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Naturally Christmas Using a grapevine wreath, a branch
of pine with small pinecones, floral wire, a moss- covered branch, snow birds,
tiny clay pot, dried berries, or artificial raspberries, cranberries, silk
holly, a red bandana, tiny jingle bells, additional pinecones, dried bay leaves,
Spanish moss, miniature poinsettias, chenille wire, a bit of "snow"
textured paint.
Decorate and add as much or at
little as you like - give your entranceway a touch of the Season.
If you live in warmer climates,
change the decor to suit the area you live in, or use the winter touches to add
nostalgia and storybook touches to your door.
There is a White Christmas in the
hearts of everyone!
Goose Wreath
Grapevine wreath, sphagnum moss, a
burgundy ribbed velvet ribbon, a tiny bird nest and goose figurine, bracken
ferns, white German statice, red berries, dried apple, orange and lemon slices,
cut in half
This "nature" wreath,
emits a fragrance of fruit and spice - a wonderful combination for this time of
year.
Pumpkins Still Can Highlight Some
of Your Holiday Decor
Try a truly rustic pumpkin basket
trio: Three pumpkins, of varying size, hollowed out and cleaned of seeds and
pulp. Colors: bittersweet orange, black and trail tan and antiquing paint, an
old toothbrush, grapevine, 2-gauge wire.
Poke two small holes with a pick
opposite each other near the top of the pumpkin, about 1 inch below the rim. Cut
three or four grapevine lengths, depending on the thickness of the vine for each
pumpkin as a handle.
Cut the grapevines 28" for the
large pumpkin, 20" for the medium, and 16" for the small. Cut two
12" lengths of wire to attach to the handle.
Run the end of one wire through a
hole and center the wire in the hole. Gather the grapevine and place one side
next to the outside of the basket with the ends hanging about 2" below the
hole. Tightly wrap the wire tails around the vine. Attach the other end of the
handle in the same manner.
Repeat for all your pumpkins.
Fill with dips, salsas, and sour
cream, etc. and surround the entire top with fresh parsley held in place with
toothpicks. Use the largest for your chips. Colorful, useful, and a
"different" touch to your buffet table.
Recall the Scent of Gingerbread
& You Have All Kinds of Memories Spilling Over.
To make fragrant gingerboys that you
can string on your tree, use in a wreath, or place in bowls of potpourris
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3-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp.ground cloves
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup molasses
3/4 cup water
Combine dry ingredients. Cream in
the butter and molasses, alternating with water. The dough will be very stiff.
Roll out the dough to 1/4" thickness or thinner.
Cut out the cookies with a
2-1/4" gingerbread cookie cutter.
Bake on an ungreased baking sheet at
350 for 15-20 mins. This will overbake and dry the cookies. Paint with acrylic
paint to decorate. Fragrant, very nostalgic, and perfect for your Holiday home
decor.
Just a few touches to add to your
home to bring the very essence of the Season to those you love and care about.
ENJOY!
Contributed by:
Arleen Kaptur author of numerous articles, e-books, and the novel:
SEARCHING FOR AUSTIN JAMES. Visit Arleen's website Arleen's
Daily Journey
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