It's Recipe Time!!

Good Friday Morning All!!

Boy oh Boy is it ffffffreeeezing here in Minnesota this morning! It is currently -18 out there. Yes, that is a minus in front of the eighteen! Because it's so nippy I thought I would post a couple of "warm the body and soul" recipes for you to try out! Remember to click on the link at the right of this post and join Colleen from And Baby Makes Five in her weekly recipe swap! It's fun and there are loads of great recipes to try out!

My last post was talking about random acts of kindness, and boy do I have one to share with you all! My sweet friend Kindra (check out her amazing blog at Three guys, a girl and a prim place) sent me this ADORABLE block set she MADE! Yes, she MADE them! Just for me! I love them Kindra, and they are just perfect for perking up the house after putting away all my Christmas decor. Thank you so much for brightening up my day and my heart!!!

Yummy Cream Cheese Croissants

2 pkg. Crescent Rolls

FILLING:

2 (8oz) Cream Cheese

1 C. Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 Egg Yolk

TOPPING:

1/3 c. Sugar

1/2 c. Chopped Walnuts

1 Egg White

* Grease a 9 X 13 inch pan. Mix filling well and set aside.

Spread 1 package of the crescents to cover bottom of

pan and pinch seams. Spread filling to cover. Stretch and

pull other package of rolls to cover top of filling. Beat

egg white until frothy, spread over crust. Sprinkle with 1/3

cup sugar and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for

25-30 minutes until light brown.

Gram Saeger's Smothered Chicken

3 to 4 lbs. Chicken

1 c. All-purpose flour

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/2 c. Margarine

2.1-oz Env. Chicken Noodle

Soup Mix

10-3/4 oz. Can Cream of

Mushroom Soup

12-oz. Can Evaporated Milk

1 t. Poultry Seasoning

1/2 t. Dried Parsley

* Dredge chicken pieces in flour; sprinkle with salt and

pepper. Melt margarine in a large skillet over medium heat.

Fry chicken until golden on both sides; transfer to a greased

13"X9" baking pan. Sprinkle with soup mix; pour mushroom soup

over top. Combine evaporated milk,seasoning and parsley

in a small saucepan over medium heat; heat through without

boiling. Pour over chicken.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serves 4

Mmmmmmmmm!!!

Random Acts of Kindness

Happy New Year All!

I hope everyone has wound down from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. I know it's cold out there and we are now cooped up for a long winter. So, I thought I would tell you all about my New Year's resolution ( yes, I am a little late, but bear with me please) I have thought long and hard about what it should be. Like everyone, I have lots of things I'd like to change and loads of projects I should be working on, BUT.. what is truly important in life?? An organized closet, a little weight loss perhaps?? Not really. What is truly important in my opinion is the lessons we teach our children about the life we lead and the type of person we are. This leads me to my resolution. If we ALL just looked for the good in people, if we All just tried to understand anothers hardships, if we ALL had sympathy for others, the world would be better. It would teach our children that people ARE good. I pledge for the New Year to be kind to others, to put myself in other peoples shoes and to just do good!

I know it seems small and sort of silly, but I will do my best to adhere to my plan. I hope you all will join me in doing a little kind deed for someone else when they least expect it. I think it will make us all happier! I'll see you all back here on Friday for a great recipe and a little "lighter" post! Have a great day everyone!!
~Kim

Big Bear Ski Trip!!

Hi everyone! Here are a few photos

from the ski trip last week!

It was a memorable trip right

from the start... flying into a

huge storm that left 3 feet of

snow in the mountains. Scary!!

Once we arrived after a rocky

flight, we drove up the mountains

from Palm Springs, CA. We

arrived at the Northwoods Resort

at Big Bear Mountain after

about a two hour drive.

What a fun time had by all!

Spencer, Gannon and Nick

went to ski school, and Andrew

was already a "pro"... so he

and Dad headed up the double

black diamond runs! YIKES!

I on the other hand, knowing

I had an upcoming surgery...

opted to stay at the bottom

of the hill and watch the ski school!

Have a warm and toasty Holiday

everyone! We are expecting a

huge Christmas blizzard! The

boys are thrilled with that news!!

Winter Blessings to you all!!

~Kim

Doing Well! Thanks for asking!!

The surgery went well! Thank you soooo much for all your calls, e-mails and gifts of love, meals and flowers!! I am so very blessed to have such a wonderful family and friends!

I am still on a ton of meds, so not quite up to par, but I know it will be a great Christmas despite this set-back and that I will be healthier because of the surgery!

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and will post again soon with pics from our ski trip just as soon as I'm feelin a little better.

Hugs,
Kim

Check This Out!!

Hi everyone! I just had to show you my little project today. I found this idea on a link from Today's Creative Blog for ribbon trees. It turned out really cute I think! I added an antique tea cup base to make it more like a little sweet topiary! Now.... who to give it to for Christmas?? I think I may have to make a couple more!

Have a great weekend!! Wish me luck on the ski hill! I am a serious klutz!!

~Kim

The Elves Have Been Busy Around Here...wink,wink!

T.G.I.F !!

How are you all doing today? I am, uh, I mean
the Elves have been busy decorating,
wrapping and making gifts at
my house!! I posted more photos
of the holly jolly-ness around
our home due to lots of requests
to do so! Thanks for caring
everyone!

AND It's Recipe Swap Day!!!
I have a great Cinnamon Latte
mix in a jar recipe posted after the photos
for you guys to make for all your
teachers, neighbors and anyone
else who likes warm rich coffee!
Who wouldn't right? Simply
Scroll down past the pics and it's there!
I put the mix in a cute vintage jar
and tied some sparkle ribbon on it.
They really take all of about
five minutes to make, so it's
a great snappy little gift to whip
up for someone!

Enjoy the photos and have a wonderful
weekend! My family and I are heading
off for a much needed vacation with our
family in California! We are going skiing
at Big Bear Lake. The boys are sure
excited!!! Can't wait to see my sis and my
two adorable nephews!

I'll be back next week! Take care
all!!!

~Kim

CINNAMON LATTE MIX IN A JAR

2 small jars cinnamon flavor coffee mate powder

1 small jar french vanilla coffee mate powder

3/4 powdered coffee creamer

1 c. powdered sugar

1 c.powdered dry milk

1/2 C. dry instant coffee granules

* simple: just dump all into a huge bowl and give it a good mix. This makes a lot. About 6 cups worth. I then used a kitchen funnel to put into my jars.

Note: Don't forget to add a little tag to your gift jar telling them how to make their yummy

coffee: * Add 3 heaping tsp. to a mug of steaming hot water and stir!!

Merry December!

Merry December everyone!! I bet everyone is starting to get their jingle on and their homes ready for the holidays... aren't you? Well, I've been gradually adding Christmas decor daily. I keep finding little "spots" that need to be decorated. Here is my mantle (for now anyways) I have a new garland that I made this year. I followed Colleens Rag Tied Garland Tutorial on her blog "And Baby Makes Five".....here is the result... Ta Da!!!! What do ya think? I made one for my BFF too and she really loves it. She has tons of great ideas on there!! Thanks Colleen!! I just whipped these up in no time for gifts too! My youngest son Nicholas wants one with Spiderman fabric for above his window in his room. :)

Here's a closer look.

Do you still believe?? My oldest is fourteen and I told him that if he even so much as "breathes" that Santa isn't real, the consequences are grand!!!

More Christmas decor from around the house. Have you all finished your "be-decking" yet? As my friend Colleen put it... "It's hard to get anything decorated with kids and the hubs underfoot!!" I soooo agree Colleen!

Here is my "sheep" which I have out year round. The "joy" swag is always a favorite of mine. Given to me by a great friend.:)

Well, today is going to be short and sweet, but I hope to get a good recipe up on here for the Homemade Holiday Swap on Friday and some more photos. I have THE CUTEST set of winter blocks that my friend Kindra made for me. They are in my dining room. That's next to be photographed. I'm just waiting to get the tree trimmed in there before I show ya! If you haven't checked out Kindra's Blog.. you must!!!! Visit her at "3 guys, a girl and a prim place.blogspot" You will leave inspired!!!I have a fun wine tasting party to go to on Saturday, and I really need a good recipe for dip to bring. Any suggestions ladies??? I'm tired of making hot artichoke dip! I need something creative!!!

~Kim