Book Review- Fix-it and Forget-it Holiday Dishes and Sides

This is the time of year where I spend countless hours in the kitchen. While I have many tried and true recipes that I keep falling back on, I am always on the lookout for new recipes. I thought that during the busy Christmas season I would take advantage of some new crockpot recipes from the Fix-It and Forget-It Holiday Main Dishes and Sides eBook cookbook.
Looking through the book I found several recipes I will be trying in the next couple of weeks. (No-Fuss Pork and Sauerkraut on page 28 will be the one I will try for New Year's Day.) I was pleased to find the recipes use common,easy to find ingredients, many I already have on hand. I found recipes suitable for entertaining as well as comfort foods for our family to enjoy on the many cold nights we have during the winter.
While reading through the recipes I was surprised to find several recipes with a question mark instead of the actual measurement of certain ingredients. I wish the correct amount would have been listed.

I was provided an eReader copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodbye Elf on the Shelf Day 24-2012

Christmas Eve morning we awoke to Snowflake and Holly having a birthday party for the baby Jesus.

 Our living room!

 Hunter doing his crazy dance in the streamers.

 There are the party animals!

 Holly holding the baby Jesus.

 They even had a cupcake with a candle.

Hailey had left a note for Santa for the elves to take to Santa. She asked how old Santa was and if she could touch Holly before she left for the year.

Holly brought an not back from Santa, he is 1869 years old and Yes, she could hug Holly.

 Before bed Hailey and Hunter got to hold those ornery elves.

Lots of snuggles before saying, "See you next year!" 

And then it happened, sister began to cry the biggest tears. She really loves the elves and hates to see them go. (Me too, I hate to see those little mischief makers leave!)

See you next year Snowflake and Holly!! I can hardly wait to see what kind of ideas you come up with over the next 11 months!!

Thanks for stopping by! And a huge Thank You to all who follow the Elf Adventures!

Until later~

Elf on the Shelf Day 23- 2013

Day 23 we found the elves in Hailey's room with her pretty Christmas tree. This was the first time the kids had a tree in their bedrooms. 

 Holly and Snowflake with gifts for the kids.

 Snowflake

 Holly

The kids got glow stick reindeer necklaces.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Day 22- Elf on the Shelf

I have come to the conclusion that elves love cookies! Snowflake and Holly are nibbling on some cookies this morning. 

 The elves must have gotten cold feet on their trip to the North Pole last night, they chose a spot above the fireplace to warm their tootsies.

 Ha, funny elves are eating our cookies,but stuck boxes of cookies in the kids' stockings. Those two are very tricky!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Elf on the Shelf- Day 21- Oh say, can you see?

Snowflake, Holly and the snowmen found the kids' glasses and had a little fun.

 A shot of the whole gang!

 Holly with some cool 3D glasses.

 Hmm, I wonder who that could be behind those silly glasses.  (I think he needs a little smaller glasses. LOL)

 The snowmen got in on the act too!

 Snowman wearing Hunter's Glasses.

 Another one wearing Hunter's glasses. 

LOL, another one wearing over-sized glasses.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Elf on the Shelf Days 19 and 20 2012

Sorry for not posting yesterday, for some reason I could not transfer my photos from my camera to my computer. I was finally able to get them to transfer today,thank goodness.

 Looks like Snowflake and Holly needed a little snack.

 The kids are amazed that the elves know where to find stuff in our house. The kids say it is because of their elf magic.

This  is what we found this morning-

 Ugh, they are scanning their little backsides on my brand new printer!! (Santa came early, I must have been a good girl! LOL) The kids really laughed at the backside photo, and they both want that picture. Crazy kids!!

 They scanned their faces too! 

LOL, too funny!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~

Ahoy Matey! EOTS Day 18-2012

 Look who we found in the master bathroom this morning! It is a couple of pirates!! LOL

Hailey had to carefully (so as not to touch the elves) check out the loot.

 Holly is a cute little pirate girl! Her mustache is too funny!

Snowflake is rather handsome with a mustache, don't ya think?

 The elves left extra mustaches and eye patches. Hunter tried his on.

LOL, sister wore eye patch and mustache to school this morning!! I love that girl!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~

Everyone loves the Hot tub- EOTS Day 17-2012

Everyone loves a hot tub, right? Well, I guess Snowflake and Holly are not different. We found them this morning chillin'. LOL Hailey said it was no fair that the elves had a hot tub and didn't bring us a big one. I agree with sister, we need a hot tub!!

 Holly looks so cute all wrapped up in her towels.

 The kids were so relieved that the snowmen did not join the elves in the hot tub!! We just may have ended up with snowman soup!

Snowflake looks like he is enjoying the hot tub. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Days 14, 15 and 16 EOTS- 2012

I am playing catch- up today, so I have pictures from 3 days.
First up- Day 14-

 Friday morning Snowflake and Holly brought new sleds. The kids tried them out yesterday and had a bunch of fun. 

 Saturday morning we found a pack of Oreo cookies. It looks as if Snowflake and Holly like the "stuff" out of the middles of the Double Stuff cookies.

 Yep, they licked the middles out.

 Sunday- This morning we found Snowflake and Holly on top of the refrigerator. Daddy said all of that sugar they ate yesterday helped them get up there. LOL

I think they chose that spot because they have a good view from up there.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Play time- EOTS Day 13-2012

Hunter was once again the first one up, this time even before the alarm went off for daddy! He was so happy the elves listened to him. Snowflake was playing with the Bey Blades (tops that battle)  and Holly had Hailey's dollies.

 They play so well, and no mess!! Santa must have taught them well, or was it Mrs. Claus?

 Holly, you are much cuter than those fashion dolls!!

 "Let'er rip!!" LOL (I don't understand "Bey blade talk." It is like the boy is talking a foreign language when he starts talking about Bey Blades.)

Looks like Snowflake built a good one. 

The elves must have felt  guilty about all the crazy stuff in the book bags, this morning when the kids checked their book bags they found a special treat, Whoppers for brother and Reese's for sister. How did they know those were favorites?

hmmm, I wonder what they will get into tonight. I guess we will see soon enough.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Silly elves- EOTS Day 12- 2012

" Mommy, Holly shot Snowflake!!" That is what Hunter came running into the bedroom to tell me this morning. The way he was giggling I knew it wasn't to serious.

 Looks like we have a shoot out at the "Candy Cane Corral!" LOL Snowflake has his hands full with the Tommy gun. Not only did he hit the fireplace 3 times, but he hit the TV too!! Silly elf!!

 Looks like Holly may have been slightly off with her first shot, but dead on with her second one.

 LOL She got him good. Sister said, "Girls rule, boys drool!!"  

I am always telling the kids not to aim those guns at each other. I made it plain as day that Holly and Snowflake are not do do it again, I even threatened them with corporal punishment if it were to happen again.  The kids were quick to let me know that would not be happening. LOL

This is our little sharp shooter. She must be really good,we can't hit anything with that lousy gun!! All I can say is- I am glad it wasn't paint ball guns!

Hunter told the elves that they could play with his Bey Blades. He even went to his bedroom and got them for the elves.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Book bags and lunch- EOTS-Day11-2012

Snowflake and Holly decided to help out around the house and packed Hailey and Hunter's book bags.

 Not only did they pack the book bags, but they also set out some lunch for the kids- a box of mac and cheese, mustard, a can of mushroom soup, a box of chicken broth and a red onion.

 A peek inside Hailey's bag. I spy Hunter's bike helmet, a wooden spoon, a roll of toilet paper, a bath towel and several other crazy things. 

 Hunter's bag held a headlamp, Christmas lights, a rack of CDs, one of daddy's socks, one of sister's flip flops, a wire whip and a few other pieces of nonsense.

 I think they look pretty proud of their handy work.

 Aww, how sweet brotherly and sisterly love. They are hugging just like Hunter and Hailey like to do.

Yep, looks good to me.

I love having the elves here, the kids jump up each morning anxious to see what Snowflake and Holly have been up to. (I just hope they are so easy to get up in the mornings after the elves head back home for the year.)

Thank you!!

Until later~