Friday Greetings, friends.
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!
What. What. What?
Only 5 days until Christmas.
Crazy true!
Big time Christmas Day countdown is ON.
Trust your week has been full of joy and laughter and getting all the last “little things” race ready for the most magical time/day of the year.
Received a video of holiday joy of my 2 grandchildren at their school Christmas pageant via my son, Hunter, today.
“Jingle Bells” rang out loud and clear from all the kids’ jubilant voices.
And then quiet, soft voices of “Silent Night.”
However —to my surprise, “This Old Man” as in “Knick Knack! Paddywack! give a dog a bone” was in the line-up of songs at the performance.
Darling, of course, but I’m still scratching my head about the choice of that particular song being part of the Christmas pageant.
I laughed out loud!
(( Maybe it’s as simple as the music teacher’s favorite childhood song — holiday times or otherwise. ha ))
Presenting 5 for Friday this December 20, 2024
BEGINNING WITH:
STACY’S WORLD
Once again, Stacy gifts us with her spot-on tips — her vibrancy and expertise for fashion, food, DIY projects inspires me.
Always a nugget or more to light that little bulb in my head — sparking creativity.
Thanks, Stac!
QUICK QUESTION
Have I ever witnessed something miraculous?
Yes, I have, multiple times.
More times than I can count on one hand.
I feel blessed.
I don’t feel like they’re over yet.
Never know when another peek-a-boo moment (as my mom refers them to as) will pop out of nowhere and do their miraculous thing.
How about you?
HELP OTHERS WIN
I know not if the story is true — but I’d like to believe so.
‘Tis the time of year for believing!
HOLIDAY FRENCH TOAST
Breakfast or Breakfast for dinner.
This french toast recipe is a Wowie-Kazowie.
Seriously, bread soaked in eggnog and cinnamon and nutmeg?
‘nough said!
GIANT THANKS (!)
For being part of the Daymaker Readable Art Community.
Reading + Sharing + Caring.
Beautiful gifts to us — one and all.
Ready?
Set.
Here we go!
STACY’S WORLD
It’s Beginning to Feel
A Lot Like Christmas!
Ho Ho Ho – Here we go!
Well, it’s on — Christmas in 5 days!
A lot of us have out of town guests for a few days during the holidays or anytime of the year.
Cooking for extra people can be a challenge.
Big question … do I cook or order pizza from a delivery?
I came across this simple and delicious recipe that can basically be prepared in advance.
SEE PIC #1
Pretty self explanatory…
Simply bake however mini meatloaves you need and then refrigerate.
( Cooked red meat can be refrigerated for 5 days. )
Everyone has their own way of making meatloaf.
I mix together my ground meat with:
- 1 cup Picante Sauce
- 2 eggs
- salt and pepper
- onion powder
- 1 CAP full of Liquid Smoke
A lot of people use crunched up crackers or small pieces of bread to make their meatloaf stick together — which is what I used to do until Cheryl gave me this great tip. She said to use a handful of oatmeal instead and … Wow! what a difference.
The oatmeal looks and tastes just like the ground meat and you don’t get that weird mushy piece of bread or crackers in your meatloaf.
Thanks, Cher, for the great tip!
After your mini meatloaves are baked — make a big batch of mashed potatoes.
Put the mashed potatoes on the bottom of your baking dish or throw-away aluminum baking dish.
(I would use the throw-away pan/baking dish for easy clean-up.)
Top mashed potatoes with your mini meat loaves and cover them with grated cheese.
Then bake them for about 25 minutes at 350* until heated.
(I discovered this little trick for mashed potatoes by mistake and now I make them this way every time)
I was making traditional mashed potatoes when I realized I did not make enough for the guests I was entertaining.
I panicked a little because it would take me too long to boil more potatoes to make more.
I decided to make a quick batch of Instant 4 Cheese Mashed Potatoes that I had on hand and just mix them in with my other batch.
WOW! They were sooo good!
The instant mashed potatoes gave a nice, creamy texture and a great cheese flavor to the homemade batch.
I ALSO LIKE TO HAVE BOWLS OF SNACK MIX
Of some kind for my guests to munch on while they wait for the main meal.
I found this fun little recipe on-line.
I have not personally tried it yet — but chickpeas are on my grocery list.
SEE PIC #2
All you do is rinse your canned chickpeas, let them set on a towel for 1 hour to dry.
Then put them in the air fryer for 18 minutes.
Immediately shake and continue for 4 minutes.
Immediately spritz with olive oil and favorite seasonings.
(I recommend chili lime seasoning and salt)
Healthy, low calorie, crunchy snack! Yum!
I can’t wait to try this … it might be my new popcorn.
PICS 3 & 4
Looks like Santa threw up in these rooms. HAHA
Christmas in the 80s.
Love it!
MEME FOR THE DAY:
I don’t want to end the year on bad terms with anyone.
Apologize to me.
WISHING YOU ALL A FABULOUS CHRISTMAS!
SEE YA IN 2025!
~ STACY’S WORLD ~
is exclusive to Daymaker Readable Art
Send questions or comments to Stacy
via comments in today’s post!
QUICK QUESTION
HAVE YOU EVER WITNESSED
SOMETHING MIRACULOUS?
HELP OTHERS WIN
And the story goes —
A few years ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100 yard dash.
At the go-gun-pop sound, the runners all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.
All, that is, except one boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy.
They slowed down and looked back.
They all turned around and went back.
Every one of them.
One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.”
All nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together.
Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes.
People are still telling the story.
Why?
Because deep down we know one thing — what matters most in this life is more than winning for ourselves.
What truly matters in this life is helping others win.
Even if it means slowing down and changing our course.
~author unknown
from my treasured collection of emails
this one circa 2011
HOLIDAY FRENCH TOAST
This is one of those gotta-try-it recipes – especially if you’re a breakfast fan!
HERE’S HOW WE MAKE IT
INGREDIENTS:
- 8 eggs, slightly beaten
- 3 1/2 cups eggnog
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 8 – 12 thick sliced artisan bread
(hand cut or ask the bakery to do it for you with their slick slicing machine)
PREHEAT OVEN TO 350*
- Beat eggs, eggnog, nutmeg and cinnamon in a casserole dish or large shallow pan with a fork until well blended.
- Dunk slices of bread mixture (one by one) and let bread set for a few moments for bread slices to absorb the egg mixture.
MEANWHILE
Melt a chunk of butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
When hot, add soaked bread slices to skillet and fry until golden brown, turning once (about 3 minutes per side).
Add more butter, as needed, as you cook all the french toast slices in skillet.
TRANSFER SLICES FROM SKILLET
- To a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Place fried bread in hot oven.
- Bake about 10-15 minutes until slices are hot and firm in the middle.
SERVE
With maple syrup or dusted with powdered sugar and fresh orange slices.
French toast made with eggnog…sounds wonderful!
Enjoyed every word of Daymaker. Thank you!
Oh Yes, I have had miracles in my life. So what’s the definition of a MIRACLE? God doing something in your life that you could not have done on your own.
Here’s my story: I had taken my daughter to the ER where her body pain level became so high that she had a heart attack in the emergency room.
The room filled with doctors and staff immediately. After several hours of saving her life equipment, she was placed in an ambulance and moved to another hospital for surgery.
I witnessed enough that I was aware that I could lose my daughter.
Here comes the miracle:
I walked out of the hospital and sat in my car to catch my breath.
Within moments, I became aware of this soothing music playing IN my car.
It was orchestra with a bit of piano, and nothing like I’d had ever heard.
The music brought me absolute PEACE! (No it wasn’t my radio, cell phone or parking lot cars.) The heavenly music continued as I drove the several miles home. The moment I pulled into the garage the music stopped.
There I met friend, Luci, who drove me the remaining 25 miles to the next hospital.
Yes it was a miracle. It’s very humbling.
I too enjoyed every word. Stacy wowed as always. Super recipes. Sweet stories. Great art.
Thanks Daymaker! ❤️