What are you doing New Year Eve

HISTORY OF WATCH NIGHT ( New Year's Eve)

Many of you who live or grew up in Black communities in the United States have probably heard of "Watch Night Services," the gathering of the faithful in churches on New Year's Eve. The service usually begins anywhere from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year. Some folks come to Church first, before going out to celebrate. For others, church is the only New Year's Eve event. Like many others, I always assumed Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious celebration, but my grandmother said no there more to the
story, enjoy the whole story of watch night as told by my grandmother.

December 31, 1862, also known as "Freedom's Eve." On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law. Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free. When the news was received, there were praying and shouting and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God. Black folks
have gathered in churches annually on New Year's Eve ever since praising God for bringing us safely through another year. It's been 141 years since that first freedom's eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of watch night, but tradition still brings us together at this time every year to Celebrate "HOW WE GOT OVER".

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

I hope everyone Christmas was fill with joy and laughter.

24th DAY OF CHRISTMAS(Roast Beef Sandwich)

Open face broiled Roast Beef Sandwich

Ingredients

4 hoagie buns, split
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 teaspoons prepared coarse-ground mustard
2 pound deli sliced *roast beef
4 tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
8 slices provolone cheese
salt and pepper to taste
* you can use any combination of meat and cheese.

Directions

1. Preheat oven on broiler setting.
2. Cut rolls in half, and toast in a bread toaster. Place on a baking sheet. Spread each half with mayonnaise and mustard. Layer with roast beef, tomato, red onion, Provolone, salt and pepper.
3. Broil 3 to 6 inches from heat source for 3 to 5 minutes (keep a constant eye on it) until cheese is bubbly and is beginning to brown.
Add a bowl of soup for a very filling dinner.

23th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Chicken Stew)

Spicy Crockpot Chicken Stew

Ingredients

2 baking potatoes (about 1 1/2 lb.), peeled and cut into chunks (3 1/3 cups)
1 (10 oz.) package frozen sweet corn
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks (1 cup)
1 green bell pepper, thickly sliced
1 onion, thickly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (12.5 oz.) jar salsa
2 teaspoons kosher salt
11/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 skinless, boneless chicken breast, halved (about 1 lb.)
4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 10.5 oz.)
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
4 (6 inch) fresh corn tortillas, cut into strips

Preparation

Place potatoes, corn, celery, carrots, bell pepper, onion and garlic in crockpot. Stir in salsa, salt, cumin, chili powder and pepper. Distribute chicken evenly on top of vegetables and pour chicken broth over chicken. Mix tortilla strips into stew. Serve warm. Cook stew on high for 4-6 hours, transfer chicken to a plate and shred with two forks into bite-size chunks; return to clockpot. Mix tortilla strips into stew. Serve warm

22th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Bake Chicken)

Honey Baked Chicken

Ingredients

1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces or thighs and legs
1/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup honey
1/4 cup *prepared mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
* Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place chicken pieces in a shallow baking pan, skin side up. Combine the melted butter or margarine, honey, mustard, salt and paprika and pour the mixture over the chicken. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hours, Cover for half of the cooking time and then uncover, basting every 15 minutes with pan drippings, until the chicken is nicely browned and tender and the juices run clear.
Serve with rice or noodles

21th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Pork Chop)

Fried Pork Chop

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable oil for frying
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
4 (3/4 inch) thick pork chops

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Combine flour, seasoning and pepper in a paper or plastic bag. Place pork chops into the bag, and shake to coat.
2. When the oil is nice and hot, shake off excess flour from pork chops, and fry in the hot oil. Cook on each side for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden on the outside, and juices run clear.
Served this with apples sauce and mac-n-cheese.

20th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Chicken Casserole)

Cheesy Chicken Casserole

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
1 1/3 cups water
3/4 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cup frozen broccoli flowerets
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast half (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1.Heat the oven to 375°F. Stir the soup, water, rice, onion powder, black pepper and broccoli in a 2-quart shallow baking dish.
2.Top with the chicken. Cover the baking dish.
3.Bake for 50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender. Top with the cheese. Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes. Stir the rice before serving.

19th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Chili)

Black Bean Chili

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds boneless pork, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 (15.5 ounce) cans black beans, drained
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup thick and chunky salsa
1 (15 ounce) can canned diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 cup water or chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
Garnish: sour cream, shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions
Combine all ingredients except garnishes in 3 1/2-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat setting 7 to 8 hours. Top individual bowls with sour cream and Cheddar cheese.

18th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Tuna)

Tuna Casserole

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package macaroni
1/2 cup can green peas
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk or water
4 (6 ounce) cans tuna, drained
1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms (optional)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
ground black pepper to taste
1 cup crushed potato chips

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
3. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix macaroni,  1 cup cheese, peas, tuna, and mushrooms, mix the soup and milk together and add.
4. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish, add  remaining 1 cup cheese and crushed potato chip on top.
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is bubbly.

17th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Sloppy Joe)

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
3/4 cup ketchup
3 teaspoons brown sugar
2-3 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 can tomato paste
1/2 cup water
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup cheese
8 hamburger buns, split

Directions

1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion, and green pepper; drain off liquids.
2. Stir remaining ingredients except the cheese, mix thoroughly. Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. top buns with sauce and cheese.

16th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Cajun Rice)

JAMBALAYA

Ingredients

1 tablespoon oil
1 16 ounce package kielbasa, cut into 1⁄4-inch rounds
1 14.5 can diced tomatoes
1 10 ounce can Rotel tomatoes and chilis
1 cup water
1 8-ounce box jambalaya, Spanish, or fiesta-flavored rice mix
1 pound peeled and deveined raw shrimp
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (optional)

Preparation

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the kielbasa and cook until browned on both sides, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Stir in the rice mix. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for the time specified on the rice package. Add the shrimp and stir. Cover and cook until the shrimp are pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the hot pepper sauce (if using). Spoon into individual bowls.

15th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Soup)

Spicy Beef Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 (30 ounce) jar meatless spaghetti sauce
3 1/2 cups water
1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables or fresh carrots and potatoes
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 cup sliced celery
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain.
2. Transfer to a slow cooker. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the vegetables are tender.

14th DAY CHIRSTMAS (Chicken and Rice )

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:
6 - 8 chicken breasts (or any pieces of chicken you like)
2 cups Minute Rice
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 onion, diced 1 c. celery, diced
1 bag frozen peas and carrots (or can use canned, fresh, etc.)
2 tsp poultry seasoning
2 tsp black pepper Water
2 cup water

Directions:
Spray a 13x9 pan with cooking spray. Pour rice into pan. Add soups,water, onion, celery, veggies and seasonings. Stir together. Salt and pepper the chicken and place on top of rice mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 40-50 minutes or until chicken is done. (Baking time depends upon the chicken and bone-in pieces may take longer to cook.)

13th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Pot Roast)

Crockpot Pot Roast

Ingredients:
1 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of
mushroom soup
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1/2 cups water
5 1/2 pounds pot roast
3 Tablespoons of flour
3 Tablespoons of oil

Directions:

1. Seasoned the roast with salt, pepper, and flour, browned the roast on all sides in a hot skillet with oil.
2. Mix cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix and water.
3. Place pot roast in crockpot and coat with soup mixture.
4. Cook on High setting for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low setting for 8 to 9 hours.

12th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (tacos)

Ground Beef Tacos

Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
1/4 cup onion, diced
3/4 cup salsa
12 (6 inch) corn tortillas
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1/3 cup cold water
2 cup lettice
1 tomatoes dice
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
1.In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with onion; drain fat.
2.Stir in salsa, taco seasoning, and cold water. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
3.In a small skillet, heat tortillas 1 minute on each side. To assemble tacos, layer ground beef, lettice, tomato,and cheese inside a folded tortilla. Serve immediately
Service with corn and Spanish rice.

11th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Spaghetti Casserole)

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Ingredient:
1 pound pk. spaghetti
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 10 -15 minutes or until al dente; drain and reserve.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (150 degrees C).
In a large skillet, brown ground beef until no longer pink; drain reserving 1 tablespoon of drippings in pan. Set beef aside. In skillet saute onion, green bell pepper and garlic until just soft. Combine browned beef, spaghetti sauce , oregano, salt and pepper with onion mixture; mix well.
Mix together spaghetti and meat mixture, pour into 9x13 pan. Top with cheese and bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

10th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Red Beans and Rice)

Crockpot Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

Ingredients:
2 cups dried red beans
1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 ham hock
1 pound Andouille or Kielbasa sausage, thinly sliced
*2 teaspoon salt
3 cups hot cooked long-grain rice

Direction:
1. Pick over the dried beans, and soak them in water overnight.
2.The next day, drain off the soaking water, and place the beans
in a crockpot. Cover with water, and stir in first 8 ingredients.
Push the ham hock down into the beans cover with lid and cook
on high heat for 5 hours.
3. Discard bay leaf stir in sausage and *salt and season to taste. Simmer for 20
minutes and serve over rice.
* add only after the beans or fully cooked.

9th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Rotisserie Chicken)

CROCKPOT ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

Ingredients
*1 whole chicken (5-6 lbs) or 2 whole chicken ( 2-3 lbs)
*butter flavored cooking spray
*salt,pepper, and any season you like on your chicken
*aluminum foil


Directions
Spray chicken and inside of crockpot.
Sprinkle chicken with seasoning.
Roll foil into balls and place in bottom of crockpot.
Place chicken on top of foil balls(breast side up).
Cook on high 4 to 6 hours
(DO NOT ADD ANY WATER)

Tip
Cook on high, it will not turn out the same if you use low.

8th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Mac & Beef)

Skillet Mac & Beef


1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
1 small onion, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 small green pepper, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 can (10 3/4 ounces)Condensed Tomato Soup
1/4 cup water
1 can dice tomatoes
3 cups elbow macaroni cooked without salt and drained
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

* Cook the beef, onion, green pepper, and Italian seasoning in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.
* Stir the soup, water and tomatoes into skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the pasta and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Salt and pepper to taste and Sprinkle with the cheese.

7th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Chicken Creole)

Crockpot Chicken Creole

3 lbs. chicken thighs
1 cup celery, diced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
1 can sliced mushrooms
1 can diced tomatoes
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp. paprika
salt and  pepper to taste
Louisiana hot sauce to taste
*2 cups rice, cooked

Place chicken in bottom of  crockpot, combine remaining ingredients  and  add to crockpot. (DO NOT ADD RICE)  Cook on high 4 to 5 hours or on low 7-8 hrs

*Cook rice according to package direction. Spoon Creole mixture over hot cooked rice.

6th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (Meatball Stew)

Crock pot Meatball Stew

Ingredients
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 pound fresh baby carrots, quartered
1 large onion, chopped
3 celery ribs, sliced
1 package (12 ounces) frozen fully cooked meatballs
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed tomato soup, undiluted
1 can (10-1/2 ounces) beef gravy
1 cup water
1 envelope onion soup mix
2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules

Directions
Place the potatoes, carrots, onion, celery and meatballs in
a 5-qt. Crock pot. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.
Pour over meatball mixture. Cover and cook on low for 9-10 hours
or until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Yield: 6 servings.

Christmas is in the air

WOW!! it's the 5th day of Christmas already so let get cookin', because we all are so busy, this time of the year I would like to share some of my one pot meal, crockpot and casseroles recipes.
I wanted to create a countdown to Christmas in a creative crafty way, I decided to create a homemade Advent Calendar filled with 24 recipes that are quick, easy and fast to prepare, along with a few of my family favorite Holiday goodies.
Do you make an Advent Calendar or have a special way your family celebrates the countdown to Christmas? I would love to hear your ideas! Here are the instruction of an Advent Calendar ideas I used to create my countdown to Christmas.


I saw this cute homemade advent on the web freebies for mom.
Homemade Advent Calendar

Supplies needed:

A large circle punch (in scrapbook supplies at craft store) or a jar or glass for tracing
Tape
Scrapbook or festive holiday gift wrap
Ribbon
Marker
2 Muffin Tins
A picture frame stand or a place to prop your finished tins
I began this project by punching out 48 circles. On half of these write the numbers 1-24 and on the other half you can write fun activities to do with your children in anticipation of the big day.
Break out your trusty calendar and jot down the activities for each day to remind yourself what you need to plan for and what supplies will need to be purchased to accomplish the activities.