Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!


Well here we are, the end of 2008. This year has brought many changes,accomplishments,disappointments,tears,joy,sorrows and laughter. We have made new friends and lost old ones.We have welcomed new family members and said good bye to old ones (Gram) . I don't know what the future holds for 2009, but I know who holds me in the palms of His hand and He knows my future. So,I go into 2009 with excitement in knowing my loving savior has a plan for me and will walk right beside me all the way.
Happy New Year friends and family! Thank you for being a part of this crazy and blessed life!

Karen

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Baked French Toast ! Yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup
Prep Time:
20 min
Inactive Prep Time:
8 hr 0 min
Cook Time:
40 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
6 to 8 servings

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.


Praline Topping:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Chinese Coleslaw

1 large head of green cabbage shredded (I mix green and purple)
8green onions trimmed and thinly sliced
3/4 cups sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cups sesame seeds, toasted
2 packages Ramen noodles, uncooked (discard flavor packet)

Chinese Coleslaw


Combine cabbage and green onions in large bowl. In a separate bowl combine toasted sesame seeds , almonds and ramen noodles. Just before serving combine the two bowls and toss with the dressing.

Dressing:
1 cup salad oil (Canola)
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Buffalo wing dip!!!

My sister introduced us to this dip. It's really yummy!


REAL BUFFALO CHICKEN WING DIP
4 chicken breasts (or any kind of boneless chicken meat)
1 bottle blue cheese sauce or ranch
1 package cream cheese
1 small bottle Frank's hot sauce or coat chicken with Texas Pete hot sauce shredded mozzarella cheese
Boil (or simmer) chicken in water (or optionally, chicken broth) for 30 minutes or until cooked.Heat oven to 425°F.
In an oven safe dish, spread cream cheese along the bottom. Shred chicken into a separate bowl. Add blue cheese sauce and Frank's hot sauce (depending on how hot you'd like it).
Spread chicken mixture over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella (too much cheese will make it hard for dipping).
Cook for 20 minutes or until cheeses becomes bubbly.
Serve with tortillas or Triscuits.

We are done!


Can you tell we are exhausted? Countless hours of shopping, hundreds of $(we have 9 kids), 100's of miles on the road going to find gifts, countless nerves fighting the traffic and crowds, today we are finally done shopping !!!!

But the time we spent together to see our kids smile on Christmas morning........ priceless! Making memories for our kids is well worth any exhaustion I may feel. Christmas morning at the Holcombe house will be a blast or totally, let's just say busy..Breakfast is at 10am if your hungry or just brave!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Holcombe Family Christmas 2008






















Sunday we went to Kelley's sisters house for the family Christmas party. Thanks Ellery and Faye, we had a wonderful time.My husband is the 8th of 9 kids, so when we get together the house is full. I love being part of this huge family. I am so thankful to my inlaws for raising such a wonderful family. I pray my kids have just as much fun and lots of get togethers when they are older.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Kitchen trees and our dining room table for our family.













Front Door Wreath
Paula Deen Christmas 2008 inspired...