Fun Holiday Ideas with Pringles

I always love thinking of new ways to use and reuse things, especially containers!  Instead of throwing away  that Pringles can after the chips are gone, consider reusing it!  There's so many possibilities for those little cylinders!
Read more »

Easy Holiday Food Ideas

If you still need some last minute ideas for your Christmas holiday menu, you've come to the right place.  Today I'm sharing some of our favorite holiday appetizers and sweets!


Read more »

Friday Favorites Party - Holly Bloggy Christmas Edition and Amy Cornwell Giveaway

 

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Holly Bloggy Christmas Edition of Friday Favorites! In case you're new here, Friday Favorites is my weekly linky party where you can link up your recipes, crafts, decor, and other projects.

Anything goes really!  But today for the Holly Bloggy Christmas edition, I'm asking everyone to only link up your Christmas and holiday ideas!  And since it's a special edition, I've also got some extra features and a giveaway to share with you, so let's get rolling!

Read more »

My Christmas Home Tour

Only 2 days for Holly Bloggy Christmas!  On Wednesday we shared Christmas Crafts at Just Sew Sassy, and for day 4 we are sharing our Christmas Decor at Shabby Creek Cottage. And then on Friday I'll be hosting a Christmas Edition of my Friday Favorites Party!
Read more »

Christmas Pillow Box Tutorial

On Tuesday we shared our Christmas Recipes with Nikki at Chef in Training. And on Wednesday, Day 3, of our Holly Bloggy Christmas Event we are sharing Christmas crafts over at Just Sew Sassy!  The craft party also includes a great giveaway from AliLilly, so head on over there and link up your posts!
I have to admit that I've had almost no time for making anything lately. But hopefully I'll have a little more creative time in the next couple of weeks.  But today for the party, I've got some Christmas favor boxes (or pillow boxes) to share with you.  
Read more »

Christmas Ball Wreath and Display

The last couple of years I've been in love with everyone's ball wreaths! I considered making my own, but when I saw this one at Target for just $20, I decided to just buy it.

Read more »

The Black Shard - Book Review

If you've followed my blog for a while you may remember the book review I did last year for The Magic Warble, the fun fantasy novel by Victoria Simcox that follows in the tradition of books like The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

This holiday season Simcox is back with a new book The Black Shard, the sequel to The Magic Warble!

Read more »

Caribou Coffee Review and Giveaway

With the cold fall and winter weather comes cravings for rich, hot beverages like coffee and hot chocolate.  This holiday season Caribou Coffee brings you the most delicious holiday coffees and drinks.  Take a break out of your Christmas shopping for a nice hot cup of joe.  Or go by and purchase a holiday sampler or gift pack for the coffee lover on your list!

Read more »

Chocolate Covered Caramel Popcorn - 2 Ways

When I was kid we used to get those giant popcorn tins every Christmas! Those are still around today, but now we also have a whole host of gourmet popcorns to choose from for holiday parties and gift giving.

Today I'm going to show you  how easy it is to make your own gourmet popcorn at home using 2 different methods!  Not only will it make a fabulous homemade gift, but it's also a lot cheaper than a lot of the gourmet gifts on the market!

Read more »

Scentsicles Review

As you deck the halls this holiday season, how would you like like to add a little old timey Christmas scent? Scentsicles allows you to do just that!

Read more »

Oreo Balls

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the food, especially the sweets!  Today I've got a really yummy treat that's perfect for parties and gift giving.  I first made these Oreo Balls last Christmas, and I can't wait to make them again!  I know your family will love them too.  And guess what? They are SUPER easy to make!

Read more »

Guest Post and Giveaway for A Crafty Creative Christmas

This week I'm participating in A Crafty Creative Christmas over at Me Making Do, and I'm excited to not only be guest posting but also to be sponsoring a giveaway!
Read more »

Holiday Gifts at AliLilly

All this month I've been bringing you some holiday gift ideas.  Today we've got a guest post from one of my fabulous sponsors and bloggy friends. It's Ami from AliLilly.

Read more »

Bauble Pops Recipe and Crazy for Cake Pops Review and Giveaway

Photo: Present Pops

If you're in to the cake pop craze, you are going to love today's review and giveaway!  It's for the brand new book Crazy for Cake Pops!  And I've also got a super fun Christmas recipe for Bauble Pops! 

Read more »

Holiday Shopping with Scentsy

All this month I'm featuring products and places that should be on your gift giving list. Today I'd like to introduce you to Scentsy Consultant, and my good bloggy friend, Kassi.

Read more »

Southern Brownie Pie

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it seemed like the perfect time to share this classic, Southern recipe.  This Southern Brownie Pie is yummy served warm or cold, and it's sure to please everyone at your table.  My husband isn't really a chocolate fan, and he doesn't like pies at all, but he couldn't get enough of this one!

By the way, come join Love the Pie with TidyMom sponsored by Cherokee USA, Le Creuset, Wilton, Bags by Bloom and  Harvard Common Press.

Read more »

Coconut Pecan Cookies

Several weeks ago I shared these pudding cookies, which I first saw over at Chef in Training.  You know I love to make different versions and variations of the same recipe, so today I've got Coconut Pecan version to share with you!

Read more »

Ornament Shop Review

I got another mouse ornament to add to my collection! This cute ornament came from OrnamentShop.com. They offer ornaments in a variety of styles and themes, including Graduate Christmas Ornaments,Teachers Christmas Ornaments, and Engagement Christmas Ornaments.  And if you're celebrating Christmas in July on your blog, check out their blog for some great Christmas ideas.

Read more »

Shopping for Christmas Ornaments in April (and a Review)

I know it's April, and a lot of people don't even want to think about Christmas, but if you were back in December you know that I LOVE Christmas ornaments, especially my mouse ornaments. And I simply couldn't pass up the opporunity to do a review for Christmas Ornmanents.com.

Actually spring and summertime is ideal Christmas Gift Shopping Time.  You can often get things on sale. And you can get all your shopping done online without the crowds and the stress.

 My mom and I both love to give ornaments as gifts, and this Christmasornaments.com has ornament gifts that would be ideal for any time of year. For example, they have wedding ornaments and  baby ornaments. These would really make for some great keepsake shower gifts!

And the site also has University and College Ornaments, which by the way, I was happy to find one for our team, The University of Alabama!

And I also was happy to find some cute teacher ornaments and graduation ornaments which would be really cute to give as gifts this May.

But as I said before, I love mice ornaments.  So I picked out the little cutie (below) to review!  He's made of metal, which is perfect because I can't have glass ornaments on my tree, due to my kitty cats (who are our resident tree eaters and occasional interior decorators---but not in a good way). 

I also love the vibrant colors in this ornament and just the cuteness of it. What mouse collector wouldn't love a mouse sitting on a Christmas ball?  And I also like his size, which is just over 5 inches long and perfect for our tree.  He will definitely make a great addition to my collection.

If like to shop for ornaments year round like I do, check out Christmasornaments.com!



Disclosure: I was given a free ornament for writing this review. I was not otherwise compensated. The opinions are my own.

Ham & Cheese Pinwheels

Hope you all had a lovely and joyous Christmas!  Now it's time to move on to 2011!  For New Year's Eve, I've always enjoyed having appetizers to snack on throughout the evening.  So this week, I'm sharing what is, perhaps, the easiest appetizer ever!

These ham & cheese pinwheels are a quick fix, and they'll look great next to your hot dips, hot wings, and veggie trays. Enjoy!

Recipe for Ham & Cheese Pinwheels

1 block cream cheese

several slices of ham

Directions: Place your cream cheese in the microwave for a few seconds to soften.  Spread onto ham slice with a knife.  (I use the thick slices that are rectangle shaped.)  Roll up the ham slice. Repeat until you've used all the cream cheese.  Chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.  Then take a sharp knife and cut your ham rolls into pin wheels.  Place on a tray and you're ready to serve!

Tips:

For larger (wider) pinwheels, spread the cream cheese on the ham.  Then stack 2 or 3 ham & cheese slices together before rolling.  Chill & then cut.

To add extra color and flavor to your pinwheels you may consider adding one or two of the following to your cream cheese spread:  shredded cheddar cheese, chives, pickle relish, red or green pepper, tomato, or even a colorful spice like basil or paprika.

Do you have an easy appetizer or snack that you like to make for the holidays? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Linking up this week to these parties.