Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Heritage Schoolhouse!

We took it slow and easy today. 

 Last week we hosted a Christmas party for friends,

hosted Mr. H.'s family for Christmas day, 

and hosted my family the day after Christmas.

Then we went on a 4 day fast and furious ski trip to New Mexico.

I am so glad to be home with a few more lazy days of family time left.

I tried out my new electric skillet this morning.

My son got it for me for Christmas.

I cooked 17 slices of bacon at one time! :-)

I also made Pioneer Woman cinnamon rolls.

I make them every year on New Year's Day.

How can a year not be good if it starts with cinnamon rolls? ;-)

I'll gift out four pans and keep two for us.

Hoppin John and cornbread for lunch of course.

And I made a big batch of Chex mix for the 

"fifteen hours of football"

Mr. H. plans to watch today. ;-)

Happy New Year from my family to yours!

Italian Anise Cookies

I tried these Italian anise cookies to go with the Italian food meal that I cooked when we hosted my side of the family the day after Christmas. 

Anise is sweet and very aromatic, distinguished by its characteristic licorice flavor.

And..."Anise" just happens to be my middle name! :-)

~homemade christmas~

Most of the gifts that I give at Christmas to friends and family are homemade from my kitchen.

"Consumable" gifts, as my dad calls them.  :-)

This year I tried out gingerbread granola.

I kept a jar for myself and I thought it was really yummy!

I had a unique request from my sister this year.

She asked for a bucket of my homemade laundry detergent.

So I bought her a bucket, made up a batch,

and also included the ingredients for her next batch 

if she decides to continue using it.

I love a homemade Christmas. :-)

~the sweet smell of christmas~

orange slices

cranberries

rosemary

and cinnamon

~the sweet smell of christmas~

~easy christmas decorating~

While I was decorating for Christmas this year, 

I printed out a few chalkboard signs and put them in frames that I had on hand.

So quick and easy!  I really enjoyed these.

Just google christmas chalkboard signs.

~hot cocoa bar~

I'm hosting events three of the next four days, 

so I thought a hot cocoa bar would be enjoyed by all my company.

I set out cups and spoons,

cocoa mix and add-ins.  

Guests can chose to make a cup of coffee, cider

or cocoa and then add anything they like to their cup!

I'll probably leave it up through New's Years just to enjoy myself. ;-)

~christmas baking~

christmas breakfast casserole

gingerbread scones

christmas scones

cranberry crumb muffins

cinnamon quick bread

italian biscotti

~christmas cookies~

cranberry noels

chocolate cherry thumb print cookies

double drizzle pecan cookies

gingerbread men cookies

~simple christmas decorating~

"snow" candles

simple center piece

clove fruit

~homemade gifts in a jar~

Love, love, love giving gifts in mason jars.

Here are a few ideas of things I've gifted in jars over the years - enjoy!

sugar scrub, lotion, and bath salts

peppermint hot cocoa mix

mocha hot cocoa mix

soup mix

cowboy cookie mix

s'mores mix

candy apple jelly