Have fun with your lingerie. Dress it up.

Have fun with your lingerie. Dress it up.

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails Day 9

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails

Day 9

Peanut Butter Pretzel Bits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp softened butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (maybe more)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (maybe more)
• Pretzels, 60-80
• 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

• Combine peanut butter and softened butter in a large bowl. Add in the sugars and mix until combined. If this filling will roll easily into balls without leaving your hands sticky, then proceed. If not, add in more of both sugars until it is easy to roll.
• Take a teaspoon of the filling and roll into a ball, then sandwich them between two whole pretzels. Do this until you run out of pretzels and filling. Place tray of these into the freezer for about 30 mins.
• Pour the chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 second intervals, stirring occasionally until completely melted. Remove the pretzel sandwiches from the freezer and quickly dip each halfway into the chocolate. Return the tray back to the freezer until they completely harden.
• Store these treats in the refrigerator until served.

Strawberry Champagne Punch

Ingredients:

• 1 liter sparkling champagne
• 1¼ cups fruit punch
• 1¼ cups ginger ale
• 1¼ cups orange juice
• 1 pint fresh strawberries
• 1 pint raspberry sherbet
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream

Directions:

1. Chill juices and sodas before using. Mix juices, soda and wine in punch bowl.
2. Add strawberries and stir. Spoon ice cream and sherbet, mixing. Add ice ball, preferably made of frozen punch.
3. Garnish with strawberries, kiwi, orange slice.

Top Christmas Postings on Twitter and Facebook

Top Christmas Postings on Twitter and Facebook

As I was reading my friends and acquaintances postings from Christmas day on Facebook and Twitter, I thought it would be nice to compile together some of the inspirational ones that would be nice to have around for a rainy day. I hope you all enjoy! I'd love it if you would share with me some of your favorite holiday excerpts, quotes, etc.

"Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" short story that is from the New York Times. http://beebo.org/smackerels/yes-virginia.html

There is a single ladies version of this poem that is quite clever. http://thedailylove.com/yes-single-women-there-is-a-santa-clause/

Christmas waves a magical wand over the world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. - Norman Vincent Peale

Nothings perfect. This holiday things will turn out best for those who make the best out of the way things turn out.

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemies, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.

Today: I will count not the presents under the tree, but all the blessings God has given me.

Today: I will wish all those I've ever loved good cheer, then release the old and look ahead to a new year!

A positive attitude is life's magical wand. When you shine, you leave miracles behind.

Funny: Santa is a very jolly because he knows where all the bad girls live - Dennis Miller

Christmas has lost its meaning for us because we have lost the spirit of expectancy. We cannot prepare for an observance. We must prepare for an experience. - Handel H. Brow

At the end of the day, the real joy in life isn't found in presents but in each other's presence.

Christmas Day is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves. - Eric Sevareid

Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself. - Norman Wesley Brooks

Christmas – that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance – a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved. - Augusta E. Rundel

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'til his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” ~Dr. Seuss

Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you ... to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old ... Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest ting in the world ... stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death... Then you can keep Christmas! But you can never keep it alone. -Henry van Dyke

Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to be kind. - Helen Steiner Rice

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails Day 8

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails

Day 8

Toffee Bark

This recipe turns those buttery rectangular crackers into a delectable sweet and salty treat, YUM!

Ingredients:

• 2 paper envelopes buttery rectangular crackers or saltines, whichever you prefer
• 1 cup butter
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1-1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. 
   
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 15" x 10" pan with foil. Spray foil with nonstick baking spray that has flour. Place the crackers in a single layer on the jelly roll pan, breaking to fit.
2. In large saucepan, place butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. You'll need to stir constantly as the mixture cooks. Keep cooking and boiling it until it combines and forms a smooth sauce. This takes a few minutes, so don't get discouraged!
3. When the sauce has combined, spoon and spread evenly over the crackers in the pan. Bake for 10-13 minutes until the sauce is bubbling all over the surface. Remove and immediately sprinkle both kinds of chocolate chips over the bubbling surface. Let stand for 5 minutes, then marble the chips with the tip of a knife. Let cool completely,then cut into pieces to serve.

Spice Cake Batter Shots

We all know that the cake batter of any cake recipe is always the best part which makes this liquor recipe a brilliant one for you all with a sweet tooth!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz of cake flavored vodka or vanilla with a touch of amaretto
• 2 oz spiced rum
• 1 oz creme de cacao
• 2.5 oz half and half, heavy cream or milk
• Dash of cinnamon shnapps, if wanted
• White frosting and sprinkles for garnish

Directions:

1. Dip the edges of the shot glasses into frosting and then into sprinkles.
2. Combine the ingredients into a pitcher. Taste test for spiciness. Adjust by adding a little cinnamon shnapps or half and half, as needed. Refrigerate.
3. These shots are best if they are refrigerated, but if you need to make them on the spot, mix in a mixing glass with ice and serve cold.

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails Day 7

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails

Day 7

Reindeer Feed

This delicious treat only has 3 ingredients and takes no time to cook! It's a quick and easy fix and quite addicting.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups of Rice Chex
• 12 oz white vanilla baking chips (2 cups)
• 1/3 cup coarsely crushed peppermint candy canes (14 mini unwrapped)

Directions:

1. Line cookie sheet with foil or waxed paper. Place cereal in a large bowl.
2. In microwave bowl, microwave white vanilla baking chips uncovered on high for about 1 minute 30 seconds, or until chips can be stirred smooth. Stir in half of the crushed peppermint canes.
3. Pour over cereal; toss to evenly coat. Spread the mixture in single layer on cookie sheet. Immediately sprinkle with remaining candy. Let stand until set, about 20 minutes. Gently break up coated cereal. Store in airtight container.

Hot Buttered Rum

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• • • • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 cup whipping (heavy) cream
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons rum
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• Ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. Beat butter and brown sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed about 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in whipping cream and powdered sugar alternately on low speed until smooth. Stir in cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.
2. For each serving, place rum and 2 tablespoons Hot Buttered Rum Batter in mug. Stir in boiling water. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails Day 6

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails

Day 6

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies

Essentially, these brownies combine everything that is good. Chocolate and peanut butter. Brownies and cookies. Salty and sweet. Could it possibly get any better?

Ingredients:

• 9x13 cooking pan of prepared brownies that are cooled
• 1/4 cup salted butter
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 & 1/4 cups pretzel m&m's

Directions:

1. With an electric mixer, cream the butter and peanut butter for about 1 minute or until smooth. Add the sugars and continue creaming for another minute until light and fluffy. Add the milk and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add the flour while mixing until fully combined.
2. Stir the m&m's into the dough.
3. Spoon the dough out onto the cooled brownies and spread gently into an even layer. Slice into squares and prepare for a life changing experience in your mouth!

Strawberry Shortcake Martini

• 

Ingredients:

• 3 fresh strawberry's plus one for garnish if desired
• 2 oz cake flavored vodka
• 2 oz lemonade
• 1/2 oz amaretto liquor
• Ice and a cocktail shaker

Directions:

1. Crush the strawberries and vodka together in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add the lemonade, amaretto and some ice to the mixture.
3. Shake.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish rim of glass if desired.

Alex and Isabelle Hair Ties

Alex and Isabelle Hair Ties at Bertha Church

These fabulous, chic, colorful hair ties have been a hit for us at the store!

Fun: There is a wide array of colors that these ties come in. We get them custom made, so if you need some for a wedding party, sports team or other group we can make that happen.

Inexpensive: Single ties are $2 and doubles are $4.

Effective: They really do hold your hair back and leave you with less split ends than most hair elastics that I've tried in the past.

For a good cause: A portion of the sales that these ladies make is donated to the Conor B. Turnbaugh Foundation providing financial support to local families facing pediatric cancer.

If you find yourself stressing out over what to do with your hair, these ties are the solution! You don't have to be hair savvy in order to get a stylish look. Just add one of these fashionable ties and you're all set to go!

New Colors at the Store

Classic faves from the ladies at the store

Learn more about the company behind these wonderful items at http://www.alexandisabellehairties.com/

Celebs Xmas Spirit

Celebrities with the best Christmas Spirit!

Faith Hill

Billy Bob Thornton

Carmen Elektra

Cindy Crawford

Destiny's Child

Jake Gyllenhaul

Jessica Simpson

Tyra Banks

Justin Bieber

Taylor Swift

Ryan Phillipe

Paris Hilton

Mariah Carey

Katie Perry

Mean Girls

Christina Aguilera

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails Day 5

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails

Day 5

CARAMEL STUFFED APPLE CIDER COOKIES

These cookies are enjoyed warm (as most cookies are) and go prefectly with a cup of tea!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 box (7.4 oz) Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink Mix (use all 10 packets)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 bag Kraft caramels (14 oz)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment.
2. In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
3. Cream together butter, sugar, salt and 10 packets of apple cider drink mix until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix well.
5. Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture and combined. Refrigerate for about an hour.
6. Scoop out a cookie dough ball about the size of a walnut. Flatten the dough in the palm of your hands. Press your unwrapped caramel into the center of the dough and seal the dough around it. Cover the caramel completely. Place on parchment 2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until very lightly brown around the edges.
8. When the cookies are taken out of the over, slide the parchment off the cookie sheet and leave to cool off partially on the counter. After a few minutes, flip the cookies over and let cool upside down.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies!

HOLIDAY HOPPER COCKTAIL

Ingredients:

• 1 oz midori melon liquor
• 1/2 oz green creme de menthe
• 1/2 oz white creme de cacao
• 2 oz of half and half
• mint leaves and raspberry's for garnish

Directions:

1. Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.
2. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with mint leaves and raspberry's.

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails Day 4

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails

Day 4

FUNFETTI CAKE BATTER FUDGE

This fudge is absolutely to die for and is incredibly simple to make. There are very little ingredients and few steps to follow. What more can you ask for? Oh wait, yes, it is cute too! Your kids, family and guests will certainly be asking for more of this adorable tasty treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
• 3.5 cups white chocolate chips
• 3 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• rainbow sprinkles

Directions:

1. Pour milk and white chocolate into a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 2-3 minutes until the chocolate is almost completely melted. DO NOT OVERHEAT. Stir until completely blended, melted and smooth.
2. Add vanilla and almond and combine thoroughly. Stir in a handful of sprinkles. Do not over stir or they will melt and turn the mixture into a muddy color.
3. Transfer to an 11x7 or 8x8 baking pan lined with aluminum foil. Let it set at room temp or in the refrigerator. Once set, cut the fudge into desirable sized pieces and store in a cool place.

COCOA LOCO

1. 

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Flor de Cana 7 year old rum
• .5 oz Godiva chocolate liquor
• Thin slice of habanero chili pepper
• Dash of cinnamon
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 oz milk
• whipped cream

Directions:

1. Pour rum, chocolate liquor and milk into a small pot and add the chili pepper, cinnamon and sugar.
2. Simmer on low to medium until hot.
3. Strain the mixture into a mug and top with whipped cream.

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails

Day 3

ROLO COOKIES

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup butter, room temp.
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1 bag of rolo candies, unwrapped
• sugar to roll the cookie dough balls in

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet.
2. In a medium bowl stir the flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa. Set aside.
3. In a mixer, cream butter and sugars together until smooth. Add in eggs, one at a time. Add in vanilla.
4. Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture, blend well. Take a spoon full of cookie dough and wrap it around one rolo candy. Make sure the rolo
5. 
   
   is completely covered with cookie dough. Roll the dough ball into sugar and place on the cookie sheet. Continue this until you run out of dough.
6. Bake cookies for 7-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow time to cool off.

HOLIDAY GLOGG

Ingredients:

• 12 oz sky vodka
• 750 mL of dry red wine
• 1.5 tbsp mulling spices
• 1 tsp of fresh orange zest
• 2 tbsp of sugar

Directions:

1. Wrap the mulling spices in cheesecloth.
2. In a large saucepan, mix the vodka, wine and mulling spices, orange zest and sugar.
3. Simmer over medium heat for approximately 30 min.
4. Discard the mulling spices.
5. Drop a few raisins and almonds into a mug and top with the hot liquid.

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails Day 2

12 Days of Cookies and Cocktails

Day 2

OREO CHEESECAKE CUPCAKES

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cream cheese (2 packages of light Philadelphia)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 21 oreo cookies; 15 left whole and 6 coarsely chopped
• pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees and line pan with cupcake wrappers.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese on medium high speed until smooth gradually adding in sugar and vanilla until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat in sour cream and salt.
3. Stir in the chopped oreo cookies by hand.
4. Place an oreo cookie at the bottom of each wrapper. Spoon the cream cheese mixture on top of the oreo cookie almost to the top of the wrapper.
5. Bake for 20 minutes. Refrigerate for at least two hours to harden.

BAILEYS PEPPERMINT CREAM

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Baileys with a Hint of Mint Chocolate
• 4 oz Hot chocolate
• Fresh whipped cream
• Candy cane

Directions:

1. Pour the Baileys and hot chocolate into a coffee mug
2. Top with a dollop of whipped cream
3. Sprinkle crushed candy on top