The Best Stuffing Ever

I discovered this recipe by accident one year when I stuffed it in the turkey and surrounding pan. When I basted the turkey with maple syrup it absorbed into the top layer of stuffing. The result was amazing and we have added maple syrup every year since.

Maple Syrup Dressing

1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temp

1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon butter

1 medium size yellow onion

12 corn bread muffins

2 large eggs

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 can (14.5 oz.) Chicken broth

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mash together butter and sage.

3. In a skillet, heat sage butter. Add onion and cook until soft, about 10 minutes.

4. Transfer to large bowl. Add corn bread muffins. They are better a couple of days old, stale and dry. Add salt and pepper. Toss to combine.

5. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, syrup and broth. Add to corn bread mixture, until well combined.

6. Bake in a baking dish for 40 minutes. 

A Christmas Gift for My Coworkers

We had our annual Christmas Party last week and many of my coworkers give holiday gifts to everyone. I thought about making baked goods, but I don't have time. Instead I made a beautiful basket full of K-cups for the Kuerig.

I filled a basket with 6 boxes of kcups, wrapped it in a bag I purchased at Michaels and put a bow on top.

$3 Party Tray

I was home with one of my little men and he was sick. He is not a big eater, so I went to the grocery store to find something he would eat. Our grocery store sells the ends of deli meat at a discounted price. I got the ends of sweet bologna for $1. If your grocery store does not sell like this, just ask for two thick slices of meat (1 in or 3/4 in slices). I also had block cheese I bought on sale for $2, it was muenster. You can use any cheese. Two varieties of cheese makes it a $5 tray. The crackers are left over, but they are not required.

$3 Party Tray

2 ends of deli meat, cubed $1

1 block cheese, cubed $2

Total Price $3


Assemble on a tray.


You might also like these party trays.

3 Christmas Tree Party Trays

Veggie Tray

On this tray, broccoli makes the body of the tree.  We were in a Community Supported Agriculture program and that is the lighter color green veggie. It is a cross between cauliflower and broccoli. It was really the hit of the party.  There is also cauliflower and grape tomatoes.

Fruit Tray

I love a fruit tray at  holiday party.  We eat so much junk at the holidays, but fruit makes it a little better. Make sure the berries are purchased just before your party so it remains fresh. I used the apple slices to keep all the fruit from rolling away, then filled in with grapes and berries. Of course, it is topped with star fruit.

Cream Cheese Tree

This tray is probably my husbands favorite. Take a block of cream cheese cut in to two diagonal squares and arrange in tree shape. Pour red pepper jelly on top. I like to serve this one with wheat thins.

If you are a lover of party trays like I am, try this one too.  

Make your own butter!!

We are starting a new tradition this year. The boys are making their own butter! We filled a baby food jar with heavy whipping cream and shake. If you don't have an empty baby food jar handy, you can use any glass jar. We filled it up about 3/4. The kids take turns shaking for about 10 minutes. There will be some whey and a ball of butter in the middle. The butter will be white, the store bought kind is dyed yellow. The butter does not have preservatives and will last about a week in the fridge. Enjoy!!


Check out my other suggestion for keeping your kids busy, A Craft for My Turkeys

A Gift For Our Teachers

Our teachers gifts are a little different than gifts from other families!!! I believe sometimes it is more about what your students don't give you that really counts. For my children's teachers, I give them disinfecting wipes, tissues and alcohol hand foam.

They usually get this gift at the start of the year and at Christmas. Actually, I usually forget to send it in time for Christmas and send it after the start of the
New Year!!!