Pinterest

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Pinterest? No? Well, let me just tell you. I love it a lot.

•  I love getting ideas that I can recreate. I am all about stealing ideas from others!
•  I love getting recipes that I know real people out there have tried.
•  I love the fact that several times a week my Facebook friends will post on the group, that I set up, and tell everyone of a recipe they tried, if it was good or not.
•  I find it funny that on a recent trip to Hobby Lobby I saw several other people with Mod Podge and scrapbook paper in their carts. 

Here is something that I threw together because I got an initial idea from Pinterest

•  I got the idea about using Epsom Salts under and around candles from Pinterest and the rest I actually came up with on my own. And I am proud.
• I put everything on a red charger to tie it all together. 
• The 2 smaller candles are in glasses that I have had for years. I think they were from some promotion where you buy something and you get them free. Maybe McDonald's. Maybe Kroger. Maybe I am making that part up, I don't really recall. 
• Then I bought a pick of greenery and red berries, cut them up and placed it around the base of the candles. I think it ties in the berries and greenery on the glasses perfectly.

Christmas Treats

I have already made and delivered most of the goodies that I made for friends and neighbors this year. In past years, I have waited until later in the month and have been so stressed over it. I hope this is the beginning of a new tradition!

Here are the recipes for the things I made:

The first one is one that most people call Reindeer Mix. But I think that the name I came up with is actually more accurate. Not because it is a drug, but because it is super addictive.

Christmas Crack

5 cups Corn Chex

5 cups Cheerios

10 oz pretzel squares

1 bag of M&M’s (Red and Green)

24 oz Almond Bark

3 Tbsp. oil

Mix the first 4 items together in a LARGE bowl. In another bowl, add the Almond Bark and oil. Microwave on high for one minute, stir. Continue to microwave, stirring at 30 second intervals until it is all melted. Pour that over the cereal mixture and stir well. Make sure that you bring up the cereal from the bottom of the bowl so that everything is well coated. Pour out on a large piece of foil and allow it to dry. When it is dry, break into smaller pieces and store.

* Easy way to break the pieces up is to actually roll up the foil and it will break the pieces for you.

Toffee

1 sleeve Saltine crackers

1 cup butter

1 cup light brown sugar

½ bag of chocolate chips (or white chocolate)

3 oz. chopped almonds

Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Line up the crackers on the sheet in 8 rows of 5, with the salt side up. In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter then add the brown sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil and set your timer for 3 minutes. You will need to stir this for the entire 3 minutes that it is boiling. Pour this mixture over the saltines, trying to cover each one (this will make the next step easier). Quickly spread the mixture so that you cover each saltine as much as you can. Place the cookie sheet in a 400 degree oven for 5 minutes. Remove and let cool for about 2 minutes. Then pour the chocolate chips evenly over the crackers and wait a minute or two until they begin to melt. Then, spread the chocolate chips over the crackers evenly. Top with the almonds. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer to set. After it is set, remove from the pan, using the foil as a lifter. Break into small pieces.

Turtles

Square pretzels

Rolo candies

Pecan halves

Place pretzels on a cookie sheet in rows. This is important because it will be easier when it is time to place the pecans. Top each pretzel with a Rolo. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 4 ½ minutes. Remove from oven and immediately place a pecan on top and push down slightly, making sure not to push too far or you might burn your finger on the hot caramel! Let them cool and then serve.

* Buy the Rolos that you find at the check out counter at the store, not one’s in a bag. These are not individually wrapped and you will thank me.

Here are some of the baskets that I made for our neighbors

Table Decorations

Friday and Saturday night our church put on a dinner theater type event and each table was decorated by a table host. I did not actually host a table but I did decorate one for both nights. We usually have events like this once or twice a year, which showcase the creativeness of our people. I love seeing what everyone comes up with and often I will get an idea that I can use at home.

Here are just a few of the tables that were decorated. I regret that I did not have enough time to take pictures on the second night, but here are a few for you to enjoy:

                 My Table                              

                                                                                    

                               

My favorite table and the one that everyone stopped at to sample the decorations!