Stickler

I'm a stickler for a holiday and always make too much snack-y, sweet things.  That's okay though, because my neighbors are on the recipient end of our treats!  And my family is sure to have fun in the kitchen, too.  Little wonder then today, as I was thinning out my herb garden, I got to thinking about the pretzels and chocolates in the pantry.  Hmmmm.

My oldest wasn't able to make it home for Thanksgiving due to school and work obligations so my youngest was part and parcel of Mom's "Hey let's do this!" and "Come, come, let's do that!" and "Wow, we have GOT to try this!"  I think she's alright with all the projects and whims because she jumps right in and gets busy.

We melted two batches of chocolate:  one white chocolate and the other dark chocolate.  I chopped up some Heath Toffee, some butterscotch bits and some peanut butter chunks.  After coating each pretzel with chocolate and coaxing it into draping thinly, then working with our hands, we pressed the chopped bits onto the chocolate slathered rod.  I know some folks put the pretzel rods in the freezer to firm up quickly but I leave them at room temperature for a few hours.  Voila!  A quick treat.


Try putting some in a glassine bag and tie with a
festive bow and you too can treat your neighbors.

I don't have to speculate for I know we're making memories in the kitchen today and we have a batch of sugary treats to give away!  It IS the most wonderful time of the year!

Long Winter's Nap

I admit I'm a cozy, comfy sort of gal.  Given the chance to wear yoga pants instead of tailored trousers, I'm all in.  Naturally this time of year our home is all about the comfy.  I also admit I can be found shuffling through pinterest at least once a week for that next great, wow-ie-ka-zow-ie project.  When I saw these, I had to do some of my own and put a different spin on them.

Instead of boiled wool I opted for a suit-grade flannel.  Something with a soft nap.  And right about the time I settled on this project my local fabric store, much to my surprise, had several bolts of suit fabric just in.  In plenty of color options.  I nabbed up about 8 yards of each style in grays, beiges, reds, navy blues and more.  Next, I made my way over to the bolts of wool flannel which I would need for the leaf appliques.  Lastly I settled on cotton batting which would make these cozy and comfy throws a bit warmer for those long, winter naps.

High-tailing it back home I threw all the fabrics in a very hot wash cycle drying them on the hottest dryer setting as well.  Preshrinking all the fabrics makes for warmer blankets.

Next I tracked down some basic leaf patterns.  The leaves are about 8 inches long.  Place the leaf patterns on  the flannel, cut them out and blanket stitch to the top portion of your throw.  You know the drill from this point.  Cut the flannel to the size you want: mine are 72 inches by 54 inches.  Cut the batting to match and the underside flannel, too.

Stitch them together leaving an opening to turn right side out.  Slip stitch the opening closed then at every 6 inch intervals tie off the throw with either satin ribbon or embroidery floss.  Don't skip this step.  This will keep the batting from bunching when you wash them.

I'm only speculating but I bet we'll enjoy plenty of wintery nights around the fire all comfy and cozy: sipping hot chocolate and watching the chestnuts pop.  Doesn't it just warm your heart to imagine it?

Pining For Trees

I saw some wooden Christmas trees on pinterest and thought:  I can do these and I think I'll kick it up a notch, yessiree. 

I started with some scrap plywood.  I think it was from another project in which the backside of something large, hot and red needed rebuilding.
After a little measuring and a little cutting it was time to  sand and prime the plywood.  Then paint however you like.  You can use stencils of stars and other patterns; you can free-hand or you can simply white-wash them for a dramatic, wintery look.

Then it's time to drill! 

Yeah, that's the drill, baby.  She's a yellow, battery-packed hunk o' man-machine but I use her, too.  Mooorrre poweeerr...argh, argh, argh.  Oh, and that's my coffee mug on the work bench.  A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!  There's nothing quite like steel and power and the smell of sawdust to make a girl's day. I have a bit which drills the perfect size hole for small, LED, battery pack, lights.  I use the 20-pack of lights and drill as many holes. 

Once the bulbs are positioned into the openings I dab a bit of glue onto the back of each light where it meets the hole (using Elmer's wood glue but I think craft glue might work).  At the end I affix the battery pack near the trunk of the tree using Gorilla glue.  That's key because other glues will dry out and turn brittle and won't hold from season to season.  Gorilla glue it is!

After the paint and glue are dry here's the final product. Shiny and bright.  Bejeweled and blinged out!  Snow Queen Elsa would melt. 


I don't have to speculate much for I know my kids will be barking up my tree hoping to nab a few of these for their holiday decor.   FIR-realllll, Mom!  And I'll be de-light-ed.