Nancy Naigle's Blog, page 3
December 26, 2024
Holiday Coloring Just For You!
I hope this coloring page brings you JOY, too!
Exercise your creativity.
Nancy
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December 19, 2024
Do you love Audio Books?
I have three audio codes from audiobooks.com for free copies of the audio format of my new Christmas novel:
CHRISTMAS IN CHESTNUT RIDGE
Enter here before 12/23 for a chance to win one of them! https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/09cdaae653
December 16, 2024
Breathe! Relax! Everything that needs to get done will.
I promise.
Sometimes we run ourselves ragged trying to make EVERYTHING perfect for Christmas, but what's the point if you don't even get a moment to take in the Christmas lights, here the carols in the background and snuggle under your favorite furry throw and sip a cup of cocoa while taking it all in--and maybe add in a sweet Christmas movie at the same time since you are the ultimate multi-tasker!
My gift to you today is simple, a coloring page and it's up to you how you use it.
1- Steal the colored pens, pencils or crayons and roll back to when you were little and color outside the lines, baby!
2- Print multiple copies (there are several more free download coloring pages on my blog) and saddle the kids with all the supplies to keep them busy, and quiet, while you take that little break.
3- Just look at that pretty ornament and dream BIG my friend!
The reason for the season is the top priority. If someone doesn't get a home-baked batch of cookies, or the wrapping isn't quite Macy's couture but rather a string bow, trust me...the holiday will still be as bright as ever.
From this girl...to you and your family.
Merry Christmas.
December 5, 2024
Appetizer Recipe: Momma's Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball
A year doesn’t go by that my Uncle Sonny doesn’t muse over this cheese ball, and Momma is always happy to oblige.
Simple, pretty, and delicious. Serve with your favorite crackers.
DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE VERSION
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup diced red or green bell pepper, or both!
1/4 cup thinly chopped sweet onion
2 cans crushed pineapple 8 ounces each, very well-drained
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cups pecan chopped
Put it together!PREP TIP: Gather the ingredients and drain the pineapple again to get it as dry as possible to avoid a messy cheese ball that won’t hold shape.
1. Mix the first 6 ingredients and 1/2 cup of the pecans in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
2. Shape the mixture into a ball. (I like to
divide it into two smaller balls)
3. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
4. Put in the refrigerator to chill for 8 hours.
Before serving, roll the cheese ball in the remaining pecans, maybe even pop a plastic holly leaf on top as a garnish or a fresh herb and berries. Place on a platter and surround with crackers. ENJOY!
This also makes a wonderful hostess gift with a cute holiday cheese spreader, and an outstanding mixture in tortillas and cut into pinwheels as an appetizer.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
From the kitchen of Nancy Naigle www.nancynaigle.com
December 2, 2024
Fun with letters!
Grab a sheet of paper and something to write with.
Write D E C E M B E R across the top.
Get started!
Rumor has it there are over 70 words you can make out of DECEMBER. I didn't even come close to that. Can't wait to hear how you do!
December 1, 2024
RECIPE: Sheila's Pecan Snowball Cookies
Sheila’s Pecan Snowball Cookies from Christmas in Chestnut Ridge
In the cozy mountain town of Chestnut Ridge, these melt-in-your-mouth pecan snowball cookies aren’t just a holiday favorite—they’re a little piece of community love. When Sheila teamed up with Tucker to bake a huge batch for the town fundraiser, they knew these cookies would help raise funds for the Jacob family who’d been displaced from their home in the fire at Thanksgiving.
Fair warning: there might be a friendly fight over these (no, they won’t get thrown…this time!). Light, buttery, and loaded with crunchy pecans, no one can stop at just one. Bonus: the dough freezes well so make extra a freeze for a batch in the future. So be sure to bake plenty—you’ll want to make enough for both sharing and sneaking a few yourself!
These pecan snowballs have the warmth of Chestnut Ridge baked right in. Enjoy, and remember, a little holiday magic goes a long way!
Ingredients: Yield 5 dozen
· 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
· ½ cup confectioner’s sugar
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
· 1 cup very finely chopped pecans
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· ⅓ cup confectioner’s sugar, or more as needed
1. Preheat oven to 350° F
2. Place butter, ½ cup confectioner’s sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl and cream with mixer on medium speed until smooth.
3. Gradually add flour and mix on low speed until flour is just mixed in.
4. Add the chopped nuts and salt. Gently stir to combine.
5. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 2” apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the bottoms are light brown. The tops will still be pale, but firm. Don’t over bake.
7. After baking, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet while you load the next batch in the oven. By then, you can transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool and set, but not cool completely.
8. Place the confectioners’ sugar in a shallow bowl or plastic bag.
9. Roll each baked cookie ball in the confectioner’s sugar while still a little warm so the sugar clings, and set aside until completely cooled.
10. Roll in confectioner’s sugar one last time before packaging them up to gift away!
Novel Recipes from Nancy
This recipe is straight from the pages of my newest Christmas release,
CHRISTMAS IN CHESTNUT RIDGE.
Ingredients
16 oz. block of extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
2 cups crisp rice cereal
Optional: Ground cayenne pepper, Tajin, or diced jalapeño peppers for extra kick.
Directions
Preheat the Oven to 350°F.
Grate the Cheese (yes, the entire block of cheddar by hand) Freshly grated cheese makes all the difference. Don’t shortcut the star of this recipe.
Mix the Dough in a large bowl, combine the grated cheese, butter, flour, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and any spices you like. Mix until the dough forms a ball, pulling in all the flour.
Fold in the Cereal gently to avoid crushing them. This is the secret to that extra-crispy texture.
Shape the Crisps into 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
Flatten the Balls with a fork in a crisscross pattern, or however you like.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until firm.
Cool crisps on baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve with a hot bowl of tomato soup or as a delightful snack on their own.
Bonus Idea These also freeze well, so keep some on hand for that last-minute hostess gift. Store in an airtight container and pair with a jar of candied bacon jelly or make a spread by mixing pepper jelly with cream cheese.
November 26, 2024
RECIPE: Left-overs OR Plan-overs
Call me crazy, but sometimes I like to plan my leftovers. Especially, following these big traditional meals when I know there'll be plenty of extras to deal with.
Here is one of my favorite Plan-overs for Thanksgiving turkey. In my opinion, you can't beat a good turkey sandwich for leftovers, but here's a soup with a mexican twist that will please your tastebuds in those days after.
TURKEY TACO SOUP
A quick Turkey Taco Soup that’s perfect from Thanksgiving leftovers and few kitchen staples. Switch it up with some of the optional suggestions for a nice change of pace with Mexican flavor. And the best part? This soup only takes 30 minutes to make!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
3 cups cooked turkey, shredded light or dark meat
6 cups chicken or turkey broth
1 cup water
1 can diced tomatoes or RoTel
1/2 tablespoon cumin to add a smoky taste
2 Tbs taco seasoning
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
juice of half of a lime
salt and pepper
Tortilla chips or strips
OPTIONAL: Diced jalapenos
Chopped onions
Can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Container of Pico de Gallo
Get creative!
Instructions
1. Add ingredients to large saucepan. Simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and add in cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve immediately and garnish tortilla strips.
Optional garnish:
a. Fresh cilantro
b. Sour cream
c. Diced avacado or scoop of guacamole
d. Shredded cheese
e. Chopped green onions
I hope you enjoy this quick and easy plan-over.
Nancy
Left-overs OR Plan-overs
Call me crazy, but sometimes I like to plan my leftovers. Especially, following these big traditional meals when I know there'll be plenty of extras to deal with.
Here is one of my favorite Plan-overs for Thanksgiving turkey. In my opinion, you can't beat a good turkey sandwich for leftovers, but here's a soup with a mexican twist that will please your tastebuds in those days after.
TURKEY TACO SOUP
A quick Turkey Taco Soup that’s perfect from Thanksgiving leftovers and few kitchen staples. Switch it up with some of the optional suggestions for a nice change of pace with Mexican flavor. And the best part? This soup only takes 30 minutes to make!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
3 cups cooked turkey, shredded light or dark meat
6 cups chicken or turkey broth
1 cup water
1 can diced tomatoes or RoTel
1/2 tablespoon cumin to add a smoky taste
2 Tbs taco seasoning
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
juice of half of a lime
salt and pepper
Tortilla chips or strips
OPTIONAL: Diced jalapenos
Chopped onions
Can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Container of Pico de Gallo
Get creative!
Instructions
1. Add ingredients to large saucepan. Simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and add in cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve immediately and garnish tortilla strips.
Optional garnish:
a. Fresh cilantro
b. Sour cream
c. Diced avacado or scoop of guacamole
d. Shredded cheese
e. Chopped green onions
I hope you enjoy this quick and easy plan-over.
Nancy
7-Day Gratitude Walk - DAY SEVEN
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✨ Welcome to day seven of our 7-Day Gratitude Journey! ✨
Day 7: Gratitude for Nature
Each day's prompt has meant to combine reflection, an actionable tip, and something tangible to engage with. I hope you've found this journey both meaningful and fun!
PART ONE of TWO
Question/Statement: What in nature do you feel most connected to, and how does it uplift you?
Tip: Spend 10 minutes outside, focusing on one thing you're grateful for, like the crisp air or golden leaves, bird watching, or watching the clouds go by.
I have always felt connected to the stars. If there's the slightest chance to see meteor showers, I'll set my alarm and go outside in the middle of the night to capture a glimpse of those shooting stars.
Another is lightning bugs, or fireflies, depending on where you're from. I can sit and watch them light up for hours. Did you know there are different colored lights in some regions? It's true. I'm from Virginia and we see lightning bugs flash not only the common yellow, but also blue, white, orange, green, and even a reddish color.
The most rare lightning bug is the blue ghost firefly. These rare fireflies emit a steady, eerie blue light instead of blinking. They can be found in the Appalachian Mountains.
Unlike other fireflies, blue ghost females don't fly, but instead stay on the forest floor and glow faintly.
Share your love for nature with someone today.
PART TWO OF TWO
Add-On:
Simple Craft: Nature Pressed-Leaf Bookmarks
Collect fallen leaves during a nature walk.
Press them between heavy books for a few days until flat and dry.
Decoupage to cardstock with watered-down white glue, or decoupage media.
Punch a hole for a ribbon.
Each time you use the bookmark, reflect on the beauty of nature.
Easy Recipe: Herbal Infused Water
Combine fresh mint, slices of cucumber, and lemon wedges in a pitcher of water.
Let it infuse for an hour, then serve for a simple way to celebrate nature’s bounty while staying hydrated.
As we wrap up this 7-day gratitude journey, I hope it’s brought you moments of reflection, joy, and connection. Whether you’re surrounded by many or spending the day in quiet solitude this Thanksgiving, may your heart be full of thankfulness for the blessings big and small.
Remember, gratitude is a gift we give ourselves—it turns the simplest of days into something extraordinary.
Wishing you a beautiful, thank-filled Thanksgiving filled with warmth, love, and peace.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nancy
#GratitudeJourney #ThankfulHeart #CountdownToThanksgiving #Grateful
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