Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I am taking a blogging vacation from now until the first week of January. I'm planning to curl up in our cabin, drink tons of hot cocoa and tea, find my kids some snow and enjoy every single moment of my favorite two weeks of the year.

Here is a peek at what I am planning to make in the next two weeks. These are some of my favorite recipes and I can hardly wait to enjoy them again! If you are interested in the recipes, you can click on any of the pictures for a link to the original post.

Spicy Five Bean Chili with Steak and Sausage is the ultimate winter comfort food. Nothing beats this chili after it has simmered on the stove all day long. This is the very first meal I plan to make as soon as we arrive at our cabin.

Slow Cooked Cranberry Almond Oatmeal is still my favorite oatmeal combination. I've made this more frequently than any other oatmeal this year. (It's actually in the crockpot this morning, as I write this post.) Every single member of my family loves it. I don't usually prep it the night before, although the directions do include instructions for that. I typically just toss it all into the crockpot in the morning and then just walk away for an hour. I love that I can start this as soon as I wake up and by the time the rest of the family gets moving, breakfast is ready to eat.

Vanilla Bean Mashed Sweet Potatoes have been requested once again and so they will be made for our  Christmas dinner. Unbelievably smooth and creamy, I will probably be enjoying these for a dessert as well. Luckily, I will have a food processor at my disposal this time!

Crockpot Pulled Pork is a great meal to start in the morning and then forget about all day. I plan to use my crockpot as much as possible and avoid all but the most fun cooking whenever I am able.

Carmelized Brussels Sprouts have become a new favorite food in my house. I'm still surprised at just how much we like these. Each time I buy Brussels Sprouts, I intend to try something different with them. However, when it comes time to cook them, I can't help making this awesomely easy recipe once again. They are perfect every time!

I've been wanting to make this Twisted Chicken Piccata again for a while now, so it is on the menu for the week after Christmas. I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait!

I have made several batches of these Ginger and Honey Roasted Almonds already. I added a dash or two of cayenne last time and they were even better. (Thanks for the suggestion, Chris!)

I can not resist the temptation to make the Cranberry Christmas Cake once again this year. This is one of my favorite new dessert finds and I have a LOT of cranberries stashed away in the freezer now. I plan to enjoy this several times throughout the coming year.

I am wishing you all an absolutely wonderful Christmas. 

May God richly bless you and yours throughout the coming year.