Santa IS real...really yummy!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas is, by far, my favorite holiday...the tree, the lights, music, presents, food...yum. Love it.

In this post, I'll be sharing a cute and healthy appetizer idea and a few of the gifts that Santa brought me this year :) I also made chocolate chip cookies and a pumpkin squares dessert for tonight and will be posting the recipes for those later. 

So this is definitely the cutest and easiest way to be festive. I have to credit Pinterest for the idea, but, of course, mine turned out cuter. You'll need:

• strawberries
• Cool Whip 
• Black or brown sprinkles OR Black decorating gel (can be found in the baking aisle)
• Knife 
• Toothpick
• Cutting board (if you care about your counters)

Just by looking at the picture, I'm sure you can figure out how to do this. Wash the strawberries, cut off the leaves so they can stand up straight, and cut off the tips for the little hats. Don't worry about keeping the same tip for the same strawberry...that's crazy. Put a dollop of cool whip on the strawberry, add the hat, and another smaller dollop for the hat's poofy ball. I used a toothpick to make Santa's buttons...just dip it into the cool whip and give Santa a couple pokes ;) On Pinterest, the woman used sprinkles for the eyes but I found some black decorating gel that seemed like a better, more controlled option. And voila! Cuteness.

And here are some of the goodies Santa my family and friends have given me!

I've run across this book on a couple different websites and I was always curious what was in it. Now, I know! Maybe I'll Julia Child-style this book...maybe. Regardless, I'm excited to get crafting!! Thanks, brother!

4000 piece puzzle (52 in x 38 in) -- I will be attempting this, though I can't promise I'll ever do it again.  

GIFT CARDS! Money is always nice but knowing I can only selfishly spend it at a store I love, makes me a happy girl. Anthropologie, Francesca's and Birchbox :)

And, of course, peppermints and chocolate <3

So, I'm excited to share the recipes with you, but it's Christmas! I must get cute, go out, and be merry with mi familia. I will post tomorrow, for those of you who would like a little post-Christmas, pre-New Year's treat.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

<3 Katie