New Year Fun!

With the New Year right around the corner, this is the perfect time for a peek through the past year of blogging. I would love for you to join in with me!

Post the first sentence of your first blog post of each month. You can also add a favorite picture from each month. Here are mine:


~January~
Did everyone have a nice time welcoming in the New Year?

Last year's New Year's Eve party.


~February~
Today is Grace's 9th birthday!

Birthday cupcakes.


~March~
Happy March 1st!

A view through our blooming Bradford Pear tree.


~April~
Hello everyone! Did you have a nice weekend?

Peanut Butter Marbled Brownies. I'm going to make a batch for this New Year's Eve party.


~May~
The merriest month of the year arrives bringing with it sunshine, birdsong, apple blossoms, budding lilacs, and longer days to enjoy life as spring's promise is finally fulfilled.

May Day tussie mussies.


~June~
June is bursting out all over as summer finally arrives.

The view through my bedroom window.


~July~
Happy Canada Day to all of my Canadian friends!!!

A watermelon and lemonade picnic.


~August~
Welcome to Homeschool Open House 2007!

Todd, the toad. He came to live in our fairy garden this past summer.


~September~
Summer's behind us.

Time for pumpkins, apples and Indian corn!


~October~
There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots
may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on
the feelings, as now in October.

Hot apple fritters.


~November~
We had a couple and their daughter over last night and enjoyed a dinner and fun evening together.

Vintage Thanksgiving postcards.


~December~
Phillip and I are excited to announce that the winter edition of Seasonal Delights is here!

Our Christmas Elves

If you would like to participate feel free to add your blog to Mr. Linky! Link back here so others can join in the fun too. I'll leave Mr. Linky up through Monday. Happy New Years everyone!!

"Show and Tell Friday'

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.


Today I would like to share with you some new gifts I got for Christmas. Phillip surprised me with this picture frame filled with photos of the girls and Benjamin. I absolutely love it and am impressed he pulled it off without me finding out about it early. :0)


Benjamin picked out these warm and fuzzy slippers for me to wear this winter.


Emily and I love jewelry and in particular dangly earrings. She picked out these beautiful gold ones for me, all by herself.


My favorite perfume is Wings and I ran out of it a few months ago. Grace surprised me with the perfume and lotion set, so now I smell good again. ;0)

Thank you for looking at my new gifts. As you can see I was spoiled this year!

Show and Tell Guidelines

What is Show and Tell Friday?
Show and Tell involves showing something to an audience, and then telling them about it. Your show and tell must be something that you own, and is in your home or garden.

What items work well for Show and Tell Friday?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
-Family heirlooms
-A collection you may have
-A piece of jewelry
-A special gift
-Gardening pictures

What doesn't work well for Show and Tell Friday?
-Posts with no photos have no "Show." Please don't use them.
-Photos of events (trips, vacations, celebrations, etc.)
-Photos of things you are selling or planning to sell.
-Photos found on the internet, graphics or screenshots. Please use photos you take yourself.
-Old photos of just people instead of things.

There is no place like home is the original home of Show and Tell Friday. Please do not host your own.

How can I participate?
Once you've got your photo(s) and your story, it's easy as 1-2-3!

1 - Publish your "Show and Tell" on your blog, including a link back to There is No Place Like Home.

2 - Copy the link (or "permalink") from your post.

3 - Add it to Mr. Linky, along with your first name only. (This will make the list easier to read.) I usually put Mr. Linky up on Friday at 12:00am Eastern time.

Our Christmas~2007

Thank you for all your wonderful Christmas notes in my previous post! Our Christmas celebrations began on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. We went to our church's beautiful candlelight service where we sang Christmas carols and listened to the story of the birth of Christ.

Afterwards, a friend joined us for a Christmas Eve dinner.


We had roast beef, potatoes, carrots and homemade macaroni and cheese.


Gingerbread with caramel sauce and whipped cream for dessert.


Before bed the girls and Benjamin made some food for Santa's reindeer. They love oats and cookie sprinkles!


They sprinkled it along our front walkway.


Then it was time to open new Christmas pajamas. Before Phillip took this picture, I told them to pretend they like each other. ;0)


Christmas morning came bright and early. The girls and Benjamin checked to see if the reindeer had eaten their food. :0)


We had a wonderful time opening gifts together...






Even Fern got a new toy!


Warm cinnamon rolls for breakfast.


Later that afternoon we went to Nana and Papa's house for a ham and turkey dinner. Thank you for looking at just a few pictures of our fun Christmas! I'll be back soon for Show and Tell Friday!

Merry Christmas!

We are enjoying these last few days before Christmas. Phillip had yesterday off and I was able to do my Christmas dinner shopping. We will spend a relaxing Christmas morning at our house and then go to Nana and Papa's house for dinner. My mother-in-law is making a turkey, I'm making a glazed honey ham and we are both making various appetizers, side dishes and desserts.

This evening we are driving around our favorite neighborhoods to look at all the Christmas lights and at some point I need to get the gifts that we've been hiding at Phillip's office and wrap them. I will be back to blogging sometime after Christmas. I plan on posting a show and tell next Friday for anyone who is around. Until then...

May you and your family a wonderful and blessed Christmas!

At the break of Christmas Day,
Through the frosty starlight ringing,
Faint and sweet and far away,
Come the sound of children singing,
Chanting, singing,
Cease to mourn
For Christ is born
Peace and joy to all men bringing."
~Margaret Deland

Christmas Keepsake Folders

I have made these Keepsake Envelope Folders for birthday and "just because" gifts before and thought they would be nice for Christmas too. Especially for gift certificates.


You will need 3-5 envelopes, ribbon, a hole punch and patterned scrapbook paper and stickers.


Fold the flaps back on all but one of the envelopes you want to join. With the unfolded flap on the bottom, stack the envelopes, open side up. Moisten folded flaps; affix each to the envelope behind it.


You will have several folders to hold your gifts.


You can decorate the front of the folder however you wish. I used patterned scrapbook paper...


...and Christmas stickers.


Punch a hole through the bottom center of all the envelopes and fold last flap over.


Thread a ribbon through the hole, and tie a bow.

"Show and Tell Friday!"

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.

Many of your know Anita from My Country Cottage Garden. She shares her amazing garden and sewing projects with us quite often for show and tell. I received a special package from her today, all the way from Germany!

Even the envelope is beautiful.


A pretty gift tag.


Some Christmas tea called "Fireplace Heat" and Blue Sweet Pea seeds from her garden.


She also included these four *beautiful* white hankies for me to add to my collection!


Each one has amazing detail work and delicate lace.






I have really enjoyed getting to know Anita this past year though blogging, email and letters. She is very sweet and I appreciate her friendship and thoughtfulness!


Thank you for all the lovely gifts, Anita! I shall think of you as I drink my tea and dream of your Blue Sweet Peas growing in my garden next summer.


Thank you for looking at my show and tell!

Show and Tell Guidelines

What is Show and Tell Friday?
Show and Tell involves showing something to an audience, and then telling them about it. Your show and tell must be something that you own, and is in your home or garden.

What items work well for Show and Tell Friday?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
-Family heirlooms
-A collection you may have
-A piece of jewelry
-A special gift
-Gardening pictures

What doesn't work well for Show and Tell Friday?
-Posts with no photos have no "Show." Please don't use them.
-Photos of events (trips, vacations, celebrations, etc.)
-Photos of things you are selling or planning to sell.
-Photos found on the internet, graphics or screenshots. Please use photos you take yourself.
-Old photos of just people instead of things.

There is no place like home is the original home of Show and Tell Friday. Please do not host your own.

How can I participate?
Once you've got your photo(s) and your story, it's easy as 1-2-3!

1 - Publish your "Show and Tell" on your blog, including a link back to There is No place like Home.

2 - Copy the link (or "permalink") from your post.

3 - Add it to Mr. Linky, along with your first name only. (This will make the list easier to read.) I usually put Mr. Linky up on Friday at 12:00am Eastern time.

Gingerbread Biscotti

Biscotti are crisp Italian cookies that are perfect for dipping into coffee and hot chocolate. The following recipe is for Gingerbread Biscotti with White Chocolate Drizzle.


Packaged up with a cute gift tag and bow they make wonderful Christmas gifts!

Gingerbread Biscotti

Ingredients:
1 cup sliced almonds
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup molasses
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tablespoons baking powder
3 teaspoons ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:


1. Place the almonds on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through until golden. Be sure to keep a close eye on them, they can burn quickly.


2. Allow almonds to cool, then chop into small pieces and set aside.


3. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat sugar, butter, molasses until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.


4. Using another bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and almonds. Add to wet mixture and stir to blend.


5. On two greased cookie sheets, using floured hands, pat the dough into 4 flat loaves, spacing them evenly on sheets. Each loaf should be about 1/2 inch thick, 2 inches wide and the length of the baking sheet.

6. Bake in a 350 degree oven until just browned at edges and springy to touch, about 18-20 minutes. Halfway through the baking turn the pans so they bake evenly.


7. Leave the biscotti on the cookie sheets until just cooled, then cut into long, 1/2-inch thick diagonal slices.


8. Turn the slices over and arrange them close together on the baking sheets and bake again at 350 degrees until browned, 15-18 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool completely before dipping or storing.

Golden brown and crunchy.

White Chocolate Drizzle


Melt 1 cup of white chocolate chips in saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.


Let cool slightly and then spoon into icing bag or ziplock. Cut a small tip in corner of bag.


Drizzle in zig-zag pattern on each cookie. Let dry.


Place biscotti slices in cellophane bags and secure with twist ties.


I found the gingerbread stickers at Michaels and Walmart.


Finished cardstock and sticker tags.


I also found some Gingerbread boy ornaments that I added to a few of the bags.


Enjoy with a hot drink. Dunking is allowed. :0)

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for coming by for the Christmas Home Tour yesterday. I am blown away by all your wonderful comments, thank you!! I will come by to visit you all this week!

My freezer is full of cookies, breads and fudge. I am giving them as gifts and will be sharing the recipes and gift packaging ideas with you. I just posted three cookie recipes below this post and look for more soon!

I have also added the links at the top of my sidebar under "Celebrate Christmas." I wrapped gifts and went to the post office today. Now I need to clean up and work on Christmas cards. They are quickly becoming New Years cards though!

Hope you all are having a great day!

Gingersnaps

Gingersnaps are my very favorite kind of cookie. I have been using this recipe for many years and like to keep some of the dough in the freezer for a snowy day.

~Gingersnaps~

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup molasses
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
Sugar for rolling

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until creamy.

2. Add the eggs, beating until fluffy. Add the molasses, lemon juice, and vanilla. Continue beating until well combined.

3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating as little as possible.

5. Divide the dough into two portions and warp in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour. (Dough can be made a few days in advance and kept in the refrigerator.)


6. Using your hands, roll the dough into 1 inch balls and roll the balls in sugar. I also flattened them slightly with the bottom of a glass.


Place them on greased cookie sheets and bake in a 350F preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. (I took mine out at 7 minutes and let them finish baking on the sheet). Tranfser cookies to a rack to cool.

Crispy and sugary on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside.



I put one dozen cookies in a cellophane bag, added and gift tag and ribbon.


Enjoy!

Scottish Whipped Shortbread

My friend Heather, from A Place of Quiet Rest introduced me to these shortbread cookies last Christmas and I couldn't wait to make them again. They are very delicate and buttery and only get better as the days go by. That is if they last that long!

Scottish Whipped Shortbread

1lb. butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup corn starch
3 cups of pre-sift all purpose white flour
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Cherries to decorate (I skipped the cherries this year)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Cream butter. Sift sugar, starch and flour together. Add to butter with vanilla. Beat with electric mixer until light and fluffy . It takes about 5 minutes to reach the consistency of whipping cream.

Drop by teaspoon full on parchment lined cookie sheets and decorate with 1/8 of a red or green cherry, well drained and patted dry. Bake for 15 minutes, do not allow to brown. They will expand slightly, look dry and be lightly golden around the edges. Remove to cooling racks.


Grace described them well: "As soon as they touch your mouth, they're gone!"

Recipe reprinted with permission.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut Butter Blossoms

48 Hershey's Kisses
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.

2. Beat butter and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.


3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.


5. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges.



6. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.



Enjoy with a cold glass of milk!

Christmas Tour of Homes!

Welcome to Boomama's Christmas Tour of Homes! The kettle is on and there are cookies in the oven, so make yourself at home!


These ice skates are from my childhood. I tucked in some greenery and pinecones and hung them on my front door. Brrr...it's cold out here, let me show you around inside.


My entryway wreath banner spells out "snow" in glittery letters. Tiny snowflakes are tucked into the greenery on the table.


There are even sparkly snowflakes hanging from the ceiling!


This is the view while sitting on my living room couch. Candlelight makes it nice and cozy.


We have a real tree this year with white lights, gold ribbon, special ornaments and candy canes. A fun train goes around and around.


The stockings are hung by the chimney with care.


A small Christmas tree sits by the woodpile and two velveteen rabbits relax in the rocker.


Let's make our way into the kitchen...


A poinsettia and candy canes cheer up my baking corner.


My kitchen hutch is also decorated for Christmas.


Candles, bells and even a tiny Christmas tree in a teacup.


Oranges, nuts and homemade Christmas jam.


Are you hungry yet?


How do soft peanut butter cookies with chocolaty centers sound? Help yourself and here is the recipe, so you can make some for your family:

Peanut Butter Blossoms
Ingredients:
48 Hershey's Kisses
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.
2. Beat butter and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

I will be sharing more Christmas recipes this week, so be sure to come back for another visit!


A big thank you to Boomama for hosting this fun event. She has all the details if you would like to participate and see the other homes. Have fun and thank you for coming over!

Weekend Chit~Chat

It's supposed to get down to 29F here tonight, which is cold for Texas. If only it would snow too! I've been busy in the kitchen for the past few days, making cookies and other goodies for Christmas gifts. I will share the recipes and a couple crafts projects this coming week.

Also, I will be participating in Boomama's Christmas Tour of Homes on Monday, and am looking forward to visiting everyone else who will be joining in the fun.

Phillip fixed up my blog sidebar a few days ago, and added a new section near the top: Celebrate Christmas. I have listed some old and current project and recipe links. These links will change depending on the upcoming holidays and seasons, so be sure to check back often!

What are you busy with this weekend? Christmas shopping? Wrapping gifts? Shoveling snow?

"Show and Tell Friday!"

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.

Since it's Christmas time, I thought I would share my greenery candle centerpiece that I put together last night.

The pine boughs were trimmed off the bottom of our Christmas tree.


I gathered the ends together and secured them with a large bow.


I had a few miscellaneous glass votive holders, so I put them to good use...


...by placing them among the greenery.


It's especially pretty all lit up and it smells nice too!



Thank you for looking at my show and tell!


Show and Tell Guidelines

What is Show and Tell Friday?
Show and Tell involves showing something to an audience, and then telling them about it. Your show and tell must be something that you own, and is in your home or garden.

What items work well for Show and Tell Friday?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
-Family heirlooms
-A collection you may have
-A piece of jewelry
-A special gift
-Gardening pictures

What doesn't work well for Show and Tell Friday?
-Posts with no photos have no "Show." Please don't use them.
-Photos of events (trips, vacations, celebrations, etc.)
-Photos of things you are selling or planning to sell.
-Photos found on the internet, graphics or screenshots. Please use photos you take yourself.
-Old photos of just people instead of things.

There is no place like home is the original home of Show and Tell Friday. Please do not host your own.

How can I participate?
Once you've got your photo(s) and your story, it's easy as 1-2-3!

1 - Publish your "Show and Tell" on your blog, including a link back to There is No place like Home.

2 - Copy the link (or "permalink") from your post.

3 - Add it to Mr. Linky, along with your first name only. (This will make the list easier to read.) I usually put Mr. Linky up on Friday at 12:00am Eastern time.

~Thank You!~

Thank you to Amy from Simple Folk for letting me know that I was nominated for a Best Homemaking and Recipes Blog award. My site meter is showing lots of visitors from the site, so if you have stopped by for a visit, welcome!

Thank you to those of you who nominated me and to those who have voted for me. I am very thankful for my wonderful blogging friends who let me share a little bit of what I love best...home and family!

You can see all of the nominees here!

Christmas Crafts~Homemade Gift Tags and Bags

If you have old Christmas cards this is the perfect time to get them out. I'm going to show you some gift tags that I made from my old ones.


I used oval, circle and square templates. Place the template on the part of the card you'd like to use, trace with a pen and cut out.


You can use straight or decorative edged scissors.


If you have cards with patterns, you can turn these into pretty gift tags too.


Simply place a gift tag pattern on the card, trace and cut out.


Punch a hole at the top and they are ready for some ribbon.


Several of my card had glittery edges so I put them to good use too.


I cut them into strips.


And layered them criss-cross on a cardstock gift tag.


I also added little bows.

Now for the gift bags! Dawn from The Feathered Nest recently shared this wonderful tutorial on how to make these Very Easy Gift Bags.


I used sheet music scrapbook paper(on the right) and I also copied some sheet music I had onto white printer paper.


The greenery is from our Christmas tree.


I glued the sheet music onto the front of the brown paper gift bags. Then tied the greenery and gift tag together with ribbon and tied a bow.


I attached it to the bag of a little hot glue.








All ready for gifts! Let me know if you try any of these ideas!

~O Christmas Tree!~

Last night we went on the search for the perfect Christmas tree.


We are quick shoppers. We found this one right away and everyone liked it.


It was raining lightly and I love how it looks like snow in the picture.


Phillip did the lights, I did the gold ribbon and the girls and Benjamin did everything else!


We also put our train around the tree.


Lots of fun (and noise!).


We drank hot chocolate with marshmallows.


And munched on crackers, cheese, gingerbread cookies, and candy canes.


We also enjoyed these little ginger cakes that Amy from Simple Folk shared recently. The recipe comes from her great-great-great grandmother, Charlotte.


They are wonderfully light and the spiced sugar sprinkled on top is the perfect touch. Be sure to visit Amy for the recipe!

~Charlotte's Christmas Ginger Cakes~


O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!

Christmas Decorating

Hello everyone! Thank you for your sweet comments on my fireplace makeover and sugar cookie adventure. The girls and I took the cookies to church on Saturday and we had three other helpers to decorate. They looked very festive and everyone had lots of fun.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've been doing a little Christmas decorating in my kitchen lately. I call this hutch my "pie safe." I found it at a resale store a few years ago and repainted it, changed the knobs, and put lace on the shelf edges. To help with the vintage look, Phillip took out the glass cupboard doors and replaced them with screens.

I usually keep a cake plate and various tea dishes on it, but wanted to give it more of a Christmas look.


I measured the back of the hutch and cut a piece of plaid fabric with pinking shears.


I attached it with double sided tape and a couple a thumbtacks (way up high where the holes won't show)


Next, I layed down this shimmery gold fabric and placed my cake plate in the right corner.


Candles in the left corner.


A cookie tin that happens to be the same print as the fabric! (I got the fabric at Walmart this year, but the tin at a resale store a few years ago.) I also placed a small doily on top of the tin.


A Christmas book.


I found this cream and gold trim tea set (along with 8 tea cups and saucers) at a yardsale a few months ago.


All ready for a cup of Christmas tea. Thank you for looking at my newly decorating pie safe!

On Christmas Day
At half past three
make your self a cup of tea
I'll think of you
You think of me
underneath the Christmas tree.

Cookies, Cookies and More Cookies!

Our church is having a cookie fundraiser for a missionary this weekend. I was asked to bring 20 dozen sugar cookies. I'm not the best with math and I realized shortly after saying yes, that 20 dozen is actually 20x12 . 240 cookies!


I gathered the butter, eggs, sugar and flour.


But first I drank lots of coffee.


And made sure the kitchen was tidy.


My kitchen aid was not happy with me.




Roll and cut out lots of dough.


Bake. Repeat until you are covered with flour and never want to see another sugar cookie again.


Or until you have 240 cookies. The girls and I are taking them all to church tomorrow and decorating them there.


Time to clean!


Which isn't too bad if you have the new Mrs. Meyers gingerbread cleaners.


Finally, light a candle and relax with a good book!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

"Show and Tell Friday!"

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.


Today I'm going to show you my fireplace. Exciting isn't it? ;0) It has had a bit of a makeover recently.


It also got a good cleaning and I removed the black frame around the hearth.


I love a real wood fire, but thought I would try something new this winter. I already had the black candle holder and found these jar candles for $1.00 each.


And instead of the black frame I put up a fireplace screen.


The makeover took place back in October and we have really enjoyed the cozy candlelight!


Now it is decorated for Christmas. Stockings hung and a mini Christmas tree on the hearth. I also switched out the vanilla candles for red cranberry ones.

Thank you for looking at my new fireplace!


Show and Tell Guidelines

What is Show and Tell Friday?
Show and Tell involves showing something to an audience, and then telling them about it. Your show and tell must be something that you own, and is in your home or garden.

What items work well for Show and Tell Friday?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
-Family heirlooms
-A collection you may have
-A piece of jewelry
-A special gift
-Gardening pictures

What doesn't work well for Show and Tell Friday?
-Posts with no photos have no "Show." Please don't use them.
-Photos of events (trips, vacations, celebrations, etc.)
-Photos of things you are selling or planning to sell.
-Photos found on the internet, graphics or screenshots. Please use photos you take yourself.
-Old photos of just people instead of things.

There is no place like home is the original home of Show and Tell Friday. Please do not host your own.

How can I participate?
Once you've got your photo(s) and your story, it's easy as 1-2-3!

1 - Publish your "Show and Tell" on your blog, including a link back to There is No place like Home.

2 - Copy the link (or "permalink") from your post.

3 - Add it to Mr. Linky, along with your first name only. I usually put Mr. Linky up on Friday at 12:00am Eastern time.

Apple Cranberry Crisp

My friend, Mrs. T from Across my Kitchen Table recently shared a recipe for Apple Cranberry Crisp with me and I couldn't wait to try it! Yesterday, it was chilly outside, so I made a big pot of potato soup and baked some homemade buttermilk biscuits for dinner and this Apple Cranberry Crisp for dessert.

Sweet gala apples and fresh tart cranberries.


Topped with a brown sugar and oat topping.

Here is the recipe:

APPLE CRANBERRY CRISP
3 cups chopped unpeeled apples (I peeled mine)
2 cups raw cranberries
3/4 cup sugar

TOPPING:
1 1/2 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup canola oil (I used butter)

Combine the apples, cranberries and sugar in a 9” square baking dish or a 2-qt. casserole dish. Mix thoroughly to blend; set aside. Combine topping ingredients until crumbly; spread evenly over fruit layer. Bake at 350º for 1 hour or until the fruit is fork-tender. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Yield: 6-8 servings.
Thank you for the delicious recipe, Mrs. T!


Hot and bubbly from the oven.


We had ours topped with whipped cream. Yum! The cranberries turned the apples such a pretty red, perfect for Christmas. Let me know if you try it!

St. Nicholas Day

We have celebrated St. Nicholas Day at our house for several years now. There are many different traditions but this is what we do...

On the night of December 5th, the girls and Benjamin put an empty shoe by the fireplace. They put carrots and hay (if we have it) inside for St. Nicholas' horse.


The following morning they find the carrots and hay gone, and their shoes filled with small gifts and candy!


Chocolate Santas


Milk chocolate Squares


Gold chocolate coins


I also found this fun little cardboard slice of cheese.


With chocolate mice inside! I'm not a fan of mice, but the girls and Benjamin have watched the new movie, Ratatouille all week so they will appreciate them. :0)

Do you celebrate St. Nicholas Day at your house?

Christmas in the Treasured Past

I got out our collection of Christmas books and put them in a basket by the fireplace this evening.


One of my favorite books is called The Best of Christmas, published by Ideals in 1972. Let's visit a small town of long ago...


Little towns are happiest
For they spell the simple things,
At Christmas they are carolers,
And peace that His birth brings.
-Mabel Wilton

The following story is by: Erwin L. Hess

There were no Christmas trees for sale on city lots in those days but there were many trees to choose from. A walk in the cold, crisp air to some small woods, a sharpened ax in hand and we had one! That year Papa picked out a great big, beautiful tree!


Christmas morning sparkled. A tinsel of snow whirled in the air. Onward we rode in the creaking sled pulled by the team of horses. Grandpa's and Grandma's house was hidden in the world's nicest place...


It seemed to be tucked away in some far-off land of silence, peace and contentment. It was a wonderland, wrapped in snow on Christmas Day.


We stomped into the warm kitchen and it's savory smells of cooking made us hungrier than ever. Momma put on an apron to help Grandma with the forthcoming dinner and the kitchen vibrated with holiday happiness.


In those days Christmastime was an old-fashioned, homemade holiday season. Most folks made things which turned out to be gifts...and they loved making them. Those were the days of simplicity, yet satisfyingly pleasant golden days of long ago...

We remember our best Christmas. A flashback appears and this favorite Christmas plays on a very special screen in a picture of color, and we see the scenes we remember so well.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to bring back these simple and old-fashioned pleasures for our own homes? That is my wish for this Christmas season.

Seasonal Delights~Winter 2007

Phillip and I are excited to announce that the winter edition of Seasonal Delights is here! This is such a fun time of year with the upcoming holidays, playing in the snow, and cozy evenings by the fire. We hope that this winter edition will give you plenty of projects, ideas and inspiration as we welcome in the season of winter! Come on over to Seasonal Delights for more information!