Weekend Round-Up

Holiday Ideas Not To Miss

DIY Snowman Candy Bar

I made these candy bar snowmen last year for my nieces' and nephews' children for Christmas. It was a big hit.

Directions http://thethriftyginger.com/2013/12/13/snowmen-candy-bars/

Fun creative ideas for a New Year's Eve party. Milk Sprinkle Shots (for the younger group) 
http://stylecaster.com/new-years-eve-party-ideas/

Easy DIY Idea for New Years Decor
http://www.nobiggie.net/easy-new-years-eve-diy-deco

Low Fat Oreo Milkshake

A skinny milkshake that cuts down on the calories with same great taste.   

http://www.number-2-pencil.com/2013/04/05/oreo-milkshake/

Check out my Christmas Pinterest board for more holiday ideas 

https://www.pinterest.com/suready/christmas/

Gingerbread Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Cook's notes: Lemon and gingerbread are an inspired combination ~ the warm spices play against the sharp tang of the citrus in a wonderful way, you’re going to love these! They are moist and flavorful. Recipe adapted from Joy of Cooking and makes 16 muffins made in a standard size muffin pan.
If you are wondering if I forgot to ice two muffins, I did not. I've found (though hard for me to fathom) some do not like lemon icing.  
Muffin Ingredients:

• 2 cups  all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 ts.p salt
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp. Saigon cinnamon or 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. allspice
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup  light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup molasses, unsulphured-mild flavor
• 1 cup  buttermilk
• 1/4 cup sugar mixed with 1 tsp. cinnamon

Lemon Icing Ingredients:

• 2 cups confectioner's sugar
• fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp. grated lemon peel

Directions:

• Preheat  oven to 350 degrees. 
• Stir together the flour, baking soda, salt and spices in a small bowl and set aside.
• Cream the butter and sugar till fluffy.
• Add in the eggs one at a time, beating in between.
• Beat in the molasses.
• Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Don't over beat.
• Spoon the batter into 12 muffin cups, lightly greased or lined with muffin papers.
• Sprinkle with a little cinnamon mixed with sugar on top of each muffin before baking.
• Bake for about 18 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool for a few minutes in the pan and then turn out onto a rack.
• Cool completely and then glaze with the lemon icing.

Cooking tip: Be sure to place a sheet of wax paper under the wire rack before glazing the muffins.