Breakfast: Cinnamon Cheesecake Squares

UNBELIEVABLY GOOD!

Breakfast Cinnamon Cheesecake Squares

This is one of my family's favorite breakfast recipes!  It is such a good danish recipe and so easy.  The top has a slightly crunchy top crust followed by layers of flaky pastry.  THEN, there is this delicious sweet cream filling followed by more flaky pastry.  It is SOOOO much better than anything you could purchase from a bakery!  It is served warm and if you pair it with some fruit and coffee...your morning will be complete!  Is your mouth watering yet???  Here's how you make it...

Ingredients:

2 pkgs crescent rolls

2 8oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.  First make the cream cheese mixture by combining the cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and vanilla.  Unroll 1 pkg of of crescent rolls onto bottom of baking dish.  Don't worry about it fitting in your pan, it will spread on it's own.  Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the crescent rolls.  Now lay the second roll on top of the cheese mixture.  Pour the melted butter on top.  Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon together.  Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the butter.  Bake for about 35 minutes until golden brown.

Look closely at all that yummy goodness!

You can even half the recipe if your family is smaller, but I think you will want to make the whole thing and eat it all!!!

Tons of calories...but it's the holidays and time to CELEBRATE!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Thanksgiving Leftovers-Crockpot Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

I love leftovers...especially at Thanksgiving!

I can serve leftover turkey for days on end.

I did actually try to do that once.  After about day 6, my family began to revolt!  So if you plan on serving leftover turkey, mix it up and serve it in unique ways.

This is a good one, especially on a cold day.  Even better...whip this up to serve after hitting all those Black Friday sales.  Not much better after a day of shopping!

I am talking Crockpot Turkey and Wild Rice Soup!!!!

Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients:

8 cups of chicken stock

8 oz uncooked wild rice

1 cup of frozen, chopped onion

1 cup of frozen, diced carrots

2 Tbsp chicken bouillon

4 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup flour

2 cups half and half

2 cups diced turkey

salt and pepper to taste

Add the chicken stock and the uncooked wild rice to your crock pot.  Set your crock pot on high.  Add your frozen onion and carrots, pepper and chicken bouillon.  Cook on high for 3-4 hours.

After 3-4 hours, melt the butter in a skillet and add the flour.  Cook for 1-2 minutes before adding the half and half.  Once smooth and thickened, add to the crock pot.  Stir until combined.

Finally add the turkey and cook on high for an additional 20 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste just before serving.

Don't you just love the crock pot?  What a great way to serve those turkey leftovers!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Happy Thanksgiving

A Sprinkle of This and That wants to wish you and your family the Happiest of Thanksgivings!

Be grateful for all that you are and have!

I hope you have a chance to celebrate with someone special.
Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Apple Cider Sangria

Love it!

I am a sangria lover and have been into trying different kinds of sangria.

So when I ran across this idea from http://www.howsweeteats.com, I knew what I would be serving this Thanksgiving!

Apple Cider Sangria

With all that cooking before and during Thanksgiving, I'll be needing one of these.

Ingredients:

1 bottle of pinot grigio

2 1/2 cups fresh apple cider

1 cup club soda

1/2 cup ginger brandy

3 Honey Crisp apples, chopped

3 pears, chopped

Combine all the ingredients and stir together.  Refrigerate for at least an hour and then serve.

The ginger brandy is what lends the autumn like flavor and I always love the way the apples and pears soak up the flavor too.

Ahhh, sangria, a perfect compliment to the Thanksgiving meal!

Hey, did you know that to eat smarter at Thanksgiving you should follow the rule of thirds?  One-third of your plate with vegetables/fruit, one-third with whole grains/starches and one-third with protein should be how you fill your plate.  Wait one second...
I think the fruit in your sangria will allow you to change the one-third of starches to two-thirds! Are you with me????

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Thanksgiving Leftovers Station

When you don't host Thanksgiving, you may be concerned that you won't have any leftover turkey to bring home with you.  At least I do!  So if you are the host, put your guests' fears to rest...

Create a Thanksgiving Leftover Station so they know that they will be leaving with a bit of the feast!

Thanksgiving Leftover Station

This is so incredibly clever from HGTV magazine, posted by http://eastcoastcreativeblog.com

It's like you are creating your own take out station.  Before your guests arrive, set up the station near the kitchen.  Provide containers to hold the food.  You could use some of those foil 9 x 13 pans with lids or you could provide something much more clever!  There are really, really cute take out containers from World Market.  Lots of patterns and colors to make the leftover station look adorable!  Pop a plastic bag inside each container before your guests fill them with their favorite leftovers from the feast.  You will also want to provide some labels and markers so your guests know what is inside.  At this station, some serving utensils are provided as well as some paper towels for easy cleanup.  You will also want to provide some brown bags that you can purchase at the craft store so that your guests can carry their leftovers home.  Decorate those bags to complete the whole fun idea.  They used stencils, but how cute would it be if your kiddos decorated them with their artwork?

So what do you think?  Totally clever, right?

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Make Ahead Thanksgiving Idea-Cranberry Bread

Isn't it great when you can get some of the Thanksgiving side dishes prepared ahead of time?

Absolutely!

Well, I think every family has their list of favorite dishes that have to be at Thanksgiving, or it wouldn't be the same.  Our family is no different!  Our Thanksgiving must have cranberry bread!!!

My mom passed away almost 6 years ago and this recipe for cranberry bread is something my mom always used.  So making and serving it is like a little bit of her is with us.  I don't think we have ever had a Thanksgiving without it!

Cranberry Bread

So here's how you make this moist bread which will be an awesome addition to your Thanksgiving feast.  It makes 1 loaf, so double the recipe if you need more.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 1/4 cranberries, halved

1 egg beaten

1 tsp orange peel

3/4 cup orange juice

2 Tbsp melted butter

Blend the first 5 ingredients.  Mix in the cranberries.

Combine the egg, orange peel, orange juice and melted butter in a bowl.

Add dry ingredients and stir until just moistened.

Bake in a greased pan at 350 degrees for about 40-45 minutes.
Allow to cool in pan for 10-15 minutes before removing from pan to a cooling rack.
You can freeze the bread and just defrost the morning of the big event!

Cranberry Bread

I love this bread!  The citrus flavor is a perfect compliment to the cranberries in this bread and will look wonderful on your Thanksgiving table!

Making foods that remind you of loved ones that are no longer with us, is a great way to remember them!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

A Snacker's Delight: Buttery Garlic Ranch Pretzels

Whoa are these good!

What an awesome treat with a beer while watching a football game

or

an awesome treat to gather in a jar and give to a friend

or

the best way to keep vampires away...

So what accomplishes all of the above?

Why Buttery Garlic Ranch Pretzels do the job!

Buttery Garlic Ranch Pretzels

You won't be able to stop eating these!  Your husband may not kiss you for a week, but if he is snacking too, he won't mind...all will be good with your love life!  Besides, if any vampires are still hanging around from Halloween, they won't come near you!  So have at it!  I am warning you ahead of time, these are not the least bit healthy so plan on running a few extra miles at the gym or just deal with the extra calories once the new year comes.  Bathing suit season is months and months away.  Right?

Ingredients:

16 oz bag of pretzels (I used waffle pretzels, but you can use your favorite style)

4 oz Orville Redenbacher Buttery Flavor Popcorn Oil (found with the popcorn at the grocery store)

1 oz package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Mix

2 tsp garlic powder

Put the pretzels in a large bowl.  Add the popcorn oil and toss until all the pretzels are covered.  Sprinkle on the dip mix and garlic powder.  Toss again until all the pretzels are coated.  Spread the mixture out on some waxed paper and leave out to "dry" for a few hours.  Once dry, store in an airtight container.

These are so good, you may not want to share.

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

The weather is getting cold and the craziness of the holidays is beginning!

That's when the crock pot is your best friend!

Yes, you can have an inanimate object as your best friend...strange, but oh so convenient!

There is nothing better than having dinner cooking for you all afternoon while you are taking care of other important things.

http://www.number-2-pencil.com has a fabulous recipe for a crock pot lemon garlic chicken.

Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

This chicken is so flavorful and so moist and tender.  Nothing not to like, especially because your best friend, aka the crock pot, does the cooking for you!

Here are the ingredients you will need:

4 large lemons

2-3 heads of garlic

1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs)

fresh rosemary

seasoned salt

Cut 3 lemons and 2 garlic heads in half.  Cut a bit off the bottom of both so that they lay flat in your crock pot.  Add a "branch" of rosemary to the bottom too.  After you have removed the chicken insides and rinsed your chicken, season both the outside and inside of the chicken with your seasoned salt.  Season well.  Stuff the chicken with half of a lemon and 1 garlic half.  Place the chicken on top of the lemon and garlic halves you placed on the bottom of the crock pot.  

 

Cover the top of the chicken with the last half of lemon that you have made into slices.  Also top with a few sprigs of rosemary.  

Put the top of the crock pot on and cook on high for 4-5 hours.  (That is how long it took in my crock pot, but every crock pot is different, so adjust cooking time accordingly.)

Remove the chicken and let it rest of 10 minutes.  Carve and serve.

The chicken filled my kitchen with such an amazing aroma.  It was like I slaved all day in the kitchen!

So as the days are getting shorter, yet your life is just as busy...bring out the crock pot!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Thanksgiving Side Dishes-Make Ahead Corn Casserole and Cranberry Sauce

We had just moved up to the midwest from the Sunshine state when we attended a church function.  It was a pot luck and I had my first experience...

You may be wondering what first experience I am referring to?  Remember this was a church...nothing naughty!

It was my first experience eating a corn casserole!

I had never heard of such a thing and couldn't believe how good it was!  Apparently it is a staple up in these parts!

Anyhow, I got the recipe from Paula Deen and it is a must at our Thanksgiving feast.

Corn Casserole

So simple and addicting!

Ingredients:

1 15 1/4 oz can whole kernel corn, drained

1 14 3/4 oz can cream style corn

1 8oz package Jiffy corn muffin mix

1 cup sour cream

1 stick of butter, melted

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cans of corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream and melted butter.  Pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.  Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and top with the shredded cheddar.  Return to the oven for about 5-7 more minutes or until the cheese is melted.  Let stand for 5 minutes and then serve.

You could make this a day ahead and then just reheat in the oven.  When you bake it ahead, leave the cheese part off.  Do that part when you reheat it.

The other easy make ahead dish is your cranberry sauce...nope, not from a can!

I like the fresh stuff!

Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

1 cup of water

1 cup sugar

1 12 oz package of fresh cranberries

Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan.  Add cranberries and return to a boil.  Reduce heat and boil slowly for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Pour the sauce into a bowl and cool at room temperature before refrigerating until serving time.

Two great make ahead Thanksgiving side dishes!

Gives you more time to celebrate the little things that make life sweet like time with those you love on Thanksgiving!

Christine

Thanksgiving Side Dish-Mashed Potatoes Make Ahead

I have to tell you a story about a Thanksgiving nightmare!

I am sure we all have varying degrees of one.  Mine is a good one and will keep you from sleeping for a week.  So be prepared to get some things done with all the sleep you will be missing.

Here's how it goes...

We moved into our current home 10 years ago.  The house was built in 1987 and it needed a lot of work.  But, my architect husband and I were up for the challenge?!  It had good bones and everything was in working condition.  Just needed some TLC and updating.  No biggie, right?  Well, we had been in the house for about 7 months and my parents were coming to celebrate Thanksgiving in our new home.  Excitement abounded!  Needless to say, cooking tragedy happened!  My stovetop stopped working the night before Thanksgiving, all but 1 burner!  Yep, you heard right.  Thanksgiving is probably the one time of year that I have ALL the burners going at once.  I had my menu all planned out and was able to manage with one burner!!!  I started super, super early and cooked each thing one by one.  It's a distant memory now, but I remember the panic...how was everything going to work?

So, I love it when I can prepare Thanksgiving dishes ahead of time and then reheat them right before serving.  Relieves a lot of stress.  And I am prepared in case the stovetop quits!  You never know, right?

I have an awesome make ahead Mashed Potatoes recipe that you will want to include on your menu.

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

This recipe serves a crowd, is easy and you can make it ahead.  Believe it or not, it actually comes from Hungry Jack.

Ingredients:

1 (15.3 oz) box Hungry Jack Mashed Potatoes

6 cups of water

1 1/2 sticks butter

2 tsp garlic salt

2 tsp onion salt

2 cups milk

2 8oz pkgs cream cheese

16 oz sour cream

paprika

cooking spray

chives (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray.  Set aside.

Heat water, butter, garlic and onion in a large pot.  Bring to a boil.

Remove from heat.  Add the cream cheese, milk and sour cream.  Stir until smooth.

Stir in the potatoes and mix until all are combined.  

Spread into the baking pan.

Sprinkle with paprika and bake for 1 hour.

The casserole can be refrigerated up to 48 hours.  Bring to room temperature and reheat for about an hour before serving.  Add chives to make it look really pretty!  While your turkey is resting, you can be reheating the mashed potatoes.

Hope this helps to get you one step ahead of Thanksgiving!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Thanksgiving Munch

Looking for a hostess gift?

Need a munchie while the turkey is cooking?

Just looking for a fun snack?

Well, here it is...Thanksgiving Munch!  Your fellow pilgrims will LUV it!

Thanksgiving Munch

I love to whip this up to have at a moment's notice!  I am also thinking of putting some in jars to give as gifts to neighbors or coworkers.

Thanksgiving Munch

So what's in this mix that you will just gobble up?  (Get the turkey humor???)

There are Cheez It Crackers, cocktail peanuts, caramel popcorn, cheesy popcorn, Cocoa Puffs, Honey Nut Cheerios and pretzels.  You can customize the measurements of each based on what you like!

Whip this up and have it on hand...just in case!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine  

Fun and Cute Thanksgiving Crafts

Looking for some fun Thanksgiving craft ideas?

Well, I ran across a couple that I thought were really cute and simple to do.

Check it out!

Embroidery Hoop Turkey

This comes from www.allfreekidscrafts.com

They have lots of ideas, but I really like this one for the non sewer in me and it is absolutely darling!

Here's what you need to make it:

8" embroidery hoop

4" embroidery hoop

a set of wiggle eyes (you choose the size because the bigger they are, the cuter your turkey will look)

stiffened felt in yellow, orange, grey, red and brown

1 6" square piece of burlap

1 10" square piece of polka dot fabric

scissors

hot glue

black paint

Paint each embroidery hoop black and let dry.  Insert the polka dot fabric into the 8" embroidery hoop.  Insert the burlap fabric into the 4" embroidery hoop.  Hot glue the ends of each separate embroidery hoop to prevent the fabric from slipping.

Cut the stiffened felt to make feathers, a beak, a wattle, and the feet.

Hot glue the small hoop onto the larger hoop.  Note, use the smaller hoop to cover the hardware of the larger hoop and turn the smaller hoop to the side so that it's hardware can be covered by the wattle.

Hot glue all the rest of the pieces into place.  Adorable!

How about an edible craft.  Always a good idea and it can sit on your table for decoration too.

Turkey Treat

Look at the fat turkey from www.cleanandscentsible.com!

Wouldn't he look cute on your table and be a fun item for your guests to take home?

Here's a list of what you need:  

tulle circles (can be found at an arts and crafts store usually in the wedding area)

Reese’s Pieces or M&Ms in fall colors

pipe cleaners {yellow, orange, brown, and red}

google eyes

glue

small clear hair elastics

Place your candies in the middle of the tulle circles and secure closed with the elastic bands.  Leave enough excess tulle to form the “feathers” in the back.  

To form the head, cut the brown pipe cleaner to approximately 6 inches.  Roll up the pipe cleaner leaving about 2 inches at the end.  

Cut a piece of the orange pipe cleaner to form the beak {just over 1 inch}and wrap it around the outer coil of the brown pipe cleaner.  

Cut a red piece of pipe cleaner for the wattle and glue google eyes on either side of the beak.  

For the feet, cut a yellow pipe cleaner to approximately 8 inches and fold the end into three toes.

Now you just have to stick the body parts into your tulle.

Two very easy crafts!

I think you should make both, don't you?

Hope you are continuing to gobble, gobble your way to Thanksgiving!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

• Apple Barrel-20504 Black
• Plaid Stencils-30502 7×10 Blanks
• 8” embroider y hoop
• 4” embroidery hoop
• White burlap
• 15mm wiggle eyes
• Cocoa stiffened felt
• Orange stiffened felt
• Silver grey stiffened felt
• Gold felt
• Red felt
• Hole punch
• Hot glue
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Using the stencil blank and hole punch, create a polka dot pattern. Stencil the polka dots in Black onto the burlap.
    
2. Paint the 8” and 4” embroidery hoops with Black.
    
3. Insert the polka dot burlap into the 8” embroidery hoop. Hot glue the ends around the back of the hoop. Insert unpainted burlap into the 4” embroidery hoop.
    
4. Cut the feathers from the felt using the pattern. Cut notches into the feathers. Cut the beak, snood, and feet from the felt.
    
5. Hot glue the small hoop onto the larger one covering the hardware of the large one and turning the small hoop to the side to where the snood will cover the hardware.
    
6. Hot glue the feathers to the back. Glue the eyes, beak, feet, and snood as shown.

Read more at http://www.allfreekidscrafts.com/Thanksgiving-Crafts-for-Kids/Embroidery-Hoop-Turkey-from-Plaid/ct/1#4cRtiBhyAIiMhwdA.99

• Apple Barrel-20504 Black
• Plaid Stencils-30502 7×10 Blanks
• 8” embroider y hoop
• 4” embroidery hoop
• White burlap
• 15mm wiggle eyes
• Cocoa stiffened felt
• Orange stiffened felt
• Silver grey stiffened felt
• Gold felt
• Red felt
• Hole punch
• Hot glue
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Using the stencil blank and hole punch, create a polka dot pattern. Stencil the polka dots in Black onto the burlap.
    
2. Paint the 8” and 4” embroidery hoops with Black.
    
3. Insert the polka dot burlap into the 8” embroidery hoop. Hot glue the ends around the back of the hoop. Insert unpainted burlap into the 4” embroidery hoop.
    
4. Cut the feathers from the felt using the pattern. Cut notches into the feathers. Cut the beak, snood, and feet from the felt.
    
5. Hot glue the small hoop onto the larger one covering the hardware of the large one and turning the small hoop to the side to where the snood will cover the hardware.
    
6. Hot glue the feathers to the back. Glue the eyes, beak, feet, and snood as shown.

Read more at http://www.allfreekidscrafts.com/Thanksgiving-Crafts-for-Kids/Embroidery-Hoop-Turkey-from-Plaid/ct/1#4cRtiBhyAIiMhwdA.99

• Apple Barrel-20504 Black
• Plaid Stencils-30502 7×10 Blanks
• 8” embroider y hoop
• 4” embroidery hoop
• White burlap
• 15mm wiggle eyes
• Cocoa stiffened felt
• Orange stiffened felt
• Silver grey stiffened felt
• Gold felt
• Red felt
• Hole punch
• Hot glue
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Using the stencil blank and hole punch, create a polka dot pattern. Stencil the polka dots in Black onto the burlap.
    
2. Paint the 8” and 4” embroidery hoops with Black.
    
3. Insert the polka dot burlap into the 8” embroidery hoop. Hot glue the ends around the back of the hoop. Insert unpainted burlap into the 4” embroidery hoop.
    
4. Cut the feathers from the felt using the pattern. Cut notches into the feathers. Cut the beak, snood, and feet from the felt.
    
5. Hot glue the small hoop onto the larger one covering the hardware of the large one and turning the small hoop to the side to where the snood will cover the hardware.
    
6. Hot glue the feathers to the back. Glue the eyes, beak, feet, and snood as shown.

Read more at http://www.allfreekidscrafts.com/Thanksgiving-Crafts-for-Kids/Embroidery-Hoop-Turkey-from-Plaid/ct/1#4cRtiBhyAIiMhwdA.99

Cheesy Crescent Roll Leaves

Here's a recipe idea to do with the kiddos.  I love keeping all members of the family involved in the kitchen and these cheesy crescent roll leaves are an edible craft in which even the youngest members of the family can help.  Check it out!

Cheesy Crescent Roll Leaves

The first thing you need to do is find a leaf cookie cutter.  I had a rather large maple leaf one that I used, but I think I would have preferred a smaller leaf shape.  Anyway, use what you have.  Again, you could bake these ahead of time and just warm them up in a bread warmer.  Or put your kiddos to work on Thanksgiving!

Depending on the size of your cookie cutter, the recipe makes about 8 large leaves per crescent roll container.  So buy more crescent roll containers to make more "bread" leaves.

Ingredients:

1 container crescent rolls

some dusting flour

1 Tbsp melted butter

4 oz of finely shredded cheddar cheese

paprika and parsley (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Sprinkle your working surface lightly with flour.  Roll out the crescent rolls to remove all the seams.  Cut using your leaf shaped cookie cutter. 

Set the leaf crescent rolls out on your baking sheet.  Reroll scraps to make additional leaves.

Brush each with melted butter and sprinkle on cheddar cheese.  To add some color, add a sprinkle of paprika and/or parsley.

Bake 7-8 minutes until the rolls are lightly browned.

You can serve them immediately or allow them to cool.  They should be stored in an airtight container.  Just reheat in a warm oven for a couple of minutes or in a bread warmer.  What a great idea from http://hungryhappenings.com

As your planning your Thanksgiving feast, plot out who is doing what and don't forget to include the kids!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

National Baklava Day

November 17th is officially National Baklava Day!

So, Happy Baklava Day!

Some people think that baklava came from a variation of strudel.  But not so, say Greeks!  The Greeks say baklava has been around for centuries and was developed by the Greeks.  For those of you not familiar with this sweet treat, it is a Mediterranean pastry of many light, sweet layers of phyllo dough with a main layer of walnuts and cinnamon. But, there is no need to travel to Greece...you can make your own!

Look at that!  Don't let phyllo dough scare you!  It is the main ingredient to making baklava and you'd be surprised at just how easy it is.

Gather the following:

1 lb phyllo dough (1 box)

3 cups chopped walnuts

2 cups melted butter

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups syrup

**To make the syrup you will need 2 cups sugar, 1 cup water and 1 Tbsp lemon juice.  Mix the sugar and water together in a pot.  Bring to a boil.  Add the lemon juice, stir and let simmer for 7 minutes.  Let cool.)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Mix nuts, sugar, spices and 1 Tbsp melted butter.  Set aside.  Grease a 9 x 13 baking sheet.  Melt the butter.  Place 2 layers of dough on the baking sheet and brush lightly with butter.  Continue this process until half the dough has been layered.  Spread the nut mixture evenly over the dough.  Lay the rest of the dough, following the same procedure.  Do not grease last layer.  With a sharp knife, cut the stacked dough into diamond shapes. Pour the remaining melted butter of the top.  Place in the oven and then reduce the temp to 275 degrees.  Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until lightly browned on top.  Cool ten minutes and then pour the cold syrup evenly over the surface.

Baklava

I have to tell you.  When we first moved into our current home, we had some issues with our mailman.  Our mailbox is at the street and the mailman drives a truck up to it to deliver the mail.  Now, our mailman didn't seem to like us.  Who knows why.  We are nice people!  Maybe because once the handle fell off the mailbox and just a screw was sticking out.  He made sure to let us know that it cut his hand.  No sooner did we fix that problem, our mailman informed us that he was stung by the wasps that had made a nest in our mailbox...then there were the ants.  I kid you not, it went on and on with complaints!  So around Christmas time, I was baking some baklava and decided to give our mailman a plate full of the sweet treat.  Ok, I didn't decide...my husband thought it would be a nice gesture.  A complete 360 degree turn in our postal relationship!  Our mailman was our newest best friend...brought mail to the door and waved from his truck!  Who knew the power of this baklava recipe.

I hope you get a chance to try it and see just how good it is.

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

A Hunkering for Flavors of Thanksgiving

Oh my gosh!

I so have a hunkering for the flavors that abound at Thanksgiving!!!

I know, Thanksgiving is still a little ways away, but why wait?

What if you could have turkey and cranberry right now?

Well, here's how!

How about a Turkey Pesto Cranberry Melt?!!

All those Thanksgiving flavors in one delicious, warm bite!!!

Turkey Pesto Cranberry Melt

Here's what you need per sandwich:

2 slices of sourdough bread

3 slices of turkey meat from the deli

2 Tbsp pesto

1 Tbsp whole cranberry sauce

1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

butter

On the inside of each slice of sourdough bread, spread the pesto.  Next place the turkey meat on one side.  Top the meat with the whole cranberry sauce and then the shredded cheese.  Now place put on the top slice of bread.  Fire up a panini press, fry pan or George Foreman grill.  While that is heating, butter the bread.  Place that side down first and then butter the remaining side.  Flip the sandwich after 3-4 minutes and brown the other side.  Remove and slice diagonally ( 'cuz that makes it look professional). 

Serve with some sweet potato fries and it really is like a mini Thanksgiving.

The flavors are unbelievable!  You will gobble up every single bite!!!

So if you too are having a hunkering for the flavors that come with Thanksgiving, you got to check this out!

This would also be a great way to serve up the leftover turkey the day after.

Either way, satisfy your craving!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas

You can do so much with quesadillas!

You can serve them the normal way with chicken and vegetables, beef and vegetables or just plain cheese.  Pretty much those Mexican type flavors, but how about something that tastes just like what Philadelphia is known for...a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich in QUESADILLA form!!!

YUM!

Philly Cheesesteak Quesadilla

 You will love the crispy veggies, melted cheese with the roast beef and the fact that it will take you 15 minutes!

Here's what you need: 

2 flour tortillas per person

1/4 cup green pepper, sliced

1/4 cup frozen onions

2 Tbsp butter

3 slices deli roast beef lunch meat

cheddar cheese, shredded

pepper jack cheese, shredded

Swiss cheese, shredded

First, you need to saute the green pepper and the onions in 2 Tbsp butter.  Saute for about 5 minutes. Set aside.  Meanwhile, shred all your cheeses if you haven't yet, mix them together.  Now you will make your quesadilla.  On one flour tortilla add a bit of the cheese.  Then add the roast beef and the green pepper/onion mixture.  Add on some more cheese.  Then top with the other flour tortilla.  The cheese is like the glue to hold everything together so add enough cheese to do that.  Place the quesadilla on a heated fry pan.  No oil or butter necessary!  Heat the quesadilla while pressing down on the top.  Flip over after a couple of minutes and then repeat the process on the other side.  Remove from heat when slightly browned and cheese has melted.  Slice and serve!

I think this has become my favorite way to serve quesadillas!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Free Thanksgiving Printables for Decor and Fun

Who doesn't love decorating for the holidays?  As soon as one holiday is over, I am on to the next with decorating.  A perfect example is what took place on Halloween night.  No sooner had I turned out the exterior house lights, because we were out of candy, I began scurrying around removing all the Halloween decorations.  I say scurrying because the house was completely dark and I didn't want any late night trick or treaters to spot me!  The holiday wasn't even "cold in the grave" when I began shifting to the next.  It's a sickness I think?

I have picture frames that I change out with the holiday and here are some fun things I used for Thanksgiving:

Thanksgiving Subway Art

Always fun are the holiday subway art printables.  Just download, print in color and add to a frame.  Instant decoration!

Thanksgiving Printables

www.kindovermatter.com has links to each free printable from the "Get Calm..." to cupcake printables to labels and place setting tags...you name it and she's got the link!

And finally, a couple of activities for the kiddos.  Do you remember mad libs?  It is those stories where you list some adjectives and then plug them into the story.  You then read the story and it is hysterical!  Well, your kids will find it hilarious!  It is a perfect activity when they aren't helping you in the kitchen.

Thanksgiving Mad Libs

www.mysisterssuitcaseblog.com has 3 different Thanksgiving Mad Libs to use.  So be sure to check them out!

We "dress" turkeys for Thanksgiving, so why not "dress" your house and table too?

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Ham and Cheese Pockets

Looking for a quick, hot meal?

Have you ever grabbed those hot pockets in your freezer section?

How about making your own?

Ham and Cheese Hot Pocket

You know me, I am all about easy and delicious!  So when I made this recipe, I knew it was a keeper!

Here's what you need:

1 package of puff pastry, thawed

1 package of deli ham

8 oz swiss cheese

honey mustard

egg

flour

Dust your working surface with a bit of flour.  Roll out 1 sheet of puff pastry to remove the folds.  Spread some honey mustard onto the surface leaving a 1/2 inch border.  Add the ham to the top of the mustard and then add on thin slices of swiss cheese.  Place this puff pastry onto an ungreased baking sheet.  Roll out the other puff pastry sheet to match the size of the first one.  Place it on top to create the "sandwich."  Use a fork to seal all the edges and cut a couple of slits into the top to allow steam to escape.  Finally, beat one egg and brush on top of the pastry.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 12-15 minutes, or until the top is slightly browned.

This is how it will look when you remove it from the oven, one giant ham and cheese pocket.  Cut it into desired sizes and serve while hot.

Your own hot pocket!  You could really change up the inside ingredients to whatever you wanted.  Just start with the puff pastry and fill in from there!  Now, you'll never go back to the frozen hot pocket section again!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas

Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving for 4 or 20 or you are going to a Thanksgiving spread, I have some ideas for you to make your table or your host's table look festive.  They are easy and colorful!

Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Over at wineandglue.com, they made an adorable centerpiece out of a pie pumpkin.  Just cut off the top, scoop out the goop, place in some floral foam, add a bit of water to the foam and then add your flowers.  Pretty easy don't you think?  And very festive!

Here's another one...

I wish I could give credit for where this came from...isn't it adorable.  Just take some mini pumpkins and again cut off the top, scoop out an area on the inside and then add a bit of floral foam.  Dampen the foam and add your flowers.  How pretty to have one on each place setting.  The other cool idea is what was used as the chargers!  Those are clay pot saucers!!!  They can be found at the home improvement or gardening center for really cheap.  Just measure your plate size so that you can get clay pot saucers that are larger than your plate.  It also looks like some vines were used to add just a wee bit more color.  I love it!

Finally, for the main table, a kids table or even in a serving area...this is such a cute idea.  Look closely at the shape of the pilgrim hat.  Do you recognize it?  It is a terra cotta pot!  Spray paint a terra cotta pot black.  Cut out a yellow buckle to hot glue on.  Use black foam to cut out the rim of the hat.  Place some floral foam on the inside.  Once dampened, add some fall flowers.

Hopefully you now have several ideas to choose from to help make those table areas look extra festive!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Thanksgiving Side Dish-Pear Salad

Are you panicking about your Thanksgiving feast yet?

Well, don't!  Have no fear!!!!

I am going to put several side dish ideas out there that will compliment your bird perfectly!
Today I have a salad idea...a pear salad.

Pear Salad

Look at how pretty that is!  You can toss this together at the last minute, better yet...give this job to some of your guests!  Some people don't like a lot of people in the kitchen.  I LOVE IT!  All of us working together and chatting away is so fun!  Anyway, here's how you make it.

Pear Salad Recipe:

8 cups of chopped Romaine lettuce

2 fresh pears, sliced

1 package dried cranberries

1 package sugar pecans

1 package of bacon bits
1 package feta cheese
poppyseed dressing to taste

Directions:
So easy!  Just mix all of the salad ingredients in a big bowl.  Toss with the poppyseed dressing right before serving.

I love all the flavors and textures!  The cranberries and pear slices are really what makes it a fall flavored salad.  Imagine this on your Thanksgiving plate.  It will add so much color to a plate usually filled with browns...turkey, gravy, stuffing and mashed potatoes.  

Put this Pear Salad on your Thanksgiving Menu or anytime this fall!

Don't panic!  Your feast will be perfect!  Check back for my side dish ideas.

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Football Fan Delight-BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites

Yee Haw!

This recipe is a football fan's delight!

Well, really it would be anyone's delight...a delicious, sweet and smoky appetizer for a party, football game or for the buckaroos in your homestead!

BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites

As the holidays are quickly approaching and the quantity of football games abound, this is a great recipe to keep lassoed close by.  The sauce alone will knock off your boots!  Ok, enough with the cowboy lingo...on to the recipe that originated at https://thecomfortofcookingrecipes.com!

Ingredients:

Non stick spray

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut up into 1 inch cubes

1/2 pound of bacon strips, cut in half

1/2 cup sweet BBQ sauce (see below)

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.  Lightly spray a large baking sheet with non stick spray.

Wrap each piece of chicken with a strip of bacon.  Place seem side down onto the baking sheet.

Brush with BBQ sauce.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven.

Brush bacon chicken bites with more BBQ sauce and return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes.

Serve hot!  Makes about 20 bites.

To make the sweet BBQ sauce:

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup sweet chili sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

1/8 cup Worcestershire sauce (just fill half of a 1/4 cup)

2 tsp garlic

1 tsp dry mustard

ground pepper

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over low heat.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes so that the sauce thickens up.  Stir occasionally.

If you prefer a smokier variety of BBQ sauce, you may want to try my own homemade version.  It is just as good as the above sauce, just less sweet and more smoky.

Homemade BBQ Sauce

When you need to wrangle up some grub, be sure to try these BBQ Bacon Chicken Bites...quite the combo!

And remember, don't ever squat with your spurs on!  Bad, very bad...

Really, that was the last of my cowboy lingo!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine