Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
I love to drive by houses that have a gazillion lights, blow-ups, animated figures, fake spiral trees, and so on. Our old neighbor's house reminded me of the "Griswald's" and it made me chuckle every time I drove by...however I decorate very simply outside:
This year we have a new home and we put candles in all 16 windows. I have boughs under the candles in the front, wreaths in the back all with simple red bows.
I also have a small porch to decorate where the trees and sled are protected from the wind and snow.
And of course hubby's reindeer (yes, the very same that the kids rearranged on Thanksgiving Day).
I'm ready for the whole clan to arrive, everything is ready - gifts are wrapped, house is clean, dinners are planned and most importantly, the wine is chilled. I may not have the Griswald's decorations, but there have been times I have referred to the family as the "Griswalds" (if you know what I mean!!)
This year we have a new home and we put candles in all 16 windows. I have boughs under the candles in the front, wreaths in the back all with simple red bows.
I also have a small porch to decorate where the trees and sled are protected from the wind and snow.
And of course hubby's reindeer (yes, the very same that the kids rearranged on Thanksgiving Day).
I'm ready for the whole clan to arrive, everything is ready - gifts are wrapped, house is clean, dinners are planned and most importantly, the wine is chilled. I may not have the Griswald's decorations, but there have been times I have referred to the family as the "Griswalds" (if you know what I mean!!)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
My favors at the Christmas dinner table are "Jane's snowmen" for the women and I am making "Martha's yule logs" for the men. The yule logs are made from toilet paper tubes and a pre-printed paper design downloaded from Martha's website:
The yule logs are so easy to make and will compliment my dinner dishes (Syracuse China). I only wish I had found this idea earlier so I could have made 16.
I plan on tucking a few treats and a lottery ticket inside.
Jane and Martha are just too clever for me!
I am joining Metamorphosis Monday today. Jump over to Between Naps on the Porch for some other ideas
Central NY is known for gray winters. We all lack Vitamin D because the sun rarely shines from November til spring (and then it's sketchy!).
But TODAY it is beautiful - the sun is shining, there is a bit of snow on the ground, and it is cold and crisp - a perfect winter day.
And I can happily say that the coastal storm missed us. Only a very few snowflakes in the air, glistening with the sun, quite like my Swarovski snowflake tree.
Just a lovely day!
But TODAY it is beautiful - the sun is shining, there is a bit of snow on the ground, and it is cold and crisp - a perfect winter day.
And I can happily say that the coastal storm missed us. Only a very few snowflakes in the air, glistening with the sun, quite like my Swarovski snowflake tree.
Just a lovely day!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
I got the inspiration for these ornaments from Embellished Bayou. I needed a few little gifts for some coworkers so I bought some clear ornaments, pulled out some green paint, paint markers and ribbon:
I gave the ornaments two coats of green paint and then painted polka dots all over. I used a paint marker to outline the dots - I hung them from pencils to dry:
I then used a black marker to write an initial on each, and added a few more dots and a bow to finish it off:
I packaged them in little gift boxes with shredded krinkled paper.
I went to Goodwill and bought some gold ornaments and dolled them up, too. This was actually much quicker as they already had a base coat of color. I sat in front of the TV and whipped up 6 in no time at all - a very relaxing craft for me to do because I love to doodle!!
I gave the ornaments two coats of green paint and then painted polka dots all over. I used a paint marker to outline the dots - I hung them from pencils to dry:
I then used a black marker to write an initial on each, and added a few more dots and a bow to finish it off:
I packaged them in little gift boxes with shredded krinkled paper.
I went to Goodwill and bought some gold ornaments and dolled them up, too. This was actually much quicker as they already had a base coat of color. I sat in front of the TV and whipped up 6 in no time at all - a very relaxing craft for me to do because I love to doodle!!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Here's a quick idea for a last minute gift:
Buy an inexpensive jar with a flat lid (This one is a Libby jar). Remove the wire stem from a pick and glue it on the lid, adding some ribbon loops or bows - or take the pick apart and glue on pieces to create your own arrangement:
I used a glue gun to adhere:
Wrap a piece of ribbon around the side of the jar and add a loop or bow:
Add some homemade or store bought candy and DONE! It can be made as quickly as reading these directions!
Visit Leigh at Bloggeritaville to link to other Thrifty Thursday participants.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I would much rather make candy during the holidays than bake cookies. One of my favorites is Peanut Brittle.
For years I made brittle on the stove top until I found this really easy recipe for "10 Minute Peanut Brittle"
And the fun part of making candy is the wrapping and packaging...and of course the "tasting".
10 Minute Peanut Brittle
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup lt corn syrup
1/8 t salt
1 1/4 cup roasted, salted peanuts
1 T butter
1 t vanilla
1 t baking soda
Combine sugar, corn syrup and salt in a 2 qt bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Stir in peanuts. Microwave for 5 more minutes, stirring at 2 and 4 minutes. Stir in butter, vanilla and soda quickly and stir. Spread onto a buttered cookie sheet to 1/4" thickness. Cool. Break into pieces. ENJOY!
For years I made brittle on the stove top until I found this really easy recipe for "10 Minute Peanut Brittle"
And the fun part of making candy is the wrapping and packaging...and of course the "tasting".
10 Minute Peanut Brittle
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup lt corn syrup
1/8 t salt
1 1/4 cup roasted, salted peanuts
1 T butter
1 t vanilla
1 t baking soda
Combine sugar, corn syrup and salt in a 2 qt bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Stir in peanuts. Microwave for 5 more minutes, stirring at 2 and 4 minutes. Stir in butter, vanilla and soda quickly and stir. Spread onto a buttered cookie sheet to 1/4" thickness. Cool. Break into pieces. ENJOY!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sunday was gift wrapping day...and believe me when I say it lasted all day! This was my kitchen counter around 10:00am (I wont even show you what the floor looked like)
And I wrapped til about 3:00. Christmas music was playing in the background, and a pine candle was burning.
I love a beautifully wrapped present and sometimes I hate to open a gift that is presented so lovely....so here are a few I wrapped:
This one has some linens from the Carribean, rather than a bow (a bookmark to go with the books and a square doily to go with the platter).
A special gift from the Yankee Store in NYC for "hubby":
And a surprise for Ray:
So, a productive day and now I am ready to just sit back and enjoy the holidays!
And I wrapped til about 3:00. Christmas music was playing in the background, and a pine candle was burning.
I love a beautifully wrapped present and sometimes I hate to open a gift that is presented so lovely....so here are a few I wrapped:
This one has some linens from the Carribean, rather than a bow (a bookmark to go with the books and a square doily to go with the platter).
A special gift from the Yankee Store in NYC for "hubby":
And a surprise for Ray:
So, a productive day and now I am ready to just sit back and enjoy the holidays!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
One of my favorite decorations is a produce crate that I painted years ago. I got it from the local grocery store FREE ( well a smile and a pleasant disposition helped)....
I painted the crate red, and covered the edges with "snow paint". The letters were painted with stencils and the stickers are from the local stationery store....
I always store "treats or snacks" in the crate. Currently it holds candy treats, but for parties I fill tins, paper bags and cardboard boxes with nuts, crackers and chips.
The crate has some excelsior, greenery and picks inside as a filler:
It sits on my kitchen counter, beside this book:
This is my favorite Christmas story, A Cup of Christmas Tea. If you haven't read it, it's a must, but I warn you, you'll need a tissue!
I am joining Leigh, again, for Thrifty Thursday....hop on over to Tales from Bloggeritaville for some more thrifty ideas! Thanks Leigh!
I painted the crate red, and covered the edges with "snow paint". The letters were painted with stencils and the stickers are from the local stationery store....
I always store "treats or snacks" in the crate. Currently it holds candy treats, but for parties I fill tins, paper bags and cardboard boxes with nuts, crackers and chips.
The crate has some excelsior, greenery and picks inside as a filler:
It sits on my kitchen counter, beside this book:
This is my favorite Christmas story, A Cup of Christmas Tea. If you haven't read it, it's a must, but I warn you, you'll need a tissue!
I am joining Leigh, again, for Thrifty Thursday....hop on over to Tales from Bloggeritaville for some more thrifty ideas! Thanks Leigh!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
We are expecting our first snowstorm of the season tomorrow morning...I am praying for a snow day from school?So, what do we do with all of our snow? Snowmen are a familiar sight in Central NY during the winter months...what else can you do with LOTS and LOTS of snow? We average about 112" of snow a year, but this year we are hoping for much less.
And as I have said before, the best thing about the snow is SNOW DAYS and I get to stay home from school.
Now and then we welcome snow days that force us to stay in all day...those are good "house cleaning days" and even better if a good movie is on Lifetime and I can snuggle under a blanket with a cup of cocoa!!
But the best snow days are ones that begin with a snowstorm that ends around 9am and the sun comes out...
and we can get out of the house to go out to lunch or to shop.
Even though I don't like the snow, I can't imagine living in a warm climate for Christmas..
How on earth does Santa's sleigh land on a dry, hot roof?
UPDATE 8:00am Wednesday: No snow day....took me twice as long to get to work today...roads are slippery and icy, cars are in the ditches and a bus went off the road, which caused me to be diverted and I had to drive on the unplowed back roads...OK,OK, don't beat me up, the people on the bus were all fine. These are the snow days I despise!
And as I have said before, the best thing about the snow is SNOW DAYS and I get to stay home from school.
Now and then we welcome snow days that force us to stay in all day...those are good "house cleaning days" and even better if a good movie is on Lifetime and I can snuggle under a blanket with a cup of cocoa!!
But the best snow days are ones that begin with a snowstorm that ends around 9am and the sun comes out...
and we can get out of the house to go out to lunch or to shop.
Even though I don't like the snow, I can't imagine living in a warm climate for Christmas..
How on earth does Santa's sleigh land on a dry, hot roof?
UPDATE 8:00am Wednesday: No snow day....took me twice as long to get to work today...roads are slippery and icy, cars are in the ditches and a bus went off the road, which caused me to be diverted and I had to drive on the unplowed back roads...OK,OK, don't beat me up, the people on the bus were all fine. These are the snow days I despise!
Monday, December 7, 2009
I love CAROLLERS! These are one of my many favorite Christmas decorations. These carolers are from Possible Dreams and they are always the first decorations I put out - I don't know why, they just are!
Yesterday we went to Skaneateles, the gateway to the Finger Lakes area. The Dicken's characters sing and entertain as they stroll through the town in and around the shops and restaurants. Here they are in the town gazebo:
And sitting in front of one of the gift shops in town:
And how could I resist sitting with this jolly ol' guy and sharing my Christmas List?
And afterwards we had dinner at the Sherwood Inn, an inn that was built in 1800 and our table had a wonderful view of Skaneateles Lake and the decorated tree at the end of the long pier.
Earlier in the day we went to Mirbeau Spa and I met Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs. They were there promoting their new line of products. My husband was busy "chatting it up" with Richard and I took advantage of another photo "op":
This is one talented lady - if I only had 20% of her creative mind, I would be unstoppable!
Yesterday we went to Skaneateles, the gateway to the Finger Lakes area. The Dicken's characters sing and entertain as they stroll through the town in and around the shops and restaurants. Here they are in the town gazebo:
And sitting in front of one of the gift shops in town:
And how could I resist sitting with this jolly ol' guy and sharing my Christmas List?
And afterwards we had dinner at the Sherwood Inn, an inn that was built in 1800 and our table had a wonderful view of Skaneateles Lake and the decorated tree at the end of the long pier.
Earlier in the day we went to Mirbeau Spa and I met Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs. They were there promoting their new line of products. My husband was busy "chatting it up" with Richard and I took advantage of another photo "op":
This is one talented lady - if I only had 20% of her creative mind, I would be unstoppable!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Welcome
I may earn compensation from advertising and affiliate marketing links. Thanks for your support.
Scan for my favorite links:
Search This Blog
The Tales of the Traveling Tote #38
Stay Connected!
[socialcounter]
[instagram][https://instagram.com/ppultorak]
[pinterest][http://pinterest.com/pattipultorak/]
[rss][http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/RRgLPM]
[facebook][https://www.facebook.com/patti.delaneypultorak]
[envelope][mailto:ppultorak@gmail.com]
Subscribe By Email
Sign up with your email address to receive the latest updates straight in your inbox.
Popular Posts
-
Hey there, cute pumpkin! Join me for lunch and then hop around to see some other fabulous Halloween tables. Thanks Rita @ Panoply for hosti...
-
Once again, Rita from Panoply is hosting a Tablescape Hop and the talented women who are participating are listed at the end of this post!
-
Today I am joining Rita @ Panoply and a group of creative bloggers for a table setting blog hop!
-
My daughters have decided to host Thanksgiving and Christmas this year so my little dining table is set for an early Thanksgiving dinner fo...
-
The Everson Art Museum in Syracuse, NY has a yearly holiday event/fundraiser called the Festival of Trees and Lights. I have participated f...
Pandora’s Day Trips
-
-
Spring Things15 hours ago
-
Pineapple Sloppy Joes18 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
Easy Appetizers....3 days ago
-
-
Spanning The Ages5 days ago
-
A Bowl Full of Bunnies6 days ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Tales of the Traveling Tote #38 and Giveaway2 weeks ago
-
-
No science projects today…5 weeks ago
-
Celebrating Valentine's Day5 weeks ago
-
Vintage Napkin Holder Turned Valentine Art1 month ago
-
No place like this home2 months ago
-
~are you team mushroom?~2 months ago
-
Christmas blessings2 months ago
-
A Cautionary Tale And A Cancer Scare3 months ago
-
Gift Guide: Gifts for Her4 months ago
-
Summertime Sweets9 months ago
-
OPEN and CLOSED DOORS10 months ago
-
New Year, New Wrinkles11 months ago
-
Van Gogh Immersion Exhibit1 year ago
-
My Blue Valentine1 year ago
-
BLONDIE MOVING ALONG2 years ago
-
-
Mad & Plaid3 years ago
-
Hello to all3 years ago
-
Surfside Style3 years ago
-
-
-
Life Hacks: Beauty...4 years ago
-
-
A Merry Christmas Farewell5 years ago
-
Hi Friends! Long time, no see!5 years ago
-
A Taste of Traveling Goodies5 years ago
-
A New Year6 years ago
-
Faux Spool Cabinet6 years ago
-
Follow Me On Pinterest
Pandora's Archive
Pandora's Peeps:
Labels
10 on the 10th
all about me
art
baby
BeekmanBoys
cape cod
christmas
cocktails
covid-19
craft
decorating
drinks
fall
family
fashion
festivals
food
freebie
funny
Garden
gifts
girlfriends
giveaway
happy hour
holiday
house
inspiration
jewelry
M-C
mc
National Day
Nifty Thrifty Tues
NYC
opinion
pirish
quarantine
Ray
recipe
recipes
recycle
recycling
school
shopping
st.patrick
susan branch
tablescapes
the traveling tote
thrifting
thrifty thurs
tutorial
vacation
valentine
vignette
vignette friday
weather
wine
Winter
without my hubby