Must Try Tuesday: November 30, 2010

I don't know about you but we are definitely gearing up for Christmas around here.  The tree is up and beautiful and I have the spirit now.  My girls are so excited this year as my sister and her family are coming for Christmas.  We have not had a Christmas together in 9 years so we are super excited this year. 

There are were some great recipes on the blogs over the past week.  I can't wait to try these.  I did make the cranberry biscuits and they are so good.  I will be making them again during the Christmas season. 

Have a great week!

Soap Mom's Kitchen

Cranberry Biscuits

Photo by Soap Mom's Kitchen

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Delectalicious!

7 Cup Fruit Salad

Photo by Delectalicious!

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Moogie & Pap

Baby Rum Babas

Photo by Moogie & Pap

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The Sister's Cafe

Ham Cheese Ball

Photo by The Sister's Cafe

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The Girl Who Ate Everything

Peanut Butter Popcorn

Photo by The Girl Who Ate Everything

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Family: Woo hoo! We made the honor roll!

I am just so proud of my girls that I am bursting!  All three of my girls have made the honor roll again for this 6 weeks.  Hailey made the A honor roll.  Abby and Zoey made the A/B honor roll.  All three of them were listed in our local paper.

Way to go girls!

12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies: Week #9

Christmas is around the corner....I can't believe it!   I didn't make cookies this week because we cooked so much for Thanksgiving.  And although I didn't bake, there were lots of bakers who did. 

Here are some of their great creations!

Week 9 Twelve Weeks of Christmas:

Recipe: Potato Puffs

Do you have leftover mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving and don't want to keep eating them the same old way?  I have the perfect recipe for you.  My grandmother made these for her family when she had leftover mashed potatoes.  This is the first time that I have made them and I can tell you I will be making extra potatoes just so I can make these again.  The puffs are almost like  hush puppies because the potatoes take on a bread like quality.  They are awesome and would be a perfect replacement for french fries or tater tots.  They are good plain, but I jazzed mine up with some powdered ranch dressing mix, cheese and bacon crumbles.  The girls dipped theirs in ranch dressing, but I think they would be good with honey. 

Enjoy!

Potato Puffs

1 cup mashed potatoes
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp powdered ranch dressing mix, optional
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon, optional
1/4 cup finely shredded cheese, optional

Mix all ingredients together until well blended.  Heat about a 1" of oil in a skillet.  Drop mixture by heaping teaspoonfuls, four or five at a time, into hot oil. Fry about 2 or 3 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. They brown quickly so watch carefully. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately. 



Linked To:
  * Mommy's Kitchen:  Potluck Sunday
  * A Southern Fairytale:  Mouthwatering Monday
  * 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven:  Homemaker Monday
  * Blessed with Grace:  Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
  * Balancing Beauty and Bedlam:  Tasty Tuesday
  * All the Small Stuff:  Tuesdays at the Table
  * From My Tiny Kitchen:  This Week's Cravings

Family: School and County Science Fair

Last week, my girls competed in their school science fair.  Abby grew mold on bread.  Zoey created an eco-system in a bottle and Hailey grew bean plants using different liquids.  All three girls placed.  Abby took 3rd place, Zoey took 4th place and Hailey 5th.  Because they placed, all three moved on to the county science fair the following week.  The county science fair included all three schools in our county.  Abby and Zoey both placed in their grade level.  Abby placed 9th and Zoey placed 7th.  Although Hailey did not place, I am happy that she was able to complete her board.  She was extremely ill and had a high fever during the time we worked on the boards.  And although she didn't feel good she managed to persevere and complete her board.  She is disappointed that she didn't place, but happy for her sisters. 

Because Abby and Zoey placed in the top ten of their grade level, they get to go on a field trip to the Museum of Natural Science in Houston next month.  They are so excited but nervous to go without their big sister.  I think they will be fine once they are on the bus and on their way.

Way to go girls!  Mommy and Daddy are so proud of all three of you!

Abby with her science project board

Zoey's science project board

Hailey's science project board

Abby and Zoey with the other winners in their grade level

Our big winners!

Must Try Tuesday - November 23, 2010

There were so many awesome recipes on the blogs this week.  I just love all of these holiday recipes that I am seeing.  Here are some that I can't wait to try.  I am going to try the Cranberry Pecan Pita bread tomorrow so we have bread for all of the chicken and turkey leftovers. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lori's Lipsmacking Goodness

Egyptian Tomato Soup

Photo by Lori's Lipsmacking Goodness

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Making Memories...One Fun Thing After Another

Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Photo by Making Memories...One Fun Thing After Another

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Deals To Meals

Cinnamon Butter

Photo by Deals to Meals

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Cooking with Cristine

Pumpkin Doodles

Photo by Cooking with Cristine

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From Apples to Zucchini

Cranberry Pecan Pita Bread

Photo by From Apples to Zucchini

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The Pursuit of Happiness

Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles

Photo by The Pursuit of Happiness

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The Girl Who Ate Everything

Sweet Potatoes - Ruth's Chis Style

Photo by The Girl Who Ate Everything

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Family: Troy's Birthday

In my effort to catch up, here are some pictures from Troy's birthday.  The girls and I made him his favorite foods for dinner, corned beef and cabbage with baby potatoes.  This year, we didn't make him a cake but got him a cake with cupcakes in a Halloween theme. 

Happy Birthday honey!!

Recipe: Cranberry Pecan Cookies

Cranberries and pecans....is there any better a combination?  I think not...well made add some chocolate in there and you have a winner in my book!  These cookies are quick and delicious and you don't have to dip them in chocolate, but why not? 

I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Cranberry Pecan Cookies

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1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/4 cups AP flour

1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1-6 oz bag dried cranberries

1 cup chopped pecans (I toasted mine)

1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 to 2 tsp oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.  Combine the flour, baking powder and salt.  Add the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture and mix well.  Stir in cranberries and pecans.  Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.  Flatten just slightly.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Cool on pan for a few minutes and then transfer cookies to a wire cooking rack.


To Dip in Chocolate:  Melt chocolate in microwave until smooth.  You may add oil as necessary if your chocolate is a bit lumpy.  Dip one half of the cookie in the melted chocolate and allow to dry on a wire rack.

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If you like cranberries, try this awesome recipe:

Cranberry White Chocolate Bars

Linked To:

  *  Balancing Beauty and Bedlam:  Tasty Tuesdays

  * I HEART Naptime

  * Simply Sweet Home:  Holly Bloggy Christmas Recipe Party






Week 8 Twelve Weeks of Christmas:

Family: Hailey's 9th Birthday - Home

This year, we decided to keep Hailey's birthday simple with just family.  I am glad we did.  Our entire family came down with a nasty cold that had all three girls fighting off fevers and coughs.  It eventually spread throughout the house and we all came down with it.  Even though most of us were not feeling well, we somehow managed to get up enough energy to celebrate. 

Every year, I let the girls decide what they want for birthday dinner and cake.  Every year, Hailey requests her favorite meal...spaghetti.  For her cake this year, she decided to go with something different....a pumpkin pie.  Another of her favorites. 

Because she is getting older now, her dad and I decided we would splurge and get her the Nintendo DSi that she has been wanting.  I found an awesome deal at Target and was able to get her the DSi XL Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary edition.  When she is not a school or doing homework, she is playing around on her new DSi.  She also got a very nice grown up journal and pens from her Nana because she loves to write.  Nana also gave her some body spray and the Hannah Montana Movie game for her DSi.  Her sisters gave her a new pink cheetah (her fav color and print) headband, bracelet, a pink ornament with "H" engraved on it and the new Taylor Swift CD. 

Although it was a quiet birthday, according to my baby it was the best birthday ever.  That was music to my ears!

Happy Birthday Hailey-belle!

Mommy loves you!

Family: Hailey's 9th Birthday - School

I can't believe my baby Hailey-belle is now 9!  It was just yesterday that my little bald headed baby was scrunched up in her car seat....wasn't it?

Hailey wanted to celebrate her birthday with her classmates so Troy and I brought cupcakes to her classroom.  Of course the boys didn't so much like the princess theme but I didn't hear too much complaining.  We also had the science fair at school on her birthday and she placed 5th in the 3rd grade section.  Daddy also joined her and her sisters for lunch at school...yummy cafeteria food!

 Hailey with her teacher, Mrs. Mindy Cobb

Must Try Tuesday - November 16, 2010

It has been a crazy week.  Our entire family came down with a horrible cold that included a cough and fever.  The adults are still fighting it off, but the girls seem to be on the mend.  Add to that, we had science fair projects due yesterday.  Trying to work on project boards with a fever and coughing is no fun but somehow we managed to get it done.

That did not leave a lot of time for reading my favorite blogs, but I did manage to find a few minutes here and there and came across some awesome stuff.  I hope to try all of these very soon.

Mommy's Kitchen

Pumpkin Cake with Caramel Cider Sauce

Photo by Mommy's Kitchen

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Recipe Shoebox

Sour Cream Apple Bars

Photo by Recipe Shoebox

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