Merry Christmas everybody!

Christmas is finally here. Couldn't sleep last night...just like a little kid. Couldn't wait to get up & open gifts, and get this day started.

Will be getting started on my Christmas meal soon....
Rack of Lamb
Chicken & Goat Cheese Quiche
Triple Potato Mash......

Tonight we will be heading over to a friends home to spend the evening with them.

Off to Dallas in two days to see the fam. & I can't wait!

The tree looks beautiful this morning, before the massive disaster of wrapping paper ensues.

The dog helped me set everything up. No, that's a complete lie. He chased the rolls of ribbon around. He tore wrapping paper, and barked at the tree. Then I put him in doggie jail (kennel) & the world was right again!


No snow here. It feels kind of strange. Less Christmaslike (if that's a word).


All set to open gifts. Now off to make some coffee...with Baileys (heeeeyyyy, it's Christmas) & just for your information-holidays don't count.

Candycane Vodka.......More DIY Gifts

I've seen a couple variations of this on Pinterest & http://www.scarymommy.com/ so I decided to try it myself. It looked so simple & perfect to pair with our Christmas boxes of Peppermint Bark , White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies (Posting coming soon) & Cranberry-White Chocolate Cookies !

I also made a variation of this Vodka to be used to make Martinis: Spiced Ginger Pear Vodka..Mmmmmmm! Check out the recipe for Candycane Vodka,  & Spiced Ginger-Pear Vodka

CandyCane Vodka

Ingredients:

1 large Quart jar (also used for jarring or canning) with combining lid

1 package Red & White Striped Candy canes (don’t use the ones with green or it will come out with a strange hue

A couple drops Peppermint Extract

Good Quality Vodka

Directions:

Peel your candy canes & place into vodka. Add a couple of drops of the peppermint extract, shake, place lid on & tighten. Place into a cool & dry area for about a week. Shake well every few days. Serve chilled over ice, or use in a martini or mixed drink.

Dark & White Chocolate Peppermint Bark....DIY Gifts!

I may still be wearing the P.J's I woke up in yesterday, which is the down side......but that's not important. The UP side is that I spent almost the entire weekend baking, and making DIY Christmas gifts for our friends & co-workers on base. In order to do that, I had to make some sacrifices, mainly-showering. But just to re-assure everyone that will be receiving a DIY gift from me, I showered the night before I started, so that technically counts!

After I made these, I packed them all up in the cutest Martha Stewart Treat boxes, which I found in a set that comes with ribbon, box, tissue paper & even a label...can't beat that! Not to mention that Christmas stuff at Michael's is the B.O.M.B.!

Enjoy....

Dark and White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

1 & ½ bags high quality dark Chocolate chips

1 & ½ bags high quality White Chocolate chips

3 teaspoons real Peppermint Extract (divided)

1 box Candy canes (individually wrapped)

Wax paper

Non-stick spray

A large cookie sheet with no edge

A freezer (lol)

Directions:

Melt dark chocolate chips over a water bath on medium-low heat. Once melted mix in 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, mixing well until well combined. On a cookie sheet, cover with wax paper, then spray lightly with non-stick spray. Pour the melted chocolate evenly across the sheet, spreading with a spatula to coat evenly. Place into the freezer immediately.

Melt white chocolate chips over a water bath on medium-low heat. Once melted mix in 2 teaspoons peppermint extract, mixing well until well combined. Remove cookie sheet with dark chocolate from freezer, & pour white chocolate over the top, spreading quickly and evenly. Take care not to overwork the chocolate as it will begin to melt the darker layer underneath. Immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes & place back into the freezer overnight.

The next day: Remove bark from freezer, & cut into sections by splitting with the tip of a sharp knife. The bark should break into pieces. Store in fridge or in a zip lock bag for up to 2 weeks.

Bag-O-Cookies

I made the previous recipe - Cranberry-White Chocolate cookies for my hubby's office. I used three types of ribbon,and candy canes, tied around clear confection bags to store the cookies.

Baking for the Troops...with Duncan Hines & Foodbuzz

Being an Air Force wife, there are many opportunities for us to volunteer and help make a difference. Since being married to my husband and getting to know the military better, it has given me a renewed appreciation for what they do, and the sacrifices they make.

As part of a Foodbuzz Tastemakers program with Duncan Hines, we were provided an array of coupons to purchase free Duncan Hines products. We used some of the easy to use mixes, combined with a few other ingredients, to make a variety of different flavored breads. My daughter and I spent the day Sunday baking the breads, which will be mailed to soldiers stationed overseas and domestically, in an effort to brighten the holidays. This is especially nice for some of the enlisted soldiers who may not have the funds to go home for Thanksgiving this year. Many other military wives and families participate annually in these types of efforts. This is just a small way we can say thanks for what they all do each day to keep us safe and protected. They make a difference in our lives, and this is a small way we can make one in theirs.

We made Banana Bread, Lemon-Poppy Seed Pound Cake, Pumpkin-Spice bread, & Banana-Chocolate Chip bread!