• Candied Green Beans
    Recipes - Sides

    Southern Candied Green Beans

    December 22, 2014 - By 

    A Sweet Holiday Side Dish Favorite Green beans don’t have to be just savory. When I set out to create a sweet twist for Rob’s Thanksgiving work lunch, I discovered that Southern candied green beans are that dish—comforting, festive, and shockingly crowd-pleasing. These are now my go-to for holidays, church dinners, or any day I want a side dish that surprises people in the best way. Servings: 8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 4 cans of green beans 1 cup of finely chopped yellow onion 5 pieces of bacon, chopped 1 tsp of minced garlic 1…

  • Brainstorming About the New Year - Printable - Planning for New Year - This Year I Will
    Life

    Planning for New Year

    December 21, 2014 - By 

    Planning for New Year Have you started thinking about the new year? I know Christmas is smack dab around the corner and this year has absolutely flown by! I just can’t believe it. So with all that being said, I’ve started thinking about the new year 2015. I created a printable sheet with 15 verbs to get me thinking about things I want to do in the new year. 15 things for 2015. Now these are not going to be my set of resolutions. That’s way too many. I just used this sheet as a tool to help me think…

  • Crockpot Breakfast Casserole - Wouldn't it be nice to wake up to a nice warm breakfast? This crockpot breakfast casserole is perfect just for that very reason.
    Recipes

    Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

    December 18, 2014 - By 

    This crockpot breakfast casserole is so easy. A little preparation the night before and the next morning you’ll wake up to a nice warm breakfast. Perfect for this holiday season! Servings: 8 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 6-8 hours Ingredients: dozen eggs 1 lb. of sausage (I use HOT) 1 can of Rotel tomatoes 1 onion; finely chopped 4 cups of frozen hashbrowns 3 cups of shredded cheese (I used Mexican blend) Tabasco salt and pepper Directions: 1. Brown sausage and onions. As sausage is cooking chopped it up with a spatula. You want to sausage finely chopped. I…

  • Life

    Top 10 Christmas Movies

    December 17, 2014 - By 

    Starting right after Thanksgiving, I really enjoy watching Christmas Movies. Thought I would share them with you along with great quotes from each movie. 10. Jack Frost (1998) This heart-warming movie with Michael Keaton and Kelly Preston is one that you just can’t go wrong with. Favorite Quote Jack: My balls are freezin’! I never thought I’d say THAT with a smile on my face. 9. Deck the Halls (2006) I was really excited when this movie came out because Ferris Bueller (my fav movie) aka Matthew Broderick is in the movie as Steve Finch along side Danny Devito. Devito,…

  • Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, TX
    Travel

    Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, TX

    December 16, 2014 - By 

    Welcome to Travel Tuesday! This week’s spot is Schlitterbahn. Another detour while traveling in Texas included a stop in New Braunfels, TX, which is about 50 south of Austin and about 30 miiles northwest of San Antonio. New Braunfels is the home of the “World’s Best Waterpark”, Schlitterbahn! Growing up in Texas, you would have thought I’d gone there. However, in many ways I was a bit of a sheltered child… 🙂 The park is divided into a 2 main sections; East and West. The main entrance is on the west side of the park, which is the original Schlitterbahn…

  • Poppy Seed Chicken
    Chicken - Dinner

    Poppy Seed Chicken

    December 15, 2014 - By 

    When Rob was in the hospital a few years ago, my neighbor was so sweet and brought us the best dinner. It was this amazing Poppy Seed Chicken casserole. I finally decided to make it myself and it has become one of my favorite dishes. It’s great to make ahead for those potluck dinners or a freeze ahead meal for those busy week nights. Looking for an easy dish to make ahead? Make this Poppy Seed Chicken for that busy weeknight ahead. Servings: 8 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 2 cups cooked and diced chicken 2…

  • Recipes - Sides

    Apple Cornbread Dressing

    December 13, 2014 - By 

    Do you have your Christmas meal planned out? Still looking for that perfect dressing? This Apple Cornbread Dressing is so flavorful. My favorite thing about it is that it never gets dry. The apple juice and butter keep it nice and moist. Servings: 10 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 35 minutes Ingredients: 1 (9×9 inch) pan cornbread, cooled and crumbled 1 (8 ounce) package herb-seasoned dry bread stuffing mix 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup butter 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped onion 2 cups chopped apples 1/2 cup chopped…

  • Ranger Cookies
    Cookies - Dessert - Recipes

    Ranger Cookies

    December 12, 2014 - By 

    Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}! On of Rob’s favorite cookies are the Ranger Cookies. Coconut, oats, chocolate chips and the crunch from rice crispies make for a cookie that you canNOT just eat one of! Servings: 30 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup butter 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed, light or dark 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. salt 2 large eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1 cup shredded coconut 1 cup chocolate chips 3…

  • Pretzel Square Bites - a little sweet and little salty make for a great party food!
    Cookies - Dessert - Recipes

    Pretzel Square Bites

    December 11, 2014 - By 

    Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}!I love cookies that are sweet and salty. Pretzels, peanut butter, and chocolate? Oh yeah!! Servings: 30ish? Prep Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 0 minutes Ingredients: 1/2 package of almond chocolate bark 1/2 package of almond white chocolate bark 1 bag of waffle pretzels 1/2 jar of peanut butter

  • Lysha @ a Camera & a Cookbook shares 12 delightful Christmas treat recipes for this holiday season. Today she is sharing Oreo Balls.
    Cookies - Dessert - Recipes

    Oreo Balls

    December 10, 2014 - By 

    Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}!A coworker of mine made these, Oreo Balls, way back before they were all the rage all over the internet. Now everyone makes them, but I still love them. Makes: 25 Prep Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 0 minutes Ingredients: 1 package Oreo cookies, crushed 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 package white almond bark 1 package chocolate almond bark Directions: 1. Using a blender or hand held mixer, mix Oreos and cream cheese together. 2. Roll into walnut size balls. Chill for an hour. Melt approximately 3/4 package of both types of…

  • Praline Cookies - an amazing alternative to pralines!
    Cookies - Dessert - Recipes

    Praline Cookies

    December 9, 2014 - By 

    Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}! I love pralines, but often find them to be so sweet that one bite is plenty. When I found this recipe for Praline Cookies, I knew it had to jump to the top of my list. When I made them recently, I was not disappointed in the least! So good. Servings: 24 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 1/2 cup softened butter 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar (I used dark) 1 large egg 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup chopped pecans 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup…

  • This Butterfinger Dip can be whipped up the night before that party.
    Appetizers & Snacks - Recipes

    Butterfinger Dip

    December 8, 2014 - By 

    This Butterfinger Dip is so easy and so yummy. It will be gone before you know it. This is great served with graham cracker sticks or thick pretzels. I really like the Honey Wheat Braided Twist pretzels from Kroger with this dip. Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}! Servings: 8 Prep Time: 5 minutes + 30 minutes to chill Cooking Time: none Ingredients: 1 8 oz. box of cream cheese 1/2 stick of butter 1/2 cup of powdered sugar 1/4 cup of brown sugar 1 tbs. vanilla 3/4 cup of crushed Butterfingers Serve with pretzels or graham cracker…

  • Chocolate Banana Bites
    Cookies - Dessert - Recipes

    Chocolate Banana Bites

    December 6, 2014 - By 

    Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}!I decided to try something a little different for Day 6! These Chocolate Banana Bites are like a little bite of banana pudding covered in chocolate. So delicious! Servings: 30 Prep Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 0 minutes Ingredients: 2-3 bananas 1/2 package of almond chocolate bark 1/2 jar of peanut butter 1 box Mini ‘Nilla Wafers

  • Nutella Pumpkin Bites
    Appetizers & Snacks - Recipes

    Nutella Pumpkin Bites

    December 5, 2014 - By 

    Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}! Today is Day 5 of our 12 Days of Christmas treats and we’re sharing a simple recipe for Nutella Pumpkin Bites. These are not overly sweet and they are not overly pumpkin-flavored either. I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin spice, so I don’t include that in my pumpkin recipes. Give these a try for your next Christmas party! Servings: 24 Prep Time: 5 minutes + 30 minutes to chill Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup of Nutella 1/3 cup of pumpkin pure 1/2 cup of confectioner’s sugar crescent rolls or…

  • Chocolate Chip Cookies - Great to make ahead for this busy holiday season.
    Cookies - Recipes

    Chocolate Chip Cookies

    December 4, 2014 - By 

    Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}!This recipe calls for you to make these ahead of time to allow the dough to harden. This makes it so much easier to ball them out for perfectly shaped cookie. Servings: 24 Prep Time: 10 minutes + 12+ hours chill time Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 3/4 butter 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 tbs. vanilla extract 12 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips Sea salt for sprinkling

  • Snowballs made with Browned Butter
    Cookies - Recipes

    Snowballs {Made with Browned Butter}

    December 3, 2014 - By 

    Today on our 12 Days of Christmas Treats post we’re sharing a great standby. This traditional Snowball cookies are a Christmas favorite in my many households. I know they’re one of my husband’s favorite cookies. I used the traditional recipe, but improved it by using browned butter, which adds a bit of richness to the cookies. Servings: 3 dozen Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes for each batch Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups finely chopped pecans 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/4 cup browned butter 2 tsp. vanilla 2 cups powdered sugar

  • Recipes

    Browned Butter {A how to}

    December 2, 2014 - By 

    1. Put the butter in a sauce pan. 2. Heat the butter on medium high, and stir constantly. 3. When the butter turns to a light tan color, remove the pan from the heat. The butter will continue cook even when the pan is removed from the heat. 4. When the butter becomes a nutty brown color, pour the butter into a room temperature dish and is at the point ready for use. Photo Credit

  • Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Crackers
    Cookies - Dessert - Recipes

    Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Crackers

    December 2, 2014 - By 

    Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}! One of my favorite things about Christmas growing up was going to my Granny’s house. She always had tins full of the yummiest treats that she only made at Christmas. Chocolate fudge, peanut butter fudge, and these chocolate peanut butter cookies. Servings: 60 Prep Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 0 minutes Ingredients: 1 package of almond chocolate bark 1 package of almond white chocolate bark 1 box of Ritz Crackers 1 jar of peanut butter

  • Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
    Cookies - Recipes

    Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

    December 1, 2014 - By 

    Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Treats! For the next 12 days, we’ll be sharing some awesome recipes that you can use for those upcoming Christmas parties and get togethers. For Day 1, we’ve got a new and different cookie called Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies. Servings: about 30 cookies Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 2/3 cup softened butter 2/3 cup brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats 1 1/2 cups flour 2 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 2/3 cup dried cranberries 2/3 cup chopped walnuts 2/3…