Holiday Baking

I love to bake - really love to bake.  It's almost therapeutic for me to create something that tastes yummy and brings enjoyment and satisfaction to others.  I'm always looking for an excuse to bake and obviously this time of year provides the perfect reason to bake, bake, bake...

I tried several new recipes this year - some turned out pretty good and some turned out absolutely delicious.  Here are two recipes that we thoroughly enjoyed.  An added plus is they're both easy to make.  Hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

RECIPE #1 is from Allrecipes.

Candy Cane Fudge

Ingredients

• 2 (10 ounce) packages vanilla baking chips
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 cups crushed candy canes
• 1 dash red or green food coloring

Directions

1. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, and grease the foil.
2. Combine the vanilla chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until almost melted, remove from heat and continue to stir until smooth. When chips are completely melted, stir in the peppermint extract, food coloring, and candy canes.
3. Spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan. Chill for 2 hours, then cut into squares.

RECIPE #2 is from Kraft Recipes.

Chocolate Cookie Bark

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. peanut butter
• 1 pkg.  (6 squares) BAKER'S White Chocolate, melted
• 10 OREO Cookies, coarsely crushed, divided
• 1 pkg.  (8 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted 

Directions

ADD peanut butter to white chocolate; mix well. Stir half the crushed cookies into each bowl of melted chocolate.
DROP spoonfuls of the chocolate mixtures onto waxed paper-covered baking sheet, alternating colors of chocolates. Swirl with knife.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Hey Santa!

 

Last night we took Winston to sit on Santa's lap for the first time (isn't this Santa great?).  Winston was so excited and could hardly stand to wait.  When it was his turn, he walked right up to Santa and hopped up on his lap (check out that smile!)  They went through the usual where Santa asked, "Have you been a good boy this year?" to which he nodded and said yes.  (It's a good thing Santa doesn't ask the parents this question!) 

Then Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas.  Winston answered that he wanted a nerf gun, a paint ball gun and a BB gun.  (He's such a boy - we may have a hunter in the making)  I was waiting for Santa to say, "You'll shoot your eye out" or something like that but he just smiled and said he'd see what he could do and for Winston to keep being a good boy.  Winston was walking on air when we left.  It was just too cute!  I can't wait to see what he comes up with next year.  : )

The Gang - Back Together Again

The last one of Bo's group of friends came home from his mission just over a week ago.  They've all been friends since junior high - a few of them since grade school. 

I'm so proud of these boys (really they're all grown up now but I'll always think of them as boys).  I couldn't have picked a better group of friends for Bo.  They're just the best and I'm so grateful for the influence they've had in Bo's life.  They encourage each other to be their best and to go after their dreams. 

This picture was the first time the whole gang (with no one missing) has been able to get together since returning from their missions.  It's great to see their strong friendships endure.  Congrats you guys and good luck on your future endeavors.  I know you'll all do great things.

Delicious Drink - Strawberry Slushy

I usually post recipes for some type of cake or pie or cookies (yes I love dessert!).  Anyway, I thought I'd share this easy and super yummy drink recipe.  Enjoy!  : )

ULTIMATE FROZEN STRAWBERRY SLUSHY

1 cup Lemon/Lime beverage (I like 7-Up but you can use the beverage of your choice)

8 ounces frozen sliced strawberries in syrup

1/2 cup (or 4 ounces) frozen limeade concentrate

Fill a blender 3/4 full with ice and crush. Pour in the lemon/lime soda.  Add the strawberries and limeade. Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.  (You can also rub the rims of the glasses with a slice of lime and dip in powdered sugar.)  Makes 4 servings.

The Real Meaning of Christmas

This is the cutest video about the real reason for Christmas.  A little girl is the narrator and tells the story of the Nativity with her own flair - it's just adorable and well worth a look.

Fun Christmas Pics - Just a little something to help put you in that Christmas Mood

 

Thought for this Month

We had a great lesson in church yesterday.  President Dieter Uchtdorf is one of my favorite Apostles to listen to - I really relate to the way he views the world and his perspective on things resonates with me.  The lesson was on a talk (click here to view) titled "Of Things That Matter Most" given by President Uchtdorf at this past General Conference and it's such a great message for this time of year - well worth the read.  Following are a few quotes from his talk:

"If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most."

"There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions."

"Let us simplify our lives a little.  Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship - the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness and peace."

And one more quote from President Uchtdorf:

"God does not need us to love Him.  But oh how we need to love God.  For what we love determines what we seek.  What we seek determines what we think and do.  What we think and do determines who we are - and who we will become."

Wise words from a wise man.

Christmas Cookies - Gingerbread Cookies

I love to bake and cookies are my favorite treat to make - especially Christmas cookies.  I just came across this fun and yummy looking cookie recipe and can't wait to try it out.  I know Winston's going to LOVE these.  Besides, they're gingerbread (which I love too) and how can you go wrong with gingerbread and frosting?  I think I'll try some with red hots too.  Mmmmm!