Menu Monday

We had a great Christmas morning at home yesterday. Steve made Eggs Benedict - YUM! I am trying to get away from buying pre-packaged sauce mixes and seasonings but the hollandaise sauce mix from Knorr is so easy to make and tastes great. The girls don't like poached eggs so we scrambled. I suggested a few stems of asparagus in place of the ham but was quickly dismissed.

A busy week ahead and I am hoping to make do from the pantry and refrigerator to avoid a big trip to the grocery store. Here are a few ideas for meals from what I usually keep on hand:

Refried Bean Soup
Crockpot Chicken
Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Chicken Salad Wraps

 Linking up with I'm an Organizing Junkie today! Great site for more recipes!

Merry Christmas

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Christmas Sweets

Finishing up the last of the Christmas baking today with a batch of turtles. This recipe makes about 6 dozen - so it makes these easy to share.

Pecan Delights

2 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup light corn syrup
1  1/2 pounds whole pecans
1  14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips

In a large saucepan combine the sugar, butter and corn syrup. Cook until sugar is dissolved. Gradually add milk and mix well. Continue cooking until candy thermometer reads 248 degrees. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Fold in pecans. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet lined with foil and sprayed with cooking spray. Chill until firm. Melt chocolate chips and drizzle over clusters.

I have accumulated a few jars over the year so I am using a couple to pack up my sweet gifts for neighbors.

Another great option is a piece of cellophane (I bought a roll of gift basket wrap at Michael's) tied with a ribbon or bakers twine. How do you wrap your holiday treats?

A Tote, A Tuesday

Last week for the sale and free shipping on Etsy. Enter code MNsale for 30% off. The New Year will kick off with these new fabrics.

Menu Monday

Our Christmas celebrations were in full swing this weekend. Both my sisters were in town and we had a great (and easy) pasta dinner before heading to see my daughter in her Christmas Show at school!

This week the menu is mostly leftovers. I also hope to get in a bit more baking.

Veggies and Pasta
Refried Bean Soup
French Toast

I am hoping to start the New Year with some new recipes. If you have an easy, family friendly recipe to share please email me at sharon@shaggybaggy.com.

Today I am linking up with I'm An Organizing Junkie

Inspiration Thursday - Sewtropolis

I have been following Sewtropolis for quite some time online and on Etsy.

Today I got the chance to visit this charming, colorful, inspiring fabric and knit shop in Minneapolis. Annie was super helpful, we discussed fabric weights, color combos and snuggle-ability (they have the softest corduroy I have ever felt!)

If you appreciate quality fabrics, local shopping, helpful staff and no long lines at the cutting table - this is the place!

Christmas Baking

We are trying to squeeze in some baking this week. Meg thinks this looks like a gingerbread man crime scene!

I made ganache and marshmallows. I have never made these recipes before. Although I am always intimidated by the candy thermometer the marshmallows turned out great.

 As gooey and sticky as the marshmallow is, it popped right out of the pan that I dusted heavily with a mix of powdered sugar and cornstartch. Both recipes came from http://www.whipperberry.com/. I am going to dip the ganache in chocolate, because I can.

A Tote, A Tuesday

I have extended the SALE through this Friday on Etsy  Enter code MNSale for 30% off
The Shop will be closing the last week of 2011 and will re-open with some fun new designs in January.

Menu Monday

My goal for December is to try a new recipe every week. Last week I made twice baked potatoes. They were a hit. I will make them again this week with broccoli instead of meat. I am planning a double batch so I can freeze half. These would make a great after school, before practice snack.

Bake 5 potatoes (I cooked my in the microwave). Let cool for 10 minutes.

Cut in half lengthwise and gently scoop out center of potato.

I added 1 tablespoon of butter, 1 tablespoon of sour cream and enough milk to make creamy.
I then added ham, cheese and salt and pepper. Mix together and refill potato halves.

Bake at 350 degrees until heated through (20-30 minutes).

The possibilities are great - what would you add? Here are a few ideas:

cheese
bacon
broccoli
spinach

Another busy week at our house so I am planning easy, eat when you can meals.

Tacos - salsa
Chili
Turkey wraps with Broccoli slaw

Linking up with I am an organizing junkie today.

Holiday Decor

I kept it simple with the entry way wagon.

And the mantel is a fun mix of handmade from the kids and local craft finds.

Just a few mugs and my boot bank are a fun mix with the everyday in the kitchen.

That is it for decorating this year. On to baking . . . .

Tonight I am linking up with Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Inspiration Thursday

Linking up with Gussy Sews today for some Holiday Decor Inspiration. So much inspiration out there! Hope to share some photos from my home over the weekend.




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A Tote, A Tuesday

The Sale Is On. 30% off with code: MNsale. Free Shipping. New items will be added all week. When they are gone, they are gone.  Thank you for making 2011 a great year for Shaggy Baggy.

Menu Monday

I am back on track with meal planning after Thanksgiving leftovers last week. We have really been in a rut lately with meals so my plan for December is to try one new meal recipe every week. Here are a few of my favorite sites for searching new recipes:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/
http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/
http://www.foodbuzz.com/
http://www.orgjunkie.com/

We hosted a family brunch yesterday. I made a quick egg dish and this yummy french toast bake. Both can be made the night before! I was going to photograph today, but the girls ate all the leftovers last night and this morning.

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Bake French Toast

1 (12 oz.) loaf french bread
6 large eggs
2 cups half and half
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Topping:

3/4 cup  butter
1 1/3 cup brown sugar
3 T. corn syrup
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Cut bread into cubes and lay in pan. Blend eggs, half and half, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Melt topping ingredients (except for nuts) over medium heat. Stir in nuts and pour over bread. Bake covered for 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. Serve with syrup or whipped cream and berries.

Here is my new recipe for this week. This will be great for grabbing on the way to practice, or with a salad or pasta later in the week.

Pizza Loaf

1 frozen bread dough, thawed
2 cups grated cheese
1-2 cups pepperoni slices, turkey or ham

Spread dough onto a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cheese and layer with meat. Roll lenghtwise and place seam side down onto pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until bread is brown. Cool slightly and cut into slices.

I am linking up with An Organizing Junkie


I am always looking for easy, family friendly recipes. If you have one to share, please email me: sharon@shaggybaggy.com

Shop Update

A quick shop update on this snowy Minnesota night.

The SALE continues on etsy. 30% off with code MNsale - plus free shipping.

Time Flies

I cannot believe it is Friday.
I cannot believe it is December!

After a much needed week with family - I am ready to jump into the holiday craziness. We love to bake at our house and I have some fun new recipes to try this year. My plan is to bake every Sunday - the girls are always coming and going - but love to help when they can.

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