Good Living Guide

HOLIDAY

Patriotic Grandmother Cleans Over 600 Unkempt Military Headstones

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Our country has many cemeteries that honor our fallen veterans. Although we all pay respect to them, one Washington grandmother has made that respect a way of life.

Cleaning the Headstones

Since last year, Kelly Mulvaney has been cleaning the headstones and beautifying the graves at Grand Mound Cemetery in Rochester County. As of this month, she has cleaned more than 600 veterans’ headstones.

“The people aren’t forgotten, but sometimes the headstones get old and covered with dirt, and people can’t get here,” she explained.

Daily Ritual

Every day, she pulls up in her car with buckets, a shovel, gloves and other materials. She starts by sweeping pine needles and debris from the headstone. She then cleans stains and mold from the headstone. She finishes by clearing weeds from the edges to make the border stand out.

Each headstone looks like new when she’s finished.

Mulvaney has been dubbed the “Rochester Cemetery Cleaning Angel” by locals. What’s even more amazing is none of her family members are buried in that cemetery.

Inspired To Act

She said she was inspired to act when she and her granddaughter were taking a walk through the cemetery.

“I saw all the military headstones covered in mold and mildew and I thought, those aren’t supposed to look like that,” she told a local paper.

Taking Time

Crystal Hitchcock, whose mother is buried in the cemetery, said she can’t believe someone would “take so much time out of their day and their week and year and do that for somebody they don’t even know.”

Restoring Our Heritage

On her Facebook page, Mulvaney says she wants to “restore our heritage one headstone at a time.”

She has received messages from people who want to join her as volunteers. You can follow her progress on her Facebook page.

Patriotic Grandmother Cleans Over 600 Unkempt Military Headstones

 

Turkey Pants allow plenty of room to stuff yourself with Thanksgiving food

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Are you wondering what to wear to your Thanksgiving feast? Wonder no more because roomy, feast-ready Turkey Pants are here.

If you count on wearing sweatpants or other loose garments while you chow down, these pants might just be a stylish alternative.

Turkey Pants

Eat Your Fill While Wearing Turkey Pants

The pants are comfortable, loose and expandable. They’ll let you stuff your stomach without worrying about making your pants too tight.

There’s no belt. You don’t have to worry about loosening anything. You can just sit back, relax and enjoy that second or third serving of pumpkin pie. Nobody will notice if your tummy looks like it’s ballooned several sizes.

Feel Like a Turkey

Made of a cool, breathable cotton blend, these pants are a combination of leggings, harem pants and joggers. The shape is definitely unusual. They’re fitted at the shin and baggy on the stomach and thighs.

In fact, their weird shape and brown color make them look just like turkey legs. Be careful if you decide to take a walk in the woods while wearing them.

Turkey Pants

It’s a Holiday Tradition

Expandable pants for Thanksgiving are not new. A few years ago, the makers of Stove Top Stuffing launched their own expandable Stuffing Pants for Thanksgiving.

The pants were so popular that the company had to limit buyers to one pair at a time.

Are You Planning to Gobble Up These Pants?

Would you wear Turkey Pants to celebrate Turkey Day? Let us know what you think.

Turkey Pants

How To Keep A Christmas Cactus Looking Beautiful All Season Long

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The Christmas Cactus is a beautiful plant that produces bright, delicate blooms during the holiday season. It’s not just a seasonal plant, however. Many people enjoy keeping this plant alive and healthy all year.

Christmas Cactus

Keep Your Plant Alive All Season

With the right care, your cactus can live, thrive and continue to bloom year after year.

To know the basics of caring for one, it’s important to know that these cactuses come from the mountains of South America. There, they grow in cool forests under the shade of giant trees. They receive scattered sunshine, cool mountain breezes and light rain.

You don’t think of succulents as forest plants, but that just tells you how unusual these plants are.

How to Care for Your Christmas Cactus

To keep your plant healthy, follow these steps.

  1. Bring your plant indoors. Keep it in a cool area away from heat sources.
  2. Don’t rush to repot your cactus. These plants do well in tiny pots. Repotting can shock them, so don’t do it until it’s necessary.
  3. Keep the plant in indirect sunlight.
  4. If your Christmas Cactus is still in its decorative wrapping, cut holes in the bottom to allow drainage. Place the plant on a dish to catch excess water.
  5. Speaking of water, don’t over water your plant. Give it a little water about every three days.
  6. If you need to add soil, use a cactus mix.

Keep Your Cactus Blooming

The above steps will keep your plant healthy. If you want to have blooms every year, follow these steps:

  • Cut back on watering in the spring and summer. This lets the blossoms rest.
  • At the end of summer, feed it with bloom food diluted to one-quarter strength.
  • When buds form, stop fertilizing and go back to normal watering.

Enjoy Christmas All Year

Do you ever wish it could be Christmas all year? You can’t make that happen, but you can keep one part of Christmas alive with a little loving care.

Do you have tips for keeping Christmas plants alive and blooming?

Christmas Cactus

Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Cranberries and Walnuts

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As the summer days wind down, it’s time to look toward the fall. This Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed With Cranberries and Walnuts is a warm, fragrant way to celebrate this wonderful time of year.

Roasted Acorn Squash

You’ll Love This Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed With Cranberries and Walnuts

Acorn squash is at its peak in the fall, and this recipe makes the most of its natural sweetness. Walnuts provides crunch, cranberries add tang, and everything comes together on a bed of warm, golden squash.

Many people say they’d love to cook more squashes and gourds in the fall, but they don’t know how. This recipe proves it’s easy to create a scrumptious meal from squash.

It Fits at Any Meal

This colorful dish makes a gorgeous presentation. With its red, golden and brown colors, it even looks like fall.

This recipe is packed with flavor, and it’s also packed with incredible nutrients. Acorn squash is loaded with vitamins, potassium, antioxidants and fiber. Walnuts are high in antioxidants and Omega-3s. Cranberries are an excellent source of anti-inflammatory agents, vitamins and antioxidants.

Tips for Making Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed With Cranberries and Walnuts

  • According to experts, you should choose acorn squash that feels heavy for its size. That’s a sign it’s still moist and full of flavor.
  • If you don’t have fresh cranberries, frozen cranberries are fine. There is no need to thaw them first.

What to Serve with Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed With Cranberries and Walnuts

Stick with a theme of warm, slightly sweet dishes with the colors and flavors of fall. Create a full meal that’s plant-based, hearty and totally satisfying.

Try a Corn and Potato Chowder that cooks easily in your slow cooker or Stewed Peppers and Tomatoes with Eggs.

Fall is the perfect time to sample a pumpkin beer, cranberry beer or a vanilla porter like this one from Breckenridge Brewery.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Roasted Acorn Squash
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Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Cranberries and Walnuts

You’ll love this Roasted Acorn Squash. The walnuts provide crunch, the cranberries add tang, and everything comes together on a bed of warm, golden squash.

Course Main Course
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375º F.
  2. Cut the squash in half, then scrape out the seeds.
  3. Add the cranberries, walnuts, and brown sugar, orange juice and honey together in a large bowl, then mix together until evenly coated.
  4. Add the mixture evenly into the hollow centers of each half of the squash.
  5. Top each half with 1 tbsp butter.
  6. Place in a baking dish that is loosely covered with aluminum foil.
  7. Bake until tender enough for fork to pierce easily, approximately 80-90 minutes.
  8. Remove from oven and serve immediately.
  9. Enjoy!

Roasted Acorn Squash

Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

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I love a fast, easy recipe as much as the next busy baker. But every once in a while, it’s good to take your time working on a special concoction. For me, that means making a batch of these divine, decadent Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies.

Oreo Crunch Cookies

Enjoy Every Bite of These Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

This recipe isn’t complicated, but it does require some time. You have to chill the dough before you form the cookies, and you’ll need plenty of counter space covered in parchment paper.

Trust me, it’s worth it.

These cookies combine the dark, divine goodness of dark chocolate with the familiar flavor of Oreo cookies, smooth, delectable cream cheese and a touch of peppermint to liven things up.

Here’s Why You’ll Love These Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

These are the perfect cookies for those days when you have a craving for something truly rich and self-indulgent. They’re rich enough to serve as dessert and taste great any time of day.

They’ll stay nice and soft if you keep them in the lidded container.

When you want to make something special for yourself or a gathering of friends, these cookies are a great choice.

Tips for Making Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

  • Parchment paper is the key to baking success. If you’ve never used it, start using it now and you’ll see the difference.

What to Serve With Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

You can’t go wrong with a delicious, holiday-themed fancy coffee drink that you can make at home for a fraction of what you’d pay at a coffee bar.

These cookies also go well with a tequila-laced Mexican Coffee.

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

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Oreo Crunch Cookies

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 24 cookies
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

  2. Prep cookie sheet with parchment paper.

  3. Lay a sheet of parchment paper on the counter.
  4. Add the cake mix, butter, egg, vanilla, peppermint extract, and cream cheese in a mixing bowl.

  5. Using an electric mixer, beat the batter until it turns into a soft dough.

  6. Add the cookie chunks, peppermint crunch pieces, and chocolate chips. Gently stir these ingredients into the cake mixture.
  7. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill the dough for 30-60 minutes.
  8. With the cookie scoop make cookie balls. Roll the dough into round balls. (Will make about 24 balls)

  9. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. (Do not over bake)

  10. The cookies will look undone and soft.
  11. Allow the cookies to remain on the cookie sheet and cool for 2-3 minutes.

  12. Using a spatula, gently remove the cookies and put them on the parchment paper lined counter.

  13. With the cookies on the parchment paper lined counter, top gently tap the tops of the cookies with the bottom of the flat spatula to flatten out.

  14. Allow the cookies to completely cool.
  15. Serve.
  16. Store the remaining cookies in the lidded container.

Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

 

 

Reindeer Chow (Muddy Buddies)

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Are you looking for a fun, festive appetizer that’s just right for the holidays? Whip up a batch of Reindeer Chow (Muddy Buddies). Everyone will be digging into this big, generous bowl of chocolate and salty goodness.

Reindeer Chow

Make It a Party With Reindeer Chow

Do you spend all your time carefully planning every detail of your holiday meal, only to realize at the last minute that you haven’t give five minutes’ thought to the appetizers?

Did you get a last-minute invitation to a holiday potluck and need to come up with something in a flash?

If you’ve been there, and I certainly have, you want a recipe like this that’s fast, easy to make and impressive-looking. It uses ordinary items you can find in any grocery store or even the late-night convenience store.

Reindeer Chow Helps You Make a Great Impression

This appetizer gets most of its flavor from the coated cereal pieces. The cereal stays wonderfully crunchy under the chocolate and peanut butter coating. The contrast with salty pretzels and chocolate M&Ms makes makes for a flavorful combination.

Tips for Making Reindeer Chow

  • Work slowly when you’re heating the chocolate and peanut butter. Overheating it in the microwave will turn it hard and chewy. Heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until it’s just melted.
  • You can find holiday M&M flavors at most stores.

What to Serve With Reindeer Chow

Stay festive and fun with a batch of this Easy Holiday Punch that’s perfect for kids and adults. If you want something with a little kick, try a White Christmas Mojito.

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

Reindeer Chow
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Reindeer Chow (Muddy Buddies)

If you're looking for a fun, festive appetizer that's just right for the holidays, whip up a batch of Reindeer Chow (Muddy Buddies).

Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 11 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings 15 people
Calories 215 kcal
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Place the cereal in a large bowl.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter.

  3. Microwave the chocolate mixture for 30 second intervals, stirring each time.

  4. Continue until melted.
  5. Stir until smooth.
  6. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and use a spatula to gently toss the cereal in the chocolate until completely coated.

  7. Place the powdered sugar and cocoa powder inside a resealable gallon-sized plastic bag.

  8. Add the chocolate-coated cereal.

  9. Seal, then shake until cereal is coated in the powdered sugar mix.

  10. Pour the cereal out evenly on a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray.
  11. Allow them to cool completely and until dry.
  12. In a large bowl combine the cereal, M&M's, and pretzel twists.
  13. Serve!

Reindeer Chow

Holiday Persimmon Cookies

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Celebrate old-fashioned goodness when you make these tender, buttery and delicately flavored Holiday Persimmon Cookies.

Persimmon Cookies

Celebrate the Season with Holiday Persimmon Cookies

Persimmons have been around since colonial days, when they were turned into pies, puddings and desserts of all kinds.

Persimmons are ready for harvest late in the year, making them perfect for fall and winter recipes.

What Are Persimmons?

If you’re not familiar with these beautifully colored, fragrant fruits, it’s time to add them to your rotation.

Persimmons are the national fruit of Japan, where they are revered for their delicate, sweet taste and health benefits. In the U.S., they primarily grow in California and the southern states.

Persimmon

Like most deeply colored fruits, persimmons are a nutrition powerhouse. They have high levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, phytonutrients, antioxidants, beta-carotene and lutein.

Tips for Making Holiday Persimmon Cookies

  • If you don’t see persimmons at your regular grocery store, try an Asian market. Here’s an easy recipe for making the pulp.
  • If you don’t have a blender or food processor, try this handy technique that uses a mesh laundry bag to turn persimmons into pulp.

What to Serve With Holiday Persimmon Cookies

These holiday cookies are sure to become a favorite holiday tradition. They’re perfect for all your holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges and cookie gifts.

Nothing says cozy holiday goodness like curling up with a plate of these Holiday Persimmon Cookies and a mug of Hot Cinnamon Apple Brandy Cider.

If you want to avoid the hard stuff, try a White Hot Chocolate with Pink Frosting for an irresistible holiday spin on a classic.

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Persimmon Cookies
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Holiday Persimmon Cookies

Celebrate old-fashioned goodness when you make these tender, buttery and delicately flavored Holiday Persimmon Cookies.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 dozen
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

  2. Cream butter and sugar until well blended.

  3. Beat in the egg and then the persimmon pulp.

  4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. Once sifted, blend well into the butter mixture.

  5. Stir in the nuts and dried cranberries (or raisins).

  6. Drop a heaping teaspoon on a greased cookie sheet.

  7. Bake at 375°F for about 15 minutes.

  8. Yields 4 dozen.

Persimmon Cookies

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

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For a holiday-perfect twist on Toll House cookies, bake these decadently delicious White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies. White chocolate makes them velvety smooth while the tangy flavor of cranberries keeps them from being overly sweet.

Indulge Your Cranberry Cravings With White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

If you’re like me, the holiday season is the perfect excuse to use cranberries whenever possible. If you’ve already made cranberry butter, cranberry bread and cranberry punch, you might be wondering what else you can do. That’s when it’s time to bake these delicious cookies.

If you prefer milk or dark chocolate chips, you can use them, but the classic combination of berries and cream is classic for a reason. In my opinion, white chocolate is closer to a sweet cream or milk than it is to chocolate. That makes it the perfect backdrop for bright, sharp berries. Try these White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies and I think you’ll agree.

Tips for Making White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

  • You can use fresh cranberries instead of frozen if you have them on hand. If you’re using frozen, the baking experts at King Arthur’s Flour recommend thawing them and patting them dry before baking with them.
  • Are you hesitant to use brown sugar because it always turns into brick on you? Use these tips to get brown sugar soft again and on storing it so it stays that way.

What to Serve With White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Since you’re buying cranberries anyway, use them to mix up a batch of this delicious, festive Cranberry Thyme Spritz that gets its kick from vodka.

These cookies would also be scrumptious with a nonalcoholic drink like this Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate.

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
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White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are made velvety smooth by the white chocolate while the tangy flavor of cranberries keeps them from being overly sweet.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 5 dozen
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

  2. Cream the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar.

  3. Stir in the milk, orange juice and egg.

  4. Mix in the remaining ingredients.

  5. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto a greased baking sheet.

  6. Bake 10-15 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Makes about 11 dozen cookies.

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

‘Dad Bods And Rescue Dogs’ Calendar May Be The Perfect Christmas Gift

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A new fundraising calendar combines two things guaranteed to make your heart melt. The ‘Dad Bods And Rescue Dogs’ Calendar from Lucky Bulldogs Rescue showcases the most adorable rescued French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Pugs posing with some equally adorable men flaunting their sexy dad bods.

Strutting Their Stuff

The men are all volunteers who signed up to strut their stuff to help animals. Each month features high-quality, professional photos of cute guys and cute dogs. If you’re thinking this would be a great Christmas gift, we like the way you think.

Dad Bods for the Win

In an era of body positivity for women, it was inevitable that men would hop on the bandwagon to state that they, too, can be sexy at any size. In fact, some surveys have found that many women prefer a guy with a dad bod to one with a fit, muscular body.

The calendars sell for $20 each. All proceeds go to support Lucky Bulldogs Rescue, a nonprofit rescue group based in Omaha.

Maple Pecan Blondies

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If you thought blondies couldn’t get any more indulgent, get ready for the ultimate in rich, gooey decadence with these Maple Pecan Blondies. These dreamy bars are just the ticket if you want a dessert that doesn’t hold back when it comes to pure pastry pleasure.

Maple Pecan Blondies

Give In to the Pleasure

Do you love brownies, blondies and other rich delights? Are you fond of French toast with maple sugar? Did you ever wish you could combine all those flavors into one luscious dessert?

That’s just what these blondies do for you. They mix the flavors of maple, pecans and vanilla into an ultimate blondie that there’s just no point resisting.

Tips for Making Maple Pecan Blondies

  • Real vanilla extract is expensive, and you might have been led to believe you have to use it to get the best flavor. Good news! As it turns out, even expert tasters can’t tell the difference between real extract and inexpensive vanilla flavoring. Use what works for your budget.
  • If you’re out of brown sugar but want to make these anyway, try making your own brown sugar. You’ll always have it on hand when you need it.

What to Serve with Maple Pecan Blondies

These blondies are perfect for brunch or as dessert.

The smooth, nutty taste and the hint of breakfast flavors in these bars make them a natural with a Hot Nutty Irishman.

For kids or those who are avoiding alcohol, pair them with a deliciously simple White Hot Chocolate.

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Maple Pecan Blondies
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Maple Pecan Blondies

Maple Pecan Blondies combine the flavors of maple, pecans and vanilla to create the ultimate blondie that can't be resisted.

Course Dessert
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F.
  2. Spray a 13x9-inch pan with non-stick baking spray.
  3. In small bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt.
  4. Set to the side.
  5. Add the softened butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar.

  6. Mix using a electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.

  7. Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until smooth.
  8. Add the vanilla and stir to combine.
  9. Begin to add one-third of the flour mixture, best to combine.
  10. Now add half of the milk, beat until combined,
  11. Repeat with flour mixture and milk.
  12. Add in the baking chips and pecans.
  13. Stir in to combine.
  14. Spread pecan batter evenly in your pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes.
  15. Verify the bar is fully cooked by inserting a toothpick in center until it comes out clean.
  16. Allow to cool completely.
  17. Enjoy!

Maple Pecan Blondies