Whatcha Working on Wednesday: Christmas-Style

Well, friends ... it's beginning to look at least a little bit like Christmas around here. (What a lovely feeling!) I still have a ways to go yet, but I thought I'd share just a peek or two with you all today. I'll share the rest some time soon ... or at least soonish. You know how it is.

I have to say that decorating with a two-year-old underfoot is an interesting adventure. Brendan was very effusive with the "oohs" and "aahhhs" and he must have uttered the phrase "Wow! Dat's nice, Mumma! Like it!" at least a dozen times yesterday. Which totally makes up for the fact that I tripped over him (and his ever-present stool) at least that many times as well. He's just so into the twinkle and sparkle this year ... which is such fun.



Here's my one little project for the week: a gingerbread Christmas tree -- complete with a small strand of rag-tied lights that I finally finished up yesterday. Now all it needs is a home ... near an outlet. Decisions. Decisions.

And now for a peek at the rest of Christmastime so far. Enjoy! And thanks, as always, for making time to stop by... I love having you all here!

Happy December!

Happy December, my friends!

We've all recovered from our extended Thanksgiving festivities and, as always, we've fallen back into the usual routine without too much fuss or fanfare. Thank goodness. And now December is here, bringing with it so much activity, expectation, joy, and anticipation. Brendan is old enough to delight in all the glitter and sparkle and both Connor and Michaela are of an age where the giving aspect of the season really means something to them. It's the best of both worlds, really. And we plan to enjoy every moment. Yep. That's the plan.

To that end, there are always special activities and traditions we look forward to. Every December. Most are simple and inexpensive and many are largely focused on family, friends, food, and togetherness.

Here are some of our favorites:

• Christmas pjs to be worn and enjoyed until at least July ... and then again in the fall
• New crayons and Christmas-themed activity books
• Weekly Christmas lights drives after dinner
• Christmas music ... at home and in the car
• Donating to the kids' school Giving Tree
• Watching Christmas movies
• Making/decorating cookies
• Painting ornaments
• Making a gingerbread house with Daddy
• Decorating the trees and drinking eggnog
• Hosting/attending a slew of Christmas celebrations
• Turning out the lights to enjoy the sparkling tree
• Making special snacks and treats
• Being together

::: What are some of your December highlights and traditions? :::

Cinnamon Salt Dough

Here's a quick, easy, and festively fragrant alternative to traditional salt dough ornaments:

(No painting required!)



::: Cinnamon Salt Dough :::

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup cinnamon
1 1/2 cups water

Mix dry ingredients together and add water to form a pliable dough. Knead several times before rolling out. Cover tightly until ready to use. Dust work surface with cinnamon and roll to a 1/4"-3/4" thickness, depending on your preferences. Use cookie cutters or paper templates and remember to poke a hole or two in each ornament before baking. Bake at 300º for 45-60 minutes, watching carefully toward the end of the baking time. Allow to cool and harden completely before hanging. May be sealed with wax or poly if desired.

(click here for printable recipe)

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving ...

Here, as promised, is one last look at fall, my friends. Enjoy ... and have a lovely weekend!

::: Homemade Holidays :::

Welcome to another installment of our Homemade Holidays Recipe Swap! Come join the fun... and let the recipe swapping begin!

I hope everyone enjoyed yesterday's feasting and family gathering fun. We sure did! And now we're looking forward to Christmastime ... and the getting ready for Christmastime. Which is why today's offerings are all about gingerbread. One new-to-us favorite and one tried and true Christmastime crafting staple. Just in case you're new here and you missed it last year.

::: Holiday Gingerbread Muffins :::
(based on a recipe from Recipezaar)

1 egg
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. clove
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup boiling water
sugar, for sprinkling


Preheat oven to 350º and grease muffin tins. In a medium bowl, whisk egg, applesauce, molasses, and sugar.. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl and add to wet mixture. Stir in water, mixing well. Fill muffin cups two-thirds full and lightly sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

Ornamental Gingerbread Dough

3 T shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup water
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. each: ground cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg

Beat shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Stir in molasses. Mix dry ingredients together. Stir them into sugar mixture and gradually add water. Dough will be very stiff. Refrigerate overnight.

Heat oven to 350º. Cut dough into three pieces. Roll one piece at a time (between two pieces of waxed paper) to a thickness of about 1/4 ". Cut out desired shapes and patterns. {*** If you are planning to hang these ornaments, poke holes in the shapes now with a straw or toothpick.***} Bake for about 20 minutes. Allow to cool and harden for several hours or overnight.

Finished ornaments can be painted, sealed, or dipped in melted wax. The possibilities are endless...

(click here for both printable recipes)

Have a lovely post-Thanksgiving weekend, my friends. And enjoy those leftovers and Black Friday Bargains. I'll be back soon with one last look at Thanksgiving decor and then it's onward to the Christmas Season and all that is so special and meaningful about this time of year. Thanks, as always, for stopping by. I so enjoy your recipes, comments, and visits...

Wax-DIpped Salt Dough Bowl Fillers Tutorial

Well, friends, we are busily preparing for our Thanksgiving hosting duties here in Mid Coast Maine. There will be nine of us here on Thursday, along with too much food and lots of excitement. My "to do" list is thankfully growing shorter, but much of what remains to be done can't be completed today. Or at least not right now. (I only want to clean once ... if you know what I mean.)





So I thought this might be a good time to offer up a little salt dough bowl filler tutorial, since several people have asked me some "how to" questions recently. And a little crafty break is always such a welcome thing around these parts -- especially with Christmastime looming.


You will need:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup warm water

cookie cutters
rolling pin
freezer paper/aluminum foil
baking sheets

craft paints
paint brushes
paper towels
sand paper

wax
old canister
medium sauce pan
tongs





Mix flour and salt together, combining well. Add warm water and stir (I use my hands) to form a slightly stiff dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead several times until smooth. Return to bowl and cover tightly if not using right away.




When you're ready to start making your bowl fillers, roll out a small piece of dough on a lightly floured surface. I like mine to be a bit on the thick side, but you can experiment and make yours as thick/thin as you like.




Use your cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. I often make a variety of larger and smaller-sized bowl fillers. You can re-roll the used dough once or twice, but if it starts to crack, move on to a fresh ball of dough.




Arrange salt dough cut-outs on your cookie sheets and bake at 300º for 45-60 minutes. Keep an eye on them toward the end so they don't get too brown or crispy. I often arrange them on top of a piece of foil -- which I re-use later for the painting and wax-dipping steps. Your cut-outs can be fairly close together as they will not spread.



When your bowl fillers are baked and cooled, paint them as desired using slightly diluted craft paints. Allow to dry and, if you wish, sand lightly for a worn or aged look.




If you'd like to further age your bowl fillers, dilute some dark brown craft paint with a bit of water and brush on a few ornaments at a time. Let them sit for a minute.




Then dab and/or wipe off the excess paint with a paper towel. Set aside to dry.




Now it's time to dip your bowl fillers in wax. I'm sure there are many ways to complete this step, but this is how I do it. First place an old canister in a medium-sized saucepan. Pour a few inches of water around the canister and set it on the stove top. Turn on the heat to melt old bits of candle wax or other wax you have on hand. This usually takes about 5 minutes. (I use the dregs of old jar candles or the wax from candles that just didn't have a strong enough scent to enjoy burning.) Watch the wax carefully and turn off the heat when it has liquefied in the canister.


Use your tongs to dip each ornament in the melted wax. Make sure the ornaments are face up and be sure to tap off the excess wax before placing it on your aluminum foil or freezer paper to set.




After dipping, place each ornament on your aluminum foil or wax paper. Allow to set for at least a few minutes.




Once they are set, you can enjoy them or package them up to give away. It's as easy as that, my friends! With a little imagination, time, and patience you can create some lovely and lasting decorations or gifts -- for pennies.


I hope you'll have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and families this year. Enjoy the food, festivities, and fun. And be sure to stop back on Friday for more Homemade Holidays. I am thankful for many things this year ... and your friendship and visits are among those blessings, my friends.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

::: Homemade Holidays :::

Welcome, once again, to another installment of our Homemade Holidays Recipe Swap! Come join the fun... and let the recipe swapping begin!

If you love the combination of salty and sweet, then this week's recipe is for you! We often makes these treats for Christmastime gatherings or as part of a food gift basket or two. Just in case you're looking for some easy-to-make ideas...

But watch out -- they're oh-so-addictive!

Pretzel Treats

1 bag twisted or waffle-style pretzels
1 bag Hershey's Kisses, unwrapped
1 bag M & M candies

Heat oven to 220º. Arrange a single layer of pretzels on a baking sheet and top each one with a Hershey's Kiss. Bake for 4-5 minutes to soften chocolate, remove from oven, and top each Kiss with an M & M. Cool and store in an airtight container.

(click here for printable recipe)

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends! Todd and I are getting ready to head out for our annual weekend of kid-free fun and Christmas shopping in North Conway, NH. I can't wait!