Countdown to Christmas
We gladly present our annual Countdown to Christmas! Click the image for a downloadable and printable PDF file!
Month: October 2017
German Chocolate Semi Home-Made Yule Log
By Suzanne Fox Here’s an easy take on the traditional holiday yule log. We like to mix it up a little by combining the german chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Super rich and a great crowd pleaser, plus it’s pretty enough to use as a …
Old-Fashioned Eggnog
By Michele Robert Poche
“Store-bought eggnog?” I hear it every year when I take the shortcut approach to the holidays. So I decided it was time for me to learn to make this decadent beverage from scratch. Join me for a glass?
Ingredients:
4 cups milk- 5 cloves
- 2½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 12 egg yolks
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 cups half & half
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions
1. Heat milk, cloves, ½ teaspoon vanilla and cinnamon on low 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in bowl until fluffy then slowly whisk in hot milk mixture.
3. Pour everything into saucepan and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until thick. Do not allow to boil.
4. Remove cloves and cinnamon sticks then let cool.
5. Add half & half, remaining vanilla and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight and serve.
To avoid risk of food poisoning, never serve a beverage made with raw eggs. For a more adult beverage, add 1½ cups brandy, rum or bourbon at step 5 or serve alongside a bottle of your preferred spirit. Add as desired.
Shortbread Cookies
By Suzanne Fox We like to make shortbread cookies for cut-outs rather than sugar cookies because the shortbread dough is more firm and doesn’t spread out as much during baking. Roll your dough 3/4 inch thick for tasty buttery cookies that hold their shape. Ingredients 1 cup unsalted …
Fresh Fragrant Trees
By Patricia Danflous You found it. After several hours and visits to several lots, the best tree ever is scraping the ceiling of your family room. Stand back, admire your selection and take in that wonderful fragrance that says, “It’s Christmas time.” Follow these suggestions …
Easy Holiday Napkin Rings
By Suzanne Fox
Bring the old-fashioned look to your table with vintage, lace-trimmed linens. Top with all-white plates with a hint of color in your goblets. If you are lucky, you may have some depression glass goblets to use for this perfect occasion. These ribbon-wrapped napkin rings are the perfect addition to create the festive look.
SUPPLIES:
- A bag (or however many you need) of plastic shower curtain rings from the dollar store
- 1/4” or 1/8” moss colored velvet ribbon
- Holly sprigs from the dollar store or holly sprigs from a tree in your yard
Directions
- Using a hot glue gun, glue the end of the ribbon, velvet side up on inside of plastic ring. Wrap the ribbon around the ring until completely covered.
- Glue end of ribbon onto ring.
- Cut a piece of ribbon 8” long. Glue piece of holly onto outside of ring.
- Fold 8” ribbon piece in half to find the center, place the center on the inside of the ring under the holly, and tie a bow on top of the holly to secure it in place. If you want to add a piece of lace ribbon, place it under the velvet ribbon and tie both into place.
- Secure with glue gun if needed for extra support.
Christmas Morning Apple Cinnabuns
By Suzanne Fox Ingredients 1 can crescent roll dough 1 can apple pie filling Cinnamon sugar 1 cup powdered sugar 2 tablespoons melted butter Directions Take 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup cinnamon, mix in a mason jar and use a lid with holes in …
Gifts for People Who Make Our Lives A Little Easier
By Michele Robert Poche Tis the season to be jolly, right? So why not spread a little Christmas cheer and show your gratitude to the all-too-often unsung heroes this holiday season? Financial gifts. Sometimes tipping really is the best way to say thank you, especially …
Holiday Snow Globe – A Project for Kids
By Suzanne Fox
This is a fun project to make with kids while everyone is gathering for Christmas. Save money on gifts and have them swap snow globes for presents. An old-fashioned keepsake they will remember every year.
Supplies
- 1 small jar with lid
- 1 small holiday figurine to fit in jar
- Glitter
- Water
- Glycerine (a few drops)
Directions
- Glue the figurine inside the lid of the jar. Use a permanent glue for this, not something that is water soluble.
- Fill the jar with 3/4 cup of water. Next place glitter and a few drops of glycerine into your jar. Too much glitter or glycerine will stick to the bottom of the jar.
- Place a ring of permanent glue around the top rim of the jar. Screw lid on tightly.
Gifts for Kids
By Liz McGehee Parents put a lot of unnecessary pressure on themselves to find the right Christmas gifts. Yes, good gifts are important, but Christmas is about more than material gain. And who better than you to teach them to be kind to others, to …