WHIMSICAL SNOWMAN

My snowman "danced" until he toppled !

HAPPY WHIMSICAL FELLOW

GINGERBREAD COOKIES

My Grandsons helped me make these

gingerbread cookies several years ago.

We shellacked them after the first year

so they are no longer edible. However a fresh batch

is always nearby in the kitchen.

Out of storage and waiting for the tree.

I have used this recipe from Betty Crocker

for more than forty years. It is truly an

old friend, now a favourite with my daughter as well.

SORROW

CHRISTMAS MOLASSES POPCORN

As Kids growing up in New England in

the 1950's my mom would make this

at Christmas time. She would involve the kids

toward the end of the process in forming

the popcorn into fist size balls. She didn't use

a recipe, nor do I.

You start with a large soup pot, add a stick

of butter, a couple of cups of molasses and

a nice portion of brown sugar. This is a no fail

non recipe recipe  :) if that makes sense.

Cook on a medium heat. Allow the mixture to bubble

away for 10 or more minutes.

While your mixture is cooking prepare

plain popcorn.

Add popcorn to your mixture and stir well

to coat the popcorn. Allow to cool before

bagging. If you are making it into balls it should

be done before it is too cool with buttered

hands to prevent it from sticking.

Bagged and ready for gift giving.

Small Fry Artworks Business Cards

I attached my homemade Small Fry Artworks

business cards to seasonally

wrapped festive soaps.

I attended the Christmas dinner for

the Valley Women's Network where we

exchange business cards. It was

added fun to be able to give the ladies at my

table a little gift of my homemade soap.

VWN is a great group of business ladies

meeting monthly in the lower mainland

of British Columbia.

http://www.valleywomensnetwork.com/node/53

CEDAR GARLAND

Twelve feet of cedar garland from

the trimmings of my backyard trees

says "Merry Christmas!"

Making garland is much like making a

wreath without a frame.  Gather 3 or 4

twigs of approx 6-10 inches and wrap

wire around their stems to hold them

together. Continue repeating overlapping

each little bunch with the stems sticking out

beyond the last bunch. Before you know it

you will have a nice long "rope" of garland.

The back of your garland will look

like this. . .with the wire and

stems showing.

Garland is festive around  door ways, railings

and indoor banisters.

HOMEMADE WOODEN TREE ORNAMENTS

Tree ornaments made with

fresh cut wood

Start with two boys and a bow saw.

Get them to saw about a dozen

1/2 inch pieces. They love this

and it keeps them warm.

A blazing fire in the fire pit helps

to warm up the hands.

A dozen little discs ready to decorate

My six year old drilled holes in the tops

of each piece of wood. Power tools. . .

a boy just loves to get in on that action.

We made a tree stamp from a potato,

painted it with acrylic and stamped it

onto the disc of wood.

I ran some country gingham fabric

through the drilled hole and hung the

ornament on my tree.

LAMB OF GOD

The next day John saw Jesus coming

toward him and said,

"Look, the Lamb of God,

who takes away the sin of

the world!"

John 1:29

IMMANUEL

The virgin will be with child and will give

birth to a son, and they will call him

IMMANUEL

which means,

GOD WITH US

Matthew 1:23

WOODEN CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

My daughter made these ornaments for me

several years ago. She used plain blocks

of wood,of different shapes and sizes.

 After sanding off the rough edges

she painted them and then decorated

them with stars and dots. A bow and hanging

string finish the ornament. 

These ornaments work well inside and out.

OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS MERRIMENT

December is a dark wet month here

on the south west coast of British Columbia.

It is grey, rainy, and completely overcast for

most of the month. I decided this year to

brighten my back yard where I have a "tiny forest."

Really it is a green belt but forest sounds nicer. We

often have visitors or creatures who live in our small

verdant refuge. Bears, cougars, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels,

and all manner of birds.

I have added red festive bows to a bundle of sticks. . .

to the greenery in my pots. . .

to some the trees just over my fence.

Whether it is a drizzle, misty or driving rain

my happy bows brighten the greyest of days.

SIMPLE ADORNMENT FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS TABLE

I found these lovely large leaves during

one of my daily walks in the local park.

I brought them home thinking there must

be something I could make with them.

I dried them between newspapers over

a large bowl and set another bowl on

top. This allowed them to dry in a bowl shape

Once nicely dried I spray painted them silver.

Now ready to hold whatever you'd like to adorn

your table with.

FLOATING CHRISTMAS CANDLES CENTERPIECE

Use a clear glass bowl 3/4 th full of water. 

Add candles along

with fresh boughs and cranberries.

Replace water every couple of days.

Festive centrepiece

CHRISTMAS PLACE CARD HOLDERS

Raffia With Little Red Fabric Balls.

My Husband cut a branch into segments

approximately 1 inch thick with a

two inch diameter.

A hole is drilled in the center of the piece

of wood. A small green bough is inserted.

Choose a theme,

decorate and add a name.

Nova Scotia Tartan

Buttons and Country Ribbon

Red Fabric Knots & Cinnamon Bark

Musical Notes & Strip From Sheet Music

Pomegranate Peel

Red Paper Circles & Brown Twine

Red Country Gingham Knots & Bow

Jingle Bells & Red fabric Knots & Bow

Bling!

                               A Great Activity For The Kids 

CHRISTMAS CANDIES

Creamy Chocolates that melt in your mouth.

For the centers use your favorite:

cookies, brownies, cake, dried fruit. . .

Mix well with peanut butter, cream cheese or nutella.

Add enough icing sugar to make it stiff enough

to form into balls.

Dip into chocolate and decorate.

If using plain cookies or cake add

 your favorite flavoring.

Great for gift giving.