Having a Ball

Well, actually I'm making cheeseballs for a New Year's celebration. One of my favorites is an easy recipe for a Dried Beef Cheese Ball.

1 pkg. cream cheese
2 green onions, chopped
1 1/4 tsp. Accent
2 pkg. thin sliced beef (3 ounces each)

Chop one package of beef and add to cream cheese/onion mix. Chop the other package of beef to roll the ball in.  Serve with your favorite crackers.

Let's Dance More

I just finished reading The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans. It was a wonderful book. The main character, James Kier is a ruthless businessman.  He's hurt many people in his business dealings. Now he has a second chance to make things right.  At the end of the book there is a quote I particularly thought was meaningful. "Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain." With 2009 ending this quote made me think about how we all need to dance more and enjoy life despite the trials and tribulations that come your way.

My wish for you in 2010 is to dance more and enjoy the many blessings that come our way each and every day.

Easy Appetizers

Looking for some easy appetizers for your New Year's celebrations?  Both of these recipes are not only easy to prepare, but your guests will enjoy them.

Chips and Salsa
Brown 1 to 1 ½ lbs hamburger. Add Mexican Velveeta Cheese cut in cubes and 1 can chilli-no beans. Place in crock pot to keep warm. Use as a dipping sauce for corn chips.


Hidden Valley Ranch Crackers

Mix together in a large bowl:

1/2 cup oil
1 package Hidden Valley Dip mix
1 t. dill weed
1/2 t. garlic salt
1/4 t. lemon pepper
Add two packages of oyster crackers. Mix until evenly coated. Put in ziploc bags until ready to serve.

ENJOY!

Winding Down

I hope each of you had a great Christmas. Ours was spent with my parents, my son and daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. It was a time to rejoice in the blessings that we have experienced this past year. My father had heart bypass surgery in December of 2008 and is doing wonderful. My mother had the same surgery early this December. She was released from the hospital a few days before Christmas and is also making good progress. It was especially meaningful since this was our 1st Christmas with our granddaughter. She is 11 months old. She just started walking and we all enjoyed watching her explore and play.

Now it's time to think about taking down the holiday decorations. I have another week off from work, so I think I'll wait a few days to tackle this task. Today I'm home alone, so I think I'll work on some scrapbooking and catch up on some reading.

More Christmas Pictures

In the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, I haven't had time to post the rest of my pictures of Christmas decorations. In the entry way you can find my corner cupboard with part of my santa and snowman collection.

The big tree is set up in the great room. It contains primarily handmade ornaments that I have collected for a number of years. Guarding the tree is a prim sheep with his Santa hat on. The hat was originally intended for my 11 month old grandaughter.  She didn't want to have anything to do with it.  Under the tree is my copy of The Night Before Christmas.  It's probably considered vintage now. The reindeer on the sled caught my eye today as I was doing some last minute shopping. The bookcase beside the fireplace also has several Santas from my collection. Several are ones I painted during my tole painting days.

The kitchen is often a center of activity during the holidays, so it has to be decorated too. One of my favorite Christmas decorations is the vintage Santa with the Merry Christmas sign in his hand. I remember my mom using this when I was very little. I just had to have it.

Ready or Not?

This past week has been very busy. The Christmas cards were prepared and mailed, Christmas decorating and tweaking was finished, shopping and wrapping of presents was completed, and today the baking of goodies was finished. So, I think I'm ready for tomorrow's family Christmas get together.

Hope each of you have a great Christmas!

Reading Challenge 2010

I've decided to sign up for a reading challenge in 2010. I think this is a great challenge because it will encourage me to borrow books from the library instead of buying them.  I'm going to aim for 50 books. Sign up for this fantastic challenge at J. Kaye's Book Blog. Challenge runs January 1 - December 31, 2010.

I will be listing my books below as I read them.

1. Hunted: Whiteout by Walter Sorrels
2. Just Another Hero by Sharon Draper
3. Claim to Fame by Margaret Haddix
4. Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann Ross
5. Dockside by Susan Wiggs
6. The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini
7. The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond
8. Round Robin by Jennifer Chiaverini
9. The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau
10. The City of Sparks by Jeanne Duprau
11. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
12. Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements
13. The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne Duprau
14. The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark
15. The Beach House by Jane Green
16. The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne Duprau
17. Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber
18. The Walk by Richard Paul Evans
19. The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
20. The Enemy has a Face by Gloria Miklowitz
21. Orchard Valley Grooms by Debbie Macomber
22. Lily Dale: Awakening by Wendy Corsi Staub
23. Lily Dale: Believing by Wendy Corsi Staub
24. Orchard Valley Brides by Debbie Macomber
25. Lily Dale: Connecting by Wendy Corsi Staub
26. One Night by Debbie Macomber
27. 1022 Evergreen Place by Debbie Macomber
28. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
29. Bundle of Joy by Robin Hatcher
30. My Sisters by Ann Roth
31. The Perfect Life by Robin Hatcher
32. Return to Me by Robin Hatcher
33. Sooner or Later by Debbie Macomber
34. One Day at a Time by Danielle Steele
35. Someday Soon by Debbie Macomber

Quilted Christmas Ornament

I found these directions for Quilted Christmas Ornaments on Susan's blog Hanging On By a Needle and Thread. You don't have to be a quilter to make these ornaments. There is no sewing involved. I think a bunch of these in a wooden bowl would look great all year long.  All you need is a 3 inch styrofoam ball and some fabric scraps.

Feather Light Muffins

Looking for something a little different from the regular dinner rolls?  Try this recipe for Feather Light Muffins.  They are easy to make and are sure to be a hit with your family.

1/3 cup shortening
½ cup sugar
1 egg
1 ½ cups flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup milk
Topping:

½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup butter or margarine, melted

In a mixing bowl, cream shortening, sugar, and egg. Combine dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Let cool 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll warm muffins in melted butter, then in sugar mixture. Serve warm.

Be sure to check out Colleen's blog And Baby Makes Five. She's hosting a Homemade Holidays Recipe Swap.

Tis the Season to be Reading

I've really accomplished a lot of reading lately.  At this time of year I always try to read books related to Christmas. Here's what I've read so far:

Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber - This book was recently made into a movie. It's on the Hallmark Channel.  If you haven't already seen it, you will want to check out the Hallmark Channel to see when it will be aired again.

The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans - James Kier gets the chance to see his obituary before he dies. He is portrayed as a ruthless and friendless man. He decides he must make amends to the people he has hurt.

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck - Richard Peck is an author of children's books. The eccentric Grandma Dowdel, the main character in A Year Down Yonder appears again in this Christmas tale. She works her charm on her new neighbors.  This would be a perfect gift for children in grades 3-7.

Twas the Night Before Christmas by Jan Brett - Combine a the wonderful traditional tale by Clement Moore with the wonderful illustrations by Jan Brett and you have a real winner. I thought this would be the perfect gift for my 11 month old granddaughter. I hope this will become a reading tradition every year for her.

That Holiday Feeling - This book contains three short stories by Debbie Macomber, Sherryl Woods, and Robyn Carr.

A Good Holiday Read and Movie

Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors.  I'm so excited that one of her books has been made into a movie. Mrs. Miracle will be appearing on the Hallmark channel tonight. After losing his wife, Seth Webster is trying to make a life for himself and six year old twin boys. The household is in constant chaos until a new housekeeper, Mrs. Merkle comes along. The boys call her Mrs. Miracle. She might just be what this family needs in order to stop living in the past and step into the future and find true love.

Debbie Macomber

Homemade Holidays

Crunchy Chocolate Cups

1 package (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1 package (11 oz.) butterscotch chips
1 package 910 0z.) peanut butter chips
1 cup coarsely crushed cornflakes
1/2 cup chopped peanuts

In a large saucepan melt the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter chips over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in cornflakes and peanuts. Let stand for 10-15 minutes or until slightly cooled. Drop by teaspoonful into miniature foil cups placed on a 15" x 19" baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm.


Colleen is hosting Homemade Holidays.  Check out her blog for some additional yummy recipes.

A Little Peak at Christmas

I just love decorating for Christmas. Some of my favorite decorations are in my dining room. This prim Santa sits comfortably in an antique high chair.  He may have to give up his spot at the Christmas dinner table as another special person (my 10 month old granddaughter) will be occupying this seat.

One of my favorite pieces of furniture is this stepback hutch. My parents gave this to me. Some of my Santas sit on top.

Here are a few other items that adorn the dining room.

Cinnamon Sugared Nuts

This is one of my favorite holiday recipes. It's not only the perfect snack to go with all the holiday cookies and desserts, but it makes a perfect gift for those special people in youe life.

1 egg white from large egg
1 T. cold water

In large bowl whip white and water until frothy with electric mixer.

Mix in small bowl (1 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon). Stir into egg white mixture, ½ at a time. Stir in nuts (2 cans mixed nuts – about 24 oz.) a little at a time until well coated.

Cut a large grocery bag flat and leave it folded double to prevent burning. Spread nuts out on grocery bag in a single layer as best as possible. Don’t leave any open holes in the interior. Bake at 325 degrees (Put grocery bag directly on center over rack.) for 10-12 minutes until slightly bubbly. Cool about 10 minutes. Then use a spatula to scrape nuts off the paper and stir them around to keep them from permanently sticking to the paper. Stir at least once more before nuts are completely cool.

Enjoy!!!  These don't last long around my house.