Best of Christmas 2011

This Christmas has been special.  I wouldn't say perfect, but really, really good.  Although this post may not reflect any savvy chic ideas, I wanted to share some of the reasons why this Christmas rocked, in no particular order...

• Our neighborhood is especially festive, and the feeling is contagious.  Many homes are decorated and go all out.  Some of our neighbors were kind enough to bring by candy, homemade dark chocolate truffles (which didn't last long!), and even toys for the kids.  I am very grateful to be where we are.
• Having more traffic in the house is great.  Enjoyed a few game nights prior to Christmas and a nice steak lunch on Christmas day.  I love a busy house.

• Whoo hoo for extra hands around the house!  Can I get an amen?  Here, Derek and Dash cleaned some floors.  Family also helped with the kids.  It was sooo very much needed because.... 

• It was a handmade Christmas.    It was fun thinking about the gift recipient while working on their present.  We magnetized Scrabble tiles, as seen in a previous post.  These are nutcrackers picked out by Dash at Goodwill for his Nana.  Then, they got a little makeover.  We dry brushed a little brown paint on the small one and distressed him.  The big guy needed help with his mustache.  And, both had small accent berries added in hands and on hats.
• We can't forget our new puppy love.  We bought her to help entertain the kids and also to give a dog a family.  Since we are home quite a bit, it seemed appropriate to share it with a pet.  Enter: Lady, adopted from Jacksonville Animal Protective services.  She fit the bill of what we needed:  medium size, short hair, and sweet temperament.  She's a great addition!  When your own family wants an addition, please consider a rescue!

• Our family is extremely fortunate and happy to have Nanny with us.  She suffered a stroke on Dec. 10 and was on a respirator for a couple of weeks.  Many people prayed for her.  Although we were uncertain of the future, when she was taken off the respirator, she strengthened and is still improving.  This was our Christmas miracle!  We love you, Nanny!

• Every year now for the past three and for hopefully many more, our second greatest joy is sharing tradition with our children.  Ivy recently turned one and doesn't really understand Christmas, obviously.  She's her normal happy self.  That's good enough for me!

Dash, on the other hand, is in full-on-Christmas-on-extreme-caffeine-mode.  Several mornings he woke me up saying, "Mom, you just missed my favorite Christmas song [on the radio]!"  Or, he was fully committed to singing one when I opened his door.  And, I can't forget how he entertained fellow Walmart shoppers with, "Baby, It's Cold Outside."  He gave up one-on-one time with Dad to decorate the tree, which would never happen under normal circumstances.  When Spike, our elf on the shelf, went to meet up with Santa, Dash cried.  Real tears.

The best was when he got his hands on our friend Gina's nativity set.  He held the angel and directed it toward Joseph, and said in an angelic voice, "Don't be afraid.  Mary is going to have a baby.  It's ok.  You can marry her."  What?!  My kid picked up on that much detail in the story?  It was a proud parent moment.  I was only disappointed that it was time to go and didn't get to hear how the rest of his story would have played out.  I got the same mini-nativity later.  I want to be like my friend, Belinda Hatcher, and leave it out all year.  We love Jesus year 'round.

• The greatest joy of Christmas is celebrating our Savior.  My Pulpit Minister Joel Dalrymple (Jacksonville Beach Church of Christ) says that often people tell him something that touched them about his sermon that he, in fact, did not say.  We just attribute it to a work of the Spirit to convey what we need to hear.  Christmas Sunday (an appropriate day of the week for it to fall on, right?) the sermon was especially meaningful.  I am not certain if I heard what Joel actually said, what I needed to hear, or a combination of both.  Here's what I took away: 

Through years of disappointment in people and even ourselves, sin nature, corrupt politics, news broadcasts, and the like, many have given up on mankind.  Christians, maybe in short-sightedness, only hope for a fairly peaceful life and hope of heaven.  BUT, God thinks highly enough of humanity and his ability to redeem it that He entrusted humans Joseph and Mary for His own care and well being!  Wow. 

I am really not doing this sermon justice by condensing it to that one deep thought, but it is still worth sharing.  Thank you, Joel..  More importantly, God, thank you for believing in people!  What a powerful thought to lead us into a new year.  And, this barely "scratches the surface" of the goodness of God and Jesus.  I look forward to seeing what is in store for 2012.  Happy New Year, y'all!  Blessings!

Recipe Exchange

My friend Jodi Williams, from Appalachian Country magazine (http://www.acmagazine.org/) is known for yummy recipes.  Here is one she borrowed and loved making with her boys for Christmas Wreath Treats.  As an added touch, Jodi added red licorice bows, which her boys would often swipe.  Boys!  Check out her website, where you can view the entire magazine for free.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 (10.5 ounce) package large marshmallows
• 6 cups cornflakes cereal
• 1 teaspoon green food coloring
• 1/4 cup cinnamon red hot candies

Directions

1. Melt margarine in a large pan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir constantly until marshmallows melt and mixture is syrupy. Remove from heat. Stir in food coloring. Add corn flakes and stir until well coated.
2. Drop mixture, by 1/4 cupful, onto cookie sheet. Using buttered fingers, quickly shape into individual wreaths. Dot with cinnamon candies

Find it at: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/holiday-wreaths/detail.aspx

Next, several people asked me for the recipe to Ivy's lemon birthday cupcakes (those who ate the cupcakes at church were from the same recipe).  I doubled the recipe, and it made three dozen.  If you click the recipe link, note I skipped the glaze step and instead made icing.

Ingregients

1 (4 ounce) packagejello lemon flavor instant pudding and pie filling or 1 (4 ounce) package vegetarian lemon flavor instant pudding and pie filling

1 (18 ounce) packagelemon cake mix (2 layer size) or 1 (18 ounce) package yellow cake mix (2 layer size)

4 eggs

1 cup water

1/4 cup oil

Directions

Blend all ingredients in a large mixer bowl; then beat 2 minutes at medium speed.

Bake in greased and floured 10-inch bundt or tube pan at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly pressed.

Cool in pan 15 minutes; remove from pan.

http://www.food.com/recipe/jello-lemon-pudding-cake-72685

The icing was made from a recipe from a friend who has a future in cake-baking.  Amber Rumancik is a cake decorating genius.  So, I don't want to give away her trade secrets.  Tops of cupcakes (made by me, who is NOT a cake decorating genius) included mini marshmallows and Airhead Xtremes candy.  See my notes from the previous post about these, too.

Whew, almost couldn't find this one.  It's a blessing and a curse that you can look up a recipe on your phone and scroll as you cook.  Lastly, here is a recipe for Cheddar Rice Casserole.  I promise it's the first time I ever made a casserole from scratch, without condensed soup.  Since my husband doesn't eat potatoes (he must be an alien, right?), we eat and keep lots of rice on hand.  Many of the ingredients you probably already store in your kitchen.  Where it may require a little extra time to cook, it might save you a trip to the store.  I also added in 1/2 diced green pepper, 2 cloves minced garlic, and topped with  1 more cup of cheese instead of breadcrumbs. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups milk
• 3 cups cooked long-grain rice
• 8 ounces grated sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup soft fresh breadcrumbs tossed with 2 tablespoons melted butter

Preparation:

Cook onion in 3 tablespoons butter until onion is tender; blend in 3 tablespoons flour and salt, pepper, and dry mustard. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Continue to cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened. Add half of the cheese to the sauce mixture; stir until melted.

Put half of the cooked rice in a lightly buttered 1 1/2-quart to 2-quart baking dish. Layer rice with half of remaining shredded cheese and half of the hot sauce mixture. Repeat layers of rice, shredded cheese and sauce mixture. Top with buttered bread crumbs. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes.  Serves 6 to 8.

Picture and recipe from http://southernfood.about.com/od/ricesidedishcasseroles/r/bl30105r.htm 



Feel free to add your own recipe in the comment box or email one for me to try.  Blessings and Happy Cooking!