Sweet Potato Muffins #MuffinMonday

Wondering what to do with that leftover Sweet Potato Casserole.  How about these delicious muffins, perfect with coffee during those lazy days after the busy holidays.

These are not your typical light, fluffy, muffins.  They are dense and moist but oh so delicious.  They were a wonderful accompaniment to a baked omelet using up Christmas leftovers.

This is the last Muffin Monday of 2019 and I created these to use up some of my leftovers from Christmas.

Still Working on These Leftovers

Happy 4th Day of Christmas.  Yesterday our dear friends, John and Kirsten and their family came for dinner.  We made a big dent in the leftovers.  I served up this wonderful Ham and Cheese Soup.  It was thick, hearty and flavorful.

Crown Roast of Pork and the Weekly Menu

This gorgeous and easy to make roast is perfect for a gathering with family and friends as you ring in the New Year.

Let's get ready for 2020.........

What shall I do with this leftover Strip Loin Roast?

Got Beef?  I made a strip loin for Christmas Dinner and it was delicious.  I had some leftover and it was way too good to waste so I decided to make this Beef in Red Wine Sauce.  It turned out lovely and will be making return performances whenever I have leftover roast to use.

Being faced with all the Christmas Leftovers inspired me to write you a poem........

Holy Samoly....It is the Christmas Week Weekly Menu

Yesterday we had our food pantry Christmas Distribution.  We gave out over 90 baskets of food.  When people arrived for their food they were able to enjoy pizza, pop and snacks provided by area stores and restaurants.  Shop local folks, support those in your community who support those in your community.

Santa was also on hand passing out gifts to all the little kids.  It was a great, busy, happy day.

Pear and Sweet Potato Soup #SoupSaturdaySwappers

This soup is not only gorgeous it is delightfully elegant and so very delicious.  A perfect start to your holiday meal.

Soup Saturday Swappers is sharing Celebratory Soups today........

Sirnek (Ukrainian Cheesecake) #CakeSliceBakers

This cake from Ukraine is made with Farmer's Cheese and studded with dried cranberries then covered with chocolate topping.  It is unlike your traditional New York Style Cheesecake but no less delicious.

It was my selection from the options given for this month's Cake Slice Bakers.......

Creamy Clam Dip with a Sauvion Vouvray #FishFridayFoodies #Winophiles

This creamy clam dip is a nice change for your next holiday party when you want some seafood on the appetizer buffet.  It can be served with crackers, bread or fresh vegetables. Crudites as they are called in France, especially if you decide to serve it up with this delicious, buttery and bright Sauvion Vouvray wine.

Join me as Fish Friday Foodies greets the French Winophiles for the Christmas Season.....

Spiced Rum Tropical Fruitcake #BundtBakers

Give your Holidays a little Tropical flair with this Spice Rum Fruit Cake, chock full of Papaya, Pineapple, Mango, Coconut, Banana, Walnuts and Cashews and then topped with even more coconut.  Mele Kalikimaka!!

The Bundt Bakers are sharing Fruitcakes today.........

Cookie Butter Craisin Cookies for #FantasticalFoodFight

Soft and chewy with the flavor of Biscoff studded with tart cranberries.  These cookies are sure to be a big hit for Santa this year.

We are fighting over the best cookie recipe this month during the Fantastical Food Fight......

The Christmas Menu

I had a few extra moments this morning before I had to get ready for our Christmas Concert.  I used the time to plan the Christmas Menu for our open house on Christmas Day......

Less than 2 weeks until Christmas and the Weekly Menu

Holy cow.....time is flying right by here.  We are having so much fun entertaining and spending time with family and friends.  My last dinner party was with my brother and sister in love on Thursday when they came for dinner and we made plans to head to the Keys in January.  Woohoooo, cannot wait.

We'll be staying here at the Holiday Inn and Dick and Jackie will be having their open water check out dives with Sea Dwellers Dive Shop.  The guy in the shop warned us that the water temps may be rather cool, currently they are only 77* LOL.......

Relaxing with a Sparkling Wine and #TheWinemakersWife

When my friend Cam of Culinary Adventures with Camilla asked members of our French Winophiles group if they would like to join her in reading a novel set in Champagne, France during the occupation by Germany I jumped at the chance.

I am always game for a new book to read especially Historical Fiction which is my genre of choice.  Then when I learned that the author was Kristin Harmel, I was giddy with joy.

Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge with Walnuts #ImprovCookingChallenge

Creamy, decadent fudge that takes only minutes to make and tastes better than any you can buy.  Pick up some little Christmas plates and you have a perfect gift for coworkers, teachers, and party hosts.

We are creating with Marshmallow and Walnuts today over at Improv Cooking Challenge......

Apple Cider Brined Chicken #CooktheBooks

This chicken spends the night in an apple cider brine and then is brushed with an apple cider glaze during the final stages of roasting.  It is juicy, tender and delicious but most importantly of all it is easy peasy!!

I was inspired to make this roast chicken after enjoying our Cook the Books selection.....

Bohemian Potato Salad (Bramborový Salát) #EattheWorld

Old Fashioned Eastern European potato salad, hearty and full of vegetables, makes a perfect dish to bring to your Christmas Potluck.

Join us as we Eat The World Holiday Style.....

Overnight Sourdough Boule #BreadBakers

This no knead sourdough bread is mixed together the night before and left on your counter where it will double in size and be ready to bake in the morning.

We are sharing overnight breads today with our Bread Bakers group.....

Christmas Cookie Tree #BakingBloggers

Wow your family and friends by setting out this gorgeous to look at and fun to make Christmas Tree constructed of star shaped Almond Butter Cookies.

It is no more difficult than any other cut out cookie but shhhhhh don't tell anyone.......

Christmas Tree Brownies #OurFamilyTable

These adorable little brownie trees are sure to bring a smile of delight to all your holiday gatherings.

They are easy to make and fun to eat. They are what's on Our Family Table this week as the From Our Dinner Table Group shares Brownie Recipes today.......

Venison Stew with the Hidden Gem of Sicily, Nero d'Avola #ItalianFWT

Tender chunks of venison, browned in butter and olive oil and then braised in a tomato base seasoned with Italian herbs and citrus zest served over egg noodles and paired with a wonderful bottle of Nero d'Avola.

Join the Italian FWT group as we visit the lesser known wine regions of Italy today.....

Happy St. Nicholas Day: Traditional Cookies and The Weekly Menu

We have spent the week readying our house for the Holidays.  All the Thanksgiving and Fall decorations have been replaced with symbols of our Lord's birthday.

We started early this year because our schedule is so crazy.....

Easy Candied Orange Peel Sticky Rolls #ChristmasSweetsWeek

These easy to make sticky rolls start of with a can of refrigerated crescent rolls and are scrumpdillyicious.  Perfect for Christmas morning or as part of a Holiday Breakfast Buffet.

This is my second recipe that I am sharing during Christmas Sweets Week.....

Maple Coconut Cookies #FoodieExtravaganza

These Maple Coconut cookies are quick to put together and quick to disappear.  You might want to make two batches.

Join us today as we prepare to celebrate National Maple Syrup Day......

Chocolate Cinnamon Crinkle Cookies #NationalCookieDay

These fudgy chocolate cookies with the warmth of cinnamon are a great addition to your Christmas Cookie platter.

It's National Cookie Day......pull out your aprons and let's get to work!!
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Turkey and Cranberry Pannini #FoodnFlix

Every year we have a rotation of Christmas Movies that we watch.  The main three are: my personal favorite, It's a Wonderful Life; Frank's favorite, White Christmas; and we both love the original Miracle on 34th Street.

There are other Holiday movies that we watch as well but these are the main three that are considered "must watch" in our household.

This past weekend we started with White Christmas.

Chocolate Peppermint Chunk Cookies #ChristmasSweetsWeek

Decadent chocolate cookies filled with chunks of peppermint candy make the perfect Christmas time treat.

It's December and that means it is time for Christmas Sweets Week!!