Silver Nutcrackers

 I'm headed to Good Morning, Texas today.  It's all about the sparkle.  This is one of three projects.  I'll post the third one soon.  In the meantime, I'll post the video to my facebook page with today's segment.  In the meantime....here is a sneakpeak.  I blogged about this easy recipe for making cinnamon almonds in the crockpot a few weeks ago.  I decided this would be one of the gifts I give this year for Christmas because they are fab-u-lous and easy to make.  I put them inside little silver boxes and added these silver nutcrackers I made.
I found mini nutcrackers at Michael's for 1.50 and larger nutcrackers at the dollar tree.  I got some silver spray....

I yanked off the beards (like the guy on the right).  The guys I got for a dollar were easiest b/c they were just glued on the edges.  I sprayed them with a little silver spray and they are good to go.  I plan to put the larger guys with some crystal candles and clear glass ornaments on my buffet.  The little nutcrackers are hitching a ride on the nuts I'm giving away to friends this year.  Stay tuned, more glitter coming soon.

Broccoli and Grape Salad

I found this recipe while searching salad recipes with enough carbs to fuel running, but some fruit and veggies in the mix to help with some of those vitamin thing-ies.  This really was delicious, a good balance of salty and sweet combo,  and very very filling. 
So if you are looking for a nice salad, or just a new recipe, here is one that worked for me! 
Broccoli and Grape Pasta Salad
Ingredients:  1 c. chopped pecans, 1/2 pkge (16 oz size) bow-tie pasta, 1 lb fresh broccoli, 1 c. mayonnaise, 1/3 c. sugar, 1/3 c. diced red onion, 1/3 c. red wine vinegar, 1 t. salt, 2 c. seedless red grapes (halved), 8 cooked bacon slices (crumbled-I used the 'real' bacon bits you can buy in the salad section and just red the back for how much equaled a slice). 
Instructions:  Preheat oven 350.  Bake pecans in a single layer for 5-7 minutes (until lightly toasted, stir halfway through).  Prepare pasta according to directions.  Cut broccoli florets from stems, separate int small pieces, finely chop.  Wish together mayonnaise and next four ingredients in a large bowl.  Add broccoli, cooked pasta, and grapes.  Stir to coat.  Cover and chill 3 hours.  Stir in bacon and pecans before serving. 

Cinnamon Sugar Almonds

I saw this recipe for cinnamon sugar almonds here, and I knew I had to try it out.  Oh my!  Try this!  Try this.  Yum, yum, yum!
Toasting almonds is one of my favorite smells on planet earth, and I really thought you had to buy one of those special machine 'thingies' to get the smell.  I thought this because I seriously considering whether it was realistic to purchase one.  Seriously.  Guess what, you can get 'that smell' with a pan, and a few ingredients.  I can't believe how easy these are to make.  I can't believe how tasty these are!  I also find it impossible to buy for my friend's husbands, and I'm definitely going to be putting some of these in festive jars for Christmas.  .
Cinnamon Sugar Almond Recipe
Ingredients:
 1/3 c. + 2 T. water, 2 c. almonds (or your favorite nuts), 1 t. vanilla, 1 t. cinnamon. 
Instructions: 
1.  Add water, 1 c. sugar, and 1 t. cinnamon to a sauce pan.  Stir constantly and bring to a boil. 

2.  Add nuts and stir until water has dissolved and nuts are glossy.  Lower heat to medium. 

3.  Add the rest of the sugar and vanilla.  Stir until nuts are coated, and small sugary clumps have formed. 

4.  Cool completely before serving.