December 27, 2010

Cinnamon-Hazelnut ToffeePrepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set it aside.

 

Breakfast Sausage and Egg PuffGood for Christmas morning. In a skillet, brown sausage, breaking up any large lumps; drain. In a 2-quart casserole, layer sausage, bread, and cheese. In a bowl, beat eggs with remaining ingredients

 

An Outdoor Christmas OfferingMy mother thought it would be nice if the creatures in her garden could enjoy Christmas as much as the rest of the family. She took pine cones and stuck on cheerios and berries on with a glue made out of rice and water. I'd say these critters are pretty excited!

 

Everyday Dishes For HolidaysInstead of purchasing expensive serving dishes for every holiday, place a cloth napkin over an everyday plate. You can place the plate on a cake stand for a little extra presentation. If serving foods that may stain, line with a small piece of wax paper.

 

Restaurant Gift CertificatesFor those of you with hard to buy for parents, here's a last minute tip that can be used for any occasion. My parents love to go out to eat, especially after Mass on Saturday. Each year, I get them restaurant gift certificates.

 

Give Child A Christmas Ornament Every YearWhen our kids were little, we bought or made two ornaments with dates each year for the tree for each child. When the oldest got married and left home, we were able to give him a box with all the ornaments from his first Christmas through the most recent.

 

Holiday: A Very Hairy ChristmasA good friend of mine recently cut his hair after years of letting it grow. I helped him pose for this holiday picture. He is always up for something crazy!

 

Use Christmas Fleece For Holiday DecorationsI found this beautiful fleece early in the season and used it to make a tree skirt and covers for tables. Then I made a blanket for the couch and a couple of pillows. I have gotten a lot of compliments on how pretty it looks.