HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

WISHES

FOR 

A

FANTASTIC

2012

NEW YEAR'S EVE APPETIZERS

Crab Dip

Texas Cranberry Chutney

Check out these two 

websites 

for appetizer 

recipes.

CHRISTMAS COLD

Enjoyed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but ended up with an upper respiratory infection with a hacking cough.  I've been taking an antibiotic and cough suppressant.  Can't wait to start feeling better.

FAMILY CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

CHRISTMAS EVE

All the kids and grandkids came for an appetizer - dessert gathering.  The little ones are so excited Santa is coming tonight!  Before they went home, as tradition has it, they opened one present. 

CHRISTMAS DAY

Everyone was back in attendance this morning for breakfast and opening presents.  I think everyone enjoyed their gifts and excitement.  Later in the day, we had Christmas dinner of ham, potato casserole, PW baked beans, green bean casserole, rolls, and pecan pie.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS !

ENJOYED THE EVENING

My husband and I had a lovely evening with Dan and John last night.  Our connection is both family and friends - it's a long story, but we all believe our dear Aunt Zita had a hand in bring our families together.  Aunt Z would have been 82 on December 29. 

Pioneer Woman's Baked Beans

We had appetizers, beef brisket, baked beans, baked potatoes, spring mix salad, deviled eggs,  rolls, and four-layer dessert. The baked beans came from the Pioneer Woman's website.  Everyone agreed they were delicious!  

TIP ON STORING COOKIES

To restore moisture to cookies that have begun to dry out, wrap a wedge of apple or a slice of bread in waxed paper.  Put it in the cookie container and seal.  Remove and/or replace it after 24 hours.

SOUTHERN LIVING'S BEST LOVED COOKIE RECIPES

Gingerbread Men Cookies

Peanut Butter Toffee Turtle Cookies

Chocolate Almond Macaroons

Check out the other best loved Southern Living cookie recipes.

CHRISTMAS CANDLES

Candle HoldersGarden-Inspired Candle Craft

Flower pots aren't just a springtime accessory. Use them in the "off-season" as Christmas candle holders. Place a piece of wet florist foam inside a pot and insert greenery and berries around the outer edge of the foam, leaving space in the middle for the candle. Keep the candle in place with florist's picks. Drill three or four pilot holes into the bottom of a pillar candle and insert florist's picks; poke the picks into the florist's foam.

SUGAR BACON - WRAPPED SMOKIES APPETIZER

Appetizers

INGREDIENTS

Nonstick cooking spray

   1        16oz package small cooked smoked sausage links

 15        slices bacon, each cut crosswise into thirds

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a 15x10x1 inch baking pan with foil; lightly coat with cooking spray.  Set aside.
2. Wrap each sausage link with a bacon piece, overlapping the bacon piece at the end.  Press the end of the bacon piece to seal or secure it with a wooden toothpick.
3. Place brown sugar in a large plastic storage bag.  Add several bacon-wrapped sausages to the bag and seal.  Shake bag gently to coat sausages with brown sugar; place sausages in prepared pan.  Repeat with remaining bacon - wrapped sausages and brown sugar.
4. Bake about 30 minutes or until the bacon is browned.  Serve immediately.

Makes about 45 appetizers.

SOUTHERN LIVINGS HEAVENLY HOLIDAY DESSERTS

Check out the yummy recipes  Southern Living has provided for the holidays!

Hummingbird Cake

The ultimate recipe for Hummingbird Cake.  This is the most requested recipe in Southern Living magazine history.

Snowy Chocolate Baby Cakes

Make these mini chocolate cakes by starting with a devils' food cake mix and baking in muffin pans.  The festive holly garnish is simply red cinnamon candies and fresh bay leaves.

BHG DAZZLING CHRISTMAS DESSERTS

Cake Pop Recipe

Check out all the dazzling Christmas cakes, cupcakes, and dessert recipes from Better Homes and Gardens.

CANDY BOX CARAMELS

Candy Box Caramels

Dress up caramel squares by dipping them in sprinkles, crushed nuts, and bits of candy. Add a drizzling of dark or white chocolate to make them even prettier.  Check out more fudge, caramel, and homemade candy recipes.

SOUTHERN LIVING'S BEST HOLIDAY BRUNCH RECIPES

Holiday Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

Start the most anticipated day of the year with some of Southern Living's favorite festive brunch recipes.

BLOOMING TREE HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE

Holiday Centerpiece

Put a twist on typical holiday table decor with a tree-inspired centerpiece. To create the trunk, wrap a clear glass vase with bark chips. Surround the vase with faux variegated moss and top with nuts, berries, and tiny decorative birds to mimic a forest setting. Bring the "tree" into bloom with a lush floral arrangement of hydrangeas, roses, fresh greenery, and hypericum berries.