Lemon Cream Dream Pie

I've been on a cream pie making kick lately and have come up with a "Dream Pie Series".  This Lemon Cream pie is the second in the series.

Christmas Coffee Mug Swap

This year I participated in a couple of Coffee Mug Swaps which were both hosted by Heather over at Heatherly Loves.  

I had a fun time shopping for a Christmas mug and sending it out this month to my secret swap.  

I received the cutest Christmas mug stuffed with yummy peppermint cocoa mix and a hand crocheted mug cozy from Colletta's Kitchen Sink.  Colletta has a Etsy shop with the cutest crocheted items.  She has Doll clothing, hats, hair accessories, beanies, etc.  You should definitely stop by and check it out!

Thanks Colletta!  I Love my new mug and Cozy :)

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 38

Welcome to Creative Thursday Link Party No. 38

I hope everyone had a Wonderful Christmas (or Holiday you might celebrate) and are looking forward to the New Year!

I hope this finds you enjoying the quiet time after all the hustle and bustle of the last few weeks!  I don't know what has happened to my time management skills but the last few holidays have FLOWN by me at light speed!

We had a wonderful holiday here with two nights filled with Family, Food, and Fun!  I am looking forward to the New Year and another fun year of blogging.

Let's get this party started!

Here are last weeks most viewed and a couple of my favorites :)

1.  Christmas Crack {AKA Christmas Toffee} from Living Well Kitchen ~ Delicious!  

2.  Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes from Half Baked Harvest ~ Cutest Cupcakes Ever!

3.  Banana Coffee Cake from Cooking Morning NooNight ~ Genius use of bananas!

4.  Elf on the Shelf Skirt Pattern from ~ Welcome to the Mouse House ~ Super Cute and Easy!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

I have just invented the ultimate PB&J cookie!  Oh my word are these the perfect combination of soft chewy peanut butter cookies and sweet fruity jelly center.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Wherever you are today and however you celebrate the Holidays, enjoy your time with family and friends.  May there be many wonderful memories to reminisce about and many more in the making.  

May there be wonderful food on your table and wonderful conversation in your house.

If you are traveling near or far, be safe in your journey.

Thank you to all my wonderful blogging friends!  You have made this last year a wonderful one, with plenty of new friendships.  This next year will be even brighter :)

Holiday Donut Tree

Don't you ever just get tired of the same old Holiday cookies and desserts? 

Well I have a totally fun, family friendly, tasty dessert for your holiday table this year!

Guest Posting

Good Morning!  So glad you're all still here with me at the end of the world! hehe

Today I am guest posting over at Salt Tree blog with a fun and festive craft/dessert you need to go check out.

Amber has been hosting the Christmas Calvalcade since mid November and has some wonderful craft and recipe ideas for you.  Stop by and say "Hi" from me :) 

Have a wonderful day 

Perfectly Grilled Chicken

This chicken recipe is a favorite in our house.  This chicken super fast to prepare and keeps well in the fridge.

Creative Thursday No. 37

Welcome to Creative Thursday No. 37

With all the hustle and bustle of this last week right before Christmas I'm sure I'm not the only one doing last minute baking and wrapping, right?

So I've decided to keep this week's post short and sweet.

I'd like to wish all my readers and blogging friends a

Merry Christmas

Happy Chanukah

Happy Kwanzaa

Happy Holidays

Wherever you live and whichever holiday you might celebrate (or none at all) I would like to say Thank you for being part of my blogging world this year.  I hope this season finds you enjoying the festivities with loved ones and friends alike.

Caramel Apple Cookies

I seem to spend a good portion of my day blog and Facebook surfing looking for that one great recipe.  Do you do this too?  Come on, nod your head yes so I don't feel so alone.  hehe

A Day of Silence and Remembrance

Pecan Pie Bars

I have made these bars three times just since Thanksgiving!  Ya know, it's one of those recipes I've had for several years and totally forgot about.  So it just sat in my recipe basket getting lonely.  Then for Thanksgiving I decided to make these instead of a Pecan Pie and boy were they a hit!

Swedish Christmas Cookies - Christmas Cookie Swap

Welcome to the 1st Annual Christmas Cookie Swap.  

This wasn't your traditional Christmas Cookie Swap because we didn't actually swap cookies.  We swapped cookie recipes!  Even better!  We were all given a fellow blogger or baker to swap a favorite cookie recipe with, then we hand wrote (haven't done that in a long while) and mailed our recipe.  When we received the recipe that was sent to us we baked and blogged about the cookie recipe we received.

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 36

Welcome to Creative Thursday Link Party No. 36

Are you done with your shopping or are you still frantically running around getting gifts?  Are you an organized person who plans ahead and is done by Black Friday or are you a last minute Lucy and wait until the 22nd to go out shopping?

I am mostly done with only a couple of gifts left to buy, Yea me!  All the decorations have been up for almost a week now, and I'm mostly done with my gift wrapping :)  I'm trying to get everything pulled together by Friday so I can spend the next 12 day (YES, I said 12 days until Christmas) left enjoying the season.

Welcome to all my new followers and party participants :)  I truly appreciate you taking the time to link up each week.  By the new year I should be back to my regular commenting on all the posts. 

Who's ready to party?  I am!

Here are your most viewed posts from last week

1.  Candy Cane Wreath from The Crafty Blogstalker this is the perfect family craft.

2.  {Crock Pot} Honey Balsamic Pork from Table {for} Seven this looks super delicious!

3.  Martha Washington Candy from Call me PMc I can't wait to try this!

Oven Baked Chili Dogs

Do you like chili dogs?  We LOVE chili dogs and when I saw this recipe over at 4 Little Fergusons I knew it would make it onto the lunch menu soon!

Holiday Cookie Swap ~ Blog Hop ~ Living, Loving, Crafting

Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop

(really it's a linky party)

(All these adorable graphics are done by Smitten Blog Designs)

Chocolate Raspberry Trifle

Have you ever made a trifle?  I hadn't.  Not before this deliciousness that I made the other day. I can't believe how easy a trifle is to make.

Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Don't you just love ooey gooey cheesy dinners that can be made in under 45 minutes?  I sure do and these Cheesy Stuffed Shells fall right into that category.

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 35

Welcome to Creative Thursday Link Party No. 35

How is everyone surviving the hustle and bustle of being in the first week of December?  

I swear every time I think I'm going to get ahead I end up farther behind!

Candy Cane Cookies

Well, I've finally started my Christmas Cookie baking and today's recipe is one I've been making for years that I originally got from my friend Traci.

Cookie Swap - Blog Hop ~ Michelle's Tasty Creations

Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop

(really it's a linky party)

(All these adorable graphics are done by Smitten Blog Designs)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Pie

With the Holidays upon us, we all could use a little pie, right?!  I love pie but usually only make fruit pies.  Well guess what?  I found a super easy AND delicious way to make pie.

All American Cheeseburger Ring - Recipe Re-do

For those of you who missed this recipe last year.  Here is a super simple weeknight meal that everyone will love.

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 34

Welcome to Creative Thursday! 

I hope everyone (in the US) enjoyed their Turkey Day last week!  We sure did!  I always enjoy Thanksgiving because we get to spend time with family and friends who mean so much to me.

Streusel Topped Sweet Potato Bread

I've been in the mood lately for quick breads; so what better ingredient at this time of year than sweet potatoes.

Holiday Cookie Recipe Blog Hop - The Domesticated Princess

Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop

(really it's a linky party)

(All these adorable graphics are done by Smitten Blog Designs)

Join us for all FOUR weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties.

Here is the line up:

Chicken Enchilada Ring - Recipe Re-do

For those of you who missed this awesome recipe the first time around I'm re-posting it today.

Turkey, Stuffing, Gravy Panini - Recipe Re-do

Day after Turkey Day recipe!

I'm redoing my Roasted Chicken, Stuffing, Gravy Panini recipe slightly to help you with your Thanksgiving leftovers.

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 33

Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to start by saying thank you all for linking up each week.  I look forward to each and every post. 

I wanted to let you know as the party has gotten bigger I am finding it harder to leave comments in a timely manner on each and every post.  Please know that I appreciate your taking the time to stop by and I will always stop by at some point and visit. 

I like to take my time reading your stories and tutorials, etc (which is WHY I'm getting farther behind) and I will always do my best to comment.  Sometimes I get sidetracked on your blogs and end up reading other posts you've made and comment on those instead, lol.  

Hopefully I won't loose any of you from the weekly party just because I don't make as many comments as often as I used to.  I feel we've become good friends and I would really miss you.

Anyhoo, this was supposed to be a short and sweet post because I'm supposed to be in the kitchen making some Pecan Bars for tomorrow!

Here are last weeks most viewed posts

1.  Fully Loaded Hot Fudge Bars from Back for Seconds ~ come to Mama!

2.  Sweet and Tangy Meatloaf from Call Me PMc can't wait to try this one!

Molasses Crinkles

I have been eating Molasses Crinkle cookies since I was little.  The taste always reminds me of Fall and Winter because for some reason that was the time of year we always made them.

Cranberry Orange Drizzle Bread

It's time again for "Get your Chef on" hosted by the lovely Jen at Four Marrs and One Venus and Julie at White Lights on Wednesday.  Stop by their blogs and say "Hi".

Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap ~ The Sweet Boutique

Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop

(really it's a linky party)

(All these adorable graphics are done by Smitten Blog Designs)

Join us for all FOUR weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties.

Here is the line up:

Sweet Boutique    November 20

The Domesticated Princess    November 27

Michelle's Tasty Creations  December 4

 Living, Loving, Crafting    December 11

Make sure you come back each week for a great new cookie recipe, plus each blog will be featuring their own favorite cookie links from the party!

I know you guys are thinking, boring...a sugar cookie, really?  But, just hear me out on this one.

Not only is this the BEST sugar cookie recipe I have ever tried, just look what you can do with it.  Basic becomes beautiful with just a little effort.

I chose several different looks to share with you today.

Top left:  Royal icing topped with silver dragees.

Top middle:  Royal icing drizzle

Top right:  Fondant cut out

Bottom left:  Cream cheese icing with silver sprinkles

Bottom middle:  Royal icing topped with candy cane white chocolate bark

Bottom right:  Royal icing with a hand painted design topped with silver dragees.

When put together they make an elegant, special, and delicious holiday treat.

The Recipe

(This is from The Confetti Cakes Cookbook by Elisa Strauss)

2 1/3 cup plus 2 Tbs. All purpose flour

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking powder

1 1/2 Sticks butter, unsalted

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbs. Sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

In a bowl sift together flour, salt, and baking powder.  In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.  Add half of the flour mixture and mix until combined.  Add the other half of the flour mixture and beat until combined.  I wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.  Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut our cookies to desired shape and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

(If you have any questions on how I achieved these looks please feel free to ask.)

Sweet Holiday Wishes,

                                   -Stephanie

On to the party!

Please follow all four co-hosts.

This linky is for COOKIE RECIPE posts only, please!

Link up as many times as you want!  

This is a month long party so keep coming back for more recipes and features! 

 Each blog will be featuring their favorite links each week! 

(Make sure you get a button if you have been featured.)