Countdown to 2013-Most Viewed Recipes

Today is the day in Countdown to 2013 hosted by Finding Joy in My Kitchen to post our most viewed recipes.

 Cheesy Garlic Crescents

Far and away the most viewed recipe on the blog in 2012.  Easy, quick and versatile.  Perhaps that is why.

 Lemon Sour Cream Cookies

The number 2 most viewed.  This is a great cookie for the lemon lover.

 Greek Roast Beef

This came in at number 3.  I was a little surprised since I can not get meat to photograph well.  This recipe, however, makes a nicely seasoned roast.

Topsy-Turvey Apple Cake

This dessert is very near the top of hubby's most favorite recipes for 2012.  I love to cook with apples.

Glazed Cinnamon Toffee Bars made with Holiday Cookie Mix

This was the first post for 12 Weeks of Christmas Sweets  All of the recipes I posted were based on this cookie mix.

This completes my countdown posts for 2012.  Here are links to the other countdown posts in case you want to check them out.

Day 1-Breakfasts

Day 2-Soups/Breads

Day 3-Main Dishes

Day 4-Snacks/Appetizers

Day 5-Desserts

Thanks so much to all my followers and others who have visited my blog this year.  I so appreciate all of you.  Have a happy and safe New Years Eve.  I will see you in 2013.

I am linking to Countdown to 2013.

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Countdown to 2013-Desserts

Yesterday we celebrated our family Christmas.  Due to family logistics, we almost always have to pick another day besides the 25th to celebrate with our kids and grandkids.  I did not get back to finishing this post on desserts.  Since the linky is still open over at Finding Joy in My Kitchen, I have decided to go ahead and finish it.

It is no secret that desserts are my passion, so here are a few I posted this years that I especially liked.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

These are my absolute favorite peanut butter bar cookie, and the recipe was the first recipe I posted in 2012.  I had lost the recipe book that these were in for several years (Oh yeah, I can manage to do that.).  I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was when I found the book so I could make them again.

Rhubarb Dream Bars

I make these often when rhubarb is in season.  They almost make me want to grow my own rhubarb.  This is a unique recipe that people really seem to like.  They can be cut into larger squares and served as a dessert.  I had to use green rhubarb to make these.  They are much prettier when made with red rhubarb.

 

Chocolate Strawberry Ice Cream Torte Sundae

This is the dessert I created this year using my favorite no-machine ice cream recipe that takes sweetened condensed milk and whipping cream.  I try to make one new no-machine ice cream dessert each year.

Applezini Dream Bars

This is a recipe I created for Improv Cooking Challenge which was very well received by friends and family.  It is a bit of a different way to use up zucchini.

 Praline Oatmeal Shortbread Squares

Of course, with me being Cookie Monster's grandmother, you knew there would be lots of cookie recipes on the blog this year.  This is more candy, than cookie, I think, but oh so good.

Apple/Pear Streusel Pie

I don't make many pies, but this one was a winner.  It is so nice to be able to make a fresh fruit pie during the winter.

That is a few of my favorite dessert recipes posted in 2012.  There are, of course, many more on the blog.

I am linking up to Countdown to 2013 over at Finding Joy in My Kitchen.

I will be back later with the 5 most viewed recipes of 2012.

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10 Homemade Family Board Games

With New Years Eve sitting right in our laps, you may be looking for a few fun family games to spend the evening with.  After all, what better way to ring in the New Year than with a resolution for a weekly family together night? I know I plan to do a little better this year with our family evenings.  I hope to get started with these personalized family games that would be perfect for some family together time.

1. 2012 New Years Eve Bingo free Printable.

2. Family Yahtzee by The Thrifty Chick.

3. Homemade Outdoor Twister Game by Sassy Style.

4. Homemae Memory Game by Make and Takes.

5. Memory Matching Game with Hershey Kisses by Tot School.

6. Handmade Chess Set from Saints, Warriers, Tigers, Lovers Art.

7. Family Board Game from Delia Creates.

8. Pebble Domino Game Set by Super Mom Moments.

9. Family Guess Who Game by At Second Street.

10. Homemade Book-opoly Game from Young Homemakers.

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Countdown ti 2013-Snacks and Appetizers

It is day 4 of Countdown to 2013 hosted by Sno White over at Finding Joy in My Kitchen.  I don't have many posts in either category, but I did post a few dip recipes.

 Easy Homemade Dip Mixes

This is a post to make homemade dip mixes.  There are recipes for Onion/Cheese, Curry, Bacon and Taco Dip Mixes here.

Green Onion Dip

A tasty dip made with my perpetual green onions.

Homemade Boursin Cheese

The homemade version of this popular cheese is less expensive, cheaper, and the herbs and seasonings can be adjusted for personal taste.

 Loaded Pizza Grilled Cheese

The sandwiches can be cut into smaller amounts and served as hot appetizers.

Dilled Ranch Dip

Love ranch dressing, love dill.  Putting them together gives me the best of both worlds.  

Remember there is still time to join in tomorrow and post your list of desserts from 2012.  

I am linking up to Countdown to 2013.

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2012 Year in Review Bingo Game Printable

With the end of the year, we find ourselves looking back at the highlights and low lights of 2012.  After taking a hard look, I noticed there was a lot of bad news that went on this year.  It was a little depressing, but I made a New Year's Eve Bingo game to share with you.  I tried to not have a whole lot of bad, so there are some strange news events in it.

Such as Wendy's becoming the 2nd largest hamburger food chain, The Lion King edging out Phantom of the Opera as the #1 Best Selling Broadway Show, and Gmail becoming the most popular free email service.

There are also sad things such as the demise of Hostess, Whitney Houston's death, and Representative Gifford stepping down from Congress.

I've included 10 sheets of 2 bingo cards, for a total of 20 cards.  Hopefully, that's enough for your New Year's group.  Plus, there are 4 sheets of 12 bingo tabs for a total of 48 news events.

Simply download the bingo game, unzip the file, and print onto cardstock for a fun way to review the year.  You can go to our 2012 New Years bingo game to print free!

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Countdown to 2013-Main Dishes

The subject for day 3 of Countdown to 2013 hosted by Sno White over at Finding Joy in My Kitchen is main dishes.  Since I only cook three nights a week due to my job, I tend to make roasts, casseroles, and one-dish meals so that hubby will have leftovers to fix on the nights I work.  Here are several recipes I shared in 2012.

Curried Raspberry Catalina Pork Roast

Pork tenderloin is a pork cut that I use often.  I served this for our Valentine's Day dinner.  It is a take-off of the apricot jam, Catalina dressing and onion soup chicken recipes.  Hubby liked it a lot.

Herbed Sirloin Tip Roast

Sirloin tip roast is a beef cut that frequently appears on our table.  This recipe makes a very flavorful roast.

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

This was for Crazy Cook's Challenge and was based on a recipe from Plain Chicken.  It was a fun and different way to serve spaghetti which was enjoyed by all who ate it.

5-Spice Barbecued Mini Meat Loaves

The original version of this recipe was my favorite meat loaf when I was a child.  Now that I am using the Chinese 5-Spice I like it even better.

Pineapple Chicken

I like to make oriental food at home.  Don't know why I don't have more posts of it.  This is my adaptation of a recipe from Soupbelly.

Italian Sandwich Casserole

Since we had our turkey dinner the night before, this is what my hubby and son got on Thanksgiving.

Maple Curry Roast Pork Tenderloin

My new favorite pork tenderloin recipe, and the best meat photo I have taken all year.

Going back through my posts for 2012 reminded me of many recipes that I need to make again.

There is still time to join in the Countdown to 2013.  Tomorrow is Snack and Appetizers and Sunday is Desserts.

I am linking to:  Countdown to 2013 



 

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Countdown to 2013-Soups/Breads

Day 2 of Countdown to 2013 hosted by Sno White over at Finding Joy in My Kitchen is Soups and Breads.  Since we have homemade soup for lunch at least 80 per cent of the time, I posted several soups recipes in 2012.

Warming Split Pea Soup

Low calorie and inexpensive this is a hearty soup even though it contains no meat.  It is among my hubby's favorite soups so I make it at least once a month.

Sausage Potato Chowder

This may be my favorite potato soup.  It uses browned breakfast sausage and make a ton so I am good for lunches for several days after I make this one.

Vegetable Beef Soup

This is a very hearty soup with barley and lots of veggies.

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

This was a post for Secret Recipe Club, and the original recipe came for It's Yummy to My Tummy Blog.  This may be my new favorite soup.

I didn't havet many bread recipes on the blog this years, but here are several recipes I posted that go great with soup.

V-8 Crackers

Homemade crackers are great fun to make and go great with almost any soup.

Chex Croutons

Any of the Chex type cereals can make a nice change from bread cubes to use as croutons in soups or salads.  If rice or corn are used the croutons are gluten free.

Fast and Frugal Pita Chips

Pita chips are very fast and easy to make at home, and any flavoring desired can be used.

Come back tomorrow for main dishes.  You can join us any day you like and post your own best recipes for 2012.  Just click on the graphic at the top of this post for the schedule.

I am linking to Countdown to 2013 and these other great parties.

Full Plate Thursday

Thursday's Treasures

Showcase Your Talent Thursday

Linking Up Thursdays
Your Creative Time Out Party

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Countdown to 2013-Breakfast

I hope that everyone had a wonderful day of family, food and fun, and that Santa was very good to you this year.

For the remainder of the year I am joining Sno White over at Finding Joy in My Kitchen to countdown to 2013 by linking to some of my posts in specific categories.  Today’s subject is breakfasts.

Since there are just the two of us, and hubby does not usually eat breakfast, I posted only a few breakfast type dishes this year.  However, I am sharing what I did post.

 Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

I do eat oatmeal for breakfast quite often, and I love to eat this one.

 Pick Your Flavor Hot Milk Drink Mix

This is good any time, but it does make a nice drink to have in the morning with some toast.  If you don't have the syrup on hand, you can use a flavored creamer instead of the plain one.

Southwest Bacon and Egg Cups

Oh how I love recipes with versatility.  Both this recipe and the next one have that aspect to them.  These are great to have on hand to warm up for a quick breakfast or lunch.

Herbed Potato Frittata

This is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  It can be a side dish, meatless main dish or cooked meat can be added.

Strawberry Rhubarb Banana Smoothie

I had this with some toast for breakfast a lot when fresh rhubarb was in season.  I have some rhubarb in the freezer.  Think I will have to use a batch to make this.

Frugal Fruit Syrup

This is a use for fruit juice that may have been drained from canned fruit to use the fruit in another recipe.

Linking to Countdown to 2013
Wow Me Wednesday
Whatever Goes Wednesday
Whimsy Wednesday
Wicked Good Wednesday

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New Years Eve Game Night

I've told you before how I HATE New Years Eve.  I'm just not a late night kind of girl.  So this holiday is not one that I usually celebrate with any kind of grace or style.  (You can ask my friends or hubby...I usually just sit in the corner and wish I was in bed.)

But this year, it looks like we'll be spending New Years Eve with family, and I'm a little excited.  Okay, a LOT excited, especially since I won another House Party!  It's a Hasbro game night party, so it's jammed pack full of fun new games for us to try.

So our New Year's eve party this year will be a little more exciting than usual.  To help me get moving in my planning, and to give you a few ideas for your own party, here's a Game Night Treasury from the small businesses of Etsy.

'Game Night' 

Enjoy a fun game night with friends using these party favors, decorations, and yummy treats!

255 Punched 1" and 2&qu... OldSkoolKrafts $3.50	Cake Balls: Bitty Dice BittyBlissBake... $13.00
Set of 20 Chocolate PLAYING ... cmgarofalo $24.50	Game Night Invitation- Print... MimisDollhouse $11.99
Reversible Quilted Cotton Ta... loriscountryco... $17.95	Vintage Salt & Pepper Shaker... OtterCreekFind... $12.00
Printable Lucky DICE Gift Bo... EmilyHingston $3.50	Monopoly Themed Cupcake Topp... LessPinningMor... $21.00
Handmade Scrabble Score Shee... REadCycle $25.00	Dominos wine glass charms ga... CharmMeLeigh $13.00
Scrabble coasters, set of tw... rbdesign $12.00	Pine Natural Wood Playing Ca... PineBranchDesi... $20.00
MONOPOLY Board Game Journal ... CampfireDesign... $6.00	Playing Cards and Coins Pain... EkesArt $10.00
Clue Game Collage Pocket Wat... modadesigns $35.00	Bunco Nite Door Hanger 2CuteCrafts4U $24.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog

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