The Irish Laurel
It's THE SIMPLE THINGS . . .
Deck the Halls…..
Dec. 13…11 days ..count them!!!….until Christmas Eve! Where we live we are pretty much guaranteed a white Christmas since this week a snow storm came our way, with more coming this weekend! YES it’s cold out, but there is just something magical at Christmas time to have the white fluffy stuff on the ground! At night all the outdoor white Christmas lights just look beautiful against the snow!! Now ask me in January how I feel about the snow! LOL!
During all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, the shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping, parties, cleaning…..sometimes…well a lot…the true meaning of Christmas gets pushed aside. Try to take time to reflect on what this season is about…the birth of the Christ child, the complete and total love God had for us, to send His Son to us. He cares about us…ALL of us….you… and all that our lives are about. The joys, the struggles AND the pain. Take time to de-stress,..yes it’s okay to just sit, to ponder, to relax, maybe read a book, sip on coffee or hot cocoa. Wishing you and yours a season of love, and care and may you enjoy this season of Love.
A photo of our lovely town decorated for Christmas
Our house is all decorated inside and out! Both trees up and decorated, one is in our living room, but it can be seen from the kitchen and dining room which I love and the other is in our lower level where the fireplace is!
Started my Christmas baking, some cookies and candy, but will save the cut-out frosted Christmas cookies to do with the 2 grand-daughters that live close. So miss having the CO grandkids here! Christmas time makes it’s especially hard, we miss them all so much!
Posting a few recipes!
First is Cake Balls….super easy!They have become a family favorite.
- 1 box of cake mix, any flavor will work. I have used cherry, strawberry and this year trying spice. Make the cake by the instructions on the box.
- 1 – 16 oz container of frosting (again any flavor that goes well with your cake flavor) use ONLY 3/4 of the container, more than that makes the balls too moist.
- 1 package of candiquik melting chocolate I use only the milk chocolate flavor.May also be called chocolate bark.Bake cake mix (follow the instructions on the box). Cool
- With your hands, crumble the cooled cake into large bowl.
- Mix in the frosting, again not the whole container, usually just 1/2 to 3/4 will do it.
- Refrigerate the batter to stiffen for a little while
- Roll into one inch balls. Place on a cookie sheet or carefully put in bowl.
- Place in your freezer, you want them very cold. If they are frozen they keep the ball shape better as you dip them into the melted chocolate.
- Melt chocolate according to directions.
- You can then dip cake balls into the melted chocolate with a toothpick or hold the ball and with a spoon cover the ball with the chocolate.
- They can be dipped in sprinkles (I used different colors and shapes of sprinkles), nuts, crushed candy canes etc. and also you can drizzle them with a lighter color of chocolate or white chocolate. Have Fun!
The other recipe is Chicken Pot Pie (also VERY easy and oh so delicious)
*side note…as I’m writing this blog our Chicken Pot Pie is baking away in the oven!!
- 1 to 2 cups shredded or chopped rotisserie chicken
- 2 prepared Pie Crusts (Pillsbury)
- 1 bag Frozen mixed veggies for soup (the frozen veggies for soup contain potatoes, THAT you want!)
- 1/2 block of room temp cream cheese
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- Dried or fresh chopped onion
- Garlic powder to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Set out pie crusts until room temp (1/2 hour). Line pie plate with one of the crusts, making sure crust goes up the sides.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Chop or shred the rotisserie chicken, set aside
- In bowl, mix cream cheese and soup, Add the mixed veggies, cheese, onion, garlic powder and pepper. Mix
- Add chicken to the bowl of mixture, mix until thoroughly mixed together.
- Put one of the pie crusts in the bottom of the pie plate.
- At this point, if you would like, you can bake just the bottom crust for about 5 minutes ( bottom crust will be fully cooked when whole pie is done cooking)
- Take out of oven, fill bottom crust with Chicken mixture.
- Top with the second pie crust. Crimp crust, then cut a couple of slits etc. on the top.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Pie should be bubbly and top browned, but not too much!
- Serve with a crispy salad, and/or fruit and you have a wonderful meal!
Wishing you and yours Christmas Blessings!!
One Comment on “Deck the Halls…..”
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Welcome
Kathy’s Faith, Family, Food and Decor. Sharing of everyday moments.
Your message to remember what Christmas is really all about brought tears to my eyes. Let us not forget! Thank you Kathy.
Will email soon… Been especially busy. Your house decorations are gorgeous!! Love Cheryl
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