Well, HELLO! It has been a while, hasn't it? Lots of things have been going on since my last post in August. School started for one thing and we all know how exhausting that can be whether your a parent, kid, or teacher. Then my mom gave us a scare with a trip to the hospital. Next, we started house hunting, found a house, packed up, moved closer to my mom, and now we are selling our other house. We moved in to the new house about 2 weeks ago and we're still surrounded in boxes, trying to find things (Hubby found my alarm clock last night!), and trying to find a place for everything. I hate moving. It's too much trouble, yet this is the 4th time in 38 years we have done it. Since it's just the 2 of us left at home, we downsized. I didn't think it would be so hard, but it is. Goodwill LOVES us. We gave away 11 packed carloads of things and we have already started a collection to donate again. It feels really good to let go of things. Each of the kids also took some items they wanted. There were even some things for the Grands. It took me forever to pack up because I went through things to take out what I didn't need or want and sometimes I'd get stalled because I would start reminiscing. I found an ancestry project my daughter did in 8th grade. I found a handwritten recipe from my Grandma! She made these special brownies at Easter and Christmas every year, but she called them her "chocolate cookies." Oh, how I miss my Grandma. The recipe was a special find.
Speaking of recipes, here's one that will be a great one for Thanksgiving or Christmas parties. You make it ahead of time! You know how I love recipes like this! Before you get started, run by Wal-Mart or the grocery store and pick up 12 1/2 pint Mason jars. They are small and the perfect serving size! You could also do it in a 9x13 baking dish if you don't want to bother with Mason jars. You could even use juice glasses and top them with Press-n-Seal. Whatever is easiest for you! The jars are just so stinkin' cute!
Chocolate Eclairs in a Jar
1-2
sleeves Graham crackers, crushed
2 (3¼
oz.) boxes instant French vanilla pudding
3 ½
c. milk
1 (8
oz.) container Cool Whip, thawed
1 can of
milk chocolate frosting
Crush your graham crackers up into small pieces. I usually put them in a ziploc bag and roll over them with a rolling pin. Use about 2/3 of the crumbs in the jars. Save the remainder. In a bowl, combine pudding mix, and milk. Mix for 2 minutes with an electric mixer. Add in Cool Whip until blended. Divide mixture up among the 12 jars. Fill each one about 2/3 full. Add another layer of crushed graham crackers on top. If you need more crumbs, crush up more crackers. Open the can of chocolate frosting and remove the foil top. Microwave for 1 minute. Spoon or pour the frosting into the jar to top it off. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours with the jar lids off so the frosting can firm up. Guests an pick up a jar and spoon and enjoy. These would also make nice little take home desserts!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope yours will be AMAAAAAZING!!!
