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Chinese Meatball Sliders

December 30, 2014 By Chelsia Rief 4 Comments

This easy recipe for Chinese Meatball Sliders is zesty, sweet, and ready in under 30 minutes. It's a quick family dinner or a fantastic party appetizer!

You guys! 2015 is like 43 hours away! Are you all ready? Because if you're not, it's coming anyways, like it or not. All in all, 2014 was a really good year here. I learned a lot of things about myself, I challenged myself in the kitchen more, and most importantly, I grew closer to the Lord and really began putting Him first, front, and center. 2014 was a good year. I also cried a lot. But, I'm a girl and a girly, hormonal girl at that, so that part is very natural for me! [Read more...]

Weekly Menu 12/29-1/4

December 29, 2014 By Chelsia Rief 2 Comments

Can you believe it? Christmas is over and the first day of the New Year is Thursday! Every single year I'm always a bit flabbergasted by how quickly Christmas always seems to go by. So much build up to the day and then *snaps finger* it's over just like that.

How was everyone's holiday? Ours was wonderful. We had two wonderful days with our family and celebrating the birth of our Savior - what could be better? Are you a little tired of sweets, too? I've had so much cake and cookies and treats that the thought of eating more...well, I don't know if I could do it. I need a break and lucky for you, that's what you're going to get. As of right now, I have no sweet posts for you. But, before too long, I'm sure I will. [Read more...]

The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies

December 24, 2014 By Chelsia Rief 3 Comments

What makes these the BEST rolled sugar cookies? They are soft, full of yummy flavor, and perfect in every way, of course! It's a fun and tasty way to deck the halls and feel festive!

So, my most absolute favorite kind of cookie is a sugar cookie. To be quite honest, I have a really hard time not eating more than one. I've been known to also "accidentally" break said cookies while decorating them.

Hey, it was an accident! #NOT

If there is one cookie that I make every Christmas season, it is the sugar cookie, and I have been using this recipe for as long as I can remember. I've tried others, and I just have never liked them as much as I love this one. And while, yes, it does involve chilling the dough, which does require a tad bit of extra work, to me, it's worth it. [Read more...]

Sugared Cranberries

December 23, 2014 By Chelsia Rief 2 Comments

This fun, easy homemade sugared cranberries recipe is a great topping, snack, or even gift for the Christmas season!

This post originally went up on Catz in Dec 2014. We've added an actual recipe card and updated things just a bit, so for those of you who missed it five years ago...here it is!

Hi guys, I've over at Evermine's blog today sharing this recipe for Sugared Cranberries! I don't usually share two recipes in one day (if you missed today's earlier post for some amazing Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars, then you should check it out), but with Christmas Eve tomorrow and Christmas the day after that, I want to make sure you are completely covered with holiday goodies! [Read more...]

Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars

December 23, 2014 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

A few months ago I was telling Josh how much I missed my foodie subscriptions. For a few years now, I've regularly been receiving The Food Network Magazine, but we let my subscriptions to Taste of Home and Everyday with Rachael Ray run out. So I was hinting to Josh about how much I missed them and the next thing I knew he was online looking for a good deal and I ended up walking away with Taste of Home, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Better Homes & Gardens, and some travel magazine that I can't remember the name of, lol! (Editor's note: That would be Condé Nast Traveler)

Every month, I let the magazines pile on top of each other until I can take advantage of Christian's nap time to bring downstairs all of my recipe binders (there are four of them now!), the hole puncher, and my scissors, and start flipping through the pages, reading the articles, and examining recipes. [Read more...]

Homemade Sparkling Apple Cider

December 18, 2014 By Chelsia Rief 5 Comments

Need sparkling apple cider for a crowd without breaking the bank? It doesn't get much simpler (or cheaper) than this homemade sparkling apple cider recipe!

So this is a fairly recent post as in I posted it last December, but we have updated it a little bit for you. This recipe is being featured over at Club31women.com today, and I thought it might be a good idea if I highlight it again here - this is such a simple drink recipe that will save you money and give you something tasty to serve and drink at your holiday gatherings! While you're over at Club31, check out Lisa's (and friends!) excellent posts on marriage, motherhood, and more - a wonderful, encouraging, and occasionally challenging resource! [Read more...]

Spaghettini with Garlic, Olive Oil, & Parsley

December 17, 2014 By Chelsia Rief 6 Comments

This Spaghettini with Garlic, Olive Oil, & Parsley recipe is getting updated from the archives - the pictures were old, but the recipe is one of our favorites. Since it's the holiday season and we're all posting a ton of sweet things, I realize you have to eat dinner, too, and I know for our family, we've been busy almost every weekend and several times during the week! So, a quick and easy dinner that is also only about 300 calories per serving is just the ticket! Don't forget, you can always bump up the fiber and use whole wheat pasta and make this even healthier! [Read more...]

Peppermint Bark

December 17, 2014 By Chelsia Rief 3 Comments

Hi, friends! How is your week treating you? I'm here spreading some holiday cheer and sharing this delicious Peppermint Bark recipe over at Evermine's blog.

This is the time of year when everyone is making yummy, scrumptious treats to share with neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family. This peppermint bark is perfect for that very thing! You don't have to do any baking, the kids can help, and it looks beautiful and tastes like peppermint bliss. [Read more...]

Tuesday's Tidings for December 16, 2014

December 16, 2014 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

We (Chels and Josh) are each going to share five things for today's Tuesday's Tidings because...why not?

Chels' Five:

1. The girls and I made sugar cookies for Awana last week. I tried a brand new icing recipe and it was awesome! We used paintbrushes from a water color set so it took awhile to ice all of those cookies, but they sure were delicious.

2. This is our last week of school before Christmas break starts. We are ALL excited for a little holiday break. [Read more...]