December 4 - Candy Making

Today was spent making all kinds of delicious chocolate confections. We turned my Mom's house into Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. With Christmas music playing on the radio and all the Christmas lights turned on, we melted pounds and pounds of chocolate, and made all kinds of chocolate confections to give to friends as Christmas gifts. 

Oreos and pretzels were coated in chocolate and sprinkles.  We made trays of peppermint bark, chocolate toffee and chocolate covered peanuts. We also made the cutest candy canes with chocolate Santas, which I think will be delicious with a cup of hot chocolate.

These are the days that I look forward to all year. A chance to spend time with my favorite people, making handmade presents that are made with love and laughter.

December 3 - Ornaments

I look forward every year to opening the boxes filled with my Christmas decorations, especially my tree ornaments. Unwrapping each tissue wrapped ornaments is a link to the past.  So many of my ornaments have been given to me over the years by loved family members and friends.

This year starts a new tradition with handmade ornaments. Most of the ornaments on our dining room tree were crocheted or handmade I by Becky during the month of October.

I adore the felt ornaments with gingham ribbon. The crochet birds were inspired by Lucy at Attic24 and could not be more adorable.

And I know I posted this photo before, but I really do love this ornament!

December 2 - Christmas Sweaters

No. Not Christmas sweaters for people. Christmas sweaters for a cute little puppy! She has a whole wardrobe of them thanks to the Dollar Spot at Target :)

Doesn't she look like she belongs in Charlie Brown Christmas when all the kids are singing "Hark The Herald Angels Sing"?   Loo loo loo loo loo, breath, loo loo loo loo.......

December 1 - Whirlygigs

 We call them spinny things. Or whirlygigs. But they are actually called German Christmas Pyramids. I bought my first one years ago for just a few dollars and really had no idea what it was. But when I put it together and lit the candles and saw the fan move for the first time, we were entranced!

 For some reason, the box was stored in the basement and I forgot I had it. It languished there until I saw this post by Alicia Paulson and went searching the depths of the basement for the box. I found it and placed it on the table. And once again we were enchanted by the motion of the fan and the glow of the candles.

Last year while Christmas shopping with my Mom, we stopped at TJ Maxx, and there, nestled among all kinds of Christmas baubles was an authentic Christmas Pyramid. I jumped up and down in excitement, and my Mom knew instantly what to get me for Christmas! Even though I could buy stock in candles, I love lighting these each evening. I think they are possibly my favorite decoration.

December Daily

 
Those of you who scrapbook, and maybe even some of you who don't, will know who Ali Edwards is, and the wonderful December Daily album that she does each year.

I have decided to take this concept one step further, and use my blog as my December Daily album. I am going to post about all of the holiday fun, crafts and traditions that I adore so much. I hope you will follow along, and maybe even create your own December Daily on your blog. Please let me know if you do!! I would love to see how you celebrate!

Be Cheerful

For the first time in many years, I have a real LIVE tree in my house. The smell of pine welcomes me each morning as I come downstairs to make coffee. Almost all of the ornaments on this tree were handmade by my beautiful and talented daughter. She has been the source of so much cheer in our house and is my own personal elf decorating the house for the holidays.

 The decision to buy a real LIVE tree was made on the spur of the moment last week. We were out and about getting last minute things that we needed for Thanksgiving and went past Home Depot, where they have real LIVE trees lined up outside. We parked the car and were about to head into the store and decided to take a detour to look at the trees. Hmmm we said. A fraser fir tree for under $18.00? That can fit into the budget. We decided to think it over, and head back later that evening. So after dinner, we went back, headed to where the trees were, and it started to rain. And by rain I mean pouring down rain. But we were not deterred.  No. We were cheerful .We were dragging trees and holding them up to see what would not only fit in the house, but in our tiny little car. And can I just say how awesome the staff at Home Depot are? They baled the tree, and the cutest young man helped us put it in the car and gave instructions on how to tie down the trunk.  They were cheerful!

So as you start this wonderful holiday season, please "Be Cheerful and  Pass It On!"

Hello!

Things have been quiet at the Happy Little Cottage as far as crafting goes and so I have taken an unintended blog break. The only thing I have done is cut out some fabric in an attempt to start a red and white Christmas quilt.

Do you ever lose your crafting mojo? Or maybe we just get busy with other things and push crafting to the back burner? Whatever....I have been doing other fun things.

Halloween was a lot of fun! We had hundreds of trick or treaters and the weather was perfect. I also learned something new, that in all my years of pumpkin carving I never even thought of. Before lighting the candle in your jack o lantern, sprinkle some cinnamon in the lids. The aroma was divine. Kinda like a pumpkin pie baking. Make sure you try it next year :)

I also did an Ikea trip, though this time we went to the Ikea in Michigan. Ikea decorated for Christmas is so much fun. I loved the addition of Christmas trees to their room displays! I saved up my birthday money so that I could splurge on the Ikea trip. Everything we bought is for Christmas decorating, and I can hardly wait to start. By tradition, we wait until the day after Thanksgiving to start. I love waking up early, drinking coffee and eating left over pie and then starting to decorate!! And the best part is I can officially listen to Christmas music as much as I want. Not to say I am not listening on Pandora right now :)

When do you start decorating your homes for Christmas?