12.28.2010

What's on your list?



Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I have enjoyed this Christmas and I know it's come and gone but I like to spread the Christmas cheer until the new year.

It has been crazy busy...but lots of fun. Shopping, wrapping, giving, sledding, baking, celebrating birthdays, cooking, eating, and somewhere in there I fit in a little water park action. The bathing suit thing though....not pretty. I know what my New Years resolution is going to be, again!

Along with that resolution, I am also taking the 21 day challenge here...



in hopes to catch that organizing bug. Since moving I have no idea where anything is. And in fact, a lot of it is still in packing boxes. Ugh!

Want to get organized this year too? Come and join me.

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday and the New Year brings lots of wonderful memories.
And thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes!

12.02.2010

December...

Yesterday we woke up to snow flurries. The perfect way to start December. Although there wasn't enough snow to stick to the ground, all the little snowflakes floated in the air all day. I would have stayed outside catching them on my tongue if it wasn't sooo cold. Burrr!

Now that it's December...it's time to start planning (ok, for some of you this might be too late)and time for baking goodies.

Here is a favorite recipe for nuts. They are easy to make and you can make them ahead of time. Just store them in an air tight container and refrigerate up to 4 weeks.

Spiced Candied Nuts

2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp light brown sugar
2 tbsp water
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups raw almonds, pecan halves, walnuts or pistachios

Preheat the oven to 350* and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium saucepan, combine honey, sugar, water and cinnamon. Stir and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the nuts, return to a boil, shaking the pan for 2 minutes. Pour the nuts onto the baking sheet and spread to a single layer.

Bake until the nuts are a golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Let them cool in the pan. Then separate the nuts and store in an airtight container.

Makes 2 cups.

Enjoy!