Holidays

So Thankful For My Littlest Turkey

November 23, 2010 by Jennifer 3 Comments

God knew what he was doing when he granted me my two precious daughters. Being a mom is the most rewarding job ever and one that you will hear “Thank You” more than ever!

Recently, I was invited to L’s Thanksgiving feast at school. She was so excited to have me come and actually eat lunch in her classroom. She leaped out of bed that morning and was so ready to get to school.

I walked into the classroom with her smiling ear to ear. She was proudly showcasing her “Thank You” book and eagerly ready to read it to me.

L is a child that will tell you that she is so thankful for her family and her doggy. She wrote her doggy on her paper and her teacher said that doesn’t make sense. Of course it makes sense to L and to her dad and I. Her doggy is truly her best friend and we just grin every time she includes him in her projects.

Soon it was time to fill our bellies with the first Thanksgiving foods of the year! I was so good and ate the same portions as L because as we all know, Thanksgiving Day is very near and we will all be stuffed.

As soon as L took her last bite, she was leaping for the desserts. Mommy passed because again, I am trying to make sure I maintain my weight through the holidays. L had pumpkin pie for me and she made sure to tell me how delicious it was but said mommy you are the best chef ever 🙂

It was such a fun day and one I will have memories forever. I am so very thankful for my littlest turkey!

Raleigh NC Christmas Parade

November 22, 2010 by Jennifer 2 Comments

Parade time already? Of course, it is the most beautiful time of year and what better way to get in the Christmas mood then load up the kids with our arms full of hot chocolate and sail right into downtown Raleigh.

It was the most beautiful day to have a parade and what a joy it was to sit and watch the 2 hour parade without freezing. We laughed, we smiled, we yelled, and we sang. Truly a wonderful family time to bring in this joyous holiday season.

Enjoy!

Easy Holiday Party Foods Pillsbury Crescent Style

November 18, 2010 by Jennifer 4 Comments

You have a Holiday Party in T-Minus 10 days and you do not know what to take or where you will get all this time to create the food right? Take a deep breath and pull up a chair and lets go through a quick course in super easy Holiday Party Foods.

This past weekend Pillsbury sent me four recipes to try and host a Holiday Party. Let’s set this up. It is Saturday, I spend the day finish putting out all my Christmas decorations and then clean the house for the guests coming. I hurry and get the girls ready and we rush out the door to hurry to a birthday party that my daughter M was invited to. We get to the party destination and my daughter doesn’t see the birthday girl. I ask at the front desk and I receive “Ma’am that party is scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm.” You are kidding me right? All I can do is just laugh!

Ok, let’s hurry up and head to the grocery store to gather all the ingredients for the holiday foods. I get back home with a hour and half to bake all these foods and set the table. Did I complete the mission? These recipes were that easy to complete so time does not have to be an issue nor does money. I was able to purchase all these ingredients for the four recipes for $30.00. I did have coupons. 🙂

First up on this Holiday Recipe course is:

Crescent-Wrapped Brie and Crescent Cheddar Pinwheels

I had never had Brie and wasn’t too sure how I would enjoy the particular recipe but it was so delicious.

The recipe

Ingredients:

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations refigerated seamless dough sheet
1 round (8 oz) Brie cheese
1 egg, beaten

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F
2. If using crescent rolls, Unroll dough; separate crosswise into 2 sections. Pat dough and firmly press perforations to seal, forming 2 squares. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut crosswise into 2 rectangles. Pat dough to form 2 squares.
3. Place 1 square on ungreased cookie sheet. Place cheese on center of dough. With small cookie or canape cutter, cut 1 shape from each corner of remaining square; set cutouts aside.
4. Place remaining square on top of cheese round. Press dough evenly around cheese; fold bottom edges over top edges. Gently stretch dough evenly around cheese; press to seal completely. Brush with beaten egg. Top with cutouts; brush with additional beaten egg.
5. Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Crescent Bacon-Cheddar Pinwheels

Oh my goodness, these were so easy to make and they were definitely a huge hit and were the first all gone. So good!

Ingredients:

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations refigerated seamless dough sheet
2 tablespoons ranch dressing
1/4 cup cooked real bacon pieces or 4 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled
1/2 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz)
1/4 cup chopped green onions (4 medium)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough; separate into 2 long rectangles. Press each into 12×4-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut lengthwise into 2 long rectangles. Press each into 12×4-inch rectangle.
3. Spread dressing over each rectangle to edges. Sprinkle each with bacon, Cheddar cheese and onions.
4. Starting with one short side, roll up each rectangle; press edge to seal. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 8 slices; place cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Baked 12 to 17 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

Next up is an old-time family favorite of mine.

Mini Crescent Dogs

We have always called these Pigs-n-blanket in my family and they are such a quick and easy treat that everyone will enjoy. I even will cook these for dinner some nights.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
48 cocktail-sized smoked link sausages or hot dogs (from 16-oz package)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Unroll both cans of the dough; separate into 16 triangles. Cut each triangle lengthwise into 3 narrow triangles.
2. Place sausage on shortest side of each triangle. Roll up each, starting at shortest side of triangle and rolling to opposite point; place point side down on 2 ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown, switching position of cookie sheets halfway through baking. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

Now is time for dessert. Oh and what a dessert this was!

Crescent Layer Bars

Can you say mouth watering? They were that good and I could not stop eating these. I love all kinds of nuts and this recipe included two king. Oh so delicious!

Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet
1 cup white vanilla baking chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup cashew halves and pieces
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375°F (350°F for dark pans). Grease bottom and sides of 13×9-inch pan.
2. If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough into 2 long rectangles. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough. Place in pan; press over bottom and 1/2 inch up sides to form crust. Bake 5 minutes.
3. Remove partially baked crust from oven. Sprinkle vanilla chips, chocolate chips, almonds and cashews evenly over crust. Pour condensed milk evenly over top.
4. Return to oven; bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan. Cool 1 hour. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until chocolate is set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows.

Isn’t it amazing what you can do with a can of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls?! Who know you could be so creative. Don’t forget to my Holiday dessert recipe which I think in my opinion wins hands downs for Pillsbury Crescent Roll Desserts – My Sweet Cheese Delights!

I hope you will try all these recipes and have fun this Holiday Season! Remember to vote for my in the My Crescent Wow contest and you can have a chance to win $5,000. Wouldn’t that be an awesome Christmas presesnt? 🙂

Thank you to MyGetTogether for helping me host this wonderful Holiday Party!

Pillsbury Christmas Holiday Dessert Sweet Cheese Delights

November 10, 2010 by Jennifer 3 Comments

It’s Holiday Baking Time!

You know how much I am a big fan of Pillsbury Crescents. You can create so many different meals, appetizers and desserts with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. Its the one ingredient that you can be so versatile with during your cooking.

I am so happy to share a recipe that has been passed down from my mom’s recipes. It is a perfect and easy recipe to for the Holidays. You can literally whip it up so fast if you have a holiday work party, family party and etc. It is the Holiday Recipe that is in the My Crescent Wow contest right now.

Does it not look so delicious?

Here is the Recipe:

2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softenend
1 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Powdered sugar, if desired

1. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add egg yolk and vanilla; beat on low speed until blended.

2. Unroll 1 can of dough into 1 large rectangle; press seams and perforations to seal. Press onto bottom of ungreased 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Spreadh with cream cheese mixture.

3. In small bowl, mix pecans, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. Sprinkle half the pecan mixture over the cream cheese layer. On lightly floured surface, press or roll out remaining dough into 13×9-inch rectangle. Place over filling. Sprinkle remaining pecan mixture over top.

4. Bake at 375 degrees (F) 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly on cooling rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

I hope you will take a chance to try these out. I would appreciate your vote over at the My Crescent Wow and remember you vote could win you $5,000!

Kids Plus Paw Paw Equals Fun Times

November 2, 2010 by Jennifer 1 Comment

Grandparents are definitely a highlight in kids’ lives and my girls’ grandparents are no different. The girls are so excited each time they find out the grandparents are in town. This weekend was a fun weekend as we had Halloween Festivities to enjoy.

The girls have been counting down the days to Halloween so they could go out on the town dressed up as princesses. You know it is not everyday that they get to walk around everywhere in their Princess Attire right? We took it a step further this year and went out to eat in their ~~Halloween~~ Princess Attire.

I just had to show my parents one of the best restaurants in town and one that I cannot believe that I had not ate at before until last month. Red Robin! Where has this place been all my life? I am so in love with the grilled salmon sandwiches and their fries there. The fries are endless so you have to be careful and not take them up on that endless offer ;).

As you can see from the pictures below, my dad and the girls had a complete blast. My mom, hubby and I just sat back and took this all in. It was so good to see dad be with two of his favorite girls and laughing his heart out.

Creating fun family memories like this is priceless and ones that we are not taking for granted. Who said Halloween had to be spooky? It was all about the fun and games here 🙂

Holidays

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