Party Recipes

I thought I would share these recipes that I used at my family holiday party last weekend. They are all super fast, easy and yummy!

Cranberry Butter

1 C finely chopped cranberries
1 C powdered sugar
1 C soft butter (room temp.)
zest of orange

Mix together and enjoy on a nice warm roll!

Black Bean Salsa

1 can black beans - drained
1 can corn - drained (I only use about 2/3 of the can)
1 lg tomato diced or 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 pkg dry ranch dressing mix
1 avocado - cut into cubes
fresh lime juice (you only need 1/2 a lime)

Prepare all the ingredients, mix together and serve with tortilla chips.

Taco Soup

1 lb cooked ground beef
1 can chili beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
2- 4 oz cans green chilies
2- 8 oz cans stewed diced tomatoes
1 cup water
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg dry ranch dressing mix
1 tsp chili powder

Mix all ingredients together and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Top with shredded cheese and serve with tortilla chips.

Makes 6-8 servings

Holiday with the Family

My family started a new tradition last year, instead of trying to juggle Thanksgiving and Christmas together we have a holiday get-together the first weekend in December. This has worked out nicely so far and has helped make it so we can all enjoy our time together rather than worry about splitting it between in-laws and everyone else. This year was a little weird not being in the old family home (Mom and Dad are selling the house because of the divorce), so we spent most of our time at Mike and Christas' and Mom's new little place.

We started the weekend with a Thanksgiving meal Saturday afternoon. That evening we broke loose with skits and family time.

It was pretty funny as my Mom, Amy, Kasie and Christa danced to "Girls Just want to have Fun". I have never seen my mom have so much fun, I wish I had recorded it!

J.Ed and Reann's family sang and acted out "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", Illee took her role as rudolph very seriously...she was sooo cute!

Then Nic and Amy did the "Chicken Dance", their kids decided it would be much more fun to just watch mom and dad be silly rather than join them.

Luke and I were party poopers and just hung out and laughed at everyone!

Sunday morning we had a nice "Christmas" breakfast and then exchanged gifts. After church we ate and decorated Christmas cookies.

We really had a great time with everyone. Let's do this again!

Things to be Grateful for...

Life has been busy so I am a little late getting posts up.

This year for Thanksgiving my sister Amanda and her sweet family stayed with us for five wonderful (and admittedly tiring) days. Luke's dad and brother Ben also shared Thanksgiving with us. I loved having the full house and cooking with my sister. Amanda and I rarely get to spend time together so I really enjoyed having them visit. Her children are sweet and fun. They are growing so fast and have such delightful personalities. I was so grateful for our time together.

Payton spent almost every minute he was awake with the kitties. Most of the time they bore it patiently. He was just what they needed! They tend to get a little anti-social since they don't have other people around (especially kids) very often.

Spring is such a little sweet pea! I couldn't get enough of her. She is such a pretty baby and has a sweet personality. Your mom and daddy better watch out Aunt Coz might snatch this little one!

As usual I wish that I had taken more pictures...