Elf Yourself

Check out our holiday greetings!!! Merry Christmas, everyone!!! I just finished all my holiday shopping, and I am home free. I feel like a kid on summer break. Woohoo!!!

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Recipes

I had these yummy treats at AWANA last night. I wanted to share them with you all. Oh, my goodness, they are so good!!! I thought if everyone would like (and as you have time) it would be fun to each post a yummy recipe on our blogs. It could be something new or not.

Saltine Cracker Cookies
40 saltine crackers
2 sticks of butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
12 oz milk chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans

Line a jelly roll pay with foil. Lay crackers flat in one layer on foil. Bring butter and sugar to a boil and cook for three minutes (time this). Pour over crackers and bake at 400 for 5 minutes. Pour chocolate chips on the top and spread with a knife. Sprinkle nuts on top and press into chocolate. Bring to room temperature and cool. Keeps well in covered container in refrigerator.

cakes

I made two cakes for a friend last night. It was so wonderfully fun. It took a long time, but they came out so cute. A tinge of guilt hit me as I was making them because I realized that for the past few birthdays I have purchased store bought cakes. At the time I remember what a relief I felt to go pick up that cake and pay the $20. And then I would think, "I could have done that for $3. AND it would have looked way better (okay, at least in my opinion)." I mean I don't have the fancy air brush that sprays beautiful color, but honestly the last one we got was far from beautiful anyway.

After my little daydreaming I realized the reason I had time to do this for my friend was because I wasn't planning a party or getting a house cleaned up. I was able to absorb all of my attention into my favorite part of a party-making a cake! I forgot to take pictures, but if can get some I will post them.

Woodall Pumpkin Cookies

* Double the recipe to use one can of pumpkin
1 c. sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 c. white flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

2/3 c. oil
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. walnuts
1/2 c. chopped dates (Wal-mart, in a small orange box)
Grease baking sheet 350 degrees 10-12 minutes

Icing:
3 TB butter
1/4 c. milk
1/2 c. white sugar
Boil above three ingredients for 3 minutes. Cool and add:
1 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
*If you double the recipe there is no need to the double icing. It is very sweet, so only use a little! I just drizzle a little over the tops.