Snicker Cookies Recipe

Christmas on the Porch -Day 4 Bonus 

 



Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps with Orange Zest

Nothing says the holidays more like a little bit of divine baked goods. While experimenting with a combo of the new Hershey Spice Kiss and gingersnap cookies (waaay too rich, not great) I came upon the idea of dipping the gingersnaps in white and milk chocolate and grating a little orange zest on the top. After trying it I decided it tastes like a cookie version of a chocolate orange. Delicious. Wrap a few of these bad boys in a cellophane bag and you've got a sweet neighbor gift that includes some different tastes of the season.

Click here for a great gingersnap recipe. 

Happy Baking!

~Maren

Snowball Attack!!!

Christmas on the porch - day 2

     We've all heard of, participated in or been recipients of a "heart attack." Not the bad scary one, but the one where you cut out a bunch of paper hearts, write nice things on them and then tape them to somebody's door. Well why not use this cold snowy weather as an excuse to do a "snowball attack" to some of your neighbors, family and friends? Here are a couple of different ways this can be done:

#1 - One of my favorite little fun things to make and especially eat is cake balls. You can really use any cake flavor to make them but for the purpose of making a snowball you will want to make a white cake and then cover them in white chocolate. They are so simple to make. All you need to do is bake your cake, let it cool then crumble it up and mix in a package of cream cheese. Form as little or as large of balls as you would like, stick them in the freezer for about 30 minutes and then heat up your white chocolate and roll those babies around in there. If you are quick enough you can roll them around immediately after in a little bowl of sugar crystals or other white decorative cake toppers to add a little bit of texture and fanciness!

#2 - For a fun, different and to die for yumminess you can make these little snowball looking treats, a.k.a. beijinhos de coco or "coconut kisses." You can find the recipe for them here.

Your friends, neighbors and loved ones will for sure "feel" your love as you "attack" them with these delicious little snow balls! You can even mention that each one represents something you love about them or something nice that they have done for you.

Just make sure that you make a few extra ones for you!

Enjoy!

-Jenn

The Fastest Fabulous Peppermint Brownies

Christmas on the Porch - Day 1 (bonus post)

These brownies are seriously so simple to make, and are so delish. This is my "go to" recipe for Christmas parties and cookie exchanges. So worth a try!

1 Betty Crocker brownie mix (also, the ingredients to make them... water, eggs, oil)
1 package of peppermint patties


Heat oven to 350. Butter and flour the pan.
Follow all directions on the box, regardless of pan size.

While brownies are baking, unwrap all of the peppermint patties.
When there are 2 minutes left to bake, open the oven and evenly spread the peppermint patties on the brownies. Bake for 1 1/2 more minutes.

Immediately after taking  brownies out of the oven, spread the peppermint patties around using a metal spatula. Let cool for at least 1/2 hour to let the peppermint and chocolate separate.

ENJOY!!
Nancy

12 Simple Neighbor Gift Ideas {even the Grinch would like})

Christmas on the Porch- Day 1

Honestly, neighborhood gifts are one of those Christmas things that can make me feel down right grinchy! I love my neighbors, and of course I want to give them something that shows I care and want to wish them a Merry Christmas.  The problem is that I tend to feel like if I give gifts to certain neighbors, then I must give them to other people in the neighborhood, and then if other people find out that I didn't give anything to them, then they'll think I don't like them, and on and on and on and on!!

 I start thinking about the money that it will cost to give everyone in the neighborhood a gift, and the time to make the gift on top of that, uuuuughh! Some years, neighborhood gifts would have taken up my whole Christmas budget and drained me of all money and time. At least that's how I've felt some years!

Different years bring different circumstances... here are 12 ideas that will work depending upon the time, energy, and money you have this year.

 #1 Nothing!!!

No one will remember next year! Some years, neighbor gifts are lower on the priority list.  I'd rather have my friend put her time and energy into making Christmas great for her family than stressing about a sugary treat to give to me. I've got enough sugar anyway. (Not that I don't appreciate it, I do, but you get the point).

#2 A Christmas card... even add an inexpensive ornament

Image: Martha Stewart

If you send Christmas cards anyway, just give one of those to all the neighbors. Or let the kids draw the pictures... they'd love it. At the Dollar Tree, they sell ornaments in packages of 10 for $1. Attach one to each card. You could afford taking one of these to the whole neighborhood if you feel that you need to do so :).

#3 A book that you bought on a great sale

 Christmas books make great gifts. They're one of my very favorite Christmas decorations. In July I found these books for &1.60 each (they retail for $19.99). Having Christmas in mind during other times of year helps score great deals!

#4 Dollar Store veggie tray with yummy food 

After reading Jan's post about all the great things to do with veggie trays, I saw some fun trays at the Dollar Tree! I snatched a few up, and thought what a great Christmas gift this would be for the close neighbors. Go to this post for some great ideas. Do some baking (or buying) and fill it up.

#5 The Fastest Fabulous Peppermint Brownies

I promise these are soooo good and soooo quick! I'll post the recipe later today!

Whip up a few batches of these goodies, put it a treat bag with a bow. Fast, easy & really yummy.

Update: find the recipe here!

#6 Fill up some dollar store chip and dip trays.

Offsets all the sugar!  Buy salsa on sale or even make your own.

#7 Paper Whites 

Photo from Wisconsin Made

  

(This is one of my VERY favorites... it even takes the grinchiness out of me).

Home Depo sells paper whites for about $1 per bulb.  Ikea sells cute little flower pots for 79 cents. Paper whites will grow in pebbles or gravel, they are so easy to grow and almost grow right in front of your eyes. They just bring happiness. Kids can even help plant them, and then help pass them out to neighbors. Inexpensive, no calories, and lovely = total winner.

Before we continue the rest of the list, I must admit that I love the Grinch. This is my favorite part of the story: 

(Right click, save to your computer and print if you would like)

Inspired by the Grinch, the rest of this list are things that require pretty much nothing bought at a store, and would make Christmas mean a little bit more.

#8 Do a random act of kindness for all the neighbors on your list.

Photo Source: Flikr

Then leave a little note wishing them a Merry Christmas from your family.

#9 Organize a neighborhood charity project instead of neighbor gifts.

I know this one isn't low in energy, if you're the one who organizes it. So, find the person in the neighborhood who would love to take this on, and then contribute!!

#10 Go Christmas Caroling 

Image Muncie Downtown

If you're short on cash, this will let all the neighbors you love know you're thinking about them. Leave those cheap candy canes too, if so desired.

#11 Organize a neighborhood Christmas Elf Game

image: mysavings

Ask everyone in the neighborhood who wants to participate in this instead of neighbor gifts. The organizer assigns each family to be another family's Elves. It's a secret. Each week in December, the Elves give secretly give something to or do something for that family. The Elves reveal their true identities the last week. It's really fun!

#12 Create a blizzard 

image: Martha Stewart

Make lots of snowflakes. For each neighbor, write something you like about them and/or their family on the snowflake. Tape them (carefully) to your neighbors' doors, and leave a not saying, "There's a blizzard of reasons we like you."  Knock and run {like the traditional 'heart attack'}. Of course, leave your name so they know you gave them a "neighbor gift" :).

If you're having a Grinchy or a happy year, I hope you'll find a way to make this holiday season mean "a little bit more".

XO, Nancy 

P.S. Here is my new favorite:

Find the recipe and a gift tag HERE .

Come to Christmas on the Porch!

We would love for you to join us...

We are posting neighbor gift ideas, Christmas decor, Great holiday recipes, ornament ideas, traditions and more.

Here's the current list of great holiday ideas:

Christmas Corner- 25 holiday activities for your children
Decorating with the Scents of the Season
Chocolate Stroganoff
Barn Wood Christmas Tree
Step by Step Tree Set Up 
Chocolate and Bah Gumbug! 
Snicker Cookies
5 Easy Santa Neighbor Gifts
Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps with Orange Zest
Snowball Attack!
Fast and Fabulous Peppermint Brownies
12 Simple Neighbor Gifts even the Grinch would Like  
   

Thanks for stopping by!!
  ~Jan, Jenn, Maren, Lauralee & Nancy

Friday Forum: Husbands and Holidays

Do you ever feel that during the hustle bustle of life, and particularly during the holidays, that you neglect your husband? My husband definitely feels that way sometimes, and I'm trying to make it a point to remember how important our relationship is. It's easy after being married for a while to revert to roommate status, or become as "ships passing in the night."  

photo source

 I have a feeling that I'm not alone in this. So, I'm giving every one a few assignments that will hopefully help us all keep our husbands on the priority list even during the busy holidays.

First: Make a list of the ten things about your husband that you are most thankful for. Give it to him. Then list at least 2 of them here. Feel free to list all ten though!!!

Second: Giving giving men gifts is hard since their lists are usually full of things that would break the bank. Although, most men would be overjoyed with more make out sessions (wink * wink*). When it comes to an actual present, what are the best gifts you've ever given to your husband? 

(We all know nights at hotels and big expensive things are great, but what about the smaller more inexpensive ones?)

Third: Figure out some fun and meaningful gifts to give your husband during the holidays. You don't have to answer that yet, maybe after Christmas though :).

photo source: Kids Kritics

Nancy: My husband has a very selfless nature, he helps around the house because he knows it's important to me, he's an absolutely phenomenal dad, he's extremely patient with all of my flaws and quirks, he quickly forgives, he respects and listens to my opinions, he thinks I'm hot even when I'm not, he laughs easily, he never hesitates to cook meals when he's home, he's good at chatting (or "pillow talk"), he's fun and doesn't take life so seriously.

Hmmm, gifts... last year I gave my husband a packet that I called the "12 dates of Christmas."  I planned 1 inexpensive date every month, and commited to take him on those dates. Unfortunately I didn't follow through!!! If I would have, that would have been a great gift. I'm committing to come up with some good ideas this year though :).



Jan:  The things I am most grateful for about my husband are:  He is a self motivated and focused guy. 
(It is particularly great when I am what he is focusing on.)  When he has a project or task at hand he doesn't skimp or try to do it half way, he tries to do his very best. He is a pretty quiet guy and many people don't know this but he is also a very romantic guy.  (Don't let that get out too loudly.)  He is the kind of guy who plans weekends away, brings home flowers, leaves love notes, calls to say he loves me and is very thoughtful about gifts he gives to me. One time he kidnapped me from work and took me away for the weekend.  He had arranged everything from time off with my boss to what we were doing and where we stayed.  That's a keeper!!!

The best gift I've given my husband, that is a hard one........  One year for Christmas, I asked his mom for all his baby and childhood pictures and then turned it into a scrapbook. He thought it was really awesome.  The kids really enjoy looking at the book now and see what Dad looked like when he was little.  I also made him a lemon meringue pie as a gift, it is his favorite.  A friend of mine always gives her husband a kid toy for Christmas.  I followed her example one year and bought a remote control truck, he loved it!!  There is a little boy in every MAN.  Ask your man what toy he always wanted but never got or the one toy that he loved so much that it finally broke and buy it for him. 

Fun and Meaningful gifts to give your husband.......  It is a joke in our family if Dad is watching TV then he is in his "CAVE".  Of course what do I do when he sits down, I sit by him and start talking all about my day.  Seriously, what is wrong with me.  So a perfect gift for me to give would be a bucket full of his favorite treats, the remote and a coupon for a night alone with only his remote.  Oh and a little "make-out" session when the night is over is never a bad gift to give your husband!!!

Maren: My husband is very hard working and smart. He has big goals and dreams and achieves them which is something that I greatly admire. In Brazil he ran a bus company with his cousin that had 2,000 employees. When he joined the LDS church and decided there was more to life than success and retiring at age 30, he up and moved to the U.S. speaking no English and few friends. Sometimes he worked three jobs to make ends meet. One was cleaning blood off instruments at the plasma donating place (yuck), and another one at the dry cleaners where we met (awww). Now he works as an engineer and has huge goals that I am positive he will reach.

I would like to say one of his favorite gifts was a homemade card I made him where I had gone back to all my journals and written down quotes about him from our dating and early married life about how great he was, but I'm pretty sure he'd still say his TV would be his favorite gift. Men. Sheesh.

photo source: keystone colorado

Lauralee: I had a fun time coming up with a list. A few things about my husband that I am most grateful are his sense of adventure and fun. Although, this trait has landed him in the emergency room on a few occasions, he reminds me that life is not always about schedules and to-do lists. Another, quality that I am thankful for is that he helps and supports me to reach my own goals. One last thing I want to mention, I am thankful for my husband's family. They say not only do you marry the spouse but you marry the whole family.  In my case, this was an added bonus!

When it gifts, hmmm. I don't know. I'd love any suggestions!









Jenn: My husband is really fun, funny, goofy, and makes us laugh all the time. He's mellow and easy going, but also a really hard worker. He's a great dad and a fun guy to be married to.

I asked him what the best and most inexpensive gifts I've given him are, and he said that he loves letters. Also, made him a short movie on Windows Live movie maker for our 2nd anniversary. He still watches is and shows people... and that was free!!

If you are stumped about what to give your husband this Christmas, here are a few ideas. They may not be actual gifts to open, however, he may appreciate this kind of gift more:

**Read this article called, "How to Love your Husband His Way." It's a compilation of 100 things you can do to show your husband you love him.

If you really want to give him something he'll love, and will cost you almost nothing, go to Love, Actually and find out what this is all about! Married people only :).



The 12 Lays of Christmas


Please tell us the best gifts you've ever given your husband!! Or anything great you might be giving him this year!Obviously most of us need help in this area!