New Year's Activity & Recipe

In case you're still thinking of a family or party activity to do tonite or the first part of the New Year, here's one we've done often and enjoy:

Turn on exactly 12 lights in the house, and line up 12 unlit votives on the fireplace mantel or on a table.  Print out the 12 questions below and take turns asking and answering them.  As you answer January, turn out a light, light a votive.  Then do February, and so on, symbolizing the end of a year and the beginning of another.

At the end of the activity, the house will be dark except for the 12 votives burning to light the way for 2015.  Then pray together, giving thanks for a grand new year.

• January is about new beginnings. What’s something new you’d like to try in 2015?
• February includes sweets! In a candy box of chocolates, what is your favorite piece?
• March winds bring a change of season.  What is your favorite season and why?
• April is the month of Easter.  Who can we pray for, to receive new life, with you?
• May is when the flowers bloom.   What’s your favorite flower?
• June begins our summer months.  What’s your favorite memory from last  summer?
• July we celebrate Independence Day.  What freedom are you most thankful for?
• August is the hottest time of the year.  Where’s the coolest spot you like to hang out and rest?
• September is when school is in full swing.  What’ s your favorite memory from elementary school?
• October is Halloween!  Pumpkin pie, candy corn, or caramel apples?  Which is your favorite?
• November we give thanks.  Ask everyone to thank the Lord for something from 2014.
• December is Christmas.  What can you give Jesus this coming year?

And....here's our brunch we had, with a recipe for the chicken bacon bites!

Cut 1lb chicken breasts into one inch cubes.  Cut bacon slices into thirds and wrap each cube of chicken securing with toothpick.  Mix in a bowl 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar and 2 T chili powder, then dredge each bite in the mixture.

Coat a big cooking sheet with a rack on top (i used my cookie cooling racks) with nonstick cooking spray, place the wraps on the rack (so the sugar can drip onto sheet), and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes until bacon is crisp.

These are great appetizers!

Zucchini Mozzarella Fritters

One of my gifts for Christmas was Mario Batali's new cookbook, America Farm to Table, and this recipe is from this collection - it is sooooooooo delicious!

Grate 2 large zucchini into a bowl 2 cloves thinly sliced garlic, 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions, and 8 oz fresh mozzarella cut into 1/4 cubes.  Stir to mix well.

Add 1 T freshly ground pepper and 1 tsp kosher salt, zest of 2 lemons, 3 large eggs (beaten) and stir to combine.

Add 1/4 cup self-rising flour and stir gently til barely mixed.

In a large skillet heat 1/4 cup olive oil just under the smoking point, and drop in dollops of the mixture gently into the hot oil  (don't crowd the pan.)

Cook about 2 min on each side, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Serve with lemon wedges.

(Be sure to squeeze the lemon over the fritters - as that adds just ther right flavor!)

Two Little Journals

LOVE these two journals I just got on the Barnes & Noble clearance tables that we always check out after Christmas!  Have you seen them?

This microbus journal is for journaling our road trips in 2015 - it's sleek and so cute!

The small moleskin journal is for carrying in my new purse and this little book fits right in my new wallet!  It will be used for my to-do lists each week!

A Couple of Reads

I got two books for Christmas and I'm enjoying both so far...

Brooke Shields' book is about her much "talked about" mother and the relationship between her and her mom.

The cookbook is Iron Chef Mario Batali's recipes using ingredients from farmer's markets around the U.S. including commentary from each one.

What did you get?

Oversized Wallets

These two over-sized wallets are so roomy and great for your purse - especially when you change out purses often.

I use them to hold all of my essentials so that when I switch purses, I just grab these two wallets, my keys,  my phone, and I make the switch effortlessly and completely, in just a few minutes!

(The orange one came with a long strap, and a wrist strap that are easily removed or attached.)

These are both from Charming Charlies!

Skinny Headbands

These skinny headbands are great to dress up your outfit, or to wear on a particularly bad hair day, because they add so much sparkle, they fit nicely and they are so comfortable! Just put one on and scrunch your hair around it! I have three and I love wearing them!  These are all from World Market.

Air Popper

I got this Presto Popper   for Christmas, and I'm so excited because instead of the corn popping and going all over the place (like the smaller, simpler version of the popper), the corn stays in the bubble, then it turns over and doubles as a bowl.!

California Burrito

A lady next to me on the plane told me we had to try the California Burrito while in San Diego - so we did - and it was our favorite food while there! 

So here's what's in it:

Carne asada, french fries, a bunch of cheese, salsa fresca and of course guacamole.

and here's how you make carne asada:

• 1 1/2 lbs flank steaks ( or steak of choice)
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 lime, juice of
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. whisk together ingredients and pour over steak.
2. Marinade, covered for 1 to 8 hours.
3. cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Serve with flour or corn tortillas and choice of salsa.

Rustic Decor

Saw these cute ideas in a coffee shop:

Pallet with succulents planted inside

Rope on a pulley and lights hanging from it

Aluminum framed as artwork in old wood

Fingernail Friends!

Need something for the kiddos to do, while you're wrapping those last few gifts? Check out these festive fingernail stickers from World Market!   Or...stick them on your own nails!

Cute Jackets

I got a jacket from this store, as well as my daughter-in-law, for under $20 and it makes a great travel coat - washes up greatly - and feels so warm and cozy.

Check out these two styles!

http://melrosestore.com/catalog/junior/wool-trench-jacket.html

http://melrosestore.com/catalog/junior/cowl-neck-trench-jacket.html

Cornbread (with pumpkin)

Easy to make, bakes right in the skillet, and you can take it like it is!

Mix 1 cup cornmeal and 1 cup flour, 2 T sugar, 2 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp kosher salt.

Whisk 1 cup each pumpkin and milk, 2 eggs, and 3 T melted butter.

Stir into the cornmeal mixture.

Fold in 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese.

Spread into hot oiled cast iron skillet, and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes!

Voila!

Christmas Crunch!

Christmas Crunch for road trips, for a snack, or for a hostess gift!

In a large bowl toss two popped bags of microwave popcorn (simply salted - kernels removed), 1 1/3 cups broken pretzels and 12 oz mint Christmas M&M's.  Melt one package of vanilla candiquik according to package directions and drizzle over mixture, then spread it out on wax paper in one layer, and sprinkle quickly with red and green sprinkles while candiquik is still soft.  (candiquik is found on the baking aisle by the chocolate chips).

Allow to harden, then break into pieces and place in clear bags or a pretty bowl and serve!

Water Bottle Deluxe!

I can count on one hand the number of times I've bought something just from watching an infomercial, but today was one of them - well sort of.  I saw this unique water bottle at a great buy and bought it!  Check it out!

It's a water bottle for making flavor infused water using veggies and fruit!  And right now, they are on sale - 2 for $30 - which apparently is way below the normal price.  And a recipe book comes with!

Santa Pillows

Saw these super cute pillows for your guest rooms today at World Market - on sale.  I love the one with the drum!

Sunglasses for Stocking!

Found cute sunglasses today at Charmin Charlie for $9-12!  Check out these cute styles...  These would make a great stocking stuffer or a little treat for yourself while you're out shopping for others!

White Bean Chicken Chili

A great winter soup for your family!

you'll need:

1 bag of fritos scoops
1/4 c olive oil
1 onion chopped
6 garlic cloves chopped
1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
2 lbs ground chicken
3 1/2 T chili powder
2 T tomato paste
1 T cumin
1 T dried oregano
2 cans of white beans, drained (keep juice)
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained
salt and pepper
1/2 c cilantro

heat half of oil in skillet, add ground chicken and cook til starts to brown - about 8 minutes - set aside.

in same pain place rest of oil, add onions garlic, jalapenos and saute 5 minutes.

add chicken back to skillet, with chili powder, tomato paste, cumin, oregano, tomatoes and beans, with 1 c of bean juice.

simmer 25 minutes (add water if too thick)

season with S&P, add cilantro for garnish

to serve:  place fritos in your bowl, top with the chili and enjoy.

BEST scones EVER!

These are such good-tasting scones I can't say enough about them!

3 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 T baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 sticks unsalted butter (chilled)
1/4 cup pecans
1 large egg
3/4 cup heavy cream

Heat oven to 350.  Stir flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Cut cold butter into small bits and cut into flour til mixture resembles crumbs.  Finely chop pecans and stir into mixture (leave some for topping later).  Mix egg and cream together, add to mixture and stir til combined.

Turn mixture onto cutting board - it will be VERY crumbly - just push together into a ball (not kneading too much).  Using a rolling pin gently roll dough into a 10 inch round, 3/4 inch thick, and cut into 8 wedges with sharp knife.

Place wedges on lined baking sheet, bake 22-26 minutes til barely brown.  Don't let edges get dark.  Completely cook before...

Icing -

1 lb powdered sugar
1/4 cup whole milk
4 T unsalted butter melted
splash of strong brewed coffee
dash of salt
2 tsp maple flavoring or maple extract

In med bowl stir ingredients til smooth, pour over scones and sprinkle with pecans.  Let icing set before serving!

Love These Loafers!

LOVE these faux suede loafers from Forever 21 for under $25!  They are comfortable, very soft and a great taupe hue, along with a small heel!

Loaded Breakfast Potatoes

These loaded breakfast potatoes are sooooooooooo delicious and a great accompaniment to any other breakfast entree!

You'll need:

1 1/2 lbs red potatoes cubed
1/4 lb bacon strips chopped
3/4  cup cubed fully cooo=ked ham
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

sour cream

Place the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish and cover with water, cover and microwave on high 5 minutes until potatoes are tender.  Meanwhile, cook bacon over med heat in a skillet until crisp, and remove to paper towels.  Drain potatoes, and saute them in the bacon drippings until lightly browned.  Add the ham, cheese, salt and pepper, and bacon.  Cook over med heat til cheese melts.

Serve w/sour cream.

Found this in Taste of Home Magazine!

Sausage Puff Pancake Pie!

Such a GREAT recipe for the holidays - for breakfast!

In an oven proof skillet cook 1 lb of pork sausage until all the pink is gone, then drain and set aside.

In the same skillet cook two, peeled, thinly sliced apples with 2 T butter and 2 T brown sugar, until apples are tender.

In a blender mix 6 eggs, 1 cup flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 1/2 cups 2% milk, and 2 T sugar - pulse 10 seconds til smooth.

Pour over the apple mixture into the skillet, then sprinkle with the sausage and 1 cup of shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese.

Bake at 425 degrees for about 22 minutes or until set in the middle.  Slice into wedges and serve with maple syrup and/or sour cream!

Stovetop Potpourri

This is another potpourri for the stove that's new to me, and I love it!

It's just 1 cup fresh cranberries, one sliced orange, 1 Tbsp ground cloves, and 1 tsp cinnamon, covered with water in a pan, bring to a boil then back off to simmer.

The scents fill the house!  (Just be sure to turn off your burner when you're leaving or going to bed!)

Chicken Turnovers

These turnovers are a good thing to have on hand (because you can freeze them) for guests over the holidays.

You'll need to mix in a large bowl, chopped, seasoned cooked chicken strips, with 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1 package of thawed, squeezed dry spinach and 3 T prepared pesto.

Unroll two cans of crescent rolls, making four rectangles with each.  Spread 3/4 cup of mixture on each of four rectangles, and top with the other four, pinching the edges to seal.  Slit top if necessary.

Bake on greased baking sheet at 375 Degrees 18-22 minutes until golden brown.

The Clipa

My husband gave me this little gadget and he got it at the Container Store.  It's called a "clipa" and it's used to hang your purse up off the floor.  It works great!  I used it tonite at the theater to hang my purse on the seat in front of me!  Makes a great stocking stuffer!

Gift in a Jar

My niece made these jars for each member of her family, for Christmas.  What a great idea to personalize a gift and present it in a cool mason jar - quart size!

She found the items to go inside anywhere from the dollar section at Target to World Market.  Then she decorated them by category - camping one for her dad, craft jar for one of her nieces, etc.  Super cute idea!

Peanuts Gang

Found these today at Family Christian Store and they were half off - so we snapped up both sets!  So cute!  Great for kids this year...or store them away for next!

Sweet Bobbies!

Found these cute hair pins at a market today in Austin called the Blue Genie Bazaar, but the company who makes them sells them online too, along with a lot of other cute accessories!  Check out Sweettooth Bags!

Snowflake Stocking Stand

I've been eyeing these stands for a couple of years and just bought one.

It goes in front of the fireplace and has six S-hooks for your stockings.

I love it because our mantel doesn't work very well for hanging stockings.  This looks so pretty in front of the fireplace and is super light in weight, so it's easy to move when you want to burn a fire.

It's from Kirklands!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake

I got this recipe from a magazine (All You) and we tried it last weekend - it's moist, very flavorful - and the whipped cream topped it off and made it spectacular!

preheat oven to 350.

mist an 8-in square baking pan with cooking spray, line with parchment.

whisk 1 stick butter (melted and cooled) with 1 1/4 cups sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 cup canned pumpkin, and 1 tsp vanilla extract in a large bowl.

stir in 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and 1/2 tsp salt.

stir in 1 cup of flour, then 1/3 cup milk, then another 3/4 cup flour and stir til just combined.

fold in 1 cup mini chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped walnuts.

spread batter in pan, bake about 55-60 minutes, until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

let cake cool in pan on a wire rack 5 minutes, then invert onto rack and immediately turn cake right side up on another rack and let cool completely.

cut into square and serve with whipped cream.