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.  

Grammi's Lasanga

My moms lasagna is the best and I certainly wanted to include her recipes in this blog. Pinterest is alive with lasagna roll ups, but I think they are to much work. Traditional lasagna is so much easier. I usually eat one and freeze one. I buy the 8x8 square pans at garage sales.  They freeze well, fit in the freezer well, and take meals to others.

Grammi's Lasagna

2 lbs ground beef

1 jar of spaghetti sauce

1 package of ricotta cheese (mom used cottage cheese)

1 package cream cheese

4 green onions, chopped

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 cup mozzarella cheese

1/2 box lasagna noodles

Brown the ground beef, drain and allow to cool. Cook noodles according to package directions. While the meat and noodles are cooking, mix ricotta, cream cheese, green onions, and garlic powder. Mix meat with spaghetti sauce. Layer starting with meat sauce, then noodles, then cheese mixture. I only use one layer, but you can do one or two. For the top, after the last noodle layer top with more meat mixture. Make sure all of the noodles are covered or the will become dry in the oven.  Top lasagna with mozzarella. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

If your family is anything like mine, include a couple loaves of Italian Bread and ENJOY! 

A Craft for My Thanksgiving Turkeys

We eat Thanksgiving dinner about 2 in the afternoon. Which means lunch is late for my boys and boy do I hear about it!! I try to have snacks available, but I don't want them in the kitchen. This year we made snack for them to eat anywhere, especially no the kitchen. Take a glove and fill the fingers with colored gold fish. Then fill the hand with popcorn. We wrapped a rubber band from the rainbow loom kit around the bottom to close. The boys drew faces with a sharpie. They clearly have never seen a turkey face.   Hope this helps keep your turkeys out of the kitchen!!

Check out how to make your own butter!!

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

List of the My Favorite Blogs

Blogs have really become a part of everyday life. They are a great source of information, recipes and others on the same journey.

For healthy real/whole food eating, 100 Days of Real Food

http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/

The Alpha Parent who has Timeline of a Breastfeed Baby

http://www.thealphaparent.com/

Making homemade baby food, Wholesome Baby Food

http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/

For the best freezer meals, Once a Month Mom

hhttp://onceamonthmom.com

For frugal living tips and recipes, Pennies and Pancakes

http://penniesandpancakes.blogspot.com/

For decorating, The Yellow Cape Cod

http://www.theyellowcapecod.com/

For amazing recipes

www.thecountrycook.net
Penny Pinchin' Mom
http://www.pennypinchinmom.com/

Chicken Corn Chowder

 

 

Chicken Corn Chowder

1 onion, chopped
6 slices of bacon, chopped
1 butternut squash, chopped
6 cups of chicken broth
2 cups of milk
2 bags of frozen corn
1 rotisserie chicken, deboned and cut into pieces




Fry bacon in a Dutch oven. Remove bacon and let drain on paper towels. Sauté onion in bacon fat until soft. Add squash, broth, milk, corn and chicken. Cook on medium heat until squash is soft, about 45 minutes. Add chopped bacon back to the pot and eat!!!

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!!!