Get Organized – 2011 Calendar

Yet another way to get ready for a fresh new year. Get out that crisp, new 2011 calendar out and mark the important dates. Being married to a firefighter means that we have a different schedule and inconsistent work days so I make sure to transfer that info onto our family calendar which hangs on the fridge. It is the central way of keeping track of all things important such as school schedules, appointments, birthdays, etc. My husband and I add things to the calendar which comes in handy when we have things that conflict {you know, one of us wants to do something but the other already has dibs on that date!}. Also, my rule is that we write things in pencil that way we can easily erase things and the calendar does not look cluttered. I know, so Type A! I also started doing this when I bought a new address book a couple of years ago. Pencil only! Then there are not a lot of crossed out addresses, numbers, etc. You can only imagine my horror when my hubby wrote someones info in RED pen. I almost died. Seriously. It required some deep breathes to get through it. icon smile Get Organized   2011 Calendar I am fairly certain that will never happen again. Aside from my very basic office supply store calendar on my fridge, I am also looking for something simple for my office. More of a reference for bill paying, etc. I found a few cute ideas that I thought I’d share with you. I might even go the very simple route of just printing a freebie off of a generous free site.

I really like this one over at Wiley Valentine. I am loving this site in general. Mostly cause I am a major stationary junky.

Redblue calendar 300x179 Get Organized   2011 Calendar

I am also partial to this cute desk top style. Simple yet classy. It is also small and won’t take up much space which is key for me. You can find this and many more fun calendars over at Paper Source.

Butterfly Get Organized   2011 CalendarI also really like this simple clipboard calendar. It is over at Etsy. You buy, they will email it directly to you and then you can print it. Because I have a lot of clipboards and one of my goals this coming year is to utilize them to keep me organized, I might just buy this. Click here to head over to Fibers and Twigs for your own print out calendar.

Etsy Calendar 300x224 Get Organized   2011 CalendarAny-who, these are just a few of the easy basic calendars that are available. I am sure you can come up with many, many more. A little secret FYI, Borders now has their calendars on sale for 50% off and last I checked the selection was pretty good! So go ahead, get your self all geared up for the new year. Start by filling in the fun stuff like vacations. Slowly add the other things like your annual teeth cleaning, etc. Happy New Year friends!!!

Good-bye Tree

Well I did it, had too. My tree was so dead that it pained me to look at it any longer. It came down two days ago leaving behind enough pine needles to create a whole new tree! For now it sits on my front porch. Waiting. For Boy Scouts to come and take it away as they do every year. I know quite a few people use the New Year as their fresh start and thus taking down decorations. Well, I always think I will wait and then the tree pushes me. Needles everywhere so I cave and start the organizing of the seasonal decor. I am a major fan of Christmas and very sad to see the season come to an abrubt halt but it does and when that happens, I turn a page and go into clean and organize mode. Also known as “Type A Girl”. I admit, we are just barely a few days past Christmas and I have all of my Christmas decor nicely stored away and my kitchen is about 95% reorganized as well. I can’t help it. It’s like a drug. Once I start I can not stop and my list of projects goes on and on. OK, I guess none of this is totally relevant but I had to share icon smile Good bye Tree I have been missing writing but alas, the spirit of the season overcame me and I had to take a short hiatus.

Dead tree 300x200 Good bye TreeNow, as I mentioned we usually leave our tree for the Boy Scouts in early January with a donation in an envelope. Easy. Done. I am doing a little research though and did you know that many trees are not properly disposed of and end up in landfills? Take the time to do a little research before disposing of your tree. Click here for local places that will take proper care of your used trees. Also, do note that you might pay a fee but it will be a small price to pay to assure that your tree is properly recycled and turned into something resourceful versus sitting in a landfill. Also, the alternative should you be so willing it to turn in into firewood to keep yourself warm and cozy during these cold winter nights .

So what is the 411 on your tree disposal?

Merry Christmas

Just a quick little note to say Merry Christmas! I am going to be cooking for the rest of the day and out of town doing the family thing tomorrow. Wishing everyone a beautiful, safe and happy Christmas. Be safe in your travels and cherish the time with family and friends.

images Merry Christmas



Holiday Traditions

This month has been a whirlwind of fun but wow, why does it have to fly by so quickly?  We have had a lot of fun but as always, my list of things to do is still very long! Things like: Go to San Fran for the day, see a play, etc. Where could I have fit these things in? Oh well, no reason to cry about what I couldn’t do eh??

One of our favorite traditions is to go and look at Christmas Lights. Everyone enjoys it although I think I might like it the most! We usually pick a day that works with everyone’s schedules. Sometimes this is early in the month, other times it is much closer to Christmas. We ended up going last night. I think it was the longest we have ever looked. Our #1 spot is the Fab 40′s in East Sacramento. The homes are beautiful and storybook alone but add some lights and WOW! There are a few streets in particular that are ultra done up. Of course we just drive around the whole neighborhood and I forgot to take note of what those streets were! Last night was a very busy night. There were a lot of cars as well as a lot of people bundled up and walking through the streets. I might opt for that next year. Why you ask? Well because their were Christmas Carolers as well as someone playing holiday songs on a violin (which is my FAVE instrument!) You can not enjoy these things from the cozy comforts of your car icon smile Holiday Traditions

One of the kids favorite places is the Lovotti house that is all done up with Cartoon Characters.

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Mason of course loves this character the most!

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Our tradition also involves a stop into a local Starbuck’s for the perfect holiday drink! You know, Peppermint Hot Cocoa and Caramel Apple Cider. YUM! I do love this time of year and all of the fun things it brings. Oh, did I mention the funniest new decor that I have seen this year? Light up pigs! A lot of people had them as part of the outdoor decor. One house had several in trees. I should have taken a photo, it was pretty funny!

What are your holiday traditions??

Dried Cherry and Almond Cookies with Vanilla Frosting

This is another “dangerous to keep in my kitchen” kind of treat. I can not stop myself from eating them. Therefore, they are a make and give away kind of cookie only saving a few for me! I am a big Food Network fan and Giada De Laurentiis is one of my faves. This sweet creation is one her’s and I love it!!

Almond Cookies 300x225 Dried Cherry and Almond Cookies with Vanilla Frosting

Dried Cherry and Almond Cookies with Vanilla Frosting

Cookies:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup coarsely chopped dried tart cherries (see Cook’s Note)
  • 1/2 cup slivered, blanched almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped (see Cook’s Note)

Icing:

  • 2 3/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons water, plus extra, as needed

For the Cookies:

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in the egg. Add the flour and beat on the lowest speed until just blended. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the dried cherries and almonds.

Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into a log, about 12-inches long and 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Wrap the dough in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (Dough can be made up to 3 days in advance).

Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cut the log crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Transfer the dough slices to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1-inch apart. Bake until the cookies are golden around the edges and puffed, about 15 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before icing, about 30 minutes.

For the Icing:

Put the powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the vanilla extract and water, adding more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture becomes a drizzling consistency. (Makes about 2/3 cups icing, enough to ice both variations.)

Put the cooled cookies on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Using a spoon or a fork, drizzle the cookies with the icing, allowing any excess icing to drip onto the baking sheet. Allow the icing to set before serving, about 1 hour.

Cook’s Note: To toast the almonds, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.

Cook’s Note Alternative:

Replace the dried cherries with 1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots and add 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts. Also, use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and omit the almond extract.

Sweet Potato Gratin

This is one of my most favorite recipes  of all times. It was given to me by a friend many moons ago. I think it came from Real Simple but I have yet to find the original recipe anywhere so here it is, straight from my recipe book. It is a must have for us during the holiday season. It also makes a great dish for company. It is fairly easy to make but tastes like you slaved for hours. Go ahead, serve this dish to family and friend – show off a little icon smile Sweet Potato Gratin

Sweet Potato Gratin
6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
2 1/2 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
1 large Vidalia (or any sweet onion) sliced thin
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper

1. Heat oven to 400. Rub 13x9x2 baking dish with 2 Tbsp butter
2. Spread third of potatoes slices in dish, top with half of onions, thyme and cheese. Repeat with another third of potatoes, rest of onions, thyme and cheese. Top with remaining potatoes.
3. Mix cream, salt & pepper – pour over potatoes. Dot with remaining butter
4. Cover with foil, bake 50 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20 more minutes until lightly browned. Let sit 10 minutes before cutting

Delish Gift Ideas

I can not say that I have made all of these — I can say that I’d like to though! They all look yummy-delicious! We are slowly rapidly approaching Christmas and what else could be as fun to receive as sweet goodness? I delivered my 1st batch of treats to the neighbors over the past two days. I say 1st batch as I have to deliver to more neighbors but a girl can only get so much done at a time. The way I was taking over the kitchen in my apron with utensils flying and ingredients disappearing was alarming my hubby {OK thing weren’t really flying but I was bustling about at top speeds with mass amounts of cookie sheets, flour, sugar, bowls, etc. and my hubby DID say that I was crazy!} But I know that he likes that holiday craziness that comes over me because he gets to eat lots of fun treats!

This is what I delivered to 4 of my neighbors and their kiddos. I included lots of goodies, hot cocoa mix with LOTS of marshmallows and of course reindeer food icon smile Delish Gift Ideas Don’t worry — round 2 is coming SOON! No one will be forgotten (should you be reading this post!)

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So a couple of yummy items that I included in my deliveries?

Yummy item #1: Pretzel Goodies, I shared these previously but oh yum! You can find them here at Family Fun.holiday pretzel treats christmas recipe photo 260 FF0105ALMFA021 Delish Gift Ideas

Ingredients
  • Bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels
  • Hershey’s Kiss or Hershey’s Hug
  • M&M’s candy
Instructions
  1. Heat the oven to 170F. Set a number of bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels (one for each treat) in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss or Hershey’s Hug.
  2. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes (the white chocolate will melt more quickly), until the chocolates feel soft when touched with a wooden spoon. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and quickly press an M&M’s candy into the center of each Kiss.
  3. Allow the treats to cool for a few minutes, then place them in the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes. Place handfuls of the candies in clear plastic bags and tie on colorful ribbons.

Yummy item #2: The first time I made these was for Thanksgiving. WOWZERS! They are seriously delish!! I think they would be really yummy served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I dare you to try it! I found these one day when I Googled “Oreo recipes”. Thank God I did too. They are called Oreo Bar Cookies.I did not add the white chocolate and felt that they were A-OK. Check out Knead to be Loaved for the full story on how these came to be.

Oreo Bar 300x225 Delish Gift Ideas

The Ingredients:

1 18 oz. package of Oreo cookies
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325F.  Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with foil (shiny side down) and give it a good coating of non-stick spray.

2. Set aside 8 Oreo cookies, and then put the rest in a large food processor. You can use the plastic bag – rolling pin method for turning them into crumbs, too, but you’ll want this as fine as possible, so a food processor helps A LOT. Add the salt to the crumbs and then stir to combine.

3. Melt the butter and gently stir into the cookie crumbs.  Then, dump the crumbs into the foil-lined pan and press them to the bottom to form an Oreo cookie crust.

4. In the microwave (or a double boiler) melt the 1 cup of chocolate chunks and the milk chocolate, along with the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla.  Make sure that if you use the microwave, you stop and stir in various intervals to keep the chocolate from burning.

5. Stir the chocolate mixture frequently until smooth and spread evenly over the prepared cookie crust.

6. Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips and the Oreo cookies chunks over the top of the filling. Press down gently into the chocolate topping. Bake for 20-22 minutes oven. I also added a sprinkling of additional semi-sweet chunks, so it looks chunky and chocolatey.

7.  Take the reserved Oreo cookies and break into large chunks.  Sprinkle over the top of the bar cookies.

8. Allow the Oreo cookie bars to cool for one hour, then melt the white chocolate chips.  Drizzle the white chocolate over the top of the bars, adding another dose of heavenly chocolate to the  top.

9. Chill until firm and then enjoy.  These are much easier to eat when they are thoroughly cooled, though I will say that they are also delicious warmed and on top of vanilla ice cream, too.

Yummy item #3: These goodies from Picky Palate — I used the Trader Joe’s Candy Cane Jo-Jo’s. Now, I am sharing her photo as they look perfect. Mine were a little less pretty but still share worthy icon smile Delish Gift Ideas Please note her pan recommendation. This might be what made the difference between her goodies and mine. I used the pan that I own which is so old, I couldn’t even tell you what the brand is!

Brownie Covered Oreos 3 300x199 Delish Gift Ideas

Brownie Covered Oreos

1 Brownie mix (or use your own brownie recipe)

1 package Oreos, I used the Holiday ones

White chocolate, melted for drizzle, or Wilton White frosting pen works great

White nonpariels Sprinkles

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Prepare brownie batter according to package directions.  Leave in mixing bowl.  Dip Oreos in brownie batter then place in bottom of cupcake tins that have been generously sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake for 12-15 minutes, until brownies are cooked through (doesn’t take long).  As soon as you remove, take a plastic knife and run along edges, (this is VERY important so you get the cookie out with brownies not stuck to pan icon smile Delish Gift Ideas

2.  Let cool for 5 minutes, remove drizzle with melted white chocolate or the Wilton White icing pen, sprinkle with nonpariels and EAT!  Enjoy icon smile Delish Gift Ideas

Makes entire package of Oreos**Some are having a hard time getting theirs to look just like mine, so here is the exact muffin pan I used.  Apparently all muffin pans are shaped different!!

Yummy item #4: Hot Cocoa Mix — One of my personal fave things to drink in the winter is Hot Cocoa (hold on — I am gonna make myself a warm mug really quick before I continue}. OK, I am back now icon smile Delish Gift Ideas

best hot cocoa mix christmas recipe photo 260 FF1203KITCHA03 Delish Gift Ideas

Best Hot Cocoa Mix — Family Fun
Ingredients
  • 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
  1. Measure all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk them until they are evenly blended.
  2. Store the mix in a tightly covered container at room temperature until you’re ready to package it. Makes about 4 cups of mix.
  3. Wrap each filled gift cup in cellophane and don’t forget to include a tag with the following instructions: “Spoon 3 or 4 generous tablespoons of cocoa mix into your cup (depending on the size), add boiling water, and stir well.”
OK — Now for a couple of items that are on my immediate holiday baking list. And yes, I do like Oreo’s. Obviously icon smile Delish Gift Ideas
Once again Picky Palate makes me drool with these Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookie
Choco Oreo Cookie 300x225 Delish Gift Ideas

Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies

1 stick softened butter
6 Tablespoons sugar
6 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 ¼ Cup flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
8 broken pieces Oreo Cookies
1 Cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream butter, and sugars until well combined. Add egg and vanilla until mixed well.

2. Place flour, baking soda and salt into a large bowl, stir to combine. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients then stir in oreos and chocolate chips until just combined.

3. With a medium cookie scoop, scoop onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Bake for 7-9 minutes or until cooked, but still soft. Let cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

I also HAVE TO make some cranberry almond bark. Bark is such an easy thing to make. I love that it can be broken up and does not have to look perfect.I came across this recipe on All You.

cran almond ay 1875255 l Delish Gift Ideas

Ingredients

  • 1  cup  almonds, pecans or walnuts
  • 1  pound  chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1  cup  dried fruit, such as cranberries, raisins or sour cherries

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread nuts evenly on a baking sheet and toast in oven for 10 minutes. Coarsely chop nuts and set aside.

Line same baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Place half of chocolate in a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until melted. Remove from heat, add remaining chocolate and stir occasionally until smooth.

Stir nuts and fruit into chocolate and then pour mixture onto paper on baking sheet, spreading 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Let cool at room temperature until set, about 2 hours. (You can refrigerate chocolate to speed process, but chocolate may discolor.)

Break bark into large, jagged pieces and wrap in cellophane or pack in boxes.

OK, OK one more!! Then I will leave you to making lists, shopping and getting your kitchen dirty icon smile Delish Gift Ideas

I have always wanted to make meringue cookies but have yet to check that off my bucket list {ha ha ha}. So here is a yummy recipe that I am going to attempt. Wish me luck!

Double Chocolate Meringue Cookies courtesy of Cooking Light

Double Choco Cookies Delish Gift Ideas

Ingredients

  • 1/2  cup  powdered sugar
  • 1/3  cup  unsweetened cocoa
  • 5  large egg whites
  • 1/4  teaspoon  cream of tartar
  • 2/3  cup  granulated sugar
  • 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
  • 1/4  cup  semisweet chocolate minichips
  • 1  tablespoon  powdered sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 300º.

Cover 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper; secure with masking tape. Sift together 1/2 cup powdered sugar and cocoa.

Place egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add granulated sugar and then cocoa mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla; beat until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets to form 36 mounds. Bake at 300º for 30 minutes, rotating racks after 15 minutes. Turn oven off; cool meringues in closed oven 1 1/2 hours or until dry. Sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon powdered sugar. Carefully remove cookies from paper.

Note: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Whatever you might be cooking up this holiday season, do it with love. Happy baking friends!

Give: Local Food Banks

Food Bank Give: Local Food BanksTis the season — right? Most of us are in our warm and cozy homes. We have plenty of food to eat, probably  an overabundance of food. There are so many out there who do not have these simple things that we may take for granted. If you are looking to help those in need this season, here are three great organizations to check out:

Raley’s also has a great program. For $10 you can buy over 25 pounds of groceries. Please click here to see details on the Give a Bag Program. I do this at least once a season. This is part of the Food for Families Program. Click here for more information on Food for Families.

Happy Holidays.

If you do one thing …

… write a letter to a loved one. Not a Christmas card but a heartfelt letter. I recently did this for a friend and it felt so good. Last night four of my girlfriends and I gathered for a glass of wine and a good-bye. Our friend Melanie is moving away — tomorrow. Boo. It was a sweet gathering of girlfriends. Melanie wrote and read the most beautiful, heartfelt letter to us. It was emotional to say the least. As my friend Lisa said, it was sort of like being a part of Kelly Corrigan’s, Transcending, “Cranston Court Style” {our street if you are wondering what I am talking about!}. I am still emotional thinking about it. Good-byes are not my strong suit! Seriously. If you see me in the next two days, I might be red eyed from tears.

Now here is part two of why this idea is fresh in my head {uh oh — cue tears again}. On Monday my dad is having surgery. He has prostate cancer {he keeps calling it “prostrate”. We are tired of correcting him icon smile If you do one thing ... }. So of course this is scary because it is surgery. It has not spread which is the good news. Now if you have known me for many years or are a close friend, then you know the history I have with my dad. I adore him. He is a great dad and a rockin’ Grandpa. He has not always been around though. He went through a very nasty custody battle with my mom. She put him through Hell — and back. Then he hit rock bottom. Alcohol. Rehab more then once and was just so unreliable. He moved, 1st to Utah and then to Missouri. Well he seemed to do better out of state and then he came back. This was always the concern. Could he handle the pressures of real life? Family and so on. He came to visit when I had my oldest almost 8 years ago. He reconnected with his own father {such a blessing}. Then he was gone again. Happy and well but away from us. Then in May of 2005 his dad, my wonderful grandfather, became sick. I was 7 months pregnant. Dad came back again. He was there the moment when my Grandpa passed away. He made it through that moment. He stayed. He was here when my second child was born. He continued to stay. That was 5 1/2 years ago and he is here. Doing well. I am emotional because I have my dad back in my life. My kids have a local Grandpa that they adore. So my plan is to write my dad a letter. To tell him that I am proud of him. He has shown great strength through some of lifes greatest obstacles and he is strong. I want to tell him that I love him. This is my plan. Don’t get me wrong, I know he will be OK but I still feel like this is the time to say these things. And I will. I have a feeling that he will be emotional as well. That is OK though — it is good to be emotional when you are feeling loved.

So this is my personal story that I wanted to share with you. Can you extend some extra love to someone in your life?

Match Box Gifts

009 300x200 Match Box Gifts

This is one of those craft ideas that I saw someone selling long ago on Etsy. Well guess what? It’s easy and a great way to add a bonus gift to a candle. So what did I do? I bought a package of the little match boxes at the grocery store, cut paper to fit {a great way to use scraps}, inked the edges and then added a fun little saying or picture with a stamp. Super cute and so easy! I did some with a holiday theme and others using stamps that I had on hand. I think my fave is the Olive You one. Be sure to give this item with a fun candle that matches — the choices are endless and can be found just about anywhere from grocery stores to retail outlets.

007 300x200 Match Box GiftsNote: If you like this sparkly ink that I used, it is called Champagne by Encore. It is one that I use in a lot of my scrap booking crafts because it is just so pretty!