Christmas. It's Magical.

After reading a post that I found on Pinterest HERE, I simply could not wait to photograph my Christmas tree! Can't you just see a sleigh with eight tiny reindeer circling it? My Christmas tree may have the starring role, but that rocking chair is the real magic. It's the same rocking chair that I rocked my two babies in (who are now grown young men).  So many sweet, sweet memories.

  I do realize my photo isn't nearly as well done as my inspirational blogger's is, but I am going to have joy for what I was able to accomplish! Because Christmas IS just that. Magical!  And even though it's not a perfect photo, I love it. Why not have joy for all things even if they aren't perfect? Perfection is impossible anyways.  I challenge you to focus on the small things in your life that you think aren't all that great, as something joyful. Your cookies might be burned. Your decorations might not be as grand as the Griswold's. The top button of your pants may have just popped off. But, you are ALIVE. Be joyful.

Thanks Alot!

I'm joining a fellow blogger with a post of the ABC's of thankfulness. Here goes...
A.  Angels- the only way I can get any morsel of peace. Just knowing there are angels that can watch over the ones I love when I am not able to.
B.  Birthdays

C.  Carrots make the most moist and flavorful cake. No matter what someone may say about vegetables not belonging in cake. :)

D.  Dreams make me eager to get out of bed. 
E.  Exploring the nearby river We love to explore!

 
F.  Father who I am now speaking to.

G. Graduation

 

H.  Hearing- I love music.  Not to mention that the ability to hear makes life so much easier. I know this first hand from watching my brother struggle. 
I. Ideas for free- internet is a wonderful thing
J.  Junking at the Goodwill- So many treasures there!
K. Knowledge

L. Laughter

M.  My Mom who goes long distances to see me. 

N.  Newspaper - Where would we be without all those great coupons?!
O.  Open mind
P.   Pranks

Q.  Quiet moments
R. Really hard workers

S. Salt with iodine- It helps low thyroid. So thankful to be getting some of my energy back!
T. Traditional Punch

U.  Understanding husband (with grease on his nose... he was teaching Austin how to change brake pads on my sister's truck)

V.  Valuable friends on facebook
W. Work from home- Happy to be able to start a business at home making buttons, mirrors and magnets. It's a wonderful thing and a work in progress.
X.  XOXOX  Life wouldn't be the same without them.
Y.  Young men in my life Gatlin and Austin
Z.  Zippers to keep my pants up. Don't laugh. You know you're thankful too! 





     

Hi peanut butter cup. Meet Cookie.

What could be better than a peanut butter cup inside of a cookie?  Me: almost nothing.  I'm a full blown Reese lover.  I found this recipe on All Recipes website.

Find out how to make them HERE.  One thing I realized was that I needed to measure the amount of cookie dough before putting it into the mini muffin pan.  I used a measuring spoon. The Tbsp worked really well. 

It was a struggle not eating those peanut butter cups while waiting on the cookie to finish baking! But, I prevailed!

Baking Therapy

This is the result of my baking therapy.  When I'm upset, I bake. When I'm angry I clean.  So, right now I have a clean house and it's full of these little pumpkin loaves. Not so bad, right? They are yummy.  We spread cream cheese frosting on them and they were delish! I feel much better now!

I got the recipe from ALL RECIPES.  It's good, but I adapted it.  I always cut the oil in half and add applesauce.  I didn't have cloves, so I increased the amount of cinnamon. 

Ingredients

• 3 cups canned pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cups vegetable oil and 3/4 cup applesauce
• 3 cups white sugar, 1 cup brown sugar
• 6 eggs
• 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
•   3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9x5 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, oil, sugar, and eggs. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; stir into the pumpkin mixture until well blended. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The top of the loaf should spring back when lightly pressed.

I think they came out a little too sweet.  If I make it again, I will cut down the sugar.  I'm sure the frosting didn't help any in the sugar content...but hey, it was screaming, "I NEED FROSTING".