Happy Holidays! It’s my favorite time of year! A time to reflect on the past year and make exciting new memories with family and friends. I have also included a free printable Christmas Bucket List to help create those special events!

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Here is a quick and easy Eggnog Cocktail recipe. There is nothing more comforting than the smells and tastes of the holiday season. Add this festive recipe to your holiday menu! Eggnog is a special treat that we don’t have often, so we want it to taste rich and luxurious! Best of all the prep time is only three minutes so you can whip this up last minute to serve guests dropping by.

Festive Christmas Eggnog Cocktail

Ingredients: 

• Italian Amaretto Liqueur Such As Disaronno
• Store Bought Eggnog Of Your Choice
• Cinnamon Sticks & Topping (optional)
• Gingerbread cookies (optional)

The best Eggnog should be well spiced with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice. Choose a good Eggnog that is thick, buttery, and slightly sweet. I recommend Southern Comfort because it’s not too sweet but also has the right amount of spice.

Instructions:

• Dip the glasses in Eggnog, then the cinnamon to rim the glass. (optional) Allow to dry.
• Pour Eggnog into the glass, then add a shot of or 1 ounce Amaretto Liqueur
• You can also add whip cream and sprinkle with cinnamon for a festive look.
• Stir, chill, or add ice, then enjoy!

Free Printable Christmas Bucket List

Use this list to complete your Holiday plans with family and friends!

I hope you enjoyed this post! Also see my recipe for The Best Buttery Soft Sugar Cookies!

Happy Holidays! Tis the season to eat drink and be merry! Instead of traditional Green Bean Casserole try this quick delicious recipe for Sautéed Green Beans with garlic. This simple yet savory Green Bean Dish is packed with flavor and will leave your guests wanting more! Best of all, you only need five ingredients!

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Easy Sautéed Green Beans With Garlic

Ingredients:

1. 2 Pounds of fresh Green Beans
2. 3-4 fresh finely chopped garlic cloves
3. 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil- keeps the flavor of the dish light
4. 2 tablespoons Kerry Gold Irish Butter- or any butter of your choice
5. Sea Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Start with a large saute pan on low heat, then add olive oil and finely chopped garlic and stir spreading out the garlic all over the pan.
• Add fresh green beans to the pan and then sprinkle with sea salt.
• Turn the heat up to medium high constantly, sautéing the green beans for about 10-12 minutes until they slightly begin to caramelize.
• Turn off the heat and then add the 2 tablespoons of butter.
• Once the butter has melted transfer to a beautiful dish to display on your Thanksgiving Table.

Note: This method keeps the green bean bright and crisp so there is no need to boil them first. Also use fresh chopped garlic no garlic in a jar or any substitute garlic. Remember, always use the best ingredients. This simple recipe is so good once you try it, you’ll want to make this dish anytime.

If you are a garlic lover you always add more garlic to taste. The best thing about this dish is that once the garlic starts to brown it adds a subtle garlic flavor that is not too over powering even for non garlic lovers!

I make this dish all throughout the year, especially when I’m craving something savory. I hope you enjoyed this post! Also see my recipe for Buttery Sweet Potato Souffle.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

 This savory vegetable soup recipe is perfect for chilly fall nights and so delicious.

Fall is just a few short days away here in New England and we are starting to get those cold nights in September. Last night I was craving vegetable soup so I whipped up a big pot for dinner. It’s so yummy and it will make your house smell amazing, so I thought I would share this recipe.

Nothing beats a pot of fresh homemade soup served with warm bread or croutons. It warms you up and it’s a good way to get those veggies in. This soup is easy to make and very filling. The fresh rosemary adds lovely flavor to the red potatoes.

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Savory Cabbage Soup

Ingredients:

• One Head Of Cabbage chopped
• 2 Cups cut Red Potatoes
• 1 Cup Baby Carrots
• 1 cup of Corn
• 1/2 Small Red or Purple Onion
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup Celery chopped
• 1/2 sprig of Fresh Rosemary
• 1/4 cup of Red Pepper sliced
• 4 cups Vegetable Broth
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• Sea Salt to taste (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Italian Herbs

Cooking Directions:

• In a large pot add olive oil, chopped onions, celery, garlic cloves and sauté on medium heat.
• Next add carrots, corn, red pepper, cabbage and potatoes then stir.
• Next add 4 cups of vegetable broth, Italian herbs, salt and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
• Simmer on medium heat for 45 minutes to an hour stirring occasionally until potatoes are done.
• This recipe serves 4.
• Enjoy!

I hope you love this recipe! Thanks for stopping by.

This easy apple crisp or apple crumble recipe (depending on what part of the country you live in) Is perfect for chilly fall mornings! It can be made sweet or tart depending on the type of apples used.

It’s near the end of a long hot summer here in New England, but I am yearning for an early fall. Lately I have been craving one of my favorite fall dishes: Apple Crisp!

I love the beach, but there is nothing like fall in Connecticut! We get the best of both worlds with endless views of beautiful fall foliage along the coastline.

One of my favorite breakfast recipes is apple crisp! The smell of warm apples and cinnamon baking in the morning while I have my morning coffee is heavenly. Fresh sliced apples are topped with a buttery cinnamon oat crumble topping that slightly crisps while baking.

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Easy Cinnamon Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

• 6 Golden Delicious Apples (peeled and sliced)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons salted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon all purpose flour

Topping:

• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 stick salted butter cut in small pieces
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup Bisquick or all purpose baking flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

 *Use any apple variety that you like, just remember to adjust the sugar depending on the sweetness or tart of the apples. I like to use Bisquick because it gives the crumbled topping a richer flavor. You can make many variations by adding your favorite berries, raisins, or chopped nuts into the topping.

Directions:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
• In a large bowl add apples, then pour lemon juice over and mix
• Add butter, cinnamon, vanilla, sugar, nutmeg and flour, then mix
• Place sliced apple mixture into a 8×8 inch baking dish and set aside
• In a smaller bowl add butter, oats, cinnamon, brown sugar, baking soda and Bisquick or flour
• Mix together with a fork until all ingredients are combined or appears crumbled
• Spread topping all over apples
• Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees

*This recipe serves 6 people and takes less than 1 hour to prepare. Apple crisp is best served warm and fresh out of the oven. Top with your favorite vanilla ice-cream for a delicious fall dessert.

For another great fall recipe see: Buttery Soft Halloween Sugar Cookies

Make your 4th of July celebration a hit with this easy, beautiful and delicious flag cake! There are 2 different variations, one for strawberry lovers or raspberry lovers. This cakes tastes home made and is best made with fresh ingredients!

What makes this cake easy is that it’s made from a box mix. What makes it taste home made is the altered ingredients. I never use water in any of my box cake recipes because water does not add any flavor. I also like to add butter to the recipe because butter just tastes better.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links; should you choose to make a purchase using said link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Ingredients:

• 2 boxes Pillsbury Moist Yellow cake mix
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups of milk
• 1/2 cup olive oil, canola, or corn oil
• 2 sticks melted butter
• 1 pint or 1 cup of fresh blueberries
• 2 pints or 2 cups of fresh strawberries
• 2 pints or 2 cups of fresh raspberries
• 2 packages of cool whip
• 1 can of whip cream

Directions:

1. Prepare a large nonstick 13×9 baking dish or sheet pan by lightly coating bottom of pan with butter.
2. Add  flour to dust the pan then place into the freezer.
3. In a large bowl add cake mix, eggs, butter, milk, and oil.
4. Beat with a mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
5. Remove baking dish from freezer, then fill with mix.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 29 to 33 min.
7. Insert toothpick in the center of the cake to check and see if it comes out clean, your cake is done.
8. Cool 10-15 minutes before removing cakes from the pan or leave in pan to decorate.
9. Once cooled, add cool whip topping and decorate with fresh blueberries, strawberries or raspberries in the shape of the American flag.
10. Pipe cool whip or whip cream in the can on top of blueberries and in between the lines of the strawberries or raspberries.
11. Keep cake refrigerated until served. Serves 15-20, enjoy!

Invited to a 4th of July barbecue? Bring this delicious home made tasting cake with you! I have been making this cake for years and it’s always a hit! Also see my recipe for Coconut Malibu Rum Cake. Happy Fourth!