Texas Boys in the Big Apple!

Just got back from New York! We did it all...including seeing Jersey Boys. It was a trip we'll never forget! What a magical place...

Now back to real life in Texas...

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to you! Have a healthy and happy New Year! :) mendy

A Little This and That

Aren't these Pistachio and Tart Cherry Chocolate Candy packages SWEET? I found a great recipe in the December issue of Good Housekeeping Magazine, while I was at my parents' for Thanksgiving. My mom always has an issue of Good Housekeeping on the coffee table. I love reading it!

The recipe is easy and really delicious. Here is the official recipe from the magazine.
Here is the "Mendy" version:

You need these ingredients...
Melt two bags of dark good quality chocolate in the microwave until melted. Stir til smooth. Add 3/4 cup dried tart cherries and 3/4 cup pistachio nuts. You can add more if you like! Pour dark mixture into a large pyrex, lined with foil. Heat 1/2 package of the white chocolate until warm and smooth. Spoon the white chocolate over the dark chocolate in dots. Use the tip of a knife to swirl the white chocolate all around the dark chocolate mixture. See photo below.
Put pyrex in the frig for 3 hours or more. Pull the bar from the foil and break into pieces. I packaged mine and put all the packages in the freezer until I was ready to give them out. Keep a stash for yourself...try not to eat them all!
Have you seen these tiny glitter balls? I use them in many of my projects for holidays and year round. Got them half off at Hobby Lobby. They are perfect for embellishing a gift...Here are the little birdie ornaments for my teacher friends.
I used these ArtChix images for the gift tags.
One last ornament I made with a digi birdie and some dripping pearls...

OOH Cookies!

It's...

Jessi's Annual Cookie Swap!

Thanks for inviting me my friend! Here I am "cooking"for the first time in my bedroom kitchen!

My very FAVORITE cookie of all time?? Peanut Butter Cup Cookies!! I could eat a dozen in one sitting. And who could peel off those little papers and not eat a PB cup, or two???Ready to make a few dozen to eat...and maybe a couple to share :)

INGREDIENTS
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped (don't eat them all!)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.
Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well.
Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.

Warning...they might be gone before you can put them on a plate!

I'd also like to share these with my friend Danni, who is having a cookie swap soon. I won't be able to go...boohoo! She lives near by, but I haven't seen her in forever!! Miss ya girlie!

Thanks again Jessi, for the blogger cookie swap, and for the sweet stash you sent me!!

Love it all!!

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P.S. Have you stopped by Michael's lately? I was amazed at their bead section. I made necklaces, bracelets, rings, and key chains this year. I made this necklace using "felt" silvery beads and a charm combination that was already put together. Simply string the finished charm set on to the necklace!