Peppermint Oreo Truffles

These are seriously my new favorite treat!  They are going to be perfect for our neighbor gifts this year!!  My kids would eat them as fast as I made them if I let them! 


It's a perfect mix of Oreos and mint and chocolate.  I am not an Oreo fan, but mixed with cream cheese and chocolate...YUMMY!  They aren't that much work and they would make a great last minute gift!


Here is the recipe  (adapted from Kraft Oreo Truffles)
Servings
About 30


Ingredients
1 pkg Mint Crème Filled Oreos 15.25 oz
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese-room temperature (Be sure this is room temperature...it's really hard when the cream cheese isn't pliable enough to incorporate the cookie crumbs)
2 cups dark chocolate melting wafers (You could also use chocolate chips)
Crushed peppermint candy.  (I used about 4-5 regular sized candy canes, but it will depend on how much you want to sprinkle on each truffle.  I crushed them first by using the food processor, but they were more like a dust so I tried just putting them in a Ziploc bag & then hitting them with a small rolling pin, which I liked better.  More peppermint taste & looks cuter to sprinkle on top!!)




Instructions
1. Using a food processor (I used our Ninja blender...or you could do this by hand by putting the cookies in a Ziploc bag and then use a rolling pin to crush them...you will just need to be sure they are crushed very finely).


2. Add the cream cheese to a large bowl and stir it until well creamed (or you could you an electric mixer or a KitchenAid).


3. Stir in the cookie crumbs, stirring until well combined.  (Use a spatula to scrape the cream cheese and cookie crumbs from the side of the bowl too!!)


4. Using a cookie scoop (or you could roll them by hand to about a tablespoon size) and place on a cookie sheet that is lined with wax paper.


5. Put the rolled truffles into the freezer for about 20 minutes.


6. After the truffles are chilled, melt your wafers (or chocolate chips) in the microwave for 30 seconds.  Stir well and then return to the microwave for 15 seconds and stir again.  Repeat the 15 second heating and stirring in between until the chocolate is completely melted.


7. Dip the truffles in the melted chocolate.  I put the truffle in the bowl of chocolate and then using a small spoon, cover the truffle in chocolate.  Then I use a knife to lift it up & the spoon to steady it and then put in back on the tray with wax paper.  Immediately after dipping each truffle, sprinkle with the crushed peppermint.


8. Put them back in the fridge or freezer so the chocolate can harden before serving or putting them in any kind of container.


You are going to LOVE these!  Perfect for a Christmas party or just cozying up for a Hallmark movie and enjoying your Christmas season!  Enjoy!!


💗💗💗💗💗💗
Heather

Festival of Trees

It's that time of year again!!  It's time for the Festival of Trees.  I love this event.  I love the meaning behind it!  I love the family time we spend there!

Here is a little history of the festival...
The Festival of Trees was inspired 46 years ago by a group of 15 women from along the Wasatch Front.  These women were challenged by Lewis M. Jones, Chairman of the hospital's Men's Endowment Board, to identify a way to raise funds for Primary Children's Hospital.  Organized as the Women's Endowment Committee and led by Betty Wells, the group sold tickets to the Ice Capades and dabbled in other projects in an attempt to raise funds.  They soon determined they had spent too much time and energy for too little return.  They searched for one project they could devote all their efforts on.
That project was inspired when Co-Chair Ruth Flint vacationed in Hawaii and attended a Christmas boutique featuring small, decorated Christmas trees, centerpieces, and Christmas decorations.  The Women's Endowment Committee expanded the concept to include full-sized decorated Christmas trees, a gift boutique, and sweet shop.  At that time, Primary Children's Hospital was owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and much of the support would come from church members.
That first year, there were approximately 60 trees for display and sale in the gymnasium of the old Armory off Sunnyside Avenue.  To everyone's surprise and delight, $47,000 was raised!


Today, the Festival of Trees is held at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.  Over the years, this beautiful event has blossomed into a festival that spans over 220,000 square feet of display space.
Perhaps the greatest phenomenon of all is that everything is donated.  The trees are decorated and purchased by individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and church groups.  In addition, others generously donate items to fill the shops.  Businesses provide the paper and printing of posters and tickets.  Corporations offer their covered trucks and drivers to help deliver the trees, and so much more!  Thousands of people contribute countless hours and means to give "A Gift of Love" to children.  In 2016. the Festival raised $2,622,903.88 for children at Primary Children's Hospital.
Over the years, Festival of Trees has been copied many times throughout the United States and Canada.  However, the Salt Lake City Festival of Trees remains the "granddaddy" of them all.


My daughter Kaylie is a talented dancer and her studio would perform every year at the Festival.  We would then spend time walking through the aisles looking at all of the beautiful trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses, etc...and who can resist all of the YUMMY food and treats you can purchase!!  BUT....our favorite part is the Kids' Corner where you can talk to an Elf at the North Pole or make awesome crafts or ornaments or even stand in a booth and be surrounded in a big giant soap bubble!!  Such a magical, fun place to be.  The feeling of joy and good wishes to all abound there.


Now we have a new reason to visit the Festival!!  Lucy and Cole, our 2 oldest, with the help of a family friend donate a tree every year in honor of their sweet mother.  They come up with a theme, shop for ornaments and then decorate the tree.  They LOVE delivery day!  They always seem so excited and really enjoy setting up their tree and honoring their mom.  I am so thankful they have this event every year to honor her and I know they love that all of the proceeds go to help children who are in need of special care too.  They get to go before the rest of our family and they usually have a tree or two that they love and want to show us in addition to their own!!


The theme they chose this year was 'dancing all night'....here are Lucy's words explaining it!!  "One of my favorite memories of my mom is her dance parties.  even when she was sick and in pain from her cancer treatments, she would turn on some music and we'd all dance it out.  these dance parties were the inspiration for this year's tree-dancing all night."
Many people remember these dance parties and talk about them fondly.  It was a blessing to them all and a sweet reminder of the woman who meant so much to so many.

It turned out beautifully!  This event is such a great reminder to me that despite all of the bad things in the world, there are also so many good things.  We must seek out the good things and share them with others.  We must be kind, happy and share our goodness with those around us and help those in need.  "As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others," President Thomas S. Monson


Go check out the Festival if you are able!  You'll love it and want to go back every year!


💗💗💗💗💗💗
Heather

Christmas Crack

It's that time of year again.  Yummy treats smelling up the kitchen, snuggling up on the couch to watch Hallmark movies!  Its the best time of the year for me!  Another couple of weeks and my tree with will be up and my house all decked out with Christmas gear, maybe a Christmas craft or two.  The best time of the year!  I know its not quite here, but I couldn't help myself this year...I had to start the treats a little early!!  This seriously has to be my FAVORITE Christmas treat...really, it's probably one of my very most favorite treats period!  And I might eat it throughout the year, not just at Christmastime.  Its so simple and takes about 10 minutes from start to finish!!   

Hope you will try it and enjoy it with your families this year!!  What is your favorite treat to share with your family?? 




The recipe is below or click HERE for a printable version!

Christmas Crack

Ingredients

6 cups Chex Corn Cereal

6 cups Golden Grahams Cereal

2 cups shredded coconut

2 cups sliced almonds

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup sugar

¾ cup butter

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix the Chex Corn cereal, Golden Grahams Cereal, shredded coconut, ans sliced almonds.  Set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, combine the corn syrup, sugar and butter.  Bring to a boil for about 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and let cool for about 2 minutes.

Pour over the cereal mix and mix well until the cereal is coated.  Spread on a cookie sheet to cool.  Store in an airtight container to keep from drying out.

Family Picures 2017

I don't know about you, but there is something about Family pictures that I LOVE!!  I love to see the changes in our family from year to year.  I love the memories we make when we are taking them and the fun they seem to be...mostly!  What session wouldn't be complete without the shedding of a few tears right!  😉  I am really lucky to have one of the best cousins in the world, who just happens to take amazing pictures!  I mean...check them out!

When I'm thinking of what I want the theme to be for the year, I spend LOTS of time on Pinterest or other friends photos.  I'm looking at color schemes and poses and locations.  This year I wanted a more rustic feel.  So we chose more muted colors like navy, black and jeans.  My cousin picked the location with these cool rustic barns and an old silo.  And for fun, my mom wanted to do something with Santa hats and ugly sweaters...I added the lights and we barely had time to snap a few quick ones with the kids before it got dark! 


Whatever your family photos are, do them!  Make memories and capture the changes in your family for years to  come.  Family pictures are a MUST for me!  I don't want to miss a chance to watch our family grow up!!