Tuesday, December 17, 2013

~Chocolate Dipped Spoons~


Mmmm!  Chocolate dipped spoons!


Such a fun, quick and easy Christmas time craft.


Easy for kiddos to do and such pretty results. :-)


A package of chocolate candy coating and a jar of sprinkles makes 4 dozen spoons.


Gift them as a bouquet. :-)


So festive.
Tie them onto a gift!


They pair wonderfully with homemade


Dip these spoons in any hot beverage -
coffee, cocoa, tea.
Nibble the melting chocolate off the spoon or completely stir it into your drink.
There is no wrong way to consume these tasty treats.

Enjoy! :-)

From The Farm Blog Hop

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Christmas Candy Apple Jelly


So pretty for Christmastime,
Christmas Candy Apple Jelly
is apple-y and cinnamon-y
and really simple to make!


You will need - 

4 cups apple juice
1/2 cup red hot candies
1 box (1.75 ounces) powdered pectin
4 1/2 cups sugar


Combine juice, candies, and pectin in a large saucepan until pectin is dissolved.
Bring to a boil and then add sugar.
Continue to boil, stirring constantly, for two minutes.


Skim off foam and carefully ladle into hot sterilized jars leaving 1/4" head space.
(Jelly will be liquid at this point.  After cooling completely overnight it will set up.)
Place sterilized lids onto jars and tighten bands.
Process 5 minutes in water bath canner. 
Carefully remove jars from canner and listen for pings
to make sure each jar seals properly.


Makes twelve 4 ounce jars.

From The Farm Blog Hop

Mocha Hot Cocoa - a Christmastime Favorite!


A batch of mocha hot cocoa makes lots to share at Christmastime.


Teacher gifts, coworkers, neighbors...


Everyone loves hot cocoa!


It is one of our favorite treats, too.


So I always make sure to save a jar or two for us!


From The Farm Blog Hop

I love to make this special cocoa just at Christmas time!

Menu Plan

Supper Menus
December 15th-21st

Sunday
cereal

Monday
tortellini, ceasar salad, baguette

Tuesday
out for supper

Wednesday

Thursday 
out for supper 

Friday
leftovers

Saturday
daughter at a party, Mr. H. and son at the ranch, cheese and crackers for me :-)

Friday, December 13, 2013

Checking in on the Animals


Donald and Daffy are 10 weeks old now.


So cute and very loud!
I used to hear the chickens chattering outside the window when I type at my computer,
but now I hear the ducks quacking and they drown out the chickens!


They love their little "pond." ;-)


Merle is doing well.
Mr. H. had a little excitement this afternoon with him
that he told us about during supper.

He had left him eating alone in the corral 
thinking he wouldn't be able to squeeze under the lowest bar.
Guess what?  He did!
Mr. H. went outside and Merle wasn't in the corral anymore.
He found him in back behind the shed and had to pick him up and carry him
back to the barnyard while Merle squealed like he was being slaughtered.
If you've never heard a pig squeal…
well let's just say it's pretty much like standing
right beside a jet airplane while it takes off.
I am not kidding!


I may be a little biased, 
but I sure think Chupa and Chiclet 
are just the prettiest cats.


And, boy are they some spoiled little barn cats, too. ;-)


From The Farm Blog Hop

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Christmas Home Tour 2013


Welcome!
Come along with me and I'll take you on a little tour of 
Heritage Schoolhouse all decked out for Christmastime. :-)


Mr. H. and my son are always in charge of outside lights.
The first year we lived in this house, Mr. H. hung lights on the roof.
Our roof is high and pointy.
We both almost had heart attacks.
Then Mr. H. decided to just put lights on what he could reach from the ground.
Christmas is less stressful now. ;-)
But, just as beautiful!


When you step inside the first little tree you see
is decorated with brown and gold balls
and my tiny little western ornament set. 


I put lighted garland on the mantle and hearth 
for the first time this year and I really like it!


Our big tree in the den is covered with all of our sentimental family ornaments.
And, it's Daisy's favorite place to be during December.


The snow village is on top of the piano.


And, I like to have greenery and pinecones everywhere!


Of course there are bows on ALL the antlers.


Six sets just in the living area! ;-)


I keep my fancy Christmas dishes in the hutch.


And, my more fun dishes on the butler's pantry.


These are my newest dishes this year.


Love. :-)


The tree in our bedroom is in our front bay window.


It's my "matchy matchy" tree with my 12 days of Christmas ornaments,


my fancy red and gold glass ornaments,
the special crocheted popcorn that my grandmother-in-law made,


and some very sentimental gold ornaments that I was given
 each year during childhood from a special aunt.


I have a Christmas quilt on our bed,
and this year, instead of putting the Christmas pillow shams on the bed
I used them to temporarily "recover" the bedroom rocking chair to match the bed!


Daisy approved. :-)


I haven't finished my Christmas kitchen for this year just yet,
so that will have to be a tour for another day.

I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Thank you Kelly for hosting. :-)

From The Farm Blog Hop

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Menu Plan

Supper Menus
December 8th-14th

Sunday
sandwiches

Monday
red beans and rice, jalapeño cheese cornbread

Tuesday
toscana soup, olive garden salad, breadsticks

Wednesday
tacos, pinto beans, spanish rice, guacamole, tortilla chips

Thursday
leftovers

Friday
out for supper

Saturday
invited to friend's house for supper

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Peppermint Oreo Truffles


You will need -

1 package of seasonal peppermint oreos, crushed
1 package cream cheese, softened
1 package of chocolate candy coating, melted
crushed peppermint candies


Combine crushed oreos and cream cheese.
Place mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Roll mixture into small balls, place on wax paper lined cookie sheets,
and return to the fridge for 30 minutes.
Dip balls in melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
Place on wax paper until chocolate hardens.
Store in the fridge and enjoy!


Makes 4 dozen truffles.

More the Merrier Monday

From The Farm Blog Hop

Monday, December 2, 2013

Baked Ravioli


Baked Ravioli
8 servings

24 ounce can pasta sauce
20 ounce package fresh ravioli (I use Buitoni brand, found with the refrigerated items, contains 96 mini raviolis)
2 cups grated mozerella cheese
1/4 cup romano cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Spread 1/4 of the pasta sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish.  Place 24 raviolis into dish in 6 rows of 4.  Sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.  Repeat 3 more times.  Top with romano and parmesan cheese.  Cover with foil.  

Bake at 400 for 30 minutes.  Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.  Broil for 5 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbly - watch closely.

Let cool 5 minutes, serve and enjoy!