Christmas Joy

 I have seen this sweet little angel vine topiary in the market every day. Every day I think, "How cute is that?" Yesterday, seemed like a nice day to offer myself a little something. It's brought me joy.

 

 This summer I crafted these little Christmas boxes. All my little vintage baubles came from one of those big plastic bags at Goodwill. Sometimes you find some nice little vintage pieces to work with.

 I took cheap little bottle brush tree and made them look vintage with a bleach and water solution. Very simple. I liked the light green look.

 I thought about adding mini garland, and more baubles, but I like it simple. I have another set of these sweet peppermint balls in my Etsy shop along with many other vintage Christmas crafting goodies. If they don't sell I might make a few more boxes.

 And...a Santa box

                                         

The unfinished round boxes can be found at Michael's. They also carry this paper with the card stock, however it's a tissue paper and I find it very easy to work with when using Mod-podge.

have you made any Christmas boxes or tried dying your bottle brush trees?

Linking up with:

Join the party here!

Karen

Wonderful Giveway......

Wouldn't you just love winning one of these gorgeous vintage ornament wreaths?

Well, here's your chance!!

Visit here

Just make you sure you swing by ImagiMeri's....and enter for your chance to

                                                 Good luck everybody!!

                                     Which one you love to have??????

Karen

Friday Fill-ins

1. I saw It's a Wonderful Life last weekend. It's my favorite Christmas movie of all time.

2. Elfish mischief...just a hint, please!

A little humor...

3. Once I  ended up spending the night in a German orphanage.

Source

4. I had a clean organized house in times past.

5. The road led me to Paris, three times!! Third time was a charm...and I married him.

 
6. I enjoy my solitude, quiet time, and coffee alone in the morning light.
 
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to lounging in my Pyjamas, tomorrow my plans include cozy moments in front of the tree and Sunday, I want to go on a date with my hubby! 

This was my first time partcinpating in Friday Fill-ins.
It a lot of fun, but harder than it looks!!! 

  Linking up with:

Christmas in the Bedroom

A touch of Christmas in the bedroom.

Cozy Christmas sheets.

A simple wreath with plaid.

 

I love the dark evenings and soft light of the season. 


 Have you added a little Christmas in your bedroom??

Karen

Far Above Rubies, Fabulous Giveaway!

 Hello my darling friends...

 I cannot think of one of you that does not have a thing for dishes...

 And, we all love Christmas....

 Some, might say it's a problem. I call it a collection...are there ever too many dishes?

Of course not....especially for these dreamy Milasa Christmas dishes. Could you imagine winning this for Christmas dinner?

I do not have a set of Christmas dishes (which I think qualifies me for extra entries, NO?) and my wedding china is blue....so, of course I am crossing my fingers and so should you!

You have until Friday!! Please, visit, "Far Above Rubies," Giveaway HERE
Anyone that follows her blog is winner...Did you see her putz house that she designed after her grandmother's house? It's....amazing!!!

Good luck everyone....and I mean that!!!!

Karen

Oreo Cookie Fudge

 I wait every year until December to make fudge. My favorite is the traditional chocolate fudge with walnuts.

 I will ALWAYS make at least one batch of traditional fudge, but enjoy changing it up.

 On our way home from Reno this Thanksgiving we stopped in Truckee, California. While window shopping we saw a chocolate shop making what looked like Oreo Coolie white chocolate fudge in the window.  The next day I had all the ingredients to make it.

 How? You ask, without a recipe? Easy...take your favorite fudge recipe and just switch up the type of chips and candies.

 My recipe makes three loaf pans. Loaf pans are perfect. Use wax paper and simply lift your fudge right out once chilled. So easy.


 Here is the only recipe you need:

In a large bowl:

3 cups chips (chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter, etc.)
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 1/2 cups candy/optional (walnuts, peppermints, Oreos, etc.)

In a large sauce pan:

2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons Butter (real butter)
1 cup heavy cream (I use evaporated milk....yummy and it keeps)
3 1/2 cups mini-marshmallows

1.) On medium heat, bring sugar mixture to a boil. Once it starts to boil, set timer for 5 minutes. It must boil for a solid 5 minutes. You can adjust heat. You are ALWAYS stirring the candy mixture. Don't over heat or burn.

2.) Once the mixture has boiled slowly for 5 minutes, remove from heat and add your chip mixture. Mix. That's it.

for this recipe I added half the Oreos right away, as seen and then added more as it cooled. The cream melts into to the mixture....sprinkle Oreo pieces over the top before chilling.

Pour into prepared loaf pans, lined in wax paper and sprayed with "Pam."

Chill...pop it out, slice. Makes a wonderful Christmas gift.
 

I got this recipe from Martha Stewart Kids magazine, 2003 edition. I have been using it ever since and pull the actual magazine from the shelf every year to make it. The Oreo version I did on my own.......

I hope you get a chance to try this!

P.S.
Grandma Dodie always told to NEVER make fudge on a cloudy day.

Karen I am linking up wit The nutmeg Place's All Star Block Part #27 Party right here!!

Topper Goes Sledding

Oh No. Topper! Really? Sledding in the living room?

Lucas and Lucie are enjoying every minute of Topper's mischievous adventures. Lucie knows he is real, because Momma would have no part of this mess!

 Yesterday the kids were signed up to make gingerbread houses at our local grocery store. How cute is that? They even served cookies and apple juice to all the kids. $5 included everything and NO clean up.

 I didn't count, but Lucie asked several times throughout the day if they could do the Advent calendars. Finally....it begins!

 Lucas has his own...Remind me to remove that plate that makes no sense there. I was testing it out. NO....you cannot get more things on that tiny "buffet." It's a cute plate, It says Merry Christmas, 1996 and I have one in blue that says 1995. Just no room and not vintage enough to sell on Etsy. I have to have a give away....and give EVERYTHING away!!

 And, for the first story of the season....

Lucie got to pick last night....tonight Lucas will pick a story. Always a surprise!! Guess which one Lucie picked? She picked the one with our recorded voices. The kids had forgotten we did that. They sure got a kick out of hearing their voices that have changed so much! Lots of laughs and giggles!!!

Waiting for the kids to wake up and find Topper in the snow. I'll try to count how many times Lucie asks if we can do the Advent calendars today....but for now, we are off to a good start!

Karen

Naughty Little Topper!

all was calm.

All was bright

The Reynas were all snug in their beds

Snug for the night

Topper! You naughty little elf!

 It must be December 1 St! Let the count downs begin and remember, December is the Friday of all the months!

Need some inspiration for your little elf? Check out my Elf on a Shelf Pinterest Board...Here

  I am linking up with: