Absolutely YUM Christmas Spice Fruit Cake

 To me, nothing says Christmas louder than a warm kitchen wafting smells of baking. With Christmas just around the corner, I have been trying out recipes for Christmas dinner feast. In addition to the traditional options, I was looking for an alcohol free version of fruitcake that I could serve to my younger guests and by Jove, I think I’ve found it!!! After trying several variations to the recipe, I’m absolutely stoked to share the recipe of this absolutely delicious spiced fruit cake. This is an ideal cake for Christmas, loaded with fruit, nuts, and spices that pack this cake with deliciousness! I have made it twice and it has been polished off both times before it has even had time to cool properly.

I have made a few minor tweaks to the original recipe by Omana Paul. I got it from a friend who called it “plum cake” which wasn’t fair since this recipe has no plums in it. It comes together quickly and tastes divine. One tip before you begin though, I had to throw out an entire batch because I cracked an egg directly in my batter and the egg was bad. Always crack your eggs in a separate bowl, or do the egg float test to check for freshness before you start a recipe.

The recipe yields one 6″ cake. Happy Baking!

YOU WILL NEED:

For the cake:

white sugar 3/4 cup

room temperature butter 2/3 cup

eggs 3

Plain flour 1 cup

chopped nuts (cashews, almonds, or walnuts) 1/2 cup

black raisins 1/4 cup

mixed dried fruit (dates, cherries, orange peels) 1/2 cup

cinnamon powder 1/2 tsp

clove powder 1/4 tsp

baking powder 1 tsp

vanilla extract 1 tsp

Salt 1/8 tsp

For the syrup:

white sugar 1/2 cup

WHAT TO DO:

Make the syrup. Melt half a cup of sugar in a pan on low heat till it turns into a dark caramel colour. Don’t let it burn. But make sure you don’t let it burn. Turn off heat and add about 1/4 cup water. The sugar will crystallize and harden. Put it back on the heat for about 10 minutes or until the sugar crystals dissolve. Cool and set aside.

Pre-heat oven to 350F / 180C.

Mix 3 tbsp. flour to the dry fruits and nuts. Dredge completely to coat them. This will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the batter while baking. Put aside.

In a separate bowl mix remaining flour with the baking powder, spices, and salt.

Whip the butter together with the 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Incorporate the vanilla and one egg into the batter.

Then mix in a bit of the flour mixture. Then add another egg. Repeat alternating between the eggs and flour till they are all used up.

Add in the cool caramel and fruits and gently fold in.

Pour into a greased cake pan and bake until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out with dry crumbs, about 45 minutes to an hour.

Dust with icing sugar after the cake has cooled.

Enjoy!!!

Santa Coloring Page

I have a really cute free printable to share with you today; both of my kids loved coloring this one! We can't help but get a little excited as we count down the days til the big holiday! So, I made them a Santa coloring page to inspire some of their sweet dreams!

Santa Coloring Page

This free coloring page is perfect for kids of all ages! Print one, or as many as you need. This is great for sharing at school, as an offering at the kids table to keep them entertained, or to share with a friend. Pin this for later, because it will come in handy year after year!

If you are looking for more free coloring pages check out some of these reader favorites.

G is for Girl

J is for Jam

A is for Alligator
 

Letter C preschool worksheets

H is for Hot Air Balloon

14 Christmas Casseroles for Breakfast

Are you looking for a way to make Christmas breakfast amazing without spending much time in the kitchen? This list has 14+ breakfast casseroles that will make the holiday morning deliciously satisfying!

From casseroles loaded with sausage to hearty casseroles that are straight from the Amish country. This collection has some really decadent ideas for you!  I can't wait to hear which is your favorite!

As you might have figured out already, I am all about the Christmas holidays! I drive my family a little nutty with my enthusiasm for the holidays. I begin building steam in September and am elbows deep in crafting, cooking and wrapping by the weekend after Thanksgiving.

I guess you could consider this your one stop shop for crafty ideas, easy foods and great gifts. Well, enough about my holiday obsession and let's get on to these recipes! Be sure to click thru the link to visit the recipes.

Sausage Apricot Breakfast Casserole by Dukes and Duchesses

Breakfast Burrito Casserole by Homemade Interest

Easy Overnight Egg Bake by Foodal

Overnight Cinnamon Roll Casserole by The Kitchen is my Playground

Sausage Breakfast Casserole by Meaningful Mama

Farmers Market Breakfast Casserole by Two Healthy Kitchens

Cinnamon Roll Casserole by Cook Eat Go

Mediterranean Brunch Bake by Simply Stacie

Potato Breakfast Bake by That Guy Who Grills

Easy Egg Casserole by Mama Loves Food

Cowboy Christmas Casserole by Platter Talk

Eggs Benedict Casserole by Centsless Meals

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole by Spend with Pennies

Amish Breakfast Casserole by Ally's Sweet and Savory Eats

Find all of my holiday crafts here

Design Your Own Holiday Elf Printable

 I have a free printable for you today! This FREE Design Your Own Holiday Elf is so fun for kids and adults! You can color and decorate it however you like, and don't forget to give your elf a face!

I made this for my kids to welcome our Elf on the Shelf, Johnny. It turned out so cute that I wanted to share it with you. Print as many as you like. Share them with a friend, or a teacher for a FREE holiday themed activity that kids of all ages, including my 45 year old husband, are sure to enjoy!

I am already planning ahead that next year, if the kids are back in school normally, we will print these and gift them to the class with a box of crayons.

Make sure you pin this for later, so you can pull it out again next year too!

          You can print this free printable Design Your Own Elf Printable Here.

You can find all of my Christmas Crafts here

You can check out all of my gift guides for to simplify your shopping.

From my family to yours, Happy Holidays!

Mickey Mouse Jingle Bell Necklaces

Jingle all the way with these adorable DIY Mickey Mouse jingle Bell Necklaces! 

Christmas is close, and this year things are going to be tight for a lot of families. Skipping the gifts just isn't right! We all deserve a surprise this year! So why not make a dozen Mickey Mouse Jingle Bell Necklaces to share with the special people in your life?

You can make about a dozen necklaces for $3 if you shop at Dollar Tree for supplies. These are awesome for classroom gifts or a way to spread a little cheer with a very limited budget.

Supplies:

Large Bells

Smaller Bells

Ribbon or bakers twine

Scissors

Hot glue gun

Cut the ribbon to the desired length. (12-15" is ideal)

Thread your ribbon or twine thru the top of the large bell.

Use the hot glue gun to attach the small bells to the large bell. 

Place one bell on either side of the ribbon.

Allow the hot glue to dry for a few moments.

Tie off the ribbon to complete the necklace. Make sure your knot is secure.

Your necklace is ready to wear or share! Jingle all the way with a touch of Disney magic!

If you are looking for more Christmas ideas check out these reader favorites:

Button Tree Ornaments 

Design Your Own Play Doh Ornaments

Ways to Accessorize Your Outfit with DIY Ornaments

 Nowadays, you can get outfits and accessories for all occasions, thanks to lading designers Like Alexander McQueen, Celine, and Gucci. The collection of dresses, shoes, bags, and accessories is also limitless, and getting the best attire shouldn't be an issue. But, have you ever thought of flattering your gear with DIY ornaments? These ornaments are quite famous and are a great way of creating that stylish yet unique look.

Here's how to match your outfit with DIY ornaments:

1. Avoid color mistakes- pay attention to color coordination

Accessorizing your outfit is not just about wearing all types of ornaments that you come across. Your ornaments should match your outfit perfectly. For instance, if you're wearing a colorful dress with many colors, your accessories should help tone down the color and blend well with your dress.

Natural hues are splendid for bight colored dresses, and this avoids color clashing. Simple outfits match well with elaborate ornaments. For instance, you enjoy more flexibility with a black dress, and brightly colored ornaments are ideal.

2. Wear event-appropriate outfits    

             

How you dress depends on your type of event. For formal occasions, you need more conservative outfits and jewelry accessories. Dangling jewels don't work so well in the office. If dressing for work, you may want to forgo too many bangles and hanging bracelets. Moreover, choose ornaments in cool or natural colors.

But, if attending a party or a night out with friends, your choices are limitless. You can choose those bright colored dresses and accentuate your looks with colorful DIY ornaments of your choice. 

 What's more? You can match this with a cute clutch or a leather tote bag. You can as well add a scarf and gloves for that classic look. The idea here is to stand out but still achieve the perfect match for your accessories.

3. Your skin tone matters!

Your ornaments should not only go with your outfit but your skin tone as well. Silver is an excellent choice for illuminating natural tones. On the other hand, gold is ideal for women with darker hair or matte skin. For cooler skin tones, Ornaments in red, purple, and blue colors make perfect choices. For warmer skin tones, choose yellow, green orange ornaments.

4. Chose a focal point

Accessorizing your outfit is all about limits. Choosing giant and brightly colored ornaments draw attention to your jewelry, making others not to notice you. Remember your decorations are meant to complete your outfit and not a focal point.

Choose accessories that blend in well with your dress, handbag, and shoes. Avoid jewelry that draws more attention than your outfit. If you are wearing other types of jewelry, match them well for a more harmonized look. Visit ARY D'PO if you're looking for some nice designer pieces.

The bottom line

DIY ornaments are cost-effective and stylish. They are a great way of accentuating your looks-in a unique way, of course. No matter the type of outfit, you can also make ornaments to suit your style and dress. To make the best DIY pieces for your dress, acquire some materials from your local store, and search online for tips on making the best ornaments for all outfits and occasions.

10+ Gingerbread Treats

It wouldn't be the holidays without a delicious gingerbread goodie! I have rounded up ten of my favorite gingerbread treat recipes from bloggers to share with you in case you need a gingerbread treat to savor and share this holiday season.

My late friend Ruth Seeshultz made the best gingerbread cookies ever. I can't help but think of her whenever I run across a good recipe for any kind of dessert. During the holidays, she seems to always be on my mind, as there are so many goodies I know she would have wanted to make!

This collection has something for everyone, from gingerbread candy houses to gingerbread cupcakes that are so moist and flavorful! Any of these treats are perfect for a party or to share with a friend! 

Rice Krispie Candy Houses
Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses
Gingerbread House Party
Rice Krispie Treat Gingerbread Men
Gingerbread People
Gingerbread Balls
Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Snowflakes
Gingerbread Cupcakes

I can't wait to hear which of these gingerbread treats sounds the most festive to you! 

If you are craving more Christmas fun, check out some of my holiday craft ideas.

Reader favorites include:

Easy Ribbon Tree Ornaments

Nail Polish Ornaments

Gifts for Women

 What are you going to get the ladies in your life this holiday season? I have found some fun options that any woman would love to unwrap this year. These gifts work for a variety of interests and budgets. I hope this list helps you find something fantastic for the holidays and simplifies your shopping too!

Samples have been provided for inclusion.

Twirl pillow cases give ladies an inspirational message to help them sleep empowered! These are a good quality pillowcase, and they are great for gifting someone you might not know what to give. Starting at $125, these are a one of a kind gift option.

A Year of Self Love Calendar makes for a great gift that keeps on giving. This option from Workman publishing is under $16 and offers a year of self affirmations to help any woman start her day off on the right note. 

If you need a gift for a lady you don't know very well, gift her cleaner surfaces with these Copper Clean items. You can add an antimicrobial patch to any commonly used surface, like a phone, a door handle and more, or give her some really good copper pens. Pens start at about $8.

The Craftbud Candle Making Kit is one of my favorite gift options this year. This kit has everything needed to make some impressive candles; from wick to wax and everything needed along the way. Order this kit for about $65 from amazon for some crafty gifting!

The My Little Mascara Club is the perfect gift for a makeup loving lady because this club ships a fresh little mascara as needed, so she will never have to deal with clumps and lumps again. Order a starter kit for about $21.

The Mixify Nail Polish Kit is awesome for gifting. These stylish tins have everything needed to create a custom color, or two of nail polish. This is fun for chicks of all ages! Order for about $35.

A detoxing soap makes for a unique and useful gift.This Charcoal and Clay bar soap option from Rustic Maka is great. It smells pleasant, refreshes the skin, and is affordable at under $8 a bar. 

Sapadilla makes some very useful and natural cleaning products for the home. While normally I would advise you to avoid cleaning products as a gift, but these are really good and good for the environment too. Cleaners start at about $10 and are worth every penny!

If you need some gorgeous yet sassy ornaments, check out the collection from Hazel Grove Customs. From corkscrews to pie servers, they offer so many great gift options. Get a few ornaments for friends with a sense of humor this holiday season.

Let your favorite gal make a wish and journal her way to making it come true with Wishwork. This is such a fun gift idea that includes a book and a bracelet that is the perfect place to store your wish!  Prices start at $30 and the bracelets are so pretty!

Minioso 3 wick candles are an awesome gift because they smell as good as a high dollar option and they look great, but you can buy them in a variety of scents for under $11. Talk about a steal! Get a few for those ladies you don't know well but want to gift anyhow.

I love subscription boxes as gifts because they offer an assortment and they are probably the most fun mail to open ever! Like a surprise filled with surprises awaits! These pretty boxes from Her Mine are about $35 a month and have an awesome assortment of goodies from candles, to skin care and more. 

Tweexy is a wearable way to paint your nails with ease while keeping your polish on hand, literally. These are awesome gifts for women of all ages. Get a tweexy for about $10 for a unique and useful gift.

Bel Essence makes a line of anti aging skin care products that are kind to animals and awesome for your skin. This affordable line is great for gifting as the line has something for everyone, to help them keep their youthful appearance. Prices start at about $31.

If you are looking for a great gift for a plant lover, Hasting House Designs has some simply lovely hanging plant holders that are great gifts! Pair it with a small potted plant and you have a gift of art and life. They have a variety of nice holders and wall art available on etsy, where prices start at about $30.

Envirosax bags are awesome for gifts, or to use as a gift bag that will be used all the time. Not only are these stylish, but also they are so durable. I have had the same 3 bags from this brand for about 6 years, and they are still going strong. Order for about $11, in a variety of prints. 

Mine is an on the go jewelry cleaning tool that any woman who loves jewelry will appreciate. This is a great gift because it is affordable and useful. Order from amazon for $16.

Safesleeve phone cases are awesome for gifting because these are so useful, they offer protection and they have a place for your debit and credit cards! Using a safesleeve has been life changing for me because I now have someone safer to hold my debit card than my pocket, plus, this protective case keeps my phone safe while blocking radiation! Order for about $35.

Tenikle universal phone mounts are awesome for gifts because they make using your phone for videos, music, talking, livestreaming and more a hands free, and secure event. This unique design is so much more fun than the average phone mount. Order for about $30.

This year make a statement with your gift while the gift makes its own statement with options from Fair Anita. Find cute and ethical jewelry, clothing and bags at affordable prices. Necklaces start at about $22.

Urban Hydration makes an awesome line of Aloe Vera based skin care products. Order them all and pop them into a pretty basket and you have one awesome, complete gift that is going to wow any woman! Order these skin care products starting at $10 each.

Gift a lady in your life some Stylistic Abstract Swan and Pink Flamingo LACBirds fine art blank fold over greeting cards are created with the artwork of Laura Ann Cohn (LAC)..  Each card has a colored border making it a ready to frame printed piece of art. Made with love in Texas, USA. Order a 6 pack of these fine art cards for about $22 on Etsy.

The Morning Side Kick Journal gives  the gift of an engaging, fully guided morning planner to help you wake up earlier and start the day with a perfect morning routine that works for you. You can order this handsome journal for about $29.

These gorgeous wine tumblers from Everything Decorated make an awesome gift! These are really good insulated tumblers and they are decorated perfectly. Be warned, the box the items from this store arrive in so pretty! It is a work of art on its own. Browse the selection of goods for sale and find something to make one of a kind with personalization.

I know polishing rags don't seem gift worthy, but these from Aunt Mary Ann's Authentic are too good  not to share! These can be used for so many things around the house. The sugar scrub pairs perfectly with it for a smooth and clean start to winter. Check out the line of products from Dragonwise and find a few new favorites to share this holiday season.

Flo Home Delight offers high-end textile accessories that makes amazing gifts for refined men and women. Crafted in France, and shipped via amazon, you can count on these delightful coin purses being a hit! Order for about $58 

Shashi socks are different because they work with all of the shoes in your closet. From open toe styles to no show and more, these are grippy and unique for a discerning sock drawer. Order for about $18 a pair.

 In honor of the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg,  Shanti Creations NYC created a Notorious RBG Candle, which will allow for 10% of the candle to go to a non profit for women’s equality . Order this really great smelling candle in respect or rebellion for $30

Roam Often offers these awesome and cozy scarves that can double as blankets! They are so soft and stylish that they make the perfect gift! These cost about $40 and are sure to get a ton of use this winter. 

Art Studio Live offers these fantastic painting kits that have everything needed to host a painting party at home! This kit has 6 colors, 3 brushes, a generously sized canvas and palettes to make painting a breeze with everything you need. Order for about $30 and it includes the painting tutorial of your choice!

Give the gift of an upgraded nail polish experience with Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Care. This vegan nail polish is unlike any I have ever used before. It provides excellent coverage and is good for your nails too! Prices start around $17 a bottle. They have an impressive line of colors to choose from.

High on Love dry body oil makes for a great gift idea because it leaves skin super soft and nourished! Almost any lady would love this product. It is infused with CBD  and is non greasy for a healthy glow. Order for about $45.

L'Duex is the perfect gift because it brings pretty jewelry and hair ties together to create something that is functional and fashionable. Prices start at $26.

A fluffy towel set is always a great gift idea because they are super useful! This Hotel Collection

Ultimate Micro Cotton towel from Macy's is very plush and absorbent. Order for about $17 a towel for any woman on your shopping list this season!

23 Skin gives the gift of great skin care and a little pampering, in a pretty and portable package. Gift Natures Most Energetic Skin Care for about $35 a jar, or get this mini gift bundle for $35.

Nature by Canus makes for a wonderful gift this holiday. Grab some of this awesome goat milk soap, lotion and milk bath starting at about $5 a bar and add them to a pretty basket for a gift that is ready to go!

Any woman who loves to cook will appreciate this automatic, hands free Yes You Can can opener by Kitchen Mama. This little handheld can opener is easy to use and doesn't need loads of counter space. Order it for about $25 for anyone who likes to cook at home.

A super cute bubble tea coloring book is so fun to give or get this year! This book has 50 fun pages to color and will help any woman relax! Order The Boba Coloring Book for about $9 on amazon.

Every woman needs a great watch and the collection from undone makes for a great gift. These are stylish without being flashy, and they have options for both men and women. Make a statement to quality this year with an Undone watch.

I hope these gift ideas help you find a great gift for a lady on your shopping list this holiday season! While you are here check out these other holiday posts.