- It’s time to plant the winter kale and collards in the garden. They will do well now planted and watered in with compost. Soon you’ll have plenty of hearty greens for salads and for winter cooking.
- Collect canned goods and cereal and drop off at the local food bank. Many children will be hungry as the holidays means no school and no free meals.
- Drive to Dewberry Farms and wander through the Christmas trees to find the perfect one this year to take home and decorate with your family.
- Go buy small stockings and fill then with a sweet note and some candies. Drop them off to the church to give to elderly or shut ins or drop them off at the local retirement community.
- On my nightside table now….
- Finish making all last minute gifts so that friends and family can drop in and pick up the goodies you have made for them. With perishables such as sugars and salt soaks that need to be consumed fairly quickly I’d call those friends and get them to pick up as soon as completed so they can enjoy the freshest possible with their gifts!
- Make homemade bread and drop it off to each of your neighbors. Dip pretzel sticks in white chocolate and cover with sprinkles, bagged up for teachers and last school day treats for close classmates.
8. Make a list of stuff that needs to be done around the house so in those last days of 2017 when the holiday is wrapping up, you can complete any household stuff before welcoming in the new year.
9. Make a batch of nutty coco balls for the men’s bible study and extras of course for anybody else that just happens to stop by! (see recipe)
10. Take the children to the Houston Zoo to see the lights.
Auntie A’s Nutty Coco Balls
All my friends love to graze on these “cookies” during the holidays. They are great with coffee, milk and even hot chocolate! They are super easy to make because there’s no baking involved. Just put everything in a bowl and mix up with your hands and roll into balls! (the children love helping with this one!) Then let chill for about 30 mins in freezer and dip in melted chocolate. There are other varieties you can make using Oreo cookies crunched up, Nutella and cream de menthe. This is the original recipe that has been a favorite for years!
You’ll need:
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup crushed graham crackers
1 cup powdered sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter softened
8 ounces semisweet or other baking chocolate
*Extra cocoa or powdered sugar as added condiment if you want
In a large bowl, combine peanut butter, graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and butter. Shape into teaspoon-sized balls and place on a baking sheet or tray lined with parchment paper. Stick in refrigerator for 30-45 mins.
Meanwhile…melt your chocolate according to package directions and stir gently until smooth. Using two spoons, dip peanut butter balls into melted chocolate and transfer to lined baking sheet. Chill at least 30 minutes to set chocolate. You can dust with powdered sugar or cocoa if you’d like an extra kick!
