Cookie Jar Makeover

I was bummend when I didn't have enough spending cash for a Christmas Cookie Jar this year...( I'm determined to stick to my budget) I've always wanted one but life dictated otherwise...soooo I pouted and then a light bulb went off in my head. HEY ! Maybe I do have a creative bone in my body afterall ! I took my plain Jane all purpose glass canister and created my own Christmas Cookie Jar using old ribbon I had tucked away, and then took 2 ornaments off my tree !! Now I have a Christmas Cookie Jar...

Wrap it up !

Being thrifty doesn't have to make you sad. I already get the newspaper, so technically it was 'free' wrap ! This actually made me smile when I wrapped it up this morning.

It's not Christmas until the Pizzelles are made !

Well, alrighty ! That's better. It just didn't feel like Christmas yet... even with the Santa Puzzle complete ! I dived in with both feet tonight. I just couldn't put it off another night. The Pizzelle's are finally made... just waiting for powdered sugar. It's beginning to feel and smell like Christmas around here ! Yippee !

Santa Puzzle

We're in full Christmas gear here at the Cozy Kitchen. We completed our Santa Puzzle, another Christmas tradition around here. ( Sadly, I only found about 3 pieces!)
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A peak outside my Cozy Kitchen window

I woke up and decided to take a few pictures of the view outside the Cozy Kitchen.
My kitchen is surrounded by mostly windows, so I thought I'd share with you what I see all day when I'm cooking. Here are a few...

When my son saw the sky, he said it looked like God took scissors and cut the sky in half. I grabbed my camera, and snapped this picture at 7:00 this morning.


Then I ran inside, and cut up an orange. I love to feed the birds ! I watch them outside my window all day long !


I noticed my winter Camellias were in full bloom !

I love winter blooms ! Even on gloomy days, these flowers make me smile.
This is my River Birch. I absolutley love the bark, and the way it unfolds in the winter ! It reminds me of unwrapping a crayon !
What's outside your Cozy Kitchen ? Take pics, post about it, come back here and leave a comment, and we can all go on a tour of what's ouside your Cozy Kitchen window ! We'll call it the Cozy Kitchen Window tour !

The Wine Exchange

I can't help it. It never fails, I get totally overwhelmed every December. After a long, hectic week, I was in search of something that had the potential to bring a smile to my face. I chose this beauty. Hess Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005, $13.00 . "Aromas of mocha, brown sugar, and dark chocolate wrap around a core of mountain blackberry. Cedar and cassis follow as secondary aromas. The palate is well balanced with berry flavors and spice. While displaying classic mountain concentration, fine grained tannins provide a smooth finish." Oh ya baby...I'm smiling !

Baby, it's cold outside Corn & Cheddar Chowder

I woke up this morning and had cold feet. I ran downstairs to see what the temperature said on my computer. A freezing 26 degrees ! At that moment, I knew exactly what was for dinner ! This is served frequently at the Cozy Kitchen during the winter months ! I love the cumin in this soup !

Corn and Cheddar Chowder
Gourmet January 2000

This soup stands on its own as a main course when paired with a green salad and some crusty bread.

Yield: Serves 4 -6

Active Time: 40 min
Total Time: 45 min

4 bacon slices, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 teaspoons ground cumin
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth
1 large boiling potato, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/2 cup heavy cream
10-ounce package frozen corn kernels ( I use a can of Green Giant "Niblets"corn )
1/2 pound sharp Cheddar, grated


Cook bacon in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

Add onion and butter to fat in pan and cook, stirring, until onion is softened. Add cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Whisk in broth and bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. Add potato and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 8 minutes. Stir in cream and corn and return to a simmer. Add Cheddar, stirring just until cheese is melted (do not let boil), and season generously with pepper.

Serve topped with bacon.
Soup keeps 2 days, covered and chilled

Cozy

I found this night light at Belk on sale for 14.00. They are in the China section. I thought it would be cute in the Cozy Kitchen ! I love the glitter swirls...they float about constantly when turned on and look sparkly at night. A great gift idea too !!