The Day After

In our house, a lot of presents are homemade like these:

I guess you'd have to play Minecraft to know what this is. My boys made it for my hubby because he loves to go mining for gold, diamonds and obsidian and of course he has to avoid zombies, creepers and spiders along the way ;D

Here Jake is giving his Dad the gift and he's got a scarf wrapped around his neck that I made for him.

Lars got a huge kick out of this gift because he LOVES this game. So even though he's dressed as the Grinch, he wasn't a grump at all. He'll have this bunch of blocks sitting on his desk at work to make him smile throughout the day.

And here's a gift that Kathryn gave to Luke. If you want to check out more of her art, pop over here.

Here's one of the photos that inspired her painting.

There were a lot more homemade gifts: food, candy, cookies, scarves, blankets, pillows, artwork, poems and more but this gives you a "taste" of what we give and get at my house.

How 'bout you? Any fun homemade gifts you got or gave?

Merry Christmas Everyone

So my hubby is in the spirit! Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Birthdays

My brother and sister have a Christmas birthday that they share. No. They aren't twins.

We have a lot of that (shared birthdays) in my family: my hubby and I share a birthday, two of my children (again not twins) share a birthday, my brother and sis (like I said) share a birthday and my Mom and my brother-in-law. Kinda weird I know but that's my family. And you can tell how weird we are by this video, or maybe just how horribly tone deaf some of us are :D

But I thought I'd also share the cakes I made for the celebration. I decorated one and my hubby decorated the other.

I used whipped cream instead of fondant for the frosting. No one in my family likes fondant. So, if you have a delicious recipe for fondant, let me know. I'd be willing to try it.

I did use fondant to make the Poinsettia and the border but I needed a little something to make the cake pop.

We had a good time talking, singing (if you can call THAT singing) and eating. Plus, we even bedazzled our hair and nails.

 It's always busy at the holidays especially when you add in family birthdays! Now I'm off to finished getting ready for the rest of the celebrations:D

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is Coming

I'm still finishing up projects. I know last minute. I always think I'll be done by Thanksgiving. But when you have a big family it isn't easy.

I'm sewing, knitting, baking and making all sorts of gifts this year.

How 'bout you...are you ready?

I keep telling myself, "Next Year I'll do better."

Now, I need to hurry to the store to finish up my shopping--yep, I even have some of that to do.

Tonight I'm hoping to curl up on the couch and watch a good movie...or two because after tonight, it's going to be crazy.

Pet Stockings

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"Sew" I don't know if you hang stockings for your pets. But I do. We've always hung them up for our dogs and cats. I mean the kids would ask, "What's Sparks going to get from Santa?" And so the tradition began. But, I can't stand those mesh stockings you get at the pet store. I mean I would be ashamed to hang those up for my little loved one...even if that loved one is an animal. And, there are so many wonderful fabrics out there that why not make it yourself?

Here's how to do it. First you pick out a pattern that suits you. Don't you love these little paw print polar fleece pieces?

And, you only need a tiny piece (maybe an 1/8th of a yard - I always get extra cuz I worry about making mistakes and want to have extra on hand - just in case and still 1/8th is plenty).

I always have my ironing board up and at the ready when I sew. It's easy to fit the pieces together and iron them down to make sure they fit.

Then you simply put right sides together and stitch around the edges (that's the important thing to remember - when you're cutting out the stocking, you have to have about 1/8 to 1/4 inch extra around the entire edge - for the seam allowance).  Flip the stocking right sides out and "WAH-LAH" the stocking is ready.

I also sew a little handle on my stockings to hang them. And I tie a pretty ribbon through the loop to fasten the stocking to the hook or bannister.

As a last little embellishment, I add a jingle-bell to every toe of every stocking I hang in my house.

For these two stockings - the names were professionally embroidered. I know, I could have done it but time is running out...and the mall has a little kiosk that does custom orders in about 20 minutes :D

Now, that's "sew" simple ;D

Christmas Crack

Christmas Crack (Yep, it's that addicting!)

1 pan makes about 4 dozen little bars or “cookies”

Ingredients:
2 1/2 Sticks of butter (1 1/4 cups)
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
4 dozen saltine crackers
12 oz chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Line up saltine crackers (yep, saltines) in rows - all in a single layer.

Microwave the butter to melt. Then in a saucepan, combine the butter and brown sugar. Stir constantly-or it will burn.

Bring to a boil. Boil 3 minutes exactly and continue to stir and scrape the sides of the saucepan constantly.

Pour the melted butter/sugar combo over the crackers. Spread gently and evenly over the surface of all the crackers. Try not to disturb their places, you want them to remain in a single layer and not overlap.

Bake for 5 min.

The sugar will bubble up significantly but will settle down quickly. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top. Allow to rest for a few minutes until all the chips are nice and shiny. Spread them with a knife or flat spatula, like you are frosting.

I break up almonds over the top but you could use pistachios or any other nut you like.

Refrigerate for 1 hour and break into pieces. Serve.

The Stockings Were Hung

I always hang the stockings on the bannister because I don't have a fireplace. Where do you hang your stockings?