Thursday, December 31, 2009

Good-bye, 2009!

Just wanted to say Happy New Year everyone! Be safe!!!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas!!!

We trust you are enjoying your holiday. We certainly are enjoying ours! Is there a better way to spend the time celebrating Christ's birth than with the people you love?

We just wanted to take the opportunity to wish all of our readers (and maybe just some passers-by) a very merry Christmas. We hope that you look to the real meaning of Christmas rather than just the gifts, the food and family. While all those things are nice, there is just so much more to it. A baby was born one night, long ago. His name is Jesus. Jesus was born THE King of kings. He came to earth to save us from all the wrong things that we have done. Since we have excepted Him as our King, we ask that you do the same. It will be the best Christmas that you will ever experience. So look to the One who will save you from your sins for He is the best gift of all.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

A couple fun tips that save money . . .

I got these next two tips while watching the Rachael Ray Show.

#11
Do you get tired of flat soft drinks? Just squish the air out of your soda bottles after you pour your drink. Replace the cap and stack the soda bottles in the refrigerator. Next time you get your refill, it will be as fresh as if you just opened the bottle for the first time.

#12
Don't you hate it when you buy a gallon of ice cream and you go to get it out of the freezer the next evening and it has already started to crystallize? All you need to do is take some plastic wrap and squish it down into your ice cream container after each use. Your ice cream will be as fresh as the day you bought it! (Seriously! It really works!)

Monday, December 14, 2009

Picture of the Week

This week, the POTW comes from an email I received from a friend. Sometimes, I feel like the house on the right at Christmas-time.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Mocha Marble Fudge

Ingredients:
Butter for greasing
1 can (14 oz) condensed milk
1 tablespoon instant espresso coffee powder or coffee granules
1 bag (12 oz) white chocolate baking chips (2 cups)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation:
1. Line bottom and sides of 8- or 9-inch square pan with foil, leaving foil overhanging 2 opposite sides of pan; grease foil with butter.
2. In 2-quart nonstick saucepan, mix 3/4 cup of the milk and the espresso powder. Stir in white baking chips. Heat over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Spread in pan.
3. In same saucepan, mix remaining milk, the chocolate chips and vanilla. Heat over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Drop by spoonfuls over espresso layer. Swirl mixtures with table knife. Gently press with hand to smooth top.
4. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until cooled and firm. Remove from pan, using foil to lift. Cut into 1-inch pieces.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Saving Money

Okay, so it has been a while since we have done our normal blogs posts. Things got pretty crazy around here (and still are!) but we still wanted to show you ways that you can save money since Christmas is approaching.

Money Saving Tip #10
I really love to drink coffee . . . especially Starbucks . . . but that can get a little costly. I’m not afraid to ask for Starbucks gift cards every year for Christmas or my birthday. It makes me happy and Jeremy happy (b/c he’s not spending all that cash on my coffee fetish). I haven't spent money on Starbucks for almost 4 years! Remember, gift cards aren't impersonal if you give someone a gift card to a store they really love.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Chocolate Mint Thumbprints

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
2 egg yolks
16 drops green food coloring
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
3 tablespoons whipping cream
3 tablespoons butter
18 thin Andes mint candies, unwrapped, cut in half diagonally

Preparation:
1. Heat oven to 350° F. Line cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup butter and the powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in peppermint extract, egg yolks and food color until blended. On low speed, beat in flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Using end of handle of wooden spoon, press a deep well into center of each cookie.
4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Reshape wells with end of handle of wooden spoon. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
5. In medium microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, cream and 3 tablespoons butter on High 1 minute, stirring frequently, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Fill each well with about 1 teaspoon chocolate mixture; garnish with candy piece. Let stand about 1 hour until chocolate is set.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

It's beginning to "look" a lot like Christmas!

Sarah's parents came for Thanksgiving and since we will not be able to see them for Christmas this year, we had to celebrate Christmas and Sarah's birthday while they were here. We were able to get in the Christmas spirit a little bit early when we went to The Botanical Gardens last Saturday.