Merry Christmas from our home to yours. I certainly didn't get everything completed that I had on the long "to do" list! But, the kids got their new pajamas, Santa's on his way, and my boys are tucked in their beds. We spent Christmas Eve at Tommy's cousin's home. Tomorrow, we are spending the morning with my in-laws and the afternoon with my family. I still have presents to wrap! Better get busy! Hope Santa brings you everything you want for Christmas!

Without further ado
or...I promised recipes...I have been a bad blogger

Cornflake Holly Clusters/Cornflake Wreath Cookies


You will need:
1/2 cup butter
3 cups mini marshmallows
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. green food coloring
4 cups corn flakes
red cinnamon candies

First, melt butter and add marshmallows. I tend to do this all at the same time in the microwave.


After the butter and marshmallows are all melty you will add the extract and the food coloring.


Looks scary, but is very tasty!
Next, when mixture is smooth, add the cornflakes.


Being careful not to crush the cornflakes too badly, mix until the flakes are coated.



Form into holly clusters, or wreath shapes (if you have lots of time) and place on wax paper. Add cinnamon candies while still warm.

Fourth Annual Bake-a-Thon
I meant to post this picture yesterday! We got a late start this year so there are only four types of cookies to show for our efforts.

Fruitcake cookies, rum balls, cake balls (red velvet/cream cheese), and Mexican Wedding Cookies

Next year, we definitely plan on halfing the fruitcake cookie recipe. I thought we would never get finished with all the batter. Plus, it just about killed my Kitchenaid. Seriously, black oil started to leak from under the ring!

This is the first year we did not make holly clusters which are my favorite. At some point this week I plan on making those and butter cookies. Both were on the plan for this year but since we ran out of time and all...more for me.

ETA
See last year's cookies here (scroll down to December 20) with links to previous years, as well.

I will definitely post the recipes tomorrow!

Beribboned Ornaments
Ornaments for the Bake-a-Thon participants


1. Take a glass ball ornament and remove the cap.

2. Discard the wire hanger thingy after it pops out and almost blinds you for life.

3. Enlarge the hole in the cap with pointy scissors.

4. Cut four different strands of ribbon.

5. Fold one strand in half to find center point.

6. Starting at bottom of ornament glue center point and continue gluing up one side to neck of ornament. Glue other side up to the neck of ornament.

7. Follow steps 5&6 for the remaining three strands of ribbon. Spacing them evenly around ornament.

8. Carefully place ends of ribbon through hole in ornament cap.

9. Replace cap, pulling ribbon ends tightly.

10. Take numbered stickers and place on small rectangle of ivory cardstock.

11. Place cardstock piece behind clear sticky tag. Back with piece of clear plastic.

12. Tie a slip knot through hole in tag.

13. Tie tag around neck of ornament.

14. Trim ribbon ends.

HINTS:
I used a piece of plastic to back the sticky tag, but you could back with another sticky tag. I just thought that was kind of wasteful!

You might want to put fray check on the ends of the ribbons!

Placing the ribbon ends inside the hole in cap is pretty tricky. But, if you hold your mouth just right and say a silent prayer, all should go smoothly.

Finish Ornaments for Swap---CHECK
This has been on my list of things to do for two weeks now. Actually, things to complete since I never seem to finish anything. I searched and searched for an ornament idea and found one while browsing on the computer with Owen at the Clifford site a few weeks ago. Now, I see that these are all over the place. Great minds...they do think alike.

I have been collecting buttons for ten years. The obsession started at a flea market. An older gentleman was selling his buttons for something like 20 for a dollar. Tommy went over and asked him how much he'd charge for the whole lot of them. I think we walked away with all of them for five dollars or so. The man could have easily gotten much more.


I couldn't resist this picture. I love the colors all sorted. I usually store my buttons in gallon glass jars. It took me two nights of sorting to get enough buttons for my ornaments.

This is an actual wreath and it is mine all mine. Won't be sending this baby off to anyone. I took two ornaments and put them back to back. I then filled in the gaps on the outer and inner edges with more buttons. Love this!

Number 1

Number 2

Number3

Number 4

Number5

Number 6

Number 7

Number 8

Number 9

Now it's time to pack these up and ship them off to their new homes. Such a satisfying little thing...to finish something, finally!

Busy, Busy, Busy
I finally found the nine foot Christmas tree I was desperately searching for. I wanted a tall, skinny, pre-lit nine foot tree this year. We have always decorated an artificial tree and since our tree is eleven years old, it was time for a new one. I searched all the stores around and finally found one in Pensacola. So, I packed the boys and we drove to get it. It's almost picture worthy.

The Fourth Annual Cookie Bake is at my house this year. I'm trying to gather ingredients and new recipes for that, as well. Looks like we have a few more in attendance this year. The more the merrier, I say.

I'm also working on my ornaments for an ornament swap. Shhh...don't tell. They were supposed to go out on Saturday.

For now, here's our little Jack Jack in his winter hat.