Santa Hat Brownies

These are soooooooo fun, especially for the kiddos!

Just buy a package of brownie bites, top with whipped cream, a strawberry and another small dollop, and you've got your Santa hat appetizers!

To make whipped cream, mix 1 cup of heavy whipping cream with 1 T sugar and a 1/2 tsp vanilla in a pre-frozen metal bowl.  Beat with mixer until stiff peaks form (it takes several minutes).  It's delish.

Lit-up Trees!

A fun find today at Pier One - for the fireplace mantel!  And they were on sale - along with lots of other holiday goodies!  Love these lighted trees!

Black-eyed pea/chickpea salad

If you like tradition, this salad is great for your New Year's side dish...and if you don't adhere to tradition, this salad is a great salad for any time at all.  We had it yesterday at Thanksgiving - my niece made it - and I loved it!

1 large can black eye peas

1 large can garbanzo beans

chopped tomato, celery, purple onion

Italian dressing

1/2 cup mayo

mix all together and refrigerate for several hours

That's it!

Smoked Lime Cilantro Turkey Legs

These were the hit of our dinner tonight and my son-in-law made them!

For 12 turkey legs, thinly slice limes and chopped cilantro - place under skin of legs,  then mix brine - 8oz. salt, 8 oz honey, 1/2 cilantro and 2 quarts of  water in a pot.   All turkey legs go in pot and cover, refrigerate 12-24 hours.

Next,  remove and rinse turkey legs, let set to room temp.  While setting, start fire in the grill and soak pecan shells in water in same brine pot.  After an hour, drain pecan shells and put them in a open foil pouch on top of coals.

Mix a rub of salt, citrus, rosemary and black pepper and rub on legs.

Put legs on grill unwrapped for an hour, then remove and wrap in foil with butter, back on heat for til internal temp is 165 degrees.   (baste with olive oil during cooking).


These were really, really good!

.

Aunt Bee's Sweet Potatoes

Still wondering how to make your sweet potato casserole tomorrow?  Look no further...this recipe from Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook (remember her from the Andy Griffith Show?) is super delish! I've been using it for years...

3 C. cooked, mashed sweet potatoes (my daughter-in-law has taken canned yams in her suitcase to make this recipe in Brazil and it worked fine.)
1 C. white sugar
2 eggs
1tsp. vanilla extract (if you use imitation, which you shouldn’t, use twice as much)
1/3 C. milk
½ C. butter
1 C. brown sugar
1/3 C. all-purpose flour
1/3 C. butter
1 C. pecans—chopped

In a mixing bowl combine the sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, vanilla, milk, and ½ C. butter. Beat until smooth. Turn the mixture into a casserole dish. In a bowl combine brown sugar, flour, and 1/3 C. butter. Crumble the mixture over the potato mixture and sprinkle with pecans. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. You can do this while the turkey is standing.

Treasure Box

I LOVE finding treasures in small town square shopping - and Belton, TX was no exception!  We found this jewelry box that opens like a puzzle for four bucks!

Skip the malls if you don't like crowds this weekend, and head out to a small town near you and see what you can find on their squares...in the little old shops full of hidden treasures!

Big Tool Bag for the Littles

GREAT idea for the little kids on your christmas list - for under five bucks  at Sears - then fill it with "tools" from the dollar store - large sponge, tarp, measuring tape, flashlight, etc. and your little man/or little woman has her own kit to use when you're repairing, creating, or cleaning - right alongside!  It's a super large bag so it will hold a lot!  And be sure to include a snack of cookies for the little worker, as he/she gets hungry while working!

Leftover Ham?

Leftover ham doesn't have to be used just in sandwiches next weekend...check out this Black Eyed Peas  & Ham mix from World Market!  Read the reviews and try their tips!

Goodie Boxes To Go

Saw these at World Market and bought several.  It's always a challenge to box up leftovers and send them with guests after the big turkey day, as you grab paper plates, foil, or wrap, trying to give everyone something to take - and you never seem to have what you need!

These little boxes are great and so pretty to fill and send guests on their way with their goodies!

Umbrella X 2

LOVE Lillian Vernon, and these two umbrella items are so cute - one for your car - one for your desk!

No more umbrellas rolling around in the floorboard!

Homemade Kettle Corn

I LOVE kettle corn, especially when it's hot out of the kettle, in small town festivals.

This recipe is easy and quick to make at home:

You'll need:

12 cups popped corn
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp water

Melt the butter in a pan and let it foam until browned, about 6 minutes.  Add the brown sugar and water (careful - the water will make it splatter - ) - stir til melted -  toss with the popcorn - and enjoy!

3 Stocking Stuffers

Home Depot has some pretty cool gifts for under $5 for gift giving!  Useful...and affordable! The umbrella is huge and will cover two people easily....and these two flashlights come WITH the batteries...and the screwdriver set is great for those little toys that your  kids get with tiny screws for the battery compartments!

I bought the umbrella and love it!

Salad w/ Avocado Dressing

This salad is pretty...and tasty! (from Cooking Light Magazine)

For the dressing:

Place 1/2 cup avocado, 1/4 cup cilantro, 1 T lime juice, 1 T olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp hot sauce in a blender and blend til smooth (or a small food processor)

For the salad:

Combine sliced radishes, halved grape tomatoes, mixed greens, and then drizzle with the dressing, and top with pumpkin seeds!

Yummy Sausage Sandwich!

A super tasty sandwich!

Brown 1 lb sausage (link cut into slices) in 1 T olive oil, about 6-8 minutes, then set sausage aside.

Meanwhile, heat a baguette bread in the oven according to directions.

In the same skillet, add sliced onion (1 large), sliced green pepper (1 large), and 2 cloves chopped garlic, cook about three minutes.

Add to the skillet the sausage, 1/4 cup chicken stock, 1 tsp hot sauce, and season.

Slice the baguette to make 5-6 inch buns, open and top with sausage mixture, a slice of provolone, then the other half of the bun.

You're done!

Boot Socks

A friend showed me these socks today inside her boots and I went to get some for myself!  They are thin, yet super warm, and fit snugly in your boots for cold winter days!  And...they're super affordable - two pair for about five bucks! Found them in the store in Walmart - and there are different lengths for all of your booties...or boots!

Pita Dippers

A great snacky supper, easy to make...or a great appetizer for a small party...

Slice fully cooked sausage link on the diagonal, 1/4 slices.  Slice pitas into triangles, and grate Swiss cheese.  Place a sausage slice and cheese inside triangles and place on baking sheet.  Drizzle pitas with olive oil and bake at 350 for about 8-10 minutes.

Meanwhile make the dip:  1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1/4 mayo, 1 medium shredded cucumber, 1 T shredded onion, salt and pepper (taste it).

Serve, dip, and eat!

$3 Candles

I found these cute candles with great scents in the dollar bins at Target - they were $3.00 each - very cute for small rooms in your house, or for travel this holiday season! I don't see these on line, so you'll have to check them out next time you're in the store!  Great fall scents...

Movie Bags

We frequent the movie theater so often, and although we love a big tub of popcorn and our favorite candy, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing!

We opted to visit World Market and pick up several somewhat healthy snacks, bag them up, and place them in a basket from which to choose, as an alternative to the above.

We tried to put three items in each baggie:

A dark chocolate pretzel, herbed almonds, and a cheese triangle (Brie or cheddar)
A handful of dark chocolate almonds, roasted edamame and spicy peanuts
A handful of pretzels, almond crush pocky sticks and a small bar of baklava

I have a whole other list of snacks I"m going to try soon as well...stay tuned!

Chicken & Veggie Pasta

This recipe is super healthy and full of fresh veggies!

You'll need:

Chopped celery (2 stalks), chopped carrot (1 large) and chopped onion (1 large).

2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, pulp of one baked sweet potato, chopped roma tomatoes (8), and 3 cloves garlic chopped.

1 lb chicken breasts cut into thin strips.

1 pkg rotini pasta

1/4 cup chicken broth

Place celery, carrot and onion in 1 T olive oil in a pan, and cook til tender. Add in the garlic and herbs and cook 2 minutes longer.   Toss in the tomatoes and sweet potato pulp, along with the broth and chicken, and combine.  Place a tightly fitting lid on the pan, turn down heat and cook 20 minutes til chicken is done.

Meanwhile, cook the rotini (in very salted water).

Toss the pasta with the chicken mixture and serve.

(This recipe needs more salt and pepper, and I think if I make it again, I'll grill the chicken (season it too) and place it atop the pasta dish, instead of boiling in the pan.)

Pretty Purses

I love purses, but I don't like paying big bucks for them, although I do want quality!

Fossil Stores often have 70% off shelves, and that's where the tan/brown tote is from, and TJ Maxx has a great clearance section, where the saddle bag is from!

Check out your favorite outlets for fun finds!

BLAAT

An easy go-to supper you can eat at home, or on the run!

Toast two slices of wheat bread.

Mash an avocado in a bowl, and fry up some bacon, and thinly slice some sweet firm apples.

Spread the avocado on one slice of toast.  Top with bacon, lettuce, tomato and apple slices.  Top with the other slice.   Be generous with all the ingredients.

Serve with pretzels!

Delishhhhhhhh

Cardigan & Necklace

I love Langford Market - a bit price - but they have great sales.  Check out this long cardigan, and necklace.  Go online and shop or visit one, if you're lucky enough to have one in your city!

Chili & Croutonschil

This is a simple chili recipe we used to make when we went camping.  I added leftover cornbread croutons for topping!

Brown 1lb ground beef, with small diced onion and green pepper, until meat is no longer pink, and drain.

Add in one can of whole tomatoes (with juice, and cut up), one can of pinto beans (with juice), 3 T worcestershire sauce and 1 T hot sauce.  That's it.  Just bring to a boil and let simmer about 10 minutes before serving.

For the croutons, dice up leftover cornbread and drizzle with olive oil, and toast until golden, then top with grated cheese and toast a bit longer, til cheese melts. Place atop the chili and serve...

A great, easy, quick meal for a chilly, chili night!

Praline Topping

This praline topping is so good, I wanted to eat the whole bowl!

Melt 4 T butter in a pan on low-med heat.  Add 1 cup brown sugar, and 1 cup heavy whipping cream, bring to a full boil, then let it boil (while stirring) for two minutes.  Remove from heat and add in 2 tsp vanilla, and 1 cup chopped, toasted pecans.  Let it cool.

Serve over ice cream.

Refrigerate any leftovers.

This REALLY good...

Coloring Box

It's not too early to start shopping for the budding artists in your family....love Miles Kimball!

Tostada Time

It's one of those night where I have a little of this and that...and what should I make...so I opted for Tostadas and they tasted great!

I had some cooked, shredded, seasoned chicken (salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder), and corn tortillas, so all I need to make was more toppings.

I diced a large russet potato, a zucchini, half a white onion, and one seeded jalapeno, and fried in a bit of olive oil until browned and tender (seasoned with S&P)

I also diced a cucumber and red onion, and topped with lime juice and orange juice, along with salt.

Finally, I grated some cheese and I had a bit of leftover homemade salsa.

Just before assembling, I heated olive oil in a small frying pan and fried one corn tortilla at a time until crisp, drained on a paper towel and sprinkled with kosher salt and chili powder.

We topped a corn tortilla with the chicken, the potato mixture, the cucumber mix, the cheese and the salsa.

It was really, really good!

Home Sander

We needed a little sander for finishing up a shelving unit, and we found one very affordable, suitable for home projects - at Home Depot! Under 30 bucks!

Muffin Tops!

Thanksgiving cupcake toppers - so cute!  Or you could actually stick them in your cornbread muffins, or individual pecan pies!

From World Market!

Fall Scarf

I just got this beautiful scarf for my birthday, and I really like the colors and the print - by Olsenboye - found at JCP.  Check out all the styles!

Celtic Knot Headband

I saw a friend today who was sporting a cute headband, and so was her baby!  She told me she used old t-shirts and made the headbands this morning!  Here's a tutorial for these cute celtic knot headbands.