Buckets of Christmas Ideas: Food Gift Ideas from Around Blog Land

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All Kinds of Christmas Blogs & Links

Helpful Links

Wonderful Chirstmas Music on the Internet

http://www.accuradio.com/holidays/
Christmas Movies to Watch Online
http://www.fanpop.com/spots/christmas/soapbox/64
Santa Has His Own Radio Show! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/SantaClaus
Celebrating Christmas In All Different Parts of the World Links http://www.techdirect.com/christmas/cele2.html DECORATING
Simmering Pot Smelly Good Recipes for the Holidays
http://tipnut.com/fragrant-home-13-simmering-pot-recipes/
Here is a U-Tube video of how to make a tree topper bow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1hRujhKORo13 This webpage has an ornament calculator. http://www.santasquartersno.com/christmas-ornaments.html
All Kinds of Floral - Wreath and Centerpiece Christmas How To's http://www.floralcraftresource.com/christmas-decorations.html This has some awesome tree's. After you go to the site, click on photo gallery at the top. Then you will see a list on the left side. Click on any name and a tree will pop up. http://www.santasbestchristmasdesigns.com/gallery.html How to Make an Early American Tree http://www.lhj.com/relationships/family/crafts/early-american-tree/
Christmas Video to Decorate A Bathroom http://design.hgtv.com/bath/SpecialFeatures_detail.aspx?id=38&bathroom=christmas&view=video
FUN WEBSITES
This is a fun site - add your picture or anyone's and make yourself an elf. http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/
Find Out Your Elf Name
http://www.jokesunlimited.com/christmas_elf_name.php
Find out your what your Christmas Spirit is http://www.blogthings.com/doyouhavethechristmasspiritquiz/
Make Your Own Christmas Signiture http://www.christmaswordslive.com/
Become a Christmastologist What a word!
http://www.christmasology.com/

About Me

My husband and I have been married 35 years last June - amazing to me that he still loves me! He is a trooper. We have 5 children, 4 daughters and 1 son. We have 5 grandson's and 2 grandaughters - 6 of these little darlings are under 2 years old. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have traveled a lot and lived in several places. Grateful now that we have sunk our roots back home.

When our last daughter got married I had to re-define my world a bit. I have been doing the mom thing for so long, I feel like a fish out of water. I decided to join the blogging world. So many great people in this blogging world. I have made some great friends and maybe along the way I can help someone else, as much as so many have helped me.

Pretend we are sharing lemonade if it is summer and a hot chocolate if it is winter!

Yummy Smells for Christmas

13 Simmering Pot Recipes

This is a lovely way to make your home smell warm and inviting. Just fill a pot with water, add your favorite ingredients and simmer all day. This also helps humidify the home a bit.The recipes below are just guidelines, you can use different amounts and mix up ingredients as you like. Experiment to find your favorite smells.

Save: orange, lemon and lime peels, apple skins (dry them out first before storing in a container) Frugal idea: For apple juice, cranberry juice, herbs and spices that are outdated, don’’t throw out––just add to your simmering pot. You can refrigerate your simmering recipe and reuse daily for up to one week. Just keep adding water as needed. Directions: Fill a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add the ingredients from your favorite recipe, boil for a few minutes, then turn the heat down to simmer all day. Top up water as needed. Caution: Set your timer for 30 minutes so you remember to top up with water. You don’’t want the pot burning dry. Do not leave the house with this left heating on the stove.

Simmering Pot Potpourri Recipes

Recipe #1 Cinnamon sticksApple peelsOrange rindsWhole cloves

Recipe #2Apple juiceCinnamon sticksWhole cloves

Recipe #3Vanilla (a few drops)Orange peels

Recipe #4 - Christmas Potpourri Simmering Pot 3 sprigs evergreen or handful pine needles2 cinnamon sticks 2 TBS whole cloves2 bay leaves2 pieces orange rind2 pieces lemon rind R

ecipe #5 2 TBS whole cloves2 cinnamon sticks5 star anise1 orange peel

Recipe #6Whole cloves1 tsp nutmeg

Recipe #7Peel from a whole orangeWhole cloves2 Cinnamon sticks

Recipe#8 5 bay leaves 1 TBS whole cloves 2 sticks cinnamon

Recipe #9Peel from 1 lemonPeel from 1 orange 2 bay leaves 3 cinnamon sticks 2 TBS whole cloves

Recipe #10 1/8 cup cloves1/8 cup allspice2 cinnamon sticks

Recipe #11 6 whole cloves1 cinnamon stick 1 tsp vanilla

Recipe #12 1 cup dried lavender1 tsp anise 1 TBS nutmeg 1 TBS whole cloves1 Cinnamon stick

Recipe #13 2 sticks cinnamon Peel from one lemon Fresh rosemary Whole cloves For the Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take a piece of tinfoil (a few inches wide), pour a teaspoon of vanilla on top and place the foil in the oven. Turn off oven and prop the door open a bit. Fill a loaf pan with water and your favorite recipe from above. Set in oven on high heat until it starts filling your home with lovely smells. Turn off oven, then prop the door open. To Encourage

Appetites: Make fresh bread or fry up an onion or set an onion in the oven to heat. The smell will make everyone good and hungry at meal time ;). A crock of simmering potpourri spices Put this mixture into an earthenware or painted crock. 1/3 cup simmered in a saucepan of water will scent the house with the deliciously spicy aromas associated with the holidays4 oranges 4 tangerines4 lemons 24 3 inch cinnamon sticks broken into 1 inch lengths1/4 cup whole cloves1/4 cup juniper berries2 tsp nutmegRemove the peeling from the fruits with a vegetable peeler and place on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in a 200F oven for 10 minutes, then turn off and leave overnight. (in a turned off gas oven overnight or until dried). Combine all the ingredients in an airtight container. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.An Edible Christmas 1992 Irena Chalmers ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~This This makes an excellent gift. Make sure you make some for yourself too though because it really smells wonderful. Please note, you need to use whole cloves. Ground cloves are much stronger and will definitely overwhelm the other scents. If you aren't a fan of cloves, feel free to leave them out entirely. I do sometimes. By Marg (CaymanDesigns) 1 jar5 min 5 min prep 2 to 4 Tbsp. Whole cloves (or leave them out if you wish)2 to 4 cinnamon sticks4 bay leaves1/2 orange, sliced1/2 lemon, slicedAdd orange and lemon slices to dry mixture of spices.Put in a small sauce pan with 4 cups of water.Simmer on low to release the fragrance. TO GIVE AS A GIFT: put ingredients in a decorative jar.Add enough water to fill jar.Add a few drops of red food coloring.Close securely and give with a small gift tag explaining how to use it.Store in refrigerator when not in use, to prevent molding.Can be simmered over and over again!

My Tree's 2009

Overall Theme - Treasures of the Heart
These Things are the Treasures of My Heart - they are also my greatest blessings.
1 - Our Saviors Love - White Nativity Tree in Living Room
2 - Our Family is Forever! Ancestor Tree in Living Room
3 - Our Home! - Entry
4 - Sweet Memories Made Daily (Sweet Shoppe) - Kitchen
5 - It's Christmas - All Things Santa - Dining Room
6 - Gratitude - Antique Tree - Pre WW2 Ornies
7 - Lots of Hugs - Teddy Bear Tree in Bathroom
8 - Sweet Things of Joy - Peppermint Tree in Guest Room
9 - Prayers Answered - Angel Tree Our Room
10 -Serving the Lord - New Mexico Tree
11 -Our Beautiful World - Basement Landing Hall of Snowmen
12 -America! New Tree - Red Whie and Blue
13 -Having Fun! - Woodland Tree
14 -Friends our Blessings - Burgandy and Lime Tree - Family Room
15 - Treaures from My Heart - New Tree this year - All the treasures our kids have given me over the years.
16 - My Sweetheart - Red Heart Tree
17 - My Happy Place - Silver Tree with Blue Sparkly
18-23 (3 foot tree's)
---Grandchildren's Forrest for my Favorite Five!
Wyatt (4) His Favorite Things
Cody - (18 mos) - Cars!
Gabe (1) - Teddy Bears
Teagues (3 mos) Baby Boy Blue1
Tate (3 mos) Baby Boy Blue 2

Christmas Tree Themes for 2008

My Christmas Tree Themes for 2008
Overall Theme - Music of Christmas
1 - I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas - White Tree in Living Room
2 - Heirlooms - Ancestor Tree in Living Room
3 - No Place Like Home For The Holidays - Entry
4 - Sweet Shoppe - Kitchen
5 - Here Comes Santa - All Things Santa - Dining Room
6 - Begining to Look Like Christmas - Antique Tree - Pre WW2 Ornies
7 - Holly Jolly Christmas - Teddy Bear Tree in Bathroom
8 - Hot Chocolate - Perppermint and Hot Chocolate tree in Studio
9 - Hark the Herald Angels SIng - Angel Tree Our Room
10 - I'll Be Home For Chrismtas - International Tree
11 - Let It Snow - Basement Landing Hall of Snowmen
12 - Away in the Manger - Nativity Tree in Family Room
13 - Go Tell It On The Mountain - Woodland Tree in Family Room
14 - Most Wonderful Time of The Year - Burgandy and Lime Tree - Family Room
Grandchildren's Forrest for my Terrific Trio!
15 - My Favorite Things
16 - Babes in Toyland - Teddy Bear Tree
17 - Mary's Lullaby - Our new baby born last month

Poinsettia Garland

Pretty Chenille Poinsettia Garland
Make your own poinsettias using chenille for a Victorian-inspired adaptation of the beloved flower. Bend and twist four stems together and then wire beads to the center. Craft and join multiples for a fabulous garland.
What You Need
Red chenille bump stems (four for each flower)
8-millimeter natural round wooden beads (six for each flower)
Thin wire
How to Make It
Note: One blossom measures about 5 1/2 inches across.
Fold each end of a chenille stem to the center of the stem; twist the ends around the center.
Pinch the stem at the folds to form the petal points. Shape the stem between the points and the center to create a double-petal piece. Make a total of four double-petal pieces.
Layer the double-petal pieces in pairs to form two "X" shapes.
Wire the pairs together at the center.
Attach six beads to the center of each with wire.
Make additional poinsettias for a garland in the same manner, except slip one end of a chenille stem through a petal of the adjacent poinsettia before folding it to the center and twisting the end in place.
From Better Homes And Gardens on line site

Links with Garland Ideas

Glistening Garlandhttp://www.twopeasi nabucket. com/pg.asp? cmd=display&layout_id=1269979Vintage P

Postcard & Snowflake Garlandhttp://www.twopeasi nabucket. com/pg.asp? cmd=display&layout_id=1268027Merry

Christmas Garlandhttp://www.twopeasi nabucket. com/pg.asp? cmd=display&layout_id=1267950

Celebrate Garlandhttp://www.twopeasi nabucket. com/pg.asp? cmd=display&layout_id=1032265

Snowflake Garlandhttp://www.twopeasi nabucket. com/pg.asp? cmd=display&layout_id=1272976

Christmas Garland by P Allen Smith
Other youtube's of his on decorating for the holidays are listed http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=64kIkcnoCD4&feature=channel

Top 10 Christmas Lights ShowsWizards in Winter 2008

1. Silver Dollar City - Branson, MO - November 1 - December 30Millions of Christmas lights cover the whole park. Plus, the entire City is transformed into a holiday wonderland each evening at 5:30 p.m. as guests join together on the Square for the lighting of the dazzling, five-story Special Effects Christmas Tree. Adorned with over 250,000 lights coordinated to blaze to the musical movements of Christmas songs, this unique Special Effects Christmas Tree presents classics such as "Carol of the Bells" and Handel’s "Hallelujah Chorus" in a spectacular light and sound show.
2. Oglebay Festival of Lights - Wheeling, WV - November 4 - January 5th. In 1985 a holiday tradition began at Oglebay and spread throughout the city of Wheeling. That tradition is the Winter Festival of Lights celebration. The first year, displays and landscape lighting covered about 125 acres over a three-mile drive throughout the resort. Since then, the show has grown into one of the nation's largest Christmas light shows, covering more than three hundred acres over a six-mile drive throughout the resort.
3. Fantasy of Lights - Pine Mountain, GA - November 14 - December 30A 5 mile drive by car or trolley takes visitors past 13 holiday scenes with more than 8 million Christmas lights. Since 1992, this outdoor light and sound show has glittered with holiday magic for millions of people. Families from across the Southeast have added Fantasy In Lights to their list of memorable holiday traditions. This year, experience the 15th annual Fantasy In Lights with its eight million lights creating more than a dozen beautiful scenes, and you'll see why this is the brightest holiday light show in the South!
4. Smoky Mountain Winterfest - Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, TN. Smoky Mountain Winterfest is a magical celebration that begins in late fall. Ride the Trolley Tour of Lights around Pigeon Forge and claim a spot on the sidewalk for Gatlinburg's "Fantasy of Lights" Christmas Parade, featuring lighted floats, marching bands and giant helium balloons. This event combines 3 Tennessee cities: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. These neighboring Smoky Mountain towns are ablaze with 5 million lights thru February.
5. Trail of Lights - Austin, TX - December 14 - December 23The Trail of Lights is a mile long display of 42 lighted scenes, US Post Office, Santa's House, the Yule Log, and an entertainment stage. The festival begins with the lighting of the Zilker Tree, a 155 feet tall, 180 feet diameter lighted tree consisting of 3,309 bulbs on 39 streamers strung from Austin's historical Moonlight Tower. Since 1987 the honor of lighting the tree has been bestowed upon the winner of the city-wide children's tree coloring contest. The tree lighting ceremony takes place on the first Sunday of December.
6. Magical Nights of Lights - Lake Lanier, GA - November 22 - December 30Rekindle an old tradition or create a new one at Lake Lanier Islands Resort’s 16th annual Magical Nights of Lights holiday celebration. Known as the world’s largest animated light extravaganza, the fun kicks off November 22 through December 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 pm. nightly! Bring the whole family a drive through tour of over six miles of twinkling, holiday light displays and a live nativity scene complete with live actors and animals!
7. Holiday Festival of Lights, Charleston, S.C. - November 14 - January 4. In 1990, Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission created the Holiday Festival of Lights to bring families and friends together and to raise support for the Charleston county park system. With over 600 individual displays located throughout the park in 132 power locations, the Holiday Festival of Lights is a magical sight to see!
8. Enchanted Garden of Lights, Chattanooga, TN - November 21 - January 3. See Rock City! The gardens' natural beauty is complemented by more than 25 holiday scenes as half a million lights illuminate rock formations along the Enchanted Trail.
9. Southern Lights - Lexington, Ky. - November 22 - December 30The annual Southern Lights event is the largest fundraiser held for The Kentucky Horse Park. Over 25,927 vehicles passed through the electrical wonderland in 2006 alone! Everything from petting zoos, model railways, arts, crafts, and Santa Claus fill the Indoor Attractions section free of charge to guests.
10. Mission Inn - Riverside, CA - November 28 - January 4This magnificent hotel and grounds have over two million Christmas lights! Enjoy the sounds of the holiday season as our Dickens’ Carolers stroll throughout the hotel every Thursday through Sunday, beginning November 25, 2005, or enjoy a romantic carriage ride around the grounds - to take in the lights of the holiday season.
Honorable Mention100 Miles of Lights - Virginia Beach, VA
Bright Nights at Forest Park - Springfield, MA
Christmas Lighting Festival - Leavenworth, WA -
Clot Family Christmas - Pinecrest, FL - Thanksgiving
Festival of Lights - Galveston, Texas
Galaxy of Lights at the Huntsville Botanical Garden - Huntsville, AL
Tanglewood's Festival of Lights - Clemmons, N.C
http://www.americasbestonline.net/index.php/pages/christmaslightshows.html

I would also add to this list - Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sleigh Rides in the USA

Two Below Zero – Frisco, CO. Two Below Zero's handcrafted red-oak sleigh is pulled by 2 mules and travels over a trail with of the snow-capped peaks of White River National Forest as scenery. This sleigh is complete with steaming mugs of cocoa and then a terrific meal in a backcountry tent with live music.
Trail Creek Sleigh Ride & Dinner - Sun Valley, IDThe Trail Creek Cabin was built in 1937 and is a local landmark dating back to the mining days of Sun Valley. The dinner sleigh ride goes to one of Ernest Hemingway favorite cabins. So, enjoy a hearty meal in front of a warm stone fireplace.
Trapp Family Lodge - Stowe, VT.In 1950, the von Trapp family of Sound of Music fame opened a European-style inn in Vermont. The Inn's sleighs are drawn by two Percheron horses through the Green Mountains valleys and meadows.
Elk River Guest Ranch - Clark, CO The Elk River Guest Ranch’s 14-passenger sleigh is pulled by two draft horses and takes the guest to a candlelit tepee dinner. After dinner, the guests enjoy a ride through Routt National Forest to Elk River's saloon for dessert and drinks.
Rocky Mountain Sleigh Company - Park City, UTThe Rocky Mountain Sleigh Company takes its two-horse sleigh and takes its guest over the river and through the woods along the pristine Weber River then, back to the Stillman Ranch where guest in enjoy a fabulous dinner in front of a huge warm fireplace.
Thunder Bay Resort - Hillman, MIThe Thunder Bay Resort offers dinner sleigh rides through the woods to their intimate Elk Antler cabin where a 5 course dinner with wine is served to its guest.
Breckenridge Sleigh Rides - ColoradoBreckenridge Sleigh Rides run at the Breckenridge Golf course, the Gold Run Nordic Center in the winter, and has it's own well groomed sleigh ride trail.. This sleigh ride uses beautiful Percheron and Belgian horses that are well taken care of, not forced to pull up ski slopes, and a uses handcrafted red wooden sleighs and over 100 red fleece blankets to complete the picture.
National Elk Refuge - Jackson, WYThe Bar-T-Five offers old-fashioned wooden sleigh through the meadows of a 25,000-acre refuge, where the thousands of elk gather to weather the winter. Other wildlife such as eagles, deer, bighorn sheep and bison can also be seen.
Nestlenook Farm Inn - Jackson, NHThe Nestlenook Farm has an authentic Austrian sleigh pulled by two draft horses. The sleigh rambles through a path along the Ellis River and stops for wildlife and picture perfect spots.
XTC Ranch & Sleigh Rides - Lake Clear, NYSit back and hear those sleigh bells jingling as the sleigh travels through the mountains surrounding Lake Placid and to a cabin where good home cooking is served.
Adams Family Farm - Wilmington, VT. -The Adams family has two Belgian draft horses that pull the old red sleigh to a secluded log cabin for an evening of homemade fudge fondue with hot cocoa.
The Whiteface Club & Resort - Lake Placid, NYThe Sleigh Rides are offered on imported and custom made sleighs, being pulled by quality draft teams (most are rescue horses from slaughter). During the Christmas time and weekends, the Club offers a warming bon fire, hot cocoa and a delicious gourmet dinner served at the Club's restaurant. http://www.americasbestonline.net/index.php/pages/sleighridesbest.html

Buckets of Christmas Ideas

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Food Gift Ideas from Around Blog Land

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Christmas Tree Themes for 2008

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Baking Tree Taken by Brooke at Ralph Jones

CArdinal Tree Taken By Brooke at Ralph Jones

White Tree Taken by Brooke at Ralph Jones