Countdown to Christmas!

I looked at the calendar today and realized that it is now less than a week until Christmas!  I don't know where the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas goes or why it always has to disappear so very quickly.

This year I have been busily crafting away.  I'm sure that several of my projects will end up as blog posts when time permits.  I've made baby sweater sets for two different baby showers, and another for a Christmas gift.  I can't wait to share the patterns that I found!  I have also made a couple of earflap hats that I am mighty proud of.  I've made two 2nd birthday cakes for my little boy (I'll explain later.) I'm also hoping to work in some time for jewelry making over my holiday break.  I've also gotten a request to replicate a vintage baby sweater.

For a preview of things to come, feel free to have a look through my Flikr feed!

In the meantime, please enjoy one of my favorite Christmas recipes.  This is my standby for EASY chocolate truffles.  Folks always rave over them and have no idea how simple they actually are.

Oreo Truffles

Ingredients:
1 package Oreo cookies
1 package cream cheese
Chocoloate coating (I usually use Candiquik.)

Directions:
Open the Oreos and dump them in the food processor.  Kick up the spurs and pulverize those little suckers into dust!  Add the cream cheese and let 'er rip again.  Once the cream cheese is fully mixed in (no more white swirls), it is time to roll them into balls.  I make mine on the small side (about 1 tablespoon) so they can be eaten in a single bite.  It is perfectly fine if you make them bigger, if that is what you prefer.  As I roll them out, I put them on a wax paper or parchement lined pan.  Next, I put them in the fridge or freezer to chill them and make sure they are plenty firm. 

Now it is time for dipping!  Melt the chocolate according to the package directions, and go to town!  I am the world's worst chocolate dipper.  I usually start out with "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" intentions, but end up with "I Love Lucy" results.  I really hate it when my middles sink through the chocolate coating on the bottom, so this time around, I used a two-step process for dipping.  First I dipped each piece halfway and let the chocolate set.  Then I went back and dipped the other half, placing it on the already hardened side to let the top side set. 

Yield:  65-70 truffles.