Christmas Cookies Blog Hop

Peppermint Cream Bites

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups crushed Oreos (15 cookies)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 teaspoons shortening
(Optional- crushed peppermint candies or candy canes for topping)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan; set aside.
• In a medium bowl combine crushed cookies and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool slightly in pan on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, blender or using a mixer combine powdered sugar and softened butter. Cover and process until butter is evenly distributed. With processor running, add milk and peppermint extract through feed tube until a paste forms. Spread peppermint mixture evenly over prepared crust. Freeze for 45 minutes.
• In a medium microwave-safe bowl combine chopped chocolate and shortening. Microwave on high about 1 minute or until chocolate is melted, stirring once. Let chocolate cool for 15 minutes. Pour chocolate over peppermint layer, spreading evenly. 
• Optional:  Top finished bites with crushed peppermint candies while chocolate is still wet.
• Using the edges of the foil, lift uncut bars out of pan. Use a 1-1/2-inch round cookie cutter to cut into rounds or use a sharp knife to cut into squares.  Could also use any Christmas shape cookie cutter.  Store in the freezer until serving time.
• Place peppermint bites in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

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Thankful for Thanksgiving

When November rolls around and we think of things we are thankful for, I always think of how thankful I am for America's very special holiday:  Thanksgiving.  It's such a heartwarming feeling to see how so many families come together to enjoy this day.  Over the hills and through the woods to grandmother's house we go.  The airports are crowded with travelers trying to get home sweet home.  It's a holiday without "presents" but rather the gift of togetherness.  When I sit down to dinner with my family, I smile thinking of all the families sharing pretty much the same meal:  turkey, stuffing, yams, cranberries. maybe that green bean casserole, pumpkin pie and all those traditional dishes that we often only have once a year.

Here's one of my favorite photos of a turkey I cooked a couple of years ago.

Pretty proud of how it looks- almost magazine worthy!

This is my "Special Yam Casserole" I make for Thanksgiving.

  Recipe follows along with another family favorite,

Auntie Joy's Zest Carrots:

Click to enlarge

"Auntie Joy's Zesty Carrots"

Let's dig in and be thankful for all we have living in America!

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Autumn in Southern California

CHATTERBUG BLOGHOP
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I know people don't think there's a change of seasons in Southern California but there is.  It may not be as dramatic as other areas of the US but there are plenty of changes if you just look for them.  One thing we in the LA area can do to help it feel autumnal is to plant deciduous trees and bushes that change color.  Two very popular boulevard tress are liquidambers (aka sweetgums) and crape myrtles.  In addition to planting those two trees, we also have a mini forest of birch trees in our backyard.  Sycamores are also very popular.  Here's a photo taken out my upstairs windows of our neighborhood showing off it's fall color.

This photo was taken late in the year, probably late November, so our fall is a little delayed from what it is in other areas of the country.

Here's a photo of our backyard birches taken from our living room.

  Crape Myrtles have brilliant pink flowers in summer but beautiful fall color later

The other thing I do once it's fall is to change decor in my house.  One of the easiest changes is to have throw pillow covers that you can change seasonally.  Mine all come from Pottery Barn.  I also change out placemats, dining room table centerpiece, decorate the chandelier, bring out my autumn Longaberger baskets and add an autumn wreath on our front door.

And then of course there's Halloween and I have to bring out my Dept 56

And decorate the front door in my black and white theme!

BOO!

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Bora, Bora

Justin and Sarah had non-stop rain the two days they were in Tahiti and were pretty disappointed to say the least.  Being Survivor fans, I pointed out at least they were staying in posh digs rather than outside in the elements!  Kind of the ultimate "First World Problem!"  Fortunately, their move to Bora, Bora brought them the sunshine they were hoping for.  They are staying at Le Méridien Bora Bora  in one of those iconic over the water bungalows.  Justin says Bora Bora is easily the most beautiful place he has ever seen.  Here's a photo of their bungalow with famous Mount Otemanu in the background.  I made this photo my iPhone lock screen wallpaper.  Couldn't be more perfect!

Inside their bungalow showing the glass-bottom floor

Justin going for a swim right off the ladder to their bungalow

Looking through the glass bottom floor as he swims by

Sarah's turn

The Bride

The Groom

Justin Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Spelunking and Little Lambs

I've mentioned before that Sarah is such a great travel planner and finds the most unique places to stay and things to do.   So far, in New Zealand, they went zorbing which is rolling down a hill in a large inflatable globe.  They also went spelunking and rafting in 43 degree water in a glow worm cave- see Black Water Rafting Company.  I'm pretty sure these activities were planned with Justin in mind.  But for Sarah, the main reason they were staying at Kamahi Cottage billed as New Zealand's only 5 star farm accommodation, was so she could pet baby lambs.  Well, she got her wish!

 

Sarah is a vegetarian and I don't see any lamb chops in Justin's future now!  

Honeymoon in New Zealand- Day One

Justin knows I am not a fan of flying and especially not in small private type planes so they didn't tell me or Sarah's mom what they had planned for the first day of their honeymoon in New Zealand.  Here's the post they left after the fact on Facebook:

"A floatplane came and picked us up at the jetty a few steps from our room, and took us for a flight over New Zealand's geothermal area...volcanic craters, sulfur bays, geysers, etc. Neat experience! Sorry Sue Bringhurst and Darylynn Mills, we figured it was best to tell you after we were done so you didn't worry. — with Justin Mills at Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel."

They got that right... I would've been very worried but now I have to wonder what else they aren't telling us about their plans!  Here are photos from their flight.

Next they move on to Kamahi Cottage, a luxury sheep farm resort so Sarah can hold baby lambs-   That sounds a bit tamer but I wonder what else they have up their sleeve?!?

The Wedding!

I will have to wait a few weeks until Justin and Sarah are back from their honeymoon but I have a few photos from friend's cellphones that I can post for you.  The wedding was held on the sand at a lake/lagoon area in Irvine (Orange County) and we were fortunate to have a picture perfect afternoon and evening.  The wedding began at 6:30 pm so it went from a warm glow of a setting sun to little white lights at night twinkling over the water.  Everyone agreed the setting was lovely and most appreciated the casual nature of the wedding.  Here's a photo of the new Mr. & Mrs. Mills.  It gave me a start when I heard that!

Sarah is an avid reader so all of the bouquets were crafted of flowers made from book pages.  Very unique! Here's a photo of Sarah with her flower girl, niece Gabriella, who looked adorable!

Ryan and Jacob were the ring bearers and here's a photo of them along with Justin and Jessica who was one of Sarah's bridesmaids.

Sunday night, they left for their honeymoon in New Zealand, Tahiti and Bora Bora.  While at LAX, they ran into Elijah Wood who was on the same flight as Amy, Sarah's sister who is living in Australia.  Here's a photo of Amy and Frodo himself headed back to the Shire no doubt.

I will try and post more photos as I get them.  I always like to track their travel itineraries as Sarah is such a great travel planner.  She finds the most interesting places to stay.  For example, for part of their time in New Zealand, they are staying at Kamahi Cottage billed as New Zealand's only 5-Star Farm Bed & Breakfast Boutique.  Yes, it's a sheep farm and Sarah is determined to hold baby lambs.  Their travels to Tahiti and Bora Bora will have them staying in one of the fabulous over-the-water huts which I always say is on my bucket list!  

All of this going on in the middle of a kitchen remodel which has actually gone to a worse state then the photo I last posted.  Walls are even gone now so they can do all the new electrical and plumbing!  We are also dog sitting Justin's dog, Sierra, so I have 3 dogs, 3 cats and 2 grandsons all in a house filled with plumbers and electricians.  Luckily, the boys return to school on Wednesday.  Jacob is beginning Transitional Kindergarten as the cut-off date for kindergarten is now September 1 and he won't be 5 until September 22. I'm the one who needs that Bora Bora over-the-water hut!