'Tis the Season ...

... for cooking, baking, and Christmastime crafts! 

Santa's Salt Dough Workshop is bustling, the food gift prep has begun, and we are all eagerly preparing for the holidays here in Midcoast Maine.  

Simple seasonal pleasures, the kids' bright-eyed enthusiasm, and our treasured yearly traditions make these busy days all the sweeter.  Along with the gifts of good food, good friends, family, and giving.  

It truly is a wonderful time of year.

What preparations are putting you in the spirit of the season this week? 

Homemade Holidays Recipe Swap

Welcome to the Homemade Holidays edition of our weekly recipe swap!

If you'd like to participate, please write up your post and link up (to that post only) by 11 p.m. EST Sunday evening.  All I ask is that you also link back to me within your post so that your readers can join in the holiday-themed recipe swapping fun too.  Feel free to spread the word and snag the Homemade Holidays button above.

  

The concept is this:  If you and your family love it, then share it. Everyday favorites are always welcome, but so are many other must-make holiday season options.
  

::: Here are some suggestions to get you started :::

• Everyday Favorites -- muffins, lunch box snacks, soups, dinners ...
• Holiday Favorites -- Thanksgiving side dishes, Christmas Dinner must-haves ...
• Holiday Baking Favorites -- Thanksgiving pies, Christmas Cookies, breads ...
• Food Gift Favorites -- mini loaves, snack mixes, gifts-in-a-jar ideas ...
• Crafting Recipe Favorites -- cinnamon dough, room sprays, soaps, gingerbread ...

••••••••••••••••••••

 

 

Here's another Christmastime crafting staple ... straight from the archives.  I've used this recipe for years and it's a winner every time.  Perfect for that homemade holiday touch or a lazy afternoon crafting with the kids.  Just be sure to plan ahead as the dough needs to sit in the fridge overnight.

 

 

ORNAMENTAL GINGERBREAD

 

3 T shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup water
3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. each: ground cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg

Beat shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Stir in molasses. Mix dry ingredients together. Stir them into sugar mixture and gradually add water. Dough will be very stiff. Refrigerate overnight.

Heat oven to 350º. Cut dough into three pieces. Roll one piece at a time (between two pieces of waxed paper) to a thickness of about 1/4 ". Cut out desired shapes and patterns.  

 

{If you're planning to hang these ornaments, poke holes in the shapes before baking.} 

 

Bake for about 20 minutes. Allow to cool and harden for several hours or overnight.

Finished ornaments may be painted, sealed, and/or dipped in melted wax. The possibilities are endless!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend and keep those festive favorites coming!  The entries thus far have been fantastic.  Thank you!

 

Also linked to:

 

The Grocery Cart Recipe Swap
Foodie Friday 
Friday Potluck
Friday Favorites
Family Friendly Friday
Remodelaholic Recipes
Mommy's Kitchen Potluck Sunday

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."  
                                                                                             ~Melody Beattie

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.  May you embrace it with a grateful heart.

Homemade Holidays Recipe Swap

Welcome to the Homemade Holidays edition of our weekly recipe swap!

If you'd like to participate, please write up your post and link up (to that post only) by 11 p.m. EST Sunday evening.  All I ask is that you also link back to me within your post so that your readers can join in the holiday-themed recipe swapping fun too.  Feel free to spread the word and snag the Homemade Holidays button above.

  

The concept is this:  If you and your family love it, then share it. Everyday favorites are always welcome, but so are many other must-make holiday season options.
  

::: Here are some suggestions to get you started :::

• Everyday Favorites -- muffins, lunch box snacks, soups, dinners ...
• Holiday Favorites -- Thanksgiving side dishes, Christmas Dinner must-haves ...
• Holiday Baking Favorites -- Thanksgiving pies, Christmas Cookies, breads ...
• Food Gift Favorites -- mini loaves, snack mixes, gifts-in-a-jar ideas ...
• Crafting Recipe Favorites -- cinnamon dough, room sprays, soaps, gingerbread ...

••••••••••••••••••••

Every year at Christmastime, I make a big batch of Chai Tea Mix to enjoy and give away throughout the holiday season.  This year, thanks to my sweet friend Sara, I'll be adding Friendship Tea to the list as well.  It's delicious, fragrant, and simply wonderful on a cold, dreary day. 

{Sara's homemade handiwork is pictured below.  I love how she packaged the tea in a small canning jar, complete with prim fabric and raffia.  Such a sweet personal touch.}

Friendship Tea

(from Allrecipes.com/inspired by Sara)

1/2 cup instant tea powder

1 cup sweetened lemonade powder

1 cup orange-flavored drink mix (such as Tang)

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Mix well and store in an airtight container.  To serve, add 2-3 tsp. to 1 cup boiling water, adjusting to taste as needed.  

                                                                                           

                                                                             Makes approx. 40 servings

{PRINTABLE RECIPE}

Have a wonderful weekend and keep those festive favorites coming!  The entries thus far have been fantastic.  Thank you!

Also linked to:

The Grocery Cart Recipe Swap
Foodie Friday 
Friday Potluck
Friday Favorites
Family Friendly Friday
Remodelaholic Recipes
Mommy's Kitchen Potluck Sunday

It takes a (gingerbread) village ...

Though we're still very much embracing the Thanksgiving spirit here in Midcoast Maine ... we are slowly starting to gather a few special projects for Christmastime.  Especially for the kids.

Every year, Todd and the kids assemble some sort of gingerbread kit.  Sometimes it's a large house ... sometimes it's a Christmas Tree.  Whatever the project ... it's always a fun, memorable, and messy afternoon.  This year we found a mini village kit at Wal-Mart.  

How cute is that?!

Here's hoping you find some time for the little things this season as well. 

Homemade Holidays Recipe Swap

Welcome to the Homemade Holidays edition of our weekly recipe swap!

If you'd like to participate, please write up your post and link up (to that post only) by 11 p.m. EST Sunday evening.  All I ask is that you also link back to me within your post so that your readers can join in the holiday-themed recipe swapping fun too.  Feel free to spread the word and snag the Homemade Holidays button above.

  

The concept is this:  If you and your family love it, then share it. Everyday favorites are always welcome, but so are many other must-make holiday season options.
  

::: Here are some suggestions to get you started :::

• Everyday Favorites -- muffins, lunch box snacks, soups, dinners ...
• Holiday Favorites -- Thanksgiving side dishes, Christmas Dinner must-haves ...
• Holiday Baking Favorites -- Thanksgiving pies, Christmas Cookies, breads ...
• Food Gift Favorites -- mini loaves, snack mixes, gifts-in-a-jar ideas ...
• Crafting Recipe Favorites -- cinnamon dough, room sprays, soaps, gingerbread ...

••••••••••••••••••••

It's been a crazy week here ... so I'm re-posting what has become my go-to crafting favorite as of late.  Yep ... I'm hooked.  And I hope you will be too. 

Salt dough is so simple and yet the project possibilities are endless.  It's kid-friendly, budget-friendly ... and just plain fun.  If you're looking to put a personal touch on Christmas this year, try some salt dough hanging ornaments or bowl fillers.  Make extras for the kids and you'll be all set for a lazy, crafty, and memorable afternoon.  The kind of afternoon that reminds you what this time of year is all about.

Note:  If you're having trouble finding cookie cutters locally, here's the link to my very favorite online resource.

  

::: SALT DOUGH ::: 

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

1 cup warm water

Mix flour and salt together, combining well. Add warm water and stir (I use my hands) to form a slightly stiff dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead several times until smooth. Return to bowl and cover tightly until ready to use.  Roll out dough to desired thickness.  Cut out ornaments.  Bake at 300º for 60-75 minutes.  Paint, decorate, and seal as desired.

::: Click here for a step-by-step tutorial :::

 Have a wonderful weekend and keep those festive favorites coming!

Also linked to:

The Grocery Cart Recipe Swap
Foodie Friday 
Friday Potluck
Friday Favorites
Family Friendly Friday
Remodelaholic Recipes
Mommy's Kitchen Potluck Sunday

Open House Goodness

Well, friends .. the Open House and Christmas craft fair season has begun in earnest.  Along with a decidedly winter-ish turn here in Midcoast Maine ... even though we are still just settling into the month of November.  The skies are washed out and gray, the air is frosty, and the "To Do Before Christmas" list is growing by the day.  Not to mention the "To Do Before Thanksgiving" list.  Oh my!

Fortunately, there is always time to slip away -- even if it's just for a little while -- to enjoy the season's holiday warmth, merriment, and crafty inspiration.  Which is just what I had the chance to do on Sunday.  With a dear, sweet friend whom I have missed greatly since our high school days back in the early 90s.  Yes!  We met in New Gloucester on Sunday morning and spent a good part of the day visiting, browsing, shopping, and catching up.  All while attending these wonderful Open House events.  Seventeen years melted away and it was as if we hadn't missed a beat.  What a gift! 

There was so much craftiness to admire and we had a lovely time visiting with Birgit and her fellow hostesses.  If you're local, you should definitely mark your calendars for this event next year.  These ladies are not only talented, but they are among the sweetest and most welcoming people you'll ever meet.

Here's what I decided to bring home with me ... after much careful deliberation:

 

Later that afternoon, Michaela and I decided to slip out and head over to one more Open House event at Olde Thyme Prims in Lisbon, Maine (while Todd and the boys watched the Patriots lose).  We so enjoyed all of the festive displays, twinkle lights, and prim goodies galore. The shop has expanded since I was last there and these ladies really do have some lovely prim offerings.  Their next event will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thanksgiving night.  Tree trimmings will be discounted by 10% and there will be snacks, cider, and Christmas music to boot.

And speaking of goodies ... Sweet Sara arrived with this wonderful basket filled with homemade goodness and friendship.  Just like old times.  But even better.  Thanks again, Sara!

 

It was such fun to share a little homemade goodness with each other.  Here's what I had packaged up and waiting for Sara:

How grateful I am for wonderful days and fabulous friends!  I hope you're blessed with these gifts too.  Especially this time of year ...

Homemade Holidays Recipe Swap

Welcome to the Homemade Holidays edition of our weekly recipe swap!

If you'd like to participate, please write up your post and link up (to that post only) by 11 p.m. EST Sunday evening.  All I ask is that you also link back to me within your post so that your readers can join in the holiday-themed recipe swapping fun too.  Feel free to spread the word and snag the Homemade Holidays button above.

  

The concept is this:  If you and your family love it, then share it. Everyday favorites are always welcome, but so are many other must-make holiday season options.
  

::: Here are some suggestions to get you started :::

• Everyday Favorites -- muffins, lunch box snacks, soups, dinners ...
• Holiday Favorites -- Thanksgiving side dishes, Christmas Dinner must-haves ...
• Holiday Baking Favorites -- Thanksgiving pies, Christmas Cookies, breads ...
• Food Gift Favorites -- mini loaves, snack mixes, gifts-in-a-jar ideas ...
• Crafting Recipe Favorites -- cinnamon dough, room sprays, soaps, gingerbread ...

••••••••••••••••••••

Though we are weeks away from enjoying this Christmastime staple, it's too good (and too easy) to keep under wraps until then.  If you're already planning on some go-to food gifts, then this is the recipe for you!  It's pretty, deliciously addictive, and oh-so-simple.  I hope you'll enjoy this tasty treat as much as we do.

::: Candy Cane Fudge :::
(based on a recipe from Recipezaar)

2 (10 oz.) packages white chocolate chips
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
3/4-1 tsp. peppermint extract
1 1/2 cups finely-crushed candy canes
red food coloring


Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil. Lightly coat the bottom of foil with butter or Pam.

In a medium sized saucepan, combine the chips and the sweetened condensed milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the chips are melted.

Remove pan from the heat and continue to stir. When chips are completely melted, stir in peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.

Spread the fudge mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking pan.

Dot the top of fudge with several drops of food coloring. With a butter knife, cut through the fudge and food coloring, making a swirling pattern throughout.

Chill for 2 hours. Remove fudge from the baking pan by lifting the foil from both ends. Transfer fudge to cutting board, and cut into 1-inch squares.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

(click here for printable recipe)

Have a lovely weekend and thanks, as always, for sharing your favorites!  Keep 'em coming!

Also linked to:

The Grocery Cart Recipe Swap
Foodie Friday 
Friday Potluck
Friday Favorites
Family Friendly Friday
Remodelaholic Recipes
Mommy's Kitchen Potluck Sunday

Where We Play

When we were looking at houses five years ago, we had a list of "must-haves" in mind.  Especially since we were on the hunt for our second house, a house we hoped to live in and grow in for a long, long time.

A play room was high on the priority list.  Very high.  And did we ever get lucky!  This space is right off the kitchen, but separate from our dining room and living room areas.  Which, for the most part, means that the kids' toys, games, and supplies stay out of our hair.  And I love that we can be near each other (but not on top of each other) while I'm puttering away in the kitchen.

Of course, it has taken us a while to get this room looking the way we want.  And we still have some projects and details left to tackle ... but we're gaining.  Just as we are, slowly but surely, in the rest of the house.

::: Here's what we started with :::

::: And here is where we play now :::

(The colors are actually softer and more muted in person, but you get the idea.)

 

And now I'm curious.  Where do you play? 

Cinnamon Salt Dough Feature

Are you looking for a fun, easy, and inexpensive Christmastime craft?   

Polly Want A Crafter? is featuring my Cinnamon Salt Dough Gingers Tutorial today.  You can check it out here.  You may also want to look around a bit while you're there.  This new blog is filled with lots of great seasonal crafts and ideas!

Thanks!

::: Homemade Holidays Preview :::

There's no doubt about it, friends ... Fall is quickly yielding to the holiday season.  The days are growing colder and shorter, the skies are turning gray, and Thanksgiving will soon be upon us.  Then, before we know it, the Yuletide rush will begin in earnest.  So let's embrace the season ahead and share our most treasured Homemade Holidays recipes once again this year. Here. Every Friday. Starting this Friday, November 5th.  Like our usual Colleen's Kitchen Recipe Swap ...  but with an expanded holiday-themed twist.


The concept is this:  If you and your family love it, then share it. Everyday favorites are always welcome, but so are many other must-make holiday season options.  Here are some suggestions to get you started:

 
• Everyday Favorites -- muffins, lunch box snacks, soups, dinners ...
• Holiday Favorites -- Thanksgiving side dishes, Christmas Dinner must-haves ...
• Holiday Baking Favorites -- Thanksgiving pies, Christmas Cookies, breads ...
• Food Gift Favorites -- mini loaves, snack mixes, gifts-in-a-jar ideas ...
• Crafting Recipe Favorites -- cinnamon dough, room sprays, soaps, gingerbread ...




If you'd like to participate ... please do! And feel free to spread the word and snag the Homemade Holidays button above. The season of giving and sharing is about to begin ... so let's celebrate it in style.

I'll see you back here on Friday, November 5th!

Halloween Highlights ... and a Happy November

There was definitely a feeling of wintertime in the air last night as the five of us traipsed through the neighborhood for some long awaited trick-or-treating fun here in Midcoast Maine.  But chilly fingers and blustery winds did not dampen the kids' exuberant spirits and excitement.  Which made all of the cutting, glittering, glue-ing, and preparing more than worth it for yet another year.  The Good Witch, Wizard, and Jack-O-Lantern had a blast!

... and we are all hoping for (and wishing you!) a wonderfully blessed November.