Santa paid me a visit....I mean My Secret Santa

For the second year in a row...I joined the Secret Santa Soiree hosted by Georgie and Amy....I mailed my package out to my secret swap partner....she received her package and liked everything.....I am so glad......

.......but Saturday, I got home to discover the mailman had delivered my box from my Secret Santa.....and just like a kid...I could not wait to rip the box open....almost forgot my camera, I was so excited.....

Everything was wrapped, and packaged with care.....now....after this first picture and I got into the box...all was lost......I did not even remember my camera....I was beside myself...with glee......

Just look at this treasure trove of wonderful goodies from my secret friend......

1. Adorable vintage bumble bee figures.....precious.....
2. Adorable pom-pom forest animal kit....how cute is this?
3. Initial keepsake box and note pad
4. Amazing vintage Christmas box...I'll talk about this below.....don't miss it.....
5. Adorable holiday stamps...just look at these
6. Pampered Toes - Spa therapy for toes - I work on my feet all day...this is just what I needed.....love
7. Body Benefits gel eye mask.....I can not wait to try this.....it can be used warm or cold to soothe tired senses.....Most needed, I assure you!!
8. Initial pearl ornament
9. Two large Butterfingers bars....my favorite candy!!


Just look at this adorable box....when I saw this in the large box...well, I just lost it.....for real....I started jumping up and down screaming....NO LIE.....my three dogs thought someone was trying to hurt me, my son was looking at me like I had lost my mind, and my husband, who was in the shower and heard me screaming, ran out of the bathroom with only a towel on...he thought someone was trying to break in.....I on the other hand.....could not contain my excitement..... I can not describe my excitement...there are no words.....I have seen these on a blog....and she may be my secret Santa....and I can not tell you how much I wanted one of these little vintage Christmas boxes....This one item....has CERTAINLY made my Christmas......THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!!! It was after I settled down a bit that I discovered that this adorable box was full of Christmas stamps that are in the below picture....it was a double surprise.....

She is sitting in my sewing room, by my computer.....under my pink tree with vintage ornaments....I just adore this.......and I just can not imagine myself packing this away after the holidays.....I love it that much...and most likely will keep it out all year to enjoy....

Now take a look at adorable little vintage sweeties.....I just love them......

And they have found a home in my laundry room on the shelf....so I can look at them each and every day and smile....remembering my Secret Santa pal each time I do.

Here are the stamps that was in the vintage pink box....and the eye mask......

I wanted you to see how cute these woodland animals are...I can not wait to make these after the holidays.....love this initial pad and box....so cute.....and woodsy looking.....

and finally, a closeup of my ornament...hanging on my pink tree....

I have a feeling my Secret Santa has a keen appreciation for vintage items too, as she certainly picked things that I absolutely love.....It is a warm and fuzzy feeling to know someone whom I have never met in real life, took the time to really chose things that they thought I would love.....and I totally do......this has totally made my Christmas ever so special. Thank you Secret Santa...I can hardly wait to find out who you are... I have an idea.....but want to see if I guessed correctly!!

Yummy Spicy Crackers....Super Easy to Make!!!

I know lots of us are planning big get-to-gathers this next week, with family and friends. And I am sure lots of party, snack type foods are being planned.....I recently got a wonderful and surprisingly easy recipe from a good friend of mine for wonderful, spicy snack crackers....and when I say easy.....it is EASY!!!

These are perfect with cheese balls, dips or just right out of container by themselves.....and did I say EASY to make......trust me.


You will need: Box unsalted crackers and or Ritz low salt crackers, package of Zesty Italian dressing mix, package of Garlic & Herb dressing mix, crushed red pepper and canola oil.

First: pour whole box of crackers into a large bowl. I made two batches, one with saltines and one with Ritz....(used two different bowls, doubled the recipe)

in a bowl, pour a scant less than 1 1/2 cup of canola oil. (I used a little less per batch than the 1 1/2 cups...just eyeballed it) Mix both Italian and garlic and herb dressing packets to oil, add 2 Tablespoons. spoons red pepper flakes, mix well.

Pour over crackers.....

mix well.....making sure to coat all the crackers well.

stir...stir....stir......

once all are mixed well and coated, spoon into a large air tight container.

I let these sit over night....it lets the crackers soak up all the goodness and lets the flavors mix well.....these will store in a air tight container for several weeks.....so you can make them ahead of time and they will be ready to go for your party......

Yummy- goodness!!! I took this picture right after I mixed up a batch of these, the shiny look goes away after they sit over night.....all I need now is to make a cheese ball and I am set!!!

Hope you enjoy this easy snack treat...I could not believe how wonderful these tasted and how easy they were to make!!

Party Spicy Crackers

1 1/2 cups of canola oil ( I use a scant less)
1 pkg Italian dressing mix
1 pkg Garlic & Herb dressing mix
2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
crackers (either 1 box saltines or 1 box Ritz)

pour crackers from box into a large mixing bowl, in separate bowl, add canola oil and dressing mixes, add pepper flakes and stir well. Pour over crackers and mix very well, be sure to coat all crackers with mixture. Pour crackers into a air tight container. Let sit over night preferably before serving. These store well for several weeks. Enjoy!!