maybe someday we'll celebrate xmas at the beach.....

this would be cool for the grandkids!

stacks of xmas books

xmas tires!

once upon a time I did a snowman from tires that I tied upright to a tree....this would be much easier!

roasted radishes!

Ingredients

2 large bunches radishes, cleaned and halved

small onion, cut into large chunks

2 tbsp butter or ghee, melted

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp fennel seeds

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

sea salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, combine radishes and onion. To the bowl, add butter, olive oil, fennel seeds, paprika, sea salt and pepper. Toss until radishes and onions are evenly coated. Pour radishes and onions in a single layer onto the parchment paper. Pour any extra butter and seasoning over the top. Bake for 20 minutes.

Elvis Presley Cake

Elvis Presley had a reputation for loving good southern cooking, like most southern men do. I don't know if this cake got it's name because it was a cake his cook, who he employed for years, made for him or not. Howcver, it does seem like a cake Elvis would have probably liked. Regardless of how it got it's name, it's a dang good cake and so easy! Here is what you will need:

1 box white cake mix (plus the ingredients called for to make it)

1 8 oz. can of crushed pineapple

1 cup sugar

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 cups confectioners sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup chopped pecans

Bake the cake according to the package directions. Remove from oven and poke holes in the top of the cake with a pick or a meat fork works well.

Place the pineapple with it's juice (don't drain) and the 1 cup sugar in a sauce pan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Pour evenly over the cake. Allow to cool. Beat the cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Add the confectioners sugar and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the chopped pecans.

Spread over the top of the cake. You can serve immediately. Refrigerate the leftovers.

my girl scouts would've loved this! would also be fun at a family reunion, etc....or afterprom, maybe?

There are all sorts of interesting and fun games you can play at your #Christmas party, but this one is super duper fun!

It is called ‘The Saran Wrap Ball’ and it is just that…a massive ball of Saran Wrap with a ton of goodies layered throughout the ball and one awesome prize in the center! (see photos below)

Here is how it works!

The first person with the ball starts unwrapping while the person on their right rolls a pair of dice, trying to roll doubles. Once doubles are rolled, the ball is passed to the next player and the sequence begins again. The person with the ball does not stop unwrapping until the person to their right rolls doubles. This creates a wonderful suspense and urgency to the game! You get to keep the treasures you unwrap along the way! You can roll the dice to see who starts with the ball first! (ie: First person to roll a six) Make sure to put the best gift in the middle and remember…you can be creative and make this ball of Saran Wrap as big as you want!!!

Feel free to modify the rules a bit too!

Maybe use just one of the dice and pick a number that has to be hit in order for the ball to pass to the right! Try wearing winter gloves or mittens while unwrapping to make it that much more difficult! Use Press and Seal wrap to make it a tad more challenging! When making the ball, you can use one solid strip of Saran Wrap or individual pieces. If using individual pieces, try going every which way with the pieces to really make it challenging to unravel! If you have a large group, try using two large balls and start them on opposite ends of one another! Place a blindfold on the person who is unwrapping, that will only make it that much more exciting!

Cades Cove's "Pearl Harbor tree" rooted in WW2 history

a farmer in Cades Cove transplanted this tree on Pearl Harbor Day. his family later moved to Townsend when the area was transformed into a park. his son has put a marker on this tree for his grandchildren. people found it anyway.

There are no marked trails to the "Pearl Harbor tree" and the National Park Service discourages off-trail hiking. Anyone venturing in search of the tree should do so at their own risk. The closest parking area to reach the tree is the pull-off 3.6 miles from the entrance gate of Cades Cove Loop Road. The pull-off has around 20 parking spaces and is on a sharp bend .5 miles beyond the Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church.

From the parking area, walk west for .1 miles and there will be a small clearing on the north side of the road. The point where the treeline on the western edge of the field meets the road is the bottom of the hill you climb to reach the Pearl Harbor tree. A short walk uphill due west will put you in the vicinity of the sweet-gum tree. A chain is tied around the trunk of the tree about 7 feet above the ground. A large metal rusted rim surrounds part of the base of the tree trunk. A rough approximate location of the tree can be seen using the following link to Google maps. Google Maps: Coordinates for Pearl Harbor tree vicinity, 35.604905, -83.835189

Easy Christmas Peppermint Patties

You're going to love this Easy Christmas Peppermint Patties recipe! Super easy to make, fantastically festive, and always a hit with kids and adults alike. These holiday treats are the perfect addition to cookie trays and make an excellent gift for teachers and friends! Serves: 5 dozen

Ingredients

¼ cup butter, softened

⅓ cup light corn syrup

3 - 4 cups powdered sugar, divided

1 - 2 tsp peppermint extract or mint extract OR any other extract you want

food coloring - preferably gel or paste

½ cup granulated sugar (to roll balls in)

Instructions

Combine butter and corn syrup together in a small bowl. Add 2 cups powdered sugar and your choice of extract and mix until well combined. Add extract ½ teaspoon at a time until the mixture reaches your desired flavor.

Stir in an additional cup of powdered sugar.

Turn bowl onto a cutting board sprinkled with another half a cup of powdered sugar.

Knead the mixture until sugar is absorbed and is completely smooth, adding additional powdered sugar if needed.

Divide dough into three portions.

Tint one portion red with the red food color/gel and one green. Leave one portion white.

Shape into ¾ inch balls and roll in granulated sugar.

Flatten gently with a fork.

Let candies stand, uncovered, at room temperature for 1 day.

Store in an airtight container.

peanut butter microwave fudge

PEANUT BUTTER MICROWAVE FUDGE

Super Quick and Easy!!!!!

1 lb box Confectioners sugar(powdered sugar)

2 T butter

1/3 C milk

1 C peanut butter

Place sugar, butter and milk in a large mixing bowl. Cook in the microwave 2 minutes on high. Take out, beat ingredients with hand mixer until combined. Microwave 30 seconds more, then add peanut butter and mix by hand or mixer until combined. Spread in foil lined 8x8 pan. Let cool then cut and ENJOY! Everyone will LOVE this!!!!!!!

a denim stocking....

another homemade sidewalk deicer I'll never remember to try....

pallet xmas tree

Beautiful way to decorate those bare windows for Christmas..... What do you think?...

if I had this Loch Ness ladle, I am sure I would cook a whole lot more....