Whatever Girlfriends

Merry & Bright I love Christmas.  I remember as a little girl the magical times my mom orchestrated for our family and friends to truly make the season “Merry & Bright.” They were things like baking the most wonderful Christmas goodies.  Lots and lots of of goodies.  We would package them up on plates and deliver to shut-ins and special family friends.  There were four of us kids, so we did not get out of the car (Mom, working smart here!) I mean, there were no seat belt laws, there were probably not any seat belts! Anyway, She would hop out of the car, run to the door and present our gift and point to us and we would all wave, shout “Merry Christmas!” Sometimes our friends might walk Mom back to the car and say hi and give hugs.  Another way Mom made our season “Merry & Bright” was by opening our home for gatherings.  Mom was the choir director at our church for many years.  She would always have the choir (about 30 members!)  and their families over one Sun

Peppermint Punch  Ingredients: 1/2 gallon of Peppermint Ice Cream, softened 1 quart eggnog, cold 1 quart soda water, cold (I used Ginger Ale)  Put Peppermint Ice Cream in punch bowl.  Pour the eggnog and soda water on top. A fun thing to do is crush up some hard peppermints, wet rim of glasses and dip in crushed peppermint.   Makes about 12 - 16 cups of punch (depending on size of cups)

Ritz Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies These are always a hit because they are so good.  Who can say no to peanut butter and chocolate?! Ingredients: 1 (24 oz) Chocolate Almond Bark 2 sleeves of Ritz crackers peanut butter powdered sugar (optional) Melt the almond bark in a double boiler over low heat, stirring occasionally. In the mean time put peanut butter on a Ritz cracker then put another Ritz on top, sandwich style. Dip the sandwiched peanut butter  Ritz in the almond bark.  Place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.  Allow the chocolate covered crackers to set. I ususally let them set for abour 30 minutes then I put them in an air tight container. Note:  Use the powdered sugar to stir into the peanut butter if it is too thin or runny to stay on the crackers.  Alot of the natural peanut butters are a very thin consistancy. Makes about 24

This is too cute and too simple.  You will love it!  I forgot to take pictures as I made it, so I hopefully can describe the steps so you can make one. Supplies: 2 large colanders (from Dollar Tree) 1 string of 50 lights hot glue  ribbon pipecleaner First thing is to cut the handles off the colanders.  It's a hassle, but ya gotta get them off. Next use some clear fishing line to tie half of the string of lights in the top colander.  I just tied through the colander and around the string of lights in about 5 different places so the lights don't all fall to the bottom of the ball.  Once you have tied the lights in the top, you need to glue the two colanders together being sure to have the tail out so you can get to the plug. Cut a wide piece of ribbon long enough to go all the way around the ball.  Use hot glue to adhere. Then I used another ribbon that was not quite as wide and glued it all around on top of other ribbon. Make a bow and use a pipecleaner to atta

One more way to use those cones!   A Ribbon Tree is a great way to use whatever colors you want to add to your Christmas tree.  You will need 1 cone, ribbon, glue gun and a piece of string to make the hanger.  Optional is a pom pom for a topper. I used every inch of the spool of ribbon for one tree, so don't be careless when you cut the ribbon in pieces - you cannot waste a bit!!! The ribbon was from Dollar Tree.  Nine feet of 5/8 wide, cut into  2 and 1/2 inch pieces.   Using a glue gun, start at the bottom of the cone and glue pieces all around the bottom. I glue a piece on as shown here ----> Glue the edge of the wrong side. Do it all the way around, then put glue on the other end of the piece and fold up to edge.   Glue a piece of ribbon on the top.   Just keep going up, over lapping each layer.   Glue a piece of string to the top so you can hang it on your Christmas tree or to a package - how cute!  You can add a pom pom

Here is another tree ornament just like the Jute ornament, only using fabric strips!  I am thinking about adding a ribbon bow on the top of the tree. The supplies are: foam tree (from Hobby Lobby), one strip of fabric that is about 1" in width and 30" in length.  I tore it so it would have the rustic look.  You will need a glue gun and I used jute for a hang loop on the top.   I started at the bottom on this ornament. Glue a strip on the bottom, then cut as you go, layering the next strip above and keep going up.  Just before I put the top layer on I cut a small square and put it on the tip then layered the last strip.  Is this clear as mud?   I think the fabric can really be a great way to go to use the color theme you choose.  And adding bows on top would really be cute!  Let me see what you do with this project!!!

It was this little guys birthday yesterday.  He is our first grandchild and has a special place in our hearts!  He is a great kid who is thoughtful, fun, active....did I say active? He gave his life to Jesus in August of this year and we are so proud of him.  He does like his brownies, but also eats his veggies and shrimps with just as much enthusiasm! Happy 11th Birthday, Caden!  We love you!!!

My heart is singing!  That's what happens when I am in Christmas crafting mode! Today I have been making some ornaments for the Christmas tree our church is decorating for a Christmas party we are helping to sponsor for children with Downs.  We are really excited to be involved in this ministry.   Supplies: I have some styrofoam trees (approx 2"X4"),  jute twine, glue gun and glue.  The trees and jute are from Hobby Lobby.   Then I grabbed a garland of snowflakes.  These are made to hang your Christmas cards on, I think.  They are from the Dollar Tree.  It is tiny clothes pins with felt snowflakes on a piece of jute.  I just cut off the jute and I will show you how I used them in a minute....  This is optional - kind of a last minute idea I had!!!   Something to keep in mind - the hot glue will melt the styrofoam so you have to use little dollups.  You start at the top of the tree, curl the end of your jute and glue to top.  Then as you go around and