Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hello All,

I often get asked how we celebrate the holidays. We decided that we would keep traditions from both cultures with a heavy emphasis on the actual meaning of Christmas. This was Lydie’s first year in the live nativity at church. She made such a beautiful angel. We will be eating traditional Czech Christmas eve dinner of fried fish, potato salad, and dessert of ice cream. This is one tradition I love; Vasek does all the cooking.

We leave out Santa’s favorite cookies, lime melt-aways and something for the reindeer. This year we’re leaving oats out on the lawn so the reindeer have something to snack on while Santa drops off our gifts.

We wake up to our three gifts from Santa and eat pumpkin pancakes for bunch. We stay in our pajamas as long as possible. If I have my way, we will keep them on until the following morning.

I try to host a brunch sometime during the break for all my girlfriends. I make a casserole and they bring whatever they want. Kids are always welcome and we just let chaos surround us so we can catch up with what’s been going on.

We celebrate New Year’s Eve at home. I usually try to make some fancy dinner but this year I think I’m going to bake a chicken or two and have quite meal while watching a movie. My mom gave us two individual serving bottles of champagne. We’ll toast in the year probably at 10 o’clock and get some sleep.


New Year’s Day we eat lentil soup from the crock-pot. It is so easy and warm. We eat when we get hungry and keep the fire going all day. Again, I like to stay in my pj’s if possible.


I hope you will consider trying some of our traditions throughout the year. They are just as good in February on that first snow day.

Week of Christmas –
This is one of my, I mean, Santa’s favorite cookies. They make a beautiful light cookie and the confectioner sugar on the outside make them look dusted with snow. Enjoy!

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/lime-meltaways

Christmas Eve –

Fried Fish
This is the traditional dinner for Christmas Eve. In Czech, it’s made with carp but here in the states, we use tilapia or catfish. It is really delicious with the potato salad.

http://www.slovakcooking.com/2009/recipes/fried_fish/

Czech Potato Salad
We usually use a can or two of peas and carrots instead of the cooked peas and we add ham that has been diced. No fancy ham, just plain old lunch meat ham.

http://www.celebrations.com/content/Czech-Potato-Salad

Christmas Morning –
I always make these with canned pumpkin. It’s so easy and the kids don’t even know they are good for them.

Prepare pancake mix according to directions. Add one can of pumpkin, a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. Cook according to directions. In a small pan, roast walnuts over low heat until you can smell them but not burning. Add a bottle of real maple syrup. Heat until warmed through. Top pancakes with syrup or whipped cream and sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top.

Brunch Casserole –
This casserole is fantastic. It is so simple and serves an army.

1 package of bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
9 slices of whole-wheat bread, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons butter
1 (12 oz.) bag of frozen broccoli
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 eggs
2 cups milk
1 tsp. mustard
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Rub a 9 x 13 casserole dish with butter. Put bread on the bottom of dish. Cover with crumbled bacon, cheese, and broccoli. In a large bowl, beat eggs, milk, mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture over bread. Refrigerate overnight or bake immediately. Bake until eggs are solid, about 1 hour.

New Year’s Eve Dinner –
This is one quick and easy dinner. You can even serve it to guests.

1 box stuffing, made to directions
4 large carrots, cut into large pieces
1 whole chicken, washed and patted dry
Poultry seasoning
Paprika
Salt and pepper

Stuff chicken with stuffing. Sprinkle poultry seasoning, salt and pepper on chicken. Place carrots in the crock pot, place chicken on top of carrots. Cook on low 8-10 hours.

New Year’s Day Lentils –
This is so easy and a perfect start to a prosperous new year.

http://crockpotrecipes101.com/crockpotsouprecipelentil.htm

With Christmas wishes and a lucky new year,
Brooke

At least act surprised if you get one of these gifts...

Hello All,

As promised, I’m giving you some of my handmade Christmas gifts ideas. These are sure to please most of those on your list, whether they’ve been naughty or nice. These can be dressed up with bows and fancy containers or thrown on a plate with a self-stick bow. Since we are all watching our pennies, these will make a nice addition to your normal holiday gift giving. Most of these will cost less than $10 to make.

Day 1 – Betty Hale’s Cookies
This recipe is from a good friend of my grand-mama. She is almost as sweet as these cookies. Put these cookies in a decorative tin for gifting. One word of warning, your arm will need some icy hot after stirring this dough.

2 sticks of butter, room temperature
2 eggs
2 C. self-rising flour
2 C. oatmeal
1 C. white sugar
1 C. brown sugar
1 C. shredded coconut
1 C. chopped nuts (pecans)
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Beat sugars, butter, and eggs together. Add the other ingredients. Batter will be very stiff. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Day 2 – Mint Drinking Chocolate
This recipe is my way of mixing hot chocolate with the Starbuck’s peppermint mocha latte. There’s no coffee but you won’t miss it. You’ll combine all the ingredients and put into a decorative container if you’re giving it as a gift. Include the directions on the tag.

1 C. 60% cacao chocolate chips
1 C. semisweet chocolate chips
1 C. crushed Andes candies

Combine ingredients and store in an airtight container. To make the drinking chocolate: Place 3 heaping tablespoons of mix into a mug with 1 tablespoon of milk. Microwave 30 seconds and stir. Fill the mug ¾ full of milk and microwave 1-2 minutes until hot. Stir and lounge in the chocolate luxuriance.

Day 3 – Chex Mix
This is my go-to teacher gift. I make at least two types and give a combination. You can make it really pretty by placing it in mason jars tied with ribbons.

Original Chex Mix
http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=6709&CategoryId=343

Muddy Buddies or White Trash
http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=19919&CategoryId=343

Cheesy Ranch Mix
http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=20022&CategoryId=343

Day 4 – Mulling Spices
This is a great gift for the hostess or mom that hosts all the kids’ parties. It is great in cider or wine. You can give a couple of pouches per recipient and make a gift tag with the instructions on it.

http://www.recipezaar.com/Mulling-Spices-For-WineApple-Cider-106470

Day 5 – Hot Toddy Mix
This is for your friend that likes to party. This is also perfect for going to a cabin or skiing. Make the mix and store it in a jar. It will last a good, long time.

1 stick of butter, softened
3 cups brown sugar
¼ tsp. each clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt

Cream all ingredients until well blended. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
To make: Place 2 tablespoons of mix into a mug with a shot of dark rum. Top with boiling water and stir. Enjoy with a loved one!

Day 6 – Cinnamon Ornaments
This is great for the kids to make and give to grandparents, aunts and uncles.

http://www.make-stuff.com/projects/cinnamon_ornaments.html

Day 7 – The 5 Minute Fudge Wreath
I took this idea from Rachael Ray. I’ve switched up the types of chocolates, the toppings and the shape. No matter what I did, it turned out great. You will look a pro if you show up to a dinner party with this.

http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=824

Drink of the Week – See Above
Try day 2, 4, or 5. You won’t be disappointed.

Dessert of the Week – Thin Mint Knock-Offs
I love some thin mints but you can’t always get them. Here is super easy way to make them. No baking required.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4470826_make-thin-mint-style-cookies.html

With a hot toddy in one hand and a cookie in the other,
Brooke