A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

My friend, Kilie, and I enjoyed doing craft projects together.  Last year, we came up with this idea to do as a little Christmas treat; we were really planning ahead -- and so proud of ourselves . . . and then, she moved!  So!  I sat at the table today, by myself, working on this idea!  I'm not sure if it's as cute as what she did in Tennessee!  Either way, if you're needing an easy teacher gift, a party favor, or a simple "winter day" project with your cherubs, here is one that throws together in a snap and won't break the bank! Kute Koozies! 1 koozie of your choice 12" of trim (spider, fringe, pom-poms, whatever you like) Tacky glue Embellishments (if desired) Measure around the koozie and cut your trim to fit, over-lapping just a bit.  Put a little tacky glue on and inch the trim around  . . . repeating this step until you have wrapped completely around the koozie. If putting on an initial, jewels, etc . . .use a bit more tacky glue a

My family loves green beans and the basic kind are our veggie staple.  However, recently I made Green Bean Bundles and they were nice for something different!  While there is a little prep time involved, it's not difficult and does seem to communicate, "Look!  I did something a little special!"  Now, will your family rise up and call you blessed?  Probably not -- but oh well, dinner will look great and taste even better! Green Bean Bundles 1 package bacon 3 cans "whole" green beans 8 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 4 teaspoons soy sauce 4 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon garlic powder Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Place bacon on a large cookie sheet, lined with foil.  Bake until partially cooked. Drain, cut each piece in half, and set aside. Open the green beans and drain well.  Take a bundle of green beans (6-8; using "good" pieces) and wrap them with a 1/2 piece of bacon. Secure with a toothpick if necessary. Place the bundles in

We got home from my mom's and we're meeting my cute 6 month old nephew tonight for dinner . . .ok, his parents are coming too!  I'm taking a dessert, and although I had planned on taking a pumpkin crisp, this afternoon that didn't sound like something I wanted to mess with!  Do you ever get in one of "those" moods?  My mom told me about a pumpkin cookie that tastes VERY close to the pumpkin cookie at City Bites . . .well, that's all she had to say!  We simply L.O.V.E those pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting!  While these cookies don't have cream cheese frosting -- they do have cream cheese in the cookie mix . . .so however you get in the cream cheese, it doesn't matter!  These whip up in a flash and I baked them with my large 1/4 cup scoop and baked them for 15 minutes.  It was just perfect!  With a little sprinkle of cinnamon on top of the frosting -- they're good to gobble! Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cookies with Frosting 1 package (8

Today I joined Greg at Primetime, a monthly Senior Adult event at church.  We heard a great speaker and enjoyed a pot-luck lunch.  The weather is cool outside and all of the yummy sides hit the spot as we go into the holiday season! One of my many choices was a cranberry salad.  I do love cranberry salad (or sauce or relish), and I particularly love the homemade kind.  I made a great pick today!  The cranberries were yummy with just a touch of orange and spice!  Matter of fact, it was so delicious, I stood out by the "pot-luck table" WAITING for the rightful owner of the dish to claim it so that I could brag on it and ask for the recipe!  Don't you know, after a small wait, her she came . . . and I got the coveted recipe!  I didn't ask if I could share it -- actually, I forgot!  But I don't think she'll mind! Cranberry Orange Salad 1 container of cranberry orange salad from the deli of Tom Thumb grocery store Open container and dump into a pretty se

Oh, this is bad!  I was flipping through some old recipes when I found this yummy recipe for "Yum Yum Candy."  I first tasted this several years ago when Linda B. brought it to the Couples Retreat we used to go to at Lake Texhoma!  This stuff is addicting!  It makes quite a bit . . .so call a friend over and share the recipe -- you'll not only have fun making it with a friend, but you'll be glad you did when you go to put your jeans on! Yum Yum Candy 3 lbs. almond bark (1/2 vanilla and 1/2 chocolate) 1 1/2 cups peanut butter (smooth or chunky) 3 cups dry roasted peanuts 4 1/2 cups rice krispies 1/2 a bag (or so) of mini marshmallows Melt the almond bark and stir in the peanut butter.  Add marshmallows and cereal and stir well.  Add peanuts and mix.  Drop on wax paper to cool -- be sure to lick your fingers!

Who would have ever thought that a cupcake would rise to stardom!  I mean, really!  Now the cupcake is so vogue -- it's appearing center stage at weddings and galas and parties and premiers!  All that to say -- I love cupcakes!  However, with all of the cupcake stores that have popped up, I have yet to find one that I really like.  I've tried several -- but never return for a second purchase . . .until last week!  Right there, in Times Square, I spotted it -- "Crumbs!"  After looking at the beautiful delights -- I indulged in the Chocolate Pecan Pie Cupcake (can there be such a thing?)!  I was SO sorry that I shared with Greg!  But don't worry -- the next night we just "happened" to go back . . .I mean to pass it and we meandered in to indulge in our own!  Greg feasted on the "Half baked" and I tried "Carmel Apple."   We were not disappointed!  So what do I do when I return home; set out to create some yummy cupcakes!  Getting the

Not too long ago, I headed over to Paula's house for a women's night out with other ladies from my Bible Fellowship class.  The whole point of the evening was to let the men take care of the children while we learned new and easy Fall entertaining ideas.  It was a great evening and Paula does a wonderful job of "fast and festive."  That night, she showed us an easy "hand pie" that I want to pass along to you.  But, when I tried it today, I decided that I'd try something new!  I'll share that with you too! Aut"yum" Pies 1 package refrigerated pie crust filling; such as mini chocolate chips carmel bits (the new unwrapped, ready-to-use carmel) pumpkin pie filling really, anything that can go in an unbaked pie crust; it just needs to be heated and not cooked 1 egg, mixed well with a bit of water for you egg wash Unroll the pie crust and cut out in shapes with your cookie cutters, making sure to have an even number of shapes.  D

For dinner in a hurry that is sure to be a pleaser, this is for you!  Italian Bread Pizza 1 pound mild Italian sausage** 2 TBSP olive oil, divided 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1/2 onion, chopped 1 cup pizza sauce 1 1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning 1 Italian bread loaf, or your favorite French bread 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese Remove sausage casings and cook sausage until it crumbles and is cooked thoroughly.  Add onion and garlic (if necessary, add 1 TBSP of the olive oil).  Cook about 5 minutes or until onions are tender; careful not to burn the garlic.  Remove from heat and stir in pizza sauce and Italian seasoning.  Cut bread in half, lengthwise, scooping out center of bread but leaving a 1/2 inch border.  Fill each bread half with half of the meat mixture, topped with 1/2 of the cheeses on each.  Drizzle pizzas evenly with remaining 1 TBSP olive oil, if desired.  Bake at 425 degrees for 5-6 minutes or until cheese is melted and bub