This time of year it is so easy to get caught up in all the lists of things we need to do, buy, bake and see that we lose sight of why we are doing it.

Here we are, 9 more days until Christmas, and I feel stressed out!  I feel like I don't have enough time, energy or money to do everything on my lists.  I don't FEEL like it's Christmas yet because I still have so much more to do.

So I got to thinking..........What do I need to do to make it FEEL like Christmas?

Is it the perfectly decorated home?  Is it baking the best treats?  Is it having the most presents under the tree, or the most beautiful family picture?

Nope!

For me, Christmas is the warmth of cuddling up with my family with hot cocoa and watching Elf.
Christmas is decorating cookies while listening to Christmas music.  Christmas is watching my kids play in the snow.  Christmas is going on a shopping date with my Husband.  Christmas is sitting in church singing Christmas Hymns.

Christmas shouldn't be a stressful time, but for so many of us it is because we think we need more than we do.   We put so much pressure on ourselves to make sure everything is picture perfect, wrapped up pretty and all aglow, that we convince ourselves that THAT is what Christmas is.  That we NEED more in order to have a beautiful Christmas.

This Christmas I hope that you find what you NEED.  That this Christmas brings happiness and peace.  I hope you make the time to sit under the Christmas tree lights and read a book.  I hope you listen to Christmas music as you make dinner.  I hope the magic of Christmas touches your heart in the simplest of ways, so that you can go into the new year knowing that you don't NEED much.  And what you do need, you probably already have.

Every year when Christmas rolls around, my kids start asking when I am going to make "Suga Nuts!"

1. Offer to watch a single parents kids, so they can finish up some last minute shopping
2. Drop off some baked goodies to your local fire station, on Christmas Eve
3. Go caroling/visit or drop off Christmas cards/children's art work to a nursing/retirement home
4. Drop off new stuffed animal's to your local police station or S.A.F.E. organization
5. Drop off some flowers to the nurses desk at the hospital (they will know who needs them)
6. Shovel the snow from a neighbors driveway/sidewalk
7. Send Christmas cards to Soldiers, Missionaries, Others who won't be home for the Holidays
8. Drop off children's books to a children's hospital or doctors office
9. Collect and deliver clothes, books, toys to a shelter
10. Pick-up some extra wrapping paper & tape and drop it off to a neighbor
11. Pick-up some personal hygiene items at the dollar store, put in a stocking and deliver to a battered woman's shelter
12. Call a lonely neighbor/friend/family member just to catch up, listen and show love
13. Buy a bag of cat/dog food and deliver it to an animal shelter
14. Bake some treats with your children, then drop them off at their school for the teacher's lounge
15. Offer to put up Christmas lights for older neighbors or family/friends
16. Make easy tie blankets and donate to a shelter
17. Offer to run errands or do some grocery shopping for someone that is in need  (a new mom, an elderly person, someone who is sick or recovering, someone who doesn't drive)
18. Have your family play "Secret Santa" for a family in need
19. Have your family "Adopt" a Grandparent that doesn't have family near
20. Make an sincere effort to smile at others, freely give compliments, show kindness & love

These brownies are SOOOOO good, but they kinda look a mess!  But let's get back to how good they are!

I don't really like chocolate.  I know!  I know!!!  Can we still be friends?

But these brownies, I always have always loved these brownies!  I mean what's not to love!?  They are super easy, first off.  They are covered in caramel and pecans, and they are ooey gooey goodness!


I just make two batches of brownies.  Follow the instructions on the box, make two boxes, in two pans.  One pan will be the brownies, one pan will be used for the crumbly topping.  You can get a fancy box of brownies, but I usually just get the boxes that are on sale, because after we add the caramel and pecans, you would think they were the most expensive brownies ever.

After the brownies cool, I take about half the jar of caramel and coat one batch of the brownies.  After I have put on the layer of caramel, I crumble the other batch of brownies on top of the layer of caramel.  Then I drizzle more caramel on top of the crumbly and add the pecans and then it's super yummy!

You have to eat this brownie with a fork and a plate because they are super messy, but they are worth the mess!!!


Anytime I make these my family can't wait for dessert time!

• 1 lb. plus 2 oz. high-quality semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 lb. butter
• 12 oz. granulated sugar
• 8 oz. cake flour
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 4 large whole eggs
• 1 lb crushed, toasted walnuts

Apricot Glaze Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup apricot preserves
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin powder

Instructions

1. Make brownies: Melt chocolate with butter in a double boiler or heat-proof bowl suspended over very hot water. Mix dry ingredients in a mixing bowl (except walnuts.) Mix melted chocolate/butter mixture with dry ingredients. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, taking about 5 minutes continuous whisking from the first egg to the last. Butter and flour a 9 x 12 baking dish. Preheat oven to 350. Toast walnuts for about 15 minutes until fragrant. Lower oven temperature to 300. Chop walnuts and set aside. Spread brownie batter into the prepared pan. It will be very liquid. Sprinkle surface with the chopped walnuts, pressing down so that they are partly submerged.  Bake in 300 degree oven 45 to 50 minutes until the brownies have crisped on the edge of the pan–about 2-inches around the full edge of the pan. The brownies in the center of the pan will remain slightly jiggly. Note: even when properly baked, these brownies will test “gooey” in the center with a toothpick test, due to the richness of the batter. Remove brownies from oven and cool on a rack for 30 minutes. Chef Stephen Henry says for cleanest slices, freeze the brownies for three hours after glazing. Then cut, and serve while very firm and cold.
2. Make glaze: Mix water, preserves and unflavored gelatin in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until boiling; heat at boiling for two minutes. While the glaze is still hot, spread a thick layer over the brownies. Cool completely. Place in the freezer for 3 to 4 hours. Slice and serve while very cold and firm.