My4arrows

    Chrsitmas Tour Of Homes!

    Monday, December 17, 2007, 05:11 PM [Holidays]

     

    Christmas Tour of Homes


    Its that time of year again; the fun and ever popular "Christmas Tour Of Homes" is under way!  It's where we all gather for a huge bloggy party at
    BooMama's and open our homes to our bloggy friends for some Christmas  fun!!! So what does your home look like for Christmas? I have seen many of your homes already and today I will share some sights and smells from around our home, of course your invited to sit for a spell and enjoy some warm apple cider or hot coco and some delightfully bright Christmas cookies!



    Our one and only table in the home where we share all of our meals both formal and informal! We did not have this table last Christmas so it is a very special addition to our home!



    Troy's Grandmother made this precious tree (it lights up) about 40 years ago and she was so nice to pass it on to us last year (seeing how much I was admiring it )



    Our humble  "live" Christmas Tree! We always get a live tree, I like to "smell" my little Christmas tree 
    We have so many special sentimental ornaments, most passed down and made by my Grandmother plus the boys 1st year ornaments and my childhood ornaments! Its not the best picture, sorry...


    A favorite childhood ornament...

    Grandmothers handmade ornaments...

    Our fireplace and mantle...


    We always have to make and decorate Christmas cookies! We had some stars left over from our Christmas Party so we decorated them with lots of icings and sprinkles!



    Would you like a very sweet and very festive "Christmas Star"




    Now for a peak into our play / school room...

    It says.. "A Savior Is Born For...

    Micah, Dominick, Ashton & Noah

    I thought this was a neat way to incorporate the "Reason for the season" with the children...


    Our favorite Christmas Carols CD

    "WeeSing for Christmas"

     We still have "Thanksgiving" decor up in this room too! It was too cute to take down!

    Lastly, I have for you the sweetest addition to this years Christmas in our home!  Our sweet baby Noah!!!


    Well its getting late and dark out so it's time to go for now....




    But before you go here are a few of our favorite Christmas recipes...

    Butter Rum Cake Cake1 box Butter Cake Mix1/2 cup Water1 stick Melted Butter1/2 cup Rum1 large box Vanilla Pudding (not instant)4 Eggs1/2 cup Chopped PecansGrease & flour bunt pan.  Sprinkle bottom with 1/2 cup chopped pecans.  Mix & blend ingredients except eggs.  Add eggs one at a time mixing well between each egg.  Beat 3 minutes.  Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes (until cake pulls away from pan).Glaze1 cup sugar1 bar butter1/4 cup water1/4 cup rumBring to a boil.  Pour 3/4 over cake in pan as soon as you take it from oven.  Invert after all glaze is absorbed.  Drizzle the rest of glaze over cake.

    Peppermint Hot Cocoa

    • 4 cups milk
    • 3 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
    • 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed
    • 1 cup whipped cream
    • 4 small peppermint candy canes
    1. In a saucepan, heat milk until hot, but not boiling. Whisk in the chocolate and the crushed peppermint candies until melted and smooth. Pour hot cocoa into four mugs, and garnish with whipped cream. Serve each with a candy cane stirring stick.
    PEPPERMINT CRUNCH BARK
     
    1 lb. white chocolate
    1 c. peppermint crunch (you can also use crunched peppermints)

    Melt white chocolate for one minute in the microwave. Stir in peppermint crunch. Spread on cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Place in freezer until cool (approximately 3 minutes). Break into pieces.





    Remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season!!!

    Isaiah 9:6 is the Old Testament prophecy that was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus,
    and recorded in Luke 2:11.
    "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
    shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
    The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
    ~Isaiah 9:6~
    "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

     

     

    If you are looking for Monday Meanderings please click on the graphic below...

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    Thanksgiving Decorating!

    Wednesday, November 14, 2007, 11:46 PM [Holidays]

    Thanksgiving Decorating

      The smell of autumn is one of the most distinctive aspects of the Thanksgiving season. Employ that aroma in your home decor with seasonal potpourri dishes accentuated by pumpkin, cinnamon sticks, or colorful foliage. (I usually have apple cider brewing on the stove!)

    Dining table centerpieces put the Thanksgiving spirit at the center of every meal. Look for red, yellow, and orange flowers, or create a cornucopia effect using corn and fruit.

     

    Add texture, comfort, and warmth to any room with colored or scented candles. A candle placed in the center of a small, flat wreath is just one of many Thanksgiving ideas that are simple and inexpensive.

     


    Thanksgiving ideas needn’t be complicated. A few brightly colored wicker baskets filled with miniature pumpkins, squash, and Indian corn would look great on end tables or mantelpieces. 

     

     

    Thanksgiving decorations don’t always have to be purchased. Let nature provide you with its own Thanksgiving ideas by going for a walk through a nearby park or forest preserve. Acorns and cones would look wonderful in centerpieces or Thanksgiving baskets.

     

    Extend  the motif of your Thanksgiving decorations to window glass by using vinyl cut window decorations. Removable vinyl clings can be used to create colorful Thanksgiving displays even on your walls. (We love to do this in the boys School/ Play room )

     


    My favorite Table top decoration are mini pumpkin bouquets, I place 3 to 4 along the center of the table and they look adorable. They are the perfect size,  so as not to get in the way of conversation! I started doing this about 10 years ago after reading about it in my Martha Stewart Living! This will be our first year with the new kitchen table for 8!!! I'm so excited! I send these little bouquets home with the ladies at the end of the evening.


    By the time Thanksgiving rolls around we usually have 2 to 4 large pumpkins on our front porch. For Thanksgiving day I usually clean them out and slip a potted Chrysanthemum in and it looks beautiful!!!



     

    I will do my best to take some pictures of our decorations and share them along with our Thanksgiving Day highlights post!

    Hugs & Blessings,

    Tiany

    You can visit me HERE too!
     

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