold like hotcakes at a market today where we helped raise funds to stop sex trafficking.  And you can order them online!  They are so cute! 5 bucks each!

Hot Dog!

Have you seen these retro hotdog toasters?  You can order online, or find them at your nearest Big Lots.  What a fun surprise gift to place under the tree for pretty much anyone!

Savory Bread

Found this recipe today in the Food Network Magazine and I'm making it for our tree trimming party - looks delish!  It's a savory monkey bread!

52 Series

These card packs would make great stocking stuffers!  There are decks for all sorts of occasions - check out all of them!

                    

Olive Oil

Did you know Trader Joe's has cool information on their website?  Check out this Olive Oil Guide - you can print it out, too!  Then purchase one of their kits - a great gift idea!

Yummy Apples

On our TIPS (www.thymemag.com) page is a recipe link for caramel apples. Here's another option, if you're pressed for time.  They taste great!

1 package of round caramel wraps (found in produce by apples)
5 granny smith apples (wash and dried thoroughly)
chopped peanuts
1 cup dark chocolate bits

Follow the instructions on the caramel wrap package to place the caramel on the apples (apples MUST be dry).  Press the chopped peanuts into the caramel. Melt the dark chocolate carefully (read package) and place in a baggie.  Cut a very small tip in the corner of the baggie and drizzle the chocolate back and forth across the apples.

You've got yourself a treat!

Lantern

A great deal of a bargain - this will be so pretty on your table, your patio, or just in your house for a decoration for the holidays!  Just bought this lantern today....

Chinese Cabbage

We bought some Chinese cabbage today at the Farmers Market, as well as some other veggies - squash and carrots.  I was told to stir fry the cabbage. I came home, cut up all the veggies, washed the cabbage, and it's all in a bag ready for stir frying next week. We also snapped green beans, and sliced some jalapenos for salsa.  Cherry tomatoes and other carrots, as well as lettuce, were washed and put away - ready for salad!

If you have a Farmers Market in your area, load up on fresh ingredients and prepare them for the week.

Chinese Cabbage

Cookie Butter

We just got a Trader Joe's store in our area, and were told we must try the Cookie Butter. So we bought some, and it is definitely sweet and good.  Have you tried it?

Spicy Gifts

These spice sets make great gifts!  You can even customize your own. Or you can pick one that is made for your own taste - pasta lovers, seafood, salads, steaks - and more!  And the spices are so tasty!

Brussels & Carrots

Yum...and oh so pretty!  I made this side dish today and it looks good, and tastes as good as it look!  Roasted Brussels with Carrots - try them!

Chili Time

World Market has some great soup/chili mixes, and we enjoyed one of them tonight - white chicken chili!  All I had to add was cooked chicken (I sauteed cutlets in olive oil and cubed), a can of green chiles, and chicken broth.  Check out them all - they're delicious. They would make great stocking stuffers, too!

We served our chili up with grated cheese and a dollop of homemade salsa, with fritos on the side.

Side Dish Orzo

This side dish is easy to make, delicious warm...or cold!  I had it today for lunch!  It's  made with orzo, that tiny little pasta that looks like rice.

Bring salted water to a boil and cook 1 1/2 cups orzo.  Drain, and toss in 3 T butter, and 1/2 cup each of chives, dill, and parsley.  Add the zest of a lemon, and S&P to taste.

That's it!

Cast Iron Cookie

If you have a cast iron skillet, try out this wonderful chocolate chip cookie and bake it in the oven. It was so easy to prepare - you can get your kids to help!

Blue Pinecone

What a beautiful necklace for winter - a blue pinecone pendant hanging from an exquisite chain!  Check out this necklace and the other jewelry at Uncommon Goods!

Bento Set

What a cute lunch container set, a bento box with a thermos.  These are great to insert in kids' backpacks, or in your own lunchbag.  And check out the pretty colors! At Target.

Cubby for your Veggies

This is a great bin for holding potatoes, onions, and/or fruit.  It takes up little room, looks pretty, and is very sturdy.  It's actually on sale in the store - 25% off - right now at World Market!  See it here on line...

Pie Dish

Found this cute pie plate that can be personalized.  We ordered one for my mom, who makes a famous pecan pie.  A great gift idea! From Lillian Vernon.

Stocking Holder

I know...Thanksgiving hasn't even passed yet...but check out this cute stocking holder that sits on your hearth in front of the fireplace.  Cute hooks to hold each family members's stocking.  At Kirklands.

Cute Shelf

What a cute shelf with baskets, and hooks for your coffee cups! Create a little beverage nook in your kitchen or dining area!  It's on sale right now at Hobby Lobby!

Basil & Walnuts

I subscribe to Food Network Magazine and each month there's a little booklet to tear out of 50 ways to make a category of recipes.  One month was salad dressings.  And below is the one I'm going to try this week!

Basil-Walnut Blend 3/4 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons each toasted walnuts and lemon juice, 1 cup fresh basil, 1 garlic clove and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a blender

Adorbz

Saw these children's clothes at a booth today, where vendors sell their wares.  They're pricey, but they are so darn cute, sewn well, and unique - reversible too!  Check out Adorbz.

Spartina 499

I discovered this site today and really like their handbags!  Spartina 499 is the name of the site, and below is a photo of a bag! They're a bit pricey, so save up for this one - and check out the cute coin purses and wallets too!