Simply Beautiful

A bit Confused

Well as you can see getting snow flurries 2 days in a row seems to have sent my Christmas Cacti into Bloom (wink wink). No, it's entirely my fault that they are blooming now. You are supposed to put them in the dark about mid-September and cut back on watering until buds begin to appear. However, I had them in semi-shade all summer long and the buds formed early. These two beauties are on my kitchen window sill where I can see them as I do the dishes.


I do have another larger pot in my dining room that isn't quite ready to bloom, I'll share photos of that one when it's ready.

Snow Flurries

A few towns in our immediate area had snow flurries today!!! We had a ton of rain, but I didn't see any of those "Suzy Snowflakes." Does anyone remember this song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pta3aWj83Vg&feature=related
Click on Suzy Snowflake:)

The weatherman said that the last time it snowed around here in October was 1979. I can't remember it, but then again I was 13years old.

Have a great night, I'm off to pay bills.

59 Days

It's time for me to really focus. I'm going to try to attempt the following this week,

• I'm about 1/2 finished making my cards, I'm hoping to have them finished by the end of the month.
• I really need to get crackin' on the boys scrapbooks. I wanted to have them done by November 1, but that's not going to happen, I have about 75pages done out of 200 total. But, our social schedules have begun to really to take off. So I'm giving myself a 10 page goal to finish by next Friday.
• This weekend, I'm going to get out all of the gifts that I've bought and try to wrap a few.

That seems like enough of a to-do list with all of the other things that my daily life brings like working, cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry (to name a few).

Amaryllis

I plant amaryllis every year. For those of you who love the look of these beautiful, showy flowers but have never tried to grow them, let me give you a few pointers:

• Count back 7weeks from when you want them to bloom and plant the bulbs that week
• Place the bulb in a sunny window in a warm room (they will grow slower in a cool dim room)
• Water regularly
• Turn the pot 1/4turn every few days to ensure that they grow straight
• If you want to add a support post, do it when planting the bulbs

I've bought bulb kits (bulbs, planters and disks of soil that grow when soaked in water) in years past that have worked perfectly. The kits are sold at Wal- Mart, K-Mart, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot and are pretty reasonably prices.

Let me know if you've planted these beauties in the past.

Holiday Potpourri

I thought that I would give you a quick and easy recipe for potpourri using the dried fruit I blogged about earlier.

After you've trimmed your tree to fit your stand use the trimmings to make this wonderfully fragrant potpourri.

• Six cups of greens (from your tree, purchased specifically,trimmings from your yard or woods). Cut into 2-3" pieces. Mix with all or any of the following:
• 1/2 cup cinnamon sticks (broken up)
• 1/2 cup cloves
• 1/2 cup whole allspice
• 1/2 cup star anise
• 1/2 cup whole nutmegs (broken up)
• 1/2 cup bay leaves (broken up)
• 1/2 cup dried fruit slices
• 1/2 cup small pine cones

Mix. You may add essential oils for added fragrance. Four to six drops of balsam fir oil or a citrus oil (can be found at most craft stores). Enjoy!

Fun Finds

I found this vintage tablecloth at Shupps Grove in Epherta, PA. The vintage music book and jingle bells came from the Kutztown Farmers Market in Kutztown, PA.

I'll going to use the music in my scrapbooks and I have an idea of how to use the bells in some special Christmas gifts that I'm making.

It takes time

It really takes a lot of time to blog: taking photos, posting, writing, and reading other peoples blogs. But I love it!!

Thanks so much to Gingerbug http://monthbymonthwithgingerbug.blogspot.com/ who guided me and urged me to start a blog.

And, I must say that I have met a pretty terrific bunch of friends!

Drying fruit for wreaths and potpourri

I use a lot of candles throughout the winter months to make the whole house smell "homey." I also have bowls of potpourri everywhere. I like to add homemade elements to the potpourri. One of the fun craft projects that we do is to dry fruit (not to eat).

Oranges, lemons and limes may be sliced about 1/4" thick and set aside to dry on waxed paper, turning at least 1x each day. Do not put them on metal or newspaper surfaces. You may also place them in a slow oven 200 degrees for about 6-8hrs. But, you will have more vivid colors if you allow them to air dry.

Apples may also be cut 1/2-1/4" thick, it's worth the effort to try and make them 1/4". Cut out the centers with a star cutter. Dip each slice into lemon juice. If you want to add scent to the apples, sprinkle with cinnamon. Air dry as above.

Once dried, you may string the fruit on raffia to make a wreath, or create a garland. The fruit is also a wonderful addition to potpourri.

Pomegranates will dry on their own if placed on a shelf at room temperature. Make sure they do not touch each other and allow for normal light and air circulation. These take a few months to dry completely (2-3 months) so plan accordingly.

Have fun!

Making a List

Wow, the days are just flying by...I can't believe there are only 75days left. I love to check things off my to do list...

• As part of my cleaning plan, I tore the living room apart, rearranging the furniture (we will have to turn the heat on soon and the couch was in front of the radiator), just need to clean the ceiling fan and I can check that room off my list.
• I have all of my envelopes addressed, I just need to get the cards made.

I got out a lot of old Christmas Magazines and have been having a ball looking and dreaming.

What have you been doing to get ready?

Something Fun

I found this website while over at my merrychristmas.com.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorchristmastreeshouldyouhavequiz/outcome.php

Log on and answer the short survey, it will tell you what color Christmas Tree you should have.

Here' s Mine

You Should Have a Blue Christmas Tree
For you, the holidays represent a time of calm, understanding, and peace.You avoid family fights, and you don't get too stressed out - even when things are crazy!You like to make Christmas about making everyone's life a little bit better.

You don't get caught up in greed or commercialism. You're too sincere for that.

Your blue tree would look great with: Lots of silver tinsel

You should spend Christmas Eve watching: It's a Wonderful Life

What you should bake for Santa: Chocolate chip cookies

Cookie List

I thought that you might like to see my list goodies for this year:

COOKIES

• Filled Cookies (Pineapple & Raspberry)
• Chocolate Crinkles
• Chocolate Macaroons
• Spritz
• Toffee
• Pizelles
• Tea Tassies
• Peanut Butter Kisses
• Chocolate Chip
• Oatmeal Raisin
• White Chocolate Macadamia
• Raisin Filled
• Thumbprint
• Lady Lock
• Meringue Kisses
• Kolacky
• Nut Roll
• Gobs
• Snickerdoodles

SWEET NOTHINGS

• Chocolate Covered Pretzels
• Peanut Brittle
• Cinnamon Chocolate Almonds
• Peanut Brittle

I may add more, but this is my basic list that I use every year.

Planner Pages

A few photos from my Christmas Planner.

It's Tradition

Do you realize that next month we will put up our CHRISTMAS TREE!!

I can't believe it. The day after Thanksgiving we go to a local tree farm to cut down our tree. It's been a tradition for years. We take a horse-drawn wagon out into the forest of evergreens. The smell is to die for. Then the bring us back on the same or similar wagon. We grab a free cup of hot cider or hot chocolate and shop at the Christmas Barn. I sometimes buy an ornament or 2.

Last year Jade came with us and this year I'm hoping that she and Chelsea with both come.

What are your family traditions?

Craft Timeline

Hi

I'm really trying to move full speed ahead with all of my Christmas Craft Projects...

• Christmas Cards - They are cut, scored and folded, now I just need to stamp and embellish. I'm going to start to address the envelopes tonight.
• Scrapbooks - My goal is to have them finished by the end of this month. That means if I take the rest of the month and divide it evenly I need to do 5pgs per day! Wish me luck
• Christmas Recipe Book - I want to have this finished by Thanksgiving but I think that it will always be in progress.
• Family Recipe Book for My Jade - I want to have this finished by December 15. I'm not sure when she and Adam are leaving for TX.
• Gift Tags for Cookie and Candy Trays - I need to have these finished by December 15 too.
• Miscellaneous Projects - These will be finished in the nick of time, right before I meet with the recipient:)