Thursday, December 29, 2016

What to do with all of the Photo Cards......



There is nothing better than receiving holiday photo cards of friends and family....


...they cover the refrigerator for a month and then I gather them all together...


...punch a hole in a corner and tie them together...


...the "cover sheet" is a greeting card we also received that year, and I write the year on it.


It's always fun to look back to see how the children have grown!


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sharing with Flaunt it Friday

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

GIVEAWAY....


Visit my Facebook page for a giveaway:


https://www.facebook.com/PPandorasbox/

All you have to do is Like my page, share it on FB and leave a comment - easy peasy!




I'll be picking a winner after the New Year!

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Friday, December 23, 2016

Enjoy this holiday season....

Lights on the Lake is in Liverpool, NY.  
This is a "drive-through" event and each year more lights are added.  It is fun for all ages and is best seen when there is snow on the ground.  It's a yearly tradition for us.


Another tradition is calling Santa - don't forget to have your little ones call him and leave a message:




Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy this special season with your loved ones.  

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Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Santa has arrived....

A few photos of Santa Claus found around here!











Ho Ho Ho.... Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Pickled Carrots.....


 Lynn at Happier than a Pig in Mud shared this Carrot Pickle recipe and I decided to make some to add to holiday gift baskets.  I altered the recipe a bit, but you can visit her blog for the original recipe!

I used little jars for the gift baskets....


...and a larger jar for me!


I am so anxious to taste these!


Here's what I did:

 Pickled Carrots
1 lb carrots, sliced
Boil:  1 1/2 c cider vinegar, 1 1/2 c water, 1 cup sugar until sugar is dissolved.
Add carrots, 3 cloves garlic, 1 t celery seed, 1t red pepper flakes.
Bring to a boil, them simmer for 6 minutes.
Pour into jars.
This filled 3 small jars and a pint jar, and a little left over for me to taste tonight!

Monday, December 19, 2016

Easy Fudge Wreaths....

This is my favorite holiday fudge recipe...


...and it is so simple to make...


I butter 12 disposable muffin tins (or 5-6 mini pie tins) and gather my culinary tools: mascara and eye pencils (oh, yes I do) and I cover them with plastic wrap....


I melt one bag of milk chocolate chips (can use semi-sweet), 1/2 bag of butterscotch chips, 1 teaspoon vanilla and a can of evaporated milk in a sauce pan, stirring until all combined....


I add 1 c walnuts and quickly pour into the 12 muffin tins:


As the fudge begins to set, I poke the "culinary tools" I created into the center and give a little twist...


I slice some spearmint leaves thin and press into the fudge, along with a few "berries"....


...and refrigerate! 


 I cut the muffin tins into 6 pieces and peel away to remove the fudge wreaths...


YUM!



Saturday, December 17, 2016

Holiday Home Tour....





...the first ornament on the tree is always the little teacup my Aunt/Godmother gave me many years ago...


...the tree is decorated with years of special ornaments...


...santa is "watching" over us...


...the wise men are on top of the china cabinet...


...with a vintage lantern....


...the mantle is donned in silver and sparkles...


...the Swarovski tree is always difficult to photograph...


...but on a sunny day the glisten is beautiful...


...and the night lights sparkle...


...it's even pretty from outdoors...


...the stockings I made are hung...


...the candles are lit...


...the coffee table is festive...


...the dining table has a woodsy theme...


...with greens and "bark" candles...


...the buffet is simply decorated with santa...


...the kitchen tree is decorated in my favorite hand painted ball ornaments...


...and a few special ones tucked in...


...at night it brightens up the kitchen...


...the sports tree dons my husband's favorite teams:


Now to start baking and planning the holiday meals!!