Hey friends! Happy New Year!
If you’ve been around for awhile, you know I usually do an end of the holiday season review of recipes that I made or tried. I enjoy looking back at these and I know that some of you enjoy reading them as well. I’m running a little late on getting my 2023 edition out but better late than never, right?
Tis Better To Give Than To Eat It All Yourself
Food is my love language and I was able to gift some baked goodies to several people this season. I spent one Sunday making treats to take to work. Those included Brownie Cookies, Peanut Butter Fudge, and The Skinnyish Dish’s White Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Clusters which I will in the future call Fluffernutter Treats because that’s what they taste like.
I liked the Fluffernutter Treats so much I made another batch to take home to my parents house. I also made some Sugar Cookies because my mom really likes them. It made my heart smile when she’d text me after our visit and say she was sitting down with her morning coffee and a sugar cookie. My cookies aren’t fancy looking because I’m definitely NOT a cookie artist but they are tasty.
I also made a tray of peanut butter fudge and pumpkin bread (from a mix I bought at Costco) for my son’s school staff. They are incredible people and I wanted to do something for them. I was happy to see lots of other parents dropping off food during that last week before break. They deserved ALL the goodies!
Old Traditions Made New
My husband’s favorite homemade candy is Peanut Butter Roll. I asked his mom to help me make one and I had took pictures and notes. A few days before Christmas, my husband and I made another one on our own. Now, my husband doesn’t cook and we are not the kind of family that make gingerbread men in our matching flannel pajamas. But he took the lead on this and our son even joined in to help us roll out the candy. I’ll have the recipe up here soon.
We were proud of ourselves!
I also made my first ever Red Velvet Cake from my mom’s handwritten recipe.
I think I overbaked my cake slightly but the cream cheese frosting was to die for…
Time Spent with Others
My aunt hosted our family get together and I could have eaten all day. She made chicken and dressing and chicken and dumplings, two of my favorites. I brought home a hearty portion of leftovers.
My contribution was 7 Layer Salad which I put in my tree shaped pan.
At my husband’s family gathering, I had a good time giving my niece some cooking instructions and watching Cousin J made the Family Punch. Also, my sister in law, my niece and myself might have returned to his aunt’s house later to raid the fridge. In our pajamas.
Earlier in the season, my friend Kama hosted FriendsMas which included this beautiful cake. It was from a local bakery but she prettied it up with some berries and rosemary. It was a Pistachio Cake which I’d never had before but it was delish.
Cups of Joy
As usual, I did my coffee advent calendar! We bought a canister of Starbucks hot chocolate and then received more as a gift so we had many warm nights of cocoa. I also had an Earl Grey latte as part of my Christmas outing with my work buddies.
Yes friends, my heart and my tummy were full after this Christmas season. I daresay it was one of the best ever! I hope you and yours enjoyed it as well. Also, in case you missed it, do check out my essay on why those of us of a certain age really know how to Christmas 🙂
From the heart and from the holler,
Minda
Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram @mindascooking
Love this scrumptious recap. Thank you for sharing with us.