Simple Christmas Vignette

We have a tall wardrobe that sits by our front door.

It is great for putting in those jackets

when guests come over.

This year I thought I would dress it up a bit for Christmas.

I started off with just some simple greenery

and then added some candles.

But, I felt it needed a little something more.

So I then added a string of silver beads.

And for a finishing touch,

a few red christmas ornaments.

And my favorite part is that the candles

are flameless and are on a timer

so they automatically come on and shut off

after 5 hours in the evening,

giving a nice, soft glow

to our front door entrance.

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



Mushroom Steak in the Slow Cooker

This is a new recipe I tried

that I had clipped from a Taste of Home magazine.

We found it quite mild so next time

I will add a little something to zip it up a bit,

maybe some Worcestershire sauce :)

Ingredients

1/3 cup flour

1/2 tsp. seasoned salt

1/2 tsp. garlic pepper

2 lbs. beef steak, cut into strips

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 small onion, cut into thin wedges

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1/4 cup beef broth

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/8 tsp thyme

In a large resealable bag, 

combine the flour,  seasoned salt and 1/4 tsp. garlic pepper.

Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat.

Place in the slow cooker.

Add the mushrooms and onion.

Combine the cream of mushroom soup,

beef broth, oregano, thyme and 1/4 tsp. garlic pepper.

Pour over top of ingredients in slow cooker.

Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours

or until beef is tender.

~You can find the original recipe here~

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Monday, December 8, 2014

Outside my window...

I am thinking... How the days are getting shorter.

I am thankful for... the fact that I am finally feeling better.

From the kitchen...

~Sunday~
Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Buns, Broccoli, Corn, Salad
Minted Chocolate Torte

~Monday~
Breaded Pork Chops, Oven Baked Veggies, Buns, Salad
Triple Chocolate Caramel Bread

~Tuesday~  
Mushroom Meatballs, Perogies, Peas, Mashed Turnip, Salad
Vanilla Cake w/Fudge Frosting

~Wednesday~  
Asian Glazed Salmon, Fried Rice, Green Beans, Salad
Minted Chocolate Torte

~Thursday~  

Sweet & Tangy Slow Cooker Chicken, Rice, Cheesy Cauliflower, Salad
Triple Chocolate Caramel Bread

~Friday~
Pineapple Pork Salad, Rice, Salad
Vanilla Cake w/Fudge Frosting

~Saturday~

Leftover Smorg

I am wearing... Black sweats and a deep pink shirt with an embroidered floral design along the neckline

I am creating... A Christmas gift list

I am reading... "The Skin Map" by Stephen R. Lawhead

I am praying for... Good weather as we travel on the weekend.

Pondering these words... "It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you...." ~Mother Teresa~

I am hoping... The flu shot doesn't set me back.

I am hearing... The air purifier.

Around the house... It finally looks like Christmas.

One of my favorite things... Sunshine and birds singing.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
~Sunday:  Church & Work
~Monday:  Work
~Tuesday:  Luvin' My Home
~Wednesday:  Girls Christmas Day Out
~Thursday:  Work
~Friday:  Work
~Saturday:  Pick up daughter from airport!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... 

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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

Chocolate Eggnog Cupcakes

How can you go wrong with chocolate and eggnog

during the Christmas season?

Ingredients

3 eggs

1 cup eggnog

1/4 cup oil

1/3 cup strong coffee

2 - 45g Hershey's Creamy Milk Chocolate chocolate bars

1 box Swiss Chocolate Cake Mix

Beat together eggs, eggnog and oil.

Break Chocolate bars into small pieces,

place into hot coffee and stir until completely melted.

Add to eggnog mixture and beat until combined.

Sprinkle cake mix into eggnog mixture

and beat for another 2 minutes

until ingredients are well combined.

Pour into Christmas cupcake holders.

Bake in preheated 350F oven for 25-30 minutes.

Frost with icing of choice.

(I made vanilla icing, replacing the milk with eggnog

and sprinkled the tops with nutmeg)

You can find the original recipe for Chocolate Eggnog Cake here.

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



Christmas Pianotop Vignette

This year has been a bit unusual for me 

as I am just starting my decorating at the beginning of December

instead of at the beginning of November.

I always thought that when the kids weren't home anymore

I would have oodles of time to get so much done!

Hah!

Either I am way busier,

or way slower,

or most likely a combination of both.

Anyways, the house is slowly coming together

and I have recruited hubby

to haul totes up and down the stairs.

I always start my Christmas decorating in the living room.

First goes up the tree which you can see here.

Then comes the snowglobes (which you can see here)

 that grace the top of the fireplace.

The comes the piano top.

I don't know why but it is always that order.

These angels were a new addition last year.

I had a hard time pulling it all together

and kept going back and adding a little tweak here and there. 

I can't recall the last time 

I actually put lights on the piano top. 

But I am enjoying the soft glow

that it gives off in the evening.

It  may have taken some time

but I am happy with the final result.

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Winter has arrived with force and with it's arrival

also comes soup season at our home.

This is a quick soup to put together which I love.

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped

4 cups frozen cubed hash browns

1 pkg (85g) fully cooked real bacon bits

6 cups low sodium chicken broth

 1 can low sodium cream of chicken soup

2 cloves garlic, minced

dash pepper

1 (250g) pkg cream cheese

green onion, chopped

Chop onions and add to slow cooker.

Add  frozen hash browns and bacon bits.

Mix together in separate bowl the

chicken broth, cream of chicken soup,

garlic and dash of pepper.

Pour over onions & bacon bits in slow cooker.

Cook on low 4-1/2 hours.

Add cream cheese and mix well.

Cook on low for 30 minutes.

Garnish with chopped green onions.

Enjoy! 

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!