Merry Christmas from Sandi Claus and her husband

I want to take a bloggy minute to wish each of you a very merry Christmas. I hope that you will be speding it with family and friends. . . remembering the reason we celebrate this season.

Some of you in the local area, have seen Sandi Claus ~ as I a pitching for my husband who "is very busy this time of year."

We have made several commercials for WhistleStop Products and have been spotted all over the local airwaves. This is the LINK to the WhistleStop web site, where you can find all kinds of good batter mixes, spices and marinade.

Good friends helped us with the production . . . and of course it was filmed right in our kitchen. (good thing we got that renovation done~ that hole in the wall came in handy)

Sandi Claus can be hard to find in public!
Merry Christmas y'all ~
Sandi

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Happy 'Blue' Monday . . . I had a busy weekend, in the Holiday rush.

I made some office gifts for my invaluable girls at work. They all deserve much much more, but 'Tis the Season' ~

Tis the season to get crafty.
I have made sugar scrubs before and they are so simple. Here are the links to Vanilla Spice Sugar Scrub and Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub, part of the fun is the cute packaging. They make great gifts.

This year I decided to go with the relaxing scent of Eucaliptis and Peppermint . . . Mostly because I love the Dr.Teals salts that you can find at Target (in the BLUE bag). Why not give it a try?
So . . . my recipe was
1 bag of Dr.Teals soaking salts
1 bottle of baby oil with aloe
1 cup raw sugar
AND Stir ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Even my olive wood spoons enjoyed the job of stirring the oil and salt. Mix it until it is well combined. (I was a little worried that I would end up with a bowl of disolved salt and sugar, but it worked ! )

I was able to make 8 little jars of Sugar Scub that can be used in the shower or just a dab for a refresing Hand Scrub.
The hardest part was finding the little candy canes!
~~tis the season~~

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

Post Christmas Blues

Can I post about Christmas and Post Christmas Blues at the same time?

I realized that I haven't had time for any Christmas posting . . . huge Bloggin' Fail.
But . . . I have managed to run my clinic full time, Get the gift-buying and gift-wrapping done, Enjoy having a housefull for the holidays, Get a few batches of sweets made, AND be private duty nurse to Bill after his total hip replacement.

Can I get a hallelujah ?

It is already time to pack it all up ~ I am looking forward to a bit of R&R.
I will be posting photos of the cute grandbaby (once I can find my camera).
I reluctantly swept up cherios and glitter . . . the markers of a bit of LuLu time..
Memories of a wonderful Christmas Holiday surrounded by family and Grateful for the blessings we have.

Now I am gong to sit back and think about my Promises for the New Year ~


Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

Southern Pecan Pie

This is the 'new' Southern Pecan Pie from the pages of Southern Living. (I had to go all the way to Boston to see a copy of Southern Living) 

This pie is really different ~ and really yummy.
The sweet and salty topping that is poured over a chocolatey brownie filling is rich and filling . . . this ain't your grandma's pecan pie.

Salted Caramel-Chocolate Pecan Pie
Chocolate filling
1 1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweeteded cocoa
1 Tbs corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup chopped pecans
1 9inch piecrust
Salted Caramel Topping
3/4 cup sugar
1tbs lemon juice
1/3 cup heaby cream
4 Tbs butter
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups toasted pecan halves
corse sea salt
Preheat oven to 350

Stir first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Incorporate eggs, stirring until well blended. Fold in chopped pecans.

Pour into pie shell. Bake for 35 minutes. The brownie filling will be soft. 
For the topping: Bring sugar, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water to a boil over high heat.
Do Not Stir. Bring to a boil, gently swirling for about 7 minutes until it becomes the perfect caramel color. Remove from heat, add butter and then cream and salt, stirring until it stops bubbling and is smooth.

Arrange pecan halves on the top of the baked pie.
Top with warm caramel.
Cool and top with sea salt.

Like I said. . . this ain't your Grandma's pecan pie.  It is still a hit!
Maybe even a New Holiday Tradition.


I am also joining Our World Tuesday
Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

Chunky Gingerbread Cookies

This is a repeat of a post I did 6 years ago (yes. . . 6 years of blogging ) This is my favorite cookie and mi amici Gail of  Gail's Great Escapes introduced me to them.

We have been known to share a pinch of a cookie from the Fickle Pickle. They have a gingerbread cookie that had me dying for more. Since we are a long way from Roswell, I got out my apron and started adding a pinch of dis and a pinch of dat.

It may not be the real thing~ but I'll bet my Georgia lotto ticket you will love these

Double Chocolate Ginger Cookies

1 box gingerbread mix*
1 Tbs cocoa powder
6 Tbs butter
1/4 cup diced ginger
1 cup chopped dark chocolate
Pre-heat oven to 350°

Combine mix with melted butter and water. Add cocoa powder and stir until well combined. Add diced ginger. Combine flour and chocolate chunks and stir until blended. Using a small ice cream scoop place rounded scoops of cookie dough about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-9 minutes. Cool on a rack.
* I used a different kind of mix this time and added the amount of butter that was called for on the box. The secret is the chunky ginger and chunky chocolate.

I also got a bit of  Christmas decorating done . . . Y'all will love my blue kitchen candy-cane and cookie cutter tree.

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

Merry Christmas Y'all ~

Merry Christmas friends ~

We wish you nothing but joy and hope for a wonderful New year!
Sandi & Bill

Christmas Cookie Time

One of the Holiday traditions at our house is baking our Christmas Cookies ~

For years (actually, for generations) we have used this Butter Cookie Recipe.
It makes THE PERFECT roll out cookie dough. We have made cookies for all kinds of holidays. But . . . this year, I decided to try a new icing.
Thanks to Pinterest, I found this cookie glaze on the King Authur Flour Site

Cookie Glaze
2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 Tbs light corn syrup
2 Tbss plus 1 teaspoon milk
Food coloring

Whisk together the sugar, corn syrup and 2 Tablespoons of the milk. The icing should be the consistency of a smooth but runny glaze. If it is to thick, slowly add the last teaspoon of milk. To ice the cookies, hold each one over a bowl of icing, drizzle the cookie allowing the excess glaze to fall back into the bowl.

Place the freshly iced cookies on a rack with waxed paper under for easy clean-up.
The icing will dry into a firm glaze.
They store well in the freezer . . . if they don't all get eaten first.

I miss the creamy vanilla flavor of most icings . . . but there is no doubt that this is easier, and prettier. It might just be a keeper.
What do y'all think?
Happy Holidays~
Sandi
 

Early Christmas at LuLu's

This time of year, we celebrate whenever we can.
We were lucky that the kids were here for a quick wedding weekend . . . so we celebrated with an early Christmas at LuLu's

This photo with the pile of wrapping paper and a leftover bottle just makes me smile ~
that is what it's all about.
Our boring routines in front of the TV were all turned around . . .
And I wouldn't have it Any Other Way!!

This sweet baby (in her big girl PJs)

Kept us all in stitches ~ and on our toes.

I snapped hundreds of photos, to only get a handful of good shots.
And even those are blurry with busy hands.

and giggly smiles.

Now, it is to quiet.
 I can take the rubber bands off of all the cabinets, and wipe off the sticky finger prints.
. . . or maybe I won't !!

Happy Holidays y'all~
Lulu and Buddy

PhotoHunt * Bells

The PhotoHunt for this week is 'Bell'.
I have lots of photos of beautiful bells in Italy, London, and Croatia . . .
But this time of year, there are bells everywhere

Especially at LuLu's house!

Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Flavors ~ Oysters

By now, y'all know that the 'flavor' for the week is oysters . . . perfect timing, since this is januaRy and it happens to be New Year's ! The flavor suggestions all come from The Flavor Bible. Along with Oysters, the recommend flavors include . . . lime, horseradish, WINE and Champagne(among others). Perfection!
This 'recipe' is as much a process as anything. Please follow along closely.
Oysters with Pearls
First . . . a trip to Whole Foods to find the freshest local gulf oysters. Now plan to have friends over for a New Year's shuckin' party.
Mince horseradish with vinegar and process to a fine pulp. Place tiny rounded scoops in a freezer. Slice limes. Get out the garden gloves and shuckin' knife. Pour the wine! Perfection!
Join us for the ride on Facebook and our blog Flavors.

Happy Cooking y'all~
Sandi

Friday's Favorites ~I ♥ Stockings

I ♥ our new Christmas stockings. With a new addition to the family this year ~ I decided it was time for new stockings.Now we will use these for the next 20 years!
I searched all over for the perfect 'matchy' stockings, then cut our names out of felt.I am no longer 'mommy'. . . I am LuLu.Little Hope liked the stockings. . . but the Santa hat wasn't quite the hit.
Aren't you glad that LuLu likes to knit??
Happy Friday y'all~
Sandi

Merry Christmas Y'all~ and a Recipe

We want to wish each of you a Very Merry Christmas.
This year is such a special year, Its not often we have EveryOne home for the holidays! . . . and That is what it's all about!

This is the perfect morning breakfast, hearty individual casseroles.
No fussin on Christmas morning.
Individual Breakfast Casseroles
5 large eggs
1 1/3 cups milk
1/2 tsp prepared mustard
1/8 tsp paprika
A pinch of cayenne
A dash of nutmeg
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup salad croutons
1 pkg sausage with sage
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup sweet peppers
6 green onions
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar, emmental, or other cheese
In a skillet, brown and crumble the sausage, add sliced pepppers and onions and cook until tender. Add chopped fresh spinach right at the end and remove from the heat. In a blender, combine egg and milk. Add spices and grated cheese; whirl to blend.
Use a Large muffin pan, coat the muffin tins with cooking spray. Evenly distribute among the muffin cups, a crumble of and the bread cubes, meat and vegetables mixture. Pour an even amount of eggs over each pile.Cover the muffin cups with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 24 hours. (this is the BEST part!)
When ready to bake, heat the oven to 350. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned and the eggs set. Allow the mini stratas to cool in the muffin cups for five minutes, remove them, and serve. (Leftovers can be frozen and reheated later)
The BEST part is that these are easily whipped up the night before Santa makes his big ride. Throw them in the oven on Christmas morning and enjoy the day.
Merry Christmas y'all~
Sandi