New Year's Eve...Our Country Way to Celebrate

It's New Year's Eve!  My Step Daughter, Bonny and Son In Law, Dan, will be celebrating with us tonight.  I hope Carla, my other Step Daughter, can stop by also.  The boys are SO excited!  We are just simple country folks that will be outside around the fire while the children play.  Bringing in the New Year (if we can stay awake) with family.  It doesn't get any better, does it?  Spending time with your loved ones..family and friends.  Won't you join us?

Our menu is simple.  Lot's of snacks....Finger Foods.  One hand always eating while the other shoots baskets, shoots darts, pushes a swing and taking turns running the remote control boat in the pond.

However you celebrate...Do so safely!  <3 and hUgs!

pork butt in the crock pot for sliders
jalapeno and cheddar bites for the adults
pepperoni and cheese bites for the boys
sausage balls
sweet potato chips
chili bean salad dip with tortilla chips
chips and onion dip
fresh fruit and dip
mini square chocolate cakes...no icing needed made from chocolate bundt cake recipe

Red Neck Appetizers..Grilled Cheese Balls

I was looking for appetizers to make for New Year's Eve.  My oldest wanted grilled cheese....well Here Ya Go!  Fun and Good!

Grilled Cheese Balls

Bread

Butter

Sliced Cheese

Spray pan with grease in a spray can.  

Slather a bread with butter.  

Throw it in a pan.  

Top with 2 slices of cheese.  

Top the cheese with bread.  

Check to see if the bottom has browned, if it has...smash the top piece of bread.  

Smear some butter on it and flip.  

Cook until the bottom piece of bread is brown.  

Take out and put on a piece of paper towel. 

Cut into 4 squares,  Trim the ends...you know your kids don't like it.  

Take a square and roll into a ball.  

Stick a tooth pick or cake pop stick in it.  Enjoy...Y'all!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Truffles

Okay...who doesn't want to try these?  They are great and so easy to make!  My boys don't like cheesecake but they did eat these little darlings!  Make some up for New Year's Eve or Day...they will be a hit!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Truffles

1 boxed cheesecake mix 

milk, to make it

1/2 to 1 cup mini chocolate chips

chocolate almond bark 

waxed paper 

cookie sheets

Make cheesecake package according to directions.  Save the crumbs package.

Add desired amount of mini chocolate chips.

Put in refrigerator to chill about an hour or so.

Take cheesecake mixture out of fridge when chilled and roll into balls.  If it is difficult to do, you can either add some of the crumbs or put back in the refrigerator for a bit.

Melt chocolate bark.

Make certain they are not very cold.  Using a fork, dip and/or roll the balls in the melted chocolate and place on waxed paper.  

Place in refrigerator for an hour or so to set. 

Before chill...

After chill

Enjoy!  <3 and Hugs!

Shared on...
Wonka Wednesday

Our Christmas and Mini Chocolate Pies!

We had a Beautiful and Blessed Christmas this year.  We shared the meaning of Christmas, as well as Santa.  The boys had an abundance of wealth...toys as well as meaning.

The boys youngest sister, which is older than they are...and me for that matter, ~smile~ ,  spent the afternoon with us on Saturday!  It was so much fun for them, and us!!!!  Opening their presents and playing with them was all they could have ever hoped for. 

Christmas morn was especially good for the boys, which I am thankful for.   (I was awake for almost two days and very tired)  We are Blessed to be able to share with them about the day, and also gifts thrown in from us that Santa overlooked getting. 

The afternoon was filled with fun from the boy's oldest sister and brother in law...yep, my boys have 50+ year old sister(s) and 59 year old Son-IL.  ~smiles~  What a fun time for all! 

Continued fun today, when they were able to spend gift cards they received from their Aunt Di Di.  My sister that will not speak to me but will send gift cards to my boys. The boys bought great gifts with them and are still playing with them.  I am thinking gift cards next year, with shopping December 26, is the way to go!!!!! 

We have shared with our boys the gift of giving to those that may not have a great Holiday.  That may not have presents.  That may not have a supper, or food whenever hungry, to eat. 

We had a Beautiful Christmas and hope you did also.  It's all about Love, Family, Sharing and Giving from the Heart and not the Wallet.  Showing the Love that Blossoms from deep within and grows as it is shared in the smallest of ways, to become a Bouquet of Beauty!

Blessing's to You All!  Friends are a Blessing and you are Ours!

(I know I have imperfections when posting..that's just me and the way it is.  I'm normally interrupted  ten thousand times by little boys and I Sooo Love It!!!!!)

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Mini Chocolate Pies

6"  flour tortillas

chocolate pudding made as directed on box for pie

whipped cream made as directed or cool whip

bananas, strawberries, chocolate chips....or other ingredients ....optional

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Fit tortillas in pan, or can...Using a large tuna fish or chicken can.  Heat until formed when taken from pan/can without being too flimsy.  

Cool shell. Do not over cook!

Add chocolate pudding.

Add banana slices, or other yummies, here if desired. 

Top with whipped cream or cool whip.
Enjoy!  <3 and Hugs!

Turtles...The Easy Way

YUM!!!  The boys and I have so much fun especially during the holidays!  Making and baking are one of our favorite things to do.  This is such a simple, yet delicious and fun treat!  (sorry about the photos..I can't crop them for some reason)

Turtles..The Easy Way

Square pretzels

Rolos 

Pecans or whatever nuts you have available.  Whole, half or pieces..it doesn't matter!

Place pretzels on a cookie sheet

Top with rolos

Heat in a preheated 350 degree oven for 2-4 minutes.

Take out of oven as soon as candy can be pushed down.  Check after one minute and then keep a close tab on them.

As always, my oven cooks different than yours..adjust times accordingly!

Notice the rounded cheeks...They ate most of the rolos!  <3 and hUGs!

Simple Gourmet Marshmallows

1. Oh, I found the best marshmallows to work with!  I went to the store to buy unflavored gelatin so I could make peppermint marshmallows for My Boys.  And what to my wondering eyes should appear..StackerMallows!  Oh My Gosh!  I wish I had of bought all they had!  Below are some we fixed today.  Use whatever you wish to make your Gourmet Marshmallows!  <3 and HUGs!

 Chocolate with Crushed Soft Peppermint Candy

 Covered with Chocolate and Coconut
Are you thinking .... Mounds?

 Drizzled with Chocolate

Sausage Cheese Balls

If you have ever been in the south during the winter holidays, I know you have eaten these!  We always called them just "Sausage Balls"  but there is a lot of cheese in them so...Sausage Cheese Balls they are!  I can remember these from way back when.  Seems there were always on the table of snacks when there were get togethers at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.  I don't know why they were never fixed in the warmer months of the year.  Something I will have to find out!  Easy to make, Yummy to Eat!   ~smiles~

Sausage Cheese Balls

I made 49 from this recipe.  Mine aren't always the same size for some reason. 

3 cups biscuit mix

1 lb bulk sausage

1-2 lb cheddar cheese 3-4 cups shredded..I used cut up chunks I had and got 3 cups

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spray cookie sheets (2)

Toss everything with a fork,  

Mix with hands.  

Shape into walnut size balls. Bake on greased cookie sheets (2) for 15-20 minutes @ 350 degrees.  

 Halfway through,  lift sausage balls up with spatula so they won't stick and turn pan around.  As always, My oven cooks different than yours.  Please adjust time accordingly.

  

Place a paper towels to absorb grease from the bottom.  Remove from paper towels, place on serving plate and serve with spicy or honey mustard.  

Christmas Ornament/Tags

This is really fun to do with your children.  The boys and I really had a Great time!  From rolling and cutting to turning and decorating!  Enlist the help of your little elves and have a fun afternoon together!

Christmas Ornaments/Tags

1 cup applesauce

1 cup ground cinnamon...I bought mine at Walmart for 50 cents.  Buy a couple jars

1/4 cup glue...optional, I just spread a little glue on the back instead

parchment paper

cookie sheets

Mix applesauce, cinnamon and glue (if using) together.  I made mine the night before and put in the refrigerator.  

When ready to roll, sprinkle a little cinnamon on the counter/workplace and rolling pin then roll to 1/4".  You don't want it too thin.  Reid had a great time rolling out the dough! ~smiles~

Cut out in desired shapes and put on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.  Place in a 200 degree oven, turning every 15 minutes, until dry or almost dry and let them finish drying on the counter.  You can also leave them out for a couple of days instead of drying them in the oven, turning every few hours or so, until dry. 

Give your little elves paint, glue, glitter or glitter glue to decorate.  

 

Reid's <3

Wade's <3

Fall Off The Bone Baked Spare Ribs

We LOVE Spare Ribs!!!  They are super easy to make in the oven and fall off the bone delicious!  I found spice grinders on sale and love using them.  A couple of different blends work together to make perfect ribs on your plate!  Hope you'll make some soon.  Your family will thank you!

Chocolate Covered Peppermint Candy

An easy way to make your family and friends happy!  Cover soft peppermint candy in chocolate...YUM!

 Who's Happy?

Reid made these!  <3 <3

Enjoy!  <3 and Hugs!

What you need...

soft peppermint candy
chocolate chips or bark

melt chocolate according to directions.  dip peppermints in.  done!

Shared with
Wonka Wednesday
Foodie Friday

Christmas Reindeer

Here is another cute craft to make with/for your children.  It is a little hard for the young ones.  I've made this one for years also.  Please forgive the fuzzy pictures...I guess I needed more coffee!  <3 and hugs!

What you need to make your Christmas Reindeer...

4 fuzzy sticks
2 seed beads
1/2 of a tiny pom pom

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Christmas Reindeer <3 and hugs!

 Make a clover shape with the nose part being elongated

 Make a few coils behind the face, leaving a straight piece

Wrap a fuzzy stick around a pencil, leaving a piece for the neck to connect and also to make a tail

Head and Body

Slide the pieces together and twist to secure

Twist end to make the tail

 Fold another piece halve and cut for the legs.

 Fold the halves in half to make legs.  Fold the ends under, or make a loop, to make feet.

 Fold over a small piece and cut to make a V for the antlers 

Twist around neck once to secure.

Cut 2 smaller pieces to make the branches of the antlers.

Twisting to secure to antlers.

Glue on the eye and nose.  <3 and Hugs!

Christmas Candy Cane Mice

So cute for the little ones to make and receive!  I have been making these for years with my oldest and now with the twins.  <3

Christmas Candy Cane Mice

Here is what you will need...

9"x12" felt red for the mice...I was able to make Six or SEVEN, 5 1/2" mice.  Depending how you place them.

9"x12" felt different color, I used green and also white.  I made TEN, 5" ears...plus a little one Wade used to cut into and make two ears with.

7mm wiggly eyes

small pom poms for nose

scissors

glue

candy canes

Draw 5 1/2" teardrop on a piece of card stock, cut out.

Trace on felt and cut out.

Place the mouse body in the same direction on top line

You will be able to get 3 on the bottom

Draw 5" oblong on a piece of card stock, cut out.

Trace on felt and cut out.

The multiple lines on the bottom left was the one Wade made little ears with

5 1/2" mouse body

 Fold in half

 Nip a tiny bit to make a slit for the ears

Slide ears through the slit

 See, no need to make an indentation like some patterns show

Slide candy cane under the ears from the bottom

 Bottom view

 Tail and ears in place

Three dots of glue and you can add the wiggly eyes

and pom pom nose

 Wade and Reid making their Christmas Candy Cane Mice.  <3 

Little ones may need help pushing the ears and tail through.

I had everything cut out and ready for them.  

<3 and HUGs!

Wade made another one on his own.  Too Cute!