Slow Cooking Thursday!

All my slow cooking recipes are now online and starting today, I will add all the recipes shared weekly to my online del.icio.us site too. So if you're wanting to find ALL the slow cooked recipes that have been shared since the first SLOW COOKING THURSDAY, here is the link for you.

Don't forget to add your name to Mr Linky and a link back to your SCT post so others can come by and see your recipe too.

Todays recipes is from and I can't wait to try them, so I'm sorry but I can't tell you yet if they're good or not, if anyone tries them before I do then please come back and let us know what you thought :)

Since the holiday festivities are next week, I thought I would give you some recipes for some great dishes to enjoy with the family.

TIPSY DOGS

2 1-lb. pkgs. mini cocktail wieners
2 c. catsup
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 T. mustard
1/4 c. vinegar
1 onion, chopped
1/2 c. beer
Optional: hot pepper sauce

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting for 30 minutes to one hour, until hot. Serves 18 to 20.

FAMILY FAVORITE PARTY MIX

1 c. bite size crispy wheat cereal squares
1 c. bite size crispy rice cereal squares
1 c. bite size crispy corn cereal squares
1 c. peanuts
1 c. pretzel sticks
1/4 c. butter, melted
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 t. seasoned salt
1 t. garlic salt
1 c. candy-coated chocolates
1 c. raisins

Combine cereals, peanuts and pretzels in a slow cooker; set aside. Mix together butter, Worcestershire sauce and salts; gently stir into cereal mixture. Cover and cook on low setting for 3 to 4 hours.
Uncover and cook on low settings for an additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain mix on paper towel-lined baking sheets; transfer to a large bowl. Cool. Add candy-coated chocolates and raisins; toss to mix. Store in an airtight container. Makes 7 cups.

Hodgepodge of this and that!

I can't believe the last time I updated the blog was on monday, but in my defense it IS the holidays which means, we're what....5 days away from Christmas and still trying to get the last minute gift shopping and baking done???

Remember I said I was done...I lied, well not really LIED per say, just forgot that I still had no gift tags and unless Curtis wants to end up with a Bratz make up set, Nicholas with some fruity bath body gels and Jasmine with a Dean Koontz book......I realize that gift tags are a must.  Right now....this minute.....I've wrapped and wrapped and kept everyone's separate, problem is, the kids have taken to rearranging the presents under the tree which means one of the above is bound to happen.....unless I rip everything apart and re-wrap.  What a pain in the tush!

Lesson learned, wrap and attach gift tag straight away!  Anyway, for those that are still looking for some cute gift tags, one of my favorite crafty blogs has put some printable ones up and they have the cutest sayings...you know the kind of stuff you say to yourself but never dare say aloud?

Here is the PDF file for you to download and print.  I can't wait to see my family's face when they read some of these LOL  And thank you Amy :)

I spent the day filling jars with Hot Chocolate Mixes and Scone Mixes etc.  Jasmine's teacher is getting Homemade caramels, Homemade fudge, Chocolate and Cranberries Scone Mix and some Vanilla Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix.  I think it's safe to say she has a good basket of yumminess heading her way. 

I also got some Cocoa Mixes ready for Curt and the kids, of course I'll have to help them drink it.  Of course right???  This is the thing about making all this great stuff, the family and friends are lucky to get them, ME?  I either live vicariously through them or insinuate myself into the snacking times. 

While I was fixing dinner last night, the kids were happily playing with the Play Dough.  I love this stuff, it keeps them entertained for hours.  But I'm also growing to hate it because Nicholas doesn't keep his in big chunks....oh no.....it's only good to play with if it's cut and ripped into tiny crumb size pieces that end up on the table, on the floor, on the rug, on his clothes, IN.HIS.HAIR and some miraculously travel to the pugs fur coat.  Yeah.....not exactly what a mother wants to see after an hour of quiet time.

Cake anyone???  Jasmine whipped up a yummy cake, with banana frosting and something on top, I can't tell if it's worms or candles.  *shrug*  It's cute nonetheless.

Here's Nicholas hard at work....look at the concentration on his face.  He couldn't quite figure out how to get the play dough through the tube to make little shapes and when I tried to help I completely botched it up.  Guess I'm NOT cool anymore. 

Cutest faces in Arizona.  At least that's what I think, but I'm biased LOL

Thank you to all who stopped by for the Boomama's Christmas Tour of Homes.....I can't get to everyone, there's just NO WAY!  I've tried to go by and visit all the wonderful ladies who left me a comment and I think that's what I'll stick to, I mean who has time to go through over 200 or 300 participants?

Anyway, I really enjoyed having you all over for some Hot Chocolate and Caramel Rolls :)

I've finished another Lori Wick book "Every Storm".  Boy was it a hard one to read, I cried my eyes out and choked up in so many parts of this book.  This is the one book that I would recommend you read if you're a first time Ms Wick reader.  It was fabulous.  I put up a review on my book blog if you're interested :)

I've started another called "Every Little Thing About You" it's the first in the Yellow Rose Trilogy by Lori Wick.  I'm loving it already and I don't think I ever told you one of the reasons why I enjoy her books so much.  She uses a lot of Bible quotes, scriptures and lessons that really get you to think.  In this one she mentioned "reputation".  What IS your reputation???  Do you know???  It made me pause and wonder just what my reputation is with the Lord and with my family.  Am I the kind of person who says something and sticks to her word, never steers away, never disappoints?  Am I someone my kids can count on to listen and understand and not just get upset when they do something wrong???

You know what I realized???  My reputation is really not that great, it hurts to admit it and say it out loud, I mean really, how much bigger of an audience could I get than the millions of internet readers?  But it's the truth.  I've failed before when it comes to the Lord, I've promised and vowed and said I would do it this way or that way and then get completely sidetracked and mess it up.  I do the same thing with my kids at times, they will make a mess and if I'm having a bad day or not feeling too good, my first reaction is to get upset and yell.  Wow!!!  Just what am I teaching my children?  Do they cower in a corner everytime an accident happens for fear that I'm going to freak out??

So anyway, this book got me thinking and I really do need to work on my reputation.  What about you, are you happy with yours?

Right now I'm about to go give the kids their bath and get them ready for bed.  It's been a long day for me, I'm tired and I'm a little cranky.  I just want to settle into bed with my book or catch some of my shows on the tv.

I hope you all have a wonderful night.  God Bless,

Boomama's Christmas Tour of Homes

 

 

Welcome to my little corner of the world!

Boomama is hosting her Christmas Tour of Homes again and of course, I have to join in so come in, grab a cup of my homemade Hot Chocolate and let me show you how we're celebrating Christmas around here.

Now doesn't that taste good???  Ok so let's head this way to the living room, you know I don't really decorate anywhere else, well....maybe outside too but nothing in the bedrooms or bathrooms or whatever. 

This is our christmas tree, it's fake artificial but it's big and beautiful and we love it.  I do miss real trees though, I think the scent of pine is what really does it for me.  But anyway, this one is just fine for us.

Now let's look at some of my favorite ornaments......this first one was given to us by my mother in law the first year we were married, I love that it lights up.

What can I say, he's a snowman, so of course he's one of my favorites....

Now these guys I'm still finishing up, I'm only hoping I get them done in time.

Can't wait to see them on my christmas tree.  I'm sorry are you guys getting hungry???  If so, help yourselves to some of my Gooey Caramel Rolls.

Ok now that you're fed, we can continue.

Santa and Mrs Claus are the first things you'll see coming into my house, they're here to welcome you all and get you in the Christmas spirit, so if you're a scrooge, you may just want to step back out until your mood improves....just saying!

These are my favorite decorations, my little snowmen....

This angel is on my kitchen window sill and she changes color...I keep her on during the night so she looks beautiful from the outside but I'm also sure that she is watching over us all.

This is my Victorian house and she's part of my Christmas Village which I just LOVE.

Now that you've seen my inside, how about we step outside for a second, just so you can see my decorations.  Don't be expecting major earth shattering stuff here, I can only do so much with a Palm tree in the yard and nothing but desert landscape....we ARE in Arizona after all.

That's one of the trees in the yard......I love all the colors and could just sit and stare at it all night long.

That's my snowman, my christmas tree and the reindeer.  See I told you it was plain and simple, but it looks beautiful at night and that is what matters.

Anyway, thank you for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed the tour and the hot chocolate and caramel rolls....I hope you come back soon :)

Falala Concert and Cooking!

 

 

Yesterday morning we headed to Jasmine's school for their Holiday Falala Concert.  The third graders were singing and dancing and it was just really cute watching them.  Jasmine was one of the dancers who had to do a 60's style dance during one of the songs.....she practiced and practiced at home and kept saying that she was nervous to dance in front of everyone. 

But she did it, and she looked so cute doing it LOL

I felt so bad for her, she is really sick with a cold, she was up the night before with a congested nose and cough and she begged to go to school for the concert.  We agreed but as soon as they were done, we signed her out for the day, this morning she has a hoarse voice from the singing :)

Here's some more pictures, I couldn't get very good ones, the gym was dark, it was crowded and she was pretty far from where we were sitting.

 

Here's a little video of her dancing, especially for the family back in South Africa :)

Jasmine's Concert

So I know it's almost Christmas and a lot of us are scrambling to finish all the gift shopping and homemade goodies.  Today I'm concentrating on cooking, which makes me really happy since I love being in the kitchen. 

I've already made a batch of fudge and one of yummy caramels.  You have GOT to try these, they're so quick and easy to make but goodness, they're delicious.

Come with me to the food blog, we'll go make some real quick so you can hand out to your family, friends and neighbors....OR.....keep them to yourself as a reward for being so good this year!

If you don't have the time right now, that's fine, but make sure you go by later and make some Caramels and Fudge.

Tell me those don't look good huh??

Now onto Christmas stuff, I am happy to say that Jasmine's Rag Doll is done and wrapped, at least it's one less thing to worry about.  My poor snowmen though is another story, I'm hoping....really really hoping that I can finish them this week otherwise they'll end up being for next year.  How sad!

All my christmas shopping is done, all my christmas cards are out and either on the way or already received, so I think I'm doing good :)

Thank you Courtney, Eden, Sarah, Mari, Elizabeth and Sherri  for the beautiful christmas cards, it's always a joy to open the mailbox and find one from you and your wonderful families.

While I was out shopping yesterday I picked up some playdough for the kids.  These real cheap ziploc bags with a cutter inside and the play dough.  I came home and handed it to them and then for the next 5 hours, I heard NOTHING....not a squeak, not a single sound.

Now as parents you know that when everything is quiet, usually it means something is being destroyed, a child is hurt or they're definitely up to no good......nope, not this time, they were like little angels playing at the dinner table.  Shocking!

I'm about to go watch some christmas shows on tv or maybe I'll read, not sure which, but I've decided not to clean today.  Yesterday I went to the school concert, got groceries, cleaned the house, went back out for christmas shopping etc.......I'm pooped.  By 7pm last night I was running a low grade fever and feeling yucky...so today I'm taking it easy.....yep, just me and my baby pug Lola.  Look at all the love oozing from the photo :)

Hope you are all having a great day too!

God Bless,

Slow Cooking Thursday

 

All my slow cooking recipes are now online and starting today, I will add all the recipes shared weekly to my online del.icio.us site too. So if you're wanting to find ALL the slow cooked recipes that have been shared since the first SLOW COOKING THURSDAY, here is the link for you.

 

Don't forget to add your name to Mr Linky and a link back to your SCT post so others can come by and see your recipe too.

 

Todays recipes is from   and I can't wait to try them, so I'm sorry but I can't tell you yet if they're good or not, if anyone tries them before I do then please come back and let us know what you thought :)

 

Here's today's recipe:

 

Crockpot Brunch

Makes 12 servings

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 10-12 hrs
Ingredients
nonstick cooking spray
32 oz bag frozen hash brown potatoes
1 lb cooked ham, cubed
1 onion, diced
1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
1 ½ cups reduced fat Cheddar cheese, shredded
2 ½ cups fat free egg substitute
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper

Spray crockery pot of slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Layer 1/3 of the frozen hash brown potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker.  Add 1/3 of the ham, onion, chiles and cheese.  Repeat layers ending with the cheese.
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg substitute, evaporated milk and seasonings.  Pour over ingredients in the slow cooker.  Cover and turn cooker on low.  Cook for 10-12 hours until casserole is set and eggs are thoroughly cooked.