Ideas to Make the Season More Festive

Here are some tried and true methods for making the season more festive and less stressful. (At least they work for me.)

1. Make Peppermint Whipped Cream. It adds a little oomph to your coffee in the morning. For extra punch add some cocoa to your coffee and make a mocha.

2. Make Cookies/Marshmallows. I have to make my Soft Gingerbread cookies every year. Well I have for the last 5 or 6 years. So I'm making it a tradition.

3. Sing Christmas Songs at the top of your lungs. Nothing chases the Grinch away like a silly reindition of the 12 Days of Christmas

4. Avoid the lines for Santa by going first thing in the morning on a week day. This is the only reason my kids have seen Santa or the Easter Bunny. I REFUSE to wait in line for hours for this.

5. Add glitter, sequins or lights to everything. Some pine garland/tree/wreaths don't hurt either.

6. Watch the cheesy Christmas Movies on Lifetime, Oxygen, or the numerous re-tellings of The Christmas Carol. Just keep in mind that some of those movies would seem really creepy if it wasn't for the Christmas sheen on everything. Ghost comes back to visit and help you see things differently? Horror story. Woman gets a kids Santa letter asking for a new mommy by mistake. She takes it as a sign to inject herself into the family. Another horror story. Fiance dumps you just before the holidays, so you hire an actor to pose as your soul mate, you fall in love with said actor after a weekend and end up spending your life together? A bit over the top. But all of these make sense during Christmas.

7. Enjoy the parties. Especially those with the White Elephant gift  exchange. Nothing like a silly random gift to make things more hilarious. Plus you can get rid of the shit you didn't want in the first place. Or the Christmas Chamber Pot you got at last years White Elephant party. (No, I didn't get it, but it's been re-gifted around the office for years. It's kind of a tradition now.)

8. Reduce your gift buying list by having a dinner out with whomever, siblings, family, friends, after the new year. It'll make the season less stressful because you'll be spending less. And then you have something fun to look forward to in the next coming months. Plus, you don't have to clean your house this way. ;) More time for cheesy movies and cookie making.

9. Enjoy all the "BIG" warm, snuggly sweaters. This is the time to cover up all those love handles, bumps, and extra you that you've suddenly ended up with (from the cookies and marshmallows) and no one can tease you for it. Cause they're usually in them too.

10. Just breathe. Remember it'll all be over in a few weeks.

Stuff - Good and Bad

Let's start with the bad.

So I’ve had a rough couple of weeks since I last posted. Squeaker gave himself a black eye and  fell down the stairs. (He’s okay!) Angel Baby has been more of “Demon Baby” with her whining and new potty issues. Why she has to constantly pee on her panties is beyond frustrating. I bruised a toe pretty badly and just last Sunday, I fell on the stairs. Well slipped down a few stairs and landed on my butt. So yesterday, I had a very sore coccyx. (Hubs was so hilarious when I mentioned it. “You said cock. Hee hee. Apparently, I’m married to a 12 year old. And we all had a really horrible stomach flu thing that stuck around for a full week. I’m happy to say that I lost a few pounds, but come on. There has to be an easier way.

Good news: my office’s holiday party is tomorrow. I can’t wait to go and have fun. I get to run the White Elephant and it’s always such a blast to see what present everyone fights over. 

Other great things? I’m almost done Christmas shopping. I only have my Mom and Step-Dad and Dad and Step-Mom left for buy Christmas gifts. However, I still have to get Hubs something for his birthday. Other than that it’s just wrapping and finishing up the gifts that I’m making. 

Yet more great things? I participated in the Holiday Mix Tape Swap that Meagan, Sara and Meghan were hosting.

I was matched up with Christine at A day in the life... We sent a few emails back and forth about what music we both liked/were looking for. She did a great job on my tape. It was great! Lots of oldies, newbies, and some that I've never heard before. 

1.       Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Mariah Carey

2.       Baby, It’s Cold Outside - Dean Martin & Martina McBride

3.       I’ll Be Home for Christmas - Elvis & Carrie Underwood

4.       Silent Night - Sarah McLachlan

5.       My Grown Up Christmas List - Kelly Clarkson

6.       It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Harry Connick Jr.

7.       The Christmas Song - Peggy Lee

8.       Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Michael Bublé

9.       White Christmas - Bing Crobsy & Frank Sinatra

10.   Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Christina Aguilera

11.   Jingle All the Way - Lena Horne

12.   Shake Up Christmas - Train

13.   It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Norah Jones

14.   Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong & the Commanders

15.   It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas - Harry Connick Jr.

16.   Blue Christmas - Elvis & Martina McBride

17.   Jingle Bells - Michael Bublé & The Puppini Sisters

18.   Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt

19.   Winter Wonderland - Dean Martin

20.   Joy to the World - David Archuleta

21.   Satariffic - Harry Connick Jr.

22.   All I want for Christmas is You - Michael Bublé

23.   It Ain’t Christmas - Joe

24.   Holly Jolly Christmas - Faith Hill

      I highlighted my top faves from the playlist in Green. Also, I have to say that in perusing all the other mix tape playlists I found out about a great group. Pentatonix. They are AMAZING!!! I had to go and buy their Christmas album on iTunes. If you haven't heard of them. Check them out here. 

      

     

Favorite Christmas Songs Part Trois

Remember back in the day...well actually I don't since I wasn't born yet. But do you remember seeing this great version of Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth with David Bowie and Bing Crosby? Well it's been redone by Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.

Here's a refresher for you.

David and Bing's original version.



New "Hilarious" version.

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy with Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly from Will Ferrell

So which one do you like better? I'm kinda diggin on the new one. But the original will always have a warm, fuzzy place in my heart.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

This is by far the best gingerbread cookie recipe I've found. I found it on some recipe site a few years ago. It's my staple for the Holiday Cookie swaps. And so far most everyone likes it! Feel free to share.

2 1/4 c flour
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c margarine/non salted butter softened
1 c. sugar
1 tbs water
1/4 c. molasses
2 tbs sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tbs sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

The recipie says it makes 2 dozen. But I can stretch it to 3.

Enjoy

Favorite Christmas Songs Part Deux

Okay, so on with the cheesy videos but great songs. Sheesh Mariah....you're singing about how the only thing in the entire universe that you would ever want/need for Christmas is your boyfriend, stud muffin, boy toy...and all you show in the video is you.

Maybe it's you singing to yourself in the mirror. Then it makes sense. All you want for Christmas is yourself.

Oh well, it's a great song, even if the video sucks.



Hope you are all doing well. I'm really glad the weekend is over and we're into the week. I had to deal with the Wee One and the Hubs both puking. Ugh. So gross. I really hope I don't get it....so far I'm okay. But we'll see. Keep your fingers crossed.

Favorite Christmas Songs

So I thought I'd share some of the wonderful Yuletide joy that I've been experiencing with a fun Christmas music video. This is one of my favorite songs. Yes, it's cheesy and quite hilarious. But I can't help it. I have to sing along at the top of my lungs.

Such hilarity...such hair....



Keep your eyes peeled...there's more to come.

Black Friday

So what are you doing today? Have you been up since last night camping out in front of your favorite store? Are you one that just salivates over getting to the store first, getting all those early bird deals?

Or are you like me?

I refuse to go shopping on Black Friday. There's a reason it's black. Sure the retail version of the story is that it's the first day of the year that the store operates in the black. But me. Pssht, my definition is that it's the most congested, least holiday-ish, most selfish day in the shopping year. Ugh. People pushing, yelling, shouting, all the cars, traffic. Yuck. And all to save a buck or two. Or quite possibly spend more than you thought you were because of all the "amazing" deals on shit I don't need.

I'm visiting friends and laying low today. Just doing my part to make it a little happier for all you Black Friday fans.

Have fun whatever you decide to do.

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy New Year's! I hope everyone had a great Yule/Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate!

May this new year bring wonderment, success, and happiness to you!

See you all again on the 4th!

Lazy Sunday Movie: The Polar Express

Ok, I know I keep mentioning this movie. But it is my favorite holiday movie. I love the premise. A little boy is having a "belief crisis" about Santa Claus. Does he exist? He has all this evidence that he doesn't. A picture of him pulling a department store Santa's beard off. Mechanical Santas in store windows. A definition of the North Pole as "devoid of life". Then on Christmas Eve he has a magical journey on a train that takes him to the North Pole to meet Santa. He meets different people on this train, fellow children (a little girl, a poor little boy, a know-it-all boy) the conductor, the engineers, and a hobo (ghost?).

While on the train he talks about Santa, does he exist? He wants to believe, but he doesn't want to be tricked. He doesn't want to find out it's all been a lie. He doesn't want to think he's been stupid for believing in something that doesn't exist.

All of the little boy's issues with Santa have been mirrored in my own spiritual journey this year. Is there a higher power? I have evidence that he/she doesn't, I didn't want to swallow a lie because everyone else believes. I am one that likes to be logical, rational, everything has a reason, a purpose. However, having had my beautiful daughter last year, I have started doubting all my logical and rational reasons for not believing in a higher power.

There has to be someone/something out there. Has to be. How else could the magic of life happen? The magic of conceiving, of carrying and growing a child in my womb, of delivering this living, breathing, giggling, smiling, laughing bundle of joy? It's too difficult for me to believe that this all is a happy coincidence.

So, now that I know there's a higher power, what form does it/he/she take?

I have issues with the traditional male patriarchal Christian idea of God. Issues going back to my early religious upbringing. Nothing against my parents, they put me in the best school they could afford. But being told constantly that what you do is wrong, you will always do wrong unless you believe/do exactly as you are told. Even then, humans are sinners. Ugh, enough.

I've done a lot of searching in my life. Which religious path is the one that speaks to me. Which one rings of truth? Well, none of them. So I decided to take a little of each different faith, meditation, prayer, energy work, spell work, ideas, rules, everything. I just needed to find a God/Goddess that made sense to me. I asked for signs, symbols, anything to show me evidence of a pressence. Isis made that connection to me. She reached out to me when I asked for a hand to hold. I feel for the first time in my life a connection to the divine. There is evidence! I had my magical journey. From my discussions with friends, and acquaintances, I have come to the same conclusion as the little boy. I belive. Like the conductor says to him, "Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."

I'll Show you Mine. If you Show me Yours...

Yule/Christmas tree that is. *Smirk*

This is the first tree I've had since I moved out of my parent's house. The Hubs and I hadn't decorated before since we were either in an apt. and didn't have the storage space or because the wee one was born in Dec. last year.

So this is our tree this year. We have snowflakes, white and red swirl, red sparkly, white sparkly, silver, gray, and all sorts of other fun ornaments. And the best part of all?!?!? They're all shatterproof! Yep, the munchkin and the pooch won't get hurt if one falls.

Of course, the best decoration on the tree, in my opinion, is the Frosty top hat!

All our decorations were picked up from Hobby Lobby. One of the best stores E-V-E-R!!!

Book Blogger Swap

I had signed up for this fun book blogger swap. Apparently, they had over 400 people sign up. And I got my secret Santa gift on Monday night. It was so much fun to come home to a box (thinking it was something I ordered for Christmas. But no! To my surprise and happiness it was for me from my secret Santa: Lynn. I didn't see her blog address anywhere or I'd link to her blog. (Lynn, if you read this, please drop me a line so I can check out your blog and thank you.)

Anywho, it was a perfect gift for me. A Market-Fresh Mixology cocktail recipe book. Which is divided up by season and even includes infusions. There's a Strawberry Rosemary liqueur I'd like to try. And a Bing Cherry one with Amaretto and Cognac. Mmmm! Plus a beautiful seashell ornament that I hung on my office door. And two dark chocolate bars! I love me some dark chocolate. I swear it was like she looked in my head, poked around and figured out exactly what to get!Thanks so much Lynn! I hope you get all the things you want for the holidays!

Holiday CD of the Week: A Christmas Album

Today's festive cd of the week is Barbara Streisand's "A Christmas Album".

My mom has always been a big Babs fan. As such, I grew up watching and singing along to Funny Girl. But the main reason I include this cd on my blog list is the song "The Best Gift".



After having the wee one so close to the holidays last year, this song has extra special meaning to me.

Hand Bound Journal

Home 'Crafted Holidays part Deux

Today, you’ll see how I made my most recent journal. I made a Moleskine type journal before and that took forever. Glue, stacking, sewing, leather….man, just like Bell, Book, Candle and Cats posted earlier this week. It was a pain in the butt. I found a DIY Hand Bound journal tutorial on Bibliophile's Bookbinding Journal and it was a cinch!

This type of journal didn’t take so long to put together. The majority of the time was spent prepping all the materials.

What you need:

Materials for Journal:

• Leather (I used a thicker piece of leather from Hobby Lobby.) The thicker the leather, the less likely you are to have torn holes.
• Paper (I used 50lb sketchbook paper. But you can use whatever weight or size you want.)
• Waxed linen thread. (You can find this at Hobby Lobby right next to the leather.)
• Leather strap (Again, found in the same vicinity at Hobby Lobby. I’d probably use a thinner leather next time. My strap was a bit stiff.)

Tools:

• Cutting mat
• Ruler
• Xacto or some sort of craft knife
• Folding bone or something to crease your paper with.
• Awl or sharp needle (needs to be heavy duty to pierce leather.)
• Sewing needle. (Upholstery ones would be nice since it’d be more heavy duty, but if you’ve already pierced through the paper and the leather, you can use a regular needle that’s big enough to thread the waxed thread through.
• Tailor’s chalk or some sort of pen that shows up on the leather.
• Scissors
• Pencil
  

Preparation:

Paper prep:

• Figure out how large you want your journal to be. I ended up with an 8x5 inch journal. So I cut down 9x12 inch paper and folded it in half. You need to fold in half for this journal because you’re sewing in the pages.
• Once you have your paper size chosen, figure out how many pages you want your journal to have. Remember each piece of paper equals 4 pages in the book.
• Then you’ll need to divide up your paper into “signatures” these are the sections of pages that you will sew into the journal. I used 6 pages per signature and had 6 signatures. (Note: You need to have an even number of signatures for sewing to come out right.
• Fold pages and crease with the bone folder or straight edge. Set aside all signatures.
• Mark holes for sewing with a pencil. You need 6 holes per signature if you’re doing 4 holes for the leather. (The two extra holes are to tie the signatures together.
• I marked my holes at ½, 1, 3, 5, 8, and 8.5 inches.
• Punch through paper with awl.

Leather prep:

• No you know the size of your journal. You’ll need to keep an extra half inch of leather all around your journal. (I didn’t do this and you can tell when you look at the journal.) So, for an 8x5 journal you’d need leather 9 inches high. For the length of the leather you need to figure out how many signatures you have in the book and if you want the leather to wrap around the front of the journal. If you go the same route I did, you’ll need to keep a half inch around the sides and include another inch for the spine. So this leather cover would be 9 x 12 inches.
• Take your ruler and mark off the center inch of the leather. You can mark the way I did, but you’ll have the mark on there after you’re finished. (I didn’t use tailor’s chalk, so I don’t know if that will brush off later.)
• Mark a half inch and an inch and a half from the center edge of the front cover. This is where the strap will attach to the leather. If you follow the center line through the length of the journal. Mark a line on each edge of the center margin. This is again, where the strap will cut through the leather. These marks need to be at least the width of your strap. (Since your strap will go through at these marks.)
• Cut through the leather with the xacto knife. BE CAREFUL! Leather can sometimes be difficult to cut through.
• For the binding holes: I placed my holes at 1, 3, 5 and 8 inches along the spine. You’ll need one set of lengthwise holes per signature.
• To measure widthwise for the holes, divide up the spine evenly among the signatures. You want to leave at least a little space for each to counter tearing. I marked mine about 3/8^th of an inch apart.
• Punch through holes with awl or sharp implement.
• Leather strap. Mark a line lengthwise on the strap the same width as the strap about a half inch from the edge. This is where the leather strap will go through itself to secure to the journal.

Putting everything together.

• Take your first signature and thread the waxed thread through the top hole from the outside of the signature to the inside. Leave about a 3-4 inch length of thread to tie off the signatures at the end of sewing. Then pull the thread through the 1 inch hole and thread through the leather as well. Go up through the leather and signature at the 3 inch hole. Down through the 5 inch hole. Up through the 8 inch hole. And only go through the paper on the 8.5 inch hole.
• Take the second signature and you will start sewing this one through the bottom 8.5 inch hole. Down through the 8 inch hole. Up through the 5 inch hole, down through the 3 inch hole and up through the 1 inch hole. Again for the ½ inch hole only go through the paper.
• Continue adding signatures.

  

• On your last signature you will end at the top of the journal. (This is why you need an even number of signatures.)
• Go through the journal. Tighten the thread throughout. The nice thing about waxed thread is that it is pretty sticky to the leather and paper. So you won’t have a hard time keeping the thread taught.
• Once it’s all tightened, tie off the thread to itself.
• Thread the strap through. This was a little tricky for me to figure out.
• Lay the cut edge of the strap over the cover of the book. Keep the tail end of it to the right.
• Loop the strap over the edge of the journal and through the first slit on the edge of the book. Pull the strap through itself.
• Tuck the remaining edge of the strap (the part before the slit) under the second slit in the cover.
• Take the tail of the strap and pull it through the first slit in the binding.
• Thread the strap through the second hole.
• Wrap strap around journal and loop under itself on front.

YAY! You’re finished. See, not too difficult. It just takes a while to prep the materials.

Lazy Sunday Movie: Elf

This is my husband's favorite holiday movie. And it ranks in my top 5.

This is the story of Buddy the Elf (Will Farrell) who's really human. When he finds out he's human he sets out to meet his father (James Caan). His father doesn't know he has another son. Buddy's mom never told him and died when Buddy was a baby.

It's funny to see how a 30 year old man reacts to NYC and the "real world" when he's only been exposed to Santa, elves, toys and snow.

Very funny!!!

Holiday CD of the Week: Let's Share Christmas

So I already mentioned The Polar Express yesterday. So I won't repeat myself. However, if you haven't seen the movie or heard the soundtrack, go check it out. You'll love it. A mix of old and new. Perfect.


Ok, on to new things. I have to say that one of my favorite all time holiday/Christmas albums is John Pizzarelli's "Let's Share Christmas". It was given to me by my step-father. He had gotten it from his boss and didn't want it. I've probably listened to it a thousand times over the last...man.....12 years. Now I feel old.

Well, this album made me fall in love with Mr. Pizzarelli's voice. Smooth, warm, jazzy, mellow, retro...

Simply put his voice reminds me of the holidays and never ceases to put me in the holiday spirit.

5 Things I'm Into Right Now

Here's a list of five things I'm really into right now.

1. Christmas Movies. I'm dvr'ing all the Christmas movies I can! In fact, my latest favorite Christmas movie would have to be The Polar Express which records tonight. Woohoo!!!!



2. Nasal Rinse. It's gross, disgusting and yes, uncomfortable. But when you can't take a decongestant (breastfeeding) it's the only thing that works.



3. Domestic Witch's Home 'Crafted Holidays. Nothing like the holidays to inspire some creativity. Plus every year I try to make more and more of my gifts. My dream is that one year, I will finally make everything I give.



4. White Elephant Gift Exchanges. They're fun, festive and an easy way to get rid of the crap in your house, you've never used.



5. Holiday Parties. This is where you have the White Elephant. Or you play games, talk, chat, munch good food, and revel in friends and family.

Cranberry Orange Vodka

A big hearty hello to everyone from Domestic Witch's Home 'Crafted Holidays.

I got this recipe from the Food Network a few years ago. I've gotten rave reviews with this little beauty and it doesn't take much time at all.



Ingredients
1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, or 1 vanilla bean, split
2 oranges, peels cut into 2-inch strips
1 (750-ml) bottle vodka

To serve:
1 bottle tonic water
Lime slices, for garnish

Directions
Place cranberries, sugar and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Place pan over medium heat and stir. Simmer cranberry mixture until the berries burst, about 5 to 6 minutes.



Place orange peels in a large glass container with an airtight lid, or large mason jars with lids. Pour vodka over the orange peels.



Allow the cranberry mixture to cool. Pour the cooled mixture into the glass container(s). Cover tightly and set aside for 1 week. After 1 week, strain out the cranberries sand orange peels and pour mixture into a clean bottle, using a funnel. Store vodka in the refrigerator.



Everything turns out all ruby red, and very festive for the holidays.