All In A Day's Work

I was feeling crafty today and a little like Paula Dean! I started the day with Adam's favorite sausage and cheese biscuits. I didn't get a photo, but they are easy to make.

Adam's Sausage and Cheese Christmas Biscuits

1 package of Jimmy Dean ground sausage (We prefer the spicy!)
1 bag of shredded cheddar cheese
Bisquick (Use the recipe for 1 batch of biscuits)

*I like to add a little garlic powder and dried chives too!)

Mix the biscuit mix per the directions on the box. Cook the sausage and make into little ground pieces. Fold the sausage into the mix. Pour in cheese and fold into mixture. Add garlic and chives if you prefer. Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Cook for 17-20 minutes on 350. Remaining mixture can be made into balls and frozen. Take a couple out and bake at 350 for 30 minutes anyday!


My first craft was another wine bottle with Christmas lights. This one is for a friend. I used a merlot bottle this time. It turned out cute.


My second craft was this wreath. Adam came home and said "Oh great! You spent $80.00 on another wreath!" I can't believe that he didn't recognize our leftover Christmas ornaments and greenery! It was 100% free. I used things that I found around the house! Now that is what I call "crafty!"



Every Christmas my mom would make these little butter jewel cookies. Her Nenaw Berdie used to make them every Christmas and she carried on the tradition. They have never been my favorite. I don't dislike them, but I prefer something with chocolate. I took out a little recipe book she made me a few years ago and decided to make some little butter jewels of my own. I don't know if I was just missing out all these years or if my cookies have been touched by an angel, but they are soooo good!!! I can't believe that I haven't really enjoyed one until now!

Nenaw Berdie's Butter Jewel Cookies

3/4 lbs butter or 2 sticks of butter and 1 stick margarine
1 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
4 cups flour
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
jelly (Flavor of your choice--I used grape. Yum!)

Cream butter and sugar. Add 1 egg yolk at a time to the mix and continue to cream. Stir in 1/2 cup of flour at a time. Add a pinch of salt and vanilla. Roll dough into balls by teaspoon full. Put on cookie sheet and put thumbprint into each cookie. Add a small amount of jelly into thumbprint. Bake a 350 until golden brown on the bottom.



Since I do prefer chocolate, I made some toffee/chocolate chip brownies. Another delicious treat. All you have to do for these is buy a box of reqular brownie mix and follow the directions on the box. After you have your batter made, just add 1/2 cup Heath Toffee bits and 1 cup of Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips. These brownies are so gooey and delish!

I also made a Loaded Baked Potato Lasagna. It was so good, but very fattening I'm sure. I got the recipe from Paula Dean's Nov/Dec 2008 magazine. I would post the recipe but it takes 2 full pages in the magazine and took about 2 hours of preparation. It was rich, creamy, and totally worth it!

As I type, I have a red velvet bunt cake in the oven and homemade cream cheese icing ready to drizzle. I seem to go from one obsession to another. Adam likes the baking much better than the shopping. I am still undecided!

P.S. It is drizzling outside and freezing cold! In Texas. I love it!