Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas

According to Southern folklore, Black Eyed Peas should be the  first food to be eaten on New Year's Day for luck and prosperity throughout the year ahead.

Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb dried black eyed peas, rinsed
4 cups water
1 cup ham steak
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 green chilies, chopped
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
Salt and Pepper

Instructions
Soak beans at least 8 hrs in a large bowl with 6-8 cups of water.
Drain. Add beans to the slow cooker
Add in water, ham, onion, green chilies, garlic, chili powder, pepper and cumin. Stir gently to combine
Cook on high for 6 hours check  seasoning and tweek if necessary.

52 Week Money Challenge

Red Pomegranate Margaritas

Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

All you need are a few minutes and a few ingredients to make it.  So if you love hot chocolate, I highly recommend giving it a try.  It will definitely help keep you warm all season long. 

This peppermint white hot chocolate recipe is simple to make, and perfectly sweetened with peppermint.

Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:
4 cups of milk 
8 oz. white chocolate, chopped into small pieces (or white chocolate chips)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (or more/less to taste)

Optional toppings: whipped cream, crushed peppermints, marshmallows

Directions:
Stir the milk and chopped white chocolate together in a medium saucepan.  Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a simmer and the chocolate is melted.  (Do not let it come to a boil or let the chocolate burn on the bottom.)  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and peppermint extract.

Serve warm, with optional toppings if desired. Rum also adds a whole nother layer of flavor.

Greatest Gift

🎁No matter what you did or didn't get for Christmas just remember the greatest gift is free and always available upon request.🎁

📖Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.📖
-James 1:17

2016 Gift Buying Tip

Merry Christmas

🎶Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God send us salvation,
That blessed Christmas morn:
Go, Tell It On The Mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, Tell It On The Mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.🎶

Breakfast Bake

If you are looking for a breakfast to start off Christmas morning  (or anyday, really) here one is. It’s a bit of a fun twist on a regular old egg bake. You can switch the meat for whatever you like or have on hand. I was worried the tortillas were going to be soggy if I put the eggs in the night before but I did it anyways and it was awesome. The eggs run into the tortillas and it’s so yummy.

Breakfast Bake

Ingredients:
1 lb sausage, browned
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 (8 in) flour tortillas
6 eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 oz package Real Bacon Bits

Directions:
Spray 13x9 in pan with cooking spray
In a large bowl stir together browned sausage, 1 c. cheese and 1/2 of the package of bacon bits.
Place a 1/8 of the mixture down the center of a tortilla. Roll up and place seem side down in baking dish. Repeat until all tortillas are filled.
In another large bowl beat eggs, half and half, four and salt. Pour over the tortillas in the pan. You can cover the dish and place in the fridge or baked immediately.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Uncover dish and sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese over tortillas. Sprinkle the rest of the bacon bits over cheese. Cover baking dish and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover dish and bake 10 minutes longer or until set and cheese is melted.

Cinnamon Candles

Candy Cane Cherry and Cream Cheese Danish

This is a perfect festive holiday recipe to add to your “go-to” collection!  Cream cheese and cherries wrapped in warm bread?  What can be better?

Candy Cane Cherry & Cream Cheese Danish

Ingredients:
2 cans of Pillsbury crescent rolls
1 package cream cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 can cherry pie filing

For the glaze:
Powdered sugar
Milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:
Set two roll sections aside for candy cane stripes. Lay out remaining crescent roll sections in the shape of a candy cane making sure to overlap the edges slightly. Use a knife to cut out your candy cane shape.
Mix together your cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Spread on top of your candy candy shape. Spoon your cherry pie filling on top of your cream cheese filling.
Using the remaining two roll sections, cut off long strips, twirl and lay on top of your filling to create a candy cane look.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until bread is golden brown.

For the Glaze
Mix together ingredients alternating between powdered sugar and milk until desired consistency is obtained.

Christmas Tree Brownies

These adorable treats are easy to make and will be a great hit at any holiday function.

Christmas  Tree Brownies

Ingredients:
1 box brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg called for on brownie mix box
Pillsbury Garland Green frosting 
(Sprinkles from frosting)
Miniature candy canes

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch square pan with foil so foil extends about 2 inches over sides of pan. Grease bottom only of foil with cooking spray or shortening. Make and bake brownie mix as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove brownie from pan by lifting foil; peel foil away.

To cut brownie into triangles, cut into 3 rows. Cut each row into 5 triangles, (see photo). Save smaller pieces for snacking.

Stir food color into frosting. Spoon frosting into small resealable food-storage plastic bag; partially seal bag. Cut off tiny bottom corner of bag. Squeeze bag to pipe frosting over brownies. Sprinkle with decors.

Break off curved end of candy cane; insert straight piece into bottoms of triangles to make tree trunks.

Casting All Your Cares

📌Remember no matter what obstacles life may throw your way, that someone always has your back.📌

📖Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. - 1 Peter 5:7📖

Crayon Christmas Ornament

Mini Eggnog Cheesecakes

Easy and luscious mini eggnog cheesecakes, flavored for the season. Served in individual portions making this a perfect party dessert.

Mini Eggnog Cheesecakes

Ingredients:

Crust ingredients:
1C graham cracker crumbs, 6 full sheets 
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Cheesecake ingredients:
12oz cream cheese, softened 
1/2C granulated sugar
1/2C eggnog
1 Tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease the cavities of a 12 cup mini cheesecake pan.

In a food processor or large bowl, combine crust ingredients. Divide evenly between prepared cheesecake cavities. Firmly press down to create and even crust. Bake for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile in a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together sugar and cream cheese. Add eggnog, flour, vanilla, nutmeg and salt. Mix until well blended. Add egg, mixing only until just combined. Fill cavities 3/4 full. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until centers are only slightly jiggly. Remove to a wire rack to cool for 1 hour. Transfer to refrigerator to chill 4 hours or overnight.

Serve with sweetened whipped cream and a dusting of nutmeg. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Pringle Can Cookie Holder

Cornflake Christmas Wreaths

These uber cute and very delicious treats will add a festive touch to any holiday party.

Cornflake Christmas Wreaths

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
5 cups miniature marshmallows
1 tsp green food coloring
5 1/2 cups corn flakes cereal
Red cinnamon candies

Instructions:
Measure corn flakes into a large bowl.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Once melted, add the marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted. Stir in food coloring.

Pour melted marshmallows into the large bowl with the corn flakes. Stir until well coated.

Lay out a piece of parchment paper on your kitchen counter. Dollop spoonfuls of the cornflake mixture onto the parchment paper. Grease your (clean) hands with butter or cooking spray. Use your fingers to shape each spoonful into an individual wreath.

Top each wreath with cinnamon candies.

The Grinch Cookies

Kids will love these adorable Grinch cookies. They are awesome for Holiday school parties or any party where there will be kids.

The Grinch Cookies

Ingredients:
1 box of Key Lime Cookie Mix 
Chocolate Cookie Icing 
Lemon Tootsie Rolls
Red Sprinkles or Pearl Candies
Green Twizzler Strings

Directions:
Make your cookies according to the package directions. (You can also make any sugar cookie and add green food coloring as well.) Use the chocolate icing to make the mouth, nose, and eye brows. Put a lemon Tootsie Roll in the microwave for 7 seconds. Pinch off 5 pieces and then split those pieces in half to make 10. Shape them into eyes using your fingers before they harden back up. Attach on for eyes using the icing.  Use red Pearl candies for the pupils. Cut cut off pieces from a green Twizzler string and then cut the top into 3 pieces using kitchen scissors. Attach on the back side using the icing.

Reindeer Hot Cocoa Gifts

These reindeer hot cocoa packets are so simple to put together, and they make great holiday gifts for neighbors, teachers and friends.

Reindeer Hot Cocoa Gifts

Materials Needed:
Plastic Bag*
Hot Cocoa Mix
Mini Marshmallows
Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks
Googly Eyes
Brown Pipe Cleaner
Red Pom Poms

*I happened to have triangle-shaped bags for this project, but regular Ziploc bags work well for this too if you arrange the hot cocoa mix to one corner of the bag.

Directions:
1. Measure your desired serving size of hot cocoa mix into a plastic bag.

2. Add some mini marshmallows to the top of the mix and seal off the bag by adding a brown pipe cleaner to the top.

3. Cut another pipe cleaner and twist around the mid-section of the pipe cleaner that is holding the bag shut to make antlers.

4. Hot glue the eyes and nose to the front of the bag to make the face.

Think Before You Speak

👅We’ve all done it. That moment when a series of words fall from your mouth, a false statement made here or backbiting there, a vicious remark somewhere else, relationships are destroyed and in an instant regret begins occur.

A lot of drama and dismay could have been avoided if we would only think before we speak. Because once words are said they can only be forgiven not forgotten.👅

📖And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
-James 3:6📖

Pecan Pie Bark

A quick, easy and addictive treat. Can't believe that something that looks so decieving can be so delicious.

Pecan Pie Bark 

Ingredients:
2 Sticks of Butter
1 Cup of Sugar
1 1/4 Cup of Pecan Halves
2 Pkgs of Graham Crackers 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°

Lay graham crackers tightly across a lightly greased rimmed baking sheet. Set aside. In a large saucepan bring butter, sugar and pecans to a boil over medium heat for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and poor carefully and evenly over the graham crackers, spreading the pecans evenly. Immediately place in oven and bake for 8 minutes. Allow to cool. Break into pieces and store in airtight container.

M & M Christmas Poem

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Church Windows

Dessert is usually sweet, but how often is it this pretty? Church Windows have been a holiday staple in our house even before I was. These are rich, delicious and addictive.

Church Windows

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 package semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts, optional 
1 package colored mini marshmallows
1 cup flaked coconut, divided,optional

Directions:
In a large saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla and walnuts. Cool the mixture for about 15 minutes, until cool but not to the point of hardening. Fold in the marshmallows and stir until well coated.

Spoon half of the mixture lengthwise down the center of an 18-inch piece of waxed paper. Shape into a 12 x 2" log and place at one edge of the waxed paper. Sprinkle 1/2 cup coconut over the remainder of the waxed paper. 

Roll the log over the coconut, evenly coating the outside of the entire log. Wrap the log tightly in the waxed paper, folding the ends snugly. Repeat with the other half of the marshmallow mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup coconut. Chill until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight. Unwrap each log and cut into 1/2-inch slices.

*I personally omit the walnuts and coconut and it is just as delicious.

Personalized Holiday Plates

Looking for a personalized yet inexpensive gift to give to some special friends this year. Here is an easy way to just let people know you care.

Personalized Holiday Plates

Materials:
White Ceramic Plates
Sharpies
Stencils 

Directions:
Just grab a plate (I purchased mine at the Dollar Tree), pick your desired color of Sharpie and add your own personal design. You can do it free hand or if your a perfectionist like me use a stencil.

Once your finished place the plates in the oven at 350° for 30 minutes. This makes the designs permanent and food safe.

The you could fill them will delicious holiday treats and give those people special to you a personalized keepsake as well.

Nutter Butter Christmas Cookies

Nutter Butter are delicious hands down. They can also make extremely adorable Christmas cookies.

Here are three different ways you can decorate them.

Ingredients:
Nutter Butter Cookies
White Frosting 
Red Sprinkles
Chocolate Sprinkles
M&M's  
Mini White Chocolate Chips  
Pretzels 

Directions:
For Reindeer Cookie:
Take a Nutter Butter, spread a small amount of frosting across top a place pretzel into frosting. Place the M&M's on as eyes using frosting and do the same with an M&M for the nose. Let dry.

For Snowman Cookie:
Dip entire Nutter Butter in frosting and decorate with M&M's and chocolate sprinkles with still wet. For the "carrot nose" you can use an orange M&M cut in half. Let dry.

For Santa Cookies:
Dip and end of a Nutter Butter in frosting and cover with red sprinkles. Add a white chocolate chip as the ball. Let dry. Place on the eyes and nose with a little frosting. Dip the end of the cookie in the frosting to look like a beard. Let dry.

Help Cometh From the Lord

✳There are many stumbling blocks along life’s path, it is then we need to keep our eyes fixed on God, as our source of help.

Whenever we’re feeling overwhelmed, down or discouraged, it is at that time we need to LOOK UP.✳

📖 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

-Psalms 121:1-2📖

Grinch Punch

If the Grinch was passing some of this delicious punch around, I'd have probably helped him steal Christmas.

Grinch Punch

Ingredients:
3oz Peach Schnapps 
3 oz Bacardi Rum 151
3 oz Blue Carraco
4 oz Sprite
12 oz Orange Juice 
Candy Canes and Cherries (optional)

Directions:
Just mix together and pour. Pour over ice if desired. For some added holiday color and flare throw in a cherry and add a candy cane.

Bacon Wrapped Smokies with Brown Sugar Butter

Great for a holiday party or get together at work. Easy to make and they'll be gone before you know it.

Bacon Wrapped Smokies with Brown Sugar Butter

Ingredients:
1 Lb Little Smokies
1/2 Cup Butter
1 Lb Bacon
2 Cups Brown Sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°
Cut bacon into thirds. Wrap each Smokie. Place in a single layer into a baking dish. Melt a stick of butter and stir in a cup of brown sugar. Pour mixture over the entire dish.
Sprinkle remaining cup of brown sugar over top. Bake for about 25 to 20 minutes. Turn up the heat for 5 to 10 more minutes until bacon is crispy.

*For more intimate occasions serve on toothpicks.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Christmas Trees

Strawberries and chocolate are hard to top, unless you add a little holiday flair. This amazingly delicious and adorable holiday treat will be a great addition to any party.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry  
Christmas Trees
 
Ingredients:
12 ounces dark green candy melts
1 pound of strawberries
24 Oreo cookies
White Icing
Sprinkles
Candy Stars

Icing:
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons heavy cream
Add water by the teaspoon and whisk until the desired consistency is reached. You want it to be thick like toothpaste.
Directions:

Slowly melt the candy melts in the bowl, stirring occasionally. 
Spoon or pipe a small amount of icing onto the top of each Oreo. This will adhere the strawberry to the cookie base.
Once candy melts are fully melted, turn the heat to low while you dip the strawberries using a toothpick inserted into the cut end.
Shake off excess candy coating gently. Using a second toothpick inserted into the pointed end of the dipped strawberry, carefully place the strawberry on top of the icing on the Oreo.

Decorate with sprinkles and a candy star while the candy coating is still wet. It will usually dry in about 10 minutes.

25 Books of Christmas

25 Days of Christmas Books

Something great to do with the kids in your life for Christmas. Buy and wrap 25 books and place them under the Christmas Tree. Add a festive blanket and holiday themed stuffed toy to cuddle with. Every evening they get to open one book and spend quality time reading it and cuddling with you.

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness