Finally!

Well, I finally got my tree up! After the big debate between real or artificial this year, we had to go for the real tree! I'm glad! Saturday we went and cut down our tree and the kids had a ball! They got to see Santa, had some hot chocolate and popcorn. I took some pictures of the "forest" but for some reason can't get it to post...maybe later. In the meantime I thought I would post some pics of some of my favorite ornaments, mostly vintage, that I've collected over the years.

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I stuck this big mercury glass ball in an old urn with some greens from my tree.

This little guy isn't old but it reminds me so much of the ornaments my mother had when we were little.
The Christmas after I lost my mother, I made up these ornaments for my brothers and me. There is a little poem on the back.

My favorite book this year along with this heart that I just love!
I don't know how any of you that signed up for Teresa McFayden's 12 Days of Comfort and Joy are coming along, but I am having a hard time keeping up! I can't stop thinking about all of the wonderful projects and am hoping that I can get a few days this week to just sit, listen to some Christmas music and get to work. I did make up this little vignette though.

Well, I have to get back to shopping, decorating, etc! I'm looking so forward to Karla's Party on Wednesday! I have to start taking some pictures for it because I am supposed to be getting a new floor installed in my kitchen and mudroom this week. Of course I don't have an exact day when they are coming. They just told me they would start at the beginning of the week...hmmmm...we'll see. I told them I wanted it done for Christmas as I am having Christmas Eve at my house this year. So I guess I should take my pictures now since everything will be torn apart if they do come when they said they will.

Cookie Swap Day!!!!

Today is Scrappy Jessi's Cookie Swap! I made Venetian or I call them Rainbow Cookies. I have been making these now for about 10 years and have it down! They take some time but are well worth it! The timing worked out great for me because my son is having a cookie swap at school and these are what I'm swapping! Enjoy!
Rainbow Cookies

• 8 ounces of almond paste
• 1-1/2 butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs (separated)
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 drops red and green food coloring (or make it however light or deep you want the colors to be
• 1 (12 ounce) jar of apricot, raspberry or black rasberry preserves
• 1 pound semisweet chocolate or chocolate chips

Grease three 9 x 13-inch baking pans.

Line with waxed paper.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Combine almond paste, sugar, butter, egg yolks and almond extract. Beat for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.

Beat in flour and salt.

In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.

Fold into the almond mixture.

Divide dough into three 1-1/2-cup portions.

Add red coloring to one of the portions, and green to another, stirring until mixture is evenly colored.

Spread the batter in the three separate prepared pans (keeping the colors separate).

Bake for 15 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. (Each layer will be 1/4 inch thick).

Remove cakes from pan immediately.

Cool thoroughly.

Stack layers in a 9 x 13 inch pan, spreading jam between layers (no jam on top layer).

Place second 9 x 13 inch pan on top and weigh down with two 5 pound bags of sugar or flour or heavy cans.

Refrigerate overnight.

Melt chocolate over hot water and spread over cake. At this point you can just leave the chocolate, spread chocolate sprinkles or comb a design through it.

Allow to set.

Trim edges and cut into 1-inch squares.

Let me know what you think!

Real tree...fake tree...

This was Saturday...This was Sunday...
We woke up to snow yesterday...yae. Not enough for snowmen but enough to get us all in the Christmas mood! And yes, I have a holly bush! How great is that at Christmas!

Anyway, I haven't even started to decorate yet. Hopefully will get a jump on it today. Our family is having a debate this year...real tree or artificial tree. Since I've been married we've always had a real tree. We even go to a tree farm and cut it down ourselves which you can imagine, my boys love. It really is such a wonderful thing to do and has become a tradition for us. I love the "idea" of the real tree but I hate to decorate it because the branches are never strong enough for some of my heavier ornaments and each morning when I wake up, my ornaments aren't where they were the night before because the tree is always settleing. We went out on Saturday to look at some artificial pre-lit (another plus, I think) trees and they did look pretty good. But, we left without one because the kids didn't like the idea. I didn't even think they would care and it was actually nice to see that they do. I did tell them that we could still cut down a little one for the den that would be their tree. So we decided to think about it for a few more days.

What I would really appreciate is any opinions that anyone may have. I keep listing the pros and cons but can't decide. So I would like to take a vote...Real or fake and why?

Little Birdies

I am on a bird kick right now. Why? I don't know because I was never really a bird person. My mother always decorated with white doves at Christmas...on roping, on the branches of the tree and even on the top of our tree. When we were kids we could never undertand why the heck there was a big white bird on top of our tree? Now I look back and realize what a great idea it was. My mother was a great decorator especially at Christmas. I have some of her old doves now but just like to put a few percherd here and there. So maybe that's why I'm liking the birds right now.

I just listed these two in my shop and had such fun making them that I wasn't going to let them go but I can always make more right!?

Has anyone ever seen these candy bars? I always get them at Marshalls. I don't know if Marhalls is everywere or if it's just an east coast thing. But they always have them for every holiday with these vintage images and I think they're great.

I think I am going to make an attempt at an advent calander tonight. I might just make 25 tags and just attach it to something. Nothing like the last minute huh?

I am also thinking about having a giveaway. Who doesn't love a give away? I have a lot of "things" left over or that I'm not using. I will see what I can gather over the weekend. So stay tuned...

Tomorrow I am planning on doing something that is the one thing I do not enjoy doing for Christmas! Taking my kids picture for our Christmas cards. Bless their little hearts because they put up with me making them do it over and over, changing poses, etc. Wish me luck!

Cookie Exchange...Yae!

Just found out that Scrappy Jessi is hosting a cookie exchange on December 4th! I love baking cookies during the holidays and love getting ideas for more so stay tuned!

I haven't really started Christmas shopping until today. Well, I ordered a few things that came in the mail and we did get my two older sons new bikes last month so I guess I have started. But I haven't actually gone out to shop for Christmas untill today. This year is the first time in 8 years that I have had some free time time with no kiddies. My youngest started pre-school this year so I actually have three days a week where for 2 1/2 hours I can do whatever I want! Of course I have to choose that time wisely but it is amazing how much I can get done in that time. I managed to get to three stores, stop for gas, come home and put the packages up in the attic, shop on-line for a bit and squeeze in a phone call to my sister-in-law! After everyone got home from school, I noticed the three of them hovering around something. Yes, I left one gift out that didn't make it up into the attic! Some kind of game (I don't even remember what it was) that I had to tell them was a gift for their cousin. Now what? You know they will remember and I already got their cousin a gift. Oh well, I guess I have some time think of a story.

Some More Christmas Goodies

I just listed some of these goodies in my shop . I've either made or used these things in the past and wanted to see if anyone else would enjoy them as much as I have.

The wired boxwood I love using to tie up my Christmas gifts! Looks great with sheet music or craft paper. As does the tinsel garland! What I love about this tinsel is that it is already tarnishing!

I got these great vintage milk caps from Joy and used them to make spools! I only have them selling right now in one yard pieces but if you are interested in purchasing more than one yard of either the boxwood or tinsel, let me know...I have lots!
I've also listed some tags and sweet little candy canes that look great tied onto a package!

That's about it! I'm back to doing some much needed house organizing. I spent about $200 on storage bins and containers at Target yesterday. Every year before Christmas I go nuts having to have everything organized before I decorate so it's time to get back to work!

My "Thanksgiving Eve"

I am very fortunate (at least I think so) to live in New York! Well, I actually live pretty much right in the middle of Long Island on the south shore. It only takes us about an hour to get into the city. We decided at the last minute to go and see the Thanksgving Day Parade balloons. What a blast! They start inflating them around 3pm and finish by 10pm. We went out to dinner first, so by the time we got there they were already blown up. It was probably almost as crowded as the actual parade itself but everyone was in such good spirits that it didn't matter! And my kids, they got such a kick out of it that it was well worth it. It is amazing to see all the work and time invested in this parade up close, and the people that work it were all so happy and friendly! The quality of the pictures aren't the greatest but enjoy!