'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Can you believe it's Christmas Eve? It's hard for me to imagine how quickly the holiday season has flown. Weren't we just celebrating Thanksgiving? Perhaps you will be able to settle down this evening by your tree.

This "living room" is actually a spectacular miniature scene on loan from my sister. It was made by her friend's mother who created it several years ago. She even made the beaded tree which actually lights! It is under a glass clothe and stands about 20 inches tall. I have had it on display all season in my dining room.

As you sit by your tree this evening, perhaps you will be reading the famous  poem we all know and love, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. I am sharing a new-to-me version, which we first heard at this year's Advent by Candlelight event earlier this month (click here to reread about that recent post).

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

A Visit from Christ

Author: Angie Mosteller

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the earth,

Every creature was stirring, awaiting a birth.

The time for Messiah was certainly near,

The prophets foretold it; the Bible was clear.

From the book of beginnings, the very first sin,

God’s word made it clear how His grace entered in.

Born of a virgin, He’d come as a man.

The Creator among us, the time was at hand.

The stars were arranged to show marvelous things,

Setting Wise Men to journey and find the true King.

Shepherds in Bethlehem gazed on the sky,

Longing to see him, their Lord the Most High.

How could they know that the very next night

An angel of God would speak words of delight?

How the Savior was born, it was news of great joy.

In a cloth and a manger they’d find the dear boy.

And a heavenly host would soon join to sing

Of the glory of God and of wonderful things.

He entered creation, set position aside

To show us how deeply his love did abide.

Sin sent us away from our almighty Lord.

He became one of us that we might be restored.

He’s the Prince of our Peace; He’s the one who makes whole.

He is Wisdom Incarnate, a Shepherd of Souls.

He’s the Author of Life; He’s the Ruler of All.

He can offer salvation, on His name we call.

The shepherds and Wise Men would bow to adore

Holy God among men, our greatest reward.

All glory and honor is due to this King.

Let all join in worship; let every tongue sing.

Jesus is Lord, all creation proclaims.

He’s the first and last, He is always the same.

History turned on the first Christmas day,

When God became man in a humble display.

As we think of the manger in which He was laid,

Let our hearts welcome Him to the world He made!

May your Christmas be richly blessed! I will be taking off this coming week, but will be back in 2018!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

This wasn't what I originally intended to post today, but how could I resist? The white flakes began falling in the wee hours of the morning, turning our woods into a fairy land by daylight. It was the perfect snowfall since it was just enough to look pretty and not enough to interfere with roads, sidewalks, travel, etc. 

 How about you? Are you dreaming of a white Christmas, too? 

Golden Broccoli Casserole

Do you need a hot vegetable dish for your Christmas dinner? This recipe is a good one as it's simple to put together and its green broccoli and red pimentos produce festive colors! 🙂

This was my casserole before it was baked. It's in a disposable pan since it was being taken to church for an event.

Golden Broccoli Casserole

1.5 pounds broccoli 

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup shredded sharp cheese

1-2  T chopped pimento

1.5 teaspoons lemon juice

1/3 cup rich round cracker crumbs (Ritz)

Cook fresh broccoli 10-15 minutes (or follow package directions for frozen). Put in casserole. In a bowl, combine  with soup, mayo, cheese, pimento and lemon juice. Pour over broccoli. Top with crumbs and bake 35 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Click here to get a printable copy of this recipe.

Although I don't typically post on weekends, I will be doing so tomorrow and Sunday. Then I will take off some time next week.

Have a lovely evening!

Christmas Wishes

Our cuties are sending you their Christmas greetings today, even though it's a tad early. They're helping me out this busy day, but I will be back tomorrow! Happy 60th Anniversary today to my parents! 

DIY Pillow

I'm sharing an idea I saw online quite a bit ago. It's easy peasy  because in just a short amount of time, you can transform a placemat into a pillow! You'll need to locate a tapestry placemat that has a solid fabric back on it. You will also need some fiberfill.

Although the dollar stores carry holiday placemats, I was only able to find single thickness and they do not work due to the absence of the backing. I found mine at Kohl's on sale with an additional 30% off. I think it ended up being just over $2. Your first step is to make a three-inch opening in the seam in what you consider to be an inconspicuous spot. Now, you would think that I would be very good at this task since I have lots of experience in ripping-out stitches in my quilting instruction. However, I struggled and so my mother completed this order of business for me. 😉 Turns out that I was actually attempting to remove the hem rather than the stitch marrying the two pieces. Are you deducing that I hold little talent with needle and thread projects? If so, you're absolutely correct.

Stuff the placemat pillow with your fiberfill until it's as fluffy as you desire. There are a couple of options for closing the opening. You can re-stitch or try a little trick I read about online. Grab your glue gun and place a few tiny drops of glue along the edge. Press the two pieces of fabric together by beginning in the center of the opening and working outward. Be careful to avoid contact with the hot glue...ouch! 

As Christmas décor prices get slashed, I thought I would share this idea in case you might want to try it. I picked a snowman placemat since they are good for use throughout the winter, but be creative and let me know if you make one.

Have a happy day! 

Tuesday's Tablescape

You know I am mad for plaid, so I incorporated my placemats and napkins in today's tablescape.

The linens have been around a long time as they were gifts from Randy our very first married Christmas. I still love using them! The poinsettia salad plates are new to my lineup. This summer when my parents and I went to get peaches (click here to revisit that post from last summer), they had a mini yard sale in the parking lot. The plates were a quarter each and proceeds from the sales went to a charitable organization. So, I shucked-out my dollar and came home with four new beauties. I coupled them with the solid yellow dinner plates.

What do you think of this new variety of poinsettia? It's called a winter rose variety and I love its ruffled, rose-shaped blossoms! Randy bought it for me a few weeks back as a surprise before I hosted my first seasonal event this year.

It occurred to me that I never shared pictures of the kitchen tree or décor theme this year. It's all about nutcrackers, which I think I mentioned in a recent Tuesday's Tablescape when a trio of them served as the centerpiece. I just didn't happen to show more than the table! The little alpine tree is decorated with nutcracker ornaments and faux candied fruit. The green nutcracker on the chest is on loan from my parents for the season. 

A few others, like my penguin and a mini-cracker, sit here and there around the kitchen.

I'm sure that you, too, are very busy with Christmas preparations. Have a good day! I hope you get a lot accomplished... and don't lose focus on what the season really means.  

Garden Glow 2017

Christmas traditions are a part of the season and one of ours is to spend an evening among one million lights at MO Botanical Garden Glow. It's amazing to walk through the grounds, taking in all of the twinkling colors! Why don't you come along with me now...

Henry Shaw's home is always gorgeous, but it's 

absolutely spectacular at Christmastime. Touring the inside, decked-out in its Victorian splendor, is a step back in time.

Included with our ticket price is admission to the Gardenland Express Holiday Flower and Train Show. Since it's hosted inside, it's a bit warmer than the outside stroll. Shall we go see this, too?

This poinsettia tree stands more than 20 feet tall. Wow! 

Wouldn't you love to grow a giant hanging basket like this one of poinsettias?

Before we conclude our visit, let's watch just a snippet of one of the synchronized exhibits. Look, listen and enjoy!

How did you enjoy this little taste of Garden Glow? If you're close to the St. Louis area, you may want to consider a visit in person. Garden Glow runs through January 1 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Hours are 5:00-10:00 p.m with the last admittance at 9:00. Whether this is also a tradition for you or whether it is a new experience, I think you'll really enjoy your time there! 🎄 

Ugly Sweaters and Hot Soup

Did you know that today is National Ugly Sweater Day? The mention of this type of unsightly clothing always makes me roll my eyes 🙄because I don't think there is such a thing! I have quite an accumulated collection of holiday attire since I taught for so many years. I would begin immediately after Thanksgiving and wear a different seasonal outfit each day until Christmas break and I enjoyed every single one. Since elementary teachers get away with wearing clothing choices different from the "real" world, I suppose that's the reason I love Christmas sweaters!  Even though I have only stopped "playing school" in the past few years, most of the Christmas shirts in my closet would likely qualify as ugly sweaters. Here are just five of my ugly sweaters and I have m-a-n-y more. Oh, well. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Don't you agree?

In case you're curious, I still wear all of them...and proudly!

It's already Friday and since I have never posted a recipe this week, I am repeating one from two years ago. I just made this for a luncheon I hosted this week. This hearty cheese soup is perfect for this time of year. In case you're preparing for guests this week, perhaps you'd be interested. Click  here for a printable version of Hannibal Cheese Soup. Add a salad and hot bread and you will be all set. If you decide to try making this soup, maybe you can wear an ugly sweater while preparing it!! 😉

Have a wonderful weekend and if you need to stay warm, wear an ugly sweater and enjoy a bowl of hot soup!

An Inspired Project

Each year during the Christmas season, we make time to visit historic Main Street by night. Click here to see the post from last year. It's a magical spot to experience the sights, sounds and feelings of this wonderful time of year. Last night was our evening to walk the old sidewalks and enjoy the experience. We went into a couple of the shops and, of course, I was inspired by a few things I saw. One, in particular, was a store that carried vintage products. Nestled on a shelf, I saw a stack of old hankies. I love linens from the past! I still have a handful of youth hankies from when I was little, so the (rusty) wheels in my brain began turning. 😉

I got out my Christmas hankies and...

this little tabletop Christmas tree I found at a yard sale. At the time of purchase, I wasn't sure of how I would use it, but it seemed a very useful holiday item to have on hand.

Using tiny clothespins from my craft room (purchased and still available at Dollar Tree), I attached them to the "branches".

I think it could stand a few more, so I plan to pilfer through the stack and come up with a few additional beauties. Does this remind you of the larger silver tinsel tree we did with my mother's hankies a few years ago? Click here to see that one again.

I always enjoy using keepsakes for projects. How about you?

Have a wonderful day!