Happy New Year

 

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year!!

 

From My Dream Party

My Christmas Dessert Table

 

Christmas is not complete if I do not have my dessert table. No matter how sick I was I was going to make sure this was done.  There was so much.  But I think it came out so pretty and everyone was so happy I did it.  There was more then enough to go around. I gave everyone tins to back up goodies to take home with them. I love Christmas and I love creating dessert tables. 

 They really are so much fun!    

 

 

Our dessert able looked perfect

These are my peppermint carrot cake cupcake sandwiches. They are cut in half then I added cream cheese frosting in the middle, sprinkled with crystals, then topped again with cream cheese frosting and to hold it together was a peppermint stick.  They tasted out of this world.

  

 

Here are my chocolate chip cookie trees. Each cookie was frosted with green frosting and then topped with sprinkles.  It looked just like a Christmas tree. 

Large peppermint stick lollipops and chocolate Santa's lined with Christmas marshmallows made this look so cute.

This was an experiment I did I took Andie Candies and melted them poured it over pretzels, marshmallows and Oreo cookies.  It was really a different type of mix, Everyone really liked them. I also did it with peppermint chocolate too. 

My Cake balls topped with sprinkles.  

 Everyone needs an Apple pie who can go wrong with that?

And of course Christmas Candy.  A must have for every party!

Christmas is Over..

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. 

 I know we did.  It was really nice with our whole family!  Everyone enjoyed themselves.

Santa arrived early in the morning and when we all woke there were so many gifts under the tree. 

Another great surprise for all of us.

Turkey, Ham, stuffing, sweet potatoes were just some of the food we had.  There was so much to go around. 

 We still have tons of left overs!

The only thing is me... I have the flu.  I can tell you I am not happy.  On top of that I have 2 herniated discs that the pain shoots down my leg. 

 Need I say anything more?

REST?? That is so hard for me to do. 

To lay down and not do anything.  I think I am losing my mind.  Today my fever hit 103..

On top of that I went to the pain Doctor and I am scheduled for a epidural on Monday for the pain. 

 They said no aspirin of any kind.  So I am trying so hard to keep the fever low.  I need that shot on Monday cause the pain is so unreal.  I can't even explain the shooting pain I am feeling. I will admit with all the pain and fever I still went out to Target to get some Christmas ornaments on sale for .50 Cents. I had too. I need to get more but I will wait for tomorrow and hit another store. Trying to save them for next year so I can make my wreaths for friends and family.

 

So now its off to bed to rest again..  I think I am going to do some scrap booking in bed.  Is that possible?      

 

 

Happy Birthday Anthony

Happy 21st Birthday

To my son Anthony!!

 

I remember the day you were born. 

I held you so tight in my arms. 

 The joy that you brought me was a moment

I will never forget.

 Everyday since then you amaze me! 

 Your have become a kind loving and caring man!

I have loved every second watching you grow from this little red head baby to a successful man. 

 You have made us so proud!  

 Everyone that comes into your life is a lucky! 

You know the real meaning of friendship! 

 You have such a kind heart!

Not only are you are great son but you're a great brother to Danielle  and friend.

I want to thank you for all that you do! 

For all our talks and all the time you spend with me. 

 You make me proud every single day!

 

Happy 21st Birthday

 

I love you with all my heart and soul!

 

Mom

 

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Deck the halls with boughs of holly....

 Enjoy your day!

The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all though the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Christmas Around The World

Most places around the world celebrate just like us! They have Christmas trees and they also open presents. Everyone has their own special traditions.  We went to Epcot over the holidays (to me that is like going around the world) and we stopped at every country to learn how they celebrate Christmas.  I thought it was really cool. Every country had a Santa/.  Some Santa's are not like ours.  I was surprised to see that everyone has their own.

 

In Scotland on Christmas Eve Known as Sowans Nicht people burn a twig as they release any grudges they have been holding towards others. It's about forgiveness. 

 

In Spain each person's name is written on a card, which is put in a bowl called the "Urn of Fate." The cards then are drawn two at a time and each pair is fated to be each other's special friend, protector and confidant in the new year.

 

In China they have a Christmas tree like we do, but in addition to ornaments and tinsel they decorate it with bright paper chains which means happiness and eternity and their family's never ending Bond that they have.

In Mexico they not only celebrate on Christmas Day. But they also celebrate every night from the 14th to the 24 of December.  Theirs is called Posada.  The first Posada is a Christmas pinata party. They usually have a star filled with candy and then the participants blindfolded and each one hits it until its broken.  Everyone shares the candy. Then they have hot cocoa to end the night.

 

In France they celebrate with holiday cake of the Kings.  A trinket is hidden inside and the person lucky enough to get that piece is crowned King or Queen for the day.  The custom honors the Three Kings who nought gifts to the baby Jesus. The trinket known as "la Feve" Can be anything from small porcelain baby to a whole shelled almond.

 

In Germany is where the Christmas tree originated. They have the Christmas Pickle.  Its a glass ornament that is tucked deep in the boughs of the tree .  The first child to find it in the morning (its hard cause it blends with the tree) gets an extra present or is not allowed to open his or her presents first.

 

I hope you enjoyed getting to know some of the other traditions around the world. 

I would love for you to share some of your traditions with me. Email me so I can post them! 

It's Getting Closer!!

It's getting closer to the day that every child waits for.  Christmas.  We spend a lot of time preparing for it, and then before we know it, its all over!  Tonight I am starting to wrap the gifts.  I always need to take inventory on what I bought.  I start buying and putting things away in August.  Sometimes I forget where I had hid it.  These next few days write it down. This way you will be sure to remember everything.

 

Here are some neat things to do on Christmas Day. 

 

Don't forget to watch the Disney Christmas Parade.  I love watching it. I love to see all the characters all dressed up in their holiday outfits.  The backdrops and decor are out of this work.  The annual parade always has great stars.  My daughter loves watching it.

 

Don't forget to get out the Christmas music. We all wait all year so we can put it on.  Everyone singing in the house,  No matter what your style is in music there is something for everyone.

I'm of course love Bon Jovi Christmas hits. 

 

Enjoy a happy holiday movie night! Watch animated classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas. A favorite is Elf.  That makes me laugh every time! Even an old movie like It's a Wonderful Life.

 

Do something different start something new!!

Enjoy!!

What To Do With All The Greeting Cards?

During the holidays we all get so many greeting cards. A lot with pictures of your friends family or children. I do not like throwing them away.  I keep them year after year.  I mean how can you throw away someones picture?

I found a nice way to display them in your home.  This way when you r friends come over they will be so happy to see their card hanging in your home.

 

Here are so ideas of what you can do to display the cards.

Punch a whole on the top of the card at least 1 1/4 inch of ribbon and tie them together.  Then you can hang up the ribbon on your stair case banister.  You can use festive clips to also hang them off the ribbon base.

 

You can drape them on a cord. put them on gold or silver cord across the front of your mantel, table, wall like a clothesline. Place each card over the cords so that they rest on it. or again you can hang them with decorative fasteners.

 

Make a bulletin board. If you have a large frame just cut cardboard and make a small collage.  Use red and green push pins to give it the holiday theme.

 

Put them in a pretty basket by the front door.  With a little sign saying Holiday card.  Everyone will see them as they are walking in.

 

It's nice to display them. People take so much time in the planning of their cards.  Why not take a little time to display them..

Party Conversations

Some of us have a hard time making conversations with people at parties. 

Since it's the season we all know that people are having tons of parties. 

Sometimes there are people we don't know at the party.  I experienced this at my husbands work party we went to the other night. I knew no one.  I sometimes feel uncomfortable trying to start a conversation. 

The first thing I did was had my husband get me a drink.  I had a diet Coke to be honest with you.  It's always good to have a prop to hold when your nervous. 

My husband introduced me to some people and when he walked away for a second.  I thought OH NO what do I do now?  I started asking questions about how long they were at the company, what they did etc..

Before I knew it others came by to meet me. I felt OK if my husband had to walk away. 

My advise no matter if your at a wedding, a party, or even on line at the bank.  It's OK  to start conversation with people.  They are just as nervous as you are too. It's nice to laugh and make new friends. 

That's what life is all about..

 

Today while your on line at the checkout counter or if you are going to a party, smile and talk to someone you never met.  It will make you feel good! I sure did!

 

Quick Decorating ideas

Have you decorated yet? 

 I am all done.  Except for wrapping the gifts. 

The gifts make me stressed. 

Since I am trying to be stress free this year I am going to start tonight. 

 Then stick them somewhere in the closet where the kids can't find them.

You would think that since my kids

are 16 and 20 (almost 21)

 I would just put them under the tree...NO I still wait until they are sleeping. Which is about 3:00 AM and sneak down stairs to make believe Santa came..

I did give them the option this year if they wanted them out now, They both said no.

At least we all agree on the same thing.

 

If you are behind with some of your decorating, here are some cool ideas to make it a little faster so you can get caught up and enjoy the rest of the season.

 

If you are still looking for a tree topper.  I have seen so many tree's this year with paper mache letters.  Done in Silver. gold, green or red.  I must admit they look pretty good. You just nestle it in the branches.

 

Cover your mantel with garland and lights. Some ornaments on top will make it complete.

 

I bought a few small wreaths from the Dollar Store.  I hung them around the house, even on my tree.

 

Arrange candles in a bowl or jingle bells and clear glass ornaments.  They look so pretty.

 

It just takes a little to make it look like Christmas!  

Holiday Decorating Mangement

The holidays come so fast. We are never prepared no matter how we try. It just sneaks up on us.Between the parties, the gift buying, cooking making and house decorating sometimes it can overwhelm us! 

I look through magazines during the holidays I see pretty decorating ideas, and now I also see articles on stress during the season.  Holidays should be stress free. 

 Here are some little decorating tips to follow.

I hope it helps you!

 

Before you start planning for the holiday ask yourself what you love most?  What you dread most?  This will help you with your to do list.

 

Family time is important to me. I always pick a date in advance for my family cookie making.  It allows all of us to know that we have family plans on that day.  

 

I have always had a problem with saying no.  Now I realize that sometimes you have to. Since the holidays are so busy, you can't do everything.  Saying no is OK!

 

Don't stress over holiday cards.  Sometimes you just can't get to them.  I know.  This year I did not take the family holiday picture for my Christmas cards.  So instead I am waiting until after Christmas and sending out Happy New Year cards. 

This gives me more time to get them done. 

 

If your going away for the holidays but still feel the need to decorate your home.  Just focus on areas such as the front door, or design a mantel, maybe decorating your coffee table. Leave the rest be.  I even saw this year really pretty table top trees.  Decorate one for your home in a smaller scale.

 

Display your presents.  Presents by a mantel or even a chair can make the house so pretty. It becomes part of your Christmas decorations. 

 

This year make sure you throw out all the lights that don't work.  If your like me you pack them up again, year after year.  Get rid of them.

Ornaments organization is the key here. I have a big bin, the biggest I could find.  I wrap each ornament in tissue paper and pack it nicely in the tin.

 

If your tree is in the corner don't worry about decorating the back. No one sees it, no one knows but you!

 

I hope some of my tips helped you. If you have any to share please leave a comment. I would love to know how you make it stress free.

Decorating with Ornaments

I am finding that I love decorating with ornaments. 

 I am making it a mission after Christmas to go on a hunt for ornaments and putting them away

until next Christmas. 

I will be sure to hit all the goodwill stores and garage sales around town until I have a few bins full!

 

They look so pretty. They are also very inexpensive.

 Add them to your table, outside your door 

even for a gift for a friend. 

If your having a holiday party

these are perfect to use as decor.

 

They are so easy to make. 

You only need Styrofoam balls in assorted sizes,

red or silver spray paint and a hot glue gun.  

It's that easy.  I can't wait to start making some of these.  I think I won't be able to wait until next Christmas. So here I go adding another thing to my list to do!!

    

 

Easy Holiday Craft Ideas

I wanted to share with you how easy it is to decorate your home for the holidays without breaking the bank.  

I love being able to find sales on Christmas items, and the best place to go is the Dollar store.

 I could spend hours in there just looking around. 

 When you go to the Dollar Store you really need

to think outside the box. 

 On the Internet there are so many creative people who I get a lot of my ideas from. 

 People amaze me of what they come up with.

  It leaves me searching for the same things and adding it to my list to do.  ( My list keeps growing)

I am sharing a few pictures with you  today

and post the rest with you later this week.

 

 

My Mantel

Mantels are in now.  Everyone decorates them based on the season or the up coming holiday. 

I thought might as well join everyone.

My Christmas Mantel is perfect for me. 

 Hanging our stocking adding a little lights makes it really stand out  

 

Since I do Candy tables I have so many of the glass jars.  I needed to add something more to the table. 

I went to the Dollar Store and bought 3 packs of ornaments and just filled the jars.  It makes my table really look festive.  

 

I needed to put something on my china cabinet doors.  Again I went to the Dollar Store and bought these little wreaths to hang on them.  It was all that I needed. 

 

Here is my beautiful tree.  No I did not get this at the Dollar Store, but I wish they did sell trees there. 

Our Christmas Tree is only complete with our Disney Monorail and the Grand Floridian..

 

Have a blessed day!! 

Holiday Party Time

It's that time of year when everyone

 is having holiday parties. 

 I also have my yearly party with my close friends.

  We always have so much fun!

 Getting ready for the party is so stressful. 

For some reason this year I felt like I was rushing all day.  In the end, it was a huge success and everything looked beautiful from the outside lights

to the decor in the house.

When you walked in it looked like a winter wonderland. 

I wanted to share with you just some of the

pictures we took.  I will be posting more this week. 

My dessert table and candy table was all done

 in green, red and white.

 Some of the desserts I made were chocolate covered pretzels, carrot cake cupcake pies,

wedding cookies,mini cakes, and cupcakes.

The candy looked so pretty on the table

and just made everything tie in.

The hit of the party was my Smore table.  I had this table made special for my business.

As you can see in the picture, the first row is all marshmallows, the second row is all graham crackers and the above that is all chocolates.

The top is a burner so you can roast your marshmallows on a open fire. I love it.  

 

Everyone took home a bag of candy

and great memories!

Who could ask for more?

 

Ornament Love

I love ornaments!

Next year I am going to have to buy a new tree.

( Our tree is not real) This way I will be able to use all my ornaments. I love going to the after Christmas sale and buying them. My ornaments mean so much to me. One day they will be passed down to my children when they are married and start their own holidays!

So how can you care for your precious ornaments?

Follow some of these tips and your ornaments will survive many Christmas days!

Use a dry cloth ( never wet) to polish imperfections.

To dust them, use a makeup brush.

If you have a minor repair Elmer's Glue is what needs to be used. It can be wiped away if you make a mistake, and it dries clear.

When ready to pack up your ornaments use acid free tissue paper. If you have a lot of white linens you can use them as well as dish towels. Color can get on your ornaments packed away.

Some storage Tricks:

Use egg cartons to store small items, or even take out boxes, line it with acid free paper.

Keep delicate ornaments in a zippered plastic storage bags

Use metal and wood boxes which are uncrushable and will keep harmful moisture out.

Use dividers for boxes, to keep ornaments from knocking into each other.

And remember just to handle them with care!!

Party Guests

Party Guests

 

It's that time of the year when everyone is celebrating and opening your home to friends and family.

 

Getting your home ready for a party or a holiday meal can be so stressful. 

 I know I had a party last night. I must say it came out perfect!  Everyone had fun.  Laughing, dancing, eating drinking. Who can ask for more?  

 

You can lose sight of what is really important.  A lot of people become stressed out while planing.  All it takes is a few simple steps where you can just make it easier on yourself. 

If you plan ahead you will be ready!!

 Set your tables the night before.  This way you have time to make sure everything looks the way it should.  Prepare your food also the day before. For an example if I am serving Cheese and crackers I make sure my cheese is cut and ready to just put out. 

It saves so much time.

 Make your guests feel at home.  I always have candles burning.  Candles makes your home inviting.

If they want to help.  I always say sure! 

But more then anything

 I love that they just enjoy themselves. 

Cookie Exchange Party

 

 

 

I LOVE hosting Cookie Exchange Parties. 

It's a fun time to eat, drink and share recipes

of your favorite cookies.

Plus you get to take home cookies that you might

never had made.

If your thinking about having one, you still have time

to host a exchange. 

Even though a lot of people have them before Christmas.  I always try to have them after the holiday. 

If you do not want to do it at your house, then host one at your office, a park or even at your mommy group. 

Here are some tips and some of my rules

when I am hosting my party. 

 

Make sure to plan ahead.

When having it during the holiday. 

Everyone is so busy. 

Send out your invitations at least 1 month in advance.

 

On your invitation make sure you have your guests bring at least 5-7 dozen cookies. I always ask for 7 dozen. 

It allows at least 2-3 for the house for all to eat

and 3 dozen for everyone to take home.

  

Avoid chocolate chip.  I always tell my friends

NO chocolate chip. 

You want them to be creative.  I don't even allow store bought unless its from a specialty bakery.

 

When your guest RSVP make sure they tell you what type of cookie they will be making so you don't have too many doubles. You want everyone to have a nice selection of different cookies.

 

Have your guests print out copies of their

recipe to share with everyone. 

 

Make sure you have pretty packaging for them to take home their cookies.  Or ask them to bring a container so they can fill up before they leave.

 

Arrange your table with tent cards to tell everyone the name of the cookie and display them pretty.

 

I also make an ornament for each guest. It's my way of saying thank you for coming.

 

Have you every had a cookie exchange party?  What are some of your rules?   

I would love to hear!!