FedEx scare

I ordered a gift online for a friend and have been waiting for it to arrive anxiously. I received my tracking information and was notified that it would be delivered today. Since I really need this package to arrive before Christmas, I have been checking on it quite a bit.

So...things were all good to go about 9:30 this morning. My package was on the truck out for delivery and I was expecting my delivery before 3:00 today. Things were good. And THEN...at about 1:30 I check the tracking and it says it's in MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE! What the crap?!? I tell you my heart stopped!

I figured it was a mistake...well prayed that it was a mistake. I figured I'd give them an hour, maybe two before I all out panicked. After an hour of checking and trying to decided what to do...it finally showed up delivered. Phew!! Thank goodness for technical errors...but ones that don't actually cause problems.

Christmas Goodies - Part 2

Work Gifts.
I needed something for the awesome people that I work with.
This year, I decided to do something around the theme of "warmth."
Perhaps it's because I live in a basement apartment and it seems to be a constant 62 degrees right now and I'm always freezing.

Anyway here's what I did. They got a little snack baggy of pure goodness that some people like to call, "Russian Refresher." You add a couple spoonfuls of this to a mug of hot water and it's Christmas to your soul any time of the year.

To go along with the warmth topic, I also included a package of hand warmers that will keep your little mitts warm for up to 8 hours. You can put them in your gloves or pockets and make it so your little fingers don't fall off in those cold situations.

I attached a cheesy little note that said something like,
"Hope you have a WARM and wonderful Christmas!"
They'll love it! :)

Russian Refresher recipe:
2 c. Tang
1 1/3 c. Sugar
1 pk (3 oz) Lemonade Mix* (6 Tablespoons if you got the big container like I did)
1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

* Lemonade Mix should be pre-sweetened powder mix. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix well. Put in a 1-quart container. Label as Russian Refresher Mix and store in a cool, dry place. Use within 6 months. Makes about 3 1/2 Cups of mix.

RUSSIAN REFRESHER: Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of RUSSIAN REFRESHER MIX to 1 cup hot water. Stir to dissolve. Makes 1 serving.

(Recipe from "Make-A-Mix Cookery" by Karine Eliason, Nevada Harward & Madeline Westover and found here.)

My first Christmas tree

Ta Da!
I finally got around to posting about my first Christmas tree!
So...the first tree I bought did not work out. A friend of mine had an extra one
and let me borrow it. It's beautiful! It's one of the smaller ones and fits perfectly in my little apartment.

It took me awhile to take pictures of it because once I got it set up I couldn't find my ornaments. I have been saving my ornaments over the years and have a modest little collection. My sweet and creative grandmother makes us ornaments every year and I have been waiting to have my very own little tree to use them. But I can't seem to find them and I'm totally stumped. I don't have a very big place and I've got through all of my boxes and can't find them anywhere.

I managed to find 4 ornaments that were in random boxes I still have packed away. I'm sure you can imagine how sad that looked. I finally broke down and bought a box of red glass ornaments just so my tree wouldn't resemble a Charlie Brown tree. If you look closely though, it's still pretty ghetto. The store was out of the hanging hooks, so I am using paper clips.

Ahh well...it's all good. It finally looks like Christmas in my apartment and I am pleased. It's a good thing it doesn't take much to make me happy! :)

Christmas Goodies - Part 1

At work we have a treat table where we can volunteer to bring in goodies during the month of December. I love this time of year for so many reasons, but this is one of them.

I made Burnt Sugar Almonds. If you're not sure you know what I'm talking about, think of the warm, toasted nuts you usually find at hockey games. I stumbled across the recipe on the Pioneer Woman's blog. Here's step by step instructions.

I also brought in one of my family's favorites, Cream Saver Candy Bark. It's similar to peppermint bark, but we use Strawberry Cream Savers instead of the peppermint candies.

If you ask me, it's so much better. :)

It's super easy. All you need is are 2 packages of strawberry cream savers (you can also use 1 package of lemon drops) that you've crushed and a package of white chocolate bark coating.

Melt the white chocolate.
It's probably best to use a broiler, but since I don't own one, I improvised. I used a glass bowl over a pot of simmering hot water. Works just as well.

Once the white chocolate is almost melted, remove from heat and stir so the last bits of chocolate melt. Once everything is melted, throw in the crushed cream savers and stir.

You don't want the cream savers to melt, so just stir until everything's good and incorporated.

Pour the white chocolate cream saver goodness into a sheet cake pan that has been lined with wax paper. The wax paper makes for easy clean up. Spread it out evenly and then let it set up. It takes about 20 minutes. If you want things to set up even faster, refrigerate them and it cuts the time to about half.

Once it's set up, break into pieces and enjoy!

It was a huge hit at work.
I think most people would agree...the strawberry cream savers totally beat the peppermint candies.