Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Green Bean Casserole 

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Green Bean Casserole! Can we ever get enough of this all-time favorite side dish? I think not! It seems there are all sorts of variations on this classic holiday casserole. Some of my friends only use French-style green beans while others prefer freshly snapped. And the seasonings are all over the map from Hawaiian sea salt medleys to crushed Midwest garden herbs. I keep it simple because, honestly, once you add the French fried onion rings, everything else takes a back seat. 
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE 
Ingredients:

2 cans whole green beans, drained and cut-up

1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted 

1/2 cup light cream

1/8 teaspoon Mrs. Dash herb and garlic seasoning

1/8 teaspoon seasoned salt

1 1/2 cups French fried onions
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325°. Spray a medium casserole dish with nonstick spray. Combine green beans, cream of mushroom soup, light cream, herb seasoning, and salt. Mix well. Fold in 1/2 cup of French fried onion pieces. Place in casserole dish. Spread evenly. Arrange remaining French fried onion rings over top around the edges leaving the center open. Bake 30-35 minutes. 

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Olive Tapenade 

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Olive Tapenade! Here’s a nice prelude to an evening meal. Forego the usual focaccia bread and herbed olive oil for a southern France hors d’oeuvre instead. By using an exotic mixture of olives and spices, it creates a versatile condiment for crackers, bread, cheese, and vegetables. Later on, serve it over pasta or fish as another option. Whatever you choose, seek adventure. You won’t be disappointed in the mellow salty garlic flavor lingering long into the night. 
OLIVE TAPENADE 
Ingredients:

1/2 cup green olives with pimentos 

1/2 cup black olives, pitted 

1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted

2 tablespoons capers

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper 
Instructions:

Combine all ingredients. Pulse in a food processor for several minutes. Scrape sides and repeat. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for one hour. Serve with crusty artisan bread or pita chips. Tastes great spread over cream cheese for party flavor. 

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Dried Beef Pretzel Dip

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Dried Beef Pretzel Dip! Try a new creamy variation of the traditional chipped beef cheeseball. In lieu of the cream cheese, substitute Greek yogurt instead. Make it super lo-cal by serving it with fresh veggies and whole-grain crackers. The blend of parsley and dill give it an irresistible twist only lighter! 
DRIED BEEF PRETZEL DIP
Ingredients:

16 ounces of Greek yogurt 

16 ounces of light mayonnaise 

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

2 teaspoons dill weed

2 teaspoons parsley flakes 

1/2 teaspoon onion powder 

2 2.5-ounce packages lean smoked chopped beef, cut-up
Instructions:

In a medium size mixing bowl, combine yogurt and mayonnaise. Blend until smooth. Add seasoned salt, dill weed, parsley flakes, and onion powder. Stir until combined. Fold in cut-up smoked beef pieces. Refrigerate one hour before serving. Easy peasy. 

The Spirit of Giving

Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate the love of God and family 

and to create memories that 

will last forever. 

Jesus is God’s perfect, 

indescribable gift. 

The amazing thing is that 

not only are we able 

to receive this gift, 

but we are able to share it 

with others on Christmas 

and every other day 

of the year.”

~ Joel Osteen 

“Beaulieu” Mansion Reflects History in Beltline District of Calgary, Canada 

“Beaulieu” Mansion Reflects History in Beltline District of Calgary, Canada! Surrounding the historic Lougheed House in the heart of Calgary is the magnificently terraced landscape of the formal Beaulieu Gardens. It’s almost as though the prestigious mansion sits atop a pedestal of majestic affluence on 2.8 acres for all to see. Marble staircases, swan fountain, and winding walkways invite peace and tranquility. The Victorian home is a national treasure with its attention to detail in its rustic sandstone, elaborate stained glass windows, embellished hardware, Spanish mahogany walls, stately hardwood flooring, and ambient lighting. Without a doubt, this elegant mansion entertained on a grande scale as the hub for society. Self-guided tours are encouraged and guests are invited to dine on contemporary cuisine in a delightful atmosphere. 

Surround Yourself With Water at Prince’s Island Park in Calgary, Canada

Surround Yourself with Water at Prince’s Island Park in Calgary, Canada! It has been dubbed an “Island of Dreams” slightly north of downtown Calgary, Canada. Its namesake is Peter Anthony Prince, founder of the Eau Claire Lumber Mill in 1886. What makes this Park so unusual, you ask? First of all, the island began when a channel was dug to transport logs from the Bow River to the sawmill. As the island naturally developed, it became more of a wetland habitat for Canadian geese, mallard ducks, small wildlife, and flocks of birds. Access is limited to only a few service vehicles making it an urban park for recreational hiking, leisurely picnics, energized pedestrians, festive celebrations, and environmental education. Flower gardens and water fountains enhance the lush greenery. Prince’s Island Park is easily accessible by three bridges making it convenient for adventure seekers. 

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Sugar-Spun Sponge Candy

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Sugar-Spun Sponge Candy! Take a walk down Memory Lane. Wonderful childhood memories come flooding back with this old-time classic favorite. You will seldom find it in candy stores unless you happen to stumble upon a family-owned place where the bell above the doorjamb jingles as you cross the threshold. Once inside, the glass showcase will feature this honeycomb-type toffee, golden in color, nestled inside a rich chocolate covering. It’s crisp and air-filled with a sponge-like appearance. Once you’ve had it, the memories linger on. Spoil yourself and make up a batch. Just like magic, it can be whipped up in about 15 minutes. Carry on the tradition, or begin your own this year. 
SUGAR-SPUN SPONGE CANDY
Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 cup dark corn syrup 

1 tablespoon vinegar 

1 tablespoon baking soda
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels 

3 teaspoons vegetable oil
Instructions:

Combine sugar, corn syrup, and vinegar in a heavy-bottomed 3-quart pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Continue cooking about 10 minutes until mixture reaches 300° on a candy thermometer, or a drop of syrup becomes brittle in a glass of cold water. Immediately remove pan from heat and sift in baking soda. Mixture will foam up madly. Stir gently but thoroughly. Pour into well-buttered 9″ square pan. Do not spread. Let cool. Remove from pan and break into pieces over a large bowl. Sugary crumbs will appear all over the counter if the bowl is too small. 
Instructions for Chocolate Coating:

Pour chocolate morsels into a glass bowl. Add 3 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Stir. Place in microwave for 5 minutes on 30% power. Halfway through, stir to blend smooth. Do not over cook. Keep warm on the stovetop over a double boiler. Dip each piece of sponge candy into chocolate. Coat completely or halfway depending on preference. The honeycomb and chocolate look appealing, in my opinion. Place pieces on waxed paper lined sheet pan. Chill to set.