My 2 Xmas Breads and Pictures for FRED

For xmas eve Jean always makes a giant pot of wild rice soup. See the cute santa hat? Jean made those for everyone.

I made 2 breads to go with the soup. First up: Rich and Tender American Dinner Rolls from the ATK Family cookbook.

I also made Betty Crocker's Focaccia. I topped with Dubliner cheese instead of parmesan. 

Recipe is on page 90.

I didn't have fresh rosemary so I added 1 TBSP of Tuscan Sunset.

Compared to the hours and hours of butter layering my brother did for xmas day, my effects seemed lame. He learned how from the America's Test Kitchen TV show. 

It's all in the family: pre-xmas popovers from my mom.

I needed to throw together a quick cheese tray and this was a hit.

We enjoyed a white xmas.

So did the puppies.

And the kids.

Did I mention that with a blog post about xmas, you get EGG ROLL?

 Sorry Martha, but your recipe yielded a lot of grease. I should have followed the process on the back of the egg roll package. It said to sauté the pork first and then drain the grease.

I've never made egg rolls before and the rolling easy. The egg wash really holds them together. 

Make sure your helper is wearing a lot of BLING.

Peace on Us and Good Lists for All!

Why I'm blogging when I have so much to do I'm not sure. For the last few years I've been drawing my xmas list. Sometimes big.

Sometimes small.

I got that hat and I wear it all the time. I was in a shoe store yesterday and the clerk came up to me and said, "Did you know everyone in here is talking about your hat?"

Now that I've taken some art classes I felt some pressure. More detail, better color…NOPE! NO TIME FOR THAT!

BRRRRR! It is ELEVEN below zero today.

 Every year I ask for SHAMPURE. Guys, every girl wants the large size with the pump. Feels like you are at a salon every day.

Oops... i forgot the M…speaking of hair...

Cooking items always make the list. I really miss getting this magazine.

In 2012 the THERMOPEN was my fav. So was the digital scale. And the scissors that actually cuts.

Yep. More Shampure on there. Art supplies.

Here's to world peace.

My Holiday Decor Didn't COST (plus) Much

Last year after Christmas I picked up these placemats at Cost Plus World Market for a buck 29.

Wonder why I picked these out?

After 3 attempts at new decor last year, I decided to try something new. A banner in the entryway would be cool. I found this really thick yarn in the basement to attach the placemats to.

 Once I removed the label it was a tangled mess. An hour later I had this. Miss you KITTY!

I measured the door opening and marked the center points with twist-ties.

I spaced them with glue sticks, working from the center point out.

Don't cry supermodel. I'll get this done.

I still had more placemats left.

I usually swap out the art to my holiday drawings.

I even had new material from my class to use but wanted it all to match.

I put on my scrapbooking hat and made these with our old xmas cards.

Feeling a little left out Mr. Westie?