Black Eyed Pea Parfaits for New Year's

Here is the link to Family Fun for the recipe and "how-to"

Another Mary idea....she is bringing these for our New Year's Eve game night. It is so cute! We are all getting together for games on New Year's Eve. We are setting up a dance station on the XBox Kinect, Singing Star on the Playstation and bowling and sports on the Wii. We are also going to have some board games for those of us who have to watch out for injuries...that is for all of you that remember my Wii accident.

Gift Card Christmas Tree

My friend Mary Kunkle is soooo creative. She gave this to my kids for Christmas. They are a bit hard to buy for because the 5 of them range in age from 12-20. She filled a tree with gift cards to fast food places...which they frequent daily. They all loved it! Even Kennedy, my 12-year-old, felt so empowered. He always ask me to take him places and I tell him no, I don't want to spend the money....now he has his own "money"...what a great idea...but she is full of great ideas!

I Spy Free Printable

Download HERE

Cozy Cookies in a Jar

Find the link here at All Things Heart and Home...it gives great instructions!

Two of My Favorite Holiday Cocktails--Old and New

For those of you who know me, I do drink wine on occasion, but not very often, my mom...who drinks even less than I do...introduced me to this wine after a girls night out. It is sweet and oh so good!

This is absolutely the best egg nog ever and if you have never tried the Promised Land Chocolate milk, try it...a little pricey, but sometimes you just have to do it!!! Sandra Lee said she added Godiva White chocolate liqueur to hers...might have to try it!

Best Disposable Plates

You can get these plates at Costco or order them online....they are so worth it. They are a heavy duty disposable plate called Masterpiece, they are from WNA Comet.

Mexican Crescent Wreath Appetizer

Another Recipe from In Between Laundry

Mexican Crescent Wreath Appetizer

Click HERE for link--great instruction

Candy Cane Popcorn

Candy Cane Popcorn Bark from In Between Laundry

Melt one entire package (16 oz.) of vanilla flavored almond bark. Stir in a popped bag of popcorn (salted is recommended), pick free any kernels, 6 crushed candy canes and 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract. Spread on a greased cookie sheet and let cool. Break apart when hard.

Just Opened My New Etsy Shop

Happy Holidays Everyone! I just opened my new Etsy shop as you will see on the right hand side. I have had several people ask about purchasing my items on line and wanting to share them with friends...and now I can. Etsy is a website for handcrafted items to be sold. If you click on the ETSY, it will take you to just that website...if you click on JHollub it will take you directly to my store. For all my friends that are close, if you would like to pick up an item and not pay the shipping, you can do that too!! I should have found out how to do this in October...but oh well!

I have been buying stuff from Etsy for years and am so glad I figured out how to sell stuff as well...and link it to our blog!!!

Free Printable Fits Giant 6.8 oz Candy Bar

Link HERE for download

Ghiradelli Chocolate Square Covers

Download HERE

Regular Size Popcorn Wrapper

Link HERE.

You have to download the file, but it's fine, I've been using Happy Bird's Crafting for a couple of years.

Nutter Butter Santas

So Cute!...Nutter Butter Santas. I found the link here, but there wasn't instructions, but they look fairly easy to make.

Snowmen Pops by The Idea Room

I am like her, obsessed with snowmen! Look at this link for how to make them, so simple!! There is also an idea with a topper. So cute! I love her blog!

Snowman Soup

Here is the link for the snowman soup recipe along with the files for downloading the printable tag.

Santa Hat Party Mix

So cute, here is the link.

Candy Cane Hearts from Glorious Treats

These are so cute and the kiddos can help with them. For directions, follow this link to Glorious Treats.

Homemade Gift-Seasoned Oyster Crackers

I haven't made these in a few years but they are oh so good and easy to make. We use to make them with saltine crackers as well. They are nice for a homemade gift. See Christy's link here that I found these on again. I used her picture, but used my recipe.

In a large plastic container, use a whole box of saltine crackers or oyster crackers.

In a seperate container mix together, 1 package of ranch dressing, 1 1/3 cups of canola oil, and 2 T crushed red peppers.

Pour mixture over crackers in plastic container and turn several times throughout the day to distribute evenly over the crackers.

Wise Men Still Seek Him Printable

Download through this link

Ya'll Know I love these...Free Printables

LINK

Click here for link

I save these as photos and print as an 8 x 10 out of my photo program

Free Lunch Bag Christmas Printables

Click HERE for link

Click HERE for link to download

Honey Bee's Butter Pecan Brownies

This is such a good recipe and super easy! It's similar to the Pumpkin Gooey Cake Paula Deen makes, but it's not pumpkin or seasonal, so it is good year round! Both are two of my favorite desserts!

One Butter Pecan Cake Mix
Two Sticks of Margarine
Two Eggs
One 8oz Pkg of Cream Cheese
One Box of Powdered Sugar
One Cup of Chopped Pecans

Stir together cake mix, one stick of margarine (melted), and one egg. Pat into a well-greased 13x9 pan. Cream together cream cheese, the other stick of margarine (melted), one egg, and the box of powdered sugar. Spread over cake mix and then sprinkle with pecans. Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 minutes. It won't look done, but it is.

Super Cool, Free Wall Art

How about creating a custom piece of art for someone and the only cost you would have would be the frame and possibly a mat? Free stuff!!! We love it! Leo Reynolds on Flickr Photostream has traveled the world and taken some pretty awesome pics and with just a few guidelines, you get to use them for free. I created one using PowerPoint. It's really simple. You can copy, paste and resize them how you like or even change the orientation to be landscape, etc. Here is the link to the blog where you can see the idea and also get to Leo Reynolds pics.

Activity Placement for Thanksgiving Table from Family Fun

Click HERE

Weekly Shopping List Printable from Becky Higgins

Click HERE for free download of Becky Higgins' Weekly Shopping List

Free Christmas Card Templates from Becky Higgins

Free Christmas Card Templates from Becky Higgins. Click HERE to download them and get instructions for printing....so cute!!!

Thanksgiving Printables from Craftily Ever After

Click HERE

Click HERE

Click HERE

Remember on all of these, click the link, save them to your computer so you can print them like a picture. Change the paper to a borderless letter size and print as an 8 x 10.

These are from Craftily Ever After...I love them!

Click HERE

Toilet Paper Pumpkins by Pretty Handy Girl

This is such an easy idea by Pretty Handy Girl! Click HERE the link. They are so simple and cute. It's just a toiler paper roll, material and some tissue paper. Easy fall decor!

Wordle

Go to this site and create. It is so cool! I made one for all my kids. I suggested that my daughter, who is on a VERY tight budget, give it to her friends for Christmas. We put them in a pretty frame and even blinged a few of them out. The more words the better. I stayed on my computer all night making them. Have fun!!!

Southwest Corn and Walnut Dip

This recipe is from my cousin. It sounds a bit weird, but it is oh so good and very different!

Ingredients:

2-8 oz. packages of cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/8 cup fresh lime juice (the original recipe called for 1/4 cup, but I thought it was too tart and used less)
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt (depending on your taste)
Dash black pepper

Drained 8 1/2 oz. can corn
1 1/2 cups chopped Walnuts

Directions:

Beat all of the above ingredients on low until smooth. Stir in one 8 1/2 oz. can corn (drained) and 1 1/12 cups chopped walnuts.

It is better made the day before so all the flavors have a chance to blend. You can add more spices, lime juice, walnuts or corn to suit your taste.

Fruit Salad

This recipe is a bit juicy. It is good served over an angel food cake, a pound cake or even in seperate small plastic cups. But it is sooo good!

1 can peach pie filling
1 can drained mandarin oranges
1 can drained pineapple chunks
1 thawed, large container of frozen, sliced, sweetened strawberries
A large bunch of green grapes
2 or 3 chopped apples
2 or 3 chopped bananas

Of course you can add or change any fruit you like. Mix everything but the bananas and apples the night before. Mix those in right before serving. Enjoy!

The Pioneer Woman Website

This is a great website for recipes. I have tried several and really enjoyed them. Take a look around. Click HERE for the link.

Oreo Truffles from The Idea Room

1 package Oreo cookies (divided...use cookie including the cream center)

1 8 oz. package cream cheese (softened)

white chocolate bark

1. Finely crush 7 cookies in food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and crush into a fine consistency. Reserve for later.

2. Crus remaining cookies and stir in softened cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together.

3. Roll the mixture into 1" balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.

4. Melt chocolate as directed on the package and then dip balls into chocolate, tap off extra and set aside on wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry. You can sprinkle the tops with the 7 crushed cookies for decorations.

5. Once dry, refrigerate and enjoy!

Makes about 36 truffles

This post is from The Idea Room

Fresh Apple Cake Recipe

Here is a delicious apple cake recipe...it's sort of like banana bread but with apples. My husband's receptionist shared it years ago and we always enjoy it, especially at the holidays.

Fresh Apple Cake

Ingredients:

3 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 eggs
1 cup pecans
1 cup Wesson oil
3 cups delicious apples (about 4 medium apples)

Cook in round or bundt pan (I use 2 loaf pans). Mix dry ingredients, add apples and nuts, mix well. Add eggs & oil, mix well. Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hours.

Kid's Thanksgiving Table Setting

Ok...I'm thinking all of this might be a bit optimistic, but I thought they had some cute ideas to entertain little ones at a holiday table. Click HERE to go to Fiskars for instructions.

Another Easy Advent Calendar

Here is a simple advent calendar made out of a shoe organizer. Follow this LINK and under the You'll need section it will give you the number downloads.

Pocket Advent Calendar

Follow the link HERE for instructions on how to make this cute pocket advent calendar!

Cute Thanksgiving Napkin Ring Idea

This is a unique idea for Thanksgiving napkins rings. Place photos of your guests on their napkin. I use to do this at Christmas on gifts. My nephews use to love it. I would go through my albums and scan in the pictures and put them on their gift instead of a name tag. Everyone got a kick out of looking at the old pictures.

Circle E Candles

Circle E (Bird of Paradise) candles are my favorite. They come in these great glass containers. I burn through several a year and came across a website (pittypatpaperie) that recycles the container! After the candle burns down just remover the metal wick holder, put it in the microwave to melt the wax and remove wax with a paper towel after it has melted. Use vinyls to decorate....so cute!!!

Another Free Thanksgiving Printable

Click Here for the Thanksgiving card download

Free Thanksgiving Printable

Free Give thanks tag HERE

Click HERE. Save as a picture, then size it and print it from your picture program.

Click HERE

Christmas Advent Cones

This was in Family Fun magazine. Use the 40% off coupon from Michael's to buy the "tis the season" paper pack. It even has glitter paper...WE LOVE GLITTER!!!! You can put candy, stickers or other small toys under the cones. On certain days, when time permits, you could even add a Christmas activity...like making cookies, singing carols....or my favorite...which I make the kids do each year since my birthday is Dec. 12th, watch a holiday movie! Follow this link for directions.