Preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas: New Items, Sweet Potato with Cranberry Glaze Stuffing

Thanksgiving and Christmas Cooking

The holidays are here and it is time to cook! It is also time to check out some new items for the holidays hitting store shelves and figuring out ways to incorporate them into favorite recipes or use as appetizers. It is also the season for holiday cooking specials galore, and one of the best shows from which to get inspiration is, The Kitchen, and this year there were two recipes that stuck out, cranberry glazed sweet potatoes, and not only can this recipe be served as is, they can be incorporated into other dishes.

New Holiday Food Items

So many new items are out, along with the staple ones everyone waits for the other 10-10 1/2 months of the year. Several food items hitting the shelves include:

• Mocha Chocolate M&M's
• M&M's Hot Chocolate
• Cranberry and Sage Triscuits
• Salted Caramel Pringles
• Cranberry English Muffins
• Nestle Toll House Candy Cane Morsels
• Hot Cocoa Chips Ahoy
• Tasty Cake Red Velvet Donuts
• Cranberry Salsa
• Keurig Peppermint Bark Coffee

These are a few Holiday items on store shelves and as strange as Salted Caramel Pringles or Cranberry and Sage Triscuits sound, they are really good and can be used at the holiday table.
For the Pringles, use as a savory topping on a sweet potato or pineapple casserole or as broken pieces in glazed apples or an apple salad. For the Triscuits, use with a cranberry cheese ball or a seasonal dip as an appetizer.

Using the M&M's for toppings or inside baked recipes is always a good idea. When baking cookies, brownies, cakes, or even for an ice cream inspired treat, add these or broken up chips ahoy or candy morsels to the mix to add extra flavor, and enjoy those flavors more while sipping a cup of Peppermint Coffee (Keurigs Peppermint coffee is delicious!).

Use the Red Velvet donuts as appetizers as well as the cranberry salsa. Buying the prepared cranberry salsa is actually less expensive than homemade and will safe the cook time and money. As for the Cranberry English muffins, what better to use for the leftover sandwiches during the holidays? All of the foods listed are really good and certain to add flavor to anyone holiday.

Cranberry Glazed Sweet Potato Stuffing

The Food Network show, The Kitchen, featured several holiday favorites from turkey to desert, and one of the side dish items featured was cranberry glazed sweet potatoes. They are easy to make, minimal mess, and very economical friendly, along with delicious! Another plus, this recipe can be turned into a stuffing. Simply follow the recipe used on The Kitchen, but only pour 1/4 cup of the glaze over the sweet potatoes. Stir in the sweet potato glaze mixture into cornbread, sausage and apple, or out-of-the box turkey, chicken, sage, or cornbread stuffing (already prepared). Add about 1/2 cup of the glaze into the mix and spread into a large rectangular baking dish. Bake at 325 to 350 degree Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes. Half way through, butter the top of the stuffing and spread 1/4 cup of the glaze over the top, finish cooking. The result, a sweet and savory stuffing that incorporates everything from cranberry to sweet potato that still goes perfectly with gravy.

Starbucks War on Christmas

Starbucks War on Christmas

Christmas items in Starbucks! The outrage!

Starbucks has decided not to celebrate Christmas this year. Yes, there will be the usual selection of Eggnog, Gingerbread, Chestnut Praline, and Crème Brulee Lattés, and Peppermint Mocha, and the favorite treats including cranberry bliss bar (mouth watering good), but there is no Christmas scene or holiday design on the cup which is obviously a sign that the corporation is totally Anti-Christmas. Seriously, who sells Christmas food items and doesn't put a Christmas tree or Santa face on their cups, napkins, and other items to go with it? What is an Eggnog latte without ornaments on a paper cup that is going to end up in the trash? Come on Starbucks, where's your Christmas Spirit?!?!?

It seems like they left that spirit on the menu and on the sale floor. Sure, go ahead and sell $12.95 mugs with ornaments on them, Christmas K-cups and Coffee for $9.95 to $16.95, and big travel mugs and even a $2 refillable cup that says "JOY" on, making millions have to skip out on TWO or THREE or FOUR holiday lattés in order to buy a cup they will have at home with Christmas designs on it, but don't bother giving your patrons a beautifully designed Christmas scene on the cup that will go into the trash. That's fine, your customers will gladly go roam the country for a store with holiday coffees that offer them a holiday cheer paper or Styrofoam or whatever cup, because of all the things to boycott Starbucks over, this is it!


Now, honestly, the cups are pretty boring and blah as far as Christmas cheer go, and as painful as it is, most people will probably still be drawn to your company because of the delicious Christmas beverages and treats and possible gift items, and the fact that gold card members get awesome deals, and because the company is doing the buy 5 grande or venti holiday beverages and get 1 free offer, with the little ornaments stickers. Even so, the point is, this company has gone too far, and the cup issue must be fixed, ASAP! To all the Bah Humbuggers, from now on my name for the baristas will be "Merry Christmas!" Take that, Starbucks.


(P.S. this is satire)

Thanksgiving Leftover Baked Burrito

topped with sour cream

Thanksgiving Leftover: Baked Burritos

Thanksgiving or Christmas, this is a leftover recipe that can be used with chicken, duck, turkey, pork, or beef, and it could even be made as a quick pre-Thanksgiving meal for the family the night before a holiday because it is so easy to put together. Using shredded turkey, cheese, salsa (or make it interesting and mix in some cranberry with the salsa), rice (even a thin layer of mashed potatoes), and flour or corn wraps, this is a great meal for Black Friday or after the holidays, and extremely versatile.

Ingredients:

• 1/2-1 lb. shredded meat
• 12-15 Flour or Corn Wraps
• 2-3 cups of Mild or Medium Salsa or (if using mashed potatoes) 1-2 cups gravy (yea, it gets interesting in a good way)
• 3 lb. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 2 cups cooked rice or 1 cup mashed potatoes
• 1-2 cups baked, black, pinto, or kidney beans (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spread about 1/2 cup salsa (if using the mashed potatoes, use leftover gravy instead of salsa) on the bottom of a casserole dish (9X9 or 13X9).
3. Fill each wrap with meat, beans, and some cheese. Roll and place side by side in the baking dish.
4. Spread the rice on top and the rest of the salsa on top of the rice, then top with lots of cheese.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes (until cheese is melted and slightly bubbling).
6. Wait 5 minutes, then dig in!!

Another way to make this-

1. Follow the 1st step above.
2. Spread some Cranberry sauce on the bottom of the baking dish, along with some gravy.
3. Fill the wraps with some stuffing and turkey, roll and place side by side in the dish.
4. Spread Mashed Potatoes on top, then top with cranberry sauce and gravy. Add some Italian Cheese if desired.
5. Bake 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are slightly browned and the top is bubbling and warmed.
6. Wait 5 minutes and EAT!!

This is such a fun way to take leftovers and incorporate them in a dish that is totally different and one that kids will love to eat, because it is not the same old leftover meal. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas Toys 2015

Christmas Toys 2015

The Holiday season is coming up quick, as it approaches updates on latest sales, toys, and other children's gifts will be given. Even so, it is the time of year to start the looking, shopping, and the laying away. So far, several items are on boys and girls toy lists for the year, here are some to consider looking for now:

Girls:

• Frozen items-pretty much goes without says-even so, for preschoolers there is Frozen Karaoke and also, probably a huge item, Sing-A-Long Elsa-prepare yourselves folks
• Barbie Style your Way House and Style your Way Fashion-accessories and items for the house can be purchased separately but aids in creativity as well as story telling and development
• Calico Critters-this series is absolutely wonderful for younger children. Kids will have fun creating a town full of friendly critters who take care of each other and may even help kids in developing a town with a sense of community and realizing how all professions and people come together to see that everyone is happy and needs are met.
• Princess Peppa- For toddlers
• Little Live Pets-this is a bird cage with a bird that will sing and be a fun addition to a kids room-also, easy pet to take care of
• Monster High Castle and Play sets-This series has really kicked off and kids will have fun recreating scenes using the "Freaky Fusion Catacomb" Set

Boys

• Star Wars Lego- As a mom of 3 boys, all that has been talked of for weeks now is the new Star Wars film and toys! One of the best gifts to give a boy or girl is legos, and what better way to celebrate the highly anticipated opening of the new film than with legos? Several have caught the eyes, including the Wookie Gun and Sandcrawler, but there are many to choose from and all will inspire young Jedi's everywhere to build a galaxy of their own.
• Star Wars Blade Builders Master Jedi Light Saber-oh yea, this and Kylo Ren's light saber are going to be popular with the fans.
• Star Wars Interactive R2-D2-Yea, another popular toy (also, there is an interactive Yoda who will teach young Jedi's to become masters and is actually pretty cool), he walks, spins, moves in any direction, can be programmed to do 1000 different commands, is voice activated, and even projects images of Leia on the wall. Talk about a popular item for the holidays, this is it.
• Nerf N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster-Last year it was bows and arrows from the Nerf company, this year it is back to a blaster. This is pretty much an updated version of all other Nerf blasters, just new, but look for the sales on the item on Black Friday andCyber Monday and know, they go fast.
• MeccaNoid G15 KS Personal Robot-Anyone remember the movie, "Short Circuit?" Well, this robot will bring back memories and create new ones for children. This robot talks, communicates with people, but it will require a long assembly time.

Other toys for the holidays include:

• Paw Patrol Patroller (also, look for the Paw Patrol Playtime Rug)
• Dancing Stuart (a fun minion toy)
• Minions-everyone loves these little creatures from "Despicable Me," whether it is the movie or some toys or the fart gun, these are a win win.
• Guitar Hero Live
• Tegu Blocks-colorful and encourages imaginative building
• Board Games-so many fun ones and kids love playing board games as a family or with friends
• Movie Tickets-considering much of the popular toys are Star Wars based, why not get movie coupons or tickets and offer to take the kids to see a movie over the holiday break.

Keep an eye out for Black Friday Ads, which are already beginning, and get ready for the big season but most of all, remember what Christmas is really about and have a very Merry one with loved ones. Merry Christmas!

Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie Line Up

Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie Line-up

Hallmark Channel's, "Home and Family," finally previewed the line-up of original movies for the 2015 Christmas season, beginning on Halloween! The best part, this year-there is 17 new original movies and a FIVE night movie event during Thanksgiving. One has to admit, the movies have gotten better over the years, and continue to do so. Last year's movies were huge hits for the Hallmark Channel, more so than year's past, many premiering at number 1 and even being the most watched show on television.


Hallmark Christmas Movie Line-up 2015:

The Christmas line-up includes stars such as Candance Cameron Bure, Danica McKeller, everyone's favorite teacher on the show When Calls the Heart, Rachael Boston, Lori Laughlin, Baily Madison, Dermot Mulroney, William Shatner, Christopher Lloyd, and what seems to be the headliner, Mariah Carey. Mariah Carey directs and acts in the last movie to première of the season (Dec. 19th), Melody and Mistletoe. Even so, the most anticipated movie is most likely, Northplole: Open for Christmas and for Debbie Macomber's Dashing through the Snow.


Northpole was an instant hit with viewers last year. Hallmark stores sold the Christmas tree light up device from the movie and the Elf/Santa talker (can't remember the names of the items), and people fell in love with the heartwarming story, and Debbie Macomber is a Hallmark staple now and her books are absolutely wonderful and perfect for those looking for an easy heartfelt reading experience, but no matter what, all these movies (17!) will make for one Holly Jolly Christmas on the Hallmark Channel.

So get ready, Oct. 31st is when the holiday madness begins and it is going to be wonderful! Merry Christmas!

Christmas in July

Christmas in July

Christmas in July has really been building up over the past few years. Now, it seems like everywhere one turns their is a Christmas in July special, event, show, sale, or movie! And it is AWESOME!!! Of course, the best part of Christmas in July is the preview of ornaments at Hallmark. This is an event that has been going on since this blogger can remember. In fact, my first job was as a temporary ELF at the première of the ornaments at Hallmark. Yeah..... an ELF. Fast forward a few years and, even though manning the food station and inviting customers into the store in an Elf outfit was a bit embarrassing, I still get excited and go shop at Hallmark in July.

Although, the store premières its ornaments, do not overlook other areas of the store. There are some great gift ideas in there and Fall and Christmas items from the previous year marks down BIG time. One fun gift idea is the "You might be a Redneck if..." magnets and coasters, all $1. Peanuts items slightly marked down but always a fun gift, and Fall sayings marked up to 80% off. Now, the main draw is the ornaments, and in some stores some older ones can be found at a discount price but for the most part all are full price. Even so, the best time to start Christmas list shopping is now in order to really enjoy the holidays later.

However, there are other stores prepping, already, for the Holidays (including Halloween). Craft stores are starting to bring in Autumn decorations, and by the end of August, discounts on those items begin to appear, and by October, the craft stores mark them down big time and begin to bring in the Christmas items. For Christmas lovers, especially those who enjoy being crafty, look out for decorative items from last year (often in the isles, on the sides, sometimes in the very front) to get crafty with. Also, go ahead and stock up on paint and brushes to decorate plastic or glass ornaments. Even though these are low cost items, this way it will cut cost later and will be ready to use when needed.

Another great gift to go on and buy for those who love them, or for ones self, CANDLES!! Many candle and fragrance stores have holiday scents, most have Fall items out right now, but the holiday candles are still being sold. For those who want to wait, the new fragrances usually show up sometime between September and October. On the plus side, that is when the Autumn items start going on sale too.

Of course, do not forget clothes and yes, winter and Christmas apparel can be found now for up to 80% off! Kohl's is a great option. Check out the sales rack, no matter what store, take the time to really look through stuff. There were sweaters and dresses all under $10! Some other stores, such as Belk's, have Christmas shirts from last year. So, for those who need that gaudy Christmas shirt for a party or photo but do not want to spend as much on it, go look now for the discounts.

Now, for those looking to do for others, Samaritan's Purse is always doing shoeboxes and some areas do them in July and December. It is a great ministry and for anyone who has participated in it, they will tell you the immense joy it brings to kids and families who really have nothing-not even pencils or crayons or paper. It is a wonderful opportunity and one of many to look into. It is always fun to get excited about sights and sounds of the Holidays but it is so important to think of others and keep that Christmas Spirit going year around.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas Shopping

Christmas Shopping

It is never too early to begin the Christmas shopping process. Even if it is the week after Christmas, which is an awesome time to buy next year's gifts. Shopping early has multiple benefits, one of the main benefits, not running around like a crazy person with all the other people trying to find gifts. However, for families with children, early shopping may not always be the best idea or it could be an excellent one, but the main reason for early shopping is co-workers, aunts and uncles, grandparents, friends, and siblings, leaving the children for the Thanksgiving sales is understandable.

Reasons to Shop for the Holidays Early

Summer is a great time to go ahead and buy Holiday gifts for family, especially towards the end of July through the beginning of September (Labor Day sales). Reasons for shopping during this time include:

1. No Holiday Traffic
2. No gigantic lines at every store entered
3. Easier access to decent parking spaces
4. Less stressed store employees (even if it does not seem so, it very much is, anyone who has worked retail or in any store can probably agree)
5. More likely to find items being sought
6. Christmas in July sales
7. Reduced prices on many holiday items online (many stores, companies, even eBay, offer holiday sale items throughout the year and, if lucky to find, in stores)
8. Personal favorite reason: Coffee and food lines are short and one can still order Peppermint mocha's at Starbucks in most areas year around

Honestly, the list of reasons goes on and on and with all the Christmas in July events and the fact that many stores start loading up on holiday items early, finding holiday gifts is pretty simple. A great tip, if going to a specialty store (like those in Gatlinburg or, near here, Biltmore Village or a specific year 'round Christmas shop) find the sales tables and racks. Items can be discounted up to 80% off. Also, check out retailmenot.com, and get daily offers for multiple stores and websites.

Christmas Gifts to Buy Early

Focus on family and friends. For some, it may be as easy as ordering gift baskets from Hickory Farm in December for everyone or just buying gift cards at a specific store, one store for men and one for women. Even as easy as that is, it can add up. A quick tip in this case:

• Have a Christmas account ready to use when the holidays hit-specifically for friends and family
• Set a specific amount for family and friends-same or more for one, less for the other
• Know how many are being bought and if it is going to be an individual or couples gift

For those who like to buy separate gifts for everyone, here are some more tips for buying early presents:

• Gift cards to favorite stores
• Canned jelly and jams (prepared at the end of summer, store in the cupboards, decorate with gift tag and ribbon and give along side crackers or biscuit mix, easy peezy)
• Make-up Sales, end of summer sales make a great time to hit the make-up aisles or department and maybe even score a free gift to keep or give
• End of summer clothing sale for men and women, stores have huge sales during this time and even towards Thanksgiving when it comes to Fall apparel. Look for sales items, especially in stores like Target, in the back near dressing rooms. In fact, some winter items from last year are still in stores but marked down 80-85% in some places. The other day, at Kohls, I bought a $37 long sleeve shirt for $9.95, marked down 3 times-pretty good deal. It takes some searching but is worth it.
• Books or planners or calendars, go ahead and get some books or planners for the following year .

Lotions, Body Wash, and soaps are always a good buy but many stores seem to have spectacular deals on these items at Christmas and offer added bonuses. If buying for kids, end of summer is a great time to buy clothes, but it might be better to buy a size up in pants-if it's an infant or toddler, stick to the size they will be at Christmas-parents will use it at some point. As for toys at this point, keep it simple-stuffed animals, Imaginext or Legos, Lincoln Logs, toys that make noise, Mattel cars, bubble machines, ball and bat, summer items that will not be available come Christmas.


Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

Christmas Sales!

Christmas Sales!

Even though it is Spring time, sales on Christmas items can be found. Today, William Sonomas was a total surprise. Some of the items on sale included "Gingerbread Cheesecake Mix" for $.97 (YES!!), "Peppermint Cookie Mix" for $4.97, "Peppermint Bundt Cake" for under $5 and more! To add to the fun, caramel goods and some fall items were also on sale and the expiration date (unlike some of the food mixes found at Hallmark and other stores) were good through 2016!!! Talk about excited.

Some other stores that have Christmas sales include local Christmas shops. Many of these shops have upstairs rooms or separate areas where sales are located and when items are up to 80% off, it is so worth it to check those rooms out and perhaps find a Christmas gift for this year. Hallmark also offers great sales on winter holiday items at this time and yes, those are also somewhat hidden in the store but can be found, and don't forget to go to the sales racks in Kohl's, especially in the home goods section because they offer extremely good markdowns.


Starbucks, depending on locations-both in grocery stores and chain stores-is selling single and 9 or 12 packs (cannot remember the exact number) K-cups Blonde Christmas Blend and another Christmas Blend. The individual cups are $1.50 and the boxes are reduced to $4.95. If seen, grab.

No matter what time of year Christmas deals can be found. Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Winter Decorating

Winter Decorations

Just because the Christmas season is over does not mean that the lights and all ornaments need to be boxed up for the next 10-11 months. Make the season last longer, throughout the winter or even the year just by using snowflake, homemade or bought, ornaments, tinsel, and white or blue lights.

Grove Park Inn Gingerbread Houses 2014

Directions:

Wrap the lights around white tinsel (or whatever color of tinsel is available) and hang in windows, above the fire place, entertainment center, or doorways. Place ornament hooks onto snowflake or snowman ornaments and hang along the lit tinsel.

Another way to add some winter flare to the home is by creating a winter wreath using blue tinsel, foam wreath, and white snowflake wire tinsel.

Directions:

Wrap the foam wreath with the  blue tinsel. Use a glue gun to secure the first and last piece to the foam wreath. Wrap the snowflake wire around the blue tinsel. Hang using blue ribbon or wreath hook.


Add some more winter flare to the home by placing snowflake or snowman pillows on the chairs and sofa, a winter tablecloths on the dining table, and using winter fragrance candles as center pieces on the table. Merry Christmas all year long!!! 

Coca Cola Bears Gingerbread

Inventing Scrooge

"Inventing Scrooge"


During the holidays this blogger starts reading Christmas stories in October! Some favorites include, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," "A Christmas Story," "Humor For the Holidays," and "Mrs. Miracle." Throughout the 7 years where reading 3-5 holiday books during the season, this woman has never read the classic most famous novel by Dickens, "A Christmas Carol." Now, I have seen numerous movies of the story, but never ever read the book, but that is about to change thanks to one book that took me on a journey into the characters of the beloved classic and its author.

Inventing Scrooge by Carlo DeVito, is a fantastic read. The book dives into the history of the man behind the story and how his daily/nightly walks and travels, along with financial fears, helped him pen A Christmas Carol. From Marley and Fred to the three Spirits of Christmas and Scrooge, every character has a personal story from Dickens's past and, in some cases, notable men of England's past. The story was written with such detail, that even the fireplace in Scrooge's bed chamber is based on one from Dickens's favorite childhood home.

Charles Dickens was a well-known, well desired, writer by the time his Christmas tale was written, but what led him to write the tale was the loss of money on a recently developed book that was not very popular with the public. Due to his childhood, Dickens was terrified of not having money and of spending money and time wisely. He grew up in a home where the parents became frivolous in spending, eventually landing his father in debtors prison and the children in child labor. After reading the "behind the scenes" of his life in this book, readers will realize how much of himself is in every novel from A Christmas Carol to Oliver Twist that he has written. Even so, it is not just Dickens life that is featured, it is that of the characters, and one way in which Dickens drew inspiration was by walking.

Dickens took daily/nightly walks to help him physically and mentally. During these walks he went through all sorts of areas, no matter where he may be, but one of his favorite cities to walk was London. Even so, it was during a walk through a grave yard where he came up with the name Ebenezer Scrooge, on another journey he saw a door knob that he decided to describe as the one on Scrooge's door, and it is possible that even Marley's name was thought of during his nightly journey's, but characters such as Fred and Fanny came from his own family.

The character Fred is based on his own brother, a brother who he loved and helped and tried so hard to keep in line in order to keep him from ending up like their father. It is said that the first meeting of Fred and Scrooge in the book was based on the feelings Dickens had for his brother when his brother, who was a joy to Dickens and his wife and children, and him got into an argument and left. This and so much more is why DeVito's book has officially inspired me to read A Christmas Carol.

This is a wonderful novel, some critics say as good as Dickens own story, and will make one see the characters of the story with a whole new light. Highly recommended read. Merry Christmas all year round!!!

Holiday Sales

After Holiday Sales

Grove Park Inn Gingerbread Houses

One holiday season may have come to an end, but the countdown to the next is still going and there are some great sales to be had. If anyone is looking to buy ornaments or any Christmas items as a gift for next Christmas, now is the time to buy. No matter where one is looking, be it online or in store, Christmas items are marked down as much as 80% (85% every now and then).

This is also a wonderful time to sock up on some winter clothes for next year. As fun as it is to shop for Christmas gifts, the sales that occur right before Christmas and after tend to be absolutely worth looking at. Kohl's is having a Baby, Maternity and Home Goods Sale. Some really good buys include Comforter Sets from $89.99 to $99.99, Christmas items (especially lights and inflatables), outdoor chairs and sets. There is a Wisteria Comforter Set (20 pieces) for $172, marks down from $430. For those shopping for baby gear, use promo code "HEYBABY20" until Jan. 13th, to get 20% off.


Old Navy is having a sale on Active Wear, 40% and a deal for online shoppers. Online shoppers only can get an extra 25% off regular priced items or 15% off already marked down items by using the promo code, "TREAT." As always, the store has kick butt prices, the clothes have really stepped it up to be good, affordable, and long lasting products, and it is hard to beat the jean prices for adults and children, $10 and $15. If shopping in store, be sure to go through the sales rack and all racks because there is always a really good sale that can be found, but sometimes it really does take looking. A few days ago, I found $2 kid pants, originally $17, but the key to finding them was really looking, taking time is definitely helpful.

Hallmark is a big deal during the holidays, this past season was no exception and the best prices on their ornaments come after the Christmas season. There are still plenty of ornaments online along with Interactive Storybooks and puzzles. While in store, there is usually an area, not in plan site, that has a Hodge lodge of holiday items ranging from Halloween to Christmas that can be as low as a few cents.

There are so many reasons to check out the sales and maybe make a new tradition to shop for Christmas gifts after Christmas rather than fighting the Black Friday or pre-Christmas crowd. Here's to keeping the Christmas Spirit all year long, and wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!!