Peanut Blossoms

I love Christmas!  I love the Christmas season!  and yet sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed by it all… There is so much to do and only a month to do it all. 
My mom always taught me when I had a lot to do to write a list.  My mom is a  “list maker”, my sister is a “list maker”, but me not so much.  I am the kind of girl who writes a list and then loses it and can’t remember what was written on the list. 
However, times are changing and this Christmas season I am going to be an organized list making kind of girl!  The kind of girl who is able accomplish all of my holiday tasks and remain focused on the true meaning of Christmas.  I will not get stressed out.  I will be organized.  I will relish in the season.  I will enjoy each and every moment.  I will start by making some cookies and writing my list of course :)

My Christmas to do list:

  • Buy Christmas tree
  • Hang lights
  • Buy 3 chocolate filled advent calendars
  • Trim the tree
  • Hang the wreath
  • Decorate the house
  • Write my gift list
  • Shop, shop, shop
  • Wrap presents
  • Bake cookies
  • Make fudge
  • Attend Play Group Christmas Party
  • Host a wrapping party
  • Make Christmas cards
  • Mail Christmas cards
  • Buy an ornament for the MOPS ornament exchange
  • Make something yummy for the MOPS celebration
  • Buy or make teacher appreciation gifts
  • Go to Bella’s Christmas performance
  • Go to Caleb’s kindergarten caroling
  • Volunteer at Caleb’s class party
  • Attend Bella’s preschool party
  • Take the kids on a holiday lights tour
  • Read books under the tree
  • Snuggle by the fire
  • Read the Christmas Story
  • Watch Christmas movies
  • Go see Santa and get pictures
  • Attend the Christmas Eve Service
  • Enjoy every moment of the season
  • Thank God for the miracle of Christmas

Peanut Blossoms
1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 bag of chocolate candy kisses
Cream butter, peanut butter and sugars.
Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
Gradually blend in flour.
Shape dough into balls

and roll balls in sugar.
Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 for 8 minutes.
Place kisses firmly on each cookie til the cookie cracks.
Return to the oven for 2 minutes longer.
Enjoy!


Curried Turkey Pita

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my parent’s house with fabulous food and plenty of leftovers.  I had my fill of turkey and Thanksgiving leftovers in the days that followed, so you can imagine my dismay when I returned home to find an entire uncooked turkey waiting for me in my refrigerator.  The last thing I felt like doing the weekend AFTER Thanksgiving (the weekend I should be unpacking, organizing, and decorating for Christmas) was cooking a turkey.  However I do love my husband (the husband who loves a good turkey and will eat Thanksgiving food long after the holiday has passed) so for him I slathered it with butter and herbs and roasted it to perfection.  Last night we had round two of “Thanksgiving dinner” and today with the leftovers, I made this Curried Turkey Pita for lunch.  If you happen to have anymore leftover turkey in your house, I recommend you do the same :)

Curried Turkey Pita
1/3 cup mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon curry powder
2 cups shredded roasted turkey
1/4 cup dried cranberries
3 sliced celery stalks
1 sliced green onion
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients.
Spoon into pita halves and enjoy!

Lovely Blog Awards

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While I was in Hawaii last week, I received the sweetest email and blog award from the very talented baker and writer of Whisk Whisk Whisk.  Thank you so much to She Whisks for the Lovely Blog Award!Now it is my turn to pass it along to 15 lovely blogs that I read and follow.  I Continue Reading …

Candy Bar Shortbread Squares

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I realize that Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away however we still have Halloween candy lurking around our house.  I really couldn’t let my kids eat all this Halloween candy and I really would have hated to see it all go to waste so instead I decided to make these leftover Halloween Candy Bar Shortbread Squares.  I’m Continue Reading …

And the winner is…

Thank you to all of you who left such sweet comments on my Blogversary post.  I used random.org to determine the winner of the giveaway.  And the winner is… #4 Little Miss Mel who will be receiving a copy of The Food Lover’s Companion. Thanks again for all your comments :) Have a great weekend!

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

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I am on vacation in Hawaii right now.  It has been such a treat to relax with my family, enjoy the warm weather and spend our days out at the beach.  I imagine that some of you may not be experiencing the same sunshiny days that I am at the moment.  Maybe while I am out Continue Reading …