Christmas Mini-Super Saturday

  
Ever been to a Super Saturday?  If you have, you know how much fun they can be.  Our time and resources allowed us to plan and pull off a Mini Super Saturday this year.  And I think it was better than the SUPER, SUPER Saturday!

We delivered personal invites to every woman in our neighborhood.

And they were attached to a yummy chocolate dipped pretzel rod.

We decided that having this M-SS would be nice in someone's home, rather than a large cultural hall.  And it was...roaring fires with the smell of hot cider and cocoa on the stove was perfect.

To make the bag just a bit more festive I added these Pretzel Crisps (just a few) to the bottom of the invite bag.

We planned a few projects and sent around sign up sheets.  This was a favorite project. 

Another favorite was a Christmas Tamale making class.  Wow, were they good!

We also offered a display class with many, many ideas of inexpensive Christmas gift ideas and family traditions.

Fudge recipes, creative advent calendars, teacher gift ideas, holiday hand soaps and bath bombs, Christmas wish jars (complete with wishes!), cocoa cupcake bulbs and so much more. 

Cocoa Cupcake Bulbs.  Cocoa powder is funneled into clear bulb ornament, then miniature layered toppings.  Be careful to set bulb in a cupcake liner and cup so the bulb does not roll over and mess up your layers!  Package in cello, bow and candy cane.  So clever!

An elementary school teacher makes this tasty treat for each of her students as a Christmas gift.  Hamburgers and French Fries!  Lucky students!

Mini Hamburgers:
Vanilla Wafer Cookies (Mini)

Sesame Seeds to sprinkle top of buns (moisten wafer slightly)
Peppermint Patties
red and yellow frosting
Potato Stix (@Walmart)

To encourage attendance we offered this little teaser...

"For all those that come to the activity there will be a special gift.  Something that all will appreciate and some have even coveted in the past!"

The gifts were presented in this plush Santa bag.

The "gift" was a special recipe from a certain person in our ward that gave us permission to share it with those that attended.  The treat is a favorite at many of our neighborhood functions and had never before been shared.  Lucky us!

As projects and classes were winding down we started serving warms soups, appetizers and Christmas desserts.  

Watch for future posts...some of these recipes will be shared!

Like this Almond Joy Bar!  So good!

Lots of time to chat, eat, create and get excited about the upcoming holidays.  

Success!

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

I tried a new recipe!  

We had breakfast for dinner (a favorite at my house) last night and I tried this recipe from Lil Luna.  I've had many a Hash Brown Casserole over the years and this one beats all of them.  I think it's the addition of the Swiss Cheese, which I love.  Almost gave it that quiche type taste and texture.  Again, which I love!

Thanks Lil Luna for sharing your yummy recipes.  I'm thinking this would make an excellent Christmas morning breakfast.

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

An egg and potato casserole made with 3 different cheeses and is perfect for any weekend or holiday breakfast! 

Breakfast Serves: 10-12 Ingredients 

1 pound sliced bacon, diced 

4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed 

9 eggs, lightly beaten 

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 

1½ cups cottage cheese 

1¼ cups shredded Swiss cheese 

Salt & pepper Instructions 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. 

2. Cook bacon in a skillet until browned and pour into large bowl. 

3. Stir in potatoes, eggs, cheeses and salt & pepper. Pour mixture into greased baking dish. 

4. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. 

ENJOY!

Chandler Christmas Cinema

Loved this Christmas activity idea!  And from what I understand this has been a holiday tradition for several years in the Chandler home.

In lieu of Christmas gifts to friends and neighbors, Amy and her family invite (kids only!) to a Christmas Cinema held in their home.  

As a family they plan and prepare a fun filled evening complete with Christmas movies (age appropriate), popcorn and treats.  They ask kids to come in jammies and bring a blanket to cuddle.  Amy said that they have had as many as 60 children gathered in their cinema seats!

Everyone in her family takes part.  Christmas stories are read, treats are dispersed, movies watched and lots of Christmas care is given.

Parents of children are greatly appreciative of time to shop, wrap, and relax...kid free!

December is here and I can't think of a better way to kick off the spirit of giving than with the... 

Chandler Christmas Cinema.

Bon Appetite Vegetable Dip

Favorite Family Vegetable Dip

Bon Appetit Dip

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream

1 Tbsp. Bon Appetit

1 Tbsp. green onion

Mix all ingredients, refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

The Bon Appetit seasoning is no longer produced, which is sad because we loved it.  Instead you can make the seasoning by using this recipe.

If you don't want the hassle of making the seasoning you can also use this product.  Tastes fairly similar.

We use this dip recipe for not only veggies but also chips, and any other snack items.

Holiday (Meeting) Brunch

Just a quick idea for a spur of the moment holiday brunch.

I sit on the board of a non profit organization, My Story Matters.  Come to think of it "sit" is a funny word to use because we don't do much sitting!

We had an end of year meeting that included a brunch and I wanted to share what our caterer prepared for us.  

A crepe bar!  

It was delicious and simple. 

MENU

Crepes

The Best Crepe Recipe

Crepe fillings 

[raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries] 

Crepe toppings 

[caramel, chocolate and raspberry sauces, spray creme]

Cubed sweet breads

Carafed OJ

Mexican egg puffs with salsa

We organized, chatted, and ate, all while gazing out the windows at beautiful mountains with a lake view.

For this busy time of year...perfect. 

Chocolate Easter Egg Bunny Jar

I think I've mentioned before that I think Easter candy is the BEST!  I love chocolate bunnies, Peeps and jelly beans.

And I love fun ways to share them with others.

If you would like to create your own jars as Jen did 3 years ago, the directions for them are here:  Spring bunny jars

(Jen is always ahead of the times!)

If you're not quite as talented as Jen, here is a Target dollar spot find!  Actually these jars ended up being $1.50-2 jars in a package for $3.  Worth every penny to make is so easy!

Chocolate or Peanut Butter Easter Eggs.  Yum!

And by the way 1 bag of the eggs will fill almost two jars.

Wash the jars, fill with Easter eggs, screw on the lid.
My daughter found this purple crate at Target for $3.  Perfect! 

Nothing better than a chocolate Easter egg, except for maybe a real, live Easter Bunny!

Gotta love the happy spring colors.