Well, seems I "fell off the wagon" with posting this week. But I have gotten alot done shopping-wise! Going to do some wrapping tonight....one of my favorite things to do. Can't put bows on until the last minutes though....kitties! That says it all! LOL Enjoy this recipe below and make some wonderful little gifts for co-workers, friends or family!



Make the season merry and bright with homemade cookies from your kitchen! Layer these ingredients in pretty bow-tied jars to give as gifts; they looks as good as they taste! Include the prep instructions with your gift tag.
Oatmeal Pecan Cookie Mix
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
3/4 c. old-fashioned oats
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 c. crisp rice cereal
Additional ingredients:
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 egg
1 t. vanilla extract

In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and baking powder. In a 1 qt. glass jar, layer the flour mixture, brown sugar, oats, pecans and rice cereal, packing well between each layer. Cover and store in a cool dry place for up to six months. Yield: 1 batch (about 4 cups total)

To prepare, in a large mixing bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually add cookie mix. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: about three dozen.

Give us Lord, a bit o'sun,

a bit o'work

and a bit o' fun;

Give us all, in the struggle and sputter

Our daily bread and a bit o' butter.

-from an old inn in Lancaster, England

Today I'm off to do some very needed Christmas shopping. I wanted to post the wonderful Potato Casserole for everyone to have.

Hashbrown Casserole
1-2lb. pkg. thawed (from frozen) hashbrowns (I use the "chunks")
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 c. melted margarine
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 c. cream of mushroom soup
1 pint sour cream
2 c. grated cheddar cheese

Topping: 2 c. crushed corn flakes
1/4 c. melted margarine

Combine all ingredients except topping and pour into a buttered 9 X 13 casserole dish. Combine corn flakes and margarine and sprinkle on top of casserole. Bake 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Very delicious!!



"It's Christmas in the mansion,
Yule-log fires and silken frocks;
It's Christmas in the cottage,
Mother's filling little socks;
It's Christmas on the highway,
in the thronging, busy mart,
But the dearest truest Christmas,
is the Christmas in the heart."

21 more shopping days left until Christmas. I'd better get busy!!

Shopping is a woman thing. It's a contact sport like football. Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death and the ecstasy of the purchase.

Erma Bombeck

Caramel Apple Dip

8-oz pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. caramel ice cream topping

1/4 c. honey

1/4 t. cinnamon

3 to 4 green & red apples, cored & sliced

Garnish: Cinnamon

In a medium serving bowl, combine cream cheese, caramel topping, honey & 1/4 tsp cinnamon; beat until smooth. Store in refrigerator 'til

chilled. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve with apple slices.

Makes 2 cups

Remember, Peace begins with a Smile!

Mother Teresa

Every gift
thought it be small,
is in reality great
if given with
Affection.


Apple-Cranberry Sparkler
4 teabags
2 c. boiling water
1 c. cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
1 c. apple juice, chilled
2 t. sugar
Place teabags in boiling water and brew for 5 minutes; remove teabags. Combine tea, juices and sugar in a pitcher and chill. Makes one quart. Looks oh-so pretty when served in lovely holiday glasses.

"Have a holly jolly Christmas,
It's the best time of the year.
I don't know if there'll be snow,
But have a cup of cheer." --Johnny Marks


So remember while December brings the only Christmas Day, in the year let there be Christmas in the things you do and say."

Here's a little Christmas from the Warner's. A few pics from around the house. Of course decorating would be the same without my little fur babies helping. Taz decided the fencing I laid out would make a good kitty corral. If they can get in it, on it or otherwise get in the way...they will find a way! Enjoy and come back soon.....Beth

We have now entered into the second day of the last month of the year! I know, it sounds unbelievable. Where does the time go? Is everyone done with Christmas shopping? I'm have hardly started! I'm going to try and put a little inspiration on here everyday and also share a wonderful recipe to help us with "smooth sailing" right on through the holidays.

Christmas memories are some of the sweetest and fondest of those we carry through our lives. From our earliest childhood recollection, Christmas memories are stored in a special place in our hearts, to be recalled during quiet times of reminiscing. Make sure when you do your scrapping that you journal about those days and memories for later generations to enjoy reading about.

Good Memories, like good friends,
should be visited often.

Here's a wonderful Christmas-time recipe for Peppermint Candy Cheesecake:
1 c. graham cracker crumbs
3/4 c. sugar, divided
6 T. butter, melted and divided
1 1/2 c. sour cream
2 eggs
1 T. all-purpose flour
2 t. vanilla extract
2 8-0z. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. peppermint candies, coarsely crushed
Garnish: frozen whipped topping, crushed peppermint candies

Blend crumbs, 1/4 c. sugar and 1/4 melted butter in bottom of ungreased 8" round springform pan; press evenly over bottom. Blend sour cream, remaining sugar, eggs, flour and vanilla in a blender or food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape sides. Add cream cheese and blend; stir in butter until completely smooth. Fold in crushed candy and pour over crust. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and run a knife around edge of pan. Cool, then refrigerate overnight. Loose pan sides and remove springform; serve garnished with whipped topping and crushed candy. Makes 12 servings.
This not only is very pretty, but tasty! Yum!!

Jingle........Jingle..........Jingle
Thread jingle bells on a cord or string, knot the ends together, and hang
on the knob of your front door. What a merry sound for arriving guests to hear! Kids love it too!! Come back soon.......Beth