It's the most wonderful time of the year....and busiest, too!

Finally, I'm here and ready to blog.  I know, I win no awards for keeping on top of this as planned.  What can I say, we've been playing everything by ear lately around here.  I can't say that I enjoy not having more of a plan for meals as well as the regular day to day activities, but it is what it is and I know once all of the holiday hustle and bustle is over, we'll be able to get back to our "normal."

I didn't have too much shopping to do this year out in the stores, I've discovered that I really do enjoy shopping online for Christmas gifts!  The things I absolutely had to go out and get, I got early so didn't have to fight the crowds too much.  THRILLED about that!  Now, I'll have to be a good little elf and finish wrapping everything before Christmas Eve rolls around so I can spend it relaxing with my family.

I have spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen over the last week.  I tried baking a different type of cookie every day for hubby to take to work with him and also for the neighbors.  I enjoy it so much and am so happy that I can share them with lots of people who seem to enjoy them!

We had a little Christmas party here last week with some of the folks Gene works with. Kate and I spent two days in the kitchen cooking and preparing (two days because on the planned day for all the cooking and prep work...our subdivision had a water line break and we had no water for at least 7 hours...slowed things down a bit.  LOL).  We had such a fun night; even Kate stayed downstairs with us all the entire time.  So happy to be entertaining again!  It's one of my most favorite things to do!

I'm taking a break from baking and appetizer making this week (with the exception of the cheesecake I'll make for hubby's birthday).  Keeping meals simple and quick and then will be back at it for our Christmas dinner.  It will only be the three of us here, but I am still making our traditional Christmas dinner, slightly scaled down, of course. 

Thought that I would share a few recipes for some of the appetizers that Kate and I made for the Christmas party.  Everything seemed to be a hit and there were barely any left overs!  Also thought I'd share a few pictures of "the spread."  If I don't get on here again before this weekend, I would like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas!

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Chicken Bites

*8 chicken tenders, flattened and cut in half
*3 oz pkg cream cheese
*jalapeno pepper, seeded, rinsed and diced
*8 slices of bacon, cut in half
~Dab 1/2 tsp (aprx) of cream cheese on top of each chicken tender.  Sprinkle 1/4 tsp (aprx) of the jalapeno over cream cheese.  Roll chicken to enclose cream cheese & peppers.  Wrap each roll in a slice of bacon.  Secure with a toothpick.  Bake at 425 for about 10 minutes on each side, so chicken cooks through and bacon crisps.

** On a side note, I found these to be a bit bland (I didn't use as much of the jalapeno as called for) so I served them with raspberry habanero sauce for dipping.  Where can you get such a sauce, you may ask....LOL  from me, it's a Pampered Chef item.  ;)  Shameless plug, I know....  If you didn't want to get the raspberry habanero sauce, I'm sure you could heat up some raspberry jam.

Game Day Party Mix (a yummy Pampered Chef recipe)

*4 cups crispy corn and rice cereal
*1 cup miniature pretzel twists
*1cup Goldfish cheddar crackers
*1/4 cup butter, melted
*1small clove garlic
*1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
*1 pkg buttermilk ranch salad dressing mix
*1 pk butter microwave popcorn

~Heat oven to 350.  In large baking bowl or pan, combine cereal, pretzels and Goldfish crackers.  Press garlic into melted butter then drizzle over cereal mixture, stirring to coat.
~Grate Parm. cheese over cereal mixture and sprinkle with dressing mix.  Stir gently.
~Bake for 20 minutes.  Remove baking bowl from oven.  Prepare popcorn according to package directions.  Carefully stir popcorn into warm cereal mixture.  Let stand in bowl for 10 - 15 minutes before serving. 

**We LOVE this and make it often for parties and special occasions!  A nice change from your typical Chex Mix.


Creamy Almond Bars (got this yummy one from my friend, Erin)

Crust
2 cups flour
1 cup softened butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Filling
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp almond extract
Frosting
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 TBS milk
1 tsp almond extract
sliced almonds (to sprinkle on after frosted)

*Mix and press crust ingredients into a greased 9 x 13 pan.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
*Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Add the rest of ingredients for the filling and beat until just mixed.  Pour over crust. Bake for another 15 minutes.
*Once cooled, mix all ingredients for frosting.  Frost, slice then sprinkle with sliced almonds.  Store in fridge.

Enjoy!