Harper Valley

Citrus Bowl Parade

After living in Central Florida most of my life...I have never been to the Citrus Bowl Parade.  So I thought it was about time.  I think it's actually the Capital One Bowl now, but Citrus Bowl sounds better to me..and think the locals still call it that.  My youngest sister, Janet joined me along with Avery, Meagan and Hunter.  What a fantastic day for a parade!  The weather was beyond gorgeous and we found the perfect spot right on Orange Avenue in the shade...oh yeah!  The parade was full of talented bands, horses, pageant ladies, funny cars, floats, majorettes, flag corps, and mascots.  It was a full two hours of free entertainment!

Janet and I couldn't remember the last time we'd been to a parade.  We decided that it was probably when we were in our high school parades.  And that was several decades ago!  Long time.  If you didn't make it to the parade, hopefully these pics will make you feel like you were there too!

Michigan State University Band...they had a FIERCE war cry!   You can kind of tell in their facial expressions.

 

Here we are at our rock star parade spot.  Meagan said the bands were too loud, so her fingers stayed in her ears most of the time!

 

Silver Spurs Rodeo gals.

 

One of the many floats made from real citrus fruit.

The lovable Shriners had guys riding coolers turned into vehicles.  What a hoot!

 

Another Shriner...this is my favorite picture from the day.  

 

University of Georgia Band.  Go Dawgs!

 

Meagan had heard enough marching bands at this point, so she "hid" under a towel.

Universal Studios float...you can see Homer's tummy peeking out.  Marge was on the other side.  Lisa & Bart were in the car behind them.  

Universal Studios stilt walkers.

 

Me and Hunter checking out the sights.

 

Flag corps from a band up North.  There were lots of high school bands from Ohio, Iowa, New York...and even from down South - The Bahamas!

 

And of course, it wouldn't be a parade in Orlando without Mickey & Minnie.  They finished off the parade on a gorgeous drawn carriage pulled by six gigantic black stallions. 

Jingle Bell Brunch

   

A few days ago, I hosted a Christmas brunch for some friends in my former Creative Journey group.   I think I'll call it my Jingle Bell Brunch!  We still have the occasional reunion, and what better time to eat and catch up than at Christmas.  The mimosas flowed, as the convo did...and over four hours later we were full as ticks, talked out, and ready for naps. 

Here's a recipe for one of the dishes I made - Hash Brown Casserole.  I can't credit the exact source of this recipe, but it was made by a lovely lady at my church who cooked everything for our single moms brunch...I only met her once and her name escapes me now (I think it's Lori Ann???..need to check on that). 

A few notes:  1. I added a little extra spice to mine, which is included below.  2. You could eliminate the orange/yellow peppers, and just use all red (to save on waste/leftovers).  3. I highly recommend serving this dish with Picante sauce on the side.  It adds an interesting layer of flavor and texture that can't be denied!

Hash Brown Casserole

• 3 TBSP whole butter
• 1 small onion, small chop
• 1/2 orange pepper, small chop
• 1/2 red pepper, small chop
• 1/2 yellow pepper, small chop
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 4 cups frozen shredded hash browns, defrosted
• 1 pound ground bulk sausage, medium hot
• 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 oz shredded Mexican cheese
• 1-1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 large eggs
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/8 tsp chili powder
• 2 TBSP Dijon mustard
• 8 cups Italian bread, small cubes
• 1 jar Picante sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Pam spray a deep 13x9 casserole dish.
3. Melt the butter in a large saute pan.  Add the onion, peppers, garlic and saute over med-low heat until soft, about 5 minutes.  Add the hash browns and saute until soft or until a bit of brown color is on hash browns, about 10 minutes.
4. In a second saute pan, saute the sausage until cooked through.  Remove and drain off grease.  Set aside.
5. In a large bowl, combine the milk, cream, eggs, salt, pepper, nutmeg, cayenne, chili powder, and mustard.  Whisk until fully blended.
6. To Assemble:  Spread veggie mixture and hash browns evenly at the bottom of the dish.  Next place bread cubes evenly on top.  Then distribute sausage evenly over bread cubes.  Pour contents of the bowl over all of these layers.  Spread cheese out as the final layer (you can reserve a few tablespoons of cheese to place on top for the final 10 minutes of baking). 
7. Bake uncovered for about 45 minutes until puffed and golden brown on top. 
8. Serve with Picante Sauce on the side.

 

Bajalia: Finishing Well Sale

Most of y'all know that I'm a big fan and advocate for the work of Bajalia Trading Company.  They've grown by leaps and bounds in just a few short years.  I just read their latest newsletter and learned that they surpassed the million dollar mark in sales!  They have aggressive plans to double their growth next year, and in order to pass the two million dollar mark...they need our help!  They're seeking $125,000 to finish the year well.  Meeting this shortfall in operating expenses will help next year's starting numbers. 

In order to meet this goal, Bajalia is offering an online Finishing Well Sale.  From now through January 20th, you can receive 50% off your entire online purchase!!  Click here to start shopping and take advantage of this fabulous savings.  At checkout, use the coupon code - Finishing Well.

Bajalia Trading Company is a 501c3 and all donations are Tax Deductible.

Frosted Cranberries

 

I made these frosted cranberries for a brunch that I'm hosting tomorrow.  I'm waiting for them to dry, but couldn't resist a quick taste and photo.  They are fabulous!  I'm so happy with how they turned out.  This recipe is a cinch and it's a unique appetizer for your guests to snack on, or a festive finishing touch to your holiday desserts.  I discovered them on allrecipes.  One of the reviewers recommended adding a few extra spices, which I did, and included in the recipe below.  I also rearranged the directions a bit so they're easier to follow.  Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon Caro syrup
• 1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/8 tsp Allspice
• 1/8 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
• Pinch of ground cloves

DIRECTIONS

1. On a rimmed baking sheet, mix sugar, allspice, nutmeg and ground cloves together.  Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the water and Caro syrup until blended but not whipped. Coat cranberries with this mixture. 
3. With a slotted spoon, scoop cranberries out of the liquid and move them to the baking sheet with sugar.
4. Roll the cranberries in the sugar mixture until they are coated.
5. Dry at room temperature for 2 hours. Use as garnishes for desserts, or eat them plain.  

Rejoice!

Another Christmas has come and gone in the blink of an eye....as always!   Although I wish the day were longer, I cherish the new memories created with friends and family today.  I also cherish the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Christ.  Last night, I attended a Christmas Eve service at my church.  The theme of the evening was -- choice.  Our pastor explained how there is no better expression of human existence than the joy and pain of choice.   And that most lasting changes in one's life are made through relationships.  I'm thankful to have the choice of being in a relationship with someone who is greater than the craziness out there... thankful for the choice to believe that He can transcend every messy circumstance in every season of our life.  That's enough reason for me to rejoice!  How bout you?

Enjoy these snapshots of my Christmas Day. I spent the first half in The Wood with my sister Janet's family, and the second half back in Orlando with a friend.  And the best part of today...my PJs stayed on the entire time.  That's right folks.  Now THAT is the way Christmas oughta be.  It was joyful! 

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Cookies and milk for Santa.  Avery's note includes: "I wish I could give you a present...Please look at your cookies and milk....It's your cookies and milk!....PS-How's Rudolph doing?"

 

I guess Santa liked his cookies and milk because he showed up with some pretty hot gifts!

 

Me, Meagan, and Avery after the tornado of unwrapping. Could their smiles BE any more forced?  I think they're pretty much over my photograph requests. 

 

Santa's little helper.

 Meagan's footprint snowman. Isn't this precious?

 

Back at home, Gaybrielle and Gracie stopped by for a visit and mimosas!

 

Ahhh...the end to a great day is even better with some cold eggnog.  Since it's the opposite of cold in Florida today, I cranked the air way down so it would feel chilly enough to wear my new fuzzy Christmas slippers!

 

Thumbprint Christmas Tree Place Cards

 

You asked for it!  Well actually, Aggie asked for it....so here is an easy Christmas craft you can create with your children.  These Thumbprint Christmas Tree Place Cards are a simple way to get the kids involved, and spruce up your dinner table.  NO GLUE REQUIRED!!  This project is very similar to the Thumbprint Turkey Place Cards that I posted last month.  Let me know if you make these...I'd love to hear how they turn out. 

• Green stamp pad (I used ColorBox Fresh Green)
• Brown stamp pad (I used VersaMagic Gingerbread)
• Red rhinestone stickers in varied sizes
• Star stickers (I used Darice Foamies)
• Black marker
• White card stock cut into 8-1/2" x 4" strips
• Scissors

Fold a piece of card stock in half to create a place card.  Press finger into the brown ink and press at the bottom of the folded card to create a tree trunk.  Then press finger into the green ink and press in a layered pattern above the trunk.  Continue stamping the green layers until you've achieved the shape of a Christmas tree.  Add a star to the top of the tree, and press on red rhinestones randomly to resemble ornaments.  Write your guest's name at the top.   

You could enhance this project by drawing gift boxes around the tree trunk, or using different colored rhinestones for ornaments.  Good luck!

PS: You can purchase these items at Michaels, JoAnn, or most craft stores.  You could use acrylic craft paint instead of stamp pads for a more affordable option.  Also...I highly recommend to practice making the tree shape on a piece of scrap paper before stamping on your card stock.  I had several practice runs.

 

 

Chinese Christmas Tree

While in China last year, I had the opportunity to stock up on some wonderfully whimsical Christmas ornaments.  So for the past two years, I've created a Chinese Christmas Tree by filling up my three-foot Colorado pine with these unique finds.  I love gazing at the tree and reminiscing about my life-changing trip to China.  Mostly, I'm reminded of the people who crafted these ornaments by hand.  Such sweet and humble people!  If you'd like to stock up on some of these hand-made ornaments or other Christmas items, check out the two websites below.  Might as well get a head start on the 2009 holiday season!

Hearts & Hands

Threads of Yunnan  

 

 

Twinkling Treetops

    

To make things a little more interesting at the office this year, we had a Christmas cubicle/office decorating contest. It was a blast!  Everyone really got into the spirit and it made the past few weeks a whole lotta fun.  I dubbed my office "Twinkling Treetops"...check out my sparkle and shine.  PS...I won the prize for "Favorite Desk." Yahoo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dark Chocolate Bark with Pistachios, Cherries & Pumpkin Seeds

 

OK so I know we're down to the wire with Christmas.  If you're still looking for a few more quick and easy gifts, try this decadent chocolate bark recipe I found in O Magazine.  I just made some and it was heavenly, dadgummit.

Chef's Note: The chocolate tempering directions below may seem lengthy, but it's not complicated.  Just take your time because if you don't temper the chocolate properly then the finished product will melt too easily and not stay firm.  But it will still taste great! 

Dark Chocolate Bark with Pistachios, Cherries & Pumpkin Seeds

• 1/2 cup shelled, dry-roasted, salted pistachios, coarsely chopped
• 3/4 cup coarsely chopped sweetened, dried tart cherries
• 1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
• 1 pound bittersweet chocolate (at least 64% cacao), finely chopped

1. Line and 11x17 baking sheet with parchment or wax paper
2. Combine pistachios, dried cherries, and pumpkin seeds in a bowl.  Set aside 1/2 cup of the mixture.
3. To temper chocolate: Using a microwave, place 3/4 of chocolate in a microwave safe glass bowl (set aside remaining chocolate).  Program microwave at 50% power.  With bowl uncovered, heat chocolate for 30 seconds and then stir with a rubber spatula.  Repeat, heating for 30 seconds and then stirring, until almost all the chocolate in the bowl is melted, about four minutes total.
4. Using an instant-read thermometer, check temperature of chocolate.  It should be no more than 115 degrees.  If it hasn't reached desired temperature, continue to heat in 10-second increments.  Then add reserved 1/4 chocolate and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth and thermometer reads 88 to 90 degrees.  Chocolate is now tempered. 
5. Stir nut mixture into bowl containing chocolate.
6. Using a spatula, spread chocolate in an even layer, about 1/4 inch thick, on the paper.  Sprinkle with reserved 1/2 cup nut mixture. 
7. Allow bark to cool until hard, at least 20 minutes.  Break into irregular pieces.  Bark will last several weeks in airtight container.

Peppermint Chocolate Meringues

This year, I'm "trying" to spend less money on gifts by making a few of them...or should I say baking?!  Try these little minty puffy balls of goodness below.  I found them on allrecipes, and enhanced them by adding the peppermint extract and mini chocolate chips.  Get in the kitchen and bake some of those gifts this year....whether your presents are sweet or savory, everyone loves a homemade treat!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 peppermint candy canes, crushed
• 2 drops peppermint extract (about half of 1/8 tsp)
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips 

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
2. In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar to soft peaks. Gradually add sugar, continuing to beat until whites form stiff peaks.
3. Gently fold in peppermint extract and chocolate chips.
4. Drop by spoonfuls 1 inch apart on cookie sheets. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy over the cookies.
5. Bake for 90 minutes in preheated oven. Meringues should be completely dry on the inside. Do not allow them to brown. After 90 minutes, turn off oven. Keep oven door ajar, and let meringues sit in the oven until completely cool. Loosen from tray with metal spatula. Store loosely covered in cool dry place for up to 2 months.

Top 10 Reasons that Christmas Rocks

How is it that every Christmas moves from joyful to stressful about 5.2 days after Thanksgiving?  Every year I vow that I will NOT allow my inner Grinch/Scrooge make an appearance.  But every year...he seems to creep up on me like a bad rash.  There are just so many financial obligations, time commitments, keeping up with the Joneses, finding the perfect gifts, throwing the perfect party, decorating the perfect tree, creating the perfect atmosphere, buying the perfect LBD for your work party, baking the perfect cookies, finding the perfect Secret Santa gift for the co-worker you barely know.  I could go on and on, right???? 

Well this year, I still feel the stress, but I'm seeking out little snapshots of time to ENJOY these precious few weeks that we all come together and celebrate.  Whether it's sitting on my back porch and chuckling at the Charlie Brown lights my neighbors hung, or just lounging on my couch reflecting on what it must have been like the night Christ was born....I am doing simple little things that keep me connected to the spirit of Joy.  Here are the top 10 reasons that Christmas rocks to me:

• Peppermint everything!
• Shine and Sparkle
• Finding special gifts for special people
• More reasons to buy stuff from Pier One
• FOOD. BAKED GOODS. MIMOSAS.
• Pine tree candles
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
• Clear blue skies and brisk air (gotta love FL winters)
• Partaaaays!
• Celebrating the birth of the man who changed the world (best for last)

p.s. The shot above is my nativity scene, courtesy of Dollar Tree, Pier One, and Target.

p.s.s. I almost forgot one more KEY thing that I'm doing to make Christmas more enjoyable -- I'm saying "no" to a few things.  Usually, I want to be at every single party and volunteer for the many serving opportunities available.  This year, I'm not over scheduling myself and I'm already seeing the benefits...try it!!

Got to be REAL

 

My MOST fave disco song ever of all time on the planet is "Got to be Real" by Cheryl Lynn..for real, it is.  I seriously love it so much that I can't even stand it.  I totally access my inner Cheryl Lynn disco star when I hear it on the radio, in a store, at a party, ya know..where ever I am at the time!  Tonight, I enjoyed a fabulously fun wedding for my friends Lauren and Brian.  The DJ was completely interactive and upbeat.  He got the party started right away.  No down time.  None.  AND..he gave me the mic when Got to be Real came on.  What?!?!?!  Ya.  I was dancing and singing and I guess he could see that I was totally into it, so he passed the torch and let me have my five minutes of fame.  Aaaahhh...and what a five minutes they were.  It was like "Wedding Karaoke Gone Wild."  Can't wait to see the pictures.  Sorry I don't have one for you here, but take a listen/look below at this link and bring out your inner diva.  Dance around the living room and be energized by this disco era classic!!!  Be REAL. 

Got to be Real by Cheryl Lynn

p.s. My other fave Got to be Real moment was on Sex and the City when Carrie walked the runway with this very song in the background..and busted her arse in front of everyone.  Fashion roadkill!!  Hilarious.  One of the best SATC episodes ever. 

Cuffs link us to India

 

A little hope goes a long way.

 

This hammered henna brass cuff bracelet normally retails for over $20.00, but Bajalia Trading Company is offering this to their customers for a great price --$16.00.

The sale of these bracelets support whole families in India, allowing the youngest siblings to complete their education. In 2008, with increased orders and earnings from these bracelets, families were finally able to bring fresh water straight into their home.

Because this India producer group provides business advice and grants to purchase equipment to increase productivity and reduce cost of production, family businesses are thriving in India. Simple measures are allowing destitute families to have a future. Future generations are being impacted by the opportunities  of sustainable incomes and education.

To order: click Hammered Henna Brass Cuff  

Use coupon code FREE SHIPPING to get this order in time for Christmas. 

Offer Expires: December 15th