Christmas in July

 So, yesterday peppermint bark was a Christmas gift idea, today, after viewing the Home and Family episode on Hallmark with Debbie Macomber, maybe it would be interesting to think about when the best time to shop for gifts would be. One of the host of the show believes July is the best time to buy, but I would say end of summer beginning of fall (and sometimes mid-fall), is a better time.


For years, I've been able to find items from clothes to make-up to bedding and baby marked up to 80% off around autumn. Especially in department stores such as Sears, Kohl's, Penny's, Macy's, and Belks. The only product that seems to be a pain in the rear to find for a decent price is TOYS! The best advice to give to parents, start shopping for toys before autumn. 

Last year I decided to begin buying one Christmas gift for each of my children once a week for 10 weeks. My boys love Lego's, cars, and, of course, video games and anything electronic. So, in order to keep from splurging when Black Friday hit, I made sure I set aside time to go to one store (mainly Wal-Mart) and grab a gift for Christmas. Not only did this help reduce cost (for 3 boys, ages 4-9, the total cost was well under $200), it also ensured that they got an equal amount of gifts-some large, some small, and many ended up being on sale and I mean big time sale. These boys got small to medium Lego sets that I found for up to 60% off, books up to 25% off, and even found a game system they wanted on eBay for $50.00 with games. Of course, they each got an outfit, shirt, jeans, and socks and undies (socks and undies count as 1 gift and is the stocking stuffer with candy in our home), and all on sale from Old Navy, Sears, and Penny's.

Pumpkin Bread

Even so, there are numerous ways to save money during the Holidays, here are some tips:

1. Start Early
2. Plan the gifts
3. Make a list (and yes, check it thrice), mark off items when bought
4. Do not become discouraged if something is not found. It might be a good idea to plan for a back-up gift for some people just to be sure items can be found.
5. Keep it simple. For the extended family, friends, colleagues, think of gifts such as candles, soap, bath items, food, calendars, or even gift cards (lots of folks like gift cards, and a $5 Starbucks card can make for a great day!). This not only makes shopping easier, it tends to be less expensive, and less stressful.

Of course, after getting the gifts one must wrap it and tomorrow I will present a couple of cute wrapping ideas and, trust me, this wrapping paper will not get thrown away. Merry July!!!!

Hallmark Christmas in July

Hallmark Christmas in July

Can you believe it is already that time of year when Hallmark  is about to release its Christmas ornaments? The plus is, Christmas movies on Hallmark, Christmas previews of upcoming specials, Christmas events on Home and Family, and of course, being able to see some fun ornaments soon. Even so, it seems so quick, school one month away, fall two months, then Halloween when the Hallmark Channel will start its countdown to Christmas!!! It's Christmas insanity and I love it.

For those wondering, the Keepsake ornaments will be in the stores on July 12th, 2014. Also, as an added bonus, this weekend on ABC Family, Home Alone 2 will be airing on Friday evening, right after Casper, and before Harry Potter weekend. "Now that's holiday!" So, for all of us wishing for autumn and Christmas, between ABC Family and the Hallmark Channel, we should get our fill.

Since it is close to Christmas, it is time to start thinking about gifts and decorations (yes, July is close, once August ends, the time will fly). So starting now, here is the first suggested gift for someone at Christmas....FOOD.

A batch of cookies, fudge, or my favorite peppermint bark.

Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. bag white chocolate morsels
• 12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 12 finely crushed candy canes
• Cookie sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Baking spray 
• 1-2 tablespoons milk or half-n-half (optional)

Directions:

1. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper, spray well with the baking spray.
2. Crush Candy Canes in a food processor or by putting them in a freezer bag, placing them on a couple of folded towels and use a kitchen hammer or a real one until finely crushed, set aside.
3. Melt the semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave according to package instructions, if it seems too thick, add about a teaspoon of milk to thin out, or melt the chocolate in a double boiler on the stove, turn the heat to medium-low (if there is no double boiler, place a round baking dish (oven safe) with handles over a pot fill about half way with water, stay with it and stir to keep it from sticking.
4. Once the semi-sweet is melted, add half of the crushed peppermint by folding it in. Spread onto the parchment paper and put it in the refrigerate until hardened for 1-2 hours.
5. Once the semi-sweet is hardened, melt the white chocolate (microwave or stove method).
6. Pour the white chocolate over the semi-sweet and spread out, sprinkle the rest of the peppermint on top and place in the refrigerate for up to 4 hours to hardened make sure the door can close and do not use the freezer).
7. After the bark has set, pick it up in the parchment paper and place on a large cutting board or clean surface. Before breaking, peel off the parchment.
8. Break or cut into squares or triangles and put in large Mason Jars with ribbons and tags or decorative tins or boxes.

Nothing says Merry Christmas like food, and this peppermint bark is a definite win when it comes to gift giving and can keep for up to a month! Alright, enjoy and let's keep talking Christmas :) 
 

Holiday Movies

Holiday Movies

The time for Christmas movies is almost here! This Saturday, November 3rd, 2013, Hallmark starts playing Christmas movies. Who's excited? All who LOVE Christmas! As for me, I've been watching the movies all fall and cannot wait to start seeing them listing on TV along with new ones. 
As I always say, Christmas brings out the best in so many. I recently saw a joke on Facebook saying, "At the stroke of midnight on all Hallows Eve, Christmas music will start playing." For me and all those in love with the season, that is great! So, this Saturday lets watch movies and begin getting into the holiday spirit a month early with movies, music, and decorations.

HAPPY Christmas 2013!!! 

Christmas Traditions

Christmas Traditions, All Year Long

As I watch Home Alone 2 tonight, my memories go back to 3 years ago, when our family use to end the day by sitting down and watching a Christmas movie almost every night of the year. It was a special time, the only time of day when we were actually together. Most nights we fell asleep on the sofa's. At the time, my oldest was 4 or 5, my youngest not yet 1 and my middle child, 2 or 3. It is one of the most memorable events of our lives.

There is nothing like being reminded of what Christmas is all about, no matter what time of year. We watched the movies from February to December, snuggled together, enjoying the sites and sounds, and falling asleep dreaming of the most magical season of the year. It's a family tradition that created warm memories of what the holiday season is really about. 

As my children grow, even though, they are still young, I can't help but remember those times where we were brought together by one of the most magical seasons of the year. Even before they were born, growing up as a choir directors daughter, I often started listening to cantata's and Christmas music by the end of summer. My dad and me would sing our hearts out in the car as we ventured to the next choir rehearsal. For me, the music of the season is heart warming and the scenery sparks thoughts of driving through mountains to the next church practice or concert. There is nothing more wonderful than the fond memories such a lovely season brings to a family.

I sincerely hope, even though, Christmas is months away, that families will keep the spirit year around and remember the memories that are built around the holiday season. Hold on to them in your hearts, remember the warmth and continue them with your own family.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Memories

 There is usually one Christmas that everyone remembers more than others. Most of the time it is full of gifts that one never thought they would receive or a time with family that made one really appreciate everything around them. For me, the Christmas that sticks out the most is possibly one that should be the worst ever. However, in hindsight, it made me realize how blessed I was and what Christmas is really about (sort of like, Clark Griswold).

When I was 10, I had given up dance for a while due to a fractured thumb and wrist which placed me in a cast for months. A few months after my incident, my sister hurt her knee cap and was on crutches. Even so, Christmas eve and morning were just as they should be, perfect! We had a ton of presents that my mom had spent hours wrapping with tags from Santa and woke up to the tape of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing a number of Holiday songs. There was a plate of holiday M&M's and Andes mints waiting for us on the coffee table and we were up at the crack of dawn ready to unwrap the gifts. From there, we enjoyed a magnificent Christmas dinner at my grandmother's house, complete with her famous persimmon pudding, traveled back an hour and half to our home and prepared for the next day, when we would be leaving for my dad's family.

The day after Christmas turned into a total disaster. As my mom begged my sister and me to get dressed and packed, smoke filled the house and we ran to the kitchen to find a pan of bacon on fire. My mom, being a quick thinker, took the pot outside (flames and all) and smothered it, then returned inside to put out the remaining flames with the fire extinguisher and call 911. Meanwhile, I was crying and my sister was in shock. Our kitchen was stained with smoke and when my dad returned home he announced we would not go to see his family that day.

For some reason, the news devastated me. All I could think of was missing out on the huge family trip complete with a southern meal of turkey, ham, corn pudding, cranberry casserole, seven layer salad, potatoes and green beans, corn pudding, and tons of food and deserts. To top it off, I couldn't stand the thought of missing out on the opening of the piles of presents we would receive, already forgetting about those opened on Christmas Day. To me, Christmas was ruined and all I could think was, "Thanks mom for burning the bacon (real thankful, right?)."

Thankfully, my dad announced we would go for New Years, but it would not be the same. I would not get to see my cousins, who I loved spending time with, and sing the carols I loved to sing with that side of the family during the holidays. Even so, I was excited and looking forward to the trip. Unfortunately, our plans changed when on December 30th, the day we were supposed to leave, a car crossed the lines on our rode and hit my mom and dad head on leaving our family vehicle in total disrepair.

As happy as I was my parents were okay and the woman who hit them, who attempted to drive off, could not drive more than a quarter mile up the road due to the damage she inflicted, I was crushed. The holidays were ruined for me. I cried and complained, begged my parents to just rent a vehicle and go until my dad gave up and put me in my place.

On New Year's Eve, my father sat me down and reminded me of how thankful I should be. He told me about a Christmas where a young boy from their small town in Eastern North Carolina had nothing, no family, no gifts, and often walked up and down the streets staring at the picturesque scenes around him. For years, my dad had made fun of the child until one Christmas when his father told him this young man's story and about his parents, one in prison, the other an alcoholic. That Christmas my dad's parents invited him in one evening for dinner, it was the first real Christmas he ever experienced. Later on, that young man came back to thank my father's family for all they had given him over the years, he grew to be successful and part of a company after getting a scholarship to college, which no one in his family had ever received. My dad looked at me and said, "You need to be thankful for what you have and stop being disappointed in the things you do not have. Count your Blessings."

Talk about feeling like a totally spoiled kid, I felt so bad for making my parents feel like they were the cause of all the woes we experienced that Christmas, even though, they really were not their fault and they were not that bad. If my mom had not been so concerned about being sure everything would go as usual, she would have never forgotten about the bacon on the stove. If my dad and mom had not gone out to grab some last gift items to take down to my family in order to get there over the holidays, the woman would have never hit them, but if they did not I would have continued to think that everything was supposed to be perfect and work like a clock during the holidays.

On New Years Eve, as we watched the ball drop on television, I hugged my dad tight and thanked him and mom for everything. Despite thinking so poorly of everything, I fell asleep that night under the lights of the Christmas tree thanking God for a Christmas spent with the people I spent most my life with daily, my mom, dad, and sister.

Although, I have many great memories of the holidays, especially those spent in Williamsburg, Virginia, I will never forget the lesson learned from this particular time. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the hustle of the time that we forget how much those around us do to make sure we have a holly jolly Christmas. From then on, even through the hardest times there after, I never complained.

Today, I make it a tradition with my children to make boxes or packages for those less fortunate, to remind them of the first Christmas Story we hold so dear, and to be sure they know that this time of year is about God, family, hope, peace, and love.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Paula Deen Holiday

Paula Deen has become a Food Network icon. She has her own show, restaurants, style, and sweet southern personality. Not only has she taught the world why southern food is so delicious, she has developed her own brand of furniture, candles, and cookware.
Even though her furniture, candles, and cookware is popular, it is her cooking and southern soul that is her claim to fame. She seems to have an endless list of recipes and ideas, and all of them are just as good or better as the others. And when it comes to the holidays, she knows how to celebrate.

Paula Deen Halloween
Paula knows how to make some treats, and always has a few tricks up hOoey Gooey Pumpkin Cake. This cake is full of fall goodness and will prepare every parent for a busy Halloween night. For Thanksgiving there is also, Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake. This is a very easy, very good recipe, sure to get anyone into a Halloween mood.

er sleeve. She can whip up Halloween witches, ghosts, and goblins, and make them taste absolutely wonderful. One recipe that is sinfully delicious, is an upgrade on her already fabulous gooey butter cake. It is, her
For the kids, Paula knows how to entertain with food. She can create witches out of cupcakes and spiders out of brownies. A favorite is the Bewitched Cake. This cake takes some time to prepare, but it Halloween all the way. It puts a smile on every child's face and they can even help create it.
Don't forget, Paula has her own candle brand as well. Go by and pick up a Pecan Pie or Pumpkin candle for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or the entire season.

Paula Deen Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the one holiday that is all about food (and football). Nothing says it's Thanksgiving like a table loaded with turkey, sides, and deserts galore. For an ultimate Thanksgiving experience, cook Paula Deen. Her southern Thanksgiving is more than filling, and most of all, extremely good.
The main focus is the turkey, and she has many turkey recipes for the holidays. Whether fried or roasted, she's got the turkey recipe everyone needs. She also has the turkey leftover recipes. Pair with a helping or cornbread stuffing (another southern staple) and gravy, and prepare to nap.
Of course, she has plenty of side dishes, and in the south, that is just as important as the main course. Two side dishes seem to be a necessity at every table, mashed potatoes and green beans. There is nothing better than fresh stringed green beans, cooked to perfection, and paired with a meat or some potatoes. The best thing about mashed potatoes and green beans as a side is, they are easy to make and hard to mess up.
For desert, try Paula's take on pumpkin pie. She knows how to put a twist on a favorite. This pumpkin pie is her own. She uses pumpkin, vanilla extract, dark corn syrup, butter, eggs, sugar, and pecans.

Paula Deen's Holiday Recipes
Ms. Deen definitely has a sweet tooth, and it shows in her holiday magazines and shows. One of the most popular items that she is an advocate for is, Smithfield Ham. For ham lovers world wide, try her Christmas Ham. She makes an easy glaze, cooks for a few minutes, then covers the ham with crescent roll dough, and bakes till done.
One of her most famous, most featured Christmas foods is, Coconut Cake. The recipe is a simple. After the cake is cooked, cooled, and iced, she sprinkles coconut around the cake. She then decorates with "fresh greenery," to create a lovely Christmas coconut cake.
Of course, many people love doing a Christmas brunch, and what better to go with brunch or cake than peppermint chocolate coffee. This thick delicious coffee is perfect for Christmas morning. Like most recipes, it is quick and easy. Just put chocolate syrup, peppermint syrup, and coffee into a coffee cup and mix together. Top with whipped topping and chocolate syrup, and enjoy waking up to a happy Christmas morning.
For an even better Christmas morning experience, pair the coffee with baked french toast casserole. This sweet casserole features a scrumptious praline topping and raspberry syrup. Even without the syrup, this french toast casserole is a go to breakfast or brunch recipe during the holidays. The whole family would love waking up to the smells of holiday spices throughout the house, and finding this on their plates.
Paula has everything from pecan pie to sweet potato rolls and beyond for the holidays. Every year a special holiday magazine is placed on shelves and available online for all to purchase. These magazines feature old time favorites, as well as new recipes that are uniquely Paula Deen.

Summer Christmas

It is summer! The weather is hot, but watching Christmas films and turning up the AC can make the house feel like Christmas. It does not matter what time of year it is, Christmas movies bring a smile to ones heart and joy to the soul.

Try watching some of these fun and meaningful movies to bring some Christmas cheer to those hot summer days.

• A Christmas Story-a classic, year long fun.
• Home Alone 1 & 2-always fun to watch
• ELF!
• Arthur Christmas
• Polar Express-perfect for kid birthday parties, even during the summer.
• Mrs. Miracle-this series is so heartwarming. One cannot help but smile when watching.
• SnowGlobe-who doesn't want to find the perfect Christmas? 
• Holidays in Handcuffs-always enjoyable.
• Celtic Woman Christmas Celebration-it is never to early to sing Christmas Carols
• Ernest Saves Christmas-set in Florida, great for summer.
• Babes in Toyland-wonderful classic with Annette Funicello
• A Charlie Brown Christmas and Mickey's Christmas Carol-classics
• Miracle on 34th Street-both versions
• The Christmas Card-heart warming, remembering what holidays are about
• The Christmas Cottage
• National Lampoons Christmas Vacation-FUNNY! Year around fun.

There are so many to pick. So, this summer, take some time to get into the holiday spirit.