DIY: Cheese Ball Snowman

Every year my family gathers on Christmas Eve to share some food, fun and gifts. This year...I was in charge of the cheese ball. Though it may not seem like a big deal...it kind of was to me. Cheese ball is one of my favorite holiday foods...and my Mom is normally the one who makes it. This year...when I asked for a food assignment...and she mentioned that I could bring the cheese ball...I was kind of excited!
{it makes me feel like a grown up to be the one to bring this important dish to the shen-dig!} On top of the assignment...she had mentioned that a few weeks earlier she had made one for my brother and his family...and turned it into a snowman...genius! {that's it...I was a lady on a mission to make something cute and delicious!}

Queue visual aid...

What you'll need:
an 8 ounce package Philadelphia Cream Cheese {I use 1/3 Less Fat}
8 ounces shredded Colby Jack Cheese
a few sprinkles of garlic powder
a few sprinkles of oregano
{I sometimes add BBQ rub or paprika...but opted out for this little guy}
2 strips cooked bacon {I used turkey bacon}
7 whole black peppercorns
2 small pretzels
1 small carrot

Mix the cream cheese, colby jack cheese, garlic powder and oregano together until you have an even mixture resembling a ball. {this will require you to do a little kneading with your hands} Now...it's time to shape your little snowman up and decorate him! First, make three balls descending in size for the body and the head. Then, use remaining cheese ball mixture to form a hat. Once you have your basic shape, cut your turkey bacon up into appropriate shapes and add to the snowman in the hat area and to create a scarf. Cut a few small thin strips to make a smile. Then add peppercorns for eyes and buttons. Lastly, add the carrot nose and pretzel arms. Serve with crackers.

Fun, festive and yummy! The only problem...it's so cute that people make not want to eat it! {it's true...my husband and I came home with 2/3 a snowman...and destroyed it! sorry Mr. Snowman...but way to fulfill your Christmas destiny!}

So...if you're looking for a fun treat for a cold winter party...try this little guy out! I'm sure that your friends and family will get a kick out of it! {thanks mom!}

DIY: Reindeer Cookies!

Yesterday my friend Carolyn brought the cutest little treats to work...Reindeer Cookies!

I couldn't get over how adorable they were and seriously hesitated before taking one down {yes...they were so cute I almost hated to eat them}...but once I brought myself to sacrifice one to my sweet tooth...they were delicious!

So...how did Mrs. Gwatney pull off these super cute, sweet little reindeer treats...with skill, creativity and the list of ingredients below...

What you'll need:
Gingerbread Cookie Dough {tub or roll}
Chocolate Chips
Red M&M's
Small Pretzels

First, lay out your pretzels {aka antlers!} on a baking sheet and then add raw cookie dough overlapping them a little {so they'll bake together to form one piece}. Then add two chocolate chips for eyes and a red M&M for a nose. Bake according to your cookie dough instructions.

{quick tip: I normally cut the time in half...or at least take a few minutes off of premade cookie dough bake times. If you like your cookies super soft...try it out!}

You're done! Talk about awesome! This treat is fun, festive and sure to bring a smile to anyone's face!

Now...it's time to send a shout out to the lady who slaved in the kitchen to make these cute little cookies...way to keep it fresh, creative and fun in the kitchen! I think that you just might of made everyone's day with these happy little reindeer!

Hope that you try this cute recipe out! I know that I am!

DIY: Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole + Smoked Gouda Bread

Every year I try my best to bring something festive and delicious to work to wish my friends and co-workers a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This year...I decided to stray from the super sweet and go a little savory...enter Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole + Smoked Gouda Bread!

I was hoping that I would have a visual aid for both...but I was slow with the camera and my co-workers were quick with their forks...so it's a no go on pictures of the casserole. {I swear it was beautiful!..and they seemed to enjoy it!}

Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole
What you'll need:
16 ounces Jimmy Dean Maple Sausage
6 eggs
1 cup skim milk
1 tsp ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tsp oregano
8 ounces colby-jack shredded cheese
6 slices of bread (cubed)

First, cook sausage until browned and set aside. Then, mix eggs, milk, ground mustard, salt, pepper and oregano together until blended into smooth mixture. Add sausage and cheese. Stir until mixture is even. Add cubed pieces of bread. Grease a medium casserole pan and pour mixture into it. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, preheat oven to 350° and bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot.

Smoked Gouda Bread
What you'll need:
2 packages of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls {I used Reduced Fat}
3 to 4 sliced of Smoked Gouda Cheese

First, preheat oven to 350°. Open tubes of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. Separate dough into 16 triangles. Place triangles on an ungreased baking sheet in an oval shape with each bottom edge overlapping the next triangle. Add two triangles in the center to act as a base to the bread. Place slices of cheese in the center of oval shape. Fold triangles over the cheese in an overlapping braided pattern. Bake in the oven for about 18 to 20 minutes. You're final result might look something like this:

Super easy and it looks like it took way longer to put together than it did! {5 minutes prep time and 18 minutes in the oven...WOW!}

So...if you're looking for some yummy breakfast treats...try these out! The Smoked Gouda Bread could easily be transitioned to lunch or dinner as well. Hope that you enjoyed these recipes and maybe even try them out! Have a great night!

DIY: Savory Sliced Beef + Southern Smashed Potatoes

My husband is a meat and potatoes kind of guy! {and yes...I might just be a meat and potatoes kind of girl} So...it's always good to have a quick and easy "go-to" recipe for those cold nights when you're wanting nothing more than tender slices of beef and some delicious southern style smashed potatoes!

Enter...two of the easiest recipes to give you the fix in about an hour!

Savory Sliced Beef
What you'll need:
3 to 4 decent size strips of steak or eye of round {thawed and cut into about 2" x 6" strips}
1/2 cup Fat Free Zesty Italian Dressing
Corky's Bar-B-Que Rub {or your favorite dry rub seasoning}

Place meat in a bowl and cover with 1/2 cup Fat Free Italian Dressing. Generously sprinkle with dry rub. Let it marinate for about an hour. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake for approx. 20 to 30 minutes depending on how well done you like your meat. {at our house...we go for about 25 minutes...where it's ever so slightly pink on the center} Let meat cool for a few minutes before moving it to a cutting board. Slice into thin strips. {serve with BBQ sauce or all natural}

Southern Smashed Potatoes
What you'll need:
4 to 5 medium potatoes
2 tsp butter
1/3 cup sour cream {we use fat free...and it's still super delicious}
Salt and Pepper {to taste}

First...wash your potatoes! {do not peel them} Cut into small chunks {about 2" x 2"} and place in a medium size pot. Add water and boil them until tender. {on medium to high this takes me about 15 to 20 minutes} Once potatoes are tender, drain and place potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Smash potatoes with a potato smasher. {or if you don't have one...a whisk works pretty well} Add butter and sour cream. Stir together until mixture is smooth. Feel free to add more or less butter and sour cream to taste. Sprinkle with salt and pepper {or even herbs}. Serve hot!

Quick. Easy. Delicious! If you're having a craving that can only be tamed by meat and potatoes...give these recipes a try!

It's great for a simple meal after a long day at the office or an easy dinner on the weekend. To make the meal a little more balanced...add a small salad to the side or fix up some old fashion greens! Yum! Hope that you give it a whirl and enjoy it!

DIY: Fantasy Fudge

I would like to start by saying that I'm pretty sure that my Mom might make the best fudge in the world...strike that...universe! {I know that this might seem like a pretty serious claim...but if you're doubting me...you haven't tasted her fudge!}

The secret...KRAFT JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme...and the Fantasy Fudge Recipe on the back of it! All I can say is that KRAFT got it right and if you haven't tried to make this...you need to go and pick up some KRAFT JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme and give it a whirl.

I'll admit...I'm pretty picky about the brands of things I use for this specific recipe...so you might notice that it's not word for word the recipe from the link above...pretty close though...and I think you'll
love it!

Fantasy Fudge {just like Mom's}

What you'll need:

3 cups granulated sugar

3/4 cup butter {I use Country Crock}

1 small can (5 ounces) evaporated milk

12 ounces Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 jar (7 ounces JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts {optional...I never add these}

Line a 13 x 9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; set aside. Place sugar, butter and evaporated milk in large heavy saucepan. Bring to full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234°F, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and marshmallow creme. Stir until completely melted. Add vanilla {and walnuts if you'd like} and Mix well. Pour immediately into prepared pan; spread to form even layer in pan. Let stand at room temperature
4 hours or until completely cooled. Cut into 1-inch squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature. You're done!

This recipe tends to get so many compliments! It's such a melt in your mouth, super sweet, little piece of heaven! {and one of my favorite holiday treats} I still think my Mom makes it better than I do...but each year I'd like to think I get a little bit better at it. {with the ultimate goal making it as good as she does}

If you're a chocolate lover...or know someone who is...try it out!

Thank you KRAFT for your JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme and for Fantasy Fudge! It's become a tradition in our home and truly adds a little something extra to holiday festivities!

DIY: Homemade Gingerbread with Cream Cheese Icing

It's been approximately a week since my last blog post...
{where have I been?...in my kitchen}

Yes...it's true...I have been one sugar slinging, mincing, mashing, dash of this...pinch of that...baking machine! I know what you're thinking... 
what have you been whipping up in there? {hmmm....where to start...there have been so many holiday treats...}

So...since it's one of my favorites...let's start with Homemade Gingerbread with Cream Cheese Icing and then we'll work our way to savory treats like Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Casserole...Yum!

Here we go!

My friends love treats...and I love my friends...so I decided to make a few goodie bags for some of my favorite people. Did I mention...I love gingerbread!...and since I only seem to enjoy it once a year...I jumped at the opportunity to whip some up! {there are mixes available at your local grocery store...but if you're feeling ambitious...try this recipe out!}

Homemade Gingerbread
What you'll need:
1 heaping cup of sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup boiling water
1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg {beaten}

{see below for cream cheese icing recipe}

Sift dry ingredients and spices together. Add shortening and butter to boiling water; stir until melted. Add sugar and molasses. Combine mixture with dry ingredients. Add beaten egg and stir until gingerbread batter is smooth. Pour gingerbread batter into a buttered and floured 9-inch square baking pan or a mini loaf pan {makes 8 mini loaves}. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes {for 9-inch pan} or 18 minutes {for mini loaf pan}...place knife into center of loaves and make sure it comes out clean...if so...they're done! Let gingerbread cool, then drizzle with Cream Cheese Icing. {see recipe below}

Cream Cheese Icing
What you'll need:
4 oz of softened cream cheese {regular...low fat or fat free will not work for this}
1/2 stick of softened butter
1 tsp. of vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups of confectioners sugar

Place all ingredients into a large bowl and whip with an electric mixer. Either spread over loaves...or warm up in microwave until a little liquidy {about 15 to 25 seconds} and drizzle over loaves using a spoon. Allow icing to dry and become a little firm before packaging.

So sweet and delicious...and even kind of precious to look at! The bonus...it tastes like Christmastime and makes your entire house smell amazing when they come out of the oven!

So...if you're looking for something festive for your holiday gathering, a treat for neighbors, co-workers or friends...or even a little treat for yourself, give this recipe a try!

On the other hand...if you're in the mood for chocolate and melt in your mouth awesomeness...stay tuned! {Fantasy Fudge is coming up next!}

DIY: WIWT...Tacky Christmas Outfit

So...I've taking a few days off from writing to you guys...{did you miss me?}...no excuses here...just a ton of stuff going on. {forgive me...?}

Now...where were we? Oh yes...Tacky Christmas Outfit! {aka what i wore tuesday} Queue visual...

...and yes...I wore this all day! To work...for our Tacky Christmas Party...and out for drinks with friends afterward. The greatest part about this outfit...jingle bells...everywhere! I sounded like a reindeer or cheerful little elf every time I moved all day long. {which I kind of loved...and I think people got a kick out of} It did slightly put a damper on my ninja skills...you could totally hear me coming down the hallway...but it's okay to take a day off every now and then.

So...how did I put this tacky outfit together? Easy. Using items I already had and adding several awesomely tacky items purchased at the local Dollar Tree. Check out an outfit overview below and a few tips on creating your own tacky look!

outfit overview
cream sweater {already had...from wal-mart a few years ago}
temporary tacky sweater {see below on how to make your own!}
red polk-a-dot dress {already had...modcloth}
lace tights {already had...wal-mart}
festive santa socks {target}
jingle bell shoes {check out monday's blog for details}
decked out reindeer antlers {see below on how to make your own!}
scotty dog earrings {old school...from my elementary school days}
jingle bell bracelet {see below on how to make your own!}

Temporary Tacky Sweater!
What you'll need:
cable knit sweater {any color you like...I used a cable knit vest}
several flat ornaments {dollar tree had a wide selection...4 for $1}
jingle bells {dollar tree had large bells for 9 for $1}
ribbon
twine
garland

The best thing about this project is that it's temporary! First, figure out a fun configuration for your swag. {it's always good to mix jingle bells with ornaments} Next, loop ribbon through ornament holes or jingle bell holes. Carefully loop ribbon through small openings or holes in knit sweater. Tie, double knot and finish each off with a bow. Continue adding things until you're satisfied with your design. {if you make a mistake...or are ready to use your sweater for non-tacky purposes, just untie the ribbon and remove your embellishments} Finish off the look by adding garland. {if you're using a cardigan or sweater that opens toward the middle, that's a great place for some sparkle!} You're done!

If you're on a mission...you can probably knock this project out in about half an hour...or if you are going intricate, it might take you a little longer. Either way...I'm sure you're sweater will be a hit with your friends!

Decked Out Reindeer Antlers
What you'll need:
1 headband with felt reindeer antlers
1 headband with fabric christmas characters
jingle bells
ornaments
ribbon
garland

First, take both headbands and attach them together by wrapping the base of headband with garland. {this will make them sturdy...I did not do this at first...but learned my lesson quickly} Next, decorate the antlers with jingle bells and ornaments. Attach them with ribbon. Feel free to use your creative vibe and have fun. {caution though...if you add too much swag, the weight will make the antlers tip forward...to avoid this, add a few things and then test them out!} You're done...and wasn't that easy!

Jingle Bell Bracelet
What you'll need:
ribbon
jingle bells

This project is so simple! Loop ribbon through holes in jingle bells. Tie a double knot after adding each bell to secure placement. When you've added the desired amount of bells, tie ends of ribbon together, double knot and finish with a bow. Festive, fun and only takes about five minutes!

I hope that these little DIY tips and tricks for an awesomely tacky outfit for your next Tacky Christmas Party help you out and give you some ideas. Put your own spin on it, have fun and own the tackiness! I think we all have a funky side and parties with a theme can definitely bring that out of us! Happy Thursday!