Holiday Pinwheels

Does anyone go a little crazy when they host a dinner party?  And when I say “crazy” I don’t mean losing your marbles.  I mean you’re running around the house doing 17 things at one time in fast forward motion. This time of the year, my husband and I host many dinner parties.  I’ve been doing it for years, even before I met him.  You’d think that over the years I’d relax a little more about these things.  After all it’s always family and friends.  Nope.  I never think I have enough time to fit in everything I want to …

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Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  I love this song but who can really sing it in tune besides Andy Williams? One day many years ago, my dad “sang” those very words.  I love him dearly but he sang it so out of tune that my sisters and I couldn’t figure out what he was trying to sing.  We all had a good laugh once we figured it out.  Now it’s a running joke in our family. I also love traditions and Christmas is the time of year for them.  Every year I bake cookies to give out to my …

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Chocolate And Nut Fudge

Tis’ the season to be merry… and eat fudge. Let’s face it, even though fudge is something you can enjoy 365 days a year, we only want to splurge on it during the holidays.  Am I right? I never knew that making fudge could be so simple (well, at least this recipe is).  You only need five ingredients and you probably already have them.  Amazingly, with so few ingredients, the texture and taste is spot on.  It’s soft, sweet, and rich.  It’s oh so fudgy.  Yes, I described fudge as fudgy.  😉 You don’t need any fancy kitchen tools.  Specifically, you don’t need a …

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Miniature Walnut Pies

I find pecan pies are too sweet.  Did I just say that?  Yup, even the queen of sweets has her limit.  However, if you gave me a miniature version then I’d be good to go. Mini pecan pies it is!  Oh wait, I have one minor catch.  These mini pies have walnuts in them instead of pecans.  I simply didn’t have any pecans on hand when I made these.   Besides, walnuts and pecans are mostly interchangeable anyway, right?  Go with me on this one.  😉 The crust is a cross between a traditional pie crust and a shortbread cookie and it’s filled …

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White Bean and Pasta Soup

Did you survive your food coma yesterday?  What is it about Thanksgiving that makes it socially acceptable to shove your face with food?  Perhaps it’s because there is so much delicious food served in one day.  Yes, let’s go with that. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling guilty about all the calories that I consumed yesterday.  I suppose I could have done worse.  I made apple pie (coming to the blog soon!) and I only ate it for dessert.  I say “only” because I could have also gobbled it down for breakfast, pre-dinner snack, or pretty much just taken a …

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