Bacon & Egg Crescent Wreath

Recently, I threw a winter-themed bridal shower brunch for my sister. I was looking for cute, but tasty foods to round out the menu and stumbled across this idea on Pinterest. While good for any season, the wreath shape fit my theme perfectly, was simple to make, and was a delicious hit with the guests.

1 can Pillsbury crescent rolls 
8 slices bacon, cooked
5 eggs, scrambled
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Scramble eggs on the stovetop.

On a cookie sheet or pizza pan, lay out the crescent rolls in a circle, with the thicker ends slightly overlapping (like a sunburst). Place a strip of bacon on each roll. (Tip: Though I am a crispy bacon-lover, when cooking your bacon, don't allow it to get too crisp to maintain flexibility.) Sprinkle about 1/3 of the cheese around the circular ring, on top of the bacon. Add scrambled eggs and top with another 1/3 of cheese. Fold over the ends of the crescents so that they meet in the middle, creating a wreath shape. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 17 minutes or until crescent is golden brown. Serve hot.

*Adapted from Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo

Sausage Balls

In my family, there is a breakfast duo even more famous than bacon and eggs: the Christmas morning pairing of Monkey Bread and Sausage Balls.

12 oz breakfast sausage 

2 cups baking mix (Bisquick)

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl. (Tip: Try breaking up the sausage as you add it for easier mixing) Use an electric mixer to thoroughly combine. Roll mixture into 1 ½ -inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 20 minutes. Serve warm and refrigerate leftovers.

Monkey Bread

There are some dishes that are more than just food: they are memories. For me, this gooey breakfast treat is laughter and Christmas morning, family time and wrapping paper.

2 cans refrigerator biscuits (like Grands or Hungry Jack) 

½ cup margarine

½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

1 cup brown sugar

2 T. water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small saucepan, melt margarine. Add 2 T of the melted butter and 3 T of pecans (if using) to the bottom of a tube pan. Add remaining pecans, brown sugar, and water to saucepan. Bring to a boil.

Divide each biscuit into thirds and roll into balls. Place half of the balled biscuits into the tube pan; pour half of the sugar mixture over the biscuits, and then add the other half of the rolled biscuits and pour the rest of the mixture over the top.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Immediately turn over onto wax paper-covered plate. Serve warm.

Snickerdoodles

My husband is not a big sweets person, but when it comes to these tasty goodies, even he just can’t resist. Add them to your holiday baking repertoire!

½ cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar, plus 2 T, divided

1 egg

½ tsp vanilla

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, cream butter and 1 cup of sugar with an electric mixer, until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar; slowly mix into the sugar mixture until a soft dough forms.

In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and remaining sugar. Form dough into 1-inch balls and roll in cinnamon-sugar. (Hint: Make sure dough is well-chilled or it becomes sticky) Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool completely.

*Recipe from Taste of Home

Chocolate Pretzel Bites

I might be the last person in the world to discover these tasty treats, but my daughter and I had such a fun time making them together, I just had to share. Kid-friendly, budget-easy, addictively-tasty.

 Small twist or round pretzels

Hershey’s kisses

M&Ms

Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Spread pretzels onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Unwrap kisses and place one atop each pretzel. Bake for about 3 minutes, until chocolate is just melted, but still kiss-shaped. Carefully press one M&M into each kiss, pressing hard enough so that the chocolate spreads onto the pretzel. Allow to set up at room temperature or by placing in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. 

Cold-Day Wassail

Wassail, a warm, spiced cider drink, has a long tradition of providing holiday comfort. According to some accounts, wassail was once an Old English luxury – not many could afford the concoction of expensive spices and wine. During the holiday season, rich landowners would prepare large quantities of the drink and the poor townspeople would come “a-wassailing” for a Christmastime treat.

        Other accounts describe a wassailing ceremony wherein crowds would gather around cider-producing trees, singing and drinking to the health of the trees to ensure a plentiful autumn harvest.

        While wassail is typically associated with the yuletide season, I find the aromatic flavors soothing on any cold day. Of course, it’s best when shared with friends and accompanied by laughter.

1 can orange juice concentrate, thawed

½ can lemonade concentrate, thawed

3 cinnamon sticks

2 cups sugar

1 tsp ground cloves

½ gal. apple cider

4 c. water

Combine all ingredients in a large pot or crock pot until heated through. Simmer slowly for a deeper flavor. 

Foam Christmas Tree

Sometimes the best ideas result from trial and error. My husband and I had the idea to create a foam Christmas tree together for a holiday craft. We cruised the aisles of Hobby Lobby until we came home with a collection of goodies that complimented each other. Our first attempts, however, were unsuccessful, and it took a lot of shifting and brainstorming to finally come up with a product that we both loved. Now, we have a beautiful addition to our holiday décor.

Styrofoam cone

Dowel rod

Wooden base

Green spray paint

30 feet of large ribbon

Decorative rope

Star ornament or small tree topper

Small decorative gifts

Hot glue gun

Drill

1.       Spray paint Styrofoam cone, dowel rod, and wooden base with green spray paint (or color of your choice). Allow to dry overnight.

2.       Measure out about 9-10 pieces of folded over ribbon to create the first ribbon layer. Hot glue the loose ends of the ribbon together and then attach to the cone, overlapping each piece to cover the Styrofoam.

3.       Continue layering ribbon, moving up the tree. Be sure to overlap ribbon so that foam cannot be seen beneath.

4.       Once layers reach the top, attach a single piece of ribbon to cover the tip of the cone. Cover by wrapping an additional piece of ribbon around the top layer.

5.       Use hot glue to attach star to the tip. (Or use attached wire to screw the star into the top)

6.       Drill a hole into the wooden base to fit the dowel rod. Fill hole with hot glue and insert the dowel. Allow to dry and then gently screw the rod into the base of the foam cone.

7.       Attach rope to the top of the tree and wrap it downwards, attaching the end with hot glue.

8.       Arrange gifts on the wooden base in desired array. Attach using hot glue.

JOY Fabric Canvas

Add this simple and easy project to your Christmas decor. 

Supplies:

3 Art Canvases of the same size ( You could also use wood boards) (I used 6 by 8's) 

1/3 yard Christmas fabric 

  3 Wooden Letters J, O, & Y 

Acrylic Paint & a foam brush 

Glue gun 

Stapler 

Fabric Scissors

1. On large surface or table, lay fabric face down. Place canvas on fabric and cut fabric  around 2 inches extra per side. That way, you will be able to stretch the fabric around the canvas. Staple and stretch fabric around canvas. Repeat with remaining two canvases. 

2. Paint wooden letters and allow to dry. Once dry, align letters on fabric covered canvas, placing them in the center of the canvas. To do this, I used my sewing ruler and laid it on the canvas while gluing enabling me to be able to make sure it was straight and in the right place each time. Repeat with remaining two letters.

 

Cross-stich Hoop Snowman

While browsing on Pinterest for different Christmas decoration ideas, I ran across the cutest snowman craft blogged by PitterAndGlink. She made this snowman using 3 different size cross-stitching hoops, white fabric, felt, thread, buttons, etc. I decided to make one myself to hang by our window as I hope for the first snowfall of the year. It was super simple and turned out so cute!

Check out PitterAndGlink for directions!

Christmas Star

In my quest to explore my craftier side I have discovered that I am not much of a seamstress, but I can hot glue with the best of them. This craft was easy enough for a novice and beautiful enough to hang on my door for the holidays. There’s nothing like Christmas to get you in the mood to craft!

1 styrofoam star

Coordinating yarn, ribbon, or rope

2 pieces coordinating scrapbook paper, holiday themed

Hot glue gun

Holiday buttons

Trace and cut one color of scrapbook paper to fit star face; attach using hot glue. Attach a looped piece of ribbon to the top of one star point (this will be used to hang the star). Use the coordinating paper to cover the edges of the star (covering the ribbon ends) and attach with hot glue. Arrange buttons to cover star face in desired pattern. Attach with hot glue. Let dry completely before hanging. 

Christmas Tree Ornament

My friend and I saw these cute Christmas tree ornaments in Target made out of felt and beads. We decided to be crafty and make them ourselves. It took a bit to figure out how to make everything work but in the end we had a lot of fun!

Materials:
Felt with self adhesive on the back
Foam sheets of coordinating colors with the felt
Medium sized beads
Needle
Thread
Bell or star for the top
Glue gun


1. Cut out 7-9 circles from the felt that gradually get smaller.
2. Cut out the same size circles from the foam sheet.
3. Adhere matching sized felt and foam circles putting the foam on the bottom.
4. Thread a sewing needle with the color thread you want to use.
5. Tie a bead to the end of the thread.
6. Place felt/foam circles and beads on the thread from largest circle to smallest alternating circle bead. So it would go like this, base bead, largest circle, bead, circle, bead etc until you put the last beat on.
7. Leave a little thread sticking off the top and hot glue a bell or star to the top circle.
8. Use more thread to create a loop at the top of the bell or bead to hang the ornament.
9. Hot glue the tied bead at the bottom to the largest circle too.

Optional: Add tiny bells or puffy paint on the felt to create the look of a decorated tree.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Gift Exchange Poem

Last year I went to a ornament exchange with some wives and we used this neat little poem to decide who got what ornament. Just have everyone wrap up their ornament, give each person in attendance a number and have some fun!!

1. Lucky you, you're # 1

You get to start all the fun.

So grab a gift and grab it quick.

Cause you're the one who gets first pick.

2. Number 2 you're on the way.

It's time for you to have your say.

Get your gift and when you're done,

Swap it off with number 1.

3. Number 3 its plain to see.

It's your turn to pick which gift `twill be.

And when your choosing job is through,

Swap with 1 and then with 2.

4. Number 4 must use your head.

So grab a gift that has some red.

If it doesn't suit you to a `T',

You may swap with 2 or 3.

5. Jump to it 5, don't drag your feet.

Take your gift back to your seat.

Wonder of wonders, it's yours for a spell.

But what comes next, you can never tell.

6. Number 6 it's your time to go.

Grab a gift and don't be slow.

Now put on a smile so they won't be sore,

Cause you must swap with #4.

7. Is a lucky number it seems,

You choose a gift that has some green.

Poke it, and shake it until you get back.

Now trade with someone wearing black.

8. Number 8 its up to you.

To get a gift that has some blue.

Now go quietly to your place.

Or trade with someone with a smiling face.

9. Nine, we haven't forgotten you.

So choose your gift and don't be blue.

Consider well and when all is said.

Trade with someone wearing red.

10. Number 10 come to the front.

For yours you shouldn't have to hunt.

Now hurry back and look alive.

For you get to swap with #5.

11. Your turn 11 is finally here.

Pick a gift and hold it near.

Back at your seat look both ways.

If your choice was right then it may stay.

12. Number 12 jump to it sir/girl.

Make your choice, and with a whirl

Glance around to see who's where.

Swap with whomever's got the darkest hair.

13. Well, now, what do you know.

It's finally 13's turn to go.

There you go, you're doing fine.

Now swap with 3 or 6 or 9.

14. Number 14 it's your turn to shine.

So find a gift and don't you pine.

Somewhere you really have a friend.

You get to trade with number 10.



15. Number 15 how do you do?

There should be a fit up there for you.

So pick one out without delay.

Now trade with someone wearing gray.

16. Number 16 your patience is great.

Go get a gift and don't be late.

When your return, spin around.

And switch with someone wearing brown.

17. 17 your choice is here.

Find a box and hold it near.

When you return and look behind.

Swap with 11 if you don't mind.

18. Number 18 boogie to the tree.

Choose the largest gift you see.

Admire it well, then turn with a wink.

And swap with someone wearing pink.

19. Now #19, do as you're told.

Find a gift which has some gold.

When you've chosen we must be fair,

Trade with whoever has the blondest hair.

20. Number 20 how patiently you've waited.

Go get a gift before it's outdated.

Shake it a bit and look around the floor.

Swap it with someone who's five feet four.

21. 21 it's time for fun.

For swapping time has just begun.

After trading with 4 and 9.

Swap with two even numbers--That's fine.

22. 22 it's time to make your way.

Get a gift that's pretty and gay.

Now get ready to use your bean.

You must swap with 8 and 14.

23. 23 your turn has come.

Choose your gift with a lithe hum.

Look it over and when you're through.

You may swap with a number having 2.

24. Number 24 have you been bored?

Well, we'd like to show you you're adored.

So choose a box, see what you get.

Now you may trade with a brunette.

25. Let's go 25, look alive.

Pick a gift of any size.

Show the gang that you're O.K.

And swap with anyone you say.

26. It's time for 26 to mix.

Get a gift if just for kicks.

For you're to trade, if you have the knack.

With anyone whose shoes aren't black.

27. Number 27 how lucky you are.

You've seen all the gifts chosen so far.

If a pretty box catches your eye.

Grab it, make a trade, and don't be shy.

28. Hop up 28, don't drag your feet.

Study your gift as you reach your seat.

Now grin a bit and smile some more.

Trade with 22, then 24.

29. Number 29 you must wake up.

Run up there as spry as a pup.

Make your choice, isn't this keen?

But you must swap with 17.

30. Number 30 your wait was long.

But when we're through you'll sing a song.

Just look them over from small to large.

See a favorite? Then forward charge!