holidays

A Day Of Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is the day, above all days, that America stops to give thanks to the Lord for all He has done. We take a moment to appreciate the good, let go of the not-so-good, and bless others with our love … and a wonderful dinner!

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Yes, we do eat on Thanksgiving, don’t we. OK, we eat a lot on Thanksgiving! My family makes a traditional dinner featuring a delicious roast turkey, matzo stuffing (yes, matzo), yams, mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, warm dinner rolls and, of course, classic green bean casserole. (I can’t believe that I almost FORGOT green bean casserole this year – but, with a reminder from hubby, I wrote it back into the plans just in time. LOL) For dessert, this year, we have pumpkin pie and cherry pie, too.

After several days of eating leftovers, I plan on making that delicious Hellman’s mayonnaise recipe: Cranberry Turkey Leftovers Casserole. Then, we’ll be done. Back to “normal” life for at least a few weeks.

“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 136

Happy Thanksgiving! #Thanksgiving Share on X

Do you have any special family traditions for Thanksgiving? Tell us what you do!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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This Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe Will Make Your Tastebuds Soar!

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Do you enjoy finding a recipe that is “all that?” Well, now you have found one. This recipe is my most recent achievement destined for the “Great Snack Hall Of Fame” – a nut covered curry cream cheese ball topped with Strawberry Jalapeno Fruit Jam – guaranteed to disappear before the party is through. The tangy sweet n spicy flavor of this new spread is the secret to my recipe’s success. I teamed it up with a multigrain crispbread. The perfect combination!

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curry cheese ball appetizers

Not only is the taste amazing but the fruit spread and crispbread are a “better for you” choice. The crispbread crackers are all natural, high-fiber crunchy “wholesomeness.”

appetizers, recipes, party food, snack ideas, family fun

This recipe can be an appetizer but, mom, don’t stop there. Make it for snacks, too. It refrigerates beautifully. Just pull it out anytime the family needs a little something to munch on. So easy. So delicious!

Do you use dinner plates as serving plates? I do, too!

Curry Cream Cheese Ball Recipe

[with strawberry jalapeno jam topping]
Ingredients

16 oz. cream cheese / softened to room temperature

1 tsp curry powder

2 T mayonnaise

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/16 tsp (a smidge) of coarse sea salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Topping: Strawberry Jalapeno Jam

Spread on: Multigrain Crispbread or your favorite crackers

Directions

Blend cream cheese, using a hand held mixer.
Add curry powder, mayonnaise, garlic powder and salt.
Blend well.
Form the cream cheese mixture into a ball, using a rubber spatula.
Pour chopped walnuts onto a clean plate.
Lay the ball of cream cheese mixture on the nuts.
Gently turn it over and pat the walnuts onto all sides.
Cover the top with plastic wrap.
Using one hand holding onto the top, slowly turn the plate over and wrap the plastic all around.
Refrigerate overnight.

Unwrap its deliciousness when you are ready to serve.
Press a depression into the top of the ball.
Spoon in the
Serve with multi grain crispbread or the crackers of your choice.
Enjoy!

Magnetic measuring spoons are such a great invention! ♥

Do you love making great recipes for your family? You have got to try this one!

Enjoy!

Now isn’t this cute? Great mug set for soup or how about chili???? Love it!

Your pets are apologizing?

Kitty: “How do you spell SORRY???”

Puppy considers a way of escape.

They feel really bad about all of the pet hair they leave around!

So, when are you going to tell them you already bought

yourself a NEW Shark vacuum cleaner!???? LOL

Save Time – Get Your Forever Postage Stamps Here!

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Actually, I am really not this smart. Someone else is and I learned from her. You see, as an Amazon affiliate I do see what people buy through Amazon using my links. I do not know who they are but I see what they buy.

All of a sudden, several people purchased postage stamps. I had NEVER thought of it. My guess is that they first were looking at my Seal Envelopes Without Licking Them post. It is very popular and Google lists it on page one of that search.

People asking how to seal envelopes without licking them probably will be sending out some kind of bulk mailing for work or some big event. These people are efficient and look for ways to save time.

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

Forever Postage Stamps

Buying FOREVER first-class postage stamps online makes all the sense in the world! And the great thing about forever stamps is that they can be used anytime, even if the cost of stamps has changed. They are guaranteed by the US Postal Service to be honored for the current price of a first-class postage stamp.

So, I checked out Amazon and they have everything from the classic American flag style postage stamps to holiday greetings to romantic themes for wedding invitations. There is a little bit of everything. One person bought some colorful frozen treat stamps!

And then I noticed a stamp that someone else bought. It is called the this Peace Rose stamp. It is just a pretty as can be – perfect for wedding invitations but can be used for anything at all. I like it.

Take a look for yourself. There is something for every kind of special event. Here is an assortment that I found that I really like but first I have to show you the cutest stamp roll dispenser that looks just like a mailbox. Adorable!

Save time and buy FOREVER postage stamps online. So many great images ... makes a statement for you. #weddings #holidays #celebrate #happybirthday #USA Share on X

Enjoy!

Cookie Cutter Cookies – Easy Recipe

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Rolled cookie cutter cookies have to be my all-time favorite holiday treat. We see them most often served as holiday cookies in the wintertime but there are so many cookie cutter shapes and styles on the market that you can easily make them at any time of year.

As a veteran sugar cookie maker, I can say that this recipe, by far, is the simplest to make and tastiest, too. If you need to make a big supply to send with your kiddos to school for a classroom treat or serve at a party, you will really appreciate just how easy this recipe is to make. You can turn them out, dozens at a time, all day long!

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links.❤️

So let’s get baking:

Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups butter [softened]

2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

Gold & White edible sprinkles for baking.

Directions

Preheat oven to 400° F.

Cream together sugar and butter, in a large bowl.

Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.

Stir in flour, baking powder and salt.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate one hour or more [even overnight.]

Flour your work surface.
Cut the dough in half or thirds.

Roll out a piece of dough using a rolling pin, making the dough ¼ to ½ inch thick.
Tip: Keep counters clean – easy cleanup – with silicon baking mats.

Cut shapes out of the dough using cookie cutters.

Bake them on an ungreased cookie sheet, 1 inch apart, for 6 – 8 minutes until lightly golden brown on the edges. Do not over-bake.
Tip: I tend to burn cookies so I use Air-Bake Natural Cookie Sheets.
Perfect every time!

Cool.

Make all the delicious cookie cutter sugar cookies this holiday season with this EASY recipe! #cookies #holidays #recipes Share on X

Recipe adapted from The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies on All-Recipes.

Enjoy!

Spring Chef Magnetic Measuring Spoons Set with Strong N45 Magnets, Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Metal, Fits in Most Kitchen Spice Jars for Baking & Cooking, BPA Free, Black, Set of 8 with Leveler

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Cleanup is a breeze with a Shark navigator lift away vacuum cleaner with LED lights!

3 Of The Cutest Christmas Stocking Gift Holders

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Each holiday season there are people to whom we want to give memorable gifts. The gifts do not have to cost a lot of money. They do need to convey thoughtfulness.

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This year I was looking for just such a gift for the teachers I work with. I found a set of six 3-D Christmas stockings: 2 Santas, 2 Frosty the Snowmen and 2 Teddy Bears. I ordered them through Amazon and they arrived within 2 days. The price was under $20.00 for the set and they are just perfect for inserting a gift card plus some candies.

Here is the set that I just got.
☑️ Set of 3-D Christmas Stocking Gift Holders I just checked and it says they are out of stock. Bummer! If I were you, I would check back often to see when it changes. They are that cute! The same company has a couple of other styles, too, that are just so sweet. You will see them all on the same page or look for them below here. I have hunted down a few highly rated alternatives!

Here is a 12 pack of 7.5 inch embroidered felt Christmas tree decorations that can also be used as gift card or candy holders that is really cute. If you are having a party, they would be great party favors! Another neat idea, your kids can bring them to school for their gift at a holiday party.

For a rustic look, try these lined Burlap Christmas Stockings! They make great treat bags for people, dogs or cats! Everyone gets in the act. Check out this idea … use them to line the mantel as a decoration!

And look at THIS set of 3-D Christmas stockings. They can be used for gift holders, decorations on the mantel and, get this, flatware holders on the table. WOW!

3 cutest 3-D Christmas stockings that make the best gift holders! #giftideas Share on X

Enjoy!

Make Gift Wrapping A Highlight Of Your Holidays

The wonder of the holidays so filled with sights, sounds, smells and feelings. Holiday preparation can be as special as the big day itself if you plan it that way. Enjoy every moment and turn gift wrapping into an event, instead of a chore!

Do you wrap your gifts or use colorful gift bags? Do you buy bows, make them or use something classically yours to make those presents look nice? I have seen super sized yarn used for ribbon. I’ve seen twine or fabric bows. My brother’s packages were always identifiable. He wrapped all his gifts in newsprint. Yes, that is right. He took the daily newspaper and wrapped them that way!

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The surprise element of giving gifts is part of the fun. Whatever method you use, endless holiday gift wrapping can become tedious. Liven it up by making it something to look forward to. You may enjoy having company to help you. Make a date with your hubby or your kids. That will probably take more than one time as you don’t want the gift receiver to see what he is getting! You may really enjoy time alone to get things done without conversation. That is perfectly OK. It still can be special.

How to make your holiday gift wrapping fun! #holidays #family #gifts #Christmas Share on X

How to Make Your Holiday Gift Wrapping Fun

Carve out enough time to not feel rushed. If that is not possible, only do what you can finish each session so that you truly can enjoy the moment.
Put on some music. I love listening to Mannheim Steamroller. Sometimes I just flip on the radio and find the 24-7 “Sounds of the Season” station.
Make a treat. Hot chocolate or fresh brewed coffee is fine for me. If I have little helpers, I add freshly baked sugar cookies to the mix.
Have a large space cleared out. The dining room table or a big, clean and DRY section of the kitchen counter will do. If you are a crafter, your craft table is perfect for gift wrapping.
Collect all of the tools and supplies. When you will need for wrapping the gifts at hand you won’t have to go searching.
Gather the gifts to be wrapped, leaving them in their bags. If you don’t get through wrapping them all this time, they are so much easier to put away. Plus, they remain hidden from little visitors who may sneak in.
Enjoy the moment. If you have helpers, take pictures, too!

Tools and Supplies You Will Need For Wrapping Gifts

Enjoy!

Make a Gingerbread House For Family Fun

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What a fun wintertime family project making gingerbread houses can be! Make one or several, creating a whole festive scene. Just clear out a space where you can leave them for a while and work on it piece by piece!

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TIP: If you are leaving the houses unattended, guard them from the family pets!

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Blue and yellow Hanukkah gingerbread house

I wish I could tell you that I had a hand in making this but I was at home, preparing our family holiday dessert party, while my daughter, Shannon, granddaughters – Sara, Kenzie, Madalyn, Amelia, Nora – and grand daughters in-law Claire and Nicole were all producing this amazing Gingerbread House Village!

Shannon has a large homeschool classroom at her house that makes such a perfect workspace.

You’ll notice that every edifice is made of baked gingerbread, not graham crackers. This took much time and care. Claire and her family have traditionally made gingerbread houses every year. The one pictured below earned them 2nd place in a big contest!

Claire’s award-winning Gingerbread Bakery!

I love the ingenuity that goes into every design. Nicole added a pretty blue pond made from melted blue Starburst candies (pictured below.) There are so many fun details you can include – just use your imagination!

Besides the obvious – gingerbread – craft and decorate your houses with gum drops, colored candies such as Necco wafers (they make great shingles on a roof) and just about any candy that has a reasonably long shelf life.

Royal icing is excellent mortar to hold the walls together and it makes beautiful decorations, as well! There are many recipes for gingerbread houses. Try this one from Food Network, which also includes instructions for making royal icing – GINGERBREAD HOUSE RECIPES and INSTRUCTIONS .

Here is a video montage of amazing Gingerbread Houses that you will love.
~If you are viewing this by email, just click on the title and come over to my blog to view it.~

Take a look at this gorgeous blue Gingerbread House for Hanukkah. Isn’t it pretty?