It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

How cute and easy is this snowman centerpiece! I ran out of buttons, but will run out tomorrow and buy some for his mouth

Homemade Hot Pockets

Homemade hot pockets! There’s nothing they can package up and sell at the grocery store that you can’t make better at home. I know this looks difficult, but it is so easy, and so worth the time!


1 1/2 cups warm milk
1 teaspoon yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
4 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, combine warm milk with yeast and sugar. Let sit for five minutes. Add salt, vegetable oil, and egg. Stir in flour until the dough is stiff enough to knead. (Add flour a little at a time. Four cups flour is approximate; exact amount may vary.) Knead dough until smooth and elastic–a few minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl; cover. Let rise until doubled.

Now it’s time to make hot pockets! Make any kind of hot pockets you want. Use any kind of “wet” (condiment) ingredient you mustard, salad dressing, tomato sauce, etc, with any kind of sliced or shredded meat (this makes a really tasty use for leftover meat), plus any kind of shredded cheese.

Punch down dough and divide in two. Roll each half into an approximately 8 x 12 inch rectangle. Using a pizza cutter, slice each rectangle into six parts.

Place condiment, meat, and cheese on each part and pull dough around to seal. (I used roast beef, and swiss here.) They look messy, but it's ok just flip them over

Bake at 350-degrees for about 25 minutes, or until browned. (Keep an eye on ‘em.) Cool on wire racks.

Strawberry Bread

A great alternative to banana bread!


3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 3/4 cups frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed, 3 eggs, beaten 2 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups canola oil 1/4 cup frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed, with syrup
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F . Grease and flour two 5x9 inch loaf pans.
In a bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, beat together the 1 3/4 cups strawberries, 2 tablespoons strawberry extract, eggs, sugar, and oil. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the strawberry mixture. Transfer to the prepared loaf pans.
Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean. Cool on wire racks

Thankful Turkey Craft

Voila!--our Thankful Turkey centerpiece. I LOVE it!

We just wrapped two styrofaom balls with yarn, cut out leaves, and taped the back of them with toothpicks, then wrote all the things we are thankful for.

Barbeque Chicken Appetizer

I am always looking for new appetizer recipes, so when I found this one I had to try it! It is so good, I'm sure it will be a hit at any party!


1 cup cooked diced chicken
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
3 green onions with about 3 to 4 inches of green, coarsely chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash black pepper
3 tablespoons purchased or homemade barbecue sauce
24 to 30 wonton wrappers
Oil for deep frying
Barbecue sauce for dipping
Preparation:
In a food processor, a food chopper, or by hand, finely mince the chicken and onions with seasonings. Add 3 tablespoons of barbecue sauce and process or mix well to combine. Put 1 teaspoon of the chicken mixture in the center of a wonton wrapper. Lightly brush water all around the edge of the wrapper. Fold over and press the edge all around to seal or follow instructions on the wonton wrapper insert for folding. Keep filled wontons covered with a damp dish towel to keep them from drying out, and keep the unused wrappers covered.
Heat oil in a deep fryer to 370°. Fry the filled wontons, 3 or 4 at a time, until golden brown. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate and keep warm. Serve with barbecue sauce.
Makes about 2 to 2 1/2 dozen appetizers.

Smothered Steak

I love this simple recipe for smothered steak! I always add a can of mushrooms to the gravy, because my husband and daughters love mushrooms so much.


2 eggs 2 tablespoons minced onion 1 tablespoon beef base 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 3 slices white bread 2 pounds lean ground beef 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup 1 (10.75 ounce) can water 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
Directions
Whisk together the eggs, onion, beef base, and pepper in a bowl. Tear the bread into large pieces, and place into the bowl. Let the bread soak for a few seconds and add the ground beef. Mix the meat into the egg-bread mixture, and form into 8 patties.
Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat, and fry the patties until they are browned and the meat is no longer pink in the center, about 8 minutes per side. Set the patties aside.
Remove the excess grease from the skillet, and whisk the mushroom soup, water, and Worcestershire sauce together in the skillet until smooth. Place the patties back into the skillet, spoon sauce over them to cover, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until the sauce is thickened and the flavors have blended, about 20 minutes.

Look at this idea I found......

I found this idea on a craft website,and I'm planning on using it on my Thanksgiving table this year. The best part is that these glass hurricanes are under $5 at Hobby Lobby, or Michael's.