Best Christmas Cake EVAH

OK, so this is a fun recipe that someone sent me a few years back...I will have to try it some time!

Tequila Christmas Cake

1 cup water

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 cup of brown sugar

Lemon juice

4 large eggs

Nuts

1 bottle tequila

2 cups dried fruit

Sample the tequila to check quality. (I already sampled it.....several times to check the quality).

Take a large bowl, check the tequila again. To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Repeat.

Turn on the electric mixer.

Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.

At this point its best to make sure the tequila is still OK. Try another cup...just in case. Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the frigging fruit up off the floor.

Mix on the turner.

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the tequila to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something.

Check the tequila.

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.

Add one table.

Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.

Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window.

Finish the tequila and wipe counter with the cat.

CHERRY MISTMAS!

Be still, and know that I am God.

That verse has brought me from a dark place more times than I can think. I know that even though so many things happen in our lives, really truly sad things, there is a reason for it. HIS reason. We don't know what tomorrow holds for any of us, or if we will even have a tomorrow. But God does. If you are hurting this holiday, just remember His eye is on the sparrow, which means He values us - His children - so much more than the really small things. Merry Christmas.

Whew.

Christmas tree decorated? Check. Stockings hung by the chimney with care? Check. Christmas cards addressed and stamped? Check. Holiday baking underway? Check. Christmas shopping over halfway done? Check.
I love Christmas... and all the lights and bells and shiny stuff! This has been a particularly hard year for me and I was beginning to worry about my lack of holiday spirit. However, lo and behold, my Grinch-ness disappeared over the weekend and I kicked into full Christmas countdown! Ok, so I only have two weeks to enjoy this festive time, but better late than never I say!
Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season - yeah, that sounds cliché, but it is absolutely true. Peace.

Santa Baby

Isn't she the cutest thing you have ever seen? Who wouldn't love a visit from baby Santa?!

Easy Greasy CHOCOLATE Peasy!

OK, my FABULOUS best friend Chris, who is enjoying single digit temperatures in Chicago, gave me this easy, easy recipe. He is an accomplished chef, but can throw down the basics when he needs to! My son and I made these this morning, and it was hard to stay out of them! I am making up a name for them because I don't know the real one!

Pretzel Turtles a'la Chris

Windowpane shaped pretzels
Bag of Dove Chocolate Caramels
Nuts (Pecans or your favorite - I used walnuts)

Preheat oven to 350°. On a cookie sheet, lay out pretzels. Then top each with a Dove candy. Then finish it off with a nut on the top. Cook in oven a few (maybe 3 or 4) minutes just until chocolate melts enough to stick to the pretzel. Remove from oven - I gently pressed the nut on the top to make sure it stuck as well. Cool and INDULGE.

We are blessed.

There are many things I am thankful for. Sometimes life changes come along and remind me just how blessed I really am. I welcome the times that I can be thankful for...


My faith and my Jesus
Tried & true friends
Family - inlaws and outlaws too!
A wonderful husband
A sweet son
My home in the woods
A grandfather that I need as much as he needs me
Good health
The ability to give, even when I don't
My mama who takes care of all of us!
The beauty of a sunset on my drive home
The ability to do things I love - cook, design, photograph...


Sometimes. Life. Happens. But I am most thankful for the times when it does - and I stop and breathe - and thank God for what he has given to my life.


It's gonna be cold this weekend! Bundle up next to the fire and have a cup:

Hot Caramel Apple Cider

1/2 gal. apple cider

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

1-1/2 t. cider vinegar

1 t. vanilla extract

4-inch cinnamon stick

6 whole cloves

1 orange, sliced

Optional: 1/2 c. apple jack liqueur

Garnish: 1/3 c. caramel ice cream topping

Combine all ingredients except topping in a slow cooker. Cover; cook on low setting for 5 to 6 hours. Strain; discard spices and orange. Serve in mugs, drizzling a teaspoonful of topping into each mug. Serves 16.