Soul Food for a Busy Holiday Week

With these Soul Food posts I try to share things that have delighted, inspired, or filled me. So, quite a festival of fun stuff this weekend!

First of all, ornaments.  Our tree is up and as I was decorating, I thought of a couple of things…

• If you are a parent of littles, make sure you put names and dates on all those precious handmade ornaments your kiddos bring home. They will be the ones you cherish most, but when they are grown, you will say, “Who the heck made this and when?”

• This year, I’ve shared that one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had was a candlelight memorial service at our church. As we walked in, we were handed an ornament to honor the person we lost this year. I chose this one because of the faith my brother, David exhibited. When I hung it on our tree I wrote his name and date on the back. Maybe this is a way you’d like to honor someone you’ve lost too.

What if you take some time as a family this year to have each person choose a favorite ornament on the tree and share why, or what story or memory is behind it?

Second, an old post, but too good not to share again.

Third, an idea… Last year I discovered that Michaels carries mini ceramic loaf pans around the holidays for SUPER cheap – like $2. They are cute and actually work! I got to thinking about the neighborhood around our church. I thought, they are so close, and what do we do to serve them, or show kindness and care to them? So I bought up all the loaf pans I could (about 100) and we’ve mobilized bakers to come pick up a couple of pans each and bake some quick bread. We’ll deliver it to the homes around the church this morning.  Where can you do random acts of kindness today? Who might you dump joy on? Hint: it’s more fun together!

Next, a video that is sure to make you smile (especially if you’ve experienced travel delays over the holidays)

And my favorite text this week from daughter Maggie:

And my favorite Instagram post. Way to go, Canada!

Lastly, I know eggnog isn’t for everyone, but here’s a new recipe I tried this year that I like…

Layered Eggnog Blondies

1 1/2 cup crushed vanilla wafers

2 TB. granulated sugar

1/4 t salt

5 TB butter, melted

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup + 2 TB powdered sugar, divided

1/2 cup refrigerated eggnog

1/4 ts. nutmeg

1/4 ts. cinnamon

1 large egg

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 ts. vanilla

2 TB powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease (with cooking spray), an aluminum foil-lined 8 inch square pan (next time I’d double and make in a 9×13 pan). Pulse vanilla wafers and next 2 ingredients with food processor til blended. Add butter; pulse til blended. Press mixture into bottom of pan.

Bake at 350 for 8 minutes or til lightly browned. Reduce oven temp to 325. Beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup powdered sugar at med speed. Gradually add eggnog. Stir in nutmeg, cinnamon, and egg. Pour over vanilla wafer mixture.

Bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes or til outer 2 inches are set (Watch this. I think I baked mine a little too long and they were a tiny bit drier than I’d like).

Cool completely for about an hour.

Whip the cream and add 2 TB powdered sugar and vanilla til soft peaks form.

Remove bars from pan. Discard foil and cut into squares. Add a dollop of whipped cream on each.

Have a joy-filled weekend!!