Merry Christmas

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isa 9:6

Have a Merry Christmas,

Kim

DIY Gift ideas for the Holidays...

I love to share a little something with my friends and neighbors at Christmas.  I found this recipe on Pinterest and knew it was one I wanted to try...

salted caramel almond pretzel popcorn
(adapted from Shutterbean)
I’ve made this again recently (Oct 2012) & the recipe turned out wonderfully. I was able to get the caramel golden brown with high heat & patience. Once it’s golden, add in the cream and stir well before adding in the marshmallows. Pour the caramel quickly over the mixture and work very quickly as the caramel is super sticky. Press firmly into a buttered dish & voila, I was able to get squares! Good luck :)
12 – 14 c plain popped popcorn
3 c coarsely chopped small salted pretzels
1.5 c toasted almonds, roughly chopped
2 c sugar
kosher salt
2/3 c heavy cream
2 c miniature marshmallows
Butter a 9×13″ pan and set aside. In your largest bowl possible, dump in the popcorn, pretzels and almonds and toss so that everything is evenly mixed.
In a large saucepan, melt the sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a half cup of water and bring to a boil. Boil until the mixture turns into a golden caramel shade – about 8-12 minutes. Remove from heat and pour in the heavy cream – watch out, mixture will splurt! Add marshmallows and stir until melted.
Pour caramel over popcorn and use a wooden spoon to mix everything together – work quickly because the caramel firms up quick and then you’ll have to use all your arm strength to pry all the tasty bits away from the bowl. Maybe next time I’ll try buttering down the bowl. If you try it, let me know if it works out. Dump the mixture into the prepared pan and press down on using slightly damp hands (helps to prevent stickiness), so that popcorn mixture is completely pressed into pan. Sprinkle with flakey kosher salt and let cool. Cut into bars or break mixture into delicious clumps. Otherwise, just enjoy the sweet, sweet crumbles and watch yourself turn into drooling, blubbering Homer Simpson. Look away because it isn’t pretty.

source: http://everybodylikessandwiches.com/2010/11/chunks-of-temptation-salted-caramel-almond-pretzel-popcorn/

I have to say it is very tasty!  At Michaels I found these adorable chinese boxes on sale for .59 cents, and thought they would be perfect for the popcorn!

I placed the popcorn in baggie to keep it fresh.  It fit perfectly.

I had picked up these Merry Christmas tags earlier at Hobby Lobby, and couldn't believe it...they matched perfect.  I just added some jute twine.... and there you have it a little something to give away!

I also needed a gift idea for a dinner party, and decided I didn't want to take the traditional bottle of wine.  Our friend loves gardening so I thought I would share a start of paperwhites...

I bought the paperwhite bulbs at Lowes you can also pick them up at Target, Walmart.  I planted them in a silver container, and I always add some Reindeer moss (I love the added green color) I placed cellophane around the entire container,and tied a apple green silk ribbon around it.

Added care directions with a tag...

Thank you on a chalkboard tag...

Picked up this champagne glitter ornament at Walmart for $1 and added for sparkle...

Beautiful hostess gift....that will bloom through the Holiday season...

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Kim

Outdoor Christmas Decorating

Living now in a town home we have limited outdoor space...I have a covered stone front porch, and added a little Christmas to it...

Front porch entry

Front door wreath

fresh garland with lg bulb lights...lighted shrubs

lanterns by the front door...with battery candles (remote control)...added ribbon & greenery & ornaments

live greenery with added berries

I had this large jar I got thrifting this summer for .25 and added lg clear bulbs ( these sell at Pottery Barn for $50)

back porch...I have white lights on a holly shrub I have in large planter...wreath on storage door with zebra ribbon

Regardless of the size of space your working with, you can create festive & beautiful surroundings.  I love lots of sparkle at Christmas!

Thanks for checking out all the Christmas decorating going on around here!

Have a Blessed & Merry Christmas!

Kim

Christmas Decorating...Part 2

I'm not one of those people who decorate in one day.  I think I start and just keep on, keeping on until Christmas!  And so the decorating continues...

I have had a Beach tree for a few years now, but when I moved I got rid of the 7' white tree, and this year I picked up this 4'champayne tinsel pre-lit tree.  I placed it at the landing of the steps, and it fills the space well. I added some blue & white chevron fabric I had for another project as the skirt.  This is a new collection of ornaments I started a few years ago.  As you all know I Love the BEACH!

Guest bedroom...dresser needed a little tree...green tinsel tree with blue ornaments...These are the colors in the bedroom.

close up of the guest room tree.

Just added some ornaments in silver & champagne, and ribbon to the large Lantern in guest room.

mercury glass finials & shell...upstairs loft

upstairs loft

In the kitchen I have a small tree I've decorated for years with these vintage cookie cutters I found at a yard sales years ago for maybe a $1. The ribbon changes yearly.

I want to add some wine ornaments to it, or maybe just start a wine tree. Maybe next year for my dining sideboard!

vintage copper cookie cutter

One of my other new collections are these wine wicker bottles.... I found my first one for a $1 at a tag sale, and found the other two just about a month ago at the Raleigh Flea Market for $5 each.  I just added a ribbon for the Holidays.

Just added red berries to my refrigerator vignette.

Another new collection I picked up at the 127 yard sales this year is the white milk glass.  I placed them on the top of my kitchen cabinets...perfect for the space...I added some greenery with lights...silver, champagne, and gold ornaments and silver sprays in some of the containers....looks beautiful at night!

As you can see I decorate around the most of the decor I have out all year.  I move a few pieces here & there, but with greenery, lights, berries, and ornaments YOU can transform your space into a beautiful, festive space without to much clutter, and not spending alot of money!

Stay tuned....more to come!

Kim

Christmas Decorating

Today I'm sharing some of the Christmas decorating going on around here.

For starters I bought this tree after Christmas a few years ago....I love the silver, and added some of my blue glass ornaments, and gold and bronze.  I love it on my turquoise sideboard in my entryway.

Creme ceramic Nativity scene sits on entryway sideboard

My bannister on the stair way...

wired the three ornaments together and added a zebra print ribbon

the side board in the dining room, and table centerpiece...

dining sideboard...with mercury glass trees...garland and bulbs

Paperwhite bulbs...planted in silver dish...beautiful by Christmas!

I love using real flowers and greenery to the Christmas decor...

Table centerpiece...mercy glass vase with candle...wreath with red berry picks

Shell collection in apothecary jars...added a apple green silk ribbon sits on the side of tv console

in half bath downstairs I used a clear cup hook and attached a berry square wreath & added beautiful silk green ribbon with red velvet polka dots

I love mercury glass it has an antique look finish and brings elegance to a room.  Most of the pieces I have purchased, and I have several others not shown here I picked up after Christmas for mere $.  I love shopping the day after Christmas because next year when you get out the Christmas it's all brand new!

I try to buy the best looking greens & ribbons I think it does pay off in the after look.  Like I said before it all changes year to year, but I buy little to little every year, and really do not spend a lot of money! Sometimes we tend to think because it Christmas we have to use all we have, and I disagree go with what moves you that year, and change it up the next!

These are just a few of the decorations going on around here...stay tuned for more!

Kim

The Christmas Tree

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year! I love decorating, and the more lights the better in my opinion! Every year it seems things change up around here.  I don't think my tree has ever looked the same in 30 years.  All that to say I've used & collected glass ornaments for 30 years now so mostly the change is the topper and ribbon.

For years we had Reed & Barton silver bells hanging on the tree that my mother-in law has bought every year for the kids since they born.   To me these are a heirloom my children now treasure.  When they marry you box them up as a gift, Megan had 25 to start on their tree.  I got this idea from my Aunt years ago when she did this for her children. 

I wish I could find the picture when I had over 40 on the tree at one time.  My children now truly appreciate these every year when they hang them on their tree.

I thought I would share through December some decorations I've done this year and in the past.

Artificial tree...I returned

The tree above has a story...after having a real tree the last few years I decided I would look for an artificial tree again.  I sold all of mine when I moved last year.  I found one, brought it home decorated it, and decided I really wanted a real tree again.  So I undecorated it, put it back in box, and returned it. Yep, that's how I roll folks!

Off to the tree stand for a real one....

We picked out this 8' beauty....Frasier Fir.

The topper is antique cut glass which ages over time....It came from Pottery Barn.

Of course every tree has always included our glass First Christmas Together ornament, and the kids First Christmas ornament with their pictures.

and glass ornaments in silver mercury glass, gold, reds....this year I decorated in champagne ribbons and sprays.

It's not a themed tree, or a decorators tree, but a tree full of memories and beautiful ornaments collected over time.

More Christmas decorations to come!  Stay tuned....

Kim