Christmas Breakfast Ideas

Whoa.  Christmas is in six days!  Are you ready?

As of last night, I had everything wrapped, labeled and ready to go.  I took advantage of T's 3-hour nap (you know you're jealous!) and B's obsession with football to escape to Target and finish doing all the shopping.  After the little one went to bed, all her gifts came out and were wrapped, and her stocking was stuffed.  It got me thinking a little bit though.  This year is easy and maybe for a few more years, but after that, I'm going to need to find some really good hiding places!

It's a good thing we're ready early.  We're taking a week off back home in New England (although I'm sure I'll be spending more time than I like working on my thesis).  In previous years, we pack everything up (gifts for us and others) into the car and do everything there.  But this year, we're leaving on Christmas Eve and so have decided to have our own Christmas morning on the 24th before we go.  I'm really excited about it and am looking forward to seeing T's face as she sees al the gifts for her and gets to open them. 

I'm also starting to think about how I'm going to feed my family that morning.  It will be a 6 hour car drive (hopefully no flat tires this time!) with a stop for a late lunch.  We'll need something delicious and hearty to get us through the first leg of our trek.  Thanks to Pinterest (I know, where else?!), I've found some yummy Christmas morning breakfast recipes.  The hard part will be deciding which one to make! Click on the pictures to follow the link to the recipes!

Source: southernplate.com via Opie on Pinterest

I might just make these anyways!  They look soooo good- and easy!

Source: thatssoyummy.com via Wendy on Pinterest

Maybe with some kiwi or green grapes?

Source: ezrapoundcake.com via Katie on Pinterest

A great list - 10 breakfast ideas.  The Chai Waffles pictured above look heavenly, as did the Overnight French Toast Casserole and the Christmas Morning muffins. 

Source: allrecipes.com via J on Pinterest

Forgive the teeny, tiny picture, but the Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole might just be a winner here.  My mouth is beginning to water!

Source: alexandracooks.com via Bekah on Pinterest

Oh boy - more blueberries!

Source: blogs.babble.com via Rachel on Pinterest

A little heartier, I would have to skip the sausage though.  I like the idea of making it the night before and baking it while we open presents!

Source: annies-eats.com via Sandra on Pinterest

This spinach and cheese strata looks heavenly!  Maybe I could add some red peppers to make it really festive!

Man, you wouldn't think I just had lunch!  I almost wish I was planning brunch for 20 people so I could make a bunch of these.  I think no matter what I make, those doughnuts will be in my kitchen and then melting in my mouth Christmas morning!  Hmm, Spinach Strata or Blueberry French toast Casserole.  Oh, decisions, decisions!

Corn and Potato Chowder

There's something about brisk autumn air that makes chowders and hearty soups so appealing.  Easy, one pot recipes are awesome too, especially when a certain 19-month old insists on you picking her up every time you're at the stove! :)

So, I know this isn't a recipe/food blog, but I had to share this recipe because it was so good and it was completely vegetarian!  Even so, it was hearty enough that my non-veggie hubs loved it and had seconds (OK, I did too!)

This recipe was originally from the Disney Family Fun page, but I've made some modifications.  I'll star the changes I've made:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil*
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 ribs celery, finely chopped*
• 5 1/2 cups vegetable stock*
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
• 2 large all-purpose potato, peeled and diced*
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced*
• 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Black pepper, to taste

In general, I doubled the potatoes and celery, added a sweet potato for color, and substituted veggie stock for chicken stock. I'm always adding more veggies to recipes! :)  I'm sure you meaties out there would love to add bacon to this recipe, but it definitely doesn't need it!

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or medium soup pot.
2. Stir in the onion and celery.
3. Partially cover the pan and cook the vegetables over moderate heat for 9 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the veggie stock, corn, potato, and salt and bring the mixture to a low boil.
5. Lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for about 7 minutes, until the potatoes are just tender.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the cream and flour.
7. Stir the mixture into the soup with the pepper.
8. Bring the soup back to a low boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 8 minutes.

Altogether, this took me about 40 minute to prepare.  Super easy, very satisfying, and definitely delicious!  Garnish with chopped dill or parsely, I totally forgot to do this! Serve with rolls or bread and you have yourself a meal!

Of course, this recipe was found via Pinterest, my new best friend in the kitchen!

Source: familyfun.go.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Pinterest Review

I don't know about you, but I have an addiction to Pinterest.  It's become one of those sites that I must check regularly, right up there with email, and it even bumped (gasp!) facebook.  I get so many great ideas from this site and I've tried a bunch of them, from recipes to crafts and I thought I would share a little review of those here.   

Source: thevintageapple.com via Christa on Pinterest

In case you're not on Pinterest yet (Don't do it! Total time suck!  But, you know you want to!!!), here's an invite from me to you! Don't forget to follow my boards, I update all.the.time! (Click button below!)


I'll even introduce a crafty ratings scale from one to five scissors!
(based on ease yet high end result, time involved, and final result) 
(Bear with me, I'm avoiding writing my thesis!)

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Source: None via Melissa on Pinterest

No-sew T-shirt scarf: Follow this link if the picture doesn't connect you right away.
I actually bought a cheapo red Tshirt at Target (where else?!) to make this and I love the scarf I ended up with!  Perfect for fall, light, comfy and just that extra little bit of warmth to get me to work in the morning.  Best of all, no sewing, just some easy and forgiving cutting! Rating: """

Kind of on a scarf kick here, fall was approaching. 

Source: None via Melissa on Pinterest

T-shirt yarn scarf: I made this using an old yellow Tshirt from the softball team I was on (that lasted all of three games!). While super easy, I wasn't as impressed by the final product.  Was it a scarf?  Was it a necklace?  Not really sure and so I never wear it. Rating: "

Source: None via Melissa on Pinterest

Maternity-friendly Maxi Skirt: I've been following this blog for a while now, simply because I am so impressed with the garments she makes, not thinking that I could ever make something for myself.  Kids clothes are easy, they can be loose and cute.  Women's clothing needs to fit.  However, when she posted the tutorial for the maxi skirt that would be perfect for a maternity skirt, I had to give it a try.  I have to say that I love it!  I made it in a royal blue fabric and have worn it many times.  I did make it a little big for my current belly, but we know that's going to grow so no concerns there!  This blogger is holding a link up at the end of this month of all the maxi's we have all made and I will be linking up mine there.  This did take some know-how, especially since it was sewing with jersey knit, so I can't give it the full rating I would like to give.  Rating: """"

Source: None via Melissa on Pinterest

Austumn Veggie and Rice meal: My mouth is watering just looking at this picture!  This was so good!  In full disclosure, when I made it, my rice wasn't instant and it was still, um, crunchy, but that didn't hold me (or hubs) back from eating left overs!  And, right now, any food that makes me hungy is good in my book.  Even better, this was an easy, one pan dish.  More please!
Rating: """""

Source: None via Melissa on Pinterest

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole: Made this on our hiking trip for the last morning.  The morning we all leave is usually filled with stripping beds, laundry, cleaning, packing and little time for a wholesome breakfast.  Mission accomplished, everyone liked it and said it was great.  I wouldn't know.  I was so nauseous that morning, I couldn't eat a thing!  Too bad for me.  Rating: """


BTW, I'm starting to notice a lot of these are foods. :)

Source: chichoskitchen.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Hasselback Potatoes: These were delicious!  Since my mom was pregnant with my sister, 26 years ago, I have hated baked potatoes and only recently have I wanted them again, but they take so long to bake!  These were only a minor improvement in the time department, but the taste was so good!  Layered with garlic, salt and pepper, topped with cheese and a dollop of sour cream.  Mmm-mmm!  Yum! Rating: """"

Source: asmallsnippet.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Spicy Thai Noodles: Ok, so I made this one last night.  While my first attempt at making the sauce burned, the second worked well and it was amazing!  So absolutely yummy!  I added a lot more carrots, cilantro, and green onion than the recipe called for to make it a little more veggie-full.  I also limited the red pepper to one tablespoon. B and I love spicy food and even with just one tablespoon there was plenty of heat!  So good! Rating: """"

Source: None via JJ on Pinterest

Crocheted rug out of sheets: I have a weird thing about sheets.  If they're wrinkly, I need to fix them regardless of what time it is.  My poor hubby has been woken up in the wee hours of the morning by me fixing the sheets.  Anyways, my favorite set that NEVER wrinkled ripped and I was devastated.  This project let me honor their contribution to my sanity by preserving them forever as a throw rug!  At first, I only ripped up the torn sheet since the top sheet was still intact.  However, it is currently only a small door mat size rug right now after using the entire fitted sheet.  I will go back and use the top sheet to finish this project.  For now, it keeps my feet comfy while I relax on the couch.  The drawbacks to this project are the length of time involved and there not really being a pattern, per se.  My rug was definitely getting a little ruffled on the edges.  However, there is a lot of flexibility and after stretching it out a bit and flattening it under the couch cushions, it is nice a flat.  This is still an ongoing project, hopefully one I will finish soon. Rating: """

Source: None via Melissa on Pinterest

Milk jug ghosts: These were a lot of fun once I got all the sticky labels off!  They look great lit up too!  Can't say they were free, I had to buy white Christmas lights and a Sharpie marker, but for that price, it's a great Halloween decoration! Rating: """"

Source: crochetspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Cozy, chunky, cowl: Doesn't this cowl look super warm and comfy?  I started this project as my contribution to the current Cowl-Along, hosted by Luvinthemommyhood.  I don't knit, so I haven't joined previously, but crocheters were specifically welcomed this time, so I jumped at the opportunity.  This project is super quick and actually really easy despite the "intermediate" skill rating listed with it.  Plus, it is a free pattern!  I've actually finished the rows called for in the pattern and its still a bit short, so I'm sure it's my clusters that are small, but I'll be adding a few more rows to the pattern.  I'm making this as a gift, but I will definitely have to make one for myself too!
Rating: """""

Coincidentally, I realized that I have ten reviews here!  I'll be linking this post up to the Tuesday Ten at Miss Mommy and Under the Table and Dreaming.  See the buttons below!