Peppermint Marshmallows

It is a well known fact in my family that I am insane.  Probably clinically insane at times, but I have come to terms with it.  Because of my insanity, I have been living behind my sewing machine for the past 3 weeks (well, when I'm not at work, it's a necessary evil) working on a Christmas present.  The most elaborate playhouse tent ever and I love it.  Kimie will have to post pictures after Christmas because I didn't get a chance to take any before I handed it off to a friend who was a lifesaver and willing to take it in her carry-on today to deliver it in time for Christmas.  That is my excuse for not posting anything all month.

To make up for it, I received an email with a recipe for peppermint marshmallows that I just had to try (thank you Betty Crocker).  They turned out very yummy, so I thought I would share. 

Snow cones

What do you do when it snows over a foot and the power is out. You make Snow cones!

Luckily we live in the country and have clean air. Not that yucky stuff you can see, so after the first snow storm we start making snow cones. Now that all the kids have moved to the city. Grandma’s house is the only place with ‘clean’ snow so it has become a winter tradition at Grandmas.

No my cup doesn’t have a leak in it. I’m a messy pourer. That's why there is something under my cup.

Peppermint Chocolate Kettle Corn and what to do with ruined fudge

As I'm sure most of you are, we are all right in the middle of tons of baking goodness, none of which is the least bit healthy.  But man does it taste good.  I found a Peppermint Kettle Corn I could buy, but thought, we could do that.  So while my mom was in town this last week, we spent one afternoon just making goodies. 

For our base of Kettle Corn, we use Our Best Bites recipe (LOVE that site).  My mom has this really nifty Whirley Pop thing that makes Kettle corn a breeze, but if you don't have one, review their recipe to get you to the point of having the popcorn popped.

World’s Best Fudge!

These past couple weeks have been lacking posts due to other obligations so I will fill in with a holiday treat I just made.  My mom has the best fudge recipe ever and has taught all of us girls how to make it.  It seems that the fudge is usually only made during Christmas time to be given away to neighbors and friends so we all look forward to this time of year (unless we are all together during the summer and get bored so decide to make fudge and then watch a movie while it sets up, then start to wonder where our 3 year old girls are when they show up saying “MMMMMMMMMM” with chocolate all over their faces and BIG spoonfuls of fudge missing from the pan…even the little ones know how good it is!)

Christmas Stitchery!

So I am a little slow posting and my project isn’t done….I do have a good excuse though.  I have a very sick little girl and I have been holding her and watching cartoons for two days.  Her dad is home now so I have done the switch off and figured I would post what I have so far while I get the chance.  I haven’t had much creativity this month or projects in mind so this project is off of another site that I love.  A few months back I wanted a new hobby that wasn’t expensive since I can’t really afford to make quilt after quilt even though I wish I could!  I love the look of stitchery so figured I would give it a try and I am hooked!  I love that it is quick, easy and I can do it anywhere!  I found a site that has downloadable patterns and they are super cute.  It is www.youcanmakethis.com  I have a long list of ones I want to get done but since Christmas is around the corner I started with a Christmas one.  This will eventually be turned into a throw pillow to toss on my couch for Christmas.  No tutorial, just pictures!  Enjoy and I’ll go finish watching Cat In The Hat or Bob the Builder with a snuggly princess. 

Seaside Ornaments

Every year for Thanksgiving we do an ornament exchange between the sisters and mom.  We all have trees with a theme/feel/color story so it is so much fun to find things that fit into the sisters decor.  Unless you get Carrie!  She has a very cute nautical themed tree.  Don't get me wrong, I lover her tree, it is just impossible to find cute ornaments when you don't live in California or Maine.  Of course, this year I got Carrie :(  So I decided to challenge myself to make her some great ornaments.  I have to say, I am totally in LOVE with them... and she seemed pretty happy with them too.

 

Vertical Ruffle Skirt

Christmas Dresses!  Always a time of great fun.  My daughter however, is very picky, and while she LOVES anything fancy and dressy, she hates things that are uncomfortable.  Give her a fun knit skirt and shirt any day and she will live in them for years until I finally throw them out from being completely worn out.  So, this year I decided to combine her love of comfort and love of fancy into one adorably wearable outfit.

Wooden Christmas Forest

I’m taking an extra turn this month. Carrie just moved into her new house and has not been able to get internet yet. I’m glad I get to do one of her posts. She is very creative and I’m sure when she is back online she will have some great things to share.
My hubby built me the nicest entry cabinet this past year so I have one more piece of furniture to decorate for Christmas. It has a shelf just off the floor. After making wooden pumpkins for fall I thought I should just continue this look and do trees for Christmas.