Sunday's Ugly Sweater Cookies.... Our Daily Dinner

Sunday's Ugly sweater cookies....

chuckieb 7 years ago
Good Morning Everyone!

Made the Crockpot Turkey recipe that Linda uses last night. I decided not to turn it on until we arrived home which was about 3:30 and initially I just put it at low as we weren't going to eat until 8. But then around 6:30 I got scared and was worried it wouldn't be done in time so I cranked it up to high. I too was very pleased with the recipe. I only used a 500 ml jar of my home made chicken broth in it with a bit of water mixed with a two tbsp. of chicken bouillion and that was enough to cover the thigh. I removed the skin and maybe I shouldn't have done that. Not sure. We try not eat skin on poultry usually and since it was not going to be brown or crispy I figured I'd just pull it off initially. The gravy worked really well and I did like you said Linda and just pureed the contents in the crockpot. The only thing I wasn't totally happy with was that the gravy wasn't quite as flavourful as I was hoping. I could have added more bouillon but then I worried it'd just taste more salty not necessarily more turkeyish. LOL. I think when you roast a bird, those browned bits in the bottom of the pan are real flavour enhancers. I'll totally make that recipe again. It was really nice to have it cooking away and again Linda, like you say, it's easy to portion up for later meals and freeze the remainder. And the other thing I was most impressed with is that the turkey did not taste at all stewed, and I find that sometimes with crockpot meals. Thanks Linda for bringing that one to my attention. It's a keeper.

Pic below of my turkey dinner from last night, as well as a kit to make Ugly Sweater cookies. Isn't that hilarious? I saw those when we were out and about yesterday and I thought they were the funniest thing. I'd love to do that. Third photo is of an idea for setting your Christmas table cutlery. Saw it on Pinterest and picked up six mini stockings at the dollar store. The pic on Pinterest had cuter stockings but I looked a couple of places and these were the best I could find. I think kids will think that's fun and I could even hide a little chocolate or treat in the bottom for extra fun. :)

On today's agenda is finishing off the outdoor decorating, which isn't a lot, and then coming in and decorating the indoors. That should take me the majority of the day. Jim is going to work on cutting up some firewood and then in the afternoon we can decorate the tree.

No clue at this point what to make for dinner. Am hoping to find inspiration in the bottom of my coffee cup. :)

Wishing everyone a lovely day today. It's my Mom's birthday! She turns 81!
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mommyluvs2cook 7 years ago said:

Morning! Glad the slow cooker turkey turned out good Janet! I need to give it a try. That's the thing about crockpot recipes thought is that it's hard to taste and re-season, especially if your out all day and ready to eat right when you get home. It probably did just need a little bit more bouillon. That gravy looks so delicious though! Love the ugly sweater cookies lol, Briauna said there is a girl that has been wearing a different one every day since the day after Thanksgiving and claims she has one for everyday up until Christmas. OKaaayy.. haha, that may be a little too much, and who is buying all these for her? Her Mom must do some major garage sale-ing or hits up Goodwill often lol :P
The tiny stocking utensil holder is such a great idea!!

We are headed to the family farm today. I think I've mentioned it here before but it has been for sale for years and finally sold :( We are all very sad, but there is really just nobody to take care of it regularly and it is a TON of work. I know I've posted this a while back, but here was the listing for it http://www.har.com/9774-rocky-rd/sale_1415674 it really is beautiful :) Anyway, so the whole family is headed up there today to visit one last time and take pictures and just hang out. Gotta get ready, wishing everyone a great day!!

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LindaLMT 7 years ago said:

Good Morning Everyone.

Happy the crock pot turkey recipe worked for you Janet. I know what you mean about roasting and the golden brown bits of rich goodness that is stuck to the bottom of the pan. Wish there was a source to buy that. Picture looks good though!
The ugly sweater Christmas Cookie kit is too cute and is the little stocking stuffed with silverware. Happy Birthday to your mom!

Need to do some on-line shopping today, clean up, vacuum, do laundry, and pack a box or two. I'll pull meatloaf mix that's already mixed up out of the freezer to thaw and make that with some type of potato and veggie tonight for dinner. Saw a great looking Chicken Salad recipe that I want to try but need some of the ingredients so next time I go the store I'll get what I need.
http://wonkywonderful.com/cranberry-almond-chicken-salad-recipe

That's it here, just another typical day.

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

Indeed that is a lot of ugly sweaters Michelle! LOL. Enjoy your time at the Family Farm. Yes, I totally remember you talking about it and I loved the pictures you took there and put on FB back in the summer/fall? For some reason I thought that was your last visit. It is indeed very sad. It's a gorgeous place. I hope the people who bought it cherish it just as much as your family did.

Good luck with all your jobs today Linda. Jim did up our laundry yesterday so that's out of the way on my end.

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

Does anyone have an air cooker? One of those deep fryers that supposedly only requires a tbsp. of so of oil? Jim's been seeing one advertised on TV lately and asked innocently if that was something I'd like so I know he's contemplating getting me one for Christmas. Not sure I'd use it enough to warrant it?

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mommyluvs2cook 7 years ago said:

Good luck with your online shopping Linda. We did that Friday..don't know what I'd do without Amazon Prime making life so simple :) That chicken salad looks delish!

We did all think that last time we were at the farm was the last Janet. But I guess we are managing to squeeze in one more last visit :) YES! My parents have one of those air cookers that they cook the turkey in every year. My Dad loves it and we are always buying him little add-on's and accessories for it for Bday and xmas gifts. Anyway the turkey comes out great and you would never know the tiny amount of oil that was used to cook it.

In the car headed to Bellville, will be a rainy and dreary 2 hour drive, but totally worth it to see lots of family :)

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gaspesiangal 7 years ago said:

Good morning everyone. I've been really grumpy lately so I gave myself a timeout.
That recipe is on my to do list, if I can find a decent size turkey breast. I love the photo of yours and the ugly sweater cookies are adorable. I also love the idea of the mini stockings, kids would love that. Good luck finishing off you decorating and Happy Birthday to your mom.
Agreed, that is a lot of ugly sweaters. Your farm house is absolutely stunning Michelle. It will be a bitter/sweet day for you I'm sure.
I haven't had meatloaf in ages, I should put that on my to do list. I really need to clean and do some laundry too but I'm not feeling it. Mmmm that chicken salad recipe looks good.
Dinner will be seasoned chicken breasts that I get at Costco, a simple Greek salad and Fondant Potatoes.
Is this the fryer that your thinking about? http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/t-fal-actifry-family-fryer/6000188921265
I've been looking at this one and I've read some reviews and most of them are positive. The one negative thing the is always mentioned is that it isn't good for anything that is breaded.

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LindaLMT 7 years ago said:

I too remember the Farm House Michelle and just love it! Sad day indeed but enjoy your time visiting with family.

I understand your mood Bren. It's probably stress and then throw in a busy holiday on top of it and it's enough to handle. Hoping it lifts soon for you. Time out is always good.
My DH is driving me nuts and I've been getting a little snappy. He doesn't listen and makes everything twice as hard as what it needs to be. I have to walk away and let him do his thing and if it's wrong or he messes it up then so be it. I'll loose my mind if I try and control it all.

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Cosmicmother 7 years ago said:

Good morning!
Those ugly sweater cookies are too funny Janet! I wish I had the patience to pipe/ice cookies, but it's my least favorite thing to do--baking wise, lol ;) I'm glad the Turkey recipe worked out, it looks so good! I can never find just a Turkey Breast around here. I looked for one around Thanksgiving time. We're putting up the tree today and decorating as well. I don't have an air cooker but have had fries out of one that a friend made. If she didn't tell me, I would not have known it was from an air cooker. I've always wanted one since then! Hers was just a small one, T-fal maybe? You could put chicken pieces in it but not a whole bird. Happy Birthday to your Momma!! :)

Hi Michelle, I love your family farm, I remember looking at it awhile back. It's so beautiful!! Just my kind of home, I love the porch, the shiplap on the walls, and the kitchen, etc...just beautiful, I'd buy it in a heartbeat if I could! That's so nice you are all going out there one last time, to say goodbye. I hope you have a great day, that's not too sad, reminiscing about the happy memories there :)

Hi Linda, good luck with all your chores etc. today :) That Chicken salad sounds good!

Hi Bren! Lol @ giving yourself a time-out! I think we all need a time out once in awhile. I hope you feel back to yourself again soon! :)

Tonight's dinner is a large sirloin tip roast, so I'll make it my favorite way but minus the garlic studding this time Garlic Studded Sirloin Tip Roast. And we'll have mashed taters, yorkies and gravy. Probably just some peas or broccoli on the side.
Pete is shovelling the walk-ways as we had some more snow overnight. Then we have the tree to decorate and finally get the lower cupboards in. Pete was working on his truck all day yesterday trying to get that running, dang truck getting in the way of my kitchen! LOL! Anyways, we have a busy couple of days with lot's of stuff to do. Thankfully he has tomorrow off work as well.

Have a great day everyone! :)

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

I didn't realize you could buy accessories or add ons for air cookers Michelle. Like what?Enjoy your time with the family and take care driving.

Don't be too hard on yourself Bren. You've had a ton on your plate. I get like that sometimes myself. Go for a good walk or something to clear your head. I have that Fondant Potato recipe bookmarked and have wanted to try it for eons and just never have gotten around to it. This is the airfryer Jim has seen ads for:
http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Indoor-Living/Small-Appliances/Kitchen/Countertop-Cooking/Deep-Fryers-Filters/1400-Watt-3L-Digital-Multifunction-Air-Cooker-with-Timer/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/No-144/Ntk-All_EN/R-I3826413?Ntt=Kuraidori&Num=0
From Home Hardware of course. :) That Tfal one is a lot pricier. I just wouldn't pay that to get an airfryer as I don't think I'd get enough use out of it.

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes for my Mom. I had a nice call with her and she sounds all happy. She unwrapped my presents first thing this morning and is pleased with them. She is setting off for the annual Hospital Auxiliary Bazaar this afternoon, tea, pies and raffles. LOL.

Your dinner sounds awesome Shona. Have fun decorating and putting up the tree.

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MissouriFarmWife 7 years ago said:

Good afternoon.

Love the cookie kit, Janet. The. Cutlery holder is so cool and We may copy it! We have a Dollar Tree in St. Robert so will have to look there. Happy birthday to your mom!

Hope you have a nice time at the farm Michelle. It is sad when families have to sell the homestead, but yes it is a ton of work to keep it up.

Good luck with your online shopping Linda. Try not to let the stress of moving get to you.

Bren, Greek salad sounds great. Agree a time-out works wonders when over stressed!

Shona, garlic studded sirloin roast should hit the spot for dinner! Wayne is not home until tomorrow so I have no idea what t fix. Had Bruscetta on toast for lunch and a third cup of coffee....flying high from caffeine!

Wayne's horse put weight on his hoof for the first time in two weeks. Just for a step or two, but that is progress.

Trouble is on my lap. Even A.C. decided it was too cold and rainy to stay outside on the porch, and came back indoors. Other than walking Fritz, locking up chickens, and feeding horses, I plan on remaining inside. Found a recipe for freezer salsa and the tomatoes from the garden are about ripeenough to use, so......maybe it will get done finally!

Have a blessed Sunday. See you later.

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kimmer 7 years ago said:

Good afternoon all.
Happy Birthday to Mom Janet! Turkey dinner looked good. I'm considering doing something like that this year for Christmas dinner. Last couple of years I haven't really done much for dinner on Christmas. But met up with some in house complaints last year so will do a full dinner again. It's just there always seems to be so much going on, especially food wise around the holidays. We always have our traditional fondue party and this year it is the 23rd. Usually it's the weekend before Christmas but that won't work this year as Michael will not be home on leave until the 20th. And can't nor wouldn't have it without him! Christmas morning we always have a huge and I'm talking huge breakfast before opening gifts. Then the kids go to the other side of the family for Christmas lunch. And it never fails they don't eat lunch until around 3ish. Completely understand! So in the past, I would cook all day Christmas day and when the kids would get home at 5, well, not all that hungry. And I generally used to always have ham and that's usually what they had at lunch. You can only eat so much ham in a day, lol! So anyway, the last couple of years I opted out for just some appys later in the evening. Apparently, it hasn't been that well received, lol. The older kids but the baby up to telling me they really wanted a regular dinner this year, lol! They said it didn't matter if they ate anywhere else they still wanted my cooking. Aaawwwhhhhh, way to ask!!!! But so it shall be. So was thinking instead of the ham I would do a mini version of the Thanksgiving meal which will make Michael happy as he hasn't been home for Thanksgiving in 8 years!

The family farm Michelle is absolutely beautiful! Chicken salad is actually on the menu for lunch this week. Noticed a single lonely chicken breast in the freezer this weekend so will cook that up and make some salad for hubs and I. Hope you're out of the grumps by now Bren. Don't be to hard on yourself. We all have those days, it's allowed!

Dinner tonight will be the ribeyes that were suppose to be for last night, lol. I was in full decorating mode yesterday and time got away and we all snacked all afternoon so when dinner time came it was like......you really want steak now.........no, do you.....well, no, not really...........ok case closed, kitchen closed! Will make some fried potatoes for a change as a side and either a salad or green beans. Will wait to see what strikes my fancy at the time.
Hope all enjoy the rest of their Sunday. Will try to pop back later.

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laurieg 7 years ago said:

Hi everyone! I got out and ran with the girls from the running club this morning. I had to do a little walking but I kept up. So I was happy! The. After I showered frank Becca and I went out to breakfast and to this Festival of trees. Companies and people donate trees that have different prizes. The Sole sisters had a tree with a theme it was a run with a view and it was decorated with pictures of different views the girls have seen during runs and a $1000 Amazon gift card. So there was 100 trees with different things and you buy raffle tickets and put them in the buckets. It's a huge fundraiser for an an organization callled WOW. Which stands for We are One Wilmington. The tickets are $10 for 25 tickets. Sole Sisters tree won Best in Show :)
Laundry for the rest of the day. Chicken cutlets for dinner.

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

The Utensil Stocking is a cute idea isn't it Karen! It'll look very sweet with a Christmas tablecloth underneath and Christmas dishes. I'm excited. :) Hope you make yourself something fun for your dinner this evening. That's great about Wayne's Horse feeling a bit better.

You must be over the moon excited for Michael's arrival Kimmer! :) Your plans for Christmas dinner sound wonderful. It's always a tough thing to orchestrate around families goings on. Ribeyes sound awesome.

So is your foot all better now then Laurie? I know something was preventing you from running for a while there and you had a brace and everything. The Sole Sister tree sounds very fun. How creative! What a neat fund raiser. I'd love to do something like that.

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Cosmicmother 7 years ago said:

Hi Karen, I hope Wayne's horse can continue to put weight on his foot and feel better. Hopefully you get some salsa made!

Hi Kimmer, aww, that's so sweet the kiddos still want your Christmas dinner! I like to make scones or cinnamon buns the night before then we snack until dinner is ready, usually early about 3pm. ;) Yum, ribeyes sound great!

H Laurie, that's great you got out running with the girls. Congrats on Best in Show! Sounds like a great fundraiser.

Well the truck trumped my kitchen again, he's hoping to get it fixed tonight. So I had time to do other things today. I made an apple crisp, and now just waiting on the roast to be cooked before starting on the Yorkshire puddings. At least I had my kitchen in tact to make a big feast tonight. We're into the bitter cold winter now, with wind chills feeling like -28C! Ack, winter is here! ;)

Have a great night everyone :)

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kimmer 7 years ago said:

Just stopping by to say goodnight. Since you mentioned cinnamon buns thought I would share this. I'm going to make this for our Christmas breakfast! Sounds delightful. Way sweet, but delightful..............http://hugsandcookiesxoxo.com/2015/12/cinnamon-roll-casserole.html

Sleep Cinnamon Sweet All............as always..................

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

NOM on the apple crisp Shona. Your kitchen must have smelled awesome. I'm very envious of your feast. It sounds perfect.

Wow on the cinnamon roll casserole Kimmer. That sounds crazy good.

We ended up having Hot turkey sandwiches with last nights leftovers. I doctored up the gravy and it was very yummy. I'm very pleased with that recipe.

Got a late start to the day after chatting with Benjamin and my Mom so never got the tree up. I got all outside finished and I started decorating our mantelpiece and the front foyer bannister. So I shall finish it off tomorrow. I googled recipes for tea sandwiches for the Afternoon English tea I'm hosting Tuesday. I polished a couple of old silver pieces. It's going to be a lot of fun. Jim has a nice fire going now in the fireplace.

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