Good-bye 2010

Happy New Year!

Looking back on the past year...

Looking forward to the new year...

2011

 HERE WE COME!!!

Christmas Wishes

Merry Christmas!!!!

Wishing everyone a beautiful, peaceful and magical Christmas Day!!!

Sights of the Season 2010

A crazy, fun and busy holiday season!

Happy last minute shopping, wrapping, and fun with friends and family!!!

The Family Christmas Tree

Like many family Christmas trees ours has lots of ornaments...

 and all have a special meaning.

  Our collection of ornaments grow each year...  

Our Christmas Tree 2010

The Star that has been at the top of our tree for almost 17 years...

A favorite hobby...

A first movie in a movie theater...

A beautiful hand painted ornament...

A favorite family vacation...

A reminder of loved ones who have passed...

A favorite childhood memory...

The train that always runs beneath the tree...

The special nativity....

I love our family Christmas tree!!!

You may find me on a December night with only the tree lights on, sitting under a cozy blanket admiring the tree....reflecting on all the memories of the past years, the present day joys and memories yet to be made...

Just like my Mom use to do...

I hope my kids will carry on the tradition...

I'm linking to Sarah's Christmas tree party today!  Make sure to stop by and see all the Christmas tree fun!

The Tale of Two Acorn Ornaments

With a few basic supplies you can create two super cute acorn ornaments!

Acorn Santa Ornament

THE SUPPLY LIST

* Acorns *

* Red Paint *

* Peach Paint *

* Black Paint *

* Snow-Tex Paint *

* 1/8 inch wide ribbon *

* Glue gun *

* Paint Brushes *

* Scissors *

First, collect a few acorns (in my case from my yard).  You may have to fight a few squirrels to get the "prize" acorns ;)!  Pop them apart (caps & body) and paint the caps red first.  Once they are dried hot glue back together (you can also use craft glue but there is added dry time).  Paint a "face" using the peach color paint (eyes, nose & mouth added later).  Using the Snow-Tex paint create the beard, hair and hat trim.  The thicker the Snow-Tex paint the longer the dry time (bottle says about 2-3 hours).  Once dry add the eyes (black paint) and nose/mouth using red paint and a fine brush.  Hot glue ribbon to the top of the acorn cap, add a bow and enjoy!

Not into the acorn Santa? A little glitter, a little glue and a little ribbon and you can have this classic & rustic ornament....

THE SUPPLY LIST

* Acorns *

* Glitter *

* Glitter Glue *

* Glue Gun *

* 1/8 inch Ribbon *

Just as before, pop the acorn apart. "Paint" glitter glue on the acorn cap. 

Add glitter and let dry.

 Hot glue the acorn back together and add the ribbon loop to the top! TAH-DA!!!

Cute classic & rustic ornament!

I'm linking up to Kate's Christmas Craft party at Centsational Girl!

Come join the party and get inspired!

Homemade Holiday Treat

CHRISTMAS 2001

My love affair with this yummy treat began

I have to thank my new neighbor in Indiana (Hello Hoosier friends!) now my crafty decor BFF Lori
who gave me my first batch of...

 Christmas Crunch

  "Christmas Crunch" (AKA: White Chocolate Gorp, White Trash, Holiday mix....to name a few) is a SUPER SIMPLE recipe that even non cooks can make! The recipe makes a large amount, but of course I alway double ...well triple it :)

 Christmas Crunch  

2 lbs. White Chocolate ( I used vanilla Almond Bark)

1 cup M & M Chocolate Candies

2 cups Thin Salty Pretzels

3 cups Rice Chex Cereal

3 cups Corn Chex Cereal

6 cups Plain Cherrios

( 2 cups
Cocktail Peanuts optional)

Mix everything but the white chocolate in a really big bowl!  Melt the white chocolate and pour over mixture. 

Stir carefully and quickly.

  Spread out on wax paper and let cool completely...

if you can wait that long, seriously!

YUM!!!!

Break apart and enjoy!  You can even package it up in pretty jars with cute bows as gifts!

BUT...

Once you give your family, friends and co-workers Christmas Crunch they will ALWAYS ask for more..

and more...

and more...

You have been warned! (just kidding!)

ENJOY!

* This treat can really be made anytime of the year and is great to take to picnics! *

Thanks Lori for introducing me to Christmas Crunch, my family thanks you too! 

Pop over to Lori's blog for other yummy treats and crafty fun! 

A Rustic Holiday Vignette

My foyer is a little rustic and woodsy this holiday season.  Ever changing, this year's vignette has a lot of warm color (antique gold, dark chocolate and bronze).  Shiny hand painted balls, copper colored beads and cinnamon pine cones add to the warm and rustic feeling.  A perfect way to greet our holiday visitors!

Everything I used to decorate came from my four favorite stores....

Target

Walmart

Christmas Tree Shop

Michael's 

And 90% was purchased after Christmas on clearance!  That's the best part!

I'm linking to Rhoda's vignette party today!  Make sure you link back to see all the creative and crafty bloggers!

www.southernhospitalityblog.com