Since I was staying home on Christmas Day with my little dogs, I decided to make a nice meal for myself.

I thought I would start off with Trader Joe’s Cinnamon roll wreath and finish off with the Trader Joe’s Cranberry Pie.

For my main meal, i was planning on having turkey & stuffing en croute from Trader Joe’s. The guy at the store told me a lot of people liked it and it was a popular item during the holidays.

So Christmas morning I woke up and after opening gifts I thought I would make the cinnamon rolls.

To my horror I discovered that I needed to PROOF the rolls over night. Damn. I resorted to the Pillsbury Pop Up cinnamon rolls in a can. Oh well.

Then I looked at the instructions on the turkey! Egads, I did not realize I needed to defrost it in the fridge for 24 hours. TWENTY FOUR hours. What the heck.

I decided to just thaw it out on the counter. The house was cold but warmer than the fridge, plus it was sealed in the bag. I figured I would not get sick.

So after several hours of defrosting, I was ready to put into the oven.

It was a bit interesting but it felt thawed.

Fortunately it came out yummy.

Turkey wrapped in stuffing with a pastry shell around it. It was quite good and actually came with cranberry sauce on the side. A very good dinner considering my failure to read.

As far as what I got myself for Christmas, well, besides the instant pot, is my letterboard saying below.

It was cold…. it rained that night…..

I wanted HOT apple cider….

I did not have any….

I went to Starbucks….

A picture of a Starbucks cup is boring….

So I added the picture of the cup on a nice table with apple floral display.

So since this post is rather boring, I thought I would add a recipe for Starbucks Copycat Apple Cider Recipe.

I snagged this from www.momsneedtoknow.com  Click on the recipe to go to her website.

I think I need to make sure of this…..  I just need apple juice.  YUM

Ok, originally I wanted to make a dinner from one of my Autumn Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, but then I go strolling thru Pinterest and you can guess what happened.

That’s right, I found another recipe.

I found this Maple Dijon Chicken with Butternut Squash and Brussel Sprouts

Yum, this recipe is from Juliasalbum.com.    Just click on the chicken below to take you there.

Now my pictures did not look that nice, but then again I am not a cooking genius or a photographer.

Here is my prepped chicken…..so many possibilities

What can be easier than throwing everything onto a baking sheet.

I have just rediscovered Brussel sprouts.   i had them at a restaurant that was done with balsamic vinegar and I met heaven in my mouth.

Mine, not so much, but I am sure there will be opportunities in the future.

Maybe a little over done on the outside but the chicken.

I forgot to set the timer.

Stupid me.

When I smelled the chicken I realized my error.  However under the crispy skin was a nicely cooked chicken.

Everything was yummy.

As I get ready to decide what Christmas cookies and candies I will make this year, I discovered I never posted my pictures from last year.

Really Karen…. really.

I took the time to take all the pictures and then just did not post them.

So here you go

Eli the wonder dog helping with the baking!

My Moms famous double batch oatmeal choc chip cookies, my brothers favorite.

My Mom’s Meringues.   One of my favorites.

My sisters Snow Ball cookies.  Some call them Mexican Wedding Cookies.

First attempt at this… not sure I would do this again.  Linzer cookies.

The classic Fantasy Fudge

My Nut Clusters, now a favorite with my Brother-in-Law.

This was new this year and it was a smashing hit!   Individual toffees.   My sister resisted making these but my Brother=in-Law loved them and she ended up making a batch just for him.  She should really listen to her sister.  HA!

My sister Elaine Pralines!

The classic Peanut Butter Blossoms!

New this year, red and green crinkles.

A last minute add.   Cookies with snickers.

Praline Fudge

To be honest, I do not remember.  Chocolate cookies with peanut chips or butterscotch chips.  Not sure.

Caramels…. both plain and some with sea salt.

Aunt Lucy’s Buttery Peanut Brittle.   No, Aunt Lucy is not a relative, just the name from a Book.  I am sure she was someones Aunt.

I put the baskets together with cute bowls I found at Wal-Mart.  They had matching coasters that I added to the goodies.

All the goodies…ready to be delivered.

Helper number 1…..Olive the Maltese in her Christmas Jammies.

2nd Helper is Penny the Poocher, the doggie Smoocher!

From the Country Cook (click on photo to go to their link)

Do any of you post your recipes as a way to keep from losing those darn little recipe cards.   My recipe box is a mess.   I have to search and search to find recipes in it.

So I have been putting them on my blog.   Not only because I lose them, but my sister does also.  She is always texting me asking me for a recipe.  Yes, I am talking about you!   Now all you have to do is go to my blog.

My Mom use to make a meatloaf that we loved.  She would use tomato rice soup instead of catsup and we loved it.

I snagged the photo from the Country Cook so please click on it to go to their site.   I am really bad at taking pictures of food when I am hungry.   Hee Hee.

Mom’s Meatloaf

1-1/2 Pound Hamburger Meat
1 Egg
3-4 Slices of dried bread chopped to crumbs
1 T Dried Onion
1 t Salt
1 t Pepper
1/2 t Marjoram
1 T Whorechestere
1/2 can tomato rice soup

Mix well, put in a casserole dish or bread pan that has been sprayed with oil (Pam or shortening)

Pour remaining soup on top, spread evenly.

Cook 1 to 1-1/2 hours at 350 degrees.

Take cleaned, fork poked potatoes and coat with shortening.  Place on rack next to meatloaf.