fill-in-the-blank friday + Christmas party friday

one. holiday spirit...lovely :)

two. the holidays are incomplete without...Christmas music at church.

three. my favorite things to do around the holidays are...drink Christmasy coffee, read Christmasy books, listen to Christmasy music, all while sitting my the Christmas tree.

four. a holiday tradition my family & I have is...reading the Christmas story on Christmas morning before we open any presents.

five. holiday music is...my favorite.

six. this year, I'll be spending the holidays...the usual way: Christmas Eve service, then we'll catch the end of Christmas Eve with my dad's extended family.  Christmas morning with just my family, then we'll go to my uncle's & have breakfast & gifts with all my dad's family.  Then we go to my mom's parents' & do Christmas with all her side of the family that afternoon/evening.

seven. holiday wish list...several movies, books, clothes, etc.

link up here.

a new favorite

{pumpkin roll}

3 eggs

1 cup white sugar

2/3 cup pumpkin puree

1 t lemon juice

3/4 c all-purpose flour

2 t cinnamon

1/2 t salt

1 t baking powder

1 t ginger

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 t vanilla extract

4 T butter

8 oz cream cheese

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees.  grease & flour cookie sheet (with sides).
2. beat eggs on high for 5 minutes.  gradually add white sugar, pumpkin, & lemon juice.  add flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, & ginger.  spread batter evenly in pan.  sprinkle pecans on top & press lightly into batter.
3. bake 12-15 minutes, or until it springs back when touched.  loosen edges with a knife.  turn out on sheet of wax paper.  roll up (with wax paper so it doesn't stick to itself), & let cool 20 minutes.
4. filling: mix powdered sugar, vanilla, butter, & ream cheese til smooth.
5. unroll pumpkin part when cool.  spread with filling.  reroll (without wax paper), wrap in long sheet of wax paper & twist ends like a piece of candy.  refrigerate overnight.  slice with powdered sugar.  serve cold.

a Christmas morning tradition

{garlic cheese grits}

1-1/2 cup milk

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup grits

1/2 t garlic salt

1/2 t salt

combine & boil into thick.

6 oz. velveeta cheese

1/2 stick butter

1 egg

add to grits.

top with crushed corn flake crumbs.

bake 40-45 minutes at 350 degrees.

this is fun (& is making me hungry)...I may have to add a few more between now & Christmas :)

link up here.