Peanut Rolls...just in time for Christmas!



 Ingredients

• 1 c Marshmallow Creme/Flugg
• 3 c Confectioner's Sugar
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract (I use vanilla paste which has flecks of vanilla bean it it)
• 3 T Butter (soft)
• 4 c Chopped Peanuts
• 1 bag of caramel bits
• 2 T water

In stand mixer, blend
marshmallow, confectioner's sugar, vanilla, butter





For ease, I use a scoop to section out the nougat

Use the palms of your hands to roll scoops into balls

Roll nougat into ~3 inch rolls, and insert a skewer. 
I had large skewers on hand, so cut in half, putting uncut
side into the nougat.  Place in freezer for 20 minutes

Pulse the peanuts in a food processor
(or put peanuts in a plastic bag
and use a rolling pin to crush)

Over medium heat melt the bag of caramel bits and 2 T of water
Dip the frozen nougat in the caramel
 (use a spoon to cover the entire surface, allowing excess to drip off)

Roll caramel covered nougat in crushed peanuts, then place on
a parchment paper lined surface and wiggle the skewer out.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an air
tight container, seperating each roll with parchment.

So easy!  So delicious! 



Holiday (card) Cluster!

While I do feel thee o' holiday guilt because yet again, I have not sent out a cutie Christmas card...I know, I know we just had those pictures taken of Logan, but I just didn't get around to it.  Then my friends go and rub it in with all the cards they send our way, for which I am so grateful, as holiday cards of smiling faces I love make me so very happy.  So happy in fact, that  I want to display them somewhere I will see them daily, and decided the window above the kitchen sink was the perfect real estate!

I made the stained glass window a several years ago
because my mom salvaged the window pane for her
grandparents old farm house, and I wanted to
 fill it with something I will hold on to forever.

So, I am an admitted slacker, but I do love that my friends aren't

Let it snow!

I LOVE going home to Minnesota, especially for Christmas.  Time with family, friends, hot chocolate, sledding and snowshoeing...oh wait, there isn't a drop of snow back home and none in the forecast.  OMG.  When I found this out last night (after checking the 10 day forecast) I HAD A MOMENT.  I went to bed singing 'Let it snow', and woke today still singing it.  I marched to my craft closet and the minute I spotted the red spray paint and blank canvas knew I had to get to work, in hopes of creating a little treasure that would wake the snow Gods and get there arses into gear (before our arrival next week)!!! 

Supplies:
canvas, red spray paint, glue silver glitter, wired silver ribbon

After the spray paint dried, I used the glue
to write 'let it snow'...my cursive is sub-par,
so many apologies!

set the canvas on a baking sheet, and dusted
the glue letters with loads of glitter (use
the baking sheet to collect all the excess glitter,
so I can return it to the bottle when done)

After the glue/glitter sets (give it a couple hours), shake off
the excess glitter and then cut 2 strips of ribbon and attach
to the back of the canvas with flat head thumb tacks) and tie
the 2 pieces together in a bow, and secure on the wall with
a nail (I just removed a picture that is usually hanging,
and used that nail...will switch it back after the season)

Voila, you have a crazy cute new wall
hanging for the season!

Rudolph!

I was walking down the hall today and this picture on the wall nearly screamed, 'make me into Rudolph!!!'.  Well, this is what I came up with...too funny, right? 

 

I cut the pom pom off of some trim I had from making a tree skirt a few years ago

 (but you could even use a scratch of paper colored red with crayon or what not)

to make the nose, and a brown grocery bag for the antlers. 

I used masking tape to attach the pieces to the glass. 

 How funny would this be on an old family photo, wedding photo or school photo? 

ornaments...out the wazoo!

We decided to forgo the big cut tree this year and last...so what to do with all the boxes and boxes gorgeous ornaments?  I have installed them, some like little sculptures of art, throughout our house.  Have a looksy...



fireplace mantel, holiday redo: sticks in glass vase are always
present, just added the single bulb (very Charlie Brown).
added the glitter globes to the ever present candlesticks.
then balanced out the mantel with several of
my favorite oversized ornaments



two of my favorite bulbs tucked into the bookshelves
(sidenote: my grandma was a librarian, and
these are photographs of her).



my favorite milk glass cake stand, bulbs, mason jars
and a string of beads that usually adorn the tree.

beads (that are usually strung on the tree)
and glitter snowflakes (that are meant to
attach to present bows) add a touch of
whimsy to the dining room lights

our little holiday ham...





When we had pictures taken a few weeks ago.  I was pretty certain we would be lucky to have one picture that she was actually present in, as she ran all over the place and rolled in the dirt (praise you, baby wipes)!  I was so excited to receive the disc of images today, more excited that the photographer captured so many sweet images of our little Logan Elizabeth. 

She knocked on this door over and over. 
Thankfully, no one was home.

Logan's breakfast table

This chair once belonged to my
great grandma





Of course she pulled on off.

I then remembered they were glass and
begged her not to squeeze it

Of course she gave it a squeeze. 







trees, trees and more trees...

               

Last winter we decided to forgo the big, heaven scented pine that usually fills our home with oodles of holiday cheer, because our little sweets was into everything and we figured it best not to tempt her with a big bucket of water and a tree covered in glass balancing in it.  We decided to go one more year without, because she is still a curious little munchkin.  Although I miss the wonderful smells that a fresh pine brings to a home this time of year, I am excited with what I came up with.  



I got this little tree & the faux sugared fruits in college. 

I love this tree as much today as I did when I was 20. 
My sweet Mother-in-law made me the tiny tree skirt.

I pulled the trunk (which was my grandpa's) out of our
bedroom, and popped it in the living room, just so I
 would have a place to gather wrapped presents. 

Cookie cutters on fabric strips adorn a
little tree in our kitchen

Living in Oklahoma we lose branches all the time in windstorms. 

Last spring I decided to spray paint some of the sticks hot pink and pop

them in a dry goods vase that my mom made for me out of a tin ceiling tile.

The vase of sticks usually sits on a dresser in my bedroom,

but I pulled it out into the main area and added the little silver ornaments.
 Lesson: GO PICK STICKS!



I bought this little guy after Christmas sales a few years
ago, because I loved the burlap...finally made
 it make sense this year, with a strip of upholstery fabric
 (that I had on hand from a bag I made a bit ago).  Very
simple, but adds a bit of holiday cheer to the guest bathroom.