well, isn't that clever?

image from you are my fave

Look at what Melanie made? Isn't she the smartest/cutest/darlingest?

Treat boxes made from, wait for it...aluminum foil boxes!

Adorable, clever and very green!

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* How cute are these 12 Days of Christmas plates? (Even though I loathe the song...)

* To make some homemade marshmallows. This recipe looks like a good one. Fran swears it's easy...

* This super little glittery bag. It would be so hard not to carry it every day!

* This book spotted on A Cup of Jo. Dogs rule!

* A classic Christmas movie film festival with Rudolph, Charlie Brown, The Grinch (the original, NOT the Jim Carrey one...), Elf and Christmas Vacation. What are your faves?

What's your wish?

tis better to give

image from you are my fave

I’ve been told on more than one occasion that I’m hard to shop for. I disagree, but that’s probably because I know in my head what I like and what I secretly want. And if we’re being honest here, and we are, there are often things that I want and want to give, but financial means prevent me from doing so.


So, here’s a thought: if you could give anyone ANY gift EVER, no matter the cost, what would you give?

it's beginning to look a lot like Pinterest

Who up in here is digging on Pinterest? I am (follow me!). Something about it has re-energized my creative spirit, and that makes me happy.

Last year, I didn’t do any Christmas decorating other than a tree. I kind of thought it was pointless since only Kell and I would see it, but turns out, I was a little depressed about it. So this year, I knew it was on like donkey kong. And where’s a girl to go for inspiration? Duh.

All that said, would you like to see my mantle?

I can’t take credit for the look, and please excuse the poor photo. I had to take the picture with my phone, and there’s just not a lot of natural light in my living room. Here’s the mantle muse (image from there, too)…

What do you think? Did I get close?

I have to admit, when I first start copying a project, I can have blinders on for everything except what’s exactly like in the original. I searched high and low for the candlesticks, but they were nowhere to be found. (What’s the deal with no one selling hideous glass candlesticks anymore?) I even scoured our local Hancock for fabric just like what’s in the picture, but that didn’t happen either. When I got over the hurdle of not executing a carbon copy, it was much easier to visualize (and breathe).

Wanna know how I did it? As if it’s really complicated.

The trees are just floral foam trees from Michaels, and that’s where the garland is from too – it’s actually yarn from the knitting section. The only reason I even recognized it from the picture is because I used the same stuff in pink for a baby shower this summer. The sequined garland is from Big Lots – don’t you dare knock that place.  I tore strips of fabric for the trees and pinned them on with those pins that have the little white balls on the top. It didn’t matter if it matched up perfectly; in fact, I didn’t want it to. I like the overlap here and there – it reinforces that it was handmade.

The blue trees are circles of felt pinned with the same pins. I saw the idea here and went along with that tutorial, except I used pinking shears. Not sure if you can even tell, but I think it adds another layer of cuteness, and as we all know, cuteness counts.

The other stuff I had – the window is old, the “MERRY” I got years ago when I lived in Greenwood, and I have no recollection of where the glittery trees came from.

I have to say, I’m proud of my little mantle, and I’m so glad I decorated this year. I feel like much less of a Grinch.

Have you decorated yet?

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* That someone would tell me to go home today. We got some snow this morning!

* I'm certain I could find a spot for these gold pinecones around my house. You could leave them out all winter!

* That there were such thing as Nutella chips. Probably good there's not (that I know of)...

* These awesome Uggs. They're actually cute!

* To come home to some of this Holiday Peppermint Bark. Hint, hint...

What's your wish?

look what I just made!

Check this out!

I just made two of these lighted "trees" from a couple of tomato cages (about $2.50 each) and Christmas lights. Sadly, I can't take credit for the idea (yay Pinterest), but it was one of the fastest, cheapest projects I've ever done.

What do you think? I'm going to put them on either side of my front door, but I'm still not sure what's going on the door...

It's beginning to look a lot like you-know-what...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

look at those nuts!

Here are a couple of last-minute nut recipes for gatherings, gifts or gorging.

Freddie's Chocolate Peanut Clusters

12 oz white chocolate chips
12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips

Combine and melt in microwave (2-3 minutes, check every 20-30 seconds to make sure the chocolate doesnt burn) stir until no lumps. Mix in peanuts and spoon clumps onto wax paper on cookie sheets. Chill to harden and serve.

Ina's Rosemary Roasted Cashews

1 1/4 pounds cashew nuts
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon melted butter

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Place the nuts on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes until they are warmed through (keep an eye on them!). Meanwhile, combine the rosemary, pepper, sugar, salt and butter in a large bowl. Toss the warm nuts with the rosemary mixture until the nuts are completely coated. Serve warm.

Happy Christmas!