Ideas linger in my head....

So today while doing gift exchange with the family my sister-in-law had brought a bead necklace says she is starting her own business. So now I have the idea of teaching myself how to make jewelry, dip my hand in it so to speak. I'd like to try atleast, must figure out where to buy beads and the tools and plus do alot of research on the net to even learn how to put it all together! I thought about this a few months ago but got caught up with daily life. So my New Years resolution is to DO SOMETHING! Do something I haven't before and give it my best. Wish me luck!

Start of something new...

 So I've started a blog. Where I can be the teacher and the student. From recipes to sewing and crafts to ideas I come across I just want to share or that I'm learning along the way. I've tried starting other blogs before post one thing and never return. I hope to keep this one up and going. We will see I guess!

 Its also 3 days till Christmas and I've baked all the goodies. Friday is cooking day to be prepared for Saturday Christmas Day. Church dinner and gift exchange was last Sunday, check. I've just gotta get through this week and vacation for me really begins.

 Now on to the goodies I whipped up this week.
                                          Peanut Blossoms

                                          Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peppermint Bark

Chocolate Covered Pretzles and Mini Ritz Bit Sandwiches

candy made with almond bark, crasins, raisins, walnuts and pecans (I don't have a name for it). 

Melting Snowmen Cookies

 I might have some more up my sleeve depends if I have time.

 Fridays cooking includes potato salad, pea salad, candied yams, baked beans, corn casserole and deviled eggs. YAY Go ME! haha I have to REMEMBER to finish the picture frame for my mom before Saturday. Had a pic made with the four grandkids and I had wanted to use the cricut to make the border for the frame. Glass etching might be in the plans, hmm trip to Hobby Lobby might be required. Will put up a pic as soon as I'm finished with it.

The other thing I have worked on this month was ornaments and handmade cards using the cricut.

                                          Snowman Ornament

Santa Belly

Pretty on the tree!

Laundry is calling, so I will post quick recipes to the goodies and say goodnight :)

Peanut Blossoms

1 cup peanut butter (chunky or creamy I used creamy)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

chocolate kisses unwrapped

Preheat oven to 350

Mix all first three ingredients until dough forms. Tablespoon at a time roll into balls and place onto baking sheet. Bake for about 8 mins maybe 10 depending on your oven. You want them to have a cracked top appearance. As soon as you remove from oven gently press one chocolate kiss into center continue until all cookies on that sheet have a chocolate. Then remove to cooling rack to cool completely, you have to allow enough time for the chocolate kiss to harden back up before packaging for gifts or to place into air tight container. Super easy!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 tube chocolate chip cookie dough

1 package Andes Mint Candies

Preheat oven to 350

Slice a small piece of dough and flatten onto baking sheet. Unwrap and cut in half one mint candy. Place one half into center of cookie dough. Top with another flattened slice of cookie dough press to seal edges. Bake for 8 to 10 mins. Remove to cooling rack. 

Peppermint Bark

1 package white Almond Bark

Candy Canes crushed

Using a double boiler or a large pot with a little boiling water and a glass bowl set down inside. Chop Almond Bark and place into the glass bowl continue stirring until all chocolate is melted. Have a large cookie sheet ready lined with wax paper. Spread chocolate out onto wax paper then sprinkle crushed candy canes on top and press down a little. But be careful you don't want to make it messy and have the candy showing through. Allow to cool completely, I usually leave on the counter over night with a larger cookie sheet laid over to cover. Next day remove from wax paper and break into pieces.

Chocolate Pretzles and Mini Ritz Bits

1 package Almond Bark

pretzles and mini ritz bits

Start basically the same way as peppermint bark. Using a double boiler or a large pot with a little boiling water and a glass bowl set down inside. Chop Almond Bark and place into the glass bowl continue stirring until all chocolate is melted. Drop a handful of pretzles or mini ritz bits into the chocolate and using a fork mmove around to coat. Then pick up each piece with the fork tapping the side of bowl to remove excess chocolate. Have a cookie sheet lined with wax paper ready and remove each candy to this to cool completely.

CrasinRaisinNutCandy

1 package Almond Bark

1/2 cup craisins

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Using a double boiler or a large pot with a little boiling water and a glass bowl set down inside. Chop Almond Bark and place into the glass bowl continue stirring until all chocolate is melted. Stir in craisins, raisins, walnuts and pecans until everything is coated well. Remove to a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Spread out carefully and allow to cool completely. Next day remove from wax paper and cut into small squares.