Day 8 - Fun Stuff

Since I'm in the process of baking cookies and making other treats, I will be showing some things in my kitchen and even share a recipe. Yesterday I spent most of the day baking three different batches of cookies. In the past few years cookie making has been done with my daughter and daughter-in-law. This year because of schedules we are doing things a little different.

Last week I mixed up four different cookie recipes. We are baking large batches of cookies on our own. Over this coming week-end we will be having our own cookie swap, with each of us ending up with enough cookies for sharing.

The forecast is for snow showers during the day and more wintry weather tonight into morning. Hope that a few more treats can be completed today.

There is one easy candy that we make each year and will share it with you. It's been around for some time. To make them look a bit more special, the mixture will be placed into little decorative paper cups. We have adapted this recipe to increase the amount of candy.

Christmas Candy - Makes 2 dozen( if dropped by teaspoon full)

1 (12 oz.) package Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet)

1 (12 oz.) package Butterscotch Chips

Combine both chips and melt in double boiler. (They can be melted in a microwave.)

1 (3 oz.) can Chow Mein Noodles

1 (12 oz.) can peanuts ( I chop the peanuts a little.)

Add Chow Mein noodles and peanuts to melted mixture and stir well. Drop by

teaspoon onto a buttered cookie sheet. Refrigerate until firm. (I use a small spoon to

drop the mixture into the paper cups and the chill till firm.)

Photos are some of the fun things I have on display in the kitchen.

Day 7 - Fabric & Stitches

Pillows, blankets, quilts, rugs and any other item that uses fabric, threads or yarns can speak "Christmas", so add them where you can.

Pillows made from "silhouette" designed fabric that I have had for years, became two decorative pillows. A quilted, appliqued wall quilt replaces another framed piece during the holidays. Cross-stitched holiday greetings (made by my mother many years ago) hang in place both for their messages and remembrance.

One of the first fabric decoration that I made the first year of marriage was a tissue cover that looks like a gingerbread house. There are some patterns out there for simple covers. Simple placemats made of holiday prints can be made even without sewing. Try layering two fabrics with a product called "Heat n Bond", then cut with decorative scissors.

There are also felted table runners or squares that adorn some tables. Felt a design on squares of felt and hand stitch two pieces together and stuff ... special pillows.

I'm hoping to have time to finish up a "Log Cabin" quilt that I made just for this season to have on display by Christmas Day.

Day 6 - Stockings Are Hung...

(Should have had this post ready last night for publishing, but we attended a wedding. So it was a late night and too tired.)

Today is December 6th, which is the feast of St. Nicholas. Growing up, the night before, we would hang up a stocking before going to sleep. The next morning we would find a small treat in our stocking. I'm not sure if this tradition still goes on today, but our stockings are up. We now have a fireplace where we can hang stockings. Though our family is grown and no longer living with us, we still hang stockings for each of us and the family pets.

Our first stockings were large ones that I made from fabric. I used "green" fabric for the guys and "red" fabric for the girls. Each stocking had a top cuff from white fabric with a eyelet lace trim. I then embroidered each name in the appropriate color. As the family grew with marriages and grandchildren another stocking was added. Our family golden retriever had his own "bone" stocking. It was funny how he would sniff out the treats that we would place inside.

In our old home, we had a wood burning Franklin stove, so we had to hang our stocking along the stair case each year. With a garland of greens, wrapped with lights, framing the stairs, the stockings became a holiday decoration that would stand out in our family room.

We now have stockings that I made from wool felt. The larger stockings represented the members living in our new home. (At the time of our move.) The smaller ones for the rest of the family and two "bones" for the family dogs.

I designed my own patterns on brown grocery bags. (Making the pattern about a 1/4" larger than the finished size.) Cut shape from felt with good sharp scissors. Using felt glue from Beacon, run a bead of glue around the edges of the stockings, DO NOT glue the top closed. Let the stockings dry. Before embellishing, cut around the edge using pinking shears. Glue rick rack around the top edge. Made bows, add a jingle bell and tags with names. Sew or glue these on. Add a jute hanger to each and hang along the mantle. Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Day 5 - Ribbons & Bows

A simple idea to dress up several things around the house during the holidays is ... Ribbon.

Ribbons can be recycled from year to year for

either the same places or new ones.

I do like to use a variety of different designs, sizes and colors. The wired ribbons are easy to work with and are easy to shape. There is no need to make big, fancy, loopy bows, but at some point it's good to learn how to make them. Simple bows tied on, with long tails look great on most things. Tie ribbons on the handles of baskets or around the lampshades to dress them up a little bit. I have tied bows around the bed posts in both our guest room and on the end posts of our poster bed.

Day 4 - Greens & More

So what would Christmas be without evergreens, holly, pinecones and pointsettas?

To me they all shout "Christmas time is here!" Whether they be real plants or artificial, they add a festive touch anywhere in the home. Add them anywhere and everywhere. I have many artificial stems that I can reuse every year. Place them into containers that are already filled with dried naturals. Baskets are filled with holly or pointsetta's .

Try some sprays of live evergreen boughs or holly sprigs in fun containers. Fill the containers with green floral foam and fill with water, then arrange the sprays. Add water daily as needed.

Buy some small pots of pointsetta's and mass the pots onto a tray that is covered with "snow-like" batting or in a deep container like a wire basket or enamel washpan.

Day 3 - Sweet Stuff

Today's post will be a bit shorter only because most of today is was spent at my son's house, babysitting my granddaughter while he and his father are painting their HUGE family room/kitchen in their new home.

I wanted to get this post ready for publishing late last night, but I was pretty tired after babysitting and getting some more cookie dough made in advance for baking this week-end.

Now onto some more ideas for decorating.

I have always liked gingerbread houses. I have made many forms of "gingerbread" houses. Not being a huge fan of ginger cookies I made my buildings using other edible items. In most cases I started with a heavy cardboard frame. Once the frame was made it would be frosted and then the construction would begin. Several times graham crackers were used as the base, others were constructed using pretzel rods for a more rustic appearence. The pre-made houses that are available cannot be over looked. I have used them several times in recent years, but added extra embellished to them myself. They are fun to do and they don't have to become a big project. Every time we have had one, they were enjoyed by all.

The posted photo is of a "gingerbread" dollhouse that I built a number of years ago. It started with a basic small kit that I then designed for a permanent holiday decoration that everyone loves to look at. The fireplace, chair and couch were all handmade pieces, as well as many of the small items.

Whether edible or "faux", gingerbread is a nice extra in the holiday decor. This year I will be making a gingerbread train because we will have many little ones here on Christmas and I think they will enjoy a train covered and filled with goodies!

Day 2 Idea - Music & Movies

A big part of the holiday in this house is Christmas music and Christmas movies. They are on display at our house every Christmas season. We keep them close at hand for listening and viewing. I have recycled an old dollhouse to hold CD's and movie DVD's and tapes. At this time of year it is filled with seasonal items.

The music started playing over a week ago. We have played about half of our collection. I have at least 9 hours of Christmas music downloaded on our Mac and the collection continues to grow. I never get tired of hearing holiday music and each year I look forward to listening for new releases of different versions. I do try to add at least one new CD each year. The library has a very wide selection of holiday music that can be checked out. This year's new CD is Andrea Bocelli's "My Christmas". His voice is just amazing and the songs he sings are an interesting variety. Last years selection was Josh Groban's "Noel". It is still available and it's a great one.

Next comes our collection of movies. Again, each year there is usually some type of Christmas movie released, but my favorites are the "classic" holiday movies. Nothing is better than "Holiday Inn", "Miracle on 34th Street", "White Christmas", "The Bells of St. Mary's", "Christmas in Connecticut", "A Christmas Carol" and of course, " It's a Wonderful Life". I would have to add modern holiday tales like "Christmas Vacation", "Polar Express", "Santa Clause" (One, Two and Three), "Home Alone" (One & Two) and the "Muppets Christmas Carol".

So if you haven't seen any of the movies I listed, try renting one or check one out at the library or order one from Netflix. Then curl up on your couch with a nice mug of hot chocolate and enjoy!

Let The Decorating Begin

Tis the season for holiday decorations! For the next twelve days I will be posting a photo or more of decorations throughout our house. Each day I will focus on one idea or theme. I hope to include as much information, to help with some fun ideas, to bring simple ideas to your own homes.

After the first twelve days of December pass, I will continue to post ideas and photos of my preparations for Christmas Day's family gathering at our home. These posts will probably include cookie baking, candy making, easy gift making, table setting ideas and whatever else I can share with you.

So today, before entering through the front door, I will share some decorations that visitors will see.

The one thing I love about our new house is the front porch. It's appearance changes during the seasons, just like the weather. At this time of year it shows signs of the season. We love the use of lights at this time, but try not to overdo it. Our preference is "clear" miniature lights. Garland lights outline the porch and garage area, in a scalloped fashion. A white wire tree stands near the front door with wrapped packages under it. On the red bench sits a worn enamel wash pan with a pointsetta plant (silk) and over-sized ornaments. An assortment of jars are filled with white batting and artificial snow, battery operated tealights are placed inside to flicker like candles. Near the door are old wooden sleds and pairs of ice skates and wooden skis.

The entrance door is embellished with an extra large bow. It is attached to our steel door by using several strong magnets.

So come on in, get warm and enjoy your visit!