Top Posts of 2010

As 2010 closes, I thought we could take a quick look back at the top posts of the year.

#1 Homemade Snickers Bars

#2 Stuffed Pizza Rolls

#3 White Trash Casserole

#4 Pumpkin Butter

#5 7-Up Cake

Wordless Wednesday

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

This is the EASIEST way to make a turkey breast! We had some running to do on Christmas day so I put this in the slow cooker and 6 hours later, it was ready! Tender and flavorful, this is a fuss free way to have turkey any time...

Ingredients:
1 (bone-in) turkey breast, about 6-7 lbs
4 fresh rosemary sprigs
4 garlic cloves
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:
Place turkey in slow cooker and then arrange garlic and rosemary around it. Combine brown sugar, pepper and salt and sprinkle on top. Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours or until turkey is tender.


I'm Linking To These Rockin' Parties:
Hoo's Got Talent at Night Owl Crafting
Creative Juice Thursday at Momnivore's Dilemma
Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple
Show Me What Ya' Got at Not Just A Housewife
Show Off Your Stuff at Fireflies and Jellybeans
Fantabulous Friday at Momma's Kinda Crafty
Friday Favorites at Simply Sweet Home
Simply Link Party at Simply Designing
Favorite Things Friday at The Speckled Dog
I'm Lovin' It at TidyMom

Happy Holidays!

(click for larger images)

All images by Nicole Dixon Photographic

www.nicoledixon.com

C is for Cookie

We spent some time at my sister in law's home this past Sunday for a little cookie decorating party. We had a blast! I just wanted to share some pics with you all.
I know I've been slacking on the recipes lately, but life is BUSY. I promise to get back on it soon.

And since it's just about here,

I wanted to take a second to wish you all a Happy Holiday.

Thanks for being such awesome

readers, listeners, motivators and

FRIENDS!

:Sigh:

Please agree with me that there is nothing more attractive than a good father. Look how handsome my husband is! I snapped this shot of him and Jackson while they were out, building Jack's first snowman.
I. Love. My. Family.

PS. Just so we are clear, that is NOT our mess in the background. It's the neighbors. Apartment living rules.

Butter Pecan Cupcakes with Rum Frosting

Yesterday was my dear husband's actual birthday. Even though we threw him a party this weekend, Jackson insisted that we needed to make him a special cake.

When I asked what we should make, he insisted on more cupcakes.

I decided we should make some pirate themed cupcakes with a grown up flavor. These are Butter Pecan Cupcakes with a Rum flavored Buttercream frosting. An easy dressed up box of cake mix, you can do this with just about any flavor you like.

Side note: These cupcake liners are StayBright's from Reynolds and they are AMAZING!!! The insides are foil and the outside design didn't fade a bit!

OK, ready? Here we go!

 He did a great job, didn't he? Now it's YOUR turn!

Ingredients:
Cupcake

1 box cake mix

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/3 cups water
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
4 large egg whites

Frosting
(This pipes about 36 cupcakes like I've done in the photo; not totally covered. If you like more, you'll need to double the recipe.)

3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
1 teaspoon rum flavored extract
1 to 2 Tablespoons whipping cream

Directions:
Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcakes pans with about 36 liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix, flour, sugar and salt. Add remaining ingredients and beat with hand mixer for about 2 minutes, or until well blended.
3. Fill prepared tins about 3/4 full and bake about 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Frosting
1. In mixing bowl, cream together sugar and butter on low speed. Mix until well blended. Increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

2. Add rum extract and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more.

I'm linking to these Rockin' Parties:
Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts   
Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings
Whatcha Got Wednesday at The Pumpkin Patch
Sundae Scoop at I <3 Naptime
Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design
Thrilling Thursday at Paisley Passions
Fantabulous Friday at Mama's Kinda Crafty
Fun Friday Finds at Kojo Designs
Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots and Jello
Sunday Showcase at Under The Table And Dreaming
Saturday Soiree at A Little Lovely
Sundae Scoop at I <3 Naptime
Making Monday Marvelous at C.R.A.F.T.
Mixed Bag Monday at Beckham & Bloom
Creative Juice Thursday at Momnivore's Dilemma
Motivate me Monday at Keeping It Simple
Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff
You're So Very Creative at Me Making Do
Made With Love Monday at Sew Chatty
Mad Skills Link Party and Mad In Crafts

SUCCESS!

I've been busy. Have you been busy? I've been like, REALLY REALLLLY busy. It's the holidays! This weekend I attended THREE birthday parties! The first one being a surprise party I threw for my husband. It was a total success, from the shocked look on his face, to the laughter that filled our little apartment throughout the night.

Wanna peek?

The Spread..

Golf themed cupcakes

Poor Nathan passed out before daddy showed up

Bill teaching a friend the ballet positions

You can't tell, but I am covered in green frosting...

 Jack wanted to stay up and entertain everyone

We kept it super classy

Bill (middle) posing with some of his best buds

 Nathan woke up long enough to give a heartfelt goodbye

I linked my golf cupcakes here

PS.

If you haven't already, you should become a fan of my blog on Facebook. You can use the handy-dandy link on the left side of the page =) I tend to post tidbits and links there fairly regularly. It's a quick way to share things with you all when I don't have time for a full on post.

Hope your Monday hasn't been too terrible so far!

Chicken Alfredo Rice Casserole

This is a slightly modified recipe from Better Homes And Gardens. It was quite good but needed a little extra flavor so I tossed in some garlic, onion and red pepper flakes. The baby gobbled up 3 small servings before I even got to sit down, so I think it gets a good rating from him =)

Man, can I even CALL him baby anymore? HE'S ONE NOW! Ugh. Where does the time go? (Isn't that such a mom thing to say??)

Anyway. Eat!

*Note: I really recommend doubling this recipe. As I was making it, it didn't seem like much so I doubled it. The measurements below are for a single batch*

Ingredients:

1 10-oz. container Alfredo pasta sauce
1/2 cup milk
2-1/2 cups cooked white rice or wild rice
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup chopped bottled roasted red sweet peppers
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1 Tbsp. snipped fresh basil (or 1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed)
1 small onion, minced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste.
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. butter, melted

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine pasta sauce, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and milk. Stir in rice, chicken, onion peas, sweet peppers, nuts, and basil. Transfer to baking dish.

2. Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Uncover and stir. Combine soft bread crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle atop. Bake, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes more or until heated through and crumbs are golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

I'm linking to these Rockin' Parties:
Mad Skills Monday at Mad In Crafts
Mad Skills Monday at Super Stinky Boys
Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative
Made With Love Monday at Sew Chatty
Show Me What Ya' Got at Not Just A Housewife
Hoo's Got Talent at Night Owl Crafting