Hot Tamale Spiced Cider, A White Christmas & Giveaway Winners

I hope y'all everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I know we sure did. We usually go out of town to visit my in laws for Christmas, but this year we decided to stay home. It was so nice to sit back and relax this holiday season. Usually we don't get to do to much relaxing when we go out of town. Usually we are busy running around visiting everyone in the family that Christmas passes us by. Well not this year, it was so nice to slow things down and just be home celebrating our own Christmas Traditions. We baked cookies for Santa Claus and had a night of goodies, appetizers and finger foods on Christmas Eve. I made this wonderful Spiced Cider recipe that is simply out of this world good. I have been addicted to is since Christmas Eve and just cant get enough of it. I just so happen to be sipping on it as I type this post. I have been back to the grocery store twice to get more apple cider and hot tamales to make it again LOL. Yep you heard right this spiced cider has hot tamale candies in it. Who would of guessed.

On Christmas Eve we opened our family gift which is usually a game that the whole family can play together. This year it was Disney's DVD Bingo. We had so much fun laughing and just being together and celebrating as a family. While we were playing games and watching Christmas movies we got a surprise...... Snow on Christmas Eve it couldn't of been more perfect. I know its not much, but you have to understand North Texas hardly ever gets snow. The last time I can really remember us getting any snow was 5 years ago on Valentines Day. The kids were so excited they rushed outside in the dark to play a bit in the snow. Mackenzie made a pretty snow angel pictured above it was the perfect night. So we can actually say we had a White Christmas. Tonight I am also announcing the winners for the Challenge Butter Coupons and for Jane's Cookbook "Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms" The winners are at the end of this post. So tell me how was your Christmas?

This is a photo of our backyard.


Here is my silly kids getting cookies ready for Santa and carrots for his reindeer's.

Mackenzie gave him so many cookies.


Here she is leaving carrots and water out for the reindeer's. Mackenzie were are you socks?


Here is another photo of that wonderful spiced cider. I just made a batch up on the stove and after I strained it, I poured it into a crock pot and placed it on warm. That way everyone could just serve themselves. I must warn you this stuff is highly addictive.



Hot Tamale Spiced Apple Cider

5 - cups apple cider
1/4 - cup hot tamale candies
1/4 - teaspoon whole cloves
1/4 - teaspoon nutmeg
1 - cinnamon stick (for garnish)

Bring all ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce and simmer 10 minutes. Strain and serve hot in mugs garnished with a cinnamon stick. When you strain the cider you will see the gummy part of the candy, toss it out with the cloves. This is cider is so yummilicous.


Printable Recipe

Giveaway Winners

Here are the winners of the two giveaways. I will be in contact with each of you to get your mailing address. Each winner has 48 to reply or I will have to choose a new winner. Thank you to everyone who entered.

Winner of the Challenge Butter Giveaway is:

Comment # 24

Michelle: said... Those look soooooo soft. I must eat them.

The Winner of Jane Doiron's Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms is:

Comment #41

Vicki said... My greatest challenge is new QUICK'N'EASY meal ideas! Tired of the same ol' same ol', but add picky eaters and the fact I don't enjoy cooking a lot - well I struggle with new meal ideas.Thanks for the chance to win what looks like an awesome cookbook! I'm adding the Make Ahead Meals" blog to my feedly blog reader!

Tina, The Mom in Mommy's Kitchen