Homemade Christmas

The new year will be here in a few hours so I wanted to share a little Christmas before 2012 is over.

Clockwise: Stocking hung on the stair case; Amazing Grace Metal Cross; Coffee Filter Wreath; Chalkboard Cookie Jars; Painting on Canvas; Cheese Roll; Sharpie Baked Mug

This year we shared more homemade gifts with our family than ever before.  The gift exchange at my husband's family was a dirty Santa homemade gifts exchange.  It was so cool.  Everyone brought something they had made and we took turns opening the gifts and stealing from each other.  I wish I had taken pictures of the gifts everyone made.  My mother-in-law crocheted a beautiful doily and my sister-in-law made ceramic bowls.  Even my teenage niece made a scarf.  My son came home and in one afternoon made a sharpie ceramic cup for his sister and a painting for the dirty Santa exchange.  My husband cuts metal and made several Amazing Grace crosses for gifts.  My daugter is a fantastic cook and made a huge tin of different Christmas candies.



Chalkboard Label Cookie Jars

My son and I turned to Pinterest for our ideas for the gift exchange.  I made Chalkboard Label Cookie Jars complete with cookies, extra chalk, extra labels, (my hubby cut the labels with the Silhouette vinyl cutter), an eraser, and a gift card. I purchased the jars at Walmart and the chalkboard vinyl came from Hobby Lobby.  The cookies are so easy. 

Cake Mix Cookies

Cake Mix Cookies

 

1 cake mix (any flavor)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 cup of chocolate chips or nuts

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix cake mix with oil and eggs.  Add chips and nuts.  Drop by tablespoon size onto cookie sheet.   Bake at 350 for 13-15 minutes.  This recipe makes 2 dozen cookies.

 

For the chocolate cookies, use a chocolate cake mix and add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and 1/2 cup peanut butter chips.  For chocolate chip cookies, use a yellow cake mix and 3/4 cup of chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of pecans.  Let you imagination lead you and have fun.

 

 

It's not Christmas here until the Cheese logs are made for the holiday season.  This recipe was my grandmother's and always reminds me of her.  That song, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" also brings back memories of her.  She was a nut and I loved her so.

 

 

 

 

Southern Cheese Roll

 

2 lbs. cheddar cheese

1 c. pecans

1/4 t. garlic powder

1/2 lb. Velveeta

1/2 t. seasoned salt

1 8oz pkg. cream cheese

1 t. Worcestershire sauce

 

3 T. chili powder

3 T. Paprika

 

Grind cheddar cheese and pecans in food grinder.  (I use the food processor)  Mix in garlic powder, Velveeta, seasoned salt, cream cheese and Worcestershire.  Work with hands to knead until well blended.  Shape mixture into rolls about the size of small crackers and about 6 to 7 inches in length.  Roll the log in a mixture of chili powder and paprika.  Wrap in waxed paper and chill.  Slice to serve.  Makes 7 or 8 rolls.

 

Now to cut up some cheese and get my New Year on!

Happy New Year,

 



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