IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK ...A LITTLE LIKE HOLIDAY TIME.. EASY CHOCOLATE "TRUFFLES".

EASY CHOCOLATE "TRUFFLES" TO MAKE AND GIVE

I love "chocolate" at Christmastime! These easy little
truffles were very decadent in chocolate and make a
nice little gift to give out......
They are so easy to throw together .....just make sure
you have your "toppings" ready to roll your candies in....
It made about 50 and I put them in little wrappers I found
at the dollar store. I then put them in a basket to take to
my ladies Christmas gathering and passed them out. You
could put them in cute little red boxes or cellophane tied with
a ribbon......The recipe follows....


EASY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla *** May divide dough in portions and flavor
• with almond; vanilla ; or orange NOTE *orange and chocolate are good together

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. *** I did not even refrigerate these. If I did I would maybe get cold for about 20-30 minutes

1. . They worked out really good to roll into little 1" balls; then roll into nuts; melted white or more chocolate bark; cocoa powder.**** I also used a few drops of "orange oil" to a batch of
2. dough and rolled in cocoa; I crushed a candy bar I had on hand and rolled some in that as
3. well. ........Score candybar is good.
4. I then "set them" by putting them in the fridge.

THANKFUL BASKETS...

BEING THANKFUL ...."THANKFUL BASKETS TO MAKE AND GIVE" FOR OTHERS..

THANKSGIVING TABLES TO PUT TOGETHER....

This week I will be planning some baskets I will put together for others for the holidays....
This basket can be "simple" with a few pumpkin muffins and icing or food items...

My ladies service circle makes a "basket" to give to a lady who may have been ill or needs some encouragement each month........
I enjoy putting together a "holiday table " also ..........Again you can be creative ......and use a
simple branch and some pretty napkins.....
I have seen some beautiful baskets made up but really all you need are a few simple tools...

l. A Basket (can be from a thrift store for $1)...2. Some shredded paper or pretty tissue (dollar
stores) 3. Items for that person or persons (baked items; candles; breads) 4. Long roll of clear wrap to wrap around the basket ( pull up and around) secure with raffia or pretty bow
You may take simple brown bags; fold over punch holes ; add pretty decoration (craft stores for a few cents) and twine..............make a nice label and your done!


The table can be simple or be creative and use cloth napkins; make your own napkin rings;and cut out Fall leaves in felt to toss about the table...Candles always add a festive time to a table.
I have some beautiful dishes given to me from Aunt Michelle in this cobblestone brown and cream.....A white napkin and some Indian corn makes a pretty setting.
Placecards can be done on a computer or visit your local craft store for simple stamps to make
this Thanksgiving meal special..............

THANKSGIVING TIME......

THANKSGIVING .....PREPARING MY HEART

RECIPE FOR PREPARING MY HEART.......

As I was reading in Proverbs 16 early this morning...I was
quickly reminded of my needed preparations of my heart for the coming holiday....

In Chapter 16: The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

I then wrote these words on a blank page in my Bible.....

. Prepare my heart with prayer. Prayer for my words. Prayer for others. Prayer for His
path and His will on this holiday....
So often we think we have to "Control" everything....In that fact, we usually end up making
ourselves disappointed because it hasnt gone our way... Give it to Him and then let it go!

. Plan on right answers! Someone once taught me that... If you have an answer planned then
you wont let it slip the wrong way..........
Example: I cant believe you doing it this or that way............answer " no answer at all quiet"
or just smile.

. Watch your "stress"...............
Dont overdue. its hard during these days. But if you body is exhausted do not keep pushing.
STOP and take 5 minutes to relax. If you have too much going on "walk away" from it for
a few minutes and go drink a cold glass of tea or breath in the cool autumn air!

Try and take the "control" buttom and turn in on OFF. I know I have had trouble with this
one and it is basically fear that causes me to want to "control" everything and everyone.
Let it go .........and you and others will be thankful for it..........

Let worry about people; presents; dinner be what it is and worrying wont change it......it will
raise your blood pressure and make you miserable. I dont want to be unhappy I want JOY!

. Are your words from the fruit of the Spirit? Love, long suffering; gentleness; goodness; faith;
hope ......................THEN they probably dont need to be said.........

I realize as I write these Words I myself will be challenged. That is a good thing for me.

20:" He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good; and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."

...........THIS IS A HOLIDAY OF JOY AND CHEER .............but it can also get to the best of us.
I pray as this holiday approaches I can remember these wise words and have a HAPPY HOLIDAY!


WHEREEVER YOU MAY BE CELEBRATING THESE NEXT FEW DAYS I PRAY FOR YOU
TO KNOW GOD LOVES YOU AND WANTS YOU TO ENJOY A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

THIS THANKSGIVNG...ITS NOT ALL ABOUT ME..

THIS THANKSGIVING............I WANT TO BE A BLESSING..............CUT OUT COOKIES RECIPE

As I was walking through the grocery this morning I looked down at my cart and all the good food in it. I was thankful I had gotten "bargains" as well as the means to help someone else today with what I had..........

I couldnt help but notice a lady who had a "few items" in her arms along with a baby in a stroller and counting what she had. I saw her later walking toward her home. I dont know or sure but maybe she was struggling like so many others to be able to purchase even the few needed items for her home....

I think this time of year even more than others ; people feel the "pinch" in their budget.
So many coming and going and buying and selling. It can be really hard on some. But...
whether it be a financial circumstance ; physical or emotional time for someone it is good to think on others...

We all cannot do everything but we can do ONE thing that God may have us to do.

Here are some easy ideas to help bring joy to this Thanksgiving Season.

. Bake a pie; some cookies; a pumpkin roll; or a dinner for someone to take.

. Give to your churchs food pantry.

. Give to the bell ringer in front of your grocery store and tell him/her thank you for standing
out in the rain and cold! Always smile even if you have nothing to give...

. Take a box of food to a family in need.....Make sure to be discreet...

. Take note on a missionary and their needs. Even though far away they need our love.

. Surprise someone and fill a need.

. Encourage someone by a note or words of love....

. Make a basket and fill it with special things........a cup; cocoa; marshmallows; gift card

. Have a God given talent. Use it for someone this season. The lady who did my nails the other day told me she does the "ladies shelter" for FREE. I thought that was kind.

. Take time to get out of your circle of friends once in a while and show an outsider some
encouragement..........."Look for someone who may be sitting alone at a party you may attend and invite her to sit with you.

. Offer to help an elderly one near you or at a nursing home.

Its very hard to find time during the holidays to STEP OUT and care about others but isnt that what the season is really about?

CUT OUT COOKIES..........MOMS EVERYTHING DOUGH...............
* SIDEBAR RECIPES...