November 23 ~ Sounds of the season

Believe it or not, there are radio stations already playing only Christmas music...  Well, there is a lot of music, so I guess you need to start early to get it all in...  Here's my contribution to getting you in the Christmas music mood...

November 22 ~ Cookie recipe

Today's post is inspired by the fact that it is National Cashew day.  Here's a cookie recipe to test...

Cashew Meringues

• 5 egg whites, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 2 cups finely chopped cashew nuts

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large dry glass or metal bowl whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Add vanilla, cream of tartar, and cornstarch, and continue whipping at medium speed while gradually adding the confectioners sugar 1/4 cup at a time. Whip until the whites have a nice peak, but not stiff. Fold in cashew pieces with a rubber spatula. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
3. Bake for about 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container at room temperature when completely cooled.

November 21 ~ Outdoor lighting

It's not too early to start hanging those outdoor lights, especially if you live in a colder climate.  Take advantage of a sunny day before the deep freeze of winter sets in.  Found some great "how-to's" on You Tube for you...

A smile in a shoe box ~ November 18

Any time of year is a good time to remember our servicemen and women and thank them for all they have done.  Visit Operation Shoebox to see how easy it is to send someone a smile.

Nostalgia ~ November 17

I came across this the other day and had to share it...  If your as old as I am you will remember making a wreath or star burst from IBM cards... same idea - updated, and it's actually very attractive.

Cookies ~ November 16

We haven't had a cookie recipe in awhile... have to keep testing these recipes for the cookie exchange.

Here's one that looks easy and sounds yummy...

Almond Icebox Cookies

• 2 cups butter or margarine softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• Finely chopped almonds

Cream butter in a large mixing bowl: gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.

Combine flour and baking powder in a medium bowl; mix well.  Add flour mixture and vanilla to creamed mixture, stirring well.

Shape dough into 2 rolls, 1 1/2 inches in diameter.  Wrap each roll in waxed paper, and refrigerate 2 hours.  Remove waxed paper; cut rolls into 1/4 inch slices. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet.  Brush lightly with egg white; sprinkle with almonds.  Bake at 425 for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove to wire racks to cool.  Store in airtight containers.  Yields about 7 dozen.

I think I'll try some almond extract instead of the vanilla.  If you try these, let me know what you think.

November 15 ~ treasures from trash

On another blog I write you will learn that today is America Recycles Day... the perfect day to talk about turning some trash into Christmas treasures...

I just loved that one...

On a smaller scale think about using the same process with a circle of about 3 inches and old puzzle pieces.  If the coloring on the pieces are not acceptable you can spray paint the small wreath green and add small red dots for "berries".  Glue a ribbon hanger on and your ready to use this as a tree ornament.

November 8 ~ Today's Featured Christmas Cards

For those warm weather Christmas folks....

November 6 ~ Spare Time

This week end we get an extra hour. How do you spend your spare time? This weekend why not spend that extra time thinking about just that...how do I spend my "free time" and am I really making the most of it. Am I doing something I love, am I using the time to make myself or someone else happy? Or, am I wasting what little free time I have on activities that I regret later? Make a promise to yourself this weekend to spend that extra hour wisely.

Hobbies are a good way to make your free time more enjoyable. And if you don't already have one, you can always take classes or lessons on an activity that will develop into a lifetime hobby....photography, cooking, line dancing, kayaking, bicycling, painting, sewing...you name it, there's a class somewhere that can teach you.

If you don't already have a hobby and aren't really interested in learning something new, you might consider volunteerism...  There are literally thousands of groups, organizations, and even individuals that would benefit from a few hours of your time.  So why not spend that extra hour this week end looking in to programs in your area...you might just find the perfect way to give to others and make you feel great about yourself at the same time.

Yet another Pine Cone Idea

These pine cone fire starters would make a great hostess gift or Christmas gift for someone with a fireplace.  Use a "Christmas-y" scent like cinnamon, bayberry, or pine and they are not only useful but also a nice festive decoration.

Ooops missed another day...

Sorry folks, missed getting something ready for today and don't really have time ...  got to take the Grandkids to the "playground"  which means we go to McDonalds, spend money on food they don't eat and have to chase them around the play yard for awhile...  But, I love it!!!   See y'all tomorrow.

Wishing you a DOGgone Good Christmas ~ November 3

Today's featured Christmas Cards feature man's best friend....

November 2 ~ Think outside the box

My Mom just loved Christmas....  She had some wonderful traditions that have carried over in the family, but this one never caught on.  It was a bit strange, and actually pretty funny, so I'm surprised that I never used the idea.  You may or may not be old enough to remember this, but many years ago when you bought something that needed to be in a box to give it as a gift the store actually gave you the box...for free.  Shopping bags were also free back then.  When stores began charging for boxes and bags my Mother had her own little revolution.  She began "saving" all of the boxes that she could think of... cereal boxes, cake mix boxes, cold medicine boxes, candy boxes, shoe boxes, you name it..she saved it.  At Christmas she used these boxes to "wrap" all of the Christmas gifts under the tree.  It looked like a grocery store delivery gone awry... A bit unusual, but I thought I'd share this fun and funky idea. 

November 1 ~ Food drives beginning

Photo courtesy of Bart Baldwin @ Still Image Productions

 

Help fill up the shelves of your local food bank!

I just read on Facebook the some friends of mine at Still Image Productions have been selected to photograph behind the scenes on an upcoming Extreme Makeover: Home Edition that will be filmed in Savannah Georgia. In conjunction with the filming, there will be a food drive for the Savannah Food Bank. Just the other day I noticed a large box in the lobby of my office building to collect food for our local food bank, Harvest Hope. This is the time of year that food drives begin to help needy families enjoy holiday meals. So, while you're out doing your weekly shopping please pick up an extra can of string beans, or an extra box of cake mix...all donations to your own local food bank are needed and greatly appreciated.

October 31 ~ A Santa Suit

Well, it's Halloween and the streets will be full of children dressed as their favorite characters.  It made me think about Christmas' favorite character, Santa Clause. 

If you're in need of a new Santa Suit this year, check out those available at Amazon...

October 30 ~ More Cookies

Because Christmas always brings to my mind the idea of a cookie exchange I want you to be armed with plenty of cookie recipes to try...

These Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread cookies by Stephanie Jaworski just screamed Christmas to me.  I can't wait to try this recipe at the Joy of Baking website.  This is one of the best sites I've seen for baking recipes.  It is definitely one of my favorite sites.

October 29 ~ Christmas Kitty

Today is actually National Cat Day so I thought I would share with you some Christmas Kitty merchandise available at Zazzle...  Hope you have a PURRRR-fect day!


Make a personalized gift at Zazzle.

A Christmas Carol ~ October 28

One of the most recognized Christmas stories is that of Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Christmas ghosts...A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  Over the years there have been many film versions of this story, from cartoons to musicals to some that are even a little bit scary.  Which ever version you prefer, this is a must have for the Christmas season.  If you don't have at least one version of the story, it's time to buy one now.

 

October 27 ~ More Pine Cone Ideas

Visit HGTV Start at Home for instructions on making these cute pine cone place cards holders.


While you have the cans of gold and silver spray paint out you might also want to turn some of those pine cones into Christmas tree ornaments.  While the paint is still wet sprinkle the cone with some clear iridescent glitter.  When dry hot glue a hanger, a Christmas ribbon bow and even a small holiday pick available from your local craft store to the base end of the pine cone.  Makes a natural item dressy enough for even the most elaborate tree.

October 26 ~ Christmas Light Safety

Some tips on Christmas Light Safety from Home Depot

Featured Christmas Cards of the Day ~ 10/25/10

Christmas is a universal holiday, and you may know someone (or it could be you) who's first language is something other than English.  Why not send out greetings in their native tongue.  Greeting Card Universe has a wide assortment of non-English cards for you to choose from.