Archive for Holiday Help
Our Gift to You {The Christmas Brunch Surprise!} $5 Gift Certificates for EVERYONE!
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We appreciate all of you so very much.
Thank you for reading here. Thank you for sharing tips and ideas. Thank you for all of your encouraging comments and emails. Thank you for making Heavenly Homemakers such a delightful place for me to spend my time.
As a gift to you this Christmas, we are handing out $5.00 Gift Certificates to the Heavenly Homemakers Shop. These certificates are for every one of you, and may be used on anything downloadable in our shop that you would like. Because we have many items under $5.00 in our shop, this means that you can even pick out something for free! Or apply it to something bigger you’ve had your eye on.
Your gift certificate code is: CHRISTMAS5.
Limit one certificate per person. Certificate may only be used on downloadable items in our Heavenly Homemakers Shop. This certificate is valid until midnight on December 29. 2012.
Merry Christmas!!
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Loads of Christmas Brunch Recipes
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When a bunch of women get together for any kind of party…what do they usually talk about?
Yes, the topics typically range from kids and snot to favorite ways to get stains out of clothes to a good sale someone found on sweaters – and everything in between.
Since you and so many, many women are joining us here at Heavenly Homemakers for our virtual brunch – I figure that if we were sitting around in my living room visiting in real life, after we covered the above topics and shared about what all of our plans are for Christmas, the topic would surely eventually turn toward favorite recipes. Don’t you think?
That is why I’m excited today, as part of our Christmas Brunch, to share with you several more recipe ideas from years past. We can never have enough fun, comforting holiday treat recipes!
Vanilla Muffins with Crumb Topping
Have fun clicking through getting new ideas! And please share your recipes in the comments section because I love getting new ideas too. :)
Be sure to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win one of three $25 gift certificates for something downloadable from the Heavenly Homemakers Shop!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Balls {Christmas Brunch}
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I love treats like this that are on the healthy side, plus very easy to put together! With four simple ingredients that many of us have on hand – I’ll bet some of you will hop right off your chair and get them started right away. And I highly recommend that you do.
But beware – these are little balls of peanut butter, chocolatey, coconutty addictiveness. You’ve been warned.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Balls
1 cup natural peanut butter (I use homemade peanut butter)
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 Tablespoons honey
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Melt coconut oil and honey together in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until mixture is smooth. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread mixture into a 9×9 inch pan. Refrigerate for about two hours. Roll mixture into 1 inch balls. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Be sure to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win one of three $25 gift certificates for something downloadable from the Heavenly Homemakers Shop!
100% Juice Punch {Christmas Brunch}
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Many of you know how much I used to love drinking Pepsi – and how giving it up has been a great decision for my health. But you probably also know how much I miss that “burn”!
For the occasional treat, I like to put seltzer water into a small amount of 100% juice. It’s not too sweet – but just sweet enough to make the fizzy water taste better. And it gives me that burn I love and miss.
For our Christmas Brunch, I wanted to suggest this simple punch idea. It’s 100% juice – no added sugar or corn syrup!
Christmas Brunch Punch
12 ounces 100% cranberry juice concentrate, thawed but cold
12 ounces 100% grape juice concentrate, thawed but cold
2 (or 3) liters seltzer water
Mix all ingredients together in a punch bowl or large pitcher. The amount of seltzer water you use is up to you – depending on how sweet or fizzy you like your drinks.
Feel free to add different kinds of juice depending on your taste.
Are you like me – do you like the “burn”?
Be sure to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win one of three $25 gift certificates for something downloadable from the Heavenly Homemakers Shop!
Christmas Truffles and Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Posted by: | CommentsNeed a couple more yummy treat recipes?
Try my recipe for Chocolate Caramel Truffles or Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles. Both of these make great gifts!
And, you can use the Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffle recipe to make fudge! Simply mix it up and spread the mixture into an 8×8 inch pan. Chill the mixture, then cut it into squares. It is SO easy!
What are your favorite treats to make (and eat) this time of year?
Hashbrown Sausage Casserole {Christmas Brunch}
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There’s nothing fancy about this casserole – but it is very tasty. It’s perfect for our Christmas Brunch!
I especially love putting this together if I have Homemade Frozen Hashbrowns and Premade Turkey Sausage crumbles. Then all I have to do is throw everything into a dish and bake it. If you prefer, you could substitute browned hamburger meat for the turkey sausage. Just shake in some chili powder and/or garlic powder to spice it up a little. It’s a great, versatile recipe!
Hashbrown Sausage Casserole
6 cups frozen hashbrowns (partially thawed)
1 pound browned turkey sausage
6 eggs
1/2 cup cream (or milk)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Stir hashbrowns and cooked sausage together in a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a bowl, whip eggs and cream together. Pour mixture over the hashbrowns and sausage. Sprinkle with shredded cheese, salt, and pepper. Bake in a 350° oven for 45-50 minutes or until eggs are no longer runny and cheese is melted and beginning to brown.
Be sure to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win one of three $25 gift certificates for something downloadable from the Heavenly Homemakers Shop!
Orange Cranberry Scones {Christmas Brunch}
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Welcome to our Third Annual Christmas Brunch. I decided that I had to begin with this Orange Cranberry Scone recipe. Wow, they are yummy!
My favorite ingredient is the orange juice because of the amazing flavor it gives this treat. But my actual favorite ingredient is the dried cranberries, because no matter how you use those, they are delicious. It is a fact that my real favorite ingredient in these scones is the butter, because I think we all know how much I love butter. Plus butter is what makes these scones so yummy and “pastry like”.
This takes me back to the orange juice (which is my favorite scone ingredient, in case you were not aware) – because this is the ingredient you use to make the delicious glaze that you drizzle over the top once the scones are baked.
By the way – did you know that scones are very, very easy to make? They are especially simple if you have a food processor and let that machine “cut in your butter” for you. I’m all for working hard, but remember how I’m not a butter cutter inner?
Orange Cranberry Scones
2 cups whole wheat flour (I use freshly ground flour from hard white wheat)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
3 Tablespoons honey
2 Tablespoons orange juice concentrate
1/4 cup milk
Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt, and dried cranberries. Cut in butter until mixture resembles crumbs. (I use my food processor for this, and to mix the remaining ingredients.) Add egg, honey, orange juice concentrate, and milk. Stir until a nice ball of dough forms.
Form dough into a ball on a floured surface. Roll dough into a circle about 8 inches in diameter. Place on a cookie sheet or baking stone. Cut circle into 8 equal pieces.
Bake in a 400° oven for 12-18 minutes or until scones are golden brown. While the scones are baking, mix up the glaze.
Orange Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar (I use organic unbleached or homemade)
4 Tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Drizzle glaze over the scones right after you remove them from the oven.
Which do you suppose will be your favorite ingredient in these Orange Cranberry Scones? :)
Be sure to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win one of three $25 gift certificates for something downloadable from the Heavenly Homemakers Shop!
You Are Invited! Heavenly Homemaker’s Third Annual Christmas Brunch
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It’s that time of year again! For the third year in a row, we would like to invite you to our “Virtual Christmas Brunch”.
We hope you can join us now and every day through the December 24th. There will be food (recipes), gifts (giveaways), and a fun surprise (you’ll just have to wait and find out)! :)
We are so thankful to have you all as a part of our lives. You are all a wonderful piece of the puzzle which continues to make this blog a happy place to hang out. This brunch we are hosting is our way of saying thank you. You are all very dear to us.
As we close out another year, we want to celebrate with you the coming of Christ and the rich blessings of life that we have because of Him. So make plans to join us if you can! The more, the merrier, so invite your friends to join us too. There are plenty of food and gifts around our tree for everyone!
Here’s gift number one: Each time you see the above “Christmas Brunch Invitation” – leave a comment on that post for a chance to win one of three $25 gift certificates to our Heavenly Homemakers Shop, which will be good on anything downloadable that you like. That includes this post…Ready, set, go!
Heavenly Homemakers Holiday Gift Guide
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In past years, I have written individual posts highlighting some of my favorite gifts to give (or receive). This year, I decided to post the links for you to look through if you’re interested. Each link will take you to a post describing some of my favorite gifts. (P.S. I’m not into bling, knick-knacks, or anything expensive. I like practical gifts. This surprises you so much, doesn’t it?)
- Gifts for Women
- Gifts of Books
- Gifts of Games
- Toys for Little Ones
- Stocking Stuffers for Kids (Yes, these can actually be practical)
- Stocking Stuffers for Moms (Yes, because Moms really can have a stuffed stocking)
- Gifts for Men
Why yes, as a matter of fact I do have Pyrex dishes on my “Gifts for Women” list…
It’s Holiday Time…Watch for Extra Posts!
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I just thought I should warn you (or maybe I should say “announce with excitement” to you) that with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming, I have oodles and gobs of ideas, recipes, giveaways, and deals to share with you!
While there will probably be more “deals posts” offered than I typically share here, please know that I’m not trying to overdo it or make you feel like all I’m doing is giving shout-outs to companies who want to sell you something. My goal is really and truly to share wonderful deals on wonderful products that I have found that I think you may be interested in and that will bless your family. We all love saving money, right?
All of the ”great deals posts” will be balanced with an extra abundance of “regular” posts which include menu plans, recipes, gift ideas, homemaking tips, and all of the other (hopefully) fun and helpful information we strive to share here.
And don’t forget the giveaways. And Gratituesday. And other random information about my family that helps you know me way too well and lets you know that I swept up about a half pint worth of crumbs and dirt off my kitchen floor today while a college professor stood there visiting with my husband. It was gross. And embarassing. And I’m pretty sure the guy must surely have thought that I hadn’t swept the floor in weeks.
Which might be true.
Except for I think I remember sweeping last Tuesday. But I can’t say for sure. ;)
I can’t wait to enjoy the holiday season with you. Thank you all for making my “job” so much fun!
