Fancy Nut Bark

If you need some quick and easy

last minute baking

this might be the recipe for you.

Ingredients

1 cup salted mixed fancy nuts, coarsely chopped

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate or white chocolate or 6 oz of each.

Spread nuts in a single layer in a 9" microwave dish.

Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through,

until nuts smell toasty.  Set aside to cool completely.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.

Microwave chocolate squares on medium 2 minutes; stir.

Let stand 1 minute to finish melting, stir again.

If not completely melted, microwave 20-30 seconds longer.

Be careful not to overheat.

With rubber spatula fold in toasted nuts.

Scrape mixture into pan.

To make swirled nut bark spread the semi-sweet chocolate and nuts.

Using the melted white chocolate, drop spoonfuls randomly onto chocolate.

Using a butter knife swirl together.

Refrigerate until set, about 20-30 minutes.

When bark is hard and set, peel off waxed paper,

break into approximately 20 pieces.

To store, layer bark between sheets of waxed paper

in an air-tight container.

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



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Flour Me With Love for Mix It Up Monday

Christmas in the Family Room

 

I had fun this year putting

Christmas touches in the family room.

 

Snowglobes next to my vintage lamps.

 

Reindeers and sleighs glide along in front of the TV.

Silver, twigs and beads.

 

The controllers are contained

and the snowglobe santa train

adds some interest. 

 

 

Bears sledding. 

 

Lights and a birdhouse.

A few more snowglobes and beads. 

 

 

And some cardinals for the finishing touch.



 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



Salisbury Meatballs

 

I found this recipe at allrecipes.com

which quickly became one of my favorites.

I have made it in the slow cooker

as well as in the oven

and it is delicious both ways.

 

 

Ingredients

2 lbs. ground beef

1 envelope dry onion soup mix

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup

1 packet dry au jus mix

3/4 cup water

 

In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, onion soup mix,

oatmeal and milk using your hands.  Shape into meatballs.

 Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 

Dredge the meatballs in flour just to coat,

and quickly brown on both sides in the hot skillet. 

Place browned meatballs into a casserole dish.

In a medium bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup,

au jus mix and water.  Pour over meat.

Cook at 350F for approximately 1 hour or until done.

 

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



 

I am joining...

Kathe With An E for You're Gonna Love It Tuesday

Around Our Sunday Table: Icy Blue

 

Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, - a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
~George Herbert~

 

Another week has flown by

and as we gather around our Sunday table

it is time for us to stop and reflect

on the many things we have to be thankful for this week.

 

What a blizzard we had this past week!

I have never seen so much snow in one day.

I am thankful hubby didn't get stuck at work

and was home safe and sound during the blizzard.

 

I am thankful that we didn't lose power during the blizzard.

 

I am thankful for my warm, cozy home.

 

I am thankful that it seems like we are finally over the virus

we have been fighting for the past month.

 

I am thankful for the Christmas season.

 

What are you thankful for this week?

 

  ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Saturday, December 14, 2013

Outside my window...

 

I am thinking... Of how nice it is to have my daughter home!

I am thankful for... Having the family all together!

From the kitchen...
~Sunday: Roast Chicken, Buns, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Broccoli, Corn, Tossed Salad, Turtle Cheesecake
~Monday: Maple Bourbon Glazed Salmon, Rice Pilaf, Carrots, Salad, Triple Chocolate Caramel Bread
~Tuesday: Teriyaki Medley Stir-Fry, Rice, Baked Zucchini, Salad, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pound Cake
~Wednesday: Pan Chicken Parmesan, Parmesan Potatoes, Peas, Cauliflower, Salad, Turtle Cheesecake
~Thursday: Slow Cooker Lo Pork Mein, Noodles, Green Beans, Salad, Triple Chocolate Caramel Bread
~Friday:  Cod Espano, Rice Medley, Mashed Turnip, Broccoli, Salad, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pound Cake
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg

~Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pound Cake~

I am wearing... Black sweatpants and a blue striped sweater

 

I am creating... This week my goals are:-
~Finish the letter "J" on my X-Stitch Sampler
~Work on a beaded fridge magnet

I am reading... God Has A Dream for Your Life by Sheila Walsh

I am praying for... Good travelling weather

Pondering these words... He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.  ~Roy L. Smith~

I am still hoping... For a bit warmer weather.

I am hearing... Christmas music, the wind whistling around the house, the furnace running.

Around the house... Enjoying time with my daughter.

One of my favorite things... Having our family all together.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
~Monday:  Going to see The Hobbit as a family
~Tuesday: Cookie Decorating Day at my mom's
~Wednesday: Housecleaning Day & Office  Work
~Thursday: Volunteer at MCC and Christmas shopping with my daughter
~Friday: Christmas baking & cleaning
~Saturday: Dessert Theatre at church

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... 

~I just love this little owl my mom gave to me

he looks like he needs to be loved :)~ 



~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...
Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Double Chocolate Chunk Cupcakes

 

These cupcakes have a festive feel and flavor to them.

They are another great item to have in the freezer

for the busy days ahead.

 

 

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 egg

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/4  cup chopped slivered almonds

 

Heat oven to 375F.  Line 18 muffin cups.

In large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cocoa,

baking soda and salt; blend well.

Add buttermilk, margarine, almond extract and egg;

blend just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Fold in white chocolate and milk chocolate chips and almonds.

Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.

 

Bake in 375F oven for 15-20 minutes or until

toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Serve warm or cool.

 

Recipe from:  Pillsbury: The Complete Book of Baking

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



 

I am joining...

Flour Me With Love for Mix It Up Monday
Call Me PMC for Marvelous Mondays