Gooseberry Patch

Bonus Wallpaper for YOU!

After Wednesday's cookie exchange, we couldn't
resist sharing this bonus December desktop
wallpaper with you!

  Click above to view larger!

(Didn't get the first one for December? Here's a link!)

To save it as your desktop wallpaper or background, just click on the image above and then, when the window pops up, right-click or control-click on that image and then save it...easy!

You can also download it in a few different sizes from our website.

Click here to visit our download page!

If you're downloading from our website, you can follow these instructions to install Gooseberry Patch Desktop Wallpaper on your computer:

PC users: Click on the image size you want for your desktop and wait for the image to load. Right click on the image and select "Set as background." Now you can enjoy your new Gooseberry Patch wallpaper!

Mac users: Click on the image size you want for your desktop and wait for the image to load. Control Click on the image and select “Save Image” and save to your desktop or wherever you would like the file to be kept. From your System Preferences click on “Desktop & Screen Saver” and navigate to choose your wallpaper file. Now you can enjoy your new Gooseberry Patch wallpaper!

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Rounding Up Christmas Favorites!

We've gathered up cookies and treats but what about
all the other dishes that make the holidays so special?

Whether you gather with friends & family for an early gift exchange, host a Christmas brunch or stay home with your own family, what are the recipes that are must-haves for this time of year?

We're rounding 'em all up today, so tell us...

What's YOUR favorite CHRISTMAS recipe?
Could be an appetizer, main dish, bread, soup or dessert!
Share 'em all in today's Recipe Round-Up!

Here's a recipe to inspire you from Christmas with Family & Friends,
our Cookbook of the Week!

Vickie likes to make this casserole ahead of time for those busy present-wrapping nights...just pop it in the oven and enjoy it in an hour!

Savory Chicken & Stuffing
Lori Hurley of McCordsville, Indiana shared this yummy recipe with us. She writes, "If you’d like, this makes a terrific make-ahead meal. Simply cover after topping with cheese, and then refrigerate. When ready to bake, just follow the remainder of the recipe instructions."

7 slices white bread,
    crusts trimmed
4 c. cooked chicken,
    chopped
8-oz. can sliced mushrooms,
    drained
8-oz. can sliced water
    chestnuts, drained
10-3/4 oz. can cream of
    mushroom soup
10-3/4 oz. can cream of
    celery soup
1/2 c. mayonnaise
4 eggs, beaten
2 c. milk
1 t. salt
1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
2 c. herb-flavored stuffing mix
1 c. butter, melted

Cut each bread slice into 4 triangles. Arrange in a lightly greased 13"x9" baking pan. Layer chicken, mushrooms and water chestnuts over bread. Combine soups and mayonnaise in a medium bowl; spread over top. In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, milk and salt; pour over casserole. Sprinkle top with cheese. In a medium saucepan, sauté stuffing in melted butter. Spread over top of casserole. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for one hour. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

 

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Link up your favorite CHRISTMAS recipe below
and, if you're joining this hop, link back
here by using the handy button below.

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Be our guest...just click here to get the code.

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A Free Cookbook of the Week?

No matter where you spend you holidays, as long as you're with family & friends, it bound to be one to remember. While it's the company we'll remember when looking back on these celebrations, it's the special dishes enjoyed together that, when tasted again, take us right back there.

These tried & true holiday recipes were the inspiration for this week's Cookbook of the Week.

For now, say hello to...

Christmas with Family & Friends!

 

Let's take a look at the chapters inside...

The cookbook opens with Homemade Memories, an entire chapter filled with remembrances & stories gathered from folks just like you...they'll put you in the mood to celebrate and maybe even bring back some memories of your own!

Since the holiday season is made that much more memorable by gathering with those we love, several of the chapters in Christmas with Family & Friends - Breakfast & Brunch with Friends, A Warm Holiday Welcome and Cookies & Cocoa Get-Together - are all filled with recipes that are just right for sharing while you celebrate.

Sit Down to Soup Supper and Cozy Casseroles to Share are both focused on warming up you and your family during this festive, but busy, season. Both chapters' recipes are also great for taking along to gatherings and holiday potlucks!

Home for Christmas Dinner and Festive Family Desserts are both filled with inspiration for the big family feast and any day you're gathering loved ones around your table. Traditional tastes to new flaors you'll love trying, there's something here for everyone.

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Here's a recipe to try from the casserole chapter...enjoy it with YOUR family & friends!

Christmas Kitchen Casserole
Special thanks to Natalie Goulding of Wasilla, Alaska, who shared this recipes with us. She writes, "This is one of my favorite breakfast recipes for Christmas. I even prepare it the night before so while we are opening our gifts, it bakes in the oven. This way, I can enjoy what Santa brought to our home!"

20-oz. pkg. frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed
4 green onions, chopped
8-oz. pkg. shredded Cheddar cheese
2 c. cooked ham, diced
1 T. green pepper, finely chopped
6 eggs, beaten
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. milk

Layer hashbrowns, onions, cheese, ham and pepper in a greased 13"x9" baking pan. Whisk eggs with sour cream and milk. Pour mixture over layered ingredients. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove from oven; cover with aluminum foil and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes. Serves 6 to 8.

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You can add Christmas with Family & Friends to your collection
that way too...just click the button below!

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New (Free!) Christmas Tags

Two Fridays in a row with Free Goodies?

We didn't think you'd mind...especially at this time of year when wrapping presents is bound to be on your to-do list!

Click below to download our new set of Christmas Gift Tags!

 

Gooseberry Patch Christmas 2011 Tags

 

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Baking Up Memories!

For us, it's the part of the Christmas celebrations that starts almost as soon as the songs on the radio...cookie baking! Whether we're actually making treats or just browsing new recipes to try, it's always one of our favorite things to do at this time of year.

We love to nibble on the goodies (who doesn't) but what we love MORE are the memories made at the kitchen counter. Even when we don't have a little helper on a stool, the very act of getting out the cutters and mixing up the dough makes us remember baking cookies with our kids when they were little and with our moms when WE were little.

We know you have your favorite cookies that you make every Christmas...help us round 'em all up this week!

What's YOUR favorite COOKIE OR BAR recipe? 
Share 'em all in today's Recipe Round-Up!

Here's a recipe to inspire you from Christmas Cookies,
our Cookbook of the Week!

Mint Petites
Thanks to Debbie Pecore from Charlton, Massachusetts for sharing her recipe with us.

1/4 c. sugar
1 c. margarine, softened
1/4 to 1/2 t. peppermint extract
1/2 t. vanilla extract
2 c. all-purpose flour
Garnish: vanilla or chocolate frosting, peppermint or chocolate mint candies

In a large bowl, blend sugar and margarine together until fluffy. Add extracts; mix well. Stir in flour and blend well. Shape into one-inch balls; place on ungreased baking sheets and flatten slightly. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool. Frost with vanilla frosting and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies, or with chocolate frosting and top with chocolate mints cut into triangles. Makes 2 to 3 dozen.

 

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We're not the only ones celebrating with cookies today! Click over to The Real Farmwives fo America & Friends for their Virtual Cookie Swap...one lucky baker who adds a link to their post will win a Gooseberry Patch cookbook!

 

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Link up your favorite COOKIE OR BAR recipe below
and, if you're joining this hop, link back
here by using the handy button below.

Want to add this hop to your OWN blog?

Be our guest...just click here to get the code.

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In the Mood to Bake?

As the holidays draw closer, we know we'll be spending at least a few days baking up goodies to share with family, friends and folks who've been extra nice all year long. Maybe you have the same plans, or are headed to a cookie swap this year? If so, this week's Cookbook of the Week couldn't have come at a better time.

Say hello to...

Christmas Cookies!

 

Let's take a look at the chapters inside...

When we were gathering all of our favorite cookie recipes from cooks just like you, we wanted to make sure we covered all of your favorite types of treats - Frost-Kissed Cut-Outs, Razzle-Dazzle Drop Cookies, and A Blizzard of Bar Cookies.

We also selected some of those picture perfect ones that you save for the most special folks...you'll find those in the chapter called Sugar-Plum Perfect Cookies.

When creating Christmas Cookies, we aimed to include recipes for every skill level and for folks who don't have hours to spend on cookies, but still want to whip something quick to share. You'll find these in the chapter called Snow Kidding...it's filled with cookies that are so quick, you won't believe it!

Candy Cane Lane covers sweet confections and Very Merry Mixes features gifts for giving...they'll bake up fresh goodies and think of YOU! These chapters are both filled with terrific ideas for teachers and coaches...you'll be all set!

Here's a quickie recipe that starts with a mix...
maybe it'll ease you into the baking mood!

Chocolate-Cherry Bars
This black-forest inspired recipe was shared with us by Maylene Anderson of Webster City, Iowa. She writes, "What could possibly be better than chocolate and cherries? Make these bars to share with friends, but keep a few for yourself too!" 

18-1/2 oz. pkg. devil’s food cake mix
21-oz. can cherry pie filling
1 t. almond extract

Mix together all ingredients; spread in a greased 13"x9" baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 to 35 minutes, until top springs back when touched. Spread with Chocolate Frosting while still warm; cut into bars. Makes 2-1/2 to 3 dozen.

Chocolate Frosting:

1 c. sugar
1/3 c. milk
5 T. margarine
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Combine sugar, milk and margarine in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips until melted.

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When you're all ready to give some treats to share,
Christmas Cookies has some finishing touches to make
your packages extra special: GIFT TAGS!

There are a few at the end of each chapter...
click the images above to view them larger!

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Ready to add Christmas Cookies to your collection?
Click the button below!

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Our Holiday Gift Guide

 

We have lots of goodies that'll make thoughtful gifts under the tree, shared between friends or filling stockings!

Click the categories below to get some great ideas...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shop while you're there or click below
to find a store in your area!

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Picturing Christmas...

Ever want to see your holiday meal in pictures? We did too, and that was our inspiration for this week's Cookbook of the Week. The cookbooks in our 101 Photo Series feature full-color photos alongside each recipe...this week's feature book is no exception.

Say hello to...

101 Christmas Recipes!

With Thanksgiving behind us, we'll be planning our next big family feast, Christmas dinner, and all the other goodies that come from our kitchens during this busy holiday season. If you are more of a visual cook, we know you'll be inspired by 101 Christmas Recipes.

Let's take a look inside...

Holiday Open House is filled with recipes you'll love to share, whether you're hosting or taking along a treat to a potluck or get-together. The recipe we're sharing today comes from this chapter...keep reading!

If you're a fan of playing outside when the weather turns chilly, you'll love the next chapter! Snow Fun is packed with warm-you-to-your-toes dishes like hot sandwiches, steamy stews and desserts that will be special treats on those snowy days.

Christmas Day has plenty of traditional favorites and some soon-to-be favorites to try as well. Whether the family is all gathering around your table or you're just toting along something special (besides the presents!), you're sure to find something tasty.

The last chapter, Sweets of the Season, has plenty of candy, cookies, pie, fudge...everything you'd expect around this time of year! There are recipes to enjoy with a special helpter and some that are pretty enough to give as gifts too.

Here's a yummy recipe to try...why wait 'til Christmas?

Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls
This recipe was shared by Carol Courter of our hometown, Delaware, Ohio...we think they'd be perfect for a holiday brunch with friends or even Christmas morning!

1 c. very warm milk (110 degrees)
1 env. active dry yeast
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 c. margarine, melted and cooled
1 t. salt
4-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1/3 c. butter, softened
2-1/2 T. cinnamon
16-oz. container cream cheese frosting

Combine milk, yeast and sugar in a large bowl; let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in eggs and margarine with a wooden spoon. Mix salt into flour; add flour to wet mixture one cup at a time until dough forms. Knead until smooth; place dough in a large bowl sprayed with non-stick vegetable spray.Cover; let rest until double in size. Generously spray a surface with non-stick vegetable spray; roll out dough into a 21-inch by 16-inch rectangle. Spread with butter; combine brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over top. Roll up dough and slice into 12 rolls; arrange in a lightly greased 13"x9" baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly double in size, about 30 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees until golden, about 15 minutes. Spread warm rolls with frosting; serve warm. Makes one dozen.

Want to see even MORE from our Cookbook of the Week?
Click on the photos below!

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Click the button below!

 

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Let It Snow!

Whether you're decorating for Christmas this weekend or still gathering ideas and will start soon, we know you'll love this easy idea. It's from our Cookbook of the Week, Homemade Christmas!

 

Sparkly Snow Scene

3 assorted-size glass jars
    with lids
1 yd. 1-inch ribbon
scissors
hot-glue gun
2 to 4 c. sea salt or
    Epsom salt
small pine branches
    and pine cones
small ornaments or
    figures

Remove jar lids and set aside. Measure and cut a length of ribbon to fit around each jar, one inch below rims. Hot-glue ribbon in place. Fill each jar 1/4 full of salt. Arrange branches, pine cones and small ornaments inside jars; don’t overcrowd. Replace jar lids. Arrange the jars in the center of the table or on a cake stand. Arrange more branches around jars, if desired.

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Share this easy idea any way you like!

Starting Your Wrapping Yet?

If you're one of those early shoppers who like to wrap it ALL up before Thanksgiving, today's post will come at the perfect time!

We created these tags as a free download...print them onto cardstock
and cut them out to add a little Gooseberry Patch charm
to your loved ones' gifts this year.

 

Gooseberry Patch Christmas Tags

 

Even if you haven't started shopping yet (guilty!) these make great additions
to homemade gifts or treats that you'll be sharing
with teachers, neighbors and friends.

Print 'em out and keep with your wrapping paper
or in the kitchen and you'll be ready!

 

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A Virtual Cookie Swap!

Just in time for Christmas, we're starting a whole
new partnership with our dear friends at
Real Farmwives of America & Friends.

You're gonna LOVE it and you can join in the fun too!

It's a Virtual Cookie Swap!

Over the next month or so, we'll be sharing links to their individual blogs on our Page on Facebook and here on the blog. You can click from blog to blog to see what they're baking and, with each post, you'll pick up one more cookie recipe to try...hundreds of them are available NOW in our Online Recipe Box!

Two Maids a Milking, one of the members of Real Farmwives, will also be hosting a Linky Party where you can add your OWN cookie recipe or one of ours...there's even a prize up for grabs so stay tuned!

 

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Frame Your Favorite Buttons!

The more the merrier…especially when it comes to buttons! Add your favorites to this Framed Button Tree, a fun project for everyone from school-age kids to adults. It's from Gooseberry Patch Christmas, Book 13...the newest in the series!

Framed Button Tree

You’ll need:

• Steam iron
• Paper-backed
  fusible web
• 12” x 14” piece of
  felted wool
• Scissors
• Frame with a 12” x 16”
  back opening
• 16” x 20” piece of fabric
  for background
• Assorted vintage buttons
• 12” x 16” piece of foam
  core board
• Craft glue
• Vintage Christmas pin (we used a jumping-jack Santa)
• Ribbon to decorate the frame (optional)

1. Fuse the web to the wrong side of the felted wool.

2. Click on the tree template at right to view it at full size. Right-click to save the image to your desktop, print it out and enlarge on a photocopier to fit your frame.

3. Using the enlarged pattern, cut the tree from the felted wool. Center and fuse the tree on the background fabric.

4. Sew the buttons on the tree.

5. Center the foam core board on the wrong side of the background fabric. Wrap and glue the excess fabric to the board back.

6. Insert the board into the frame. Add a vintage Christmas pin and enhance the frame molding with ribbon, if desired.

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Ready to add
Gooseberry Patch Christmas,
Book 13, to your collection?
Click the button below!

 

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A Holiday Helper, Just for YOU!

Everyone could use a little helper when getting ready for the holidays, right?
As our way of celebrating Quick & Easy Christmas we put together
a FREE downloadable helper just for you!

With a dozen recipes, handy checklists for gift-giving & baking and a handful
of time-saving tips, it's sure to make your holiday season easier than ever...
view it below and download to your computer to print.

 

Gooseberry Patch Holiday Helper 2011

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Keeping the Holidays Quick & Easy!

The weeks leading up to Christmas are filled with all sorts of festivities...there's trimming the tree, shopping for gifts, baking cookies, wrapping presents and, of course, visiting with family & friends. We love ALL of it and enjoy every moment of the hustle & bustle. That's why we created this year's Christmas book...

Quick & Easy Christmas!

Each recipe in this book was selected with YOUR busy schedule in mind...most are ready in 30 minutes or less and the rest call for 8 or fewer ingredients. What you'll find in this cookbook is a collection of dishes that will satisfy your family, deliver that homestyle flavor you love and get you in and out of the kitchen in a flash! 

Let's take a look at the chapters inside...

With these straightforward chapters, you'll find what you're looking for in a flash. There's also a bonus Slow-Cooker chapter...you can get something yummy started in the morning and come home from celebrating (or shopping!) to a homemade supper. What a timesaver!

Here's a recipe from the Mains chapter that you can
enjoy in under an hour, start to finish!

Trim-the-Tree Casserole
Here's a recipe from Vickie's own recipe box...with just 6 ingredients, it's a cinch to toss together. Pop it in the oven while you string the lights on the Christmas tree and hang the stockings!

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded 1/2-inch thick
4 slices Swiss cheese
10-3/4 oz. can cream of broccoli soup
1/3 c. milk
1 c. herb-flavored stuffing mix, crushed
1/4 c. butter, melted

Place chicken breasts in a greased 13"x9" baking pan. Top with cheese. Stir together soup and milk. Spread over cheese. Toss stuffing mix with melted butter and sprinkle over all. Bake, uncovered, at 350
degrees for 30 minutes, or until chicken is tender and cooked through. Serves 4 to 6.

 

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Want to see all the yummy recipes our Early Bird reviewers
tried from Quick & Easy Christmas?

Click the links below for lots more recipes!

Susie QTPies Scraps of Life

Well-Seasoned Life

Delightful Country Cookin'

Down on the Farm

Bassett's Bull

Goodeness Gracious

Farmhouse Country Style

Mommy's Kitchen

 

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Click the button below!

 

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Recipes to Make & Give!

This week's Cookbook of the Week, Recipes for Warming Hearts, is filled
with delicious dishes that are will not only delight your family but they make
great gifts to deliver to a friend who could use a pick-me-up.

We all have our go-to recipe that we always drop off with a new mom or
send to a loved one who's under the weather. Maybe you have a favorite
goodie to make for teachers or coaches to say thanks...those are the
recipes we're rounding up this week!

What's YOUR favorite recipe to MAKE & GIVE? 
Share 'em all in today's Recipe Round-Up!

Here's one to inspire you from Recipes for Warming Hearts,
our  Cookbook of the Week !

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Popcorn
A yummy pick-me-up for a good friend...deliver with a new book or magazine for an extra-special treat!

14 c. popped popcorn
3 c. crispy rice cereal
2 c. dry-roasted peanuts
1-1/2 lbs. melting chocolate,
    chopped
3 T. creamy peanut butter

In a very large bowl, mix popcorn, cereal and peanuts; set aside. Combine chocolate and peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes until melted, stirring after every minute. Pour over popcorn mixture, tossing to coat well. Spread onto a large greased non-stick baking sheet; cool completely. Break apart; store in an airtight container up to 5 days. Makes about 20 to 22 cups.


 

Bonus tip!

Here's a delightful way to deliver Chocolate & Peanut Butter popcorn. Cut a “window” from a lunch bag using a cookie cutter as the stencil. Glue a square of cellophane inside the bag over the cut-out, then place a plastic zipping bag filled with popcorn inside!

 

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and, if you're joining this hop, link back
here by using the handy button below.

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Merry Christmas to All!

Forward our holiday message to a friend with the button below!

A Christmas Eve to Remember...

Whether you spend Christmas Eve at home with loved ones or celebrating elsewhere with extended family, it's a magical night. One of our favorite memories comes from Mary Jane Solberg of Jordan, Minnesota. It appears in our book, Farmhouse Christmas, and we thought we'd share it with you today.

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Late in the afternoon of Christmas Eve, we would go to a candlelight church service in town. The pastor always read the Christmas story and we would sing our favorite carols ending with everyone singing "Silent Night" in the peaceful light of candles and enjoying eachother's togetherness.

Sometimes, when we would open the church doors to leave, there would be a beautiful snowfall silently coming down and the only sounds to be heard were the snow settling in the trees and the people still in church talking. The trip home in the car was spent shivering with not only the intese cold but the realization that the festivities would soon begin.

As soon as we got in the door, my sisters and I would run up to our bedroom, slip into our flannel pajamas Mom had sewn and put slippers on our cold feet. We'd then run past Mom, who was stirring hot cocoa on the stove and placing a few samples of holiday cookies onto a plate resting on the table, and into the living room to sit by the fire that Daddy was just getting hot and crackly. As we passed out presents to each other, we would sip our cocoa, eat our favorite cookies and open gifts.

Dad would then get out his violin and play as many Christmas carols as we could think of until we were told to go to bed. Santa couldn't come until we were asleep. We each saved one of our favorite cookies for Santa's plate and Mom would fill a glass with milk. Both were placed on the hearth for the long-awaited visit. Daddy would always promise that he would let the fire go cold so that Santa could safely come down the chimney.

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Wherever you're spending today, we wish you all our best.

Share this heartwarming memory with someone special...just click the button below!

Fa, La, La, La, YUM!

All your presents are wrapped, right? That's OK, we're not quite finished either! But we'll be making delicious appetizers to snack on as we sort, tape and tie our way through a sleighful of gifts! We just love these tasty bites from 101 Christmas Recipes. They'll be perfect for Christmas and New Year's get-togethers too!


Seafood Pinwheels

Wendy Lee Paffenroth, of Pine Island, New York, shared this recipe with us. She writes, "I like to top each pinwheel with a little slice of Muenster cheese, then broil for 30 seconds until the cheese is golden."

8-oz. pkg. cream cheese,
    softened
8-oz. pkg. imitation crabmeat,
    shredded
1/2 c. red pepper, chopped
1/2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
2 green onions, chopped
1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 to 1 t. hot pepper sauce
chili powder to taste
6  6-inch flour tortillas
Garnish: paprika

Beat cream cheese until smooth; stir in crabmeat, red pepper, shredded cheese, onions, parsley and sauce. Sprinkle with chili powder; stir until well blended. Spread cheese mixture evenly over tortillas; roll up tightly. Slice off ends; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight. When ready to serve, slice each roll into 6 slices. Arrange on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick vegetable spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes, until bubbly. Sprinkle with paprika; serve warm. Makes about 3 dozen.

 
Ham & Swiss Cheese Rolls

Janet Stewart, of Owensboro, Kentucky, sent us this oh-so-good appetizer. She says, "This recipe is a favorite at our Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) church group."

3/4 c. margarine
1-1/2 T. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t. dry mustard
1-1/2 t. poppy seed
2 t. dried, minced onion
2  12-ct. pkgs. Hawaiian rolls
1 lb. thinly sliced deli ham
1/2 lb. sliced Swiss cheese

Combine margarine, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, poppy seed and onion in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; remove from heat. Slice individual rolls in half. Make sandwiches using bread, ham and cheese. Place sandwiches on an ungreased 15"x10" jelly-roll pan. Spoon margarine mixture over sandwiches. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Makes 12 servings.

Do you have a special appetizer you make for the holidays? Share your recipes with us, and if they're selected to appear in a cookbook (with your name, of course!), you'll receive a free copy of that book. Just click here to get started.

 

Countdown to Christmas Dinner!

The countdown to Christmas dinner is ON and, with so much last-minute gift-shopping, cookie-baking, package-wrapping and everything else, the details can get a little overwhelming.

Do you have your turkey thawing in the fridge? Got all your grocery shopping done?

Use our handy checklist below to keep things running smoothly from now 'til then!

Three Days Before (that's today!)

Take a look at your shopping list, check the fridge and pick up any perishables that you'll need for dinner, including pre-cooked ham. Keep your ham in the bottom of your fridge - the coldest part - and you won't have to battle the crowds as Christmas draws closer.

Pull out your favorite Christmas dishes and give them a quick rinse or polish. Make sure your napkins & other linens are ready to set the table. Want to simplify even further? Pick up a few seasonal dishes & linens (even disposables!) when you're out shopping and they'll be ready to use!

Did you make anything way ahead of time and store it in the freezer? Today's a good time to take it out and let it defrost in the fridge.

Two Days Before

Do any prep work you can for the big meal on Saturday. Chop up veggies, mix up dips, even roll-up easy appetizers that you can just pop in the oven as guests arrive on Christmas.

Any side dishes or salads that can be assembled ahead of time can also be whipped up now. What a timesaver on the big day!

Christmas Eve

Go ahead and bake any side dishes or stuffing that will reheat well for dinner on Christmas. Bake any pies or desserts that will keep. Set your dining table with linens and dishes and then enjoy Christmas Eve with your family!

Christmas Day

After presents have been opened, breakfast has been eaten and you've taken some time to enjoy the morning, prep your turkey (Don't forget to take out the "goodies" inside!) or your pre-cooked ham for the oven. Depending on what time you'll be sitting down for your meal, figure out what time you should put everything in the oven to cook or reheat.

Put any drinks that need to be chilled in the fridge.

As dinner time draws closer, whip up any side dishes that haven't already been prepared. Start reheating other dishes. Set out appetizers and snacks.

Be sure to take some time to enjoy the day and don't save too much to do on Christmas Day...after all, this day is all about family. Enjoy every moment!

Share this handy checklist with a friend...just click the button below!

That Yummy Bread on our Christmas Card...

WOW! When we sent out our Christmas card this morning, we should have known that you guys would want the recipe for that yummy bread shown in the photo. Well, you asked and we listened!

Below you'll find one of our favorites from longtime cookbook contributor, Francie Stutzman of Dalton, Ohio. This recipe of hers appears in our book 101 Christmas Recipes...enjoy it!

Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Bread

Packed with delicious fruit and nuts...share a loaf with a friend!

1 c. sugar
2 T. butter, softened
1 egg, beaten
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. orange juice
1 c. cranberries, chopped
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Blend sugar, butter and egg together in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients; mix well and pour into a greased 9"x5" loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes. Makes one loaf.

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