Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Happy New Years!!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and that 2015 will be your year! 2014 has been nothing short of wonderful and I feel blessed to have a loving family and so many amazing friends in my life! I can't wait to see what 2015 brings!
If anyone asks.I'll be here for the rest of the year!! 

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Easy Creamy Shrimp Cocktail Dip

One more day left in this year, and as cliché as it sounds, where has the year gone? We'll be spending NYE with the kids! What are your plans for tonight?



Here's a sneak peek of what I am serving on New Year's Eve!

This recipe is made for every family get together. It is also the reason I go up a size during the holiday season, it is that addicting. Seriously, you could easily eat this up and not realize before dinner, it's been devoured. What's even more unbelievable it only has 5 ingredients, and you can make it in less than 20 minutes.

Creamy Shrimp Cocktail Dip

2-6oz packages of salad shrimp, or you could use cooked large shrimp, chopped into bite size pieces
8oz cream cheese, set at room temperature chopped into small pieces
1 1/2 cups salsa
1/3 cup cocktail sauce
1 1/2 cups finely grated cheese

Add all the ingredients together in a large serving bowl. Gently stir together until well blended. 


Looking for more delicious appetizers to serve tonight, here is my post 


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Monday, December 29, 2014

Top Posts 2014

It's unbelievable that 2014 is almost over. Even though I only started my blog several months ago, I've enjoyed visiting and being inspired by a variety of some fabulous bloggers. Looking forward to acquiring new friendships and inspiration as well as building the new friendships I've already made.
 
Cheers! Here's to wishing all of you a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is my Number 1 post so far, and I have to say it was not only easy to create, every time I use it, it seems to give me more inspiration. It's simply lovely and very personable to suit anyone's taste, style and creative mood.
 
Thank you to everyone for being part of my year! Hope to see you next year!

10 Delicious New Year's Eve Party Appetizers

I don't know about you, but I love appetizers! It's not unlike me to even eat appetizers for my meal!
In fact for New Year's Eve, at our house it's tradition for us, for me to make an appetizer meal of our 5 favorites! Do you have any New Year's Eve traditions that you celebrate with?

Cheers! Here's to a Happy and Prosperous New Year to you all!!
 

 
Crab rangoon dip from Damn Delicious
 
 
Bacon-wrapped cheesy stuffed jalapenos from Sally’s Baking Addiction
 
 
 
Crockpot Sweet and Tangy Meatballs @ Table For Two
 

Baked Spinach Dip Mini Bread Bowls @ Picky Palate
 
 
Easy Meatball Sliders @ Yellow Bliss Road


 
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Dip @ Lamberts Lately
 
 
 
Pepperoni Twirls @ DizzyBusyandHungry
 
 
 
 
Stuffed Cheese Bread @ Joan'sFoodWanderings

 
Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken Wings @ SixSisters'Stuff
 
 
 

 
 
Holiday Cheese Platter @ FrugalFoodieMama

 
 
 



 
 
 
 
 

Ring in the New Year!! 10 New Years Eve Party Ideas

It is hard to believe there are only 2 more days left in 2014. This year has simply flown by!
I am ready to Celebrate, Are you??



 
 
Sequined star stir sticks from Confetti Pop
 
 
 
@ Pretty Providence via Tips From A Typical Mom
 
 
 
Ring in the New Year Printables @ Chickabug via I Heart Nap Time

 
 
 
$1 NYE Gift & Printable @ Salt and Pepper Moms 
 
 
New Year's Eve Confetti Party Favors @ A Pumpkin and A Princess


 
 
DIY Glam Champagne glasses @ Something Turquoise
 
 
 
 
Pretty New Year Banner @ The Pretty Blog
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, December 26, 2014

Follow Friday #3

Hi friends! I hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season with the ones you love, and that it has been full of peace and joy!
Here are some amazing posts I've found this week that I thought I'd share with you for your inspirational pleasure!
Wish I had time to make these festive mugs! I've been in love with a Red and White Christmas theme this year! I was able to make a few projects. These are definitely on my list to make for next year!
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I absolutely love the simple wreaths hanging in the widows, as well as the color and print of the drapes. Another one of my loves are the Paper Whites in the corner, with the Gold reindeer resting peacefully!
 
 
 
 
 
 
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For this Christmas I never got around to making chalkboard birch ornaments like I wanted to, but I am glad I found the inspiration to combine them with a wreath dressed in buffalo plaid ribbon. This is absolutely beautiful!
 
 
My favorite colors are any shade of blue, especially turquoise and peacock blue. I pinned this for the one year I decide to go with a Peacock themed Christmas. The roses are paper, aren't they pretty?!
 
 
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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Sweet Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Can you believe that tomorrow is really Christmas Eve??

Christmas morning is a very magical and wonderous time. The children are all excited, jumping out of their beds, to check on their presents under the tree and their stockings that are stuffed, and before they get busy opening their gifts, I pop some cinnamon rolls in the oven, smelling the house up with their warm, sweet spices. My mom passed this tradition down to me, and now I'm passing it on to my children. Ok, now the truth, in the past years, I usually worked, yes, worked at some point during Christmas Day, especially the last four years, and the cinnamon rolls I usually made were Pillsbury. Now that I am a stay at home mom again, I took on the challange to make these delicious sweet rolls by scratch, and I have to say it was easier than I expected. Other than the waiting tine for the dough to rise, once the dough is rolled and the sugar/cinnamon filling is sprinkled on, they baked up in about 20 minutes. Oh, and I almost forgot, I got the biggest laugh at watching my daughter slathering the butter on the rolled out dough, watching the melted butter oozing out of her hands, Oh my goodness, she was having a blast.



Here is the yeast starter, ten minutes after the yeast, sugar and warm water are gently stirred together.


After the flour is added to the yeast starter, ( after being kneaded for 5 minutes, coated with canola oil on top, then left in a warm place to rise) and has doubled it size in about 60 minutes, Lindsay packed a punch. Next, the dough gets rolled out on a floured surface 14"x19". Can you see the dental floss, that comes very handy!!

This is my youngest daughter Lindsay, isn't she cute as a button!! After helping my daughter to slather the butter on the dough and sprinkle the sugar cinnamon filling, I didn't get anymore pictures, but when I do make these again, I will come back and edit this post. The dental floss seriously does help to cut the dough cleanly, without tearing or smashing it.

I first looked at The Pioneer Woman's recipe, but I realized she was baking 4 pans, then I found this perfect recipe at The Picky Palate.

From my family to yours, Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and a Prosperous New Year!!

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Friday, December 19, 2014

Follow Friday #2

Hello friends! Hope you are all enjoying your last Friday before Christmas, and that I want to wish you all a great weekend

Here are some amazing posts I've found this week that I thought I'd share with you for your inspirational pleasure!



Aren't these faux birch dollar store candles absolutely beautiful? Wonder if I can find some birch scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby!?


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O Crock-Mas Tree @ So Much Better with Age

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What post actually caught my eye was this one from last year!! I love her style!

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DIY Gold Monogrammed Anthropologie Knock Off Mug

Who doesn't love something cozy and hot for the wintertime! When I saw this pin, I fell in love with how simple and elegant these mugs looked, but also how they would make the perfect hostess/teacher gifts. Not to mention I get to use a Gold Sharpie and get to DIY a mug, and that I had to make one for myself.


You could make the monogram any number of ways. If you are truly talented you could free hand Calligraphy, or use a stencil like I did. You would have guessed I bought it at Anthropolgie

All you need is a ceramic mug, I bought mine at the Dollar store, and a Gold (it has to be a Sharpie). 
After you've finished your design, you bake it in a Preheated 350F oven for 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and allow the mugs to cool completely before wrapping or using them.

Here are similar ideas for your viewing pleasure to help you inspire you, like this one, or this one , if you love succulents, you could turn a mug into a pretty planter. The possibilities are endless. Here is one more idea for you, take a look at the DIY Watercolor mug I fashioned not too long ago.

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http://sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com/2014/12/wake-up-wednesday-linky-party-48.html

Monday, December 15, 2014

Christmas Twinkle and A Coastal Christmas Pin


Happy Monday! Hope you had all had a great weekend! While yesterday was a quiet day, Saturday was jam packed with Christmas decorating, baking and shopping. We also celebrated my brother in law's 40th birthday! Here's to his next 40 years!!
Before I get to today's post, I wanted to share with you a couple of pictures from last week. At Lindsay's school, the girls and I had fun decorating cookies, singing Christmas carols, and sipping hot chocolate!


It seems this year that the tree will never be completely decorated. We thought we put the last ornament on, and then we found a dozen more. Then it happened, one string of lights decided to go out mid-tree, and I really want to put an angel on the top of the tree, because the top to this one seems bear. Finally, I still have a few DIY Birch ornaments I am working on and that will be all.






Yesterday our cat had fun chasing these lights up and down on the wall. There is something magical about the 'Twinkle' of lights and ornaments. 


One of these years I SO want to do a Coastal Christmas Theme, with blue/aqua, turquoise and cream, instead of the traditional red, green and gold that seems to be the theme every year. For me this room is so  peaceful. With all the hustle and bustle, I could get cozy on the couch, next to the fire, drink some hot tea and put my feet up for a few. 
 
pic via 

 If I have time, I really want to make these beautiful Coastal Salt Clay ornaments



Saturday, December 13, 2014

My Christmas Wish List 2014

My Christmas Wish List 2014

These may be items you may or maynot like for yourself, but I thought I'd put a quick gift idea together of the gifts I would personally like. Maybe, just maybe if I leave this page up long enough, my husband may get a subtle hint. I would be happy with at least one of these gifts.
 
  1. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 (7-Inch, White) - I love using my Kindle on  my phone, but let's face it, things are much easier to read on a tablet.
  2. Make It Ahead: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook - I've always enjoyed her show, and am always looking for making dinners, quick and easy
  3. Wedgwood Harlequin Butterfly Bloom Ceramic Teapot - Who doesn't love butterflies. I love this pretty pink one.
  4. Sterling Silver Snowflake Pendant - Necklace with Blue and White Swarovski Crystals - Every year, I try to find the perfect snowflake jewelry item to add to my collection, and I love pop of ice blue in this one.
  5. MICHAEL Michael Kors Jet Set East West Top Zip Tote In Deep Pink Leather -This year we have several trips planned, and not that I like big hand bags, I will need one to travel with. Again, love the pop of this pretty pink bag.
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