Happy 2013!

I promise I am still here!  Between Christmas, traveling, and sickness I completely lost track of everything.  Our power went out Christmas Eve and I have yet to reset the clock a week later.

We did manage to have a little new years fun.  We did not feel like doing anything big this year, so we had a few friends over for Boston Butt (what else?) and watched the Chik-fil-a Bowl. Around halftime our neighbors called to say they had some fireworks to shoot off so we headed down the street to ring in the new year with them and had a great time!

The boys in their new years attire. Champagne (of course). A NYE campfire. Ringing in 2013!

Fireworks!  I think the older children (aka grown men) had more fun than the kids did. The New Years horns became duck calls. 

We're hanging out around the house today watching football while our corned beef cooks in the slow cooker for dinner....it smells heavenly and I can't wait to eat it!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very 

Merry Christmas! 

Our Christmas card from us to you!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I think everything I needed to check off my to list has been done.  At this point all I have left to do is make some asparagus casserole and finish up the twice baked potatoes!  We're having Christmas with Eric's family this afternoon at our house and I am excited about "hosting" Christmas.

Since Eric was duck hunting all weekend I had plenty of time to finish up the rest of the presents I had to make and wrap them, get a head start on my cooking for Monday, and was able to clean up finally.  Last week was CRAZY.  I had 4 basketball games plus we had Eric's football banquet which meant I was not home at all last week so the house was a bit tornado-esque.

On top of that I finally caught the sickness that has been going around, which causes my voice to sound like a scary man, especially first thing in the morning.  I can handle it in it's current state and I am hoping that this is the worst of it. What a way to kick off my 9 day vacation from work....woo.

I did manage to have a little fun this weekend at a Tacky Christmas/Birthday Party for one of Eric's best friends.  It was crazy fun!

Sunday night I was spent so Eric and I ventured out to get something to eat.  Unfortunately in the small town we live in the ONLY places that were open were fast food which neither of us were feeling, so stopped by the grocery store to get something to eat.  Big mistake.  Not only were we both hungry, but we also had no idea what we wanted to eat.  We ended up with stuff to make BBQ nachos, mozzarella cheese sticks (which were NOT worth what they charge for them), and a deep dish Chicago style pizza.  Eclectic, but delicious! And it paired very well with the Christmas movies we watched while we ate. =)

Now all we have to hope for is that this crazy stormy weather does not get too bad.  Our power got knocked out last night apparently (in my Nyquiled state I had no idea it went out until I woke up about at about 8--did I mention I LOVE vacation?).   I am getting excited about Christmas and I can't wait for this afternoon!  

Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas Crunch

So this year I made 4 batches of this stuff on Sunday to give away as gifts at work from Eric and I.  Every year I toy with the idea of just making a big batch, putting it in bowl and putting out in a general area with little bags/plates for people to help themselves.  But then I think about peoples' dirty hands (I'm a germ-a-phobe at the office and pretty much anywhere else in public), but what concerned me the most was that usually when there is a bunch of something at the office to share people are hesitant to take the last of it, which would mean I would end up with some to take back home which is NOT what I want to happen.  And then I pack them into individual bags for another year.

This stuff is the most addicting dessert in the world.  I am not a big fan of almost bark/white chocolate covered desserts, but will inhale this stuff.....because it's just that good.

Christmas Crunch (aka Christmas Crack)

these were my ingredients for 4 batches

What you need (for one batch):

5 cups Cheerios

5 cups Corn Chex

10 oz small pretzels

12oz -16oz plain MandM's (the standard size bag has shrunk in recent years)

2-12oz bags of Nestle Toll House Premier White Morsels

1-24oz block of Almond Bark (Candy Quik will work in a pinch, but the real stuff is so much better)

1.5 TBSP oil

How to make it:

Mix the 1st 4 ingredients in a very large bowl.  I use an enormous tupperware container that I have.  Combine the next 3 ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and melt (use melting directions on the almond to keep it from burning).  Pour melted ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until coated.  Spread mixture on to wax paper.  Let harden, break into bite-sized pieces and place in air tight containers, if you can stop yourself from eating it.

**Remember** If you eat this standing up there are no calories. =)