Simple Treats for a Stress-free Holiday Season
The holiday season can be a stressful time of year. Shopping, baking, decorating—finding the extra money to do all these things. It’s not easy, especially for the starving artist types like, say, writers. Like me.
Simplicity is the key for me. I find out what the kids want, make a list and order online. As far as decorating is concerned, less is more at my house. My sons are old enough to help set up the tree, so that goes up first. I put out little holiday-themed knick-knacks here and there, hang the stockings above the fireplace, and we’re good to go.
When it comes to baking, every year I have a tradition of making chocolate treats and sugar cookies for the kids. With almond bark I can make SIMPLE no-bake recipes. Plus a few little tricks my mother passed on to me that are tried and true.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls:
Ingredients:
Almond bark, chocolate coating. You can find this in any grocery baking section. (I LOVE this stuff)
Creamy peanut butter
Powdered sugar
Combine peanut butter and powdered sugar until you get a thick consistency. I’m not much on measuring, so add powdered sugar until you get rid of the “sticky” texture. Roll into balls. Set aside. Place three or four squares of almond bark in microwavable bowl and heat for about 1 ½ minutes or until completely melted. Stir to test consistency. Then, one by one, dip peanut butter balls into melted chocolate and set to dry on sheet of wax paper.
And done! Kids can enjoy this treat in a matter of minutes.
Other super-simple ideas:
I also dip pretzels in the melted almond bark, which also has vanilla coating available. (Mixing the chocolate and vanilla gives a delicious taste!). Go a little crazy and coat some Chex or Rice Krispies cereal. Add melted marshmallows or raisins or both. For more of a decorative touch, crush some candy canes and top off the coating before it melts. Get inventive with ingredients. Maybe the kiddos can get in on the creation. I know mine do.
Simple. Easy. I love it. The kids love it. And there’s no added stress.
Wishing everyone a happy holiday, stress-free, season!
Lia Slater
PS – If you’re looking for a good deal on eBooks to help you through this holiday season, check out Book Lovers Buffet, where multiple authors (many genres) have temporarily reduced their eBooks to only 99 cents. www.bookloversbuffet.com Find two of mine under the erotic section.
My other cyber places:
Available Now:
Stripped Defenseless (an erotic romantic suspense) online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance eBooks
Were Legends Series (an erotic paranormal romance series) online from Ellora’s Cave and most online retailers
Off Limits (an erotic contemporary short story) online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, All Romance eBooks & Sony
BLURB
As the alpha leader, Mace is responsible for his pack. He’ll do anything to keep them alive, even give into the Queen’s sexual demands. But not unless he’s in control. Turning his enticing captor into the submissive is the only way to show her he’s more man than she realizes. Falling in love with Nayla is out of the question, but will he be able to leave her behind when his pack is finally free?
12 comments:
Happy holidays and thanks so much for the recipe for the chocolate balls. I was going to make some this year, just haven't done it yet. Still plenty of time.
Books looks like a good read, thanks for sharing.
Julie
Thanks for the chocolate ball recipe, have never tried those, but they sound super quick and easy. Happy Holidays!
skpetal at hotmail dot com
Hi Julie and Jean! Thanks for stopping by. The chocolate balls don't last long around this house. :-)
Lizzie, thanks so much for having me as a guest! I adore you too!!!!
Lia, these pb balls are super! If you like these, you've got to try Oreo balls too. Same idea, but mix crushed Oreos with cream cheese. Awesome, like your books! Happy Holidays!
Oooh, Oreo balls. Love that idea, Amy!
After a long day I indulge in an adult beverage as I sit down and get on the web. Curious as to what Lizzie has going, I have to check it out. Excited to read about you Lia, and am drooling after reading the blurb for WERE SLAVE. I visited your web page, ... WERE SEDUCTION and WERE BLOOD sound awesome too. I hope to find you on FB soon.
Shonna
fshasm@cableone.net
i had a comment that made a lot of sense im sure but then i locked eyes on that gorgeous cover and forgot lol
meandi09@yahoo.com
Hi Shonna, Thanks for checking out my web site! Sadly, I don't have a FB page set up yet. Soon though...I think. :-)
Too funny, Jennifer! I think I had that same reaction when I first saw it. Though, I would like to mention that the hero does not have facial hair...not that anyone's attention goes in that direction. LOL Thanks for stopping by!
The name pulled from the hat is.....Shonna!
Congratulations, Shonna!
Thank you for the recipe. Yummy! Im definitely trying these. ;) Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
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