holiday traditions

What are you going to do with all that left over turkey? Sandwiches are pretty good for a little while, but I just read a few new ways to put that Christmas turkey to good use.: slow cooker turkey soup with dumplings, turkey pot pie, or maybe turkey nachos?

Steven is going to kill me for sharing this photo with you, but I just have to! Last year I made our sweaters for an ugly Christmas sweater party that we went to and Steven ended up looking very much like an elf. I am quite proud of his willingness to go "all out" and even wear a pair of my skinny jeans. If he knew how, he would destroy all copies of this photo. . . ENJOY!!

I have soooo much in common with Carrie Underwood: We both love Christmas; We both love Christmas music; Neither of us likes to Christmas shop; We are both blonde; We are both female; We both eat, breathe, sleep; We both love animals. . . . okay, I totally wish I had her legs and I'm already stretching our similarities as far as I can.

Who doesn't love a festive pet? Show us your pups, pigs, ponies, any pet that has the Kiss Country Christmas  Spirit! We especially love the tortured look upon the faces of some pets after their human parents dress them up! We can't wait to see your photos!

I can't believe that it is almost time for Dierks Bentley's annual "lake jump" in Nashville. Yep, every year Dierks' and a handful of his friends jump in the frigid lake to wash away the previous year and get ready for a new year of new adventures. Check it the 2011 lake jump and some of Dierks' memories of this year.

I am sitting here surrounded by things that I only enjoy once a year. I don't even know if Krackel Bars are actually sold in any other form than the miniature version that come in the mixed Hershey bags for Christmas. To my left is spiced tea and one of my Winter favorites: Satsumas! In a drawer to my right hot chocolate packets. I love, love this time of year!

I can't wait to start some Christmas traditions with our growing little family. Decorating cookies, hot chocolate, popcorn strings, favorite Christmas music, I love the idea of Christmas traditions. Do you and your family have any Christmas traditions? The band members of Little Big Town talk about Christmas in their families in this video. Check out CMA Country Christmas when it airs again this S

What are you going to do with all that left over turkey? Sandwiches are pretty good for a little while, but I just read a few new ways to put that Thanksgiving turkey to good use.: slow cooker turkey soup with dumplings, turkey pot pie, or maybe turkey nachos?

I remember the first time I experienced this wonderful, rich banana pudding. My friend Jennifer Roman brought it to work and I was hooked. At first I thought it was the fancy cookies that I liked so much. But, turns out it is the cream cheese, whipped cream and condensed milk that really make this banana pudding the BEST EVER! (Or maybe it was Jennifer's magic touch?)

My grandmother was a country cook, everything tasted sooooo good and most of the ingredients were cataloged in her mind. It took my mom years to recreate the ingredients of my grandmothers chicken and dressing. This recipe makes a TON of dressing, but it freezes very well (freeze it unbaked).

I am considering shopping on "Black Friday" for the first time in my life this year. As I am considering this I have two overwhelming emotions: fear and excitement. Am I woman enough for this? Am I tough enough? Am I organized enough?

I learn something new every day. Every family has its traditions and until today, I never heard of "Texas Trash". But, as Gary McCoy and I were talking about some of our very favorite holiday foods, he told me about this spicy crunchy concoction and I cannot wait to try it.