::: Homemade Holidays :::

The air is cold and bitter, the skies are stark and gray, and Mother Nature's last loveliest smile is almost a memory now. Fall is quickly yielding to the holiday season, my friends. Thanksgiving will be upon us soon ... and then the Yuletide rush will begin in earnest. So let's embrace the season ahead and share our most favorite Homemade Holidays recipes. Here. Every Friday. Starting today.

If you'd like to participate -- please do! And feel free to spread the word. The more, the merrier! Simply write up your post, publish it, and leave your link with McLinky below by Sunday evening. Please mention that I'm the one hosting our weekly recipe swap and feel free add one of these "Homemade Holidays" banners to your post as well:

If you and your family love it, then share it. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Everyday Favorites -- muffins, lunch box snacks, soups, dinners, etc.
• Holiday Favorites -- Thanksgiving side dishes, Christmas Dinner must-haves, etc.
• Holiday Baking Favorites -- Thanksgiving pies, Christmas Cookies, breads, etc.
• Food Gift Favorites -- sweet breads, mini loaves, snack mixes, gifts-in-a-jar ideas, etc.
• Crafting Recipe Favorites -- cinnamon dough, room sprays, soaps, gingerbread, etc.



This week's featured recipes are easy to prepare ahead of time for a family gathering or party. They also make for lovely hostess or food gifts. In fact, these two seasonal favorites often serve both purposes at our house this time of year. I hope you'll enjoy (and share) them as much as we do...

Cranberry Salsa

1 (12 oz.) package whole cranberries
1 Granny Smith apple, unpeeled
1/2 large red pepper
1/2 red onion
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup apple juice or cider
3T chopped fresh cilantro
2T pickled jalapeño, diced
1 tsp. lime zest

Pour cranberries into food processor. Roughly chop apple, pepper, and onion. Add to food processor. Pulse until blended. Transfer to a large glass bowl and add remaining ingredients. Stir well to combine and refrigerate. Let sit for at least a few hours before serving. Makes approximately 3 cups of salsa.

(click here for printable recipe)

Ranch Dip Crackers
(a favorite from my friend Elizabeth)

2 boxes/bags oyster crackers
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
1 packet dry ranch dip

Preheat oven to 250º.Combine ingredients and coat crackers well. Bake on a large cookie sheet for 15 minutes. Stir and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Let cool and store in an airtight container.

(click here for printable recipe)

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends! And keep those recipes coming...