A few crafty ideas for December . . .

Source: bigcitybelle.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

They called it The Cottage of Content.
I knocked to find out what it meant,
For all my life I'd sought to find
The secret of a quiet mind.
"Come in", the owner said, "Come in.
The things you seek are here within.
Love tends the hearth and keeps the blaze
To warm the heart on bitter days.
Hope trims the lamps and makes them bright
To give a good and kindly light.
Faith keeps her watch in every room
To banish doubt and fear and gloom."
I turned away and homeward went
To build MY cottage of content.
~Patience Strong

Well, here we are, it's the first of December! However did that happen? I don't know. It seems to have crept up on us awfully quickly though! I did a bit of Christmas Decorating here yesterday. I will have to take a picture to show you what I have done so far. Then last night Todd and I watched a few of our Christmas dvd's. Charlie Brown's Christmas. It just wouldn't be the Christmas Season in my house without watching Charlie Brown's Christmas at least once during December! And for the main feature we watched the first Home Alone. I don't know how many times I have watched that movie, about a bazillion I think . . . but I always laugh my head off when I am watching it. I've seen it all before . . . yes, a bazillion times . . . and I know what's coming, but still I laugh . . . ceptin' now I actually start to laugh before it happens! So much fun!

I thought it would be fun this morning to share a few cheap and cheerful craft ideas for Christmas that I have found on the www. I am always looking for something crafty to do that doesn't cost a bomb and makes good use of some of the things I collect like old jars, toilet roll holders and used disposable pie tins . . . just so I can prove that they will come in real handy one day like . . . you know how it goes!

Source: forwhatitsworth-ornot.blogspot.com via Katelyn on Pinterest

The sweetest Hot Snowman Chocolate, just perfect to gift a friend with. I found it here on For What It's Worth. Isn't it adorable! Of course if you are like me, you already have lots of empty jars saved. I never throw a jar away and our shed has several boxes full of them just waiting for me to make a good use of them!

Source: oureverydayearth.com via Mallory on Pinterest

The most adorable snowman ornament made from an old lightbulb! I've seen lots of these through the years, but this is the cutest yet. You can find out how to do this, plus 9 other ideas for making ornaments out of recycled things over on Our Everyday Earth.

Source: thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com via Mallory on Pinterest

How's this for an utterly adorable decoration! I think they're just sweet. Santa Suit Cones! You can find out how to make them yourself over on Thrifty Decor Chick! Ho! Ho! Ho!

Source: myblackbook.free.fr via Mallory on Pinterest

I love this idea, which once again uses empty recycled jars. Make your own snowglobes! Again, so pretty and just adorable! You can find directions on My Black Book.

Source: womansday.com via Beth on Pinterest

How about an Advent Calendar Pine Tree Forest! A bit late now to make one for an Advent Calendar, but these little trees would be cute anywhere. I always have lots of felt in my craft dresser and buttons too! You can find the patterns on the Women's Day site.

Source: choosetothrive.blogspot.com via Beth on Pinterest

How about making your own stars from old tin baking plates and dishes. You know, the kind that ready made pies and dinners come in. You can find an excellent tutorial here on the Choose to Thrive blog! Aren't they gorgeous!

Source: sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com via Jamie on Pinterest

How about this adorable bauble made from Acorn Caps? Isn't it pretty! The directions for this can be found on Sweet Something Designs. She also has a lot of other really pretty ideas on her page.

Source: somewhatsimple.com via Angela on Pinterest

How about holiday hand sanitizer in a cute bottle that you dress up yourself. I found the directions on Crafts and Crap. (I know, naughty name, but nice crafts!)

Source: todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com via Angela on Pinterest

How about a Holiday Whisk? Isn't this just darling?? You can find this and a bazillion other cheap gift ideas on Today's Fabulous Finds.

Source: notsoidlehands.blogspot.com via Angie on Pinterest

Candy Cane Fudge anyone? You can find out how to make these over on Not So Idle Hands. She's got a lot of other great ideas too!

Source: heroarts.com via Angie on Pinterest

Who says money can't grow on trees??? For some great Gift Card Ideas, using money, check out Hero Arts!

Source: poppiesatplay.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

How about some really adorable gift tags you can print out yourself? I think these are really cute and they're free. You can find them over on Poppies at Play.

I hope that these ideas whet your whistle just a little bit and get you to thinking all crafty about Christmas. There are just tons of talented people out there with lots of wonderful ideas. Just google Christmas Crafts. You'll be amazed at what comes up! So many smartie pants in the world! It's just wonderful!

Here's a little treat that I like to make for neighbours and friends during the holidays. I've never had anyone refuse one yet. Honestly!



*Holiday Fudge Wreath*
Makes 1
Printable Recipe

This is a real holiday treat that is not only very easily put together but impressive to look at when it’s finished. To give as a gift just wrap it in plastic cling film and tie with a gaily coloured bow!

12 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips (if you can get them, if not just use more chocolate chips)
1 (405g) tin of sweetened condensed milk
(save the tin)
1 tsp pure vanilla essence
1 cup nutmeats, chopped coarsely, plus more whole ones for decoration
½ cup sultanas
Candied red and green cherries for decoration if desired

Butter an 8 inch round cake tin with softened butter. Cover the empty condensed milk tin with plastic cling film and set in the centre of the cake tin.

Combine chocolate chips, vanilla and condensed milk in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until they melt together, about 3 minutes. (Make sure it is warm and smooth and shiny, so that it doesn’t instantly set up when you stir in the nuts and sultanas) Stir in the nuts and sultanas and quickly scoop into the prepared pan around the plastic wrapped milk tin in a wreath shape. It looks nice and more natural if it is all bumpy and swirled on top.

Decorate the top with cut up cherries to resemble holly with nuts in between if desired. It looks really pretty. For a completely different look you can decorate it with crushed peppermint candy canes. (leave them a bit chunky).

Put the fudge in the fridge to set and chill until firm. Remove the can from the middle and then carefully use a spatula to remove the fudge ring from the pan. If you are giving it away as a gift, wrap carefully in plastic wrap or cellophane and tie with a pretty bow. Your friends will love you and think you are really smart to have thought up such an idea!

Variation: Use 18 ounces white chocolate chips instead of the chocolate chips and 1 ½ cups pistachio nuts plus ½ cup of dried sweetened cranberries instead of the other nuts and the sultanas. Otherwise do everything else exactly the same. Enjoy!




Over in The English Kitchen today some tasty Egg and Potato Wraps!

“As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.”
~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

PS - I was able to speak to my father yesterday and we had a lovely conversation. His heart rate had gone down to 20 beats a minute on Sunday morning. He was passing out. Thankfully he was not on his own and his friend called an ambulance. I'm going to have to look for a special gift for his friend Madeline because she surely deserves a special thank you!

Sweet Christmas Memories . . .

As a child growing up in the late fifties and early sixties, candy was not something I got to eat very often. There were only a few times of the year that it was generally on offer, and in abundance, and one of those was Christmas.

A few days before Christmas, my mother's special candy dishes would appear on the living room coffee table. The one I remember the most was like two shallow bowls attached in the centre with a small handle in the middle that you could lift it with. One side was a pale blue ceramic and the other side a yellow.



Into that would go small coloured pillows of hard Christmas Candy. There were flat waffles types of red and green and yellow, their dimpled surface calling to my sweet tooth and making my mouth water. Puffy little squares of every colour under the sun . . . some filled with the spicy flavour of cinnamon. Round ones, coloured on the outside surface, but with a picture in the centre . . . looking like little jewels. I could never quite make out what the picture was, but I tried . . .



Red and White striped peppermint balls. I remember choking on one of those once during one Christmas season. My mom and dad were out, so we had been left with a babysitter. No doubt we were taking full advantage of her kindness and begging her to let us eat some of the Christmas candy. I remember the pure panic of not being able to breath and the babysitter hanging me upside down and knocking it out of me.



The candy I loved most of all was the ribbon candy. It's flat sweet surface curled up like ribbons, gaily striped in various shades of primary colours. Red, green, yellow, white . . . some was vaguely peppermint flavoured, some spicy cinnamon, but mostly just generically sugary sweet.



We didn't have stockings as children, but every Christmas Eve we would put a bowl in our place at the table before we went to bed, and just like magic, when we awoke in the morning it would be filled. There would be a tangerine, a few nuts, a candy cane, and an assortment of other Christmas Candies . . . the favorite one being a barley candy toy. Clear like glass, and shaped like choochoo trains, Santa Claus or different animals these were the piece de resistance of Christmas Candies . . . Oh, how I delighted in their different shapes and colours!! They only came in red, green and if you were lucky a pale yellow. These little babies lasted all day. It was impossible to bite them, and so you had to content yourself with sucking them . . . and sucking them . . . and sucking them . . .



Mom always made her special fudge at Christmas. It was always the same flavour every year, with no variation, with perhaps the exception of a few walnut meats being stirred in . . . if there were any leftover from the Christmas baking. Peanutbutter Fudge . . . and we loved it.

She had a special pot that she used only for making fudge. She didn't actually measure the ingredients, so there is no specific recipe for it. She just knew by looking at the pot exactly how much of everything she needed to put into it. Into the pot would go brown sugar up to a certain level in the pot and then she would add milk. She knew just how much to add by the way it would look with the sugar. Then there'd be a big lump of butter.





Onto the stove it would go and she would stand there stirring while it melted and bubbled away . . . a tumbler of water sitting close by. After it had been boiling for what seemed like forever to me, she would drop a bit of the mixture into the water and if it formed a soft lump she knew it was ready. That's when the fun would start. Into the hot mass a lump of peanut butter would go, along with the nuts if she was using them.



She would then beat it . . . the wooden spoon hitting the sides of the pot, making a hollow metalic thumping noise. It was magic to me, how those few simple ingredients could turn into such a lucious treat. When I got a bit older, she would let me beat it for her, always watching me carefully so that I didn't burn myself or so that the whole mass didn't suddenly turn into fudge in the pot. You had to beat it only to a certain point at which you quickly had to turn it into a buttered pan. Her's was a shallow tin square pan with these pretty swirls on the bottom. To this day, fudge just doesn't taste the same for me unless it has those pretty swirled patterns on the bottom . . . anything else is but a pale imitation of what fudge should be, or at least to me anyways.

I made fudge with my kids as well when they were growing up. It was never quite the same as my mom's, and sometimes we ended up having to eat it with a spoon . . . but I know my kids must have fond memories of our fudge making days. I wonder if many mom's make fudge with their kids today? There is a special magic in looking around a table at sticky sweet little faces and knowing that you played a part in putting the smiles of satisfaction and contentment there. I think this year that I will make some fudge for Todd . . . I'm sure he'd love it. Probably not quite in the same way . . . and I won't have that swirly bottomed pan to set it in either . . . but one must do what one must do . . .

Here's a delicious Christmas Candy Treat that will amaze your family and friends! Just perfect for dunking into hot chocolate! Fabulous laid out in a pretty box, and given as Christmas Gifts! Easy and quick to make!



*White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Sticks*
Makes 12
Printable Recipe

Pretty and perfect to use as stir sticks for that yummy hot chocolate you are going to be sipping on Christmas Eve. They also make a fabulous gift!

12 five-inch peppermint sticks
7 ounces of white chocolate
1/4 cup non-pariels

Line a baking pan with some parchment or wax paper. Set aside.

Melt the white chocolate in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Be careful not to allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water and do be careful not to let any water get into the bowl of chocolate, or it will seize.

Dip the peppermint sticks, about a third of the way up, into the melted chocolate, one at a time. Transfer to the baking pan. Allow to set for 5 minutes. Roll the chocolate coated ends into the non-pariels and then return to the lined baking pan to set completely at room temperature. Store in a tightly covered container.



In The English Kitchen today, delicious Applesauce Pancakes with a Spicy Apple Syrup.

PS - Yesterday was the first time I saw a Doctor for my knee pain, the other times it had just been the Nurse Practioner. The Doctor gave me two prescriptions, one for co-codemol (for pain) and one for an anti-inflamatory (ibuprophen). I also now have an appointment for an x-ray on Friday and then if it warrants it, a knee replacement. They are keen to get on with it as the new changes in the NHS that the government wants to push through will see a drastic reduction in the amounts of knee and hip replacements done in the future.

The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .

FOR TODAY, December 14th, 2009 ...

Outside My Window...
It is dark and very, very still, which makes a change, and very, very cold! I looked it up on the internet and it said we have a 30% chance of having snow for Christmas. Hmmm . . . dare I hope and dream for a White Christmas???

I am thinking...
About how sneaky Todd is. Yesterday in church he gave me a letter to give a talk in the 10th of January. He sure kept that quiet. He had to have known since his Bishopric meetings last Tuesday at least!! I was surprised! I don't mind giving talks though, so it was a pleasant surprise. My talk is supposed to be about how I received a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. It should be fun!

I am thankful for...
So much, so very much. I have so many blessings in my life that I cannot even begin to count them. I am a person that trys hard not to take anything for granted. I don't ever want to be a person that doesn't know what they have until it is gone. What a wasted life that would be.

From the kitchen...
Ohh, there's some yummy goodies. I made some special cookies yesterday afternoon and a banana bread that I will show in the next few days. I also made fudge yesterday to give as gifts to a few people! Oh, I am so naughty, making all these goodies to foist onto friends, but it's naughty in a very good way I think!!!

I am wearing...
Pink and white jammies and my robe, as it is a bit chilly in here this morning. I miss forced air heating and my old furnace in Canada here in the winter times. We have hot water radiators and the heat doesn't kick out like I wish it would!

I am creating...



I haven't done a lot but I did make some Christmas Decorations from a Martha Stewart kit I got from the QVC shopping channel. (That is a really dangerous channel to watch you know!!)They were ever so easy. I have been saving Christmas Cards to do just this with for years and never gotten around to it. This was simple. All the circles were already cut out and all I had to do was fold them and glue them together. Easy peasy, lemon squeasy! I think I will roll the edges in some glue and add some glitter though, just to make them sparkle!

I am going...

We have our works Christmas party this afternoon. It should be fun. The Mr's PA has organized it and is cooking a meal for us all. She did this last year as well. It was great fun. She lives in a Converted Oast House out in the boonies and has lots of dogs and horses and such. Beautiful surroundings, great food, special people, an afternoon off work . . . what more could you ask for!

Thursday I am going to lunch with my friend Jo, who used to be the housekeeper where I work. I am looking forward to that and then I have the usual stuff to do. Oh, and we are having the missionaries over for their tea tomorrow night so I have that to plan for as well!

I am reading...



The Handmaiden and The Carpenter by Elizabeth Berg

I thought in honor of the Christmas season and holidays that I would break out something special and seasonal to read and so I am reading this lovely book right now by Elizabeth Berg. If you have never read any of her books, you really should. She is a brilliant writer! In this wonderful novel about love, trust, hope and belief, she transports us back to Nazareth . . . re-living the events of the Classic Christmas story. I love the beautiful imagery used by Ms Berg. She brings this story to life in a special way that is moving, rich and full of emotion. I highly recommend!

I am hoping...
It might be in vain . . . and it might be really dumb . . . but I am hoping for a White Christmas. Hope does spring eternal!

I am hearing...
I am hearing nothing but the ticking of the clock, the humming of the refrigerator, the clicking of my keys and Jess's gentle snores from over in the corner. I am also hearing the foghorn snores of the King Charles spaniel from where I work. The little dogs have gone to obedience school for the holidays and I could not face her being alone in the house and so I have brought her down here to stay with us for the duration. She snores really loud! Thank heavens for ear plugs or I would not have slept!

Around the house...
I need to get things organized and ready to put up the Christmas tree and decorations. I usually wait to do that til after my employers are gone for Christmas. That's when my Christmas really starts and I can get the things done that I need to do for the holidays. I am really lucky that I get to take a bit of a breather at Christmas . . . a chance to re-charge my batteries for the coming year ahead. I work really hard most of the time and so this is a real bonus for me. I know, tis a blessing as well.


One of my favorite things...
Is getting out the Christmas Decorations, putting on some Christmas Music and getting everything all festive looking for Christmas. I better get cracking on that as I have done precious little thus far, although I did get out a couple of boxes and started to put some of the regular stuff away in preparation!


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
I don't even want to think about it!!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



I just love this Christmas picture. I can feel the wonder in the air and the anticipation. I think it's quite beautiful!! Oh how I would love to have a house that looked like that!!!

And there you have it, my Simple Woman's Day Book for today. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!)



My friend Jen of Tatertots and Jello is having a Holly Bloggy linking party today! The idea is to share ideas for great gifts that you can give to your neighbours, family and friends. Not just any gifts though. Gifts you make yourself! This is a delicious fudge that is always warmly welcomed when I pass it along to friends during the holidays. Not only is it festive and pretty to look at, but it's delicious as well. It looks really pretty in a box all tied up with cello wrap and curling ribbon! The best part about, besides how tasty it is of course, is that it turns out perfectly every time!



*Christmas Fudge*
Makes one 8 inch square pan
Printable Recipe

This fudge is quite different than the usual chocolate or brown sugar fudges. It's creamy, delicious and very festive looking with the white, green and red!!! There are a few different versions around, but I like this one best of all because it is no fail. Trust me.

2 TBS butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk, undiluted
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 tsp salt
4 ounces white marshmallows
9 ounces white chocolate, cut into little pieces
1/2 cup chopped toasted pistachio nuts
1 cup chopped dried cranberries
1 tsp vanilla extract

Butter an 8 inch square pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving abut a 1 inch overhang all around for ease of removing it from the pan to cut. Set aside.

Put the butter, sugar, salt, evaporated milk and marshmallows into a medium sized saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir constantly until all is melted and combined together, and the sugar is dissolved. Bring to the boil, stirring constantly and keeping over medium heat so that it does not catch or burn on the bottom.

Once it is boiling, start timing. Keep stirring and allow to boil for exactly five minutes. Do not stop stirring.

Remove from the heat and add the chopped white chocolate. Stir with a wooden spoon until the chocolate has completely melted and amalgamated into the mixture. Stir in the vanilla, nuts and cranberries. Pour into the prepared pan and let cool completely.

Lift out of the pan, peel off the parchment paper and cut into small squares with a sharp knife. Store in a tightly covered container.

Variations: Try using chopped milk chocolate, walnuts and raisins instead. Add some rum flavourig instead of vanilla. You can use peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chips along with walnuts and vanilla, but I would leave out the cranberries if I was using either of those and just increase the amount of nuts instead.



If you'd like to see what delicious goodie I have hiding beneath the Gingerbread Napkin, hop on over to The English Kitchen right now! Tis sure to get your tastebuds tingling!!!