Egg Bread Bowls {recipe}

If you're looking for a quick and easy breakfast idea for New Year's Day, (because who really feels like cooking that morning?) these egg bread bowls are perfect!  They look so lovely and literally require just a few minutes.

Ingredients:

• pack of 8 Chicago hard rolls (or any dinner rolls with a hard crust)
• 8 eggs
• heavy whipping cream
• salt
• pepper
• oregano
• grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut top off and pull out entire center of each roll.
3. Crack and pour one egg in each one.
4. Pour a small amount of heavy whipping cream on the side of each egg.
5. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, oregano and cheese.
6. Place on ungreased, rimmed cookie sheet.
7. Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until egg yolk is set, not runny at all.

a quiet resolution

this year's vasilopita's are baking in the oven and the boys are all outside enjoying the gorgeous florida winter weather, so this seemed like the perfect time to pull out my diary and scribble out my resolutions for the new year that is already knocking quietly at our doors.  i say it every year and every year i mean it; i can't believe an entire year has passed so quickly.

two thousand and eleven was full of memories, though not all good ones.  our family lost some pretty amazing people this year.  it also welcomed some pretty amazing ones though, and two thousand and twelve will bring a couple more little babes into our fold and already looks full of some pretty exciting promises.

last year, dh bought me the one line a day journal.  i wasn't sure how i'd like it because i usually write pages at a time, so the thought of condensing an entire day into one line made me a little wary but i ended up only missing two or three days and i'm now looking forward to starting a new year in it (it's a five year journal) and looking back on where i was each day of the past year.  

resolutions are sort of like the people who write them.  all different and unique. some are loud and get shouted from the rooftops, others, like mine, are quietly written down and tucked away in a drawer.  my list is usually a variation of the same promises, like this one from last year.  to love more, give more, pray more, are always at the top.  new things are added too, making the list a bit longer and hopefully wiser each year.  i never do all the things i resolve to, many of them, to do well, i know will take well over a year, but as long as i progress accordingly i am satisfied.  writing it all down just somehow makes me feel better.  lighter.  happier.

new year's is sort of like thanksgiving in the sense that many people take a moment to reflect upon their many blessings.  it's important to remember, especially after a trying year, that someone always has it worse than we do.  there are so many people who truly suffer, that i have no room to complain about anything.  no one's life is perfect, and it's up to us to dwell on the imperfections or enjoy the bliss of a perfectly im-perfect life.  i choose the latter.  

i pray you all have a happy, healthy and blessed new year!  cheers!

for more on the tradition of the vasilopita, click here.

Misty Moscato Recipe and Giveaway

A couple of weeks ago, I gave you some incredible recipes for cocktails and mocktails using Sierra Mist Natural soft drink.

This week, I'm going to give you my own original recipe for what I've dubbed the Misty Moscato.  It's light.  It's delicious.  And it's pink.  What more can you ask for?

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Sierra Mist Natural
• 2 oz. Pink Moscato
• 1 oz. lime juice
• 1 oz. cherry juice
• fresh blueberries and mint to garnish

Directions:
1. In a shaker filled with ice, mix fresh lime juice and cherry juice (from Maraschino cherry jar).
2. Add Moscato.
3. Shake all ingredients well and strain into a large glass filled with ice.
4. Top with Sierra Mist Natural.
5. Garnish with fresh blueberries and mint for a holiday twist (optional).

To help you with your next soiree, Sierra Mist is giving away a gift pack that includes:

•  one shaker
• drink garnishes and sugars
• four party glasses
• $50 American Express gift card

Stop by and enter over at Blissfully Domestic!  While you're there, check out some delicious and unique recipes from some of my favorite foodie bloggers.

From Our Family to Yours...

Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!

Wishing your family a blessed and joyous Christmas and New Year! 

Snowman Doughnuts

This is another fun and easy recipe that the kids can help with.  They're so cute, and hey, the carrot is healthy!

Ingredients:

• Bag of powdered sugar doughnuts
• Bag of mini chocolate chips
• Baby carrots, cut in half

Directions:

1. Add the chips for eyes and mouth
2. Stick carrots in the center for the nose

How's THAT for easy?

Melted {Florida} Snowmen Cookie Recipe

Last week, I made these melted snowmen, I dubbed them Florida snowmen, for Ace's school Christmas party.  They were such a hit!

There are a few things I changed from the original recipe, and I couple of things I will change next time I make them.  Because we will be making these again.  They were that much fun.

What you need:

• One recipe of sugar cookies (Can make from scratch of use a pre-made mix)
• 1 bag regular sized marshmallows
• mini chocolate chips, optional for buttons
• food coloring
• Crisco (for greasing)
• pastry bag and no. 1 or 2 tip

Icing:

• One recipe of Royal Icing
• 1 lb. powdered sugar
• 3 Tbs. meringue powder
• water

I made the sugar cookies first.  The original recipe used Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix, but I used my high school Home Ec teacher's recipe.  It's my favorite, I'll be posting it soon and will link back to this post.  {I'd make the cookies slightly larger than I did here.  They were a bit small when I went to add the arms, buttons, etc.}

When cookies are completely cool, place on parchment paper.  *Give enough room for the icing to run off without running into each other. 

Next, make a batch of Royal Icing.  I used this recipe from Wilton.  Take a tablespoon and carefully pour the icing into the center of each cookie.  Using the back of the spoon, spread the icing, letting it run off the edge in a few places to give it the 'melted' affect. 

Before the icing sets completely, rub Crisco all over a microwave-safe dish and place about 10 marshmallows on it.  Microwave just until they begin puffing up, usually about 10 seconds on high.  You DO NOT want them to double in size or get too big.

Grease your fingers well and smoosh the marshmallows a bit before placing them on the cookies. 

You can pipe buttons with colored royal icing, or do what I did and use mini chocolate chips.  I did this because it gave the boys something else to help with.

Separate your leftover icing into different bowls and color.  Be sure to have black and orange for arms and noses!  I used a #2 tip to do the details.

I made some with scarves, earmuffs, bows and hearts, and bowties.  The boys wanted to make silly faces on some of them, so we did that too.  :)  It was so much fun!

 

Place on a fun wintery dish and serve with a smile!!  Merry Christmas!

Nutella Hot Chocolate {recipe}

I.  Love.  Nutella.  If I was still in high school I would write it all over my notebook and dream of it during Physics class. 

It's the perfect treat on a cold morning and only takes about five minutes to make. 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3 tsp. Nutella
• Whip Cream
• Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Place 1/2 cup milk in a small saucepan over medium heat.  
2. Add Nutella and whisk until completely melted.
3. When begins to bubble slightly, add remaining milk and continue to whisk.
4. Heat until hot and frothy.
5. Add whip cream and sprinkle cinnamon.

Tip:  If you're interested in a non-dairy version of Nutella, Mary over at One Perfect Bite has a great recipe!  

Enjoy!!