School is out for Christmas Break!!!

Whew! What a week this has been, so many Christmas parties. I am so thankful to get some time where I won't be in the car. I have managed to do some baking and sewing. Here are a few things I've been up to ....
Teacher's Gifts.
Made some Nutty Snack Mix, a.k.a. "Christmas Mix". Also, this new Hot Cocoa mix that is DELICIOUS from www.lollychops.com. What wonderful "freebies" she has on her site. It is a new favorite, I love how she puts a gift together. Has me all inspired to learn more about paper crafts. Even downloaded the cute little recipe and package wrapping she has on her site. I also did the Brownie in a Jar from her site, but lost the pic on my crazy camera. I am making some more this weekend, so maybe I will try to snap a few pics of it.




And some sewing for my nieces, aprons and a prayer pillow..




Made a "Who" outfit for Big G's 3rd Grade Grinch party, he wouldn't allow me to post pics! But he looked cute!

Late menu plan

I get my tentative menu plan done about 2 weeks ahead and then make amendments to it when the week comes up. I just have to remember to share it! There is not much planned for this week, mostly because the weekend will be busy.
Monday - Ham and Cheese macaroni bake, salad (Lil loved this with our leftover honeybaked ham - she calls it wack-a-roni)
Tuesday - Beer Battered FRIED fish, tater tots, green beans and grits (what a treat! Hubby used the fish we froze that Big G caught at the end of summer)
Wednesday - Tuscan Sausage Stew (from Junior League's Tables of Content yummy poured on top of Italian Bread)
Thursday - Spice Rubbed Pork Chops, Crumb topped Brussel Sprouts & Cauliflower, sweet potatoe wedges (1st time for the kids to try brussel sprouts!)
Friday, Sat, Sun - up in the air!

Big G and I made Cypress Inn Muffins tonight. My in-laws first made these when Miss M was little and they became known as Molly Muffins because she loved them so much. Big G calls them Raisin Bran muffins. The batter is supposed to last about a month in the fridge! Ours has never even come to last that long. I know the recipe is out there online somewhere, but here it is.

Cypress Inn Bran Muffins
1 15 oz box Raisin Bran Cereal
3 Cups of sugar
5 cups all purpose flour
5 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt
4 eggs
1 cup of vegetable/canola oil
1 quart buttermilk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl and then stir in the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and bake 15 minutes or until done.
This recipe make ton of batter. I made 12 regular size muffins and then 24 mini muffins and still have a ton of batter left. They are great for snack, breakfast or dessert.

Not much sewing, but after this weekend hope to get busy. Also, planning teacher's gifts, etc...