This and That ~ Finishing the Unfinished

 

Although only for one night, we were able to travel a few hours away, to visit a 4.8 million Christmas light display, stay at a Historic hotel (which we loved), and visit some local shops, to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.  It rained on us, but we were still happy to travel and celebrate.

Christmas is over with, and we have had the strangest weather.  We hit 64°F I think they said, and today it's rain and in the high 50's.  The nice part of not having a lot of decorations up, is we have very little to put away this year.

Christmas has been much different, with Mom not here to celebrate, so we will need to work on new traditions for next year.  I've come to terms with the fact, it will not be the same, and we will make changes.  It's hard to believe I made it past Christmas, and only baked one Christmas cookie.  I've had a request to make one more, before the month is over.

I don't know how, but I managed to finally finish this book.  I started reading it early in the spring. The garden/other projects keep me busy, with little time to read.  

I finished this one as well.  I know, a bit shocker.  I think this makes book 5 for this year.  I typically read a lot more.

I read most of Leslie Meier Mystery books years ago, but our library did not have some of the series.  I do enjoy them, but would like to venture into other books I have at home.

If you are looking for a Christmas movie to watch, try Netflix movie Holiday in the Vineyards.  We very much enjoyed it.

We tried a new deviled egg recipe, and we really like it.  The recipe says to put the extra filling on crackers, and it would be delicious on a cracker.  We loaded it all on the eggs.  It is a recipe from The Southern Lady Cooks, and the pimentos make it colorful for a Christmas side dish.  

I used my homemade garlic powder for the recipe, and just the small amount adds a good amount of flavor.  They are not low in calories, but I'm glad we tried them.

This and That ~ Finishing the Unfinished © Dec 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Crockpot Creamed Corn

 

A winner in the "tried new" recipe category.  So good!  The only ingredient I did not add, was the red bell pepper, because I didn't have any in the freezer at the time.  I will be adding it and making this again.  A keeper recipe.

The recipe is online at The Southern Lady Cooks - Slow Cooker Creamed Corn.

If you freeze your corn off the cob with butter, you can use that and add less butter too.  I save bacon grease, so I used that, and already had some bacon cooked that was leftover from another meal.  The sugar could be left out too.  I mean, it's only 2 Tbsp, but we freeze our corn with butter and sugar so I can leave it out.

A win-win recipe if you freeze your corn off the cob, and freeze your garden bell peppers.  Saving your bacon grease is always a frugal tip I share often.

Sharing for those looking for a new side dish for your own meals, or for potluck meals.  I've tried other variations in the past, and we really like this one.

I like to try new recipes exactly according to instructions, and ingredients.  Next time I will swap the corn starch with arrowroot powder and see if it makes a difference in consistency or flavor.  I do by organic corn starch, but for us arrowroot would be a healthier option.

Tip:  We cook up an entire package of bacon, and save half for a second meal or use it in another recipe.

Enjoy!

Crockpot Creamed Corn © Dec 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart