Merry Christmas

Hello My Friends..!

It's the Last Weekend to get those last minute gifts... 

Thank goodness my shopping is complete.  The internet is the best invention, EVER!

I use Amazon alot for shopping and Christmas Time is no exception.  It's wonderful being able to review an item and read reviews before making a purchase.  I have only had to return one item in the past several years shopping with Amazon and have been very pleased with the many purchases I made.  My son has Prime Shipping due to his job, if there is an item with high shipping costs he will use his Prime Account and save me the shipping costs.  A win-win..!

Here are a few homemade gifts I made for this years Holiday Gift Giving...

 I made these illuminated jar with personal pictures on them for those I am gifting to.

Very easy...I used Vellum Paper, chose a picture from  my computer and printed.  Then I cut the picture down to size and wrapped around the jar sealing it with Mog Podge....I placed a battery operated flicker candle inside. You can also place a small votive candle inside and burn.

 The blotchy look on the jar is a frosted look I wanted created with the Mog Podge.  The look turned out to my liking, it does look much better than in the pictures.

 Here are some Mason Jars I spruced up a bit.  I took labels I had or downloaded them to which I customized them, mod podged them onto the jars and also gave the jars an all over Frosted Look...The lids I spray painted black.  Put some labels on with a very thin rope and filled with Tea, Coffee or my Homemade Cocoa.

 This jar is a very Old Jar I purchased at my Aunt and Uncles Auction.  I gifted this to my Besties' Daughter filled with Cocoa.  These jars can be used as a storage container and displayed on the counter.

 This label is one I personally created..

 I made a Card Holder for a few friends and family members. 
Clothes Pins made Prim on one side and clipped to a thick rope tied off and looped at the ends...

Lastly I made some homemade Cranberry Almond Biscotti

This was my first time making Biscotti and I am very pleased with the outcome.

It's perfect..! The taste, splendid!

And it was much easier to make than I had anticipated..

 That's all I have for now...I was able to gift 6 people with my homemade items...
I hope they enjoy them..:)


If your out and about shopping this weekend, please take caution and be safe....!

There are people and cars...EVERYWHERE!

Have a very Blessed and Wonderful

Christmas..!

Hugs...

K

Making Sweets With A Sweet Boy

The Saturday after Thanksgiving has become an annual cookie baking day with my Bestie and very good friend from way back in elementary school.  We each prepare a double batch of cookie dough of whichever cookie recipe we wish to bake and bring the dough(s) along with containers to my home for a full day of baking, eating, drinking and many many laughs....

Fortunately I have a very workable kitchen for cooking and baking with my "make to order" oak kitchen table having 10 boards.  I think we used 4 this year... :)

Our Holiday Cookie Menu:

PB Blossoms

Chocolate Chip-Plain and with Nuts

Old Fashion Raisin Cookies

Decorated Sugar Cookies 

We get better with organization with each year...so much fun! 

I make a large pot of Chili to munch on throughout the day so we have something other than sweet cookies in our bellies.  The Chili helps to balance it out a bit...;)

Later in the day we had a very special little visitor who decorated his own Sugar Cookies.

Sam..my Son's little buddy who is 14 months and very bright and active.  I forgot how much energy these little guys have at that age, but we so enjoy him and love when he comes for visits.

Here are a few pictures of the Holiday Baking...I hope you enjoy!

As you can see by the photos, we all had a fun time...

Especially Sam!

He decorated and then tasted a little and then a little more.

Sam's hair style is due to him being cleaned up quickly by Mommy after he ate his supper before decorating and taste testing...

Uncle Jere had Sam trying every different spoon in the drawer to eat his Ravioli with , from his own toddler spoons to full size spoons. 

Needless to say, Uncle Jere was having just as much fun as Sam trying to decide which utensil worked the best.  

We finished up around 5 o'clock with the last of the baking. 

Then we ate some more chili, drank some wine and relaxed a bit.

What are your favorite holiday cookies and do you bake each year?

Thanks for stopping by and remember to slow down and enjoy this crazy time of year..!

Hugs,

K