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| This free photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox |
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas "2010"
Most of these pic's were taken at my brother's house on the Sunday before Christmas. The collectible bears I had given him a few years ago because I just had to much STUFF to decorate with and I just didn't know where to put them without my animals getting their hair all over them or my dear dog maybe lifting his leg to pee on them....ugh...!! So I knew that they would get a good home at my brother's house and he has sat them around his tree year after year! My brother did all the decorating at his house and he did a very good job. He put up two big trees and two small ones. I loved his little steeler tree. I'll be posting more pictures soon. Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Celebrate the Reason
Wishing all of you who follow my blog and to all of the people who visited, a very Merry Christmas! I hope you have a blessed holiday and a Happy New Year! xoxoxo
You will need to pause the music player on the left side of this page and there is a mute button on the ecard to stop the music when the ecard is done.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Norad Tracks Santa
If you would like to find out where Santa is on Christmas Eve, follow this link to keep track of him: http://www.noradsanta.org/ When he's close to your area, you better get to bed fast. He won't come until you are sleeping. 
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tis the Season Christmas Shoppe
This is a video of my FAVORITE place to shop ANY TIME of the year. It's in Amish country in Ohio. This store has three levels of glorious Christmas collectables, lights, and just about anything you might be looking for will be here. Themed Christmas trees galore!! Williamsburg trees and decorations...ahhhhh!! I bought some things here for my tree. The lady in the video says you could spend a couple of hours easily in this store...I could spend at least half a day in this store. There is so much to see!
http://www.tistheseasonchristmas.com/christmasshop
http://www.tistheseasonchristmas.com/christmasshop
Monday, December 13, 2010
10 Christmas Tips For Cutting Down Holiday Stress and Enjoying the Season
For many modern families, Christmas is magical, wonderful and also filled with stress. There are so many last minute things to do, traditions to uphold, expectations to be met and relatives to appease. But how do you minimize the crunch and pressures without sacrificing holiday joys? Here are ten tips to help you get there.
1. Start early. Most people don't plan an important vacation to an exotic locale right before they expect to leave on the trip. They realize to get the best reservations at a great price, they have to make arrangements in advance. Yet so many of us feel we can crowd all the holiday shopping, baking, card writing, entertaining, decorating and wrapping into a few short weeks. Give yourself more time to do these things, and it will automatically be less stressful.
2. If you're doing photo Christmas cards, eliminate the big picture taking session. Instead, look at some of the great pictures you have already taken over the summer or during fall excursions. If you don't have one fabulous group snapshot of the family, take advantage of the trend in multiple photo holiday cards and use individual pictures you like of each of your kids.
3. Make sure you get your Christmas cards early. You can find deep discounts right after the holidays on boxed greetings or you can order them in advance online. As soon as you get them, address all the envelopes, sign and seal and put aside to mail later.
4. Keep a gift idea notebook. All year long, if a friend or loved one mentions they like something or they have an new interest or hobby, jot it down. Keep lists of gift possibilities. That way, when it's time to shop for presents, you don't have to spend lots of time wandering around malls, wondering what to buy.
5. In fact, avoid the mall. Yes, black Friday deals can be very enticing, but that item will probably be long gone by the time you get there. Even if you haven't done much shopping online in the past, this is the time to do it. There are even better discounts in internet stores, some with free shipping, and you won't have to deal with the traffic, parking or crowds.
6. Instead of wrapping presents, use dollar store gift bags. Just add a bit of tissue paper and you're done. If you do decide to wrap your gifts, wrap them as you buy them or when the package arrives in the mail. That way you avoid letting them pile up and having to do it all at once.
7. Simplify your decorating. Pre-lit Christmas trees, wreaths and garland have big impact and are quick and easy to set up. But it might be time to consider cutting back on the little holiday knick knacks that take hours to place around the house.
8. Trade holiday tasks with a friend. If you enjoy baking cookies, but dread stringing the lights, and she hates the kitchen, but loves to decorate, then swap jobs. The result is that you're both doing a project you like and passing up one that causes you stress.
9. Lighten your holiday entertaining burden. If your entire family is descending on your house for Christmas, announce it's potluck this year and ask everyone to bring a dish. Or spend a little extra for once and let your favorite deli or gourmet food shop make some of the food. Remember, there's nothing wrong with slice and bake cookies or cutting other corners.
10. Make a list of all of the holiday things you feel compelled to do every year, and then go over it carefully and see what you can cut out or at least, where you can cut down. Then, find the one thing on that list that may take a lot of time and effort, but it brings you and your family joy. Concentrate on doing that with all heart.
If you plan ahead, simplify, ask for help and cut down, you'll be free to enjoy the family traditions you truly love. Instead of losing sleep, running around and rushing to make it through the holidays, you'll have some extra time to create wonderful new Christmas memories.
Linda Kling, as the owner of http://www.photo-party-favors.com/, has offered ideas to people planning celebrations since 1992. Besides unique photo Christmas cards and personalized holiday candy bars, her website offers free printable Christmas gift tags, party recipes and much more.
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Linda_Kling
1. Start early. Most people don't plan an important vacation to an exotic locale right before they expect to leave on the trip. They realize to get the best reservations at a great price, they have to make arrangements in advance. Yet so many of us feel we can crowd all the holiday shopping, baking, card writing, entertaining, decorating and wrapping into a few short weeks. Give yourself more time to do these things, and it will automatically be less stressful.
2. If you're doing photo Christmas cards, eliminate the big picture taking session. Instead, look at some of the great pictures you have already taken over the summer or during fall excursions. If you don't have one fabulous group snapshot of the family, take advantage of the trend in multiple photo holiday cards and use individual pictures you like of each of your kids.
3. Make sure you get your Christmas cards early. You can find deep discounts right after the holidays on boxed greetings or you can order them in advance online. As soon as you get them, address all the envelopes, sign and seal and put aside to mail later.
4. Keep a gift idea notebook. All year long, if a friend or loved one mentions they like something or they have an new interest or hobby, jot it down. Keep lists of gift possibilities. That way, when it's time to shop for presents, you don't have to spend lots of time wandering around malls, wondering what to buy.
5. In fact, avoid the mall. Yes, black Friday deals can be very enticing, but that item will probably be long gone by the time you get there. Even if you haven't done much shopping online in the past, this is the time to do it. There are even better discounts in internet stores, some with free shipping, and you won't have to deal with the traffic, parking or crowds.
6. Instead of wrapping presents, use dollar store gift bags. Just add a bit of tissue paper and you're done. If you do decide to wrap your gifts, wrap them as you buy them or when the package arrives in the mail. That way you avoid letting them pile up and having to do it all at once.
7. Simplify your decorating. Pre-lit Christmas trees, wreaths and garland have big impact and are quick and easy to set up. But it might be time to consider cutting back on the little holiday knick knacks that take hours to place around the house.
8. Trade holiday tasks with a friend. If you enjoy baking cookies, but dread stringing the lights, and she hates the kitchen, but loves to decorate, then swap jobs. The result is that you're both doing a project you like and passing up one that causes you stress.
9. Lighten your holiday entertaining burden. If your entire family is descending on your house for Christmas, announce it's potluck this year and ask everyone to bring a dish. Or spend a little extra for once and let your favorite deli or gourmet food shop make some of the food. Remember, there's nothing wrong with slice and bake cookies or cutting other corners.
10. Make a list of all of the holiday things you feel compelled to do every year, and then go over it carefully and see what you can cut out or at least, where you can cut down. Then, find the one thing on that list that may take a lot of time and effort, but it brings you and your family joy. Concentrate on doing that with all heart.
If you plan ahead, simplify, ask for help and cut down, you'll be free to enjoy the family traditions you truly love. Instead of losing sleep, running around and rushing to make it through the holidays, you'll have some extra time to create wonderful new Christmas memories.
Linda Kling, as the owner of http://www.photo-party-favors.com/, has offered ideas to people planning celebrations since 1992. Besides unique photo Christmas cards and personalized holiday candy bars, her website offers free printable Christmas gift tags, party recipes and much more.
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Linda_Kling
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Beaded Angel
Materials:
•12x small 2.3cm safety pins
1x 12mm bead for head
1x 12mm bead cap
1x 8mm pearl for the body
12x 6mm pearls for the base
54x 4mm pearls for the dress and arms
42x 3mm beads for the wings and halo
80cm's 28gauge wire
This little angel is adorable and can be used as tree ornaments, present toppers or given as small christmas gifts.
Fill the 12 safety pins with the 4mm pearls, you will need 4 on each pin closing them as you go.
Cut 5.5 inch (14cm) or wire and thread it through the head of each pin as shown, placing a small 6mm pearl in between each pin. Secure them by placing them into a circle and securing the wire closed by twisting the ends together.
With 5 inches (13cms) of wire thread it through the ends of the safety pins and secure into a tight circle to form the skirt of the angel. Don't cut the wire.
Thread the ends through the large 8mm pearl to form the body and secure the wire and cut off any excess wire.
Cut 15 inches (40cm)of wire and thread on 12 x 3mm beads for the halo. Centre the beads on the wire and bring both ends of the wire though the bell cap and the 12mm head bead. Separate the wire and bring one end through each side of the body bead to form the wings.
Add 12 x 3mm beads to each wing wire and bring it back through the body bead to form a loop, then add 3 x 4mm beads and 3 x 3mm beads, miss the last 3 beads and thread the wire back up through the first 3 beads. Twist the wire around itself to secure. Do the same thing again for the other wing wire.
http://www.craftbits.com/project/beaded-angel
Friday, December 10, 2010
Jumbo Craft Stick Angels
Materials:
•l jumbo craft stick
8" X 1" strip of any scrap material
2" piece of poster board for the heart
jute, yarn, or twine for the hair
fine line black marker
pink marker or crayon
medium black marker
white glue or hot glue
These are great as gift tags, and then they can be used as ornaments. They can also be made using regular sized craft sticks. 1. Tie a bundle of yarn, jute, or twine to use for the hair. ( Wind around your fingers, then tie into a bundle in the center, and cut the loops at the ends.) Glue it to the top of a jumbo craft stick. 2. Use fine black marker, and draw on the facial features. Use a pink marker or crayon to make circles for the cheeks. 3. Tie strip of scrap material around the craft stick, the way you would tie a scarf around your neck. Glue in place to secure. Bring the two ends of the scarf down to the sides of the craft stick and glue them in place. This will look like a dress. 4. Cut out a heart from poster board, draw lines all around the outside edges, and print anything you wish in the heart. Glue it on the front of the craft stick. 5. Using fine line marker, draw a line down the center of the exposed craft stick, to indicate two legs. At the bottom of the craft stick, use the medium marker to color in the shoes. 6. At the neck, glue a bundle of whatever you have on hand,( jute, twine, yarn, torn strip of fabric or ribbon). 7. Make a loop of scrap jute or material, and glue it to the back of the craft stick for a hanger. Easy, but cute!! This project was contributed by Emilda Harrington
http://www.craftbits.com/project/jumbo-craft-stick-angels
Holiday Cookie Dough Recipe
Here's a make ahead cookie dough recipe that you can use for a variety of holiday cookies. Recipes are provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine. http://www.tasteofhome.com/
200 ServingsPrep: 15 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batchIngredients
2 cups butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
Sprinkles, jimmies or colored sugar, optional
Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in milk and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Divide dough into five 1-cup portions; shape each into a 10-in.-long roll. Wrap individually in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle, or freeze for up to 3 months. Yield: 5 portions (1 cup each).
To use refrigerated cookie dough: Cut roll into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Decorate with sprinkles, jimmies or colored sugar if desired. Bake at 350° for 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.
Or, bake according to individual directions for Jolly Santas, Lemon Rope Trees, Magic Stars, Reindeer Bites and Strawberry Tea Cookies (recipes also in Recipe Finder).
To use frozen cookie dough: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bake according to recipe directions. Yield: 200 slice-and-bake cookies.
Other recipes you can make with this base are:
Jolly Santas: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Jolly-Santas
Lemon Rope Trees: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Lemon-Rope-Trees
Reindeer Bites: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Reindeer-Bites
Strawberry Tea Cookies: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Strawberry-Tea-Cookies
Magic Stars: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Magic-Stars
They all look delicious!!
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie equals 76 calories, 5 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 13 mg cholesterol, 51 mg sodium, 8 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 1 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
Holiday Cookie Dough published in Simple & Delicious November/December 2007, p53
2 cups butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
Sprinkles, jimmies or colored sugar, optional
Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in milk and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Divide dough into five 1-cup portions; shape each into a 10-in.-long roll. Wrap individually in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle, or freeze for up to 3 months. Yield: 5 portions (1 cup each).
To use refrigerated cookie dough: Cut roll into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Decorate with sprinkles, jimmies or colored sugar if desired. Bake at 350° for 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.
Or, bake according to individual directions for Jolly Santas, Lemon Rope Trees, Magic Stars, Reindeer Bites and Strawberry Tea Cookies (recipes also in Recipe Finder).
To use frozen cookie dough: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bake according to recipe directions. Yield: 200 slice-and-bake cookies.
Other recipes you can make with this base are:
Jolly Santas: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Jolly-Santas
Lemon Rope Trees: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Lemon-Rope-Trees
Reindeer Bites: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Reindeer-Bites
Strawberry Tea Cookies: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Strawberry-Tea-Cookies
Magic Stars: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Magic-Stars
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie equals 76 calories, 5 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 13 mg cholesterol, 51 mg sodium, 8 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 1 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
Holiday Cookie Dough published in Simple & Delicious November/December 2007, p53
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Vintage Christmas Cards
I enjoy looking at all the Christmas cards out in the gift shops and stores, but I especially enjoy some of the vintage cards. Love the eye candy. The credit for these images goes to Royce Bair. The images were scanned from his personal collection and the color restored (digitally remastered). He also retouched it to remove scratches, cracks, smudges and age spots. This is typically about a 3 hour process.
I especially like the little girl. So sweet! The website for these pictures is ”The Stock Solution.
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| 1911 illustration, Going to church on Christmas Eve. |
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| 1908 Illustration, Children bundled-up, carrying a Christmas tree home. |
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| 1910 illustration, Christmas Bells, Holly, and Mistletoe. |
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| 1912 illustration, Children giving gifts on Christmas Eve. |
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| A 1913 illustration of Winter Song Birds. |
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| 1913 illustration of A Country Christmas. |
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| 1918 illustration of children dancing around the Christmas tree. |
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| 1909 Card of a Rural Christmas Scene at dusk. |
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| 1910 illustration, of a happy girl holding a present on a snowy day. |
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