A Crafter for All Seasons

Santa's coming in 2 days!  

I'm done decorating!

Almost all of the treasures are out!

Love my Pine Cones!

 I kept all of the pine cones I painted last year in my basement.  I keep my candles down there too because it's cool all year long.  I painted some pine cones white, others the blue I used on my hutch, a few the mauve Dusty Rose on the walls in my dining room and the rest the icy mint, the color of the paint in the living room.  While the paint was wet, sprinkled glitter on them.  They really make beautiful arrangements in the simplest bowls.

I decorate seasonally.  This brandy snifter always has something pretty in it.

I'm sitting here waiting patiently Santa!

Me too Santa!

I hang here all year long anyway!

Watch out Elf on the Shelf!  We're the real thing! Our jobs are done now.  We're just waiting for Santa too!

Hey Santa, we're ready whenever you are.  We're just hanging out here eating their Christmas cookies!!

 

I don't like devoting a day to making Christmas cookies.  I would rather be making dolls, crafting or quilting.  I thought maybe this year we'd spice things up a little and make a special holiday drink to sip while we bake.  I'm getting this post out ASAP because too many sips and what the heck who cares if anything gets baked or blogs get posted!  We can just eat instead!!

My Bar is stocked!

Here's my Holiday drink!  I read the reviews.  It got 5 Stars!  I'll try to remember to rate it too!

Pumpkin Pie Martini

By Stephen Phillips

Food Network - rated 5 stars

Ingredients

1/2 oz. Stoli Vanilla (optional to give it kick)
1 oz. Pumpkin Spice liqueur (such as Hiram Walker)
1/2 oz. Kahlua
1/2 oz. Butterscotch Schnapps
1/2 oz. half-and-half
Crushed graham crackers
Cinnamon stick (garnish)

Directions
Add all liquids in a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into large martini glass rimmed with crushed graham crackers. Garnish with a cinnamon stick

Now for the Christmas Cookies!

  Yep, these are fake AGAIN.  I have more fake cookies out than real ones!

These are really real and a treat from our dear friends.   I'm afraid ours probably won't be as good but we're going to try our best.

   I only share the recipes we know are really good.  This year we are trying a new Gingerbread recipe. It looks a little spicier.  I'll make notes so I'll remember if it's good enough to make again next year. Here's some more of our favorite cookie recipes...

Grandma Riello's Bon Bon Cookies

 My husband loves these Bon Bons.  The egg yolk keeps the dough together so it doesn't crumble when you mold it around the cherries.  XXX sugar is Grandma talk for Confectioner's Sugar.

Fudge

We always make this fudge and I can vouch for the name.  You can't make a mistake.  It's almost impossible.  Trust me if there was a way to goof it up I would have a long time ago and I never would have made it again because I would have blamed the recipe!

EAGLE BRAND SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK FOOLPROOF CHOCOLATE FUDGE RECIPE

This is the original recipe from Delicious Desserts Made Easy, Borden, 1981.

Print this Recipe

FOOLPROOF CHOCOLATE FUDGE

3 (6-ounce) packages semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (not evaporated milk)
Dash salt
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional

In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt morsels with Eagle Brand.  Removed from heat; stir in remaining ingredients.  Spread evenly into wax paper-lined 8-inch square pan.

Chill 2 to 3 hours or until firm.

Turn fudge onto cutting board, peel off paper and cut into squares.  Store loosely covered at room temperature.

(Makes about 1-3/4 pounds)

HO

HO

HO

I'm running a little late.  Mrs. Santa has me up on the roof hanging the last of our Christmas lights.  When I'm done with this string I'm going to make a trial run down the Chimney just to make sure I fit.  All year long she's been telling to lay off the chips and dip but I just can't help myself when I get going.  I'd hate to have to wear her Spanx again this year to get down the chimney!

She's just about to give me her blessing and some fruit for the trip!

Don't eat all the cookies and milk at the houses Dear!  Otherwise even the Spanx won't help you get down the last of the Chimneys!

Yes Dear!  I'll try...

  

That's what she thinks!!

Santa!  I've got hot chocolate and candy for you!  Hurry before I melt it's been too warm the past few days!

Hey Santa!!  Pleaseeeeeeze hurry up and get to my house! How am I supposed to go outside and watch the birds and the squirrels fight over the food in the bird feeder looking like this?????  My mom Jen isn't going to take this get up off me until she sees lots of presents.  I'll be watching from under the tree.  Oh, and bring lots and lots of catnip.  I need to keep my cool!

OK Flip!  I'm on my way!  See you real soon!!!!

Merry Christmas and

 Happy New Year! 

 See you next year!!!!