New Year's Eve

Are you with me? LOL! Made me laugh... Happy New Year's Eve everyone! 

PS: still looking for one more appetizer idea for tonight? Here's a quick little dip/spread you might like to make and take:

I made this Pesto and Sun Dried Tomato spread for Christmas last week especially because of the green and red stripes, but it's great for anytime! And really easy - mix together 8 oz. softened cream cheese and 4 oz. goat cheese until creamy. Layer with store-bought pesto and sun dried tomato spread (I found it right next to the pesto at the grocery store), refrigerate until firm. Usually I make this in a small bowl and once it's chilled invert the dip onto a platter but this time Dave took it to one of his ukulele things so I made it in a clear bowl so you can see the layers but was easier for him to transport on his Vespa. Serve with crackers.

Note: when layering the cream cheese mixture on either of the pesto/tomato layers, the spreads tend to squish out. I find it helps to pop it in the freezer for a few minutes to firm the cream cheese enough to make spreading easier. Also, if you want to un-mold it - spray a bowl with non-stick spray and line the bowl with plastic wrap before adding the layers; it makes it easier to get out in one piece when you flip the bowl over onto a serving plate.

Of course I didn't get a picture of this before sending it with Dave! He brought half of it home tho so at least I got an inside look at the dip - kinda messy I know, but it gives you an idea of what it looks like (and obviously it's nicer looking before people start scooping it out! hahah).


12.31.18: antipasto wreath and wrapped pears
12.31.17: January no-sugar challenge
12.31.16: new years eve "write a good one"
12.31.15: opening champagne

Crostini Appetizers

Have you ever made crostini? It's so easy and everyone always loves it - it's basically toasted bread with toppings...what's not to like? If you need an appetizer for New Year's Eve I highly recommend a platter of these gorgeous crostini :)

Deciding which toppings I want is the only hard part - so many options! These come together quickly once you have the ingredients. For the base, slice baguettes (sourdough, Italian, multigrain, dark pumpernickel - so many choices) about 1/4" thick, brush with olive oil, bake 5 minutes, turn over and bake another few minutes until toasted. Then top with whatever you've decided on.

The most common crostini I make is to chop tomatoes and smoked mozzarella into small (I'd say about 1/2") pieces and toss with a little olive oil, balsamic, and coarse salt before layering on top of the toasted bread slices - the oil and vinegar soaks into the bread and is SO good! It's a little messy but worth it, just be careful to not be holding this over your nice shirt when eating it hahah.

Here's a couple more examples for different toppings that I've made, but really just use your imagination - it's hard to go wrong...

layer sliced mozzarella and halved cherry tomatoes on sliced, toasted, sourdough baguette; drizzle with balsamic glaze, sprinkle with Italian seasoning:

spread soft boursin cheese on sliced, toasted, multigrain baguette; top with thinly sliced roast beef and a baby arugula leaf:

spread creamy goat cheese on sliced, toasted, pumpernickel bread; top with prosciutto and a blackberry:

12.30.18: 🔥week 52
12.30.17: elf place cards
12.30.16: pimento cheese spread aka: yummy cheese!
12.30.15: breakfast pie

Around the Campfire 🔥 (week 52)

Dear Campers ~

Last recap of the year! Check out if you missed anything this week at MMDC:

Posts ~
12/22: 🔥 week 51
12/23: santa cheese plate
12/24: appetizer wreath
12/25: Merry Christmas
12/26: naughty gingerbread
12/27: baked brie
12/28: wrapping video

What's cooking ~ If you get anywhere near the amount of emails I get, I'm sure you've had your fill of menu ideas this week and don't need more from me!

Miscellaneous things keeping me busy ~ hello, it's holiday week and life is keeping me busy (this week this is a dumb category on my recap post LOL)

• I read "With The Fire on High" by Elizabeth Acevedo and loved it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - it's young adult fiction about a teenage single mom in Philly (and she cooks which made it even better hahaha). Fast read, thoroughly enjoyed the characters and story. 

Can you see his sad little face trying to tell me how hungry he is?  He
kept mumbling "arrr.....arrrr...." in a pitiful little voice LOL

That's it for this week, gotta go start taking down the few Christmas things I have up - time to move on! See you next week for some more crafts, recipes, whatever else I think to make! Bye!

Sincerely ~

Jill

frazzled camp counselor

12.29.18: Natalie's frosted snickerdoodles

12.29.17: christmas bark
12.29.16: gold fish
12.29.15: christmas card crafts

Wrapped Ornament Centerpiece (and a ribbon tip!)

I made a cute table decoration by simply wrapping a ribbon around a square glass vase filled with Christmas ornaments - but the normal way I tie a ribbon made a knot on the underside so the vase was tippy. Then I figured out this helpful handy little wrapping tip that makes the twisted knot on the top instead of the bottom. Watch this video to see what I'm talking about - way easier to just show you instead of trying to describe it! 2021 update: I have no idea why the video won't play now, here's the link to watch it on youtube https://youtu.be/uiqi5lrjYcw

12.28.18: Christmas card pillow box
12.28.17: how to steam crab legs
12.28.15: storing Christmas lights

Baked Brie

Jen's m-i-l Jan made this baked brie awhile ago, I took a picture but didn't ask how she made it; I asked Jen to ask Jan but instead she asked Natalie who also makes a great baked brie. She follows a Paula Dean recipe and changes it up a bit - it appears to be just what Jan's brie is like so I'm going with Nat's recipe and Jan's picture! Here's the original recipe, if you want to make changes see the notes below:

BRIE EN CROUTE

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
• 1 T. unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/8 t. ground cinnamon
• 1 (8-ounce) wheel Brie
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• crackers, for serving

1. Preheat oven to 375'. 

2. Defrost puff pastry for approximately 15 to 20 minutes and unfold.

3. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Saute the walnuts in the butter until golden brown, approx. 5 minutes. Add the cinnamon and stir until walnuts are coated well. Place the walnut mixture on top of the Brie and sprinkle the brown sugar over the mixture. NOTE: or skip the nuts, cinnamon, and brown sugar and substitute jam - see Natalie's note below.

4. Lay the puff pastry out on a flat surface. Place the brie in the center of the pastry. Gather up the edges of the pastry, pressing around the brie and gather at the top. Gently squeeze together the excess dough and tie together with a piece of kitchen twine. Brush the beaten egg over top and sides of Brie.

5. Place Brie on a cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes until pastry is golden brown.

Natalie's note: I use this as the base...but I’ve used apricot or cherry preserves instead of the sugar...or honey instead of the sugar. Can also do canned cranberry sauce!

Jill's note:  I haven't made it but am thinking it'll be perfect for a New Year's Eve appetizer - won't do nuts since D is allergic, and using leftover whole-berry cranberry sauce instead of sugar or jam. I asked if she cuts the top rind off of the Brie before adding the topping, she said 'sometimes, not so much these days'. So I'm saving a step and leaving it intact. One more thing - Jan didn't gather the dough on top of the brie, she wrapped it underneath. 

recipe found here

12.27.18: sweet and tangy crockpot meatballs
12.27.17: chocolate caramel tart
12.27.16: peppermint sugar scrub
12.27.15: butter and bread pudding with salted caramel whiskey sauce

Naughty Gingerbread Man...

I don't have anything crafty to post today - as usual I'm busy cleaning up after Christmas and need a day off from making more of a mess; Oh wait - I'll share a picture my sissy sent in case anyone
(a) still needs to make some holiday cookies and is looking for very...uh... 'creative' ideas hahah,
(b) needs a laugh and hopefully isn't offended easily, and
(c) there is no c - it's either making raunchy gingerbread men or giggling.

See you tomorrow (if you're still speaking to me that is 😂)!

12.26.18: boxing day '18
12.26.17: Billy's chex mix
12.26.16: melting snowman cookies
12.26.15: crunchy fruity granola

12.25.19

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a peaceful, joyous, love-filled day! 

Leaving you with a couple quick things today and I'm off to have my own peaceful, joyous, love filled (and food filled!) day - more camp activities tomorrow :)

1. one of my favorite songs:

                         

2. one of my favorite Christmas shows:

3. and one from Sarge:

Appetizer Wreath

This is a repost but deserves another look - I was lame and didn't post this last year until 12/31...yep, a little last minute to be very useful for sure but I was excited about it and didn't want to hold it til this year! So here ya go - give this appetizer wreath a place on your Christmas or New Year's table (and ps: you don't have to put the same things on your wreath platter, customize!):

Super last minute appetizer idea if you need something for tonight or tomorrow and are scouring for something you can whip out quickly - if I'm too late with this suggestion for this year (what? you mean I'm the only procrastinator in the bunch?!) then remember it for next time because this turned out really cute, is very easy to make, and you can change it with whatever ingredients you want to use.

I saw the idea for this wreath here, made a couple changes of course, and love the outcome. This is a keeper for sure - so pretty!

On a round platter or plate make a wreath from rosemary branches (I added thyme branches too - I was thinking parsley, cilantro, kale, and/or lettuces would also work but might get a little wilty depending on how fast this gets eaten. Fill in with meats, cheeses, fruits of your choice - I did a stack of sliced salami, cheddar cubes, marinated feta cheese (blot/dry as much as you can), grapes, prosciutto wrapped around pears and boursin cheese (see how-to below), and olives. Leave a circle free in the center of the platter, add more rosemary to make a smaller wreath shape and fill with crackers or toasted baguette.

To make the rolled pears you'll need ripe pears, boursin cheese (I used pepper flavored), prosciutto, and arugula leaves (optional).

Separate the prosciutto into slices, then cut each slice into 3 long narrow strips. I leave the slices on the backing that separates the slices in the package, then remove the backing (obviously).

Cut the pear in quarters, remove the stem and seeds, then cut each quarter into thirds - one pear yields 12 slices. Lay the prosciutto on a cutting board, top with a pear slice, an arugula leaf if you're using, and about a teaspoon of boursin (it's a creamy soft cheese, comes in a little square box). Roll the prosciutto around the pear.

To make the toasted baguette - thinly slice a small baguette and lay on a baking sheet. Melt about 1/4 cup of butter and drizzle over the baguette slices. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake in a 350' oven about 5 minutes, turn the slices over and bake another 5 minutes. Turn again and keep baking until the slices are crispy but not super crunchy like croutons (unless you want crouton crunchy slices, who am I to tell you how crunchy they should be?!). I dare you to not eat any of these warm out of the oven ;)


12.24.18: animal figurine small gift holder

12.24.17: turkey breast and stuffing

12.24.16: Christmas eve thoughts

12.24.15: pop up gift wrap

Santa Cheese Plate

Technically this should be called a Santa meat and cheese plate but that sounds weird, so I'm just calling it a cheese plate hahaha. My sis sent me this idea - no directions but I just followed the photo: first I put down a layer of yellow cheddar slices, then topped with sliced munster for the beard, salami for the hat, cheeks, and nose, provolone for the hat trim and facial hair, olive slices for eyes. Isn't it cute?

Jen also made one, she used something else for the nose but she isn't answering my text asking what it is hahahaha. If she tells me I'll add it later.

Don't know where she found the idea so I don't know who to give credit.


12.23.18: 🔥week 51

12.23.17: candy cane danish

12.23.16: caramel corn

12.23.15: Christmas table decorating ideas

Around the Campfire 🔥 (week 51)

Dear Campers ~

Week 51!! Here's a recap of what happened at MMDC this week in case you missed anything:

Posts ~
12/15: 🔥week 50
12/16: felt poinsettia napkin holder
12/17: tip-sy Tuesday: make powdered sugar
12/18: DIY gift bows
12/19: fruit kabobs
12/20: caprese bites
12/21: Santa baby gift holder

What's Cooking ~

• marinated chicken, roasted carrots, roasted garbanzo beans, caesar salad
• spice rubbed pork tenderloin, roasted green beans, gnocchi with butter and parmesan
• buffalo burger salad (shredded lettuce, black beans, corn, tomato, avocado, cheese, tortilla strips)
• grilled chicken tenders, mushroom ravioli with frozen peas, tomatoes, parmesan
• chicken sausage, baked white beans with tomato sauce, steamed green beans

Miscellaneous ~

• I only read one book this week, "Whisper Network" by Chandler Baker (another Reese Witherspoon book club pick); it's a light suspense mixed with harassed women (and what they put up with at work) and a spreadsheet of men that have done the harassing. I was worried it was going to be a little too 'political' or 'preachy' or something like that because it's such a hot topic nowadays (#metoo movement, etc) and there's enough of that going on in real life that I don't really need to read about fictional harassment -  but I really liked it. She jumps around a lot, which was a little confusing, and it was a little longer than it needed to be - but overall a good read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• had what I'm now calling "road lag" (instead of 'jet lag') this week - I was beyond exhausted and didn't do much of anything. Finally after enough downtime and sleep I'm back to my normal just mildly tired self LOL. Now I will finish the unpacking and settling in after our 6 day road trip. 
• Wrapped presents for 2 days at Paul's Photo - so much fun wrapping for other people since all my gifts were wrapped before the road trip. And I don't have to put it all away which makes it a win-win for me!

Our neighbor put up these new squirrel feeders and let me tell you, Sarge is in heaven. He makes us walk by this every morning, he sits down and just watches them! If a bird lands on the feeder instead of a squirrel he barks to scare them away 😂

Have a great Christmas week - I still have a couple more things to show you in time for the holidays so check back often to see what's happening at camp this coming week.

Sincerely ~

Jill

camp counselor and wrapping elf


12.22.18: wine cork reindeer ornament

12.22.17: coconut thumbprint cookies

12.22.16: santa ball ornament

12.22.15: hot chocolate spoons

Santa Baby Gift Enclosure

Janis sent me these photos in 2017, and like I have been saying SO often lately - I forgot about it! How cute is this little Santa baby gift holder? Check out the funny little butt flap, that's where you'll insert the gift - candy, small trinket things, whatever (what you can fit depends on how big you make the onsie).

To make these cutie gift holders you'll need red felt, 6 small white buttons, scissors, and a sewing machine or needle and thread. 

Cut out 2 'onesie' shaped pieces of felt. Sew buttons on what will be the front of the onesie. On the other piece cut a hole in the backside; then cut a piece of felt that will cover the hole, sew it in place just across the top of the flap, and sew a button on each side. Then simply sew the two pieces together, all the way around - the only opening between the 2 pieces of felt is underneath the flap in the back. Look at the photos, they are pretty self-explanatory!

*everyone knows what a onesie is, right? The all in one thing babies wear, slip their arms and legs into it then snap or button up the front. Onesie = all in one outfit.

Oh, and I'm thinking if you don't want to sew these I'd try glueing...don't see why it wouldn't work? Or maybe even try it out of red paper?


12.21.18: chocolate fudge wreath
12.21.17: Nat's Christmas sugar cookies
12.21.16: focaccia bread tiles
12.21.15: framed wifi password

Caprese Bites

Following up yesterday's Grinch fruit kabobs are these pretty, delicious, and easy caprese bites. Oh man are these good and everyone loves them. To make more 'Christmas-y' just use all red tomatoes in addition to the green frilly toothpicks - for any other time of the year use whatever color cherry tomatoes and toothpicks you want!

Thread cherry tomatoes, small basil leaves, and tiny mozzarella balls onto toothpicks, line up on a platter and drizzle with balsamic glaze. My mouth is watering - we love these so much!

If you can't find tiny mozzarella balls just get the bigger ones and cut in half, or cut pieces from a large mozzarella ball.

12.20.18: cheeseball wreath

12.20.17: chocolate peppermint crinkle cookies 

12.20.16: tiger fudge (although I think it should be called Buckeye Bars!)

12.20.15: corn bread with jalapeños and cheese mini muffins

Grinch Fruit Kabobs

Grinch fruit kabobs - how cute is this idea? My sis sent me a picture, I don't know where she found it but it's adorable and easy... and I'm totally copying :)

So simple - thread a mini marshmallow, strawberry, banana slice, and a green grape onto a toothpick; line up on a platter or heap in a bowl - perfect for a Christmas party, in a lunchbox, for a fun breakfast treat, or just make because they are so stinkin' cute and everyone's gonna love them! I'm going to make a bunch for Dave to take to a ukulele party on Saturday night, they have a big chili cook-off and I usually send cornbread or cookies - but these will be easy for him to transport in his Vespa (always number 1 requirement for what I can make him), will hold well, and add something fresh and different to the potluck.

I made some with and without the mini marshmallow on top, it's cuter with - but I think if I 

had those frilly curly topped toothpicks it would look good even without the marshmallow. 

12.19.18: curled paper wreath 

12.19.17: making a holiday newsletter and printing labels

12.19.16: snowman shadowbox

12.19.15: melting snowman cocktail

DIY: make your own gift bows

This is a repeat post, but it's been a long time since it originally posted so I thought I'd give you a refresher and reminder since everyone is most likely in wrapping frenzy right about now! You can easily make bows out of strips of magazines (or newspaper, flyers, catalogs, wrapping paper) - reuse, recycle, repurpose! Plus they are cute, easy, quick, and cheap - and you can match them to your gift :)

From 11/15:

Discovered a new favorite thing to do for decorating a present - making bows out of magazine pages...love!  Once I got the hang of it they are super easy and quick to make.

I know this idea has been around a long time, but it's new to me... my mom always wrapped our presents in newspaper and comics, I'm wondering why she never made these bows - it would have been perfect (and inexpensive!) and she could have got us to make them for her haha. I'm bummed to find out I was deprived of this awesome project as a child :)

Start by cutting a magazine page into 3/4" strips, you'll need 9 total. Leave 3 of them the full size (mine are 10 1/2" long), cut 3 of them to 9 1/2" long, 2 of them 8 1/2" long, and one 3 1/2" long.

You should have:

3 - 10 1/2" x 3/4"

3 -   9 1/2" x 3/4"

2 -   8 1/2" x 3/4"

1 -   3 1/2" x 3/4"

Twist each strip (except the 3 1/2" shortest one) so it has a loop on each end. This step is what took me a minute to figure out - it's almost like making a figure 8. Play with it looking at my picture and you'll get the hang of it. Staple it in the center.

Shape the shortest strip into a circle and hold with a glue dot or double sided tape. This is what you'll have when they are all formed into the loops and circle:

Stack the largest 3 on top of each other like flower petals and staple to hold. Repeat with the next 3, and the remaining 2. This gives you 3 bundles. I used glue dots to then stick the 3 layers together but you could also staple or use double sided tape. Add the circle to the center of the "petals". There you go - magazine bow!

12.18.18: melting snowman chocolate bark

12.18.17: stabilized whipped cream
12.18.16: cocoa snowballs
12.18.15: gift paper wrapping bag