**Sunday Social - 1.1.2012**

Can you believe it's 2012 already? Isn't that crazysauce? Where did 2011 go?

I'm so excited for this year. We have another week at my in laws and then we'll be heading "home" to New York...I'll get back into the swing of things and pumping out more recipes. The new year will be bringing a few changes to the blog. The first is that I will be opening Fantastical up to sponsors and advertisers! If you have a blog or etsy shop or sell Scentsy, I would love for you to sponsor Fantastical. I'm really new to this and still researching vigorously to make sure I do it the right way.

This week only has a few recipes to share...there have been a plethora of round ups and recaps on all my favorite blogs - check out my Fave Hunting Spots tab and visit some other blogs to see some supreme deliciousness!

First up is my SRC challenge: Chicken Egg Rolls from Tami's Kitchen Table.

I found a few sweets (who would've guessed?!) too...

Grasshopper Chocolate Bark ~ Confections of a Foodie Bride

Queso Blanco Dip ~ Annie's Eats

Delicious Hot Chocolate ~ The Pioneer Woman

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake ~ Debbi Does Dinner

Source: debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Basic NY Cheesecake with Easy Blackberry Sauce ~ Lauren's Latest

Source: laurenslatest.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Cookie Dough Cupcakes ~ Alli 'N Son

Source: alli-n-son.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Cosmic Brownies ~ The Spiffy Cookie

Source: thespiffycookie.com via Sarah on Pinterest



I hope everyone has an amazing celebration tonight to bring in the NY with lots of laughs and lots of good food :) Happy New Year! 

There is a button to grab on the right if I shared one of your recipes :)

This post is linked up at...

2011 Faves

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Countdown to 2012: Best Dessert Recipes of 2011

Ending the Countdown to 2012 with a bang! I have an incredible sweet tooth, if you've seen my Sunday Social posts - you know that's probably an understatement. :) A special shout-out to the awesome host, SnoWhite, at Finding Joy in My Kitchen for doing this awesome recap series and inviting others to join in! If you haven't seen her blog, go check it out! She has some amazing recipes over there!

I admitted my blasphemous dislike for Oreos in my Cookies 'n Cream Cookies post. 

But I did think these cookies were amazing.

I tried the Best Chocolate Cake Ever in February, but switched it up for a little cookout we were having and it turned into the Bestest Chocolate Cake Ever!

I've been testing out new types of cookies too. They are fast, easy, and they disappear quickly around my house. Hot Chocolate Cookie with Marshmallows never stood a chance.

I had the opportunity to do a fudge challenge this month and I found the perfect fudge: Pralines & Cream Fudge. It's the best fudge I've ever eaten.

My first stab at homemade brownies was these beauties: Carmel-Filled Brownies

Homemade Ding Dongs. That's all I need to say.

 

For Thanksgiving, I made a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bundt Cake. It was absolutely incredible.

I hope you all have had a wonderful 2011 and 2012 brings you everything you dream for!

Past Recaps: Breakfast, Breads, Soups & Stews, Main Dishes, and Crockpot.
My full dessert list can be found right here.

Countdown to 2012: Best Crockpot Recipes of 2011

One of my favorite tools in my kitchen is my crockpot. And today's recap is all about the crockpot. Stop by tomorrow for my favorite favorite day of recaps: DESSERTS!

A little recipe that reminds me of my grandma's chicken: 3 Envelope Chicken.

Fauxtisserie Chicken is a great way to utilize your crockpot and bake a whole chicken!

I think my favorite thing to cook in the crockpot is any kind of pulled meat. I loved this Pulled Pork's seasoning. It was supremely better than any other I have had before!

A great Mexican dish: Taco Chicken Bowl

And probably our most favorite recipe of the year
(hands-down my husband's favorite) is Philly Cheesesteak Sliders.

Make sure you stop by past recaps for 2011: Breakfast, Breads, Soups & Stews, and Main Dishes.

You can find more of my crockpot recipes: here.

Countdown to 2012: Best Main Dish Recipes of 2011

We've rounded up the best breakfast, breads, and soups & stews, now it's time for a little main dish love! For more main dishes, you can find a full list in this post.

Grilled Chicken & Pineapple Quesadillas - oh yeah! And my special touch was bacon.

You can never go wrong with adding bacon.

I was NOT a fan of alfredo until I made my own. Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo would also be great with a little grilled chicken on top.

I found and tried some amazing pizza recipes this year: Amazing Homemade Pizza Rolls and Pizzadillas.

I tried many different spaghetti recipes, but Ranch Style Spaghetti was definitely my favorite.

We recently tried this Sweet & Spicy Bacon Chicken.
It was unreal how delicious it was, and yet so simple.

We are jalapeno monsters in my house, so we couldn't NOT try this awesome Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

And last, but certainly not least, Tatertot Tacos. I never thought that tacos could get any better than they already were....I was wrong!

Still yet to come, crockpot and dessert recaps - the gems of the recipe world, right?

~Twisted Thursday - 12.29.2011~

Countdown to 2012: Best Soups & Stews Recipes of 2011

Day 3 of Countdown to 2012 - a fun way to recap the best recipes of 2011 :)
Today is all about soups and stews. I don't think I've made any stews, so mine will be strictly soups!

I liked the idea behind Wisconsin Cheddar Soup and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was.

On my quest to find a good homemade chicken noodle soup, I found Grandma Ruth's Italian Chicken Soup. It's unbelievably delicious!

Bean & Bacon Soup - one of my all-time favorite soups. I've also been trying to steer away from things out of a can, so this was a perfect substitute. 

Come back tomorrow for the Main Dish round up and make sure to check out my past posts: Breakfast and Breads.

Oh, How Pinteresting Weds. #24

 

If you want an invite, leave me your email address or send me an email (fantasticalsharing AT yahoo DOT com).


This is a really neat feature on the Chiquita site that gives you recipes for whatever stage of ripeness your bananas are at.

Source: chiquitabananas.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Homemade Taco Bowls

Source: littlenannygoat.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Oven Scrambled Eggs - we had these on Christmas morning and they were so good!

Source: goodenessgracious.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Christmas Serving Tray - I thought this was pretty neat

Source: Uploaded by user via Sarah on Pinterest


Mini Mint Truffles Brownie Bites

Source: laurenslatest.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Holiday Snickerdoodles - I'm sure these could be done in different colors for other holidays

Source: bettycrocker.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Caramel PB Bars

Source: bettycrocker.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Homemade Hawaiian Bread - I had one failed recipe, this one utilizes a bread machine and I have high hopes for it!

Source: kim-thislittlelifeofmine.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Minty Meringues

Source: shugarysweets.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Peanut Butter Bread - all I can think about is slathering some jelly on this! *drool*

Source: cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com via Sarah on Pinterest