Saturday, December 19, 2009

Nicole's Wreath!

Shannon and her sister Nicole have the wreath making bug! Look at this beautiful one that Nicole made!



This is what Shannon says about her sister's wreath:
She took a Styrofoam circle wreath and covered it in ribbon. Then she took the bulbs and hot glued them on. Also I know she put wire behind the ribbon to hang the wreath with for a little strength. I think this is just FABULOUS! I wish I had done this kind instead. I think I may still do it anyways for next year!

You are right Shan, it does look FAB! Good Job Nicole! Shannon estimated that Nicole spent about $35 on the supplies, but that was before all the ball ornaments went on sale, so we were thinking now we could get it done for $12-$15!!
 
Thanks ladies for the picture! Check out Shannon's homemade wreath here!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Mantle all Christmas-ized!

Last night I finally got a chance to work on my mantle.. Something that I dread every year because of the dis-mantle.. he he! 

So here is my mantle before: Greenery is up, but nothing fancy is happening here.



Mantle after: Greenery is up and the lights are on!



Stockings are hung with care!



Christmas books and snowflake ornaments are stuck in the greenery.



And I hung a key in the center, don't know why I did it, but I like it!



So this was all stuff I had around the house, except for the stockings. I just bought those last night because we didnt have any! They were $7.99 at Garden Ridge. They are silk dupioni-esk, (or polyester made to look like silk), with little embroidered silvery snowflakes trimming the top. I love them and you can't beat them for $8 each!

Happy Holidays! T-minus 7 days!


Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Mom's Ornament Party!

My mom had an ornament gift exchange party and we made her invites here. The table was so pretty I just had to take a few quick pictures!! Wish I got some more!

She placed a white table cloth with silver and gold plaid stitching down like a runner. Then placed individually hung glass ornments on their own little hooks on top down the center of the table.



The red place settings really stood out on the white table cloth witht the white plates! Love the Christmas Crackers!



And she added a few bubble vases with rosemary! Smells so good!


It looked great!!! Mom reported that the party was a success!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Rosemary Stuff!

So what do you do with this stuff?


(A big ol' rosemary bush with leaves in it?)

And these:


(Clear bubble vases?)

Well, you make THIS!



A cute little arrangement for a corner of the house! Oh and it smells amazing! OH and it was FREE!! Bubble vases were a purchase from years ago, so they cancel themselves out (hoarder), and rosemary plant is older than the house.

You could make them extra cute by putting little ribbons or bows around the neck of the vases, but I left as is. I liked how clean and fresh they looked!

This was my mom's idea so I will give her the idea credit, but I put the thing together, so I get the doing credit! Thanks mom!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Okanagan Relish!

Another famous recipe from my Grama. I just so happened to make this on Thanksgiving so here is the step-by-step instructions so you can make your very own. It is the best and you can use it on crackers, burgers, chips, toast! (I eat it just by the spoonful as well!)



Start with six clean pint size canning jars then heat jars in oven on a cookie sheet at 150 degrees for the amount of time the relish is cooking.



Dice and peel 3 pears, 3 peaches, (I used frozen peaches, 3-4 cups, since they aren't in season. Let thaw.) 3 onions, 3 green bell peppers, 6 tomatoes. Put in a large stock pot. Add 2 and 1/4 cup of white sugar, 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 tbsp. of salt.
Simmer on low heat at least for 2 hours with one 1oz. bag of cheesecloth full of pickling spice. Uncovered.

This time I made a bag out of cheesecloth, but next time I make this I am just going to use a tea ball.



Here are all the veggies and fruit cut up with cheesecloth bag.


When the 2 hours are about up, boil the lids for about 15 minutes so the jars seal tight.

Pour the mixture into the hot jars and clean off tops and the seal with lids. (My aunt was in town while we did this and she said to not tighten lids too tight at first, then a day later after all the lids seal you can tighten tighter.)



The relish turned out great! It is sweet, tangy, and delish! We have already gone through half of the batch!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

NOEL Tags Winner!

Sorry it has been delayed, but there is a WINNER!!! Random.org chose lucky follower # 3!!


Congrats Alison, email me at swissavenue@gmail.com to claim your NOEL Tags prize!



Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Ornament Exchange Invite!

I helped my mom make invitations for her annual Ornament Exchange party!

I used green paper that I have had for years! I bought it all on clearance from a store that was closing!

(It also happens to be the same paper I used for my NOEL gift tags! Check out the Holiday Giveaway! Ends December 10th!

Our supplies included:
Fancy edged scissors, a hole punch, matching ribbon, snow flake charms, and vellum paper.


We folded the cardstock in half and inserted the printed vellum. Then hole punched two holes at the top to tie a bow with the ribbon. When we tied the bow we added the snowflake charm so it would hang under the bow.


Then the inside looked like this when you opened the card:


They turned out really cute! I like the font and wording too we picked out too!

"He's makin' a list and checkin' it twice.
Join us if you're naughty or nice!"

Join me if you are naughty or nice and enter my Holiday Giveaway!