cranberry cream cheese spread

This stuff is so delicious, especially on top of a cranberry bagel. The recipe came from a relative's cooking for two cookbook (can't remember the exact name), so it doesn't make a ton. I think it's enough for 3 bagels...which you would think would be enough for two people, but obviously not since I've made this twice in the last 5 days. Our breakfasts have been much more luxurious and filling lately, not to mention festive!

Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread:
4 oz softened cream cheese
2-3 T powdered sugar (use your tastebuds to tell you how much)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup dried cranberries

Mix together cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Fold in cranberries. Serve w/muffins or bagels.

chocolately mint holly cookies

A while ago I posted the recipe for Holly Cookies, which you can find here. Last week I saw Nestle Dark Chocolate & Mint chocolate chips at the store and instantly knew what to do with them. I made Holly Cookies but substituted a) chocolate pudding for vanilla, and b) the dark chocolate and mint chips for the white chips (and use at least 3/4 of the package). Oh my heavens, they were SO delicious. Go make some!

Oh, and Holly Cookies always seem to taste better after a day or two of being left on the counter so they're a little crispy on the outside but soft on the inside and the chocolate chips kind of burst in your mouth...oh gosh why did I give so many away...guess I'm going to be making some more soon. :)

this year have a card of cheer

The holiday season is finally here! I’m so excited for this time of year, but it also overwhelms me a bit. There’s so much to do to celebrate and so many tasks to complete before the celebrations. One thing on the to-do list: Christmas cards. Last year was my first year sending out Christmas cards, and what I did was not as simple as I thought it would be.

So this year when I saw Shutterfly’s promotion, I was really excited. Shutterfly's Christmas cards look way simpler, not to mention much classier, than our cards last year. I’m all for having more time to gaze at my Christmas tree with my family. I think my only problem will be deciding which card to send.

I love how big the picture is and how the snowflake has snow flaking off it.

Bright Blue Snowflake

Candy cane stripes are always fun

Peppermint Gift Wrap

 

Love the big Joy on this one

Elegant Lace Snowflakes

This one is just lovely. Look at those delicate snowflakes. And the font is excellent.
Snowflake Sprinkles

This one is so fun. Love the different colors.

Paper Ornaments

I’ve used Shutterfly quite often to print photos, and their service and quality are excellent. I can’t wait to use them for Christmas cards, and maybe in the future I’ll try some of their other products, like their calendars or birthday invitations. 

Thanks, Shutterfly, for a wonderful Christmas present that is sure to spread some cheer!

maybe not...cranberries and pomegranates

I'm back. At least for some more sporadic posts, anyway. I just had to share this recipe for cranberry cake. Doesn't it look amazing?

And does anyone have a foolproof way to get pomegranate seeds out? I've actually never tried, but I'm craving pomegranates really bad. So how do I get those precious morsels of deliciousness out of their shell without staining my hands and clothes?

goodbye

Sigh. I don't have time for this blog. I barely have time to update my family blog. It's all about priorities, and this blog just isn't high enough on the list, sadly. But I still need a place to store all my flourishes, and that place is called tumblr. You should check it out. Way faster than a blog.

So this is goodbye...except for the occasional post about giveaways. :)

frozen grapes

Wow, summer is zipping right on by. I know I'm neglecting this blog a bit, but spending less time on the computer is a good thing sometimes. More time to play and enjoy summer. This year I have been addicted to fruit. Never been much of a watermelon fan, but lately I cannot. get. enough. It's so delicious, and I really wish it would go on sale again.

I've also become addicted to frozen grapes. When I first heard those two words together, I honestly didn't know how that would taste good. But then I bought way too many grapes (think sale) and I threw some in the freezer just for fun, thinking maybe I would add them to a smoothie. I tried a few frozen and wasn't a huge fan. But then I tried a few more, and now they're my go-to snack. Probably because they're so easy and cold. Perfect snack. You should try it!

vintage hankies and doilies

Lovely, lovely. I wish I had a drawer full of vintage hankies and doilies so I could make these. Little Birdie Secrets has the details.