My Fun Christmas Mantel

Hey there!

This morning when I got up and looked outside it was snowing.  I'm not a fan of the snow, although I've come to tolerate it over the years. (I supposed I have no choice living in Canada... in Southern Ontario... in the snowbelt... where it snows... alot!.

So I thought some Christmas decorating was in order.

I'm not quite done my new family room built-ins ( one final coat of stinky paint), but I decided to tackle my mantle.

My original plan was to re-do my mantel.  Built-in out... chunky-it-up. But time is getting away from me... and I'm seriously tired of going to Rona and looking for wood-cutting- old-guy-BFF.  So I'm going with what I've got... for now.

This is what it currently looks like...

Yes, I believe the word is "blah". I kind of like the brick (kinda/sorta) but the mantel is small... really small.

But that will be a 2012 project. And If I can dream a little, I'll add in a gas fireplace insert too.

(remember I said dream, as I think know it's NOT in the budget)

Anyhoo...

Because I didn't want to spend any money I went into the Christmas totes and gathered some supplies and went to work.

I took an old wreath that I've had for probably 13 years or so and took it apart. 

Then I found some fake poinsetta flowers in white and red and took them apart and added it to my wreath form.

I also found some flimsy green garland from along time ago as well.  I ended up doubling the garland just to make is look thicker. 

So here is a progress shot...

Then the kids started arguing about how blue the sky was or something and stopped taking any more progress pictures.

Sorry... but I'm sure you can figure out how I put the rest together.

I added lights and other different fillers that I "found" in my totes and went to town.

Here are some pretty pictures...

And one final one... ( I promise)

I kept to my red and white colour scheme (which is through out my home), and it kept whimisical by added a snowman that used to sing and dance (but someone removed the music box from it)

What are you up today?

Have you decorated your mantel yet?  If you need some inspiration check out Rhoda's Mantel Party.

Our Pretty Christmas Tree

Hello there!

I finally got my pretty tree up and... prettyfied (is that a word?)

This year we have two Christmas trees in the house.  One for me to pretty up and one for the kids to pretty up.

 Although my little tree is only 6.5 feet tall, I think she's sooo darned pretty.  (Yes she's a girl)

I bought it for $54 at walmart and it went on sale two days later for $49.  I hauled my booty back to the store and showed Customer Services my receipt and they refunded me the difference.

At first I went with all silver & glass theme.  Thankfully I organized everything last January, so that part was easy

Then I added in some gold... for colour.

Some Dollarama Snowflakes add sparkle.

 I bought this silver ball at Michaels a few Boxing Day sales ago.

Another Dollar Store silver and glass ornament.

This pretty glass and silver snowflake was attached to a Christmas gift from a previous employer.

I've had this gold angel for about 12 years now.

 And a really sparkly reindeer...

I love the combo of silver, glass and gold. So purdy! 

 Here she is all lit up during the day, wearing her sparkly jewels and Dollar store cotton skirt. 

And here she is at night.  She is absolutely glowing.

Other than buying the tree, I didn't buy anything else.  All the ornaments are from my collection.

I just big puffy heart love her!

What do you think?

What colour combo did you go with?

I'm linking up to Sarah's party and Hooked on Holiday Houses

Christmas Packing

Happy New Year!

I spent the day packing the Christmas stuff away today.  I was determined to be organized this year when packing my stuff.  I got out my handy dandy totes and from an idea that I got from Thrifty Decor Chick , I vacuumed all of my totes before I put anything in them.

I started with packing my Dicken's Village and Nutcracker collection.  (notice nothing above the sideboard table... I'm looking for a mirror)

I use this divided paper box that I got for FREE.  I pulled it out of stockboy's haul to the dumpster at Walmart did other day.  He looked at me funny, but look at it now.

It fits perfectly inside my storage totes. I tucked tissue paper around the houses so that they don't move around and then packed the other bigger houses in the tote.  And filled in with more tissue paper.

As I took down the tree I put each type of ornament in different piles, so that it would be organized next Christmas when I get them out again.

Silver with Silver.

Gold with Gold.

The rest with the rest.

And of course the new purchases from Boxing Day sales this year.  Aren't they shiny?  Oh the possibilities for next Christmas.

So that is it! I'm all packed up again and most importantly organized!!  Have you put your Christmas stuff away yet?

Turkey leftovers

If you are like me, you probably have a fridge brimming with left overs. But after the mandatory sandwiches, what else can you do with your turkey leftovers?

Try these ideas:

1. Next day Turkey Soup - from Recipe Girl
2. Turkey Tortilla Soup - from Better Homes and Gardens
3. Quick Turkey Empanadas - Gather.com

And of course there is also Turkey Salad. Just sprinkle cut -up turkey over salad greens and cut up veggies and add your favourite salad dressing and you have a healthy meal in minutes.

Enjoy!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies - Day 10

This is a simple recipe with ingredients you can probably find quickly in your pantry.

Christmas Bark

• 35 saltine crackers
• 1/2 c. butter
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 pkg. (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• toffee bits or chopped walnuts for topping

Line a sheet cake pan with foil or parchment paper. Lay crackers on the pan in a single layer.
Stirring frequently, melt butter and sugar together in a small saucepan. Stir until bubbly.
Pour butter mixture over crackers. Spread with a spoon. Bake at 400° for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top. Return to the oven for 2 minutes.
Spread melted chocolate chips evenly over crackers.
Top with chopped walnuts or toffee bits.
Set aside to cool. Refrigerate until set. Break crackers into pieces for serving.

Holiday Meatballs

One of my favourite Potluck recipes or appetizers is Meatballs with BBQ sauce heated through in the Crockpot. But here is a way to make it festive.

Holiday Meatballs

• Meatballs ( Make your own or buy frozen package)
• 1 bottle of your favourite BBQ sauce ( mine is Diana's Sauce)
• 1 can of Cranberry jelly/sauce or make your own
  
  Place all ingredients in Crockpot/Slow cooker and heat through!
  
  Enjoy!

Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Just in time for the Holidays!! Instead of opening a can you can try making this Cranberry Sauce from Simplerecipes.com. It would be perfect on Holiday Meatballs too!


Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200 g) sugar
• 1 cup (250 mL) water
• 4 cups (1 12-oz package) fresh or frozen cranberries
• Optional Pecans, orange zest, raisins, currants, blueberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice.
  Method

1. Wash and pick over cranberries. In a saucepan bring to a boil water and sugar, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add cranberries, return to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 10 minutes or until cranberries burst.
2. At this point you can add all number of optional ingredients. We typically mix in a half a cup of roughly chopped pecans with or without a few strips of orange zest. You can add a cup of raisins or currants. You can add up to a pint of fresh or frozen blueberries for added sweetness. Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice can be added too.
3. Remove from heat. Cool completely at room temperature and then chill in refrigerator. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.
   

Cranberry sauce base makes 2 1/4 cups.

Free or Almost Free Christmas Gifts

Today, while sipping my morning coffee and planning my shopping day, I watched LIVE with Regis and Kelly. where they shared some Frugal ideas for Christmas gifts from Carley Roney from TheNest.com . You can check out the pictures on their website, but here's a quick list:

Free or Almost Free Christmas Gifts

1. For The Cook - Family Recipes Cookbook - use Dollar sote notebook
2. For Everyone on Your List - Utilize Your Hobbies

• Homemade cookies, fudge or cake made from your favorite recipe
• Homemade pie from your favorite recipe made with fruit from a re-purposed fruit basket!
• Packaged herbs from your herb garden or herbs & oil in a bottle
• Share some of the delicious canned goods made from fruits/veggies in your garden
• Bulbs from your garden

3. For The Parents/Spouse/Neighbor - Coupons

4. For The Busy Couple - Date Night in a Box

5. For Grandparents - Unexpected Gift From Around the House - Kids Artwork

6. For Grandparents - DVD Photo Slideshow or Homemade Photo Albums

7. For Anyone - Use Miles for Flights, Gifts, Gift Cards and Subscriptions