Melt In Your Mouth Eggnog Cookies

We hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas and spent lots of time with their loved ones!  Even though Christmas has passed, there is still a little time left to enjoy Eggnog before New Years brings the holiday season to an end.  These Melt In Your Mouth Eggnog Cookies look divine and would be a nice addition for a New Years Eve celebration!

From Cooking Classy

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Sending Merry & Bright Christmas wishes to you and yours!

From My Home Ideas

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe I've ever tried and they're great for the holidays or a lazy Sunday afternoon.  I can't remember how I came across it, but it's been my go to for years.  The cookies are perfectly soft and stay that way until there are only crumbs left.  

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2 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup of butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup of white sugar
1 (3.4 ounce) package of instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup of chopped walnuts (optional)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar.  Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended.  Stir in the eggs and vanilla.  Blend in the flour mixture.  Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.  Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven.  Edges should be golden brown.  Makes about 36 cookies.

Indoor & Outdoor Holiday Decor

Today I'm excited to share two decor idea's with you, the best part is I made no purchases everything used I had on hand!

For the outside of our home, we used a combination of large silver & gold ornaments and red felt ribbon to add a little holiday cheer to our porch.  We hung icicle twinkle lights for a dash of added sparkle.

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Using a few red, gold and green ornaments, clear vases and left over garland from our Mantel Project I whipped up these beauties to adorn the entrance way at Khalif Event Center. We've all seen a combination of ornaments & vases used before, but this time I thought the garland might at a fun touch.

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Sugar Cookies

Lately my husband and I have a small addiction to Pillsbury Ready To Bake Sugar Cookies.  After consuming a couple of packets in a short amount of time I thought, how hard can sugar cookies be made from scratch?  To tell you the truth I don't ever remember us making Sugar Cookies from scratch even around the holidays when we were younger. We always bought Pillsbury's premade dough and rolled it out and went to town with cookie cutters, icing and sprinkles.  After a little Pinterest searching I found this recipe that seems easy enough.  I can't wait to try it out this holiday season!

Photo from Make Bake Celebrate

Holiday Glitter Bunting Banner

As soon as I saw this banner from Tater Tots & Jello I was IN LOVE!  Though I have yet to make one myself, I still wanted to share with of you.  I love the different textures and tones of gold from the different types of paper, it's so festive.  This banner is completely customization and will make an impact in any style of Holiday decor!  Find the DIY instructions here.

Photo from Homes.com

Coconut (Snowflake) Macaroons

This beloved Pillsbury recipe is a holiday staple in our house.  Baking cookies, especially these coconut (snowflake in our house!) macaroons was one of mine and my sister's favorite activities to do with our dad every Christmas Eve. Try it out with your family this holiday season and let us know what you think!

4 egg whites

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

4 cups coconut

Heat oven to 325°F. Grease and lightly flour cookie sheets. In large bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Beat in sugar, flour, salt and almond extract until well blended. Stir in coconut. Drop dough by scant tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto cookie sheets.

Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until set and lightly browned. Immediately remove from cookie sheets.

Photo From The Sweet Details

Holiday Mantal Decor

Happy December Friends!  This is by far my favorite time of year and I can't wait to add a little sparkle and cheer to every inch of our new home.  Today I have a relatively easy, inexpensive festive project that took me about 30 minutes and a few supplies to make.

Everything except the garland came from Garden Ridge for about $20 total and the garland came from Dollar Tree for about, you guessed it, $1.  First I strung the garland through the candle holder, and then set my flowers where I thought would be best to secure them.  I wasn't satisfied with the thickness of the garland so before I cut and secured it I went back through the candle holder a second time.  Once that was finished I secured the flowers in place around the candle holder rungs.  Since everything I was working with has wire in it , a little twist tie action was all that was needed.  Once I was satisfied I set the candles in place and Voila! A beautiful mantle centerpiece, in our cause a beautiful "half-wall" centerpiece since we don't have a mantle!

Have you started decorating your home yet?

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I have to admit I have yet to try this, but it looked too delicious not to share anyway.  Kelsey's Essentials, from the Cooking Channel, Banana Caramel Cream Pie recipe looks like the perfect dessert to share with your loved ones today as you give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.  1 Chronicles 16:34

From Cooking Channel

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

Today I thought it might be fun to take a look at some festive tablescapes for Thanksgiving.  I loved looking at different ideas from rustic, contemporary to elegant and hope you do too!

From Decorating Your Small Space

From Abby M Interiors

From Abby M Interiors

From Heirloom Philosophy

Calico Beans

Calico Beans is one of the comfort foods that remind me of home, growing up it was a meal my mom cooked many many times during the colder months.  I would describe it as a sweet version of chili.  It is a meal perfect for a quite evening at home or for a big group gathering.

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½ lb bacon diced

½ lb ground beef

½ diced onion

½ cup ketchup

½ cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons  vinegar

1 15oz can pork & beans drained

1 15oz can kidney beans drained

1 15oz can butter beans drained

Cook bacon.  Crush and add beef and onion.  Cook.  Stir with fork and drain off fat.  Put everything in crock pot and add all other ingredients.  Heat for 1 hour.  Do not overcook.  Beans are already done.

COLOR INSPIRATION: White

White as a wedding color that is so versatile, it can be very elegant and classic or be relaxed and modern.  Today I am envisioning an elegant winter affair, let me know what you think!

Ceremony Decor from Marzime

Bridesmaids Dresses from Trendget

Reception Space from Tailored Engagments

Wedding Cake from Nigerian Wedding

Monogrammed High Gloss White Round Dance Floor from Platinum Pro

   

Garlic Squash and Ricotta Soup

This Garlic Squash and Ricotta Soup is packed full of flavor and perfect for a cool November night.  I stumbled upon the recipe while trying to find uses for left over ricotta from a previous recipe, boy am I glad this popped up in my search.  It is sure to become a favorite soup in our home!

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Custom Toast Glasses

I know we already touched on Our Wedding: Final Thoughts, but I couldn't help but share these sweet toast glasses we received from our bridesmaids.  These custom handmade pieces from Drinks on Me are the perfect gift for a bride and groom!  Katie, also does custom wine glasses and beer mugs, follow her on Instagram here or contact here.

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Korean Short Ribs

These short ribs from Damn Delicious were simply delicious and fall off the bone tender. The best part, using the crock pot made this elaborate weekday meal quick and easy! 

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Stripe Curtains

Lately I've had an obsession with stripe curtains.  I think they are the perfect way to introduce a bold color or pattern into any room in a subtle way.  I also adore the crisp clean look of the straight lines, that make a room feel modern and classic all at the same time.  What do you think?  Are there any patterns you're obsessing over lately?

From Crate & Barrel

From Overstock

From Target

From West Elm

DIY Painted Stripes from Cuckoo 4 Design Blog

Monster Munch Halloween Treat

How cute is Monster Munch from A Pumpkin and a Princess?  It's the perfect mix of sweet and salty and would perfect to make and munch on as Trick-Or-Treating commences.

Happy Halloween!

From a Pumpkin and a Princess

Halloween Gallery Wall

In the spirit of Halloween I just had to share this Gallery wall designed my Julia of Cuckoo 4 Design.  Being a new homeowner I'm always looking for neat ways to celebrate the holiday's and season especially after we really get settled in.  This might just be an idea for next year.  Hop on over to her blog and be inspired!  What are you doing to celebrate Halloween?

From Cuckoo 4 Design

Ravioli Lasagna

This recipe is definitely one that takes Chef Boyardee Ravioli up a notch.  Not only is it super easy to prepare, but is surprisingly delicious.  If I hadn't made it myself, I wouldn't have known that Chef Boyardee was the main ingredient!  Find the recipe on the Ready Set Eat website.

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DIY Fall Wreath

Ever since the weather has started to change I've been itching to make a fall wreath for our door.  Finally one Sunday afternoon I sat down and did it.  Using materials I already had on hand with the exception of the wreath foam (Micheal's $4.19 with 50% off coupon) I came up with this and I couldn't be more proud of the outcome!

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