tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33586989932299722902024-03-12T21:00:08.397-07:00Rudy Day NewsA blog about all things Christmas: Reindeer, Santa, Nativity, Gingerbread, Christmas Journal, Christmas Decorating, Christmas Trees, Christmas Foods and Christmas Tea Parties, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Quilts, Christmas Movies and Christmas Books. Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-79571970628287736532016-12-17T15:22:00.000-08:002016-12-17T15:22:45.619-08:00Christmas DecorHere is some of my Christmas decor at the Cozy Cottage. I have a sunroom on the front of my condo...it's actually my favorite room in the house. I put a small tabletop tree in the corner so all my neighbors can enjoy it also. This year I put a few of my small red and white quilts at the base of the tree.<br />
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My Bulls-Eye quilt always goes on the trundle bed. It's my all-time favorite quilt! I call it "Christmas in Kilarney."<br />
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An easy table runner is on the wicker coffee table.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5hSK1bt71Q/WFVwsINMmjI/AAAAAAAADOc/sm0ZjwSA488y2tichLmR9y8vCVtxVtYiwCLcB/s1600/2016-12-11%2B10.46.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5hSK1bt71Q/WFVwsINMmjI/AAAAAAAADOc/sm0ZjwSA488y2tichLmR9y8vCVtxVtYiwCLcB/s320/2016-12-11%2B10.46.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6caBVmJtvf0/WFXHXZDayNI/AAAAAAAADO8/dwT6WVA3BA0-GmMrSMxcFRrkJc9-QcPGwCLcB/s1600/2016-12-16%2B08.50.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6caBVmJtvf0/WFXHXZDayNI/AAAAAAAADO8/dwT6WVA3BA0-GmMrSMxcFRrkJc9-QcPGwCLcB/s320/2016-12-16%2B08.50.35.jpg" width="240" /></a>My Jim Shore nativity set goes on my little white-painted bookcase. I still need to quilt the little log cabin table runner. Each little block finishes to about 3 inches.<br />
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This is my December project. It's called "La Fete De Noel" fabrics are by French General. It is made with a layer cake (10 inch squares) of fabric...absolutely no fabric waste in cutting. That's something I really like!</div>
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Just had to include a pix of my favorite Christmas mug....a little girl, saying her prayers before she climbs into her bed with a warm snuggly quilt on top. </div>
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Lastly, my little feather tree door hanging...I just finished it today! It's a pattern by Lori Smith, from her pattern "Quilt Squares #10". It finishes about 12 inches square. Machine quilted, started Friday afternoon and finished on Saturday. If it's not an heirloom quilt, I machine quilt it and apply the binding completely by machine. I do like a nice bias strip binding!</div>
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Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-63455246258424164332016-08-28T12:16:00.001-07:002016-08-28T12:16:32.641-07:00Christmas Club for June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These are pictures from our June Christmas Club meeting. The photo below is an 8x8" pan that you could bring cookies or perhaps peppermint brownies to a friends Christmas get-together. You start with two 12" squares of fabric, sew them wrong sides together (with or without batting), and bind the edges. The corners are simply tied together with ribbon. </div>
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This quick table runner is a quilt-as-you-go project.</div>
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A cute towel with a spiffy snowman on it!</div>
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This is the book--Tidings by Art to Heart--that has the casserole carrier and other fun projects in it. </div>
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Are you starting your Christmas crafting?</div>
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Till next time, Mary in VA</div>
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<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-46070239678774853872016-05-29T06:22:00.001-07:002016-05-29T06:22:57.930-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I missed May's Rudy Day (May 25) but I decided to post today and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">give you a rundown on activities for May. Perhaps you can find </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a few minutes here and there to be thinking about:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New themes for your decorating or Christmas party.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peppermint is always a fun theme. </span></div>
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<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/44/e8/93/44e893c0fd0ca0893495ec4dc2ec4372.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Set your table with some dishware that carries </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">out your peppermint theme.</span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcToPC16L4f1wkd_jbtlBLYT59CJaEj0e1ODv42wM43wfAh2sHz6HQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for peppermint candy" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcToPC16L4f1wkd_jbtlBLYT59CJaEj0e1ODv42wM43wfAh2sHz6HQ" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a simple 15-minute project </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to get you started. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wouldn't your Christmas </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cookies or cupcakes look </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cute on this Peppermint Candy Tray?</span></div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Peppermint Candy Tray</em></strong></div>
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About 60 starlight mints, any color</div>
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1 (10-inch) round cake pan</div>
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Nonstick pan liner (such as Reynolds), parchment paper or foil</div>
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Pencil</div>
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Scissors</div>
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Wire rack for cooling</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">Heat oven to 350. Unwrap the mints and place in bowl.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">Use a pencil to trace the outline of the bottom of the cake pan onto the parchment or pan liner. Cut out liner and place firmly in bottom of pan.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">Place mints just inside the rim of the pan, continuing in circles. In the center, adjust mints to make certain all will fit.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">Place the pan in a 350 for eight minutes. Do not walk away. Check the pan frequently to make sure the candies do not over-melt.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">When done, remove from oven and let cool. After 10 minutes, remove from pan. The parchment or pan liner will peel off the tray. Keep the tray away from wet and heat.</li>
</ol>
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<img alt="peppermint bowls" src="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/peppermint-bowls.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You might even make little votive holder bowls to go along with it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go to the heavenlyhomemakers.com website for more information.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite themes is gingerbread. How about we find a project that is do-able? Some libraries even give classes during November / December on how to make and assemble gingerbread houses. </span></div>
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<img alt="Gingerbread-Houses7" src="http://lmlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Gingerbread-Houses7-300x225.jpg" /></div>
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<img alt="Gingerbread themed holiday ornaments 12625-FC" src="http://www.wrapwithus.com/Images/Products/Medium/12625-FC.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can make or purchase gingerbread ornaments in all kinds of fun</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas designs, with or without names on them. I think this would be </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fun to add to your children's or grandchildren's ornament collection. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When they grow up and start homes of their own, they'll have</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> some ornaments for their tree!</span></div>
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<img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/voYAAOSwfcVUGize/$_1.JPG" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can purchase gingerbread stocking holders</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to hold up their gingerbread stockings!</span></div>
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<img src="http://lghttp.43666.nexcesscdn.net/8018899/magento/media/catalog/product/8/5/85102iso.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And don't forget to carry the theme to your table. How about making your meals festive during the Christmas week with a table set like this:</span></div>
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<img alt="Image result for gingerbread christmas dishes" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" 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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought some blue Christmas tree ornaments at the end of the season last year, thinking ahead to this Christmas. I want a small Christmas tree in my bedroom and would like to go with the "Blue Christmas" theme in that room. Blue is my favorite color, so why not use it during the holidays,too? </span></div>
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<img src="http://www.emformarvelous.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Blue-and-white-Christmas.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think more than just blue ornaments...a beautiful blue ribbon on a </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">green Christmas wreath, blue linen napkins with white rick rack trim </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and your family monogram, blue packages with blue ombre </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ribbons. Silver and white complement the blue beautifully. Aren't </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">individual white angel food cakes adorable? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My tree won't be this big, but isn't this beautiful with the different </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shades of blue ornaments? I love how the white deer complement </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the theme so well. Here they've silver and white to contrast, and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">punched the blue up to a gorgeous shade of teal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need to decide what kind of design I want for my tree skirt! This one </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">white icicles on the tree that goes with this skirt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you thought of a new theme to use this year in </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">your Christmas decorating?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Till next time, Keep the spirit of Christmas alive!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mary in VA</span></div>
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Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-44470067527980528562016-05-01T11:45:00.001-07:002016-05-01T11:45:37.343-07:00Early Christmas Sewing Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We have a new Christmas club that meets at our local quilt shop on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Oddly enough, that puts the meeting very close to Rudy Day (celebrated on the 25th day of every month)! We had several ideas for small make-ahead gifts. Among them are these cute fabric baskets. You can use them for candy dishes, in the craft room for small items (thread, buttons?), or in the kitchen (with tea bags?) etc. etc. I'm sure you can come up with some ideas, too.</div>
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The item on the left is a mug wrap. It wraps around a coffee mug, and gives you lots of little pockets to corral your small items: pens, pencils, small scissors, etc.<br />
I think my mom needs one near her chair with her crossword puzzle pencils and tv remote.<br />
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Small potholders and mats for hot pans/casserole dishes are always nice. Choose fabrics in your friend's kitchen colors.<br />
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This simple table runner (below) only takes about 30 minutes to make.<br />
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The green tablerunner, below, is my version of the simple tablerunner. The 18 inch square pillow on the bed is one of my favorite projects. It says "Dear Santa....I can explain!" It just slips over the pillow that is on display 11 months out of the year.<br />
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I've been having a lot of fun making walker bags for my 96-year old mother, who lives in Florida. The first bag was made of bingo fabrics. I will have to dig up a photo of it to show you! Bag #2 has pink flamingos on it. I added the little cell phone pocket to the pattern. You can download the walker bag pattern from Craftsy from a vendor called "BucketsGoneWild." It was free!</div>
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Mom is a retired nurse, and I couldn't resist this fabric with Lorlei's nurses on it.<br />
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Remember decorating your bike with streamers for the 4th of July parade? They used to decorate mom's golf cart in red-white-blue!<br />
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I also found a free very simple pattern to make tissue holders to coordinate with her wardrobe of walker bags. I still have to make her Christmas bag!<br />
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Have fun making some home-crafted items for Christmas gifts this year.<br />
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Mary in VA<br />
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<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-81301701320546045042013-09-26T17:59:00.000-07:002014-01-23T08:00:43.817-08:00A real reindeer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Seeing a real reindeer was on someone's bucket list...so they planned a trip to Lapland, and ran into the real Santa, too!</div>
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Okay, crafty friends, time to get out the felt, sewing machine, scissors and pompons. How cute are these stockings?! I want some to hang on my fireplace mantel this year!</div>
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Less than 90 days to go, friends, time to get planning! Go check out <a href="http://www.magicalholidayhome.com/">www.magicalholidayhome.com</a> and get on it....</div>
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Seasons greetings to you and yours,</div>
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Mary</div>
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<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-57075305929994386572013-09-22T09:51:00.000-07:002013-09-22T09:52:10.142-07:00Check out Ginger at Rudolph Ramblings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ciXYO7qGvc/Uj8eZjsr7rI/AAAAAAAACwQ/mAgVEaGHab4/s1600/vintagerudolphreindeer_party_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ciXYO7qGvc/Uj8eZjsr7rI/AAAAAAAACwQ/mAgVEaGHab4/s320/vintagerudolphreindeer_party_13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been away from my Christmas blog for awhile, but I just discovered that Ginger at Rudolph Ramblings has posted some very helpful Christmas planning pages that you can print out and add to your Christmas notebook. You can visit her at: </span><a href="http://rudolphday.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://rudolphday.blogspot.com/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course, I couldn't resist the Vintage Rudolph party photos, above! That Rudy sure is a cutie! For those of you who don't know, we celebrate "Rudy Day" each month on the 25th. It helps us keep the spirit of Christmas alive, and helps us by taking time to do a little planning ahead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Check it out, and let me know what you think! I love her "baking list" as that's one of my favorite things to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Till next time, may the Spirit of peace, love and joy be yours today and throughout the year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary</span>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-44824168115568133812013-07-20T08:06:00.000-07:002013-07-20T08:06:24.793-07:00Magazine and Book Give-Away<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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Hello Christmas in July friends! I have decided that it is time to pass some of my Christmas magazines and books on to someone else to enjoy. I just have "too much stuff" and it is starting to overwhelm my space. The Farm Chicks books is fun if you like 1950s era Christmas memorabilia.</div>
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I have several December issues of Sandra Lee's magazine, Southern Lady, and Food Network, free to a good home. I have enough to break them up into 3 or 4 different packages, sort of spread the cheer around!</div>
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These are photos from the "Farm Chick" book. Santa actually brought me 2 of them. Please leave me a comment and let me know if you have a Christmas blog or which Christmas blog is your favorite. I will also need an email address to get in touch with you. I hope to make 3 or 4 or possibly 5 packages to mail out. </div>
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Peace and blessings to you and yours! Mary</div>
Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-68076483486204075932013-07-18T13:26:00.000-07:002013-07-18T13:26:53.892-07:00Decorating for Christmas-2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't posted some photos of my Christmas decorations from last year, so I thought I would share a few of them with you now--in the spirit of "Christmas in July." This picture is of our master bedroom, with my "Christmas in the Cabin" quilt. It is a log cabin quilt made from 2.5 inch strips. It's one of my all-time favorite quilts, and one that I actually hand quilted myself. This setting is called the barn raising pattern. The quilt on the wall at the head of the bed is a Fons and Porter pattern. I used all fabrics from my stash, and the brick red and tan fabrics I used for the alternate blocks dictated how big I could make this quilt. The star blocks are 8 inches square, so if you are a quilter it would be easy for you to figure out this pattern on your own. I call it "Scrappy Stars."</div>
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This is a little corner of our master bedroom. It houses a small desk with a chair, my Thimbleberries table topper in red/green/cream fabrics, a basket of my favorite Christmas magazines and a few other trinkets. Establishing a small "Christmas Nook" is step 1 on the "Organized for Christmas website. <a href="http://christmas.organizedhome.com/">http://christmas.organizedhome.com/</a> See the "June Rudolph Club Meeting" post for more information. </div>
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This blue dry sink has been in the foyer, the dining room, the kitchen, and currently the living room. It holds my Jim Shore nativity set and a few decorative candles. My goal this year is to make a log cabin quilt (about 13 x 30 inches) for the base of the nativity set. The fabrics are in cream and gold, and I have 26 of the 30 total blocks made already. As a matter of fact, when I finish this post I'm going to make the last 4 blocks and hopefully get it sewn together this weekend. So stay tuned for more, and I will post photos when completed. I think I will add some trees to the setting this year...can't decide between white or green, but we'll see what we can find. Hopefully Hobby Lobby or AC Moore will have some goodies to choose from!</div>
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This is our fireplace mantel, decked out this year with a "White Christmas" theme. I grew up in northern Illinois and so Christmas doesn't seem like Christmas without some snow. Here in <br />Virginia we can pretty much expect to NOT have snow at Christmas! The two little Christmas quilts cover baskets with my favorite magazines. I am a magazine junkie, I admit it. The two little kissing bears are from Hallmark.</div>
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Here is our tree this past year with lots of white and some blue, something completely different from all the reds and greens I normally use. My favorite part of the holiday season is enjoying the glow from the tree in the evening with all my presents bought, wrapped and under the tree. It's such a comforting feeling! I think I like the addition of the bow on the top! </div>
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My coffee table decoration...a big fat ivory colored pearl-studded candle, in a glass cylinder on a blue plate with white poinsettia leaves. We have a cat, so I can't have real plants or Dusty will eat them.</div>
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Rudy and Clarissa say hello! (They're from Build-a-Bear--don't you just love them?!) Enjoy your Christmas in July photo tours! And till next time, love, peace and joy to you and yours!</div>
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<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-40741307798623709182013-07-14T11:25:00.002-07:002013-07-14T17:13:35.958-07:00Christmas in July<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hello Christmas lovers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I hope you all are enjoying a little Christmas in July. Did you catch the fun scrapbook day on HSN? I had to buy some Anna Griffin, she can do no wrong, and I love her designs and card kits. Hallmark Channel has featured a Christmas movie each evening this week, and this morning hubby and I watched HOME ALONE II...the one they filmed at the Plaza Hotel in NYC. If that doesn't get you in the Christmas mood, nothing will! Love the decorations, and the scene at the end at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Makes me want to turn the air conditioning down a few degrees so I can enjoy a cup of my favorite Vienna Coffee. (It's only 91 degrees outside today in Virginia)</span><br />
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So in keeping with this Christmas in July, I've pulled out some of my Christmas books and magazines, and done a little daydreaming. I found some wonderful recipes in the Gooseberry Patch cookbook. Some can even go in the crockpot, which works very well you have a busy day shopping, cleaning....or sewing. There are several recipes I want to try, and if I really like them, I'll include them in my Christmas recipe book collection.</div>
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I know this doesn't look like very much right now, but I am making a total of 30 of these paper pieced log cabin blocks. They will measure 3 inches when finished. Some of the gold fabrics have sparkly threads in them. I am creating a small table runner to put my Jim Shore Nativity set on. It's something I wanted to do last year but didn't get around to it. Between yesterday and today I've managed to make 20 of the 30 that I need. I can design these blocks very easily in Electric Quilt software, and print them out on paper especially made for paper pieced patterns. (Carol Doak makes the nicest paper that tears very easily.) If you are into quilting, I can't tell you how much fun I've had with this quilt design software.<br />
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Stay tuned for more, and I'll keep you abreast of my progress with this little gold log cabin project.<br />
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Till next time, friends, peace and joy to you and yours!<br />
Mary<br />
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<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-25267422724355030262012-11-30T18:34:00.001-08:002012-11-30T18:34:49.097-08:00Beautiful Christmas Gift Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://g45papers.typepad.com/.a/6a011570479cdc970b017ee567a7d5970d-popup" style="cssfloat: right; display: inline; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Arlenecuevas_G45_NutcarckerSweet_PocketCard_Oct2012_1" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a011570479cdc970b017ee567a7d5970d" src="http://g45papers.typepad.com/.a/6a011570479cdc970b017ee567a7d5970d-500wi" title="Arlenecuevas_G45_NutcarckerSweet_PocketCard_Oct2012_1" /></a></div>
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I love the designs by Graphic 45, and would love to share this video link with you. I think you'll agree, it's a gorgeous design! Wouldn't it be fun to tuck a gift card for that "hard to buy person" on your list into a card like this? They could save the card to use as a Christmas decoration each year. Check out the video to make it at: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pVfGdZCEmgM">Graphic 45 card</a><br />
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I believe this line is called "Nutcracker Sweet."</div>
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You could tuck a photo of the grandkids with Santa in the pocket--behind that little decorated Christmas tree--and grandma and grandpa wouldn't need or want anything else!</div>
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Graphic 45 makes the project coordinate so beautifully. </div>
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The designs above and below are by a designer named Gloria. You can see <a href="http://gloriascraps.blogspot.com/">Gloria's beautiful designs</a> here.<br />
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The box above is an 8 x 8 inch box she is going to use to present some homemade cookies or fudge to a friend. Notice the "foody" words on the red paper. Again, this is another gift that would go on living at my house. It would make a fun holder for a small scrapbook album of the kids Christmas' over the years.</div>
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Gloria even made a card just for the Rudolph lovers!</div>
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I think I'm headed off to my craft room to see what I can put together. </div>
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Till next time, Christmas blessings to you and yours,</div>
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Mary </div>
Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-18662393375617656422012-11-25T06:08:00.004-08:002012-11-25T06:10:59.011-08:00Rudy Day FunHappy November Rudolph day, friends!<br />
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My friend Sandra and I decided to have a little crafty fun and make some Christmas cards. We're not sure if we're going to keep them for our own decorations or mail them out! <br />
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We made 2 identical cards, one to keep for ourself and one to share. This was a kit I bought from QVC...it's by Anna Griffin, who can do no wrong. <br />
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The designs included plain cards and envelopes, background papers, the designs such as Stocking, santa, snowman, etc, stickers and some of the ribbons. I had a few ribbons of my own to include, such as the red/green plaid. Also included are the verses written on inserts for the inside of the card.<br />
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They're very easy and fun to do. All you need to add is the tape runner. <br />
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There's our boy, Rudy! Smack in the middle of all the fun. It was a fun activity to share with my friend Sandra (on the right, in the black/ivory/gold sweater). That's me on the left in the red sweater, in my craft room.<br />
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We had a chicken salad lunch and spent the day together. Next time let's put on the Christmas music, ok Sandra?!<br />
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Please also read my previous post for a give away.</div>
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'Till next time, may all your days be merry and bright!</div>
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Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-35110944318595796592012-11-23T16:49:00.003-08:002012-11-25T05:58:33.389-08:00Give-Away<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cleaned out the drawer where I keep my Christmas books and magazines, and I discovered a few duplicates which I would like to give away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first give-away consists of 2 magazines: the November-December 2010 issue of Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade (I miss that magazine, do you?). It has about 60 recipes, from cocktails, appetizers, mains, sides, and of course, sweets. And of course, it has the gorgeous photos and time-saving tips Sandra is known for. The second magazine is the November-December 2009 issue of Southern Lady magazine. It only has about 18 recipes, but I think you'll agree the beautiful ads in the magazine are even fun. There are several tablescapes featured, including a darling one set for the children.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second give-away is the book "The Farm Chicks Christmas." If you love vintage 1950's, you'll really enjoy this book. Serena Thompson--perhaps you remember her from Country Living magazine--takes you to her home decorated for Christmas and the homes of 3 of her friends. While she does include some recipes, this is not a cookbook. I guess they call it a "lifestyle" book. It has vintage decorating and craft ideas. I've included a few photos below to show you some interior pages.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to be included in the drawing for these 2 give-aways, you need to do 2 things: leave me a comment and tell me about one of your favorite Christmas blogs or websites (mine and yours excluded!) and leave me your email address. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll leave the give-away open for comments until December 1, so spread the word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll have another post for November "Rudy Day" Saturday or Sunday. Thanks for stopping by, and may you and yours be blessed this Christmas season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Till next time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mary</span>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-88187796947173554522012-11-18T15:01:00.001-08:002012-11-18T15:01:12.246-08:00Christmas Baking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZmD5VMJh6w/UKlh6MVqnZI/AAAAAAAABuc/y8lTgyQ6WTA/s1600/peppermint+cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZmD5VMJh6w/UKlh6MVqnZI/AAAAAAAABuc/y8lTgyQ6WTA/s320/peppermint+cookie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm thinking ahead to one of my favorite Christmas activities---</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">baking cookies. I'd like to try a few different things this year:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cookies:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Peppermint Shortbread Cookies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Something chocolatey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Spritz Cookies (with red or green sprinkles)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Candies:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Creamy Mocha Fudge and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Peppermint Bark</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7_WdlVG3xY/UKlnYG9PDTI/AAAAAAAABu4/ebtzBvvsUf0/s1600/peppermint+bark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7_WdlVG3xY/UKlnYG9PDTI/AAAAAAAABu4/ebtzBvvsUf0/s320/peppermint+bark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Homemade Peppermint Bark</span></strong><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ingredients/Tools:</span></em><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6 ounces of semi sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6 ounces of white chocolate, coarsely chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 teaspoons vegetable oil</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 cup crushed candy canes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9" baking sheet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">aluminum foil</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Directions</em>:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Line the bottom and sides of your baking sheet with foil; smooth out any wrinkles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Melt the semi sweet chocolate and 1 teaspoon of the oil in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Immediately pour the melted chocolate into the prepared pan; spread the chocolate out with a spatula (or tilt the pan) to even it out after pouring it onto the pan.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Place the pan into the fridge for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next, melt the white chocolate and remaining 1 teaspoon of oil, as you did with the semi sweet chocolate.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Immediately pour the white chocolate over the set, semi sweet chocolate, and spread it out evenly.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sprinkle the crushed candy cane evenly over top of the white chocolate. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Place the pan back into the fridge for another 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is set.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once set, you can remove the bark from the pan by lifting the foil.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Break the bark into small, irregular pieces. The bark can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge up to 2 weeks; makes 25 pieces.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Till next time, Christmas blessings to you and yours,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Mary</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-2328785525307799732012-10-19T18:19:00.001-07:002012-10-20T04:54:45.655-07:00Christmas Countdown begins Sunday!<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Organized Christmas will be starting their Cristmas countdown on Sunday, October 21. (It's actually 67 days from today!) You'll want to bookmark or subscribe to their page. It will help you get your holiday season under control!</span><br />
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<a href="http://christmas.organizedhome.com/christmas-countdown/christmas-countdown-starts-sunday"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://christmas.organizedhome.com/christmas-countdown/christmas-countdown-starts-sunday</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXVI7Jj07lI/UIH7lHTrQSI/AAAAAAAABaQ/8QQF_ENNTkQ/s1600/100_3525Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXVI7Jj07lI/UIH7lHTrQSI/AAAAAAAABaQ/8QQF_ENNTkQ/s320/100_3525Crop.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's more fun than making a gingerbread house? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making 5 of them!</span></div>
Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-2972553810074074412012-09-25T15:26:00.000-07:002012-09-25T15:32:07.797-07:00September Rudy Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rx7rjepaeI/UGIrk2hlErI/AAAAAAAABO0/pfvTL3BSHNY/s1600/100_0801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rx7rjepaeI/UGIrk2hlErI/AAAAAAAABO0/pfvTL3BSHNY/s320/100_0801.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I haven't done anything Christmasy in awhile, so I thought I would post a little Christmas quilt show for you! Who can resist these happy penguins?!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ramlFOTVuk/UGIrm-BovpI/AAAAAAAABO8/NOW5aIcfhss/s1600/100_0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ramlFOTVuk/UGIrm-BovpI/AAAAAAAABO8/NOW5aIcfhss/s320/100_0800.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love reindeer, too. Here are some of Rudy's cute relatives!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKHU4Bd6Ql8/UGIrp9K_MiI/AAAAAAAABPE/y4HJIhXk6f8/s1600/100_0782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKHU4Bd6Ql8/UGIrp9K_MiI/AAAAAAAABPE/y4HJIhXk6f8/s320/100_0782.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Marla made all of us a red and white pincushion last Christmas. She was influenced by the red and white quilt exhibit in New York City during the year. Lucky Marla even got to see it! She said it was incredible.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUomH9KI0VU/UGIrtrSk2yI/AAAAAAAABPM/RG9cQR-ycEU/s1600/100_0791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUomH9KI0VU/UGIrtrSk2yI/AAAAAAAABPM/RG9cQR-ycEU/s320/100_0791.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here's Pam and her Elm Creek quilt.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzHvyGbEoaM/UGIrzcoxbVI/AAAAAAAABPU/QHip6ypZhF8/s1600/100_0828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzHvyGbEoaM/UGIrzcoxbVI/AAAAAAAABPU/QHip6ypZhF8/s320/100_0828.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Cute Santas, and the quilt below is called "Snowbound" by Gerry Kimmel of Red Wagon.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i30Nvjnnvnw/UGIr5WUzgzI/AAAAAAAABPc/HfbbAQpx92o/s1600/100_0417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i30Nvjnnvnw/UGIr5WUzgzI/AAAAAAAABPc/HfbbAQpx92o/s320/100_0417.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tfl7yrYoNQ0/UGIr6qpbIoI/AAAAAAAABPk/9jM3jEODAL4/s1600/100_0418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tfl7yrYoNQ0/UGIr6qpbIoI/AAAAAAAABPk/9jM3jEODAL4/s320/100_0418.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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A Christmas tree made of green scrappy squares. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21HglIA2GYU/UGIr70cCD7I/AAAAAAAABPs/xEgJi8EUvK4/s1600/100_0420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21HglIA2GYU/UGIr70cCD7I/AAAAAAAABPs/xEgJi8EUvK4/s320/100_0420.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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A Christmas sampler</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0D18jZHEG8/UGIsSLhQhZI/AAAAAAAABP0/B5fwiHBq9Rs/s1600/100_0526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0D18jZHEG8/UGIsSLhQhZI/AAAAAAAABP0/B5fwiHBq9Rs/s320/100_0526.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This quilt is one of my projects. It's called "Christmas Lights" and was done as a Bonnie Hunter mystery project. See her wonderful website at <a href="http://www.quiltville.com/">www.quiltville.com</a>.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed my little Christmas quilt show. It's also time for you to check out <a href="http://100daystochristmas.com/">http://100daystochristmas.com</a> to get started on your Christmas plans.<br />
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Till next time, Christmas blessings to you and yours,<br />
Mary<br />
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<br />Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-49257515099999930132012-07-21T12:51:00.000-07:002012-07-21T12:51:02.638-07:00Christmas in July - #4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJOzhdmmZJA/UAsCpM8fquI/AAAAAAAAA5U/lySkZ3Sm6hA/s1600/JimShore1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJOzhdmmZJA/UAsCpM8fquI/AAAAAAAAA5U/lySkZ3Sm6hA/s1600/JimShore1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Did you catch Christmas in July on QVC today? I couldn't resist the Jim Shore Sleigh Basket with 4 ornaments. I have a few other Jim Shore items--the nativity and 3 angels. As a quilter, I just love his stuff! So this will be featured in my Christmas decorations this year. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CVPjWuEEHTc/UAsDEafGKzI/AAAAAAAAA5c/LRP5wu3p818/s1600/dcp_8416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CVPjWuEEHTc/UAsDEafGKzI/AAAAAAAAA5c/LRP5wu3p818/s320/dcp_8416.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRUv8FzgSbQ/UAsDFpLBaFI/AAAAAAAAA5k/cQvwTlenlZY/s1600/dcp_8417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRUv8FzgSbQ/UAsDFpLBaFI/AAAAAAAAA5k/cQvwTlenlZY/s320/dcp_8417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you're looking for an easy project to whip up for a gift or for yourself, how about a nice tablerunner? This one was easy, very Christmasy, and simple enough that whatever I put on it will be the centerpoint.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9eLm3JyDkw/UAsDgDRVVRI/AAAAAAAAA5s/h51mA7fztJg/s1600/100_0391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9eLm3JyDkw/UAsDgDRVVRI/AAAAAAAAA5s/h51mA7fztJg/s320/100_0391.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And for some reason, I haven't put up my little Dept. 56 Christmas Village in awhile, so it was fun to bring it out this past December. I love my little white birch trees, but I think I'd like to add some evergreen trees this year.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AIRnwdBkKD8/UAsFPlTm6FI/AAAAAAAAA50/ab64_rcBVzk/s1600/cookiejarjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AIRnwdBkKD8/UAsFPlTm6FI/AAAAAAAAA50/ab64_rcBVzk/s320/cookiejarjpg.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They had the cutest snowman cookie jar for sale on QVC today, but I'm holding out for one that looks like a gingerbread house. This one was available last year at Dillards and Target. I wonder if I'll be able to find something similar this year?!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hope you're enjoying your Christmas in July. I've really enjoyed reading some of the Christmas blogs out there. You all are so creative! (I need to drink more frozen lemonade so I can save the tops to make ornaments!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Till next time, Christmas blessings to you and yours!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mary</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-74230238501739889712012-07-10T17:45:00.000-07:002012-07-10T17:45:39.643-07:00Crafty Christmas Cards<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXT3luFb_FA/T_zHmZlV34I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/iHQCuwBgB-Q/s1600/000_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXT3luFb_FA/T_zHmZlV34I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/iHQCuwBgB-Q/s320/000_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This may sound like a blatant advertisement, but I am having so much fun with the Cardmakers monthly card-making kit from </span><a href="http://www.paperwishes.com/personal-shopper/cm/monthly-cardmaking-kits.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Paper Wishes</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> that I have to show you some of the cards I have made with the materials they send me each month. Once a month they send me 10 blank cards, 10 envelopes, a 6-page colored instruction sheet, papers, trims...everything except the glue and tape. I've also bought a special kit with only Christmas cards in it.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-edKzwPzmA/T_zHqOqcPtI/AAAAAAAAA1g/P1l7puM1Ovw/s1600/000_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-edKzwPzmA/T_zHqOqcPtI/AAAAAAAAA1g/P1l7puM1Ovw/s320/000_0009.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">See the cute shaped card on the left? Instructions for this card and 120 others are available on the CD. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J91gBi_dVAg/T_zHuffnhGI/AAAAAAAAA1w/2-DuNkWMq7Y/s1600/000_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J91gBi_dVAg/T_zHuffnhGI/AAAAAAAAA1w/2-DuNkWMq7Y/s320/000_0012.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can't really see the dimension on these cards (below), but this is a technique called "paper toile" where there are 4 or 5 layers to the cover design. You simply punch out the artwork pieces and layer them with dimensional foam tape.</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNjaaCHyyZ0/T_zHsyc44DI/AAAAAAAAA1o/he5U1s1jDcM/s1600/000_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNjaaCHyyZ0/T_zHsyc44DI/AAAAAAAAA1o/he5U1s1jDcM/s320/000_0015.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm looking forward to December decorating...I'm going to hang some of these cards from a clothesline across my mantel or stairway.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipn6J9F7gLs/T_zIHbZe_xI/AAAAAAAAA18/BeRYDtzr7_M/s1600/100_3566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipn6J9F7gLs/T_zIHbZe_xI/AAAAAAAAA18/BeRYDtzr7_M/s320/100_3566.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rudolph and Clarice say hello! We hope you are enjoying your Christmas in July fun. And till next time, holiday blessings to you and yours!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mary</span>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-78227603884356333402012-07-04T08:01:00.001-07:002012-07-04T18:57:46.749-07:00Colonial Williamsburg Christmas<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_Kso-5zWrI/T_RVOoatoQI/AAAAAAAAAw0/R4VAqA1lfTs/s1600/dcp_5586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_Kso-5zWrI/T_RVOoatoQI/AAAAAAAAAw0/R4VAqA1lfTs/s320/dcp_5586.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of our favorite places to visit is Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. We love it so much, it was instrumental in our decision to leave St. Louis, Missouri and make Virginia our home. Of course, having our 2 sons, 2 daughters-in-law and 2 grandchildren in Virginia might have had an even bigger role in our decision to move east!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LY9gT4TjRYA/T_RVECO8SDI/AAAAAAAAAws/7QWeNWex7XY/s1600/dcp_5587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LY9gT4TjRYA/T_RVECO8SDI/AAAAAAAAAws/7QWeNWex7XY/s320/dcp_5587.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One year all the kids went out of town for Christmas, so hubby and I went to Williamsburg to spend some time. Each year CW has a door wreath decorating contest. All the materials used in their outdoor decorations must be natural. We enjoyed snapping some photos, talking with some of the costumed interpreters and just looking at the gorgeous architecture. These are some of our favorite wreaths.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MlRAsJD8tu0/T_RVzocVE_I/AAAAAAAAAw8/g4TDu3_FgX8/s1600/dcp_5596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MlRAsJD8tu0/T_RVzocVE_I/AAAAAAAAAw8/g4TDu3_FgX8/s320/dcp_5596.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EhKDRdk86G0/T_RV2CwueoI/AAAAAAAAAxE/qhpEq2Gltr8/s1600/dcp_5588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EhKDRdk86G0/T_RV2CwueoI/AAAAAAAAAxE/qhpEq2Gltr8/s320/dcp_5588.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6XD87objstU/T_RWSLEYYfI/AAAAAAAAAxw/0kPL_64zJSY/s1600/dcp_5592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6XD87objstU/T_RWSLEYYfI/AAAAAAAAAxw/0kPL_64zJSY/s320/dcp_5592.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We could not resist getting a photo of the dog in the cart, with the dog pulling the cart! So cute!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5p1ZxyiXZ0I/T_RWBJnRzqI/AAAAAAAAAxM/0USn_J9OC1A/s1600/dcp_5589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5p1ZxyiXZ0I/T_RWBJnRzqI/AAAAAAAAAxM/0USn_J9OC1A/s320/dcp_5589.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This darling couple spent the day talking with visitors and sharing some local customs.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We enjoy seeing the animals out and about too!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wd4o6IFdW4/T_RWUWWAhOI/AAAAAAAAAx4/eaPEnKrz0SQ/s1600/dcp_5590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wd4o6IFdW4/T_RWUWWAhOI/AAAAAAAAAx4/eaPEnKrz0SQ/s320/dcp_5590.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is my interpretration of a Colonial Williamsburg door wreath! I used all natural silk flowers (ha!) and a folk-art inspired Santa.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkKhLYlYJlQ/T_RWJRbDUdI/AAAAAAAAAxk/YdkEx5xhCxM/s1600/dcp_5582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkKhLYlYJlQ/T_RWJRbDUdI/AAAAAAAAAxk/YdkEx5xhCxM/s320/dcp_5582.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcfNw-js7BI/T_RWG6Rxz_I/AAAAAAAAAxc/5zTke2tZTuc/s1600/dcp_5584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcfNw-js7BI/T_RWG6Rxz_I/AAAAAAAAAxc/5zTke2tZTuc/s320/dcp_5584.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My china is called "Liberty Blue" and was introduced during the bicentennial (1976). Hubby and I have purchased it a piece at a time at antique stores during our vacation travels. The glassware is from Colonial Williamsburg, as are the berry napkin rings. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TC47KVylkso/T_RWgimiyVI/AAAAAAAAAyI/fkTc-XtlB70/s1600/dcp_5580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TC47KVylkso/T_RWgimiyVI/AAAAAAAAAyI/fkTc-XtlB70/s320/dcp_5580.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My CW Byers Carolers collection. My favorites are the ladies in their toile dresses.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEQe8ShMNS8/T_RWnlegdlI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/fhh_TrCFMU8/s1600/dcp_5576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEQe8ShMNS8/T_RWnlegdlI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/fhh_TrCFMU8/s320/dcp_5576.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That's a CW paint color on the fireplace, and homemade stockings. The greenery has little lights and wooden berries that look like cranberries. Our cat would eat the real thing, so that's a no-no.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHvOoEonhcQ/T_RWt3Bny1I/AAAAAAAAAyY/up9MPeiSq7Y/s1600/dcp_5570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHvOoEonhcQ/T_RWt3Bny1I/AAAAAAAAAyY/up9MPeiSq7Y/s320/dcp_5570.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My little Santa collection makes me smile. Here they are in the dining room near the stairway with more stockings for Santa to fill!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hope you've enjoyed a little peak into my world. And till next time, holiay blessings to you and yours!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mary</span></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-90224877558164555342012-07-04T07:26:00.001-07:002012-07-04T07:34:31.142-07:00Christmas Open House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wEoG9N1Qhws/T_RUYBJpGrI/AAAAAAAAAwk/E3vuxZGZRlw/s1600/gooseberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wEoG9N1Qhws/T_RUYBJpGrI/AAAAAAAAAwk/E3vuxZGZRlw/s320/gooseberry.jpg" width="236px" /></a></div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpqz2_kkEEk&feature=relmfu">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpqz2_kkEEk&feature=relmfu</a><br />
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I am really enjoying the Gooseberry Patch cookbooks and website. I happened to stumble across this Open House You Tube video, and it couldn't be more fun! It should really get you in the mood for our Christmas in July celebration.<br />
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Holiday blessings to you and yours!<br />
MaryMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-4274732701600615342012-06-25T15:12:00.000-07:002012-06-25T15:12:58.804-07:00Gingerbread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-147w1eTg450/T-jbArwribI/AAAAAAAAAqM/owxoTymq4iQ/s1600/ginger7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-147w1eTg450/T-jbArwribI/AAAAAAAAAqM/owxoTymq4iQ/s320/ginger7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As hubby likes to say, "we're havin' fun now!" I found this darling gingerbread Christmas table theme at <a href="http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/">http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/</a>. (See her post for December 2009.) This woman seriously knows how to have a good time! This is how she sets the table for her grandchildren when they come for breakfast on Christmas morning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tO0TtRPbfM8/T-jbCwRje7I/AAAAAAAAAqU/aSK1C1iadCQ/s1600/ginger8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tO0TtRPbfM8/T-jbCwRje7I/AAAAAAAAAqU/aSK1C1iadCQ/s320/ginger8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The Gingerbread House was purchased from Bed Bath and Beyond. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The Gingerbread Chef is from Cracker Barrel. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PnBRcb7mRCQ/T-jbEdkmx-I/AAAAAAAAAqc/olbEnQtQznk/s1600/ginger9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PnBRcb7mRCQ/T-jbEdkmx-I/AAAAAAAAAqc/olbEnQtQznk/s320/ginger9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sideboard with some of the serving dishes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The silver Hershey kiss is ready for dessert...chocolate fondue!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Yx-_h0Vlag/T-jdaEDlXTI/AAAAAAAAAqk/JEYxlhFYMu8/s1600/ginger10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Yx-_h0Vlag/T-jdaEDlXTI/AAAAAAAAAqk/JEYxlhFYMu8/s320/ginger10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Another sideboard with the little tree decorated with ribbon candy and shiny red ornaments. Do not miss the little Gingerbread Train going 'round the tree!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This tray contains the "teapot" that is filled with hot chocolate for the children. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the adults, how about adding some Peppermint Schnapps!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrKTfX81aXc/T-jhO8Dsu8I/AAAAAAAAAq4/l-ptW9vL-I4/s1600/ginger12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrKTfX81aXc/T-jhO8Dsu8I/AAAAAAAAAq4/l-ptW9vL-I4/s320/ginger12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And of course, you must make some gingerbread cake (tastes great with cream cheese icing), or gingerbread cookies. Or brew yourself a cup of gingerbread tea. I can almost smell it now!<br />
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Be sure and visit the forums at <a href="http://magicalholidayhome.com/">http://magicalholidayhome.com/</a> and join the fun on Rudy Day (the 25th of each month) or anytime you need a Christmas fix! And, another of my favorite blogs is <a href="http://rudolphday.blogspot.com/">http://rudolphday.blogspot.com/</a>. Join us!<br />
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Till next time, holiday blessings to you and yours,<br />
Mary<br />
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</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-63899760261734652522012-06-24T12:47:00.001-07:002012-06-25T15:14:27.437-07:00Themes and Gingerbread<div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy June Rudolph Day to you all!</span></div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-phpacxsLg/T-dny2kk4FI/AAAAAAAAApI/knesDchnVqc/s1600/ginger1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-phpacxsLg/T-dny2kk4FI/AAAAAAAAApI/knesDchnVqc/s1600/ginger1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Rudy Day theme for June is "Themes." I'm not exactly sure where other people are taking this idea, but when I think about Christmas themes, I think about the years I had an angel tree...a beautiful tall Christmas tree full of an assortment of angel ornaments. Then there was the year I focused on poinsettias...poinsettias in my fireplace garland, individual silk poinsettia blooms on the Christmas tree. One year we focused on music..my husband is an organist and plays the electronic keyboard. We had musical notes and different instrument ornaments on the tree.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ioo0dQKJfZg/T-dn2cndUiI/AAAAAAAAApQ/ZprlEsVkwTY/s1600/ginger2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ioo0dQKJfZg/T-dn2cndUiI/AAAAAAAAApQ/ZprlEsVkwTY/s320/ginger2.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my favorite Christmas themes is <strong>"Gingerbread."</strong> I have loved gingerbread ever since I can remember. I used to love getting my December issue of Good Housekeeping, they would frequently have gorgeous Gingerbread Houses that were the recent contest winners. I loved the architecture created with candies and icing, the landscaping that resembled real trees, shrubs and flowers. How I wish I had the talent to create such masterpieces!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you would like to join the fun in adding some gingerbread to your Christmas decorating, you will find miniature gingerbread ornaments available for sale at numerous website stores, including </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.christmas-decorations-gifts-store.com/store/PPF/parameters/794_37/more_info.asp"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Tahoma;">http://www.christmas-decorations-gifts-store.com/store/PPF/parameters/794_37/more_info.asp</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">You’ll also find a history of gingerbread at this website which claims ginger has been used dating back to 2000 B.C. It’s a spice that originates in Malaysia, a peninsula of Thailand. </span>There are certainly some cute pieces out there to add to your collection!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7K8V-FszyU/T-dn49HaolI/AAAAAAAAApY/rbKudbbTNkE/s1600/ginger3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7K8V-FszyU/T-dn49HaolI/AAAAAAAAApY/rbKudbbTNkE/s320/ginger3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Pinecreekceramics.com has a kit that you can purchase with 6 cermaic ornaments that you paint however you would like. They have nativity sets too!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3PQrzVp25U/T-dn6icoHxI/AAAAAAAAApg/TnPGNmWrSSA/s1600/ginger4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3PQrzVp25U/T-dn6icoHxI/AAAAAAAAApg/TnPGNmWrSSA/s320/ginger4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can even use your gingerbread ornaments to decorate a wreath for the front door or over the fireplace. These particular ornaments are made of fabric. See the wonderful tutorial that Debbie Mumm has provided on her website:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.debbiemumm.com/Projects/Crafts/2008/12/">http://www.debbiemumm.com/Projects/Crafts/2008/12/</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stRmm5y-Dds/T-dn847QM_I/AAAAAAAAApo/rfp1INcbFXI/s1600/ginger5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stRmm5y-Dds/T-dn847QM_I/AAAAAAAAApo/rfp1INcbFXI/s320/ginger5.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://audreypettit.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/gingerbread-man.jpg"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://audreypettit.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/gingerbread-man.jpg</span></a></div><span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can carry the theme as far as you would like! Audrey Pettit has a darling gingerbread boy tag you can make for your Christmas packages.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">When you don’t have a “real” Christmas tree, how do you get the wonderful scents of Christmas? Barbara Crews (at About.com) suggests you make your own non-edible gingerbread ornaments using this recipe. The scent will last for 2 or 3 years.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Non-Edible Gingerbread Ornaments<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">¾ cup applesauce</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">1 cup cinammon</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">1 TB nutmeg</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">½ TB cloves</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">2 TB white household glue</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Stir all ingredients together in a glass or metal bowl until well mixed and smooth—several minutes.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Take a portion of the dough and roll out between two pieces of waxed paper to the thickness of a cookie.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Cut out dough with a gingerbread cookie cutter. Use a straw to make a hole for adding ribbon later.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Let dry on the wax paper for a few hours until easy to handle, then transfer to a wire racks to dry at room temperature for a few days. I usually flip them over several times a day which will make them dry flatter.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN;">When ready to use, tie a ribbon through the hole and enjoy the wonderful smell—but make sure no one tries to eat<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>them.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60bkmXruXZQ/T-dtE5ce69I/AAAAAAAAAp0/3_qK48PcSMo/s1600/ginger6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60bkmXruXZQ/T-dtE5ce69I/AAAAAAAAAp0/3_qK48PcSMo/s320/ginger6.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/1996/12/building_the_perfect_gingerbread_house">http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/1996/12/building_the_perfect_gingerbread_house</a><br />
If you'd like to take your hand at making your own gingerbread house, check out the photos and tutorials at Bon Appetit.<br />
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Be sure and visit the forums at <a href="http://magicalholidayhome.com/">http://magicalholidayhome.com/</a> and join the fun on Rudy Day (the 25th of each month) or anytime you need a Christmas fix! And, another of my favorite blogs is <a href="http://rudolphday.blogspot.com/">http://rudolphday.blogspot.com/</a>. Join us!<br />
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Till next time, holiday blessings to you and yours,<br />
Mary<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-11259986760842993262012-05-25T04:00:00.001-07:002012-06-24T12:52:20.022-07:00May Rudy Day #2 - Christmas Meal Notebook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVq_sw5GWVg/T77nLtA2EVI/AAAAAAAAAjI/aAf-n43p7jU/s1600/PhotoScan_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVq_sw5GWVg/T77nLtA2EVI/AAAAAAAAAjI/aAf-n43p7jU/s320/PhotoScan_0001.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br />
I promised you another post about the Christmas Notebook I am working on to keep my favorite Christmas recipes. I enjoy scrapbooking very much, I guess playing with colored paper is kin to playing with colored fabrics! I thought I would share with you how my notebook is shaping up. Here is the cover...The colors did not scan very well. The background for "Joy" and "Holiday Meals" is a deep Hunter Green. The cover sheet gets placed in the clear plastic front of a 1.5 inch 3-ring binder. Most of the papers and stickers are from a Gooseberry Patch kit. The remaining papers I purchased at Michaels. I used two Martha Stewart punches; the first is called "Sunburst" and the second is called "Apron Lace." The font is cut at 1.5 inches from my Cricut; the cartridge is called "From My Kitchen."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1F3KUc7n8xg/T77nSaLpLeI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/9sQM70jVdtc/s1600/PhotoScan_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1F3KUc7n8xg/T77nSaLpLeI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/9sQM70jVdtc/s320/PhotoScan_0002.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9UZGn3qMvkQ/T77nXbv3VTI/AAAAAAAAAjY/Jw7SZaXG3Uo/s1600/PhotoScan_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9UZGn3qMvkQ/T77nXbv3VTI/AAAAAAAAAjY/Jw7SZaXG3Uo/s320/PhotoScan_0003.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br />
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So far I have made 7 divisions, and will be able to add more if needed. They are:<br />
1. Appetizers<br />
2. Breads<br />
3. Desserts<br />
4. Main Dishes<br />
5. Salads<br />
6. Sides<br />
7. Tablescapes. I love collecting pictures of different Christmas dishes, centerpieces, napkins, themes, the whole thing!<br />
I already realize I need a beverage catagory, so I can add my warm apple cider and sangria to my list of keepers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GQ8_2mFPsM/T77sCL7c0hI/AAAAAAAAAkM/6Uk4y_ErBHo/s1600/PhotoScan2_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GQ8_2mFPsM/T77sCL7c0hI/AAAAAAAAAkM/6Uk4y_ErBHo/s320/PhotoScan2_0001.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7vwjC7qj1Q/T77sIlfVBAI/AAAAAAAAAkU/a_QgwYyOsts/s1600/PhotoScan2_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7vwjC7qj1Q/T77sIlfVBAI/AAAAAAAAAkU/a_QgwYyOsts/s320/PhotoScan2_0002.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J_r76R1BxxM/T77nd8FIL9I/AAAAAAAAAjo/yU3v-AWTANQ/s1600/PhotoScan_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J_r76R1BxxM/T77nd8FIL9I/AAAAAAAAAjo/yU3v-AWTANQ/s320/PhotoScan_0005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xSH7eqxIIIE/T77ngDtt9YI/AAAAAAAAAjw/rqKzWr5S-48/s1600/PhotoScan_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" qba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xSH7eqxIIIE/T77ngDtt9YI/AAAAAAAAAjw/rqKzWr5S-48/s320/PhotoScan_0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>These are the recipe cards I will use to include my favorite recipes from family and friends. This notebook is obviously a work in progress, and it will take more time to complete it, but I love the idea of having everything in one place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dhuP8NXMQo/T77z11u_ZPI/AAAAAAAAAko/YPyq4vbv7pM/s1600/100_3797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" qba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dhuP8NXMQo/T77z11u_ZPI/AAAAAAAAAko/YPyq4vbv7pM/s320/100_3797.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And here is the notebook...ready for a cup of tea and some time to decide what I want to make next...I think apple strudel!<br />
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Be sure and visit the forums at <a href="http://magicalholidayhome.com/">http://magicalholidayhome.com/</a> and join the fun on Rudy Day (the 25th of each month) or anytime you need a Christmas fix! And, another of my favorite blogs is <a href="http://rudolphday.blogspot.com/">http://rudolphday.blogspot.com/</a>. Join us!<br />
<br />
Till next time, holiday blessings to you and yours,<br />
MaryMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-2268389012077114152012-05-24T15:32:00.000-07:002012-05-24T15:32:55.942-07:00Christmas Gifts: Quilts!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-navMDK5uBvs/T76y58_mMwI/AAAAAAAAAig/NK41nMqsSP0/s1600/100_3566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" qba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-navMDK5uBvs/T76y58_mMwI/AAAAAAAAAig/NK41nMqsSP0/s320/100_3566.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Happy Rudy Day, friends! As we approach May 25, it's time to spend a little effort working towards Christmas 2012. After all, it's only 214 days away! One of the ways we are encouraged to get ready for Christmas throughout the year is by making a list of gifts we want to make. The uber-organized will make a list with dates for beginning and completing the project. They will purchase the necessary materials and put them and the instructions in a suitable size container. And they will remember where they put them so they can easily put their hands on them when they're ready to start ;-) Needless to say, I am not uber-organized.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But I am working on two Christmas gifts. I'm making lap size quilts for my two grandchildren. The idea is they could take them on overnights with friends or on camping trips in their camper. The pattern I used is a Merry Mayhem pattern, that was their mystery project for January 1 of this year. It's an easy pattern that begins with a 2.5 inch Jelly Roll. Henry's has little vintage campers and woodland animals, Hadley's has colorful birds (they have a pet Blue Conyer parrot "Kiwi"). They are both almost ready to take to the quilters. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm also working on my Christmas Meals notebook and will post more when I have made progress on it.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't forget to check out <a href="http://magicalholidayhome.com/">http://magicalholidayhome.com/</a> for some more Christmas and Rudy Day fun! Till next time, holiday blessings to you and yours!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Mary</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-36400813147237269342012-05-01T19:25:00.001-07:002012-05-24T15:29:10.899-07:00Christmas Quilts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkmteRDymQ4/T6CX-fJ0SRI/AAAAAAAAAcM/gQZcWOK2Oko/s1600/100_0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkmteRDymQ4/T6CX-fJ0SRI/AAAAAAAAAcM/gQZcWOK2Oko/s320/100_0489.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love Christmas quilts and have made more than one person needs! This quilt measures about 25 inches square and is made of mostly Jo Morton fabrics. The logs in the log cabin blocks finish at 1/2 inch.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QMhla4gEn9A/T6CYKi-zZcI/AAAAAAAAAcU/ebhklL3zPPY/s1600/100_0526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QMhla4gEn9A/T6CYKi-zZcI/AAAAAAAAAcU/ebhklL3zPPY/s320/100_0526.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is still a top...it's not yet quilted. I stitched this up last fall with several friends. It is a "Mystery Quilt"--you don't know what the end result will look like when you start it. It's called "Christmas Lights" and is from Quiltmaker magazine. Made fall of 2011. It's almost a queen size.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPWfKMp8Mmw/T6CYhL0BKcI/AAAAAAAAAcc/_yGyMbMcJww/s1600/100_0395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPWfKMp8Mmw/T6CYhL0BKcI/AAAAAAAAAcc/_yGyMbMcJww/s320/100_0395.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry for the dark photo, I will have to retake this some day! This is one of my all-time favorite quilts. It's called "Bulls-Eye" and is a raggedy-edge quilt. It's from a book called "Traditions", I'm sorry I've forgotten the author's name. It is a twin size quilt.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bqFFyOf4n6E/T6CYkr7aQSI/AAAAAAAAAck/A1TDFI_zL1c/s1600/100_0386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bqFFyOf4n6E/T6CYkr7aQSI/AAAAAAAAAck/A1TDFI_zL1c/s320/100_0386.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The quilt on the wall is from Fons and Porter magazine. I used all scraps to make it. It was limited in size because my challenge was to not buy any new fabric for this quilt. It would fit a twin size bed, but currently hangs year-round behind our queen size bed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The quilt on the bed is a log cabin Christmas quilt made from 2.5 inch strips. We had a program at our quilt guild about cutting your scraps into 2.5 inch strips. I came home that night and cut all my leftover Christmas scraps into logs to make this quilt. It has some darling fabrics in it...kitties with Christmas stockings, for example.</div><br />
'Till next time, holiday blessings to you and yours!<br />
MaryMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3358698993229972290.post-74371393006964848462012-04-30T09:15:00.006-07:002012-05-24T15:31:38.045-07:00Schedule for Rudy Day 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yWluso0Im6k/T59A3kfPqPI/AAAAAAAAAbM/jQhFna1lrSU/s1600/100_3566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yWluso0Im6k/T59A3kfPqPI/AAAAAAAAAbM/jQhFna1lrSU/s320/100_3566.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Rudy Day is celebrated by Christmas Lovers everywhere on the 25th day of each month throughout the year. Each month has a specific theme, although you can do whatever you would like to do. Please join us in the forums at <a href="http://magicalholidayhome.com/">http://magicalholidayhome.com/</a> to get in on the fun!<br />
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<strong><em>January</em></strong> - We looked at our Christmas notebooks and updated them, paying attention to what worked, what didn't work, what we would like to plan for this coming year. We also looked at our Christmas budget and took a realistic look at what we spent.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBKtRK_L4u0/T59GsqIkXoI/AAAAAAAAAbY/ls-nQ_08Jyw/s1600/100_3797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBKtRK_L4u0/T59GsqIkXoI/AAAAAAAAAbY/ls-nQ_08Jyw/s320/100_3797.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<strong><em>February</em></strong> - We began our "Chistmas Letter" to friends and family members. We assembled a "Rudolph Day" tote bag, basket, or box with items we will need during the year to help celebrate Rudy day: a calendar, our Christmas notebook, perhaps a photo book with pictures of our family in their Christmas outfits, some colorful pens to journal with, a Christmas mug for our cocoa or tea--or maybe even Christmas socks! We assessed how many and what kind of presents we wanted to hand make this year. We began assembling kits for each project, and created a schedule to complete these projects in a reasonable amount of time. We began our master gift list and plan to purchase at least 1 gift each month for someone on our list.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P-vFNivo-94/T59G5GnxzmI/AAAAAAAAAbg/ExqRXFk9ryU/s1600/100_3800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P-vFNivo-94/T59G5GnxzmI/AAAAAAAAAbg/ExqRXFk9ryU/s320/100_3800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDfWPCrT-gU/T59HAJQ0NcI/AAAAAAAAAbo/xsRBS1xiHi8/s1600/100_3796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDfWPCrT-gU/T59HAJQ0NcI/AAAAAAAAAbo/xsRBS1xiHi8/s320/100_3796.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong><em>March</em></strong> - Books and Movie month. We inventoried our books and movies and made a list of any purchases we would like to make for the coming year. It's also fun to list your top 5 (or 10) to make sure that you view them each year.<br />
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<strong><em>April</em></strong> - is Christmas Dishes month. We looked over our Christmas dishes, noting what we would like to add to our dish inventory this year. We organized them all in one place. We checked out our linens--tablecloths, placemats, napkins, napkin rings--spot checked and laundered to make sure they are ready to go to work. We posted some fun pictures of table settings, and checked other websites for ideas for the upcoming year. We added our ideas to our Christmas notebooks. Consider the whole idea of "Christmas magic" and what role it should play (see magicalholidayhome.com for ideas re: stockings, elfs, etc.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g91QqD9Anas/T59HijrY5oI/AAAAAAAAAbw/QnuiQEqfhVM/s1600/100_3870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g91QqD9Anas/T59HijrY5oI/AAAAAAAAAbw/QnuiQEqfhVM/s320/100_3870.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<strong><em>May</em></strong> - We will be looking at menu ideas for holiday meals and quick menu ideas for "meals on the run." We also are encouraged to begin trying recipes, keeping ones we particularly like in our Christmas notebooks. Or perhaps you'll want to develop your own Christmas cookbook or recipe box.<br />
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<strong><em>June</em></strong> - Themes/Party Planning ideas and our Master Gift List. Perhaps you'll want a theme to your decorating that is different from previous years, i.e. gingerbread in the kitchen, or an all red and white tree in the foyer, etc. Sketch out or clip ideas from magazines or web sites.<br />
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<strong><em>July</em></strong> - We will purchase all stocking stuffers this month. If you plan to make your Christmas cards, now is the time to get all the papers, ribbons, envelopes, stamps and inks, etc. together and make those cards. Have a festive card making day with Christmas music playing in the background! Sign those cards and write short notes. Update your Christmas card address list and print the labels or envelopes out. Get your family photo taken to include in your card and have them printed. Go over that master gift list--have you purchased at least half of your gifts or more?<br />
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<strong><em>August</em></strong> - Time to finish up with the craft projects you have been working on. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I0GimpWeXvc/T59HuAJ6qJI/AAAAAAAAAb4/nPVqT9GHiyk/s1600/100_3861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I0GimpWeXvc/T59HuAJ6qJI/AAAAAAAAAb4/nPVqT9GHiyk/s320/100_3861.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<strong><em>September</em></strong> - Time to think about baking projects for November. List recipes you want to try--desserts, cookies, breads--and make a master grocery shopping list. Begin purchasing an extra staple or two each time you go to the grocery store. Consider any ornaments you need to purchase and/or want to make. Be on the lookout for these items to hit the store shelves. Buy early for the best selection.<br />
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<strong><em>October</em></strong> - Gift in a Jar or Basket month. Master gift list checkup. You should be about finished buying gifts now! Check your wrapping paper stash, tape, gift tags, colored pens. Resupply as necessary.<br />
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<strong><em>November</em></strong> - Purchase or unpack your advent calendar. Wrap gifts by Thanksgiving. The idea is to have December available to spend time with your family--not panicing over not getting things done!<br />
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<strong><em>December </em></strong>- Celebrate with your family and friends!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEhGlATylI0/T59H_O2Nh1I/AAAAAAAAAcA/s9wjuXYURKI/s1600/100_0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEhGlATylI0/T59H_O2Nh1I/AAAAAAAAAcA/s9wjuXYURKI/s320/100_0829.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Don't forget to check <a href="http://magicalholidayhome.com/">http://magicalholidayhome.com/</a> for some more Christmas and Rudy Day fun! Till next time, holiday blessings to you and yours!<br />
MaryMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161616907762241275noreply@blogger.com1