Who doesn’t love a nice soft, moist cupcake from the little bakery shops? These cupcakes are so light and moist, and yet so full of flavor. So why buy just one cupcake when you can make a whole batch. Now is the perfect time, these of course are amazing cupcakes year round, but something about them just seems to fit the holiday season.

Brown Sugar-Pecan Cupcakes

Ingredients:

3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
3 large eggs, separated
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2

Sometimes if I’m not careful, I let myself get so caught up in all the Christmas “doing” that I can forget to just relax, take a few deep breaths, enjoy of cup of cider, and appreciate the meaning of the season and the blessings around me.  I finally have all the presents bought, the packages mailed and the cards sent.  For me, now it’s time to stop worrying about what else I could do and just enjoy my family and friends {and of course a good book}.

This cider is a great way to slow down and relax.  When you

How is it that weather predictions can be so off?  My kids were expecting to wake up to practically a blizzard and no school.  To be honest we all were thinking that could be the case this morning, but thankfully I just sent my kids out the door to go to school.  {Snow and I don’t really get along all that well.}  But let me tell you, my predictions are a little better than the local weatherman.  You are going to love this White Chocolate-Peppermint Mousse Pie.  It is light and creamy, with just the right amount of peppermint flavor;

It’s one week until Christmas!  Are you still wondering what to do for friends and neighbors??  Bundt cakes are always a welcome surprise and easy to make- just what you need!  We especially love to give bundt cakes when we use these half-size bundt pans (2 cakes-1 mix).  You can also make small individual cakes if you have the pan.   We recommend this Dark Chocolate Cherry Chunk Bundt Cake or Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake–  give it a holiday splash by substituting a chocolate cake mix and adding crushed peppermints on top. . . . yum! Read More

Winner, Winner Chicken  Steak Dinner!!

The winner of our $50 Outback Steakhouse Giveaway is :

#60 Natalie V.  (contacted by email) –  Congratulations!

Breakfast is one of my favorites; especially during the holidays I love to enjoy family, friends, and good food in the morning. {This french toast is so good we like to add bacon and have it for dinner on those busy days when we don’t have that luxury.}  The  recipe comes from breakfast dishes at  the Sundance Ski Resort in Utah- it is reported to be one of Robert Redford’s favorites . . .  I have