Our Tree Has No Lights (& a mini tour)

Christmas is at our house this year.

Last year we were the ones to travel

so didn't do any decorating, tree, anything.

Since this year it's here, 

we went and found a nice little tree last weekend.

There were several 'bottoms' along side the road

where people had chopped down a tree then 'topped' it.

We also found several that people just topped.

That kinda gripes me.

We decided to stop and get one of the bottoms along side the road

to use for boughs and such.

One of our little traditions is lighting the candles on the tree 

Christmas eve, but we usually have lights as well.

This tree is so simple,

I decided we would just have the candles and a few select ornaments.

I have several sheep ornaments and since we are the lambs...

We don't leave them unattended.

Usually, we sit a watch them burn for a little bit and chit-chat quietly.

Our unfinished mantel has lots of boughs and a few simple splashes of red.

Instead of our regular stockings, I just hung a pair of old wool socks

that are in need of some darning.

The nativity scene where the TV used to be.

And a simple candle with pine always seems comforting.

Wishing you all many happy Christmas blessings.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Starting Your Own Christmas Traditions

A little tale to inspire you.

When my children were wee little munchkins~

you know that age when blankets get dragged around,

and teddy bears are still being slept with,

and yes, they were much shorter than me,

that's when it started.

It might even have been a school night.

It's difficult to remember.

I do remember they wanted to watch a Christmas movie

and had half their bedding hanging around the living room.

Of course, this time of year it gets dark about 4 o:clock.

We had eaten dinner already so

I said, "Why don't we just have a slumber party?"

We (even me) made up a giant "bed" on the floor.

I made some tea or cocoa and popped corn.

We turned the lights down and proceeded to watch our movie. 
By the time the movie was over,
they were nearly asleep.
There was no fussing about bed time.

And we did so the following year,

and the year after that, and the year after that.

You get the idea.

It's silly really, but I miss having my 'little' kids here

to do such a silly thing as watch

a movie that we've seen multiple times
and sleep on a hard floor with someones foot in my ribs.

The kids of course remember,
after all, it was just yesterday right?
Perhaps someday, they will continue it with their own children.
(Not too soon - they're not quite thaaat old.)

Another thing that started before my son was even born
was the pickle on the tree.
The story is that long ago when there was little or nothing to spare
for gifts,
a father said he was going to hang a pickle on the tree.
There was but one gift, and
the finder of the pickle got the gift.
I loved this.
I would hang our pickle ornament on the tree.
Christmas morning they would come down the stairs excitedly
and begin looking.
They seemed more excited about the pickle prize
than their actual gifts.
The pickle prize was usually something small that required a second person.
Actually, I think one year it was pick up sticks - like I've shown.
So, they still both got to play/share.

We will go get our tree today.
I've had so many people say, "You don't have a tree yet?"
No we don't.
This is actually a little early for us to get a tree.
We usually get it about a week before Christmas.
There are little 'steps' we enjoy throughout the season.
Christmas doesn't revolve around the tree or decorations for us.
It's making each of those little steps special
as we look forward to that special day
and carrying that in our hearts even after the tree is out the door.

If you have endearing traditions, I'd love for you to share
a comment so we can all enjoy.

Merry Christmas
Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

About Gifts and Giving Ideas

Each year about this time, I struggle just a little.

Consumerism and advertising seem to be wearing battle armor

and are charging full force towards all of us.

Of course, this is no new song I'm singing here,

but it almost makes me want to hide.

I'm not stingy ~ I love to give,

but who wants to give something because there is a feeling of obligation

or give with the thought that it will be unappreciated and/or end up

in the trash within a month.

(Mom's gift wrapped in a dish towel ~ she likes "fat birds")

That said, the piles of gifts we unwrap are a little different in a couple ways:

first, they aren't piles and 

second, the items themselves might not look like gifts to most folks.

We have a rule in our family~

no gift (with the exception of the kids) can cost more than $10.

Yep, that's right, not $20 or $50, but $10.

After the first year or two of books and slippers,

it began to get more fun.

It's a whole different mind set.

We shop throughout the year thus thinking of giving to loved-ones often.

I have only a gift card to purchase for my grandmother

and a specific stocking stuffer for hubby.

(Grammy is nearly 92 and doesn't need stuff.  She enjoys being able to

go to the store for the few things she needs and having the card.)

We don't have to take out a loan for Christmas:)

Children no longer wish for a simple toy or sweet treat.

Expensive techno-gadgets of various sorts have replaced those things.

Children have no idea how to play marbles ~

you know, draw a big circle in the dirt.

Dirt! Heaven forbid! Get the hand sanitizer quick! (sorry)

They don't know about clearies or cats eyes or how to hold a shooter.

That makes me a little sad 

as do the expectations they seem to associate with the season. 

If you can at all follow me here to where I find myself and can relate,

(am I really alone here?) then here are some gift ideas for various ages.

Marbles~ and show them how to play.

Pick up Sticks~ click here for instructions to make your own

A Jar of Color~ whatever the recipient's favorite color, fill the jar with items of that color: handkerchief, gum, treats, shoe laces, screw driver (or sm. tools,) you will be surprised what you find when looking for color rather than items.

Reusable veggie and grocery bags~ lots of options here

Food~ this one is obvious, but here are a couple gifts in a jar which are nice

because they don't have to be 'dealt with' right away: 

Sandcastle Brownies and Six Bean Soup Mix 

Wool~ various forms available: scarf, mittens, gloves, socks, dryer balls, hat

Not Paper~ We have several quilters in the family so those gifts are wrapped in fabric, but alternatives you might use are: handkerchiefs, dish towels, pillow case, cotton shop rags, etc. - use your imagination

And now my favorite~ an idea from the three wisemen

Gold: of course jewelry which isn't for everybody, but you can get creative and use candies in gold foil, hinges/hardware for a crafter, yellow stoneware, sports team items if gold is one of the team colors, 'dewalt' tools are yellow (gold:)

Frankincense: perfume or candles, spices - something fragrant

Myrrh: oils - either edible cooking oils or soaps/lotions etc (made with oils) 

I realize these are not the original uses and intents for the items, but they do serve as a reminder of what the season is really about.

There is a message on the reader board at the bank across the street from where I work offering Christmas loans.

To me, that seems a bit (read a lot) offensive.

I hope nobody I truly care about would want me to go into debt to buy them a gift.  The truth is Christmas is what we make it.  We have the opportunity to celebrate a very special birthday.  

The gift of love and friendship are all that we can really wish for.

Without those two things what are we?

I'll have more soon,

but for now, enjoy this Christmastime.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Spicy-Scented Christmas Ornaments

That sounds much better than

"This year I want a smelly tree."

In addition to Strung Popcorn, our tree is going to don a variety

of natural fragrant ornaments including dried orange slices,

and these yummy smelling ornaments.

(This recipe is from 'Taste of Home Magazine' about 20 years ago.)

First thing's first:

gather items needed~

3/4 c. applesauce

1 c. cinnamon

1 Tbl. ground nutmeg

1 Tbl. ground cloves

2 Tbl. white glue

(I used homemade pearsauce, because that's what I had.)
In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients.  It will be a little 'glumpy' at first.

Don't worry, just mix it together like you would cookie or pie dough.

It will smooth out.

Then roll it out to about 1/4" thick using cinnamon as you usually would flour.

Choose cookie cutter of your choice.

I'm not sure why, but I thought the little squirrel would go well

with the star and rocking horse.

Maybe I just thought it belonged in a tree.

Mine ended up a little thinner than 1/4".

I'm not too concerned.

Continue to rework your dough, roll out, and cut until there is not enough

for another ornament.

I set the remainder in a tin can with a little water on the wood stove.

Once they are all cut out,

use a straw to make a hole for a ribbon, or

I used a toothpick to poke a small hole 

since I will be using wire ornament hangers.

Be sure the hole goes all the way through.
These are pretty small ornaments.

If you are using a larger cookie-cutter, you might go ahead with the straw.

You can then set them in the oven on warm and

turn them over occasionally.

I'm not sure how long that would take, because

I cheated and set them on the dehydrator :)

It took about 1.5-2ish hours.
I can't begin to tell you just how good the house smelled.

You can use craft paint to embellish them, but

I will be keeping these natural.

After the holidays, 
you can do as mentioned above and crumble in a tin can
with some water on the stove as air freshener.
If you have munchkins in your home, please
remind them these are not for munching on.

Enjoy~

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches