Christmas Morning 2009

Every Christmas morning we have this breakfast casserole. I make it the night before and refrige it until the morning. I cook it while we are unwrapping our Christmas presents. Timing of cooking and unwrapping presents seems to always works out perfectly. After breakfast we finish with stocking gifts! This keeps me out of the kitchen and with family to enjoy every minute of Christmas morning!

This is great for any occassion when you have guests. It is one of the best breakfast casseroles I have tasted!

Sausage/Egg Casserole
6 slices of bread, trimmed
1 lb. sausage
8 oz. shredded cheddar
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
Diced onion and green pepper
Salt and pepper
1 tsp, mustard ( I do not use)

Line 9 x 13 greased casserole with bread slices. Brown sausage and veggies. Spread in layer
over bread. Top with cheese.

Beat eggs, milk, mustard, salt, and pepper together. Pour into casserole. Cover with foil and refrigerate.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until set. When ready to eat uncover for 5 more minutes and sprinkle with a little cheese.

Enjoy!
From SSS
Sharon

Merry Christmas

Gingerbread House Making

Gingerbread Houses 2009... Our Christmas tradition and memories continue...

The older the more creative they get!

I have used this recipe since 1993. It was from the McCall's magazine which is not in print anymore. Hope you can start your own tradition with your children or grandchildren. As you can see even my college girls love to make the houses. Every year they get more elaborate! I think it is even more fun today. Our home was filled with laughter and chattering of friends getting caught up after another year in college. What a wonderful afternoon and a memories we will take with us!
Recipe:

7 to 8 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp + 2 tsp ground ginger
1 Tbsp + 2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp each ground cloves and nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp each baking soda and salt
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 unsalted butter, softed
1 1/2 cups molasses
1/2 cup water
1 tsp ground cardamom ( I have never used this)
1. In a large bowl mix 4 cups flour, the spices, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl of electric mixer, beat sugar and butter until light. Beat in molasses and the water. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Beat in remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, until soft dough forms. Shape into several 1/2 in thick disks. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill at least 3 hours or overnight.

Pre heat oven to 350. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch. Using patterns and knife, cut out shape. Bake 15 minutes or until firm to touch. Remove gingerbread to large cooling rack. make sure pieces lie flat. Makes 4 to 6 houses.

Tips:

1. Roll dough on parchment paper and cut out the house piece on it. Cut the paper and place on the cookie sheet.

2. I use the Wilton MeringuePowder for the royal icing. Quick and dries very hard. Put it in ziplock bags and snip a hole in corner. Each person has their own for decorating the house.

3. Use a heavy duty mixer. My Kitchen Aid mixer even struggles making this dough.

4. Cut out a window in side. crush butterscotch and fill window hole to make a stain glass window.

Castaway ... Treasure

I have been looking for several years for a chest for our master bedroom. Unexpectably one afternoon on a trip to Office Depot my husband suggeted we go in and browse at one of the consignment shops next to the Office Depot. Funny when you least expect it....there it is! As you can see I love traditional furntiure. Although it is not exactly the same as my bed and dresser, it is definitely close enough. Guess someone was ready to get rid of the old tradtional furniture. Just my luck I love this chest and and now it has a new home! This is one of my best finds. Do you ever wonder about where your finds came from and why?

More sunshine from SSS,

Sharon

Tracking Ida!

Ida is heading to the Panhandle. She has already brought lots of rain, wind (50 mph), and a day off from work. Hopefully that is all she will be known for. Not like Ivan which caused major devastation in 2004. She has been downgraded to a tropical storm. So Ida should not be much of a threat.

Made Especially for You...

Now my homemade jelly is ready for gift giving....simple label made on the computer.

Enjoy! .... this beautiful day!

Sharon

Happy Pinkoween!

Skull and Cross Bones (Chi O symbol) treats for the college girls: The decorated Dollar Tree cups filled with candy and adorned with ribbon on the handles are little Halloween treats this year for my college girl and her sorority sisters. This was a fun and easy project. Just print out the names in selected font, tape on inside of cup, and trace. Since the cup is see through it was easy to trace the names with permanent marker.

A LITTLE EXTRA TREAT FOR MY COLLEGE GIRL

She loves Lilly so I thought I would create her a Lilly themed Trick or Treat basket. Treats of "Lilly Wink" perfume and pink/ green candy. The big "Happy Lillyoween" is a giant Hersey bar. The cauldron colors were also pink, green and yellow. I painted the candy corn on the side in Lilly colors, instead of yellow, orange and white.
Hope you y'all have a fun- filled Halloween!

Sunshine from SSS,

Sharon