Glowing Christmas Floral Arrgangement

I love candles all year (especially scented ones), but, at Christmas, they just make everything warm and beautiful.  Here is what I came up with for my dining room table:

I just used things I had around the house (all but the floral picks).  I used Spanish Moss instead of floral moss.

I found the floral picks at Wal-Mart.  I love Wal-Mart, and they were only $3.00.

Using floral thingies (I don't know the technical term - ha ha),

arrange your votive holders.  I got mine last year at Michael's after Thanksgiving.  I don't remember the price, but, I know they were dirt cheap.

Glue the floral thingies down after you get them arranged the way you like.

Add a few more thingies on the other side of the basket for your floral picks.

Insert your floral picks.

After you get everything the way you like it, add the moss.

May your Christmas be warm and glowing.

Happy Shopping Day

I know I am starting late, but, today I am POWER shopping.  I hope you all have a wonderful day, and, you are enjoying the season.

Pine Cone Trees

My daycare kids did this little project today.  I think they turned out so sweet.

It all started with my after Thanksgiving deals.  I found this box of Fruit and Pine Cones for $1.50.

I loved the shape of the pine cones so much....

I went to Michael's and bought these cute little pots for about .59

(Boy do I need some hand lotion - ha ha)

Little hands, paint and glitter......

This is what you get.

Happy Crafting

Merry Christmas Board

Remember my burlap picture board?  Well, I just put a few more screw eyes in and re-strung my twine and came up with this Merry Christmas sign:

I used a Tag Pad from Michael's and a few mini clothes pins.

I got the subway art off of the Internet -- I really don't remember who's blog -- sorry.  I just typed in Christmas Subway Art and there is a lot to choose from (I have to learn to do that -- so cool).

This my little daycare station (always messy).

Happy Crafting.

Snowflake Tree

Hi Everyone.  I am so looking forward to Christmas and all of the decorating, baking and most of all, SHOPPING....  I thought, three weeks ago, that I was ahead of the game.  That was, however, three weeks ago.  Time is dwindling and I haven't even bought one gift, made one cookie or finished decorating my home.  So last night, I made a pot of coffee, got out my glue gun, my Pottery Barn catalog, and a few supplies -- this is what I came up with......

My snowflake tree.

Here is the one from Pottery Barn.

I started with popsicle sticks and glued them into a snowflake shape.

Painted it white, added buttons and glitter.

I made these with my daycare kids just this past Tuesday..

I found two wooden snowflake shapes in my craft drawer and did the same with the paint and glitter.

Gathered some sticks and painted them white outside.

I also added a few glass snowflakes from my tree decorations.

Remember this container that I got from the floral section of my grocery store this past summer?  I just took out the green stuff and put my sticks in it.  I put some tissue paper in the bottom to hold everything in place.

Here it is in it's new home, my entertainment center in the den.

This was so easy and I love the way it turned out.

Happy crafting.

Momma Hens Coop

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Hi everyone.  After Thanksgiving, I cubed some turkey and put it into a couple of freezer bags for use during the Christmas season.  The other night, I didn't want to grab anything out, but, didn't have much time to get dinner on the table.  I checked my pantry and made this casserole with just some staples that I always have on hand.

Here is the cubed turkey breast thawed, a can of sliced chestnuts, a box of the family size chicken flavor Rice-a-Roni, frozen green beans, a can of mushroom soup (cream of chicken would work), 1 cup of mayo, a cup of  shredded cheese (I used mild cheddar) and some seasoning like garlic or even curry powder and mixed it together in the little mixing bowl.

Cook the Rice-a-Roni as directed and place in the bottom of your 9 x 13 pan.

Put your thawed frozen green beans (broccoli would be really good),

chestnuts and then turkey (any leftover poultry would work, even a rotisserie chicken).

Spread the creamed mixture on that and bake for about 30 min at 350 degrees.

Take the casserole out and sprinkle about a cup of bread crumbs mixed with a couple of tablespoons of melted butter.  Put it back in the oven for 5 more min.

Let it rest for a little bit and there you go.  My kids loved it and are already asking for it again.  I hope your family likes it too.

I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving

Hi Everyone, I have missed blogging and keeping up with everyone.  We have had a lot going on though.  My husband had shoulder surgery, the following day, my Baxter dog lost his battle with his seizures and left us.  The day after that, my 85 year old father-in-law fell and broke his hip.  My daughter was having issues with her heart and is back on a monitor, and I am very tired.  This Thanksgiving, we did have a lot to be thankful for.  My husband's should is healing and will be better in a few months.  Grandpa went home and I just ask for prayer that he will heal.  Lee is doing better and I hope to catch one of her episodes on the moniter soon.  It's hard, but, our pets teach us so much about unconditional love and then they teach us, and our children, about death.  With that behind us, I am looking forward to a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New year.

I haven't posted any pictures lately, so, here are just a few of our Thanksgiving decorations:

My son went to work for the Breadsmith and brought me this beautiful loaf of bread for our dinner.

My red hutch was fun.  I really enjoyed the lights around the top

I tied a leaf on a candle with raffia and liked the effect.

I got this huge wreath from the thrift store for only $2.00 YEAH...  I just wrapped a fall leaf garland around with a pumpkin pick.

My scarecrows took over the shelf in the entry way.

Pumpkins and gourds on the dresser below.  I got the charger from Walmart for under $5.00.

I hope everyone had a wounder Thanksgiving and I will be blogging again.  I can't wait to get started on some Christmas crafts and baking.