Chicken and Rice Soup

Chicken and Rice Soup
8 servings

2 tablespoons oil
2 carrots, sliced
1 small onion, chopped finely
2 stalks celery, chopped finely

garlic, to taste
pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
1 box chicken stock
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
2 cups cooked rice

Saute carrots, onion, celery and seasonings in oil until tender. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add chicken, rice, and water to cover; lower heat and simmer. Serve with a selection of cheese and crackers and enjoy!

Mr. H. hasn't been feeling well this week. I was so happy when I discovered I had the needed ingredients on hand today to prepare this soup - it is his favorite when he's sick.

Linked to Jam Hands Recipe Roundup August.

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,

and behold,

everything is softer and more beautiful."

~Norman Vincent Peale

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Christmas Carolers" by John McNaughton

Gaylord Texan!

A quick trip to Dallas on Sunday to visit with great grandparents,

and a last minute stay at the Gaylord Texan for a treat!

Thank you Mr. H.! :-)

The Gaylord was just beautiful at Christmastime!

There was a real life size gingerbread house!



And a sweet little Christmas town.

The "Alamo".

And lots of lovely lights!

Homespun Garland

I've always wanted to decorate a Christmas tree

with popcorn and cranberries.

I decided to start small. ;-)

This evening I made a popcorn and cranberry garland...

for my tiniest little 18 inch tree.

It was so fun!

And siting by the fire,

stringing popcorn and cranberries,

felt very "little house-y". :-)

Supper Menus
December 15th-20th

Monday
leftovers from family Christmas party
Tuesday
out for supper
Wednesday
chicken and rice soup, cheese, crackers
Thursday
Jessica Simpson's chicken and dumplings, lettuce and tomato salad
Friday
hosting couples Christmas party
Saturday
homemade pizza, caesar salad

Christmas Tour of Homes

Today I am participating in ~

Boomama's Christmas Tour of Homes 2008!

Kimbas Open House Party
and

Hooked on Holiday Houses Tour

Be sure to stop by these fun sites. :-)

Welcome to Heritage Schoolhouse! :-)

I appreciate you stopping by and...

...I hope you enjoy your stay!

I like to decorate with red and gold
here at Heritage Schoolhouse,

and lots of Santas. :-)

Come along with me, and I'll give you a tour. :-)

This is the children's tree in the school room,

aka the dining room. ;-)
All of the ornaments that they have made are hung here.
The ornaments they get each year from their grandmother and grandfather are also displayed.

My daughter gets Santas,

and my son gets snowmen. :-)

Grandmother was also the creator of these heirloom stockings.

They are so beautiful and intricate, that some guests don't realize they are cross stitched until they are up close!

My daughter's stocking...

...and son's.

My treasured Christmas dishes are displayed in the hutch.

There are several Santa's here, too.



The Christmas decorations at Heritage Schoolhouse
are not complete until the antelope,

the whitetail,

and all the antlers have been decked out for the season. ;-)

My favorite room to make "Christmasy" is the kitchen!


I like to do a lot of holiday baking!




Please help yourself to a cookie!

Some favorite Heritage Schoolhouse recipes this time of year are...

Double Drizzle Pecan Cookies

Italian Biscotti

Chocolate Billionaires

Sugar Cookies

Thank you so much for coming to visit!
I am looking forward to visiting lots of homes on the tour. :-)

Merry Christmas from Heritage Schoolhouse! :-)

"...behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10

"He who has not Christmas in his heart

will never find it under a tree."

~Roy L. Smith

A Family Christmas Party Menu

~appetizers~

cream cheese with raspberry chipotle sauce

texas caviar

pico di gallo

guacamole

tortillas chips

~main course~

tortilla soup

cheese enchiladas

green chili enchiladas

~on the side~

spanish rice

refried beans

~for dessert~

double drizzle pecan cookies

Christmas sprinkle sugar cookies
peppermint candy cane cookies

pecan pie

~and to drink~

sangria punch

coca cola
iced tea
coffee

Double Drizzle Pecan Cookies

Double Drizzle Pecan Cookies
3 dozen

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans, toasted
for caramel drizzle
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
for chocolate drizzle
1 square (1 ounce) semisweet chocolate
1 tablespoon butter

In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape dough into 1-in. balls; roll in pecans. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; flatten slightly. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. In a small saucepan, bring brown sugar and cream to a boil. Remove from the heat; whisk in confectioners' sugar. Immediately drizzle over cookies. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.