Christmas means COOKIES!

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the baking. For several years now I have participated in a cookie exchange at work and it has always been so much fun and a great way to keep my family happy with all those goodies! I love seeing what everyone else has made as much I enjoy the tasting! Here is a great link if you are thinking of doing a cookie exchange yourself.

Thanksgiving Round Up

Well this year thanksgiving is going to be a little different as we will be spending the holiday with our family in eastern NC. We are having ham instead of turkey this year and I don't have to cook my usual full feast centered around cornish hens. I am grateful for not having to do all the cooking this year (and especially for not having to do all the cleaning)! Since we are getting together with my family, we are sharing the cooking responsibilities. James is making fresh honey wheat bread. I am taking Squash Casserole,Mama's Sweet Potato Souffle, and pies. I know I am going to make Pecan Pie, I just have not decided which recipe. I have some nice Wild Turkey Honey Bourbon that I want to incorporate some how. Guess I need to figure that out!

CopyCat Boston Market Squash Casserole

4.5c zucchini, diced
4.5c yellow squash, diced
1.5c yellow onion, chopped
1 box of jiffy corn muffin mix, prepared as on box
1.5 sticks of butter or margarine (I used bluebonnet)
8oz cheddar cheese, cubed
3 cubes chicken bouillon
1/2tsp thyme
1Tbsp parsley, chopped
1tsp garlic, minced
1/2tsp ground black pepper
1tsp salt

Prepare Jiffy mix as directed on the box, set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 350.
Place zucchini and yellow squash in a large saucepan and add water to cover.
Cook on med-lo heat until tender, remove from heat.
Drain squash, reserve one cup of water for casserole.
In large sauce pan on med-low place the butter and saute the onions until the onions turn clear.
Add salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley.
Add bouillion cubes and garlic to onions, stir and saute another minute.
Add drained squash and diced cheese, stir.
Crumble prepared corn bread in squash and pour the reserved cup of water and mix well.
Place squash mixture in a 13"x11" baking pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick spray.
Cover casserole. Bake for 50-60 min.


COMPANY SWEET POTATO SOUFFLE (Mama)

3 cups boiled peeled mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup butter or oleo

Combine all above ingredients and pour into baking dish. Top with the following:

1 cup coconut
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup melted butter

Blend ingredients. Sprinle over potatoes. Bake @ 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

The Wassup guys 8 years later.

You remember them. I think I heard James answer his phone this way for like 4 yrs before he switched to "What's crackin'?" It is interesting the correlation between this ad and Bush's term in office.
Thanks to the Drunk Pirate for posting this.

Wassup Guys

Deep Fried @ the N.C. State Fair: Krispy Kreme cake

Deep Fried @ the N.C. State Fair: Krispy Kreme cake

Have your cake and eat your donut! Try this next time you can decide which sweet treat to have! Very imaginative!

Recipe Time

Well recipe of the week...doesn't sound right since the last actual recipe posting was so long ago...

Anyway, with the crisp fall air and chilly nights I am in the mood for some hot beverages. Although, I do fancy a good cup of hot tea almost anytime, this time of year I start reaching for a mug more frequently. One of James' favorites is a retro spice tea recipe called "Russian Tea". As far as I know there is nothing Russian about this drink and to a tea snob this would hardly be considered tea. I going to purchase the ingredients to make a batch for my darling hubby this weekend. The mix makes a ton and can be stored for the fall/winter in a sealed container. An additional note I too grew up with a citrus inspired version of Russian Spiced Tea drink that was served hot or cold but was nothing like this one.

Russian Tea
INGREDIENTS:

* 2 cups orange-flavored drink mix (e.g. Tang)
* 2 cups white sugar
* 1/4 cup instant tea powder
* 3/4 cup lemon-flavored instant tea powder
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon ground cloves

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, combine orange drink mix, sugar, tea powder, cinnamon and cloves. Mix well and store in an airtight container.
2. To serve, put 3 teaspoons of mix in a mug. Stir in 1 cup boiling water. Adjust to taste.

Some like less my dh likes more depending on the size of the mug.

Celebrations at Home: Even At A Party, We Must Eat Our Veggies!

Love this idea from Chris. This makes a nice alternative for childrens's servings instead of having lots of little fingers in the dip bowl!
Celebrations at Home: Even At A Party, We Must Eat Our Veggies!

Trader Joes Review

Wild Blueberry Scones.Two thumbs down. Basically everyone in the house agree they suck well except for Jamie he eats anything blueberry! Taylor said "Mommy makes much better ones." I do think these would work well if you wanted to break out the window of the home of someone who wronged you. Be classy about it and use a scone.