happenstance home

I talked about this recipe a bit in my stories yesterday.  We used to make these as kids - but we made Rum Balls.   My sister makes them using Bourbon and I really like them that way.  So make them using whichever liquor you like best.  And yes, our parents did not care that we ate them as kids.  You probably couldn't eat enough of them to find yourself drunk :)

This year I made them using Biscoff Cookies instead of Vanilla Wafers cause I had them in the cupboard.  Worked out perfectly.  

Here is the super simple recipe.

Bourbon or Rum Balls

1 cup finely ground pecans

1 cup finely ground Vanilla Wafers or Biscoff cookies

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/4 cup bourbon or rum 

I use a little Kitchen Aid food processor to grind the cookies and pecans.

Mix the dry ingredients together and then add the corn syrup and bourbon and mix well.  Form into balls (wet hands can help a little) Roll balls into sugar.  Keep refrigerated.  Definitely not health food, but they are good!!!

(First thing - my blog is a mess and needs a re-do.  Please click continue reading to find pictures that aren't blurry.  I don't know what is going on here.)

I have a super small porch area that I do my best to keep decorated throughout the year.  I think this years Christmas display looks really pretty - the little trees delight in the darkness with glistening lights.  They flicker so faintly - I like them so much.  They are LED and battery operated - 8 modes - got them at Walmart but cannot find them online to share.  I hung some silver bells and gold painted and weathered white wooden circle big floral picks I had along with more plaid ribbon to the end of my railing.  Real cedar garland from Trader Joe's is also draped on the gate and railing.

The little deer were a new find this year.  So sweet and inexpensive.  The sign I purchased last year.

The trees in the other buckets were a steal at JC Penney last year.  I think they were $10 and $12 each.  Plaid ribbon was from JoAnn's a couple years ago.  I really tried to use what I had on hand this year.  

Since much of what I used was reused from previous years I made an inspiration board of things that are out there now that would give you a similar look.  My exact little deers and planters are here.  And the darn snowball lights :).  My wreath has pinecones on it and a red and white striped ribbon so this wreath reminded me of that.  I almost bought that wooden tree in the center of the picture about 3 times.  It lights up and is so nice.  Oh - and I forgot about the wooden stars.  I got those on Etsy last year.  For the STARS click here.  Hopefully my modest little porch inspires you to get creative with and appreciate what you have.  It doesn't have to be new to beautiful.