HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Holidays from Memorable Milestones, may it be blessed and filled with cheer!  We can't wait to see you back in 2012!

Country Living

Homemade Gift Ideas: No Sew Fleece Blankets

Like the Mesh Holiday Wreaths, this too is a project I have on my bucket list to one day complete.  Being from a family of sports lovers I think this is the perfect gift to represent the favorite teams, colors, patterns and/or hobbies of my family members. 

Take a look at the step by step instructions on the Instrucatbles website.

Picture from the Instructables website

Picture from Mudd Puddles and Daisies Blogspot

Peppermint Fudge Sandwhich Cookies

Chocolate & peppermint is my favorite dessert combination.  What's better than that combo in a cookie!  Take a look at this recipe.

¾ cup semisweet chocolate morsels

¼ cup butter

½ cup sugar

1 egg

¾ cup all purpose flour

¼ cup candy canes or peppermints

¼ cup white or semisweet chocolate morsels

Chocolate covered peppermint patties

Picture & Recipe from the Pampered Chef

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line pan with parchment paper.  Combine chocolate morsels and butter and microwave until smooth, stirring every 20 seconds.  Blend in sugar and egg.  Add flour; mix just until flour is incorporated.  Drop spoonfuls, 1 inch apart, onto a pan.  Bake 9-11 minutes or until edges are set.  Meanwhile, crush candy canes or peppermints in plastic bag and set aside.  Microwave white chocolate morsels 30-60 seconds or until melted  and smooth.   Set aside. When cookies are baked, immediately turn over half or the cookies; top with peppermint patties and remaining cookies to form sandwiches.  Drizzle white chocolate over cookies and sprinkle with crushed candies.  Transfer cookies to cooling rack.

Homemade Gift Ideas: Hot Chocolate Cones

It's finally getting cooler here in North Carolina.  I can't remember a time when I've been more excited to wear snow boots and drink hot chocolate. 

Everyone loves a nice cup of hot chocolate with all the fixin's when snow starts to fall.  Consider this super cute DIY gift idea to hand out to your loved ones.  For the instructions to the adorable Hot Chocolate Cone pictured below here and don't forget to make one for yourself!

DIY Hot Chocolate Gift Idea

Nearly ‘Nog Truffles

In honor of the holiday's, this month's recipes will be dedicated to candy and cookie making goodness!  Today we have Nearly 'Nog Truffles that are not only easy to make, but scrumptious as well.  Enjoy making these for yourself or give them as gifts!

If you are not the candy making type, buy these treats here.

8 ounces white chocolate (Bakers Premium White Chocolate baking squares)

¼ cup confectioners’ sugar

¼ cup butter, softened

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

¼ cup toasted finely chopped hazelnuts

Confectioners’ sugar

In a small bowl, microwave chocolate on High, stirring at 30-second intervals, until melted and smooth (about 1 minute total).  Add sugar, butter, and cream, stirring until smooth.  Stir in vanilla, nutmeg, and nuts.

Cover and chill at least 2 hours or overnight.  Let mixture stand at room temperature to soften, about 5 minutes.  Using the larger end of a melon baler, shape mixture into balls.  Store in freezer until serving.  Roll into confectioners’ sugar before serving.

Mesh Holiday Wreaths

We are all busy putting up out holiday decorations and getting in the spirit.  For the past few years I always say I am going to attempt to make a white Mesh Wreath filled with brightly colored mini ornaments.  Again, I told myself the same thing but have yet to embark on that adventure.  While strolling the asiles of AC Moore I found the instructions and picked them up for inspiration, hopefully they will inspire your creative side too!

Picture from Wreath Supplies

Supplies

FloraCraft® Wreath:

16” Straw Wreath, FCASW12C5

Offray® Ribbon:

2-¾” x 10-yds. Red Satin Ribbon, 104552526 (1 Spool)

Nicole™ Crafts Mesh & Mesh Ribbon:

21” x 10-yds. Red Mesh, 104538660 (1 Roll)

2-½” Green Mesh Ribbon, 104573327 (4-yds.)

4” Wood Candy Canes, WOD 5742 (5)

50-pk. Greening Pins, WIR 480

White Cloth-Covered Wire, 104455937

1” Foam Brush, LOW7551

½” Flat Paintbrush

White & Red Acrylic Paint

Assorted Holiday Berries

Hot Glue & Glue Gun

Scissors

Instructions

1. Pin end of satin ribbon to wreath. Wrap ribbon around wreath to cover straw. Secure ribbon

ends with greening pins.

2. Using mesh while on the roll, gather one width end & pin to ribbon-covered wreath.

Slide your hand down the roll of mesh 12”. At 12” bring mesh forward to the starting point

to create your first loop. Secure loop with greening pins. Carry mesh away from wreath

12” more & bring back to wreath for second loop. Secure with greening pins. Continue

in same manner until wreath is filled with mesh loops.

3. Make a multi-looped bow using green mesh ribbon. Secure bow with cloth-covered wire.

Wire bow to bottom of wreath.

4. Paint candy canes white using a foam brush. Let dry. Paint red stripes every ½” to candy

canes. Glue candy canes to wreath.

5. Embellish wreath with berries as shown. Use hot glue to secure berries.

Buffalo Wings

This beautiful plate was waiting for me one night when I got off work.  No we didn't order them!  My awesome boyfriend made them from scratch and they were super scrumptious if I do say so myself.  They certainly made me think twice about the next time I decide to run out and get some wings!