Christmas at the End of May-- Quick & Easy Christmas Recipes Review & Giveaway

Dear Reader-


Do I have a treat for you! 

My friends at Gooseberry Patch recently sent me their brand new Christmas cookbook, Quick and Easy Christmas Recipes... and you guessed it... one for one of you too!


So, since it is a Christmas book, we are declaring it Christmas at the end of May! 


Miss Add is going to be sooo excited that we can sing Christmas carols again...


So, while I am busy cooking up yummy things to share with you this week, I thought I'd get this lovely giveaway started...


And, since it IS Christmas at the end of May, how about something festive to drink while we peruse this lovely book?

I found this recipe for Sycamore Farm Christmas Drink while flipping through the Dessert section... 


Now, truth be told, while in the Dessert section of a new Christmas cookbook, I would normally be drawn to recipes like Cherry Christmas Pizza, Chocolate Fudge Pie, Shelle's Millionaire Pie, Lemon Fluff, Annie's Crescent Cookies, Chocolate-Toffee Candy Cookies... well ya get the point... 


And, well... I was definitely drawn to them... 


However, since I  am on the home-stretch of project "fit-in-the-dress" later this week... 


I opted for this drink, thinking it might be something  that we could drink now as a special treat and freeze some for later.

And, oh my word, I am glad I did... 

This drink reminds me of the flavors in a delicious apple crisp... it a mug... yum! 

Very flavorful and complex... and DELICIOUS! 

This will be our go-to "cider" from here on out. This is a perfect drink to sip warm in the morning and, honestly, I am looking forward to giving this drink a try cold as well.

You start out by pouring a 64 oz bottle of apple juice and a 64 oz bottle of cranberry juice into a large stock pot.

Psst... keep those empty bottles, they are a great way to store and freeze the extra cider.

Add  1/2 Cup Orange Juice

1 T Whole Cloves... I heart the smell of cloves...

1 T Cinnamon and 2/3 Cup Sugar. Now stir it up and heat through...

Your house will smell like you lit an amazing holiday handle... Fa...lalalala...la...la...la..la

Now sift out the cloves....

And drink up... YUM!

Now, pour yourself a cup and let's take a look at this new book.

One of the things I have enjoyed about this book is that even though it is a Christmas book, it has a lot great everyday recipes.

In the Breakfast & Brunch section we really enjoyed the Christmas Morning Casserole. It is perfect for everyday and for special occasions. I will be sharing pics and the recipe later this week. Other recipes we are looking forward to trying is Lisa Ann's Crustless Quiche, Artichoke Squares, Oatmeal-Blueberry Pancakes, Brandi's Egg & Spinach Bake and Busy Morning Banana Bread.

In the Snacks & Appetizers section we are going to fix up some Holiday Freezer Cheese Balls. Love the fact that we can make them ahead and pop them in the freezer-- my favorite kind of recipe... just sayin' Other recipes we are looking forward too from this section are Mexican Pinwheels, Peanut Butter Popcorn,  Shrimp Puffs, Glazed Walnuts and I am sure Miss Add will love the Zippy Snack Crackers!

In the Soups, Sides & Salads section, we are going to fix up some Seafood Pasta Salad. It sounds like it is right up Puddie's alley. Other recipes we are looking forward to are Easy Cheesy Orzo, Oven Fried Potatoes, Beckie's Garlic Soup, Souper Rice, Walnut-Parsley Pesto Linguine and Tortellini & Broccoli Soup.

In the Mains section, we are going to cook up some Teriyaki Chicken. Other recipes we are looking forward to are Quick & Easy Creamy Chicken, Chicken & Rosemary Pizza, Saucy Pork Chops, Easy Beef Pot Pie, Skillet Chicken Cordon Bleu and Taco Pasta Skillet.

Last but not least there is a Slower Cooker section! I am so excited to try the Unfried Refried Beans. Other recipes we are very excited about trying are the Make-Ahead Scramble Eggs, Overnight Sausage & Egg Casserole, Hot Spinach Dip, Simple Stew for Two, Broccoli & Cheese Casserole and Patty's Au Gratin Potatoes.

Now, how about that giveaway! Merry Christmas!

There are LOTS of ways to enter to win. You don't have to use them all, just do the ones you want. Just make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry.
1. Follow GOODEness Gracious through Google Friend Connect (GFC) (right sidebar)

2. Join our Facebook Community

3. Follow @crisgoode on Twitter

4. Subscribe to us via email (right sidebar)

5. Subscribe to our feed (right sidebar)

6. Check out Real Farmwives of America blog and follow through GFC 

7. Fan Real Farmwives of America and Friends on Facebook

8. Follow @realfarmwives on Twitter

9. Fan Gooseberry Patch on Facebook

10. Comment on Gooseberry Patch's Blog or Facebook Page and tell them Cris sent you.

11. Follow @gooseberrypatch on Twitter

12. Tweet about this contest and include @crisgoode and @gooseberrypatch in your tweet

Contest ends 9PM EDT on June 6th. Winner must live in the continental U.S.


Links featured on GOODEness Gracious are often affiliate links. GG often receives products for free to review. GG opinions are however very much Cris' own. Just try to get her to say something she doesn't believe in... dare ya ;) If you have any questions about the products or recommendations found on this blog, just pop us an email :)