A Few of My Favorite Things

Christmas is coming and I decided I would like to share a few of my favorite things.  Some of these items I have but some I am placing on my wish list.  Maybe this list will give you some ideas to give (or put on your wish list).

Homemade Christmas Ornaments

I love to make ornaments.  For years I would make my nieces and nephews a new ornament each year.  This year I have made a couple of different ones that I want to share with you.  They are all easy to make.

Gingerbread House ~ Blogger's Christmas Series #4

Gingerbread House

Gingerbread houses originated in Germany in the 1600's.  They became even more popular after the story of Hansel and Gretel written by the Brothers Grimm.  No one knows for sure if gingerbread houses came first or if the story came first.

Building a gingerbread house is a tradition in many houses.  Although these houses are not always made of gingerbread anymore.  You can make them using graham crackers, shredded wheat and even make a house out of non-edible materials like cardboard and sticks.

There are many recipes for gingerbread that you can use, over the years that I have made my own gingerbread I have used a couple of recipes.  The recipe that I used to make the above gingerbread houses was this one - as I didn't use molasses in this recipe, the houses were lighter.

My plans for the gingerbread houses that I made this year was to make a small houses that can sit on a side of a cup but I made them too big, and I also didn't cut the door big enough so they wouldn't sit on the side of a cup.  So it is back to the drawing board for me... Hopefully next year they will work out the way I wanted them too.

I am not a decorator and I do not profess that I know what I am doing, but I do like to make these houses.  I like to use royal icing when I made my gingerbread house as I find it hardens fast.  I also do my houses in stages.  First "gluing" the pieces together and then doing the decorating.

I made this house above a couple of years ago.  I did a post and showed how I decorated it.  Do you make gingerbread houses?

This post is the last of Blogger's Christmas Series.  Along with myself there are many other awesome bloggers that have written blogs for this series.  I hope that they have given you some inspiration to help you with your Christmas preparations.

An InLinkz
Link-up

Gingerbread Eggnog Latte Cookies ~ Fill the Cookie Jar

As I was trying to figure out what type of cookie I should make this month to Fill the Cookie Jar with I had found a cookie that was in a shape of a cup.  It was made with premade cookie dough and used chocolate as the latte and a pretzel as the handle.  And that is how this cookie began......

Oh Christmas Tree ~Blogger Christmas Series Blog Hop #2

Do you put up a real or an artificial tree?  If you put a real tree do you go out and cut down your own or buy one off the lot?  For my second post of the Blogger Christmas Series I am going to show you some of the Trees I have decorated and some of the trees around my town.

Merry Christmas and Finnish Prune Tart

We woke up to a wonderful beautiful day this morning.. The sun was shining brightly and the snow was glistening...

A perfect Christmas Eve Day!

picture taken this morning.

This Christmas season I didn't do as much baking or even candy making.  Last night I did make some tarts, so that we would have a little Canadian and Finn in our Christmas.  I made some Butter Tarts and also some Finnish Prune Tarts called Joulutorttu.  Some of the tarts I put Apricot Jam in them, along with prunes.

Finnish Prune Tarts  

Ingredients:

7 oz Prunes

water to cover prunes

1/8 cup sugar

1 pkg Puff Pastry sheet

1 egg white beaten

Directions:

In small saucepan, place prunes, sugar and enough water to cover prunes.  Cook on medium-low until prunes are soft and water dissipated .  At this point you can blend the prunes or mash them  with a fork. Set aside.

Roll out Puff Pastry and cut each sheet into 9 squares.  Cut slits into each corner of each square.

Add a teaspoon of prune filling in the center of the square and fold one end of pastry to center so that it looks like a pinwheel.

Brush top with beaten egg white.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes until pastry is slightly brown.  

Let cool.

Make glaze with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp of vanilla and enough milk to make glaze runny.  Pour glaze over top of tarts.

Cook's note:

You can also use apricot jam instead of prune filling.  I usually make some of each.

Tray of tarts to give to the neighbors

Wishing All a Merry Christmas!

Thank you for all of your support.  

Linked to these great parties:
Craft Frenzy Friday, Twirl & Take A Bow

Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath

One of my favorite bloggers and friends Cynthia of Feeding Big made this wonderful Christmas wreath from using material that she bought at the Dollar Tree.  I have been obsessed with the Dollar Tree and spend a lot of time going through the aisle.  I buy dishes, crafts, some food items and my cleaning items from there.  So when I saw her wreath I knew that I had to make one too.

By the time I got to the store a lot of the Christmas decorations where gone but I did find some.  I also cheated just a little bit as I bought some of the ornaments from Walmart as they had a package with a green ornament that I wanted.  I liked them as it brought a little bit of different colour then the gold and red.  For my base I used an evergreen wreath that I twisted the evergreens to make them tight around the wire.  This I bought from the Dollar Tree too.

Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath 

I thought that I took a picture of the materials that I used but I either deleted them or put them in a file that I can't find.

Materials:
16 evergreen wreath
Assorted sizes and colour ornaments
1 sprig holly berries
ribbon to make bow - approx 1 foot in length
hot glue gun

Directions:
I twisted the evergreens around the wire wreath so that it was solid.  Don't worry if some are showing as you can see some of the every green in my wreath.
Glue large ornaments to wreath with glue gun covering 3/4 of wreath.  (I realized that I hadn't bought enough balls and decided to leave room for a bow.)
Continue to glue ornaments in random arrangement over the wreath.  Try not to leave to many holes.
Pull holly berries off sprig and glue to bottom of the wreath.  I tried to glue them all about the same distance apart.
Tie a 4 loop bow and glue to wreath where there are no ornaments.

This wreath cost me about $10.00 to make.  You can still make one before Christmas either for yourself or give as a gift.


 
Shared at these awesome parties:  Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party, Dat be Nice

Repurposed Christmas Tree Ornaments

Have you ever kept something when it was empty thinking that this would be perfect to make something out of.  I have done that with Bath & Body Wallflower fragrance bulbs.  They look like little tree lights and I when I was using them all the time (we don't have a Bath & Body here anymore) I saved everyone of them. A while back I found my stash and threw a lot of them away as I never used them, keeping only 6.  This week as I was thinking of  what to make as ornaments ~ I had an uh huh moment.  

This moment came when I was going through some of my craft supplies and came across some rub-on that I had from Plaid and Christmas Washi Tape.  And that is how this project came together.

Materials:
Used Bath and Body Wallflower fragrance bulbs (other bulbs might work too)
Rub-on  transfer (I used Plaid rub on transfers)
Washi Tape
Pliers
Heavy Thread to make holder and hot glue ( I had some leftover from balls that I used in a wreath)

Directions:
Unscrew the lid from the fragrance bulbs.  Using pliers pull out wick and plastic piece that holds the wick in place.  Screw back the lid on.
Making sure the outside of bulb is clean and dry,  place rub-on transfer onto the surface of bulb and using stick provide rub the transfer on.  If needed, you may have to rub some of the transfer and then pull it off to be able to rub the rest around the round surfaces.  I also made sure my rub on was on the opposite side of the raised words of the fragrance bulbs.
Using washi tape, tape the edges of the lid.  (I just did the outside of the edges).
Make loop with thread and tie a knot at the end.  Glue the knotted end to the top of the lid of the bulb using hot glue and let dry.

Finished Ornaments

 The only problem I had was with the Merry Christmas rub-on as it didn't want to transfer properly.  Still looks ok and I might use a fine tip marker to fill in any of the letters that didn't all transfer.  I really wish that I would have saved all the fragrance bulbs that I had as I love these ornaments.

 
LINKED TO:  Nap-Time Creation

Crocheted Christmas Mitts Ornaments

This fall and winter I have been having so much fun making more ornaments.  I used to do this every Christmas and I would give my nieces and nephews homemade ornaments every year.  Well for about the last 10 years I haven't done so much.

I decided to pick up my crochet hook and do a few ornaments with them.  I found this pattern for mitts and thought they would be perfect.  My biggest problem was reading the instructions.  I am not so good at that but I do think they turned out looking alright.

After making many different ornaments I decided that this one was the one I was sending to my partner for the Ornament Swap 2013, hosted by Tutus and Tea Parties, Robyn's View and Baby Bump and Beyond.  I had so much fun last year, that I joined up again for this year.  I know that my partner received her  ornament as she sent me an email.  So, that means that I can write about what I made.

Crocheted Christmas Mitt Ornaments

Materials:
Yarn
Crochet Hook
Pattern for Mitts
Burlap
Button
Fabric Fusion Sheet
String

Instructions:
Crochet your mitt using this pattern.
Apply Fabric Fusion Sheet to back of burlap with iron.  This is used to give the burlap some stability and to prevent unraveling.  The first mitt I cut out my pattern first and then ironed the fabric fusion sheet to back - BAD idea.  It didn't work as good.  Works better to do this step first.
Cut out patterns - I used hearts and stars, but you can use whatever you would like.
Find buttons that match or even just the colours you like.
Thread your button and burlap shape to the mitt and tie ends.

That's it, your done.  Depending on your expertise in crocheting will depend on how long each ornament takes.  It took me about an hour or two to do one mitt.   These ornaments would be perfect to put small gifts, candies or money in, use as gift toppers or you could also use them on your table to hold your cutlery.

to use on your table for your cutlery

Tuck small gifts or money inside

Here are some of the other ornaments that I have made this year.... Hot Chocolate Ornaments, and Sheet Music Ornaments .


Links:  Craft Frenzy Friday Link Party, Create it or Bake it, In and Out of the Kitchen

Hot Chocolate Ornaments

I saw these ornaments on Pinterest and thought that they would be a great way to give homemade hot chocolate mix to friends and family or even to drop off over at the neighbors...  I think it would be great to find a hot chocolate ornament hanging on my door or you can add it to the outside of your gift.

Crazy Ingredient Challenge ~ Gingerbread Spice and Onions

It is that time of the month... Crazy Ingredient Challenge.  If you haven't heard about this challenge we are given two ingredients to work with from Jutta of Hungry Little Girl and then on the 20th of the month we then show the world what recipe we made with these two ingredients.  Some of the past challenges were Broccoli and Pumpkin and Avocado and Caramel.  This is the fifth month and I have had so much fun with this challenge.  It makes me think outside of the box and cook or bake with ingredients I may have never thought of putting together.  If you would like to join our group there is a button at the bottom of this post that will take you to the page with the instructions and how to join.  Come and have fun with us... Bring on your creativity.

Sheet Music Ornaments Part Deux

eLast week I made some Sheet Music Ornaments that were shapes.  I took those ones over to Robyn's View to show off.   This week I made another design and I am bringing them to you.  The design that I have made this week would also make great Christmas cards too.. Instead of putting them on foam board you can use card stock.  I  think I may make some as cards as well as ornaments.

Candy Cane Meringue Kisses

I have never made meringue before... 

But I saw these somewhere on Facebook with candy cane kisses

 and thought they looked wonderful, I am not sure where I found them
so if you posted it let me know so that I can give you credit.

The first batch I made I used the candy cane kisses and tinted the meringue with red food colouring.

The second batch, I used chocolate kisses and mixed in candy cane crumbs in the meringue.

Both smell heavenly.

Candy Cane Meringue Kisses

recipe adapted from Angel Kisses: King Arthur Flour 

2 egg whites

1/4 tsp cream of tarter

dash of salt

1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp sugar

Hershey kisses - I used candy cane kisses and chocolate kisses

1-2 drops of red food colouring

crushed peppermints

red coloured sugar or sprinkles

Preheat oven 200 degrees F

In large bowl, mix egg whites, cream of tarter, and salt.  Beat until egg mixture until it forms peaks, add sugar slowly and continue to beat until stiff and glossy.  Add food colouring if you like.

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and place a candy cane kiss on the paper about 2 inches apart.  Using pastry bag and star tip, pipe meringue around candy cane kiss.  Bake in 200 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours.

Turn off oven.  You can now add coloured sugar or sprinkles at this time.  Return the meringue back to oven and leave in until completely cooled - at least 3 or more hours or even over night.   I was able to make 21 -24 meringue kisses.

For the meringues that I made with the chocolate kisses, I crushed about 1/8 cup of candy cane and mixed into the meringue before piping it around the kisses.  I did not put food colouring in the meringue or use sprinkles with these.  Some of the pieces of candy canes were bigger then the others.

Meringue with 2 drops of red food colouring,
ready to be piped around kisses

meringue piped around candy cane kisses

meringue piped around chocolate kisses

Both types of meringue kisses, to show how they are piped
around the  Hershey kisses

Enjoy

Links: Tasty Thursdays, Thursday Treasures, Wednesday Extravaganza 

Related articles

• On Your Menu: Meringue Snowmen and Snowballs (wtvr.com)
• Candy Cane Fudge Truffles (marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com)

Santa's elves Gingerbread house and Bloggers Unite for Sandy Hook

After the terrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School,

many bloggers got together to show their support

 to the families of the victims and the community of Newtown.

Today, December 21st, bloggers are going to unite and bring cookies or a craft.

To find more information about this please go to Your and Mine ARE ours and  Crazy for Crafts.

I found this on Tammy's blog ~ Yours and Mine ARE Ours

As I was trying to think of something to make or do to show my support

My thoughts went to making a Gingerbread House.

I loved making Gingerbread Houses with my nieces and nephews over the years,

and I wondered if any of these children that lost their lives had ever made one or 

if they were going to be making one this Christmas.

I haven't made a gingerbread house for many years but this year

My gingerbread house is going to be a tribute to all the children and adults that lost their lives

in the senseless tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th.

This will not bring them back but it is my way of showing support to the families and the loved ones of 

these fallen victims.

May God give you the strength and comfort you through these trials.

After cutting out and baking my elves gingerbread house,

 I decided to decorate the pieces before putting them together.

the roof

the walls, front and door

 After decorating the roof and the walls, it was time to start putting it together

Once the walls together, I knew that I need a bit of support before I put the roof on.

a straw made a good beam

a picture from the side... not the best picture

a close up of the final project from the front..

I will be posting the recipe for the dough that I used for the gingerbread house hopefully this weekend.

I used the leftovers to make cookies..

Here is where I found my pattern.

Linked to  Daily Dish Gingerbread competition, Elizabeth's Kitchen Bloghop 

related articles

Gingerbread House Competition at the Daily Dish (marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com)

The Presidents Remarks On Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy (theobamacrat.com)

Cookies and Crafts for Sandy Hook {#BloggersforSandyHook} (doctoratehousewife.com)

Gingerbread Truffles

Like my Candy Cane Fudge Truffles,

my Gingerbread Truffles came from the same way...

I made some Gingerbread Spice cookies and they didn't really turn out...

They tasted wonderfully, but as they wouldn't come off the pan and also were hard..

I couldn't serve them...

So I decided to make the cookies into crumbs,

Add some Cream Cheese and roll them into balls and dip them into white chocolate.

Gingerbread Truffles

3 cups gingerbread cookie crumbs

8 oz cream cheese

white chocolate

ginger candy or sprinkles for garnish

Mix cookie crumbs and cream cheese, I used my kitchen aide to do this.  Roll into balls.  Put in refrigerator to chill.  Once chilled dip into melted white chocolate and garnish if you like with small pieces of ginger candy or sprinkles.

I haven't got the art of dipping into white chocolate ~ The balls wouldn't dip, so I used a knife and spread the white chocolate onto the balls.

Related articles

• Candy Cane Fudge Truffles

Christmas Subway Art.

Subway art is becoming very popular

and I have tried to do my own.

These are all done with some help of the web and searches I have done

Also from pictures I have seen both online and in stores.

You are welcome to use any of these, but they are not available to be used for profit.

They are only available for personal use.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Joy 

Luke 2.8

Christmas 

A Child is Born

I am also going to repeat the links so that you can find them to copy as I sometimes have problems with the links at the beginning of my post.  Please let me know if you are having problems finding the links as this is the first time I am doing this and using google doc.

The Most Wonderful Time of theYear

Joy

Luke 2.8

Christmas

A Child Was Born

Related articles

• Winter Subway Art and Christmas Countdown Calendar Printables (foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com)