Christmas Cooking: Rolo Pretzel Delights + Hot Cocoa Bar

Happy Christmas Eve!
I have been baking away getting ready for our family dinner tonight.  I have another fun, simple, tasty recipe to share, plus have got a few decorations done for our family dinner.

Rolo Pretzel Delight

Ingredients:
Pretzel (I used flat, lattice shape)
Rolo candies (unwrapped is best if you can find them)
Pecans

Directions:
Set oven to 250
Spread pretzels flat on cookie sheet
Unwrap Rolo candies and place on your pretzel (centered)
Stick cookie sheet in oven for about four minutes
Remove and place pecan in center of Rolo
Put cookie sheet in the freezer for 5-10 minutes and then remove

I found some cute ideas for a cocoa bar here and although I wasn't able to find a multi level stand like the one shown, I made the best with what we had.  It came out cute and the kids are going to love it. Once they are asleep, the adults could enjoy it just as much with some Bailey's, maybe some Fireball or other cinnamon, Christmas-y flavored liquors.  Yuuuummmmmyyyy

Hope you have a super Christmas! Make the moments count.

Recipe: Peanut butter Cheerio treats {5 ingredients}

It's Christmas week!  So exciting.  I am 99% done with shopping, just need to get stocking stuffers and I am ready.  We are hosting Christmas Eve dinner and I am preparing some treats for the fam.  I have a couple to share this week.  This first is so simple and so tasty.  You will love them!

Peanut Butter Cheerio Treats

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup light Karo syrup
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon vanilla
5 cups Cheerios

Directions:
In a large pan, combine sugar and Karo syrup on medium heat and bring to boil.  
Next, add vanilla and peanut butter and stir until smooth.
Pour in Cheerios and stir to coat evenly.
Let cool on wax paper.  I used an ice cream scoop for even clusters.  

Quantity:
This recipe made about 40 clusters when using ice cream scoop.  I boxed some up for my office and they loved them.  Perfect for large gatherings.

Variations:
Shape into trees or wreaths
Use different flavor Cheerios

Christmas list for the gals

1-Who wouldn't love a statement necklace? This would be great for all the ladies on your list.
2-Hunter Boots are where it's at this fall.  These are a nice change to the standard glossies.
3-Our entire family loves their tumblers.  Feeling creative? Customize yours online.
4-Bar carts are the cutest home accessory and these would be a great addition to your fashion glasses.
5-Moms would love this soft Chanel scent.
6-We picked up these mocassins for Simon's grandmother.  These are super soft and have a grippy sole so they will be just as safe for her as they are fashionable.
7-My nieces each got weekender bags, monogrammed.  The pink is so cute.
8-I have had my Clarisonic for years and it's the gift that keeps on giving.  This Mia is perfect.
9-My new fave mascara.  I love Dior mascara and this is everything!
10-We spend the summers at the lake and a great tote is a must.  This is a good choice.

What are your go to gifts this year?  My shopping is almost done!  I am ready for family time to enjoy our new goodies and relax.  Eight days to go.....

Christmas gift ideas by eporter-217 featuring how to wear boots

Weekend Rewind: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to Disney we go.  We took a little Sunday evening trip to Disney and the kids had the best time.  I took lots of pictures, so follow along....

We finally called it a night at midnight.  All but one of the kids made it thru the night.  The little five year old finally crashed a little before we left.  This was such a great way to go to Disney.  With the exception of having the kids out really late, we didn't have to wait for any rides and were able to do the entire park, including dinner and parade in 4.5 hours.  No waiting for rides.  None.  Glorious!

Plus, the weather was nice and cool and the tickets cost less ($62-$67).  They had lots of treat stations around the park with complimentary cocoa and cookies and it was just enough sugar to keep the kiddos up.  You can't enter until 5:00 or so but once the park clears out at 7:00, we really zipped around from ride to ride.  If you have a chance to hit a Disney special event similar to this, you won't regret it.  

Hope your week is off to a great start!

11 Fun Christmas Party Ideas

Less than two weeks until our family Christmas Eve dinner and planning has begun.  I have started looking online to plan the fun.  Pinterest is my go to spot.  There are so many great ideas that have been shared and I have some wonderful inspiration.  Here are some ideas, too great not to share.

I have used a couple other cheesecake dips and they have been delish.  This looks like a great one.

This project is sooooo cute.  I think the kids would love it and it'd be a great project for the guys.

I have a few parties to attend and this would be adorable for a little hostess gift, don't you think?

So pretty.  This would be a good project for my oldest niece to help with.

These two pancake platters and cute donuts would be perfect for the children on Christmas morning.

This is a great idea for my 14-year old nephew.  We have kicked him off the gift list and moved him to cash until he gets a little older.  Cash is king for teenagers.

This would be a pretty and simple arrangement to use across the house.

We are planning some kids games and this would be so fun.

The kids love to go to Starbucks and order cocoa so we are planning a cocoa bar so they can make their own.  I have seen varieties with caramel and cool whip too.

What are your favorite Christmas party ideas?

Weekend Rewind: Quick trip to Pensacola

Hey friends!  I had a quick trip to Pensacola this weekend for work.  After weather delays on my flight out Friday, I got in town with enough time to visit with some friends before checking into my hotel.  I stayed beachside at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.  I have stayed there a few times before and it is a great spot.  It's really close to dining at the beach and the hotel is super clean.  

I stayed on the ocean side and happen to have this amazing view from my balcony.  

day,

Saturday evening we watched the games and have our annual Christmas party for work.  The weather was nice and cool and we had a great turnout.  I was a little bummed when I got back home and realized I only got three pictures all night.  Booooo.  

Dress: GAP (marked waaayyyy down to less than $50) Necklace: H&M

I am on the road a couple days this week for work but am planning to be home all weekend and am looking forward to getting my Christmas lists organized and start ordering gifts.  Simon grabbed a tree for us so I will be decorating that over the next couple days too.  Hope you all have a super week!