Archives for December 18, 2018

* Holiday Celebration * Giveaway #2

December 18, 2018 18 Comments

Enter to win a SIGNED copy of RAINY DAY FRIENDS by Jill Shalvis and a Vera Bradley Euro Wallet in the Petal Paisley pattern!

Enter on the Rafflecopter below, and as you visit my social media accounts, earn additional entries by liking, sharing & commenting on the posts.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: GIVEAWAY!

* Holiday Celebration * Let’s go caroling!

December 18, 2018 Leave a Comment

Who else is a sucker for Christmas music? I can listen to it over and over again this time of year and never get tired of it. I like the classics, the new twists that are always being released even on the classic songs, and some artists put out those original songs that just melt your heart with all the feels, am I right? So let’s share some of our favs!

Classic wise, you have to love Bing Crosby and White Christmas.

Newer renditions … here is a really great version of Silent Night by Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood and Reba McEntire.

And my personal weakness … tearjerker holiday songs like It Won’t Seem Like Christmas by Loretta Lynn.

What are some of your favorite holiday songs? Have an album you could listen to over and over? An artist you particularly like their version of a song by? Share!

Filed Under: Just talking

* Holiday Celebration * Giveaway #1

December 18, 2018 14 Comments

Enter to win a SIGNED copy of A CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION by Karen Booth, a Karen Booth chapstick and a Vera Bradley Grab & Go Wristlet in the Bahama Bay pattern!

Enter on the Rafflecopter below, and as you visit my social media accounts, earn additional entries by liking, sharing & commenting on the posts.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: GIVEAWAY!

Christmas cookie exchange!

December 18, 2018 2 Comments

I’m sure you’ll agree my cookies are delicious! Okay, okay, I know, you can’t really help yourself to one … or a handful, but I’ll share a few of my holiday go to’s when I’m doing my baking, and invite you to do the same. Feel free to comment with a favorite recipe or two of your own!

I lost my Mom a few years ago, but I love to keep some of her holiday traditions going strong by making some of the same cookies and candies that we grew up with. Here are two of the cookies she always made at Christmas as well as her favorite peanut butter fudge and chocolate fudge.

PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS

INGREDIENTS

48 HERSHEY’S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup REESE’S Creamy Peanut Butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup additional granulated sugar for rolling

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.
2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Makes 48 cookies.

OATMEAL SCOTCHIES

INGREDIENTS

1/2 Pound(s) (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
3/4 Cup(s) granulated sugar
3/4 Cup(s) firmly packed brown sugar
2 Eggs 1 Teaspoon(s) vanilla
1-1/4 Cup(s) all-purpose flour 1 Teaspoon(s) Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon(s) salt (optional)
3 Cup(s) Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 package(s) (11 oz.) butterscotch flavored chips

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat margarine and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Add oats and butterscotch morsels; mix well. Drop dough by level tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 7 to 8 minutes for a chewy cookie or 9 to 10 minutes for a crisp cookie. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered. Makes about 4 dozen.

PEANUT BUTTER MARSHMALLOW FUDGE

INGREDIENTS

2 C. Sugar

2/3 C. Milk

1 Tesp. Vanilla

1 C. Marshmallow Fluff (canned)

1 C. Peanut Butter

DIRECTIONS

Cook the sugar and milk to the soft-ball stage (235 degrees) as for fudge.

Add the marshmallow, peanut butter and vanilla. Mix well.

Pour into a buttered pan 9″ square.

Cool and cut into about 40 pieces. Makes about 1 1/2 lbs.

FANTASY FUDGE

INGREDIENTS

3 cups Sugar

3/4 cup Margarine

2/3 cup undiluted Evaporated Milk

1 12-oz pkg Semi-sweet Chocolate Pieces

1 7-oz jar Marshmallow Creme

1 cup Chopped Nuts

1 tesp. Vanilla

DIRECTIONS

Combine sugar, margarine and milk in heavy 2 1/2 quart saucepan; bring to full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate pieces until melted. Add marshmallow creme, nuts and vanilla; beat until well blended. Pour into greased 13×9-inch pan. Cool at room temperature; cut into squares. Makes approx. 3 lbs.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH ME! — Virtual shenanigans … and GIVEAWAYS are coming!

December 18, 2018 Leave a Comment

I might be running late in getting started, but I didn’t want to let the holidays pass without doing a little celebrating here at Thoughts of a Blonde! Join me for a few days filled with fun, laughter and some great giveaways … even after Christmas is over, we’ll be ringing in the New Year well! Thanks for joining me on this journey of the joy of books day in and day out throughout the year. It feeds my soul to be able to share my love of words in a small way that I hope brings some enjoyment to others. Always feel free to jump in and chat with me … have some book suggestions? … have a yummy recipe to share? … watched a good movie last night? … share it all! 🙂

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season and here’s to a great 2019!

Hugs,
Lynn