Crispy Crunchy French Toast

After all the baking that I did pre-Christmas the kitchen has been the last place that I have wanted to be.
However, the mood finally hit me today and I spent the biggest part of my day in the kitchen again.
I started out this morning with a breakfast of crispy french toast and sausage. Yum!
Just the typical french toast recipe with an added bit of crunch.

Crispy Crunchy French Toast

4 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
splash of vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
4 cups Rice Krispies cereal, crushed
12 slices of bread
butter

In bowl, mix eggs, milk, vanilla & cinnamon.
Place crushed Rice Krispies in another bowl.
Heat griddle and melt a bit of butter on it.
Dip bread slices in egg mixture and then into the Rice Krispies and place on hot griddle.
Cook until browned and then flip over and cook the other side until browned.
Place on plate and add a bit of butter & maple syrup.
Serve with a side of bacon or sausage and ENJOY!

Packed Away for another Year

I couldn't stand the mess any longer.
Boxes and games, toys and dolls, building sets and much more. Everything has been tossed around my living room since Christmas morning and I couldn't stand to look at it any more.
Now the toys have found new homes in either the toy box, totes or shelves and you can actually see my living room floor again.
AHHH....much better!
I did leave the games out so that we could play some of them tonight. 
The kids really hit the jackpot with games this year which is great because we spend many a winter evening at the kitchen table playing them.

We were going to wait & take the outside lights and decorations down later this week when it warms up to the high 40's (that's a heat wave for us right now!) but they are also calling for rain with those high temps. so we decided to just take it all down today.

Look at how much fun he was having....see that smile?

Actually, he wasn't having that much fun!
He was just laughing at me for taking his picture.
You know how bloggers are ~ they take pictures of everything.  :0)

We worked up an appetite and since I spent absolutely no time in the kitchen today we decided to head out to AppleBee's for dinner tonight. 
Another AHHH moment!
Actually, anytime that I don't have to cook is an ahhh moment for me!
After dinner we did a  little bit of shopping while we were up at the Highlands and then back home.
Now I'm ready to get into my jammies and crawl under the covers.
I am so enjoying this week with the kids being home from school and the hubby being on vacation.

A Few Christmas Pics

Hi everyone!
I thought I better pop on and let you all know that I am still alive. I'm still trying to get used to the new computers...notice I said computerS.
My husband REALLY surprised me Christmas morning when I unwrapped a new laptop.
I was so NOT expecting that, especially since we just bought a new desktop a week before Christmas.
I love it!
However, I do not love the new Windows 7 program.
Does anyone else out there have major problems with it or am I just stupid?
As I said before, I will have to type a whole post on that topic alone.
Window 7 that is ..... not my stupidity!

Well here are a few pictures from our Christmas.

All three of the kids got new pellet/BB guns. Katie finally has a gun of her own and one that I don't think any of the boys will try taking off of her since it's pink. :0)

Here is a picture of part of the family gathered around the tree at my Mom & Dad's house. The kids were patiently waiting for everyone to sit down so that they could start ripping through the paper.

Lots of things to keep them entertained with.

                                   Play-doh & Legos

It's also gonna be a bit noisy around our houses!
Katie received a toy guitar and a violin as well as these two bell sets. 

The "BIG KIDS" also got new instruments.
We bought a Ukelele for my Dad. (I didn't get any pictures of it yet.) It was just one of those ideas that you kind of laugh at but I know Dad and know that he will play it.
He has had many different instruments over the years from pianos to horns.
Actually, I can remember him having a banjo when I was a kid and listening to him pick at it.
That is, until he got part of his finger cut off while working at Fostoria Glass. After that I don't remember him playing anymore.

The other "big kid" that got an instrument was ME.
My Mom & Dad got me this dulcimer.

I've been wanting one and I can't wait to begin learning how to play it.
Hopefully it will be less of a challenge to learn than the Windows program on my computers!

I've got plenty more photos but I won't bore you all with them.
I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Merry Christmas

Hi everyone!

I've been busy these past few days getting ready for the holiday as well as getting used to my new computer which I will create a whole post about.
Later though, not today!

Today I just want to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas!
I hope that you all will be surrounded by family, friends and good food as we celebrate the day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from our house to yours!

It's Here and I'm Ready!

"It" is my new computer. It finally arrived yesterday and now I need to unhook this one and get the new one up and running. UGH!
I despise setting new computers up. I'm waiting for my oldest son to get home from school so he can help me. He always seem to know what to do with the technical stuff ~ what gets plugged in where.
I just get frustrated!

I'm officially ready for Christmas now. I finished my baking yesterday and can now sit back and just enjoy the holidays. I do have a bit of cleaning to do but that's no biggie.

While I was busy baking yesterday I also whipped up this cheese ball. You can go HERE to get the recipe. It is so yummy!

Today is the last day of public school so my oldest son will be done and my husband will begin his vacation on Friday so everyone will be home to enjoy the holidays.
No early bedtimes, no 5:30 wake-up alarms and no have to do anythings.
I'm ready!

Yuletide Cherry Cookies

Only 5 days to go!
Are you all ready?
I'm almost but still have a bit more baking to do and still waiting on a few packages to arrive in the mail.

I made these cookies yesterday and I can't keep the kids out of them. They are not a favorite of mine (because I don't like cherry) but the kids love them.

Yuletide Cherry Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 cups crushed Rice Krispies cereal
15 maraschino cherries, drained


In large bowl. cream butter, cream cheese & sugar.
Beat in almond extract.
Mix flour, baking powder & salt in a small bowl and then gradually add into the creamed mixture.
Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Shape into 1 inch balls and then roll in crushed cereal.
Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Remove from oven and immediately press a cherry half into the center of each cookie. ( I put a whole cherry on top!)
Cool and enjoy!

I'm heading back to the kitchen to get some more cookies started and to mix up a batch of reindeer food.
I'll be back later to see what all of you are into.

Chex Party Mix Winner

I've been using the the number generator at random.org for the last several giveaways but I thought I'd go the old fashioned route today.
So I cut and folded all the names this morning and placed them in a hat and then Gage pulled out a winner.

It's Angela from WEST VIRGINIA TREASURES!

Congratulations Angela and thank you to all who entered.
Angela if you will email me your postal address I will pass it on so that they can mail your package to you.
Hope you all are having a great weekend and staying warm!

Two Fudge Recipes & Some Chatter

First of all I'd like to thank you all for the birthday wishes for my Mom and daughter the other day and apologize for not posting these fudge recipe when I said I would. (yesterday)
I wanted to get the Chex giveaway posted so that I could end it in time for the winner to recieve their package hopefully before New Year's.
So far I have 19 entries and 3 days left to enter if you haven't.
Now to the fudge recipes.
The first one is for my favorite Peanut Butter Fudge. I make this one each year and could eat the whole pan all by myself.

Peanut Butter Fudge

2 cups sugar
2/3 cup milk
1 cup marshmallow creme
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Butter the sides and bottom of a heavy 2 quart saucepan.
In it, combine sugar and milk.
Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture boils.
Place candy thermometer on the side of your pan and then cook mixture until it reaches the softball stage of 234°.
Remove from heat.
Quickly add marshmallow, peanut butter & vanilla.
Stir and pour into a buttered 8X8 pan.
Refrigerate and enjoy!
And don't forget to leave yourself a little extra in the bottom of the pan to eat with a spoon. You know...just making sure it tastes all right before you serve it to everyone. *wink*

Now for the second recipe. It's a simple recipe that does not require a candy thermometer.

Peanut Butter Cocoa Fudge

1 cup plus 3 tbsp. peanut butter
1 cup butter ( no substitutes)
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp. baking cocoa
1 tbsp. vanilla

In saucepan, combine peanut butter and butter.
Cook & stir until blended.
Remove from heat & stir in powdered sugar, cocoa and vanilla.
Spread in a buttered 8x8 pan.
Freeze for 30 minutes or you can just place it in the refrigerator until firm.
Cut into squares and enjoy!

Well those are the two kinds of fudge that I have already made for the holidays. Today I'm beginning my cookie baking. I have CARMEN'S HOLIDAY BALLS in the refrigerator chilling and as soon as I finish this post I'm going to start on my TEA TASSIES as well as a big batch of Chex Mix. Since my oven will be full of cookies I'm going to get my electric roasting oven out and try making the snack mix in it. I figure it will hold a lot more and I can get two things done at once that way.
Well I better get to baking or my day will be gone before I know it.
Catch up with all of you later!

UPDATE:
Using the roaster oven for Chex Mix was not a good idea. I turned the temperature lower than what it called for and any and all pieces that touched the sides of the roaster began burning to a crisp black within the first 15 minutes. I ended up transferring it to baking sheets and placed them in the oven. Now I have cookie dough galore in my refrigerator. Looks like I'll be up all evening making cookies since the Chex Mix is taking up my oven. (6 batches)
Just thought I'd share my experience with you all so you didn't waste your time with the roaster.
Good idea ~ bad end result!

Celebrate with a Chex Giveaway!

Chex Mix is a must have at our house during the holidays. Everyone loves it!

No matter what your taste is...sweet, salty or spicy...there is a Chex Mix just for you.
Looking for a gluten-free treat?
No worry, Chex has 4 gluten-free cereals that can be used in any Chex Mix recipe.
Visit CHEX.COM and see all the many recipe possiblities.

 Pumpkin Pie Crunch
Honey Nut Cherry Crunch
Cajun Kick
PB & Chocolate
Backyard BBQ
Chocolate Coffee Toffee Crunch
and a whole lot more.

They also have 3 new flavor recipes this holiday season.

Apple Pie Snack Mix
Chex Lemon Buddies
Tex Mex Party Mix

You can find the recipe cards for these new snacks at your local Walmart.

                   (box of Chex cereal, a large Chex tote and a measuring cup set)
I received this Chex Party Mix gift pack in exchange for a review from General Mills and in association with My Blog Spark. They have another gift pack to ship to one of my lucky readers!
So here's the deal:
If you'd like to enter this giveaway then leave a comment on this post. Maybe you could tell me which Chex Party Mix flavor is your favorite.
Giveaway will close on Sunday morning December 19 and winner will be announced.
Good Luck!

Contest is now over and the winner is Angela over at
West Virginia Treasures.

Birthdays, Snow Angels and Bitter Cold Weather

Snowy Days

I'm still waiting on my new computer to arrive but thankfully I am still able to use this one. It's not working properly or even working all the time but a little is better than none. Right?

This weekend we celebrated two birthdays.
My daughter turned 7 on Saturday and my mother will be ?? on Thursday.
See Mom, I was nice! I didn't post your age or a picture!  (*though it was oh so tempting* )

The kids have been enjoying a long weekend as schools have been closed for the past two days. Monday we received some snow and then today I'm guessing that they were closed due to frigid temperatures.
The high here hit 18° but it felt even colder than that with the winds blowing.
Monday we all got out to shovel the sidewalks and driveways and then play a bit in the flakes.
Logan was spotted several times just laying face down in the snow.

Turns out he was trying to draw his name in the snow using only the hot air coming from his breath.
I'm not sure whether to call him imaginative or just plain weird.

Meanwhile the other two kids were doing things more normal ~ making snow angels complete with halos.

Public schools were closed and my oldest was home for the day but we *homeschoolers* still had school. 
But that just meant that there was an extra teacher available in the house. Logan was here and willing to help with the lessons for the day. It's neat to sit back and watch the older kids teach the younger ones and to see how much they all enjoy it.

Well that's about all for my ramblings today.
I'll be back tomorrow with a few recipes for holiday fudge ~ providing my computer cooperates and allows me to do so.
Stay warm!

Chocolate Covered Ritz Cracker Treats

Chocolate Covered Ritz Treats

Ritz crackers
Peanut Butter
12oz. bag chocolate chips
12 tsp. canola oil   
*If using a whole box of Ritz then you will need approximately 3 bags of chocolate chips along with 36 tsp. of oil* 

Spread peanut butter on a Ritz and then top with another Ritz. (creating mini Ritz sandwiches)
Continue this until you have used up all the crackers.

In a double boiler melt 12 oz.chocolate chips with
12 tsp. oil.
(If you run out of chocolate and need more then add another bag of chips along with 12 more tsp. of oil.)
Dip Ritz sandwiches in the chocolate and coat both sides well.
Place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet.
When all crackers have been dipped then place the cookie sheet(s) in the freezer and allow the chocolate to harden.
Once hardened, remove from freezer and package in air-tight containers using wax paper between each layer.
Store in refrigerator or freezer until ready to use.

Just a little note about using wax:
I prefer not to use paraffin wax in my recipes so the result is a softer chocolate that melts much easier at room temperature which can lead to messy fingers when eating. This is never a big problem though because most of the recipes that I make are for one or two bite treats thus there is never enough time for them to melt because they are gobbled up too quickly!
However, to remedy the messiness you can add wax to your chocolate when melting to make a more stable chocolate.
I'm not familiar with this step but there are lots of recipes on the internet that will explain how to use paraffin wax.


In other news~

Are any of you snowed in?
We are waiting anxiously to see if we get any snow from this storm. They are predicting a good many inches for us within the next 2 day period but I will believe it when I see it.
Also, my computer is giving me fits. My tower kept shutting down this morning. I couldn't even get the thing to start up at all. I debated on having it looked at to see what was wrong but in the end I placed an order through DELL for a new one. After doing so, I tried one last time to start the computer and it booted right up. Still a bit sluggish but it is on. GO FIGURE!
The new one will be here within the week but until then I don't know how long this one will continue working so if I appear MIA you will know why.

We have a WINNER!

Thanks to each and every one of you for entering. I truly wish I could give each of you a gift but that's just not possible.

I had lots of entries for this one!

I got up early this morning and went downstairs to the computer to pick a winner and in the middle of it all my camera decided to die. So I had to stop and get the charger so that I could charge the battery. While that was going on I fixed breakfast for the family and then had to take off to the mall for a few things. Long story short ~ I had good intentions to get this posted early this morning but that plan failed.
Sorry!

So without further ado....
                            the winner is

Now let's go back to the list and see who #38 is!

It's Cheryl over at WATER OAK HILL.
Congratulations Cheryl!
Send me your postal address and I'll get this right out to you.

Hope all of you have a great weekend!

Baking Season Begins

Hi everyone!

It's been a few days since I posted so I thought I'd better get on and see what all is going on in the blog world. I've only got a few minutes though so I'll have to come back tonight when I've got a bit more time to catch up with all of you.
In my world....schooling, baking, shopping and sewing.
I finished all of my Chirstmas shopping last night. YEAH!!
Now if only the elves would come and help me wrap it all. :O)
I started my holiday baking the other day too.
The peanut butter balls are finished and today I hope to get some biscotti and fudge made. I like to make the candies and things that will store well early that way I can spend the week before Christmas making all the cookies.

You can go HERE to get the recipe for my peanut butter balls.

HERE for the biscotti!

Last year I made THIS fudge but I think I'll make my Grandma's fudge this year. I'll post that recipe once I make it and get a few pictures.

I've also been baking oranges this week and boy do they make the house smell good. I think I cut my slices a bit too thick but they still worked. They just took a little longer to bake.
Other than that I've been working on a few little sewing and crochet projects for some friends but I can't show them right now or I'll spoil their surprise.

We also have a few birthdays to celebrate this weekend.
My daughter Katie will be 7 tomorrow and my Mom has a birthday a few days later so we will celebrate both with pizza and cake & ice cream.

Oh and I almost forgot, if you haven't signed up for my SEASON OF GIVING GIVEAWAY then you better hurry. It ends tomorrow!