Cheese ball

I never was a fan, I would pass right by the strange looking balls of cheese coated in stuff. That was until I met my husband and Christmas Eve his mom had one sitting out and he was gobbling it up like it was going out of style. I tried it, I was changed. I've made it ever since, for Christmas Eve. But its good any ole time. It's better then the ones you buy at the store, I promise. The recipe I'm sharing actually makes 2 large size cheese balls or 3 small.

2 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese (let sit out to come to room temperature)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
1 Tbsp chopped pimento
1 Tbsp chopped green pepper
1 Tbsp chopped onion
2 tsp worchestershire
1 tsp lemon juice
dash of cayenne pepper
dash of salt
ground pepper
chopped pecans

Combine softened cream cheese and cheddar mixing until well combined. (I use my hands) Add remaining ingredients except pecans. Mix well, chill. shape into 2-3 balls and roll in pecans. Serve with your favorite crackers.

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

I made these for the teachers cookie exchange at school this year, they came out so pretty and so delicious.

Recipe by Giada De Laurentiis

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
1 stick unsalted room temperature butter
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup pistachios coarsely chopped
2/3 cup dried cranberries
12 ounces good quality white chocolate, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, Line a heavy duty cookie sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour and baking powder together in a medium bowl. Using a mixer beat the butter and sugar, lemon zest and salt until combined. Beat in eggs one at a time, add flour mixture and mix until just combined. Stir in pistachios and cranberries.

Form into a 13 inch long 3 inch wide log onto prepared cookie sheet. Bake until golden about 40 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes. Place the log on a cutting board and using a serrated knife, slice into 3/4 inch thick slices arrange the biscotti cut side down on the baking sheet. Bake until pale golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool completely.

Melt the chocolate in a bowl set over simmering water. Dip half the biscotti in the melted chocolate and place on parchment paper to cool completely.

Monday Musings

1. I'm not really digging the 70 degree weather in December, call me crazy.

2. We have decided as a family to rescue a dog as our Christmas gift. We have 2 dogs but are used to 3 so we decided to do it. She is a precious lab mix, pics will be coming soon.

3. I had horrible nightmares all weekend of being chased by zombies and or chasing dogs that kept escaping from our fence and by the amount of dogs we had in our yard I would definitely say we were borderline hoarders....of dogs.

4. Saw Lincoln this weekend. It was L O N G, but the acting was superb. Tommy Lee Jones is and has always been one of my favorites. He was really great in this, as was the entire cast.

5.
I have watched this commercial at least 10 times (a day) i cry...every.single.time. maybe it's because I have boys, it just melts me.

6.  I am so unmotivated lately, I feel I've gotten this way ever since daylight savings. I want to curl up on my couch and watch movies all day and night. ugh.

7.  I typically don't get into musicals but the trailer for Les Miserables gives me goosebumps.

8. Walking dead is on hiatus, but American Horror Story is still on and it is so freakin scary. Why do watch this stuff? I cannot help it.

9. I just realized everything I am talking about revolves around tv or movies.....I told you I was in a rut.

10. Happy Monday.

The weekend

We had a pretty low key weekend. It was much needed. It's important to stop every once in a while and just be...It's in those moments we are able to refuel. Refresh, rest, listen to the birds, take in the vibrant colors, breathe in the crisp air. Feel the warm sun on our face and be grateful. Thankful for these moments, blessed for another day. God is good.

InstaFriday

Wishing you all a lovely weekend. Um, where did this week go? I have a few shots to remind me. 

 Target clearance score

 celebrating the weekend

 pumpkin pancakes

 beauty

 Grant know hows to build a fire, my kids are earning their keep :)

 Leon was Semi interested in the polls the other night.

 here we go

 my favorite

 who doesn't love taco night?

 my guilty pleasure #Nashville

pumpkin chocolate chip muffins

Mini pumpkin chocolate chip muffins

Yes, I am still on a pumpkin kick, I found a freakin pumpkin bitter sweet chocolate gelato that had me drooling, unfortunately I did not have all the ingredients to bust that one out today so settled for these little guys instead, totally yummy.

recipe by Just Make Stuff

1 2/3 cup flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips
2 eggs
1 cup pure pumpkin
1 stick butter, melted and cooled slightly

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a mini muffin pan with non stick spray, set aside. Melt 1 stick of butter, while cooling, in a separate bowl combine the flour, sugars, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, baking soda and chocolate chips, mix to combine. In a small bowl mix the eggs, pumpkin and melted, cooled butter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until incorporated. Spoon into mini muffin pan (I used a small ice cream scoop) bake for 12-15 minutes until done. Let cool before removing from the pan.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Are you growing tired of pumpkin yet? I say N E V E R! Here's a delicious recipe for pumpkin pancakes. these went fast. Enjoy.

recipe slightly adapted from Martha Stewart

1 1/4 cup flour
2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup lowfat milk
1/3 cup pure pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 egg

In a medium bowl sift together the dry ingredients. In a small bowl whisk the wet ingredients. Slowly add the wet to the dry and stir until just combined.