Since I Can't Send a Card

What I really want to do is send each of you a Christmas card.  But, seeing as that might not sit well with your (and my) privacy issues, this post will have to do.

I love getting Christmas cards and Christmas letters.  We have been sending out a Christmas letter every year now (at least since Sam was born) and I treasure the extra copies I've kept.  A dear friend whom I used to work with told me that she has kept all her family Christmas letters since her (now adult) children were small.  She keeps them tucked away in the clear sleeves of a binder, handy at Christmastime to leaf through and reminisce over.

And, so, even though you all may be plumb sick and tired of reading about my life, I'm going to go out on a limb and publish our little Christmas letter right here.  Because I want to and because you all are a special kind of friends and family to me.

*******************************

2011

Dear Friends & Family,

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! We hope that you and your family are well and enjoying this Advent season as we celebrate God coming down to earth through His Son, Jesus. This past year we've experienced the transition from academic life to the working world and we are thankful that the school-leg of the journey is complete.

In May, Jamey graduated with a doctorate in pharmacy. In an answer to prayer, he was hired on as staff pharmacist at a local hospital right after gradation. It's taken some getting used to his schedule as his shifts are different every day, but thankfully most are during the day with some evenings and every fourth weekend. He loves it and we are so thankful for that and the job itself!  God was with us on the four-year journey and we praise Him for taking such good care of us.

Sam is almost 9 years old and in the fourth grade at home. He's taking mandolin lessons from Jamey and he loves it. Sadie is almost 6 and is doing kindergarten at home. She lost her first tooth recently- the first when I pulled her sweatshirt off over her head. We can't believe she's old enough to be losing teeth! Miriam is two and a half and quite the character. This fall, she potty trained, stopped sucking her two fingers (two major hurdles!), and learned to climb out of her crib. Hence, I got a crib tent as an early Christmas present :-). Thankfully, when she can't get out, she takes great, long naps.

I spend most of the day doing school with the kids with laundry and meal prep in between. As taxing as it is some days, I wouldn't trade any of it. My extended family is blossoming as my parents expect their 11^th grandchild this July. The little people seem to be taking over!

We continue to pray for God's leading and guidance in our lives. It's not about us, it's about Him and we are excited to see how He will use us in the months and years ahead. May you experience His love and care this season.

With Love,

Jane & Family

And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:12-13).

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I'm taking my usual Christmas break from blogging and will be back in a couple weeks.  I'll see you in the New Year! Pin It

Pecan Tarts

Yes, yes, I know.  Right after I tell you that I try not to post too many sweet recipes, I inundate you with exactly that.  But I promise, it's almost over.  I want to post these recipes for you as much as for me.  What would I do if my half hutch suddenly burst into flames and all my cookbooks and binders stored on it's shelves went up, too?  I'd come here, that's what.  Well, after mourning the loss of my half hutch, of course.

These "cookies" were Jamey's choice this year.  My mom makes a mean pecan pie and her pecan tarts can hold their own just fine as well.  I'm not a big nut fan, but these, well, these are good.

Pecan Tarts (from my mom, once again)
Makes 24 tarts.

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tbsp. flour (have you ever heard of such a thing?)
1 egg
1 tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup pecans, chopped

In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened butter.  Add the flour and beat again until well blended.  The dough will be sticky.  Form the dough into balls a little bigger than large marbles.  Then form them into little nests with you fingers before placing them in a greased mini muffin tin, molding them into place across the bottom and up the sides, forming a mini pie crust (no fluting required).

In the same bowl (once empty), mix the sugars and flour.  Thoroughly beat in the egg, milk, vanilla and melted butter.  Fold in pecans.  With a teaspoon, carefully fill your mini pie crusts with the pecan filling.  Fill not quite full.  Bake 15-20 minutes at 425 degrees or until the tarts are set.  If they bake over a bit, use a sharp knife to release the over-baked filling while the tarts are still warm.  This will make them much easier to remove from the pan once they're cool.

This batch doesn't look very pretty, but they taste just fine:-).

 

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Peanut Blossoms

These were Sam's choice this year.  If he hadn't chosen them, I would have had to claim them as my choice.  I think probably everyone knows about these- the peanut-y cookie with the Hershey's kiss on the top- but just in case you don't or just in case you don't have the recipe in your repertoire, you'll find it below.

Even though there isn't anything Christmas-y about these, I only think about them at Christmastime because that's the only time my mom made them. Everyone has their own method of eating these cookies.  What's yours?

Peanut Blossoms (the recipe my mom uses)
Makes about 3 dozen.

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter (we like chunky)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup sugar for rolling
about 36 Hershey's kisses, unwrapped

Sift flour, baking soda and salt together in a bowl and set aside.  In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the shortening, peanut butter and both sugars together well.  Add the egg, milk and vanilla.  Place the 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl.  Roll a heaping tbsp. of cookie dough in your hands, forming balls.  Roll the balls in the sugar, coating them well and place them on greased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.  Bake them in a 350 degree oven for 7 minutes.  Remove from the oven and place one Hershey's kiss in the center of each cookie, pressing it down firmly (you don't want the kisses to fall out/off when the cool).  Return the cookies to the oven for 2-3 minutes or until they are just starting to turn light brown.  Cool completely before storing in a covered container.  They freeze nicely.  Feed the extra Hershey's kisses to your bush outside if you don't think you can keep yourself from eating them. Pin It

Artful Accents Earrings Winner!

I hope you all had a really good week and that in spite of all there seems to be left to do before Christmas you are keeping your heads and remembering the real reason we celebrate this time of year.  When I find myself getting too focused on the here and now, I picture myself walking on this huge, round earth with my eyes parallel to the ground.  Then, I picture myself looking up.  If I can go about my activities with my face and eyes turned toward God, how much more perspective I will have!  With this simple lift of my head, I feel loved and this helps me to love others (otherwise, I fear I would simply run out of the good stuff).

So.  Let's lift our faces and eyes and give God all glory, laud and honor!

And, now!  The winner of one of the beautiful pair of earrings above from Kathy at Artful Accents is....

Lori F.

("I really like the pink French quarter bracelet. If I won I'd have to go with the blue haze earings. Cute stuff!")

Congratulations, Lori !!!  Please email me your name, mailing address and please confirm your color choice (green haze or blue haze).  If I don't hear from the winner within two weeks, I will draw another name.

Don't forget!  Today is the last day to use coupon code DEC13-16 at checkout to receive free shipping on anything from Kathy's shop!

Thank you, Kathy!  Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Pin It

Dipped Gingerbread Cookies

This year I became wiser (in this one respect, at least).  I'm waiting to bake until the week before Christmas so all those goodies aren't hanging around.

Goodies hanging around + Kids who are already getting excited for Christmas (and therefore a little bit crazy) = A mama who wants to self-medicate with goodies.

I also decided I would let Jamey and each child chose a cookie and those four choices would be the kinds I would make.  Jamey chose my mom's pecan tarts.  Sam chose peanut blossoms.  Sadie chose sugar cookies decorated with icing and sprinkles and, as a group, we chose dipped gingerbread cookies for Miriam.  I made these gingerbread cookies last year but forgot to share the recipe with you, so you'll find last year's photos and the recipe below.

These cookies are soft and chewy and I love the gingerbread-chocolate combination (and the chocolate is so much easier than icing them, in my opinion).

Dipped Gingerbread Cookies (the cookie part is my mom's recipe)
This recipe makes a lot, just so you know.  You can freeze the dough wrapped tightly in saran wrap if it's too much for you at once.

1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 1/4 cup molasses (or 1/4 cup molasses + 1 cup dark corn syrup)
3 eggs
1 cup shortening
1 tbsp. baking soda
1 tsp. each of salt, cinnamon, all spice, cloves and ground ginger
3 cups flour
AND
5-6 cups flour
melting chocolate
Christmas sprinkles

Mix ingredients brown sugar through the first 3 cups of flour in your electric mixer on low speed until well mixed.  Switch to a dough hook if you have one.  Add 5 cups flour to make a stiff dough.  If the dough is too sticky, add more flour until it can be worked with easily.  If it seems too soft, place in fridge to stiffen it up a bit, otherwise, roll out into 1/4 inch thickness and cut into cookies.  Place on greased cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Don't overbake if you like them soft and chewy.  Dip in melted chocolate, lay on waxed paper and decorate with sprinkles before the chocolate has a chance to set.  Store in a covered container once chocolate has set completely. Pin It

Chocolate Mint Brownies

I feel a little bit guilty introducing you to these.  If you've been around here awhile, you may have noticed that I don't post as many sweet recipes as I used to.  It's not because I don't like sweet things, it's because I do and when I read blogs that post sweet things all the time, I tend to get a little upset.  Not at the blogger, of course, but at myself for being tempted so.  My metabolism isn't what it used to be so I need to avoid the temptations.  Hence, I've tried to post more recipes for dinner and such.  I hope you don't mind.

In light of all that, occasionally I just can't hold back.  The pull is too strong and I want to share the {sweet} love with all you dearies.  I hope this doesn't put you off but instead is something you file away in that sweet head of yours for a time when you want to wow and impress friends or family with something scrumptious this Christmas season.  Let me be super clear:  this is a dessert you must share, take to a function, not keep all to yourself. Understand?  If you don't now, check the total butter content and you'll get my drift.

Making bars are generally easier and quicker than dealing with cookies, but this recipe calls for three layers.  Do not be deterred!  Each layer is super easy to whip up and the chill time between each is minimal.  The brownie layer is more of a really moist cake than a brownie and it isn't as sweet as brownies come.  This is a good thing because the mint layer is like icing and the chocolate layer...well, it's chocolate.  If you like peppermint patties, you'll love these.

Chocolate Mint Brownies (from my mom)
Makes 30 petite-sized brownies.  The mint layer calls for green food coloring which my mom always uses.  It makes these brownies look very festive, but it's okay to leave out (as I did) if you'd rather not use it.

brownie layer:
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups Hershey's syrup

mint layer:
2 cups confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tbsp. water
1/2 tsp. mint extract (I used peppermint)
3 drops green food coloring (optional)

chocolate layer:
6 tbsp. butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

To make the brownie layer, beat all the brownie ingredients until smooth.  Pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until the middle is no longer shaky.  The top may appear a little wet- that is okay.  Cool the brownie layer completely and chill it for at least15 minutes.  Wash your mixing bowl, paddle and spatula in the meantime. You're going to use them again.

To make the mint layer, beat all the mint layer ingredients in your mixer until smooth.  Spread over the brownies (like icing) and return the brownies to the fridge for another 15 or so minutes.

To make the chocolate layer, place the 6 tbsp. of butter and chocolate chips in a medium-sized glass bowl and microwave for 1 minute or until the chips have almost completely melted.  Stir until smooth.  Drizzle over the mint layer, using the back of your spoon to spread it over the top completely.  Return the brownies to the fridge until ready to cut and serve.  Store in the fridge. Pin It

Artful Accents Earring Giveaway!

 This giveaway is closed.  To see who won, please go here.

The jewelry I wear most (not counting my wedding rings) are earrings.  I have about eight pair and I love each of them dearly.  Shoes and earrings share this similarity with me- the few I have I love and wear a lot.  If you're gathering that I'm a little bit picky, you're right.

Probably my most favorite pair of earrings right now is a pair from Kathy at Artful Accents.  They're called Green Haze.  They are the perfect size (not too small, not too big) and they provide the perfect splash of color.  They're earthy and pretty and, well, I just love them!

Kathy, who blogs here, was kind enough to offer a pair of Green Haze (or Blue Haze- your choice!) earrings to one lucky reader this week.  She's just great that way.  Here's a little more about Kathy...

"I have always enjoyed being crafty, even as a young girl when I made fancy mud pies, assembled daisy chain necklaces, and embroidered pillowcases.  Over the years, I have experimented with making fresh and artificial floral arrangements, decorating cakes, and making handstamped cards.  But when I discovered jewelry making in 2006, I knew I had found my niche!   I had attended a neighbor's open house for her daughter who made jewelry.  I took one look at the handcrafted jewelry and decided that I could do that too!  

So I took a basic jewelry making class at a local craft store, but am mostly self-taught through my own research and various tutorials.  I spend hours studying designs in magazines and online.  Currently, I mainly do bead stringing and some wire work.  Sometime down the road, I would like to learn how to get creative with a torch!  My favorite materials to work with are Vintaj Natural Brass components, gemstones, and glass. 

Most of my creations are one-of-a-kind, although I do make limited editions of select designs.  My hope is that the jewelry I create will be affordable, classic in style, and an accent to your total look."  

Would you like to see those earrings now???

 Green Haze

 Blue Haze

Don't you just want to put them on??  

To Enter:

To enter to win your choice of a pair of Green Haze or Blue Haze earrings, all you need to do is hop on over and visit Kathy's Etsy shop, Artful Accents.  Browse around and then come back here and tell us two things in the comments..1) what your favorite piece of jewelry is in her shop and, 2) if you'd like the Green Haze or the Blue Haze earrings if you win.  That's it!  

Please only one entry per household.  If you comment anonymously, please leave me some initials so I can identify you if you win.  If you're having trouble commenting, please email me your entry and I'll post if for you (I really don't mind!).  I'll draw one lucky winner sometime Friday afternoon.  If the winner does not respond within a week, I will draw another winner, so check back!

Also!  Between now and the end of the giveaway, Kathy is offering free shipping on any item in her shop.  Just enter the coupon code DEC13-16 at checkout!

Now, what are you dearies waiting for?  Go on! 

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Sweet Potato Spoon Bread

I can honestly say that I have never made spoon bread before, nor eaten it for that matter.  In my mind, I imagined this recipe would produce something similar to a sweet potato casserole, but it really did not.  Had I looked up the definition I would have known better what to expect.   From My Food Lover's Companion:

spoon bread; spoonbread- A puddinglike bread usually based on cornmeal and baked in a casserole dish.  Spoon bread is generally served as a side dish and, in fact, is soft enough that it must be eaten with a spoon or fork.

As compared to eating it with an knife?  Anyway.  It turned out to be a very soft, very moist cornbread mildly flavored with sweet potato.  I expected it to be rather sweet, but instead it was an all-round mildly sweet, tasty comfort food that proved to be a nice side dish (think in the place of rolls or potatoes).  But, one day for lunch I ate it topped with some leftover chili and the next day, topped with leftover sauerkraut and peas.  Both were delicious.  I decided I like it better topped.  Jamey is smitten with it all by itself.  The kids weren't very impressed.  Such is life.

Shotty photos are inevitable with me when it's dark outside at dinnertime.

Do you do spoon bread?  It intrigues me.

Sweet Potato Spoon Bread (Better Homes and Gardens, November 2011 issue)

4 tbsp. butter
2 medium sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
2 1/2 cups milk
1 tbsp. thyme
1 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. coarse sea salt (I used 1 1/2 tsp. regular salt)
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 cup yellow corn meal
4 large eggs, separated
2 tsp. baking powder

In a large saucepan, bring milk, thyme, sugar and salt to a low boil over medium heat.  In a slow and steady stream, whisk cornmeal into milk mixture.  Cook, stirring constantly for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is think and starts to pull away from the sides (mine pulled away in about 3 minutes, so I stopped and moved on).  Remove from heat and cool slightly.  Add potatoes, egg yolks, 3 tbsp. of butter and baking soda and mix.  In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the eggs whites on high until soft peaks form.  Fold into potato mixture.  Spoon into a greased 2 quart baking dish and bake at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes. (I doubled the recipe, using a 9 x 13 inch pan.) Pin It

How to Display Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are staring to roll in, so what to do with them?  This is my conundrum every year it seems.  I don't want to spend money on some card-displaying apparatus that I'm then going to have to find a place to store the other eleven months of the year. 

I've tried putting tape donuts on the backs of the cards and sticking them to wide ribbons hung vertically.  That looked nice, but the tape lost it's gumption and they soon started falling off.  I've tried displaying them along the bottom of my hutch like I do our birthday cards, but since so many people send photo cards that don't actually open, this didn't work well either.  Then, one year I just stuck them all in a basket, but then I couldn't see all the beautiful smiling faces, so I was unhappy with this solution as well. 

This year, I'm trying something new and I really like it.  Using twine we already had, I strung three pieces of twine across the front of our hutch and am clothes-pinning the cards to the twine.  Now, if you don't already have a hutch this solution will prove very expensive for you, so I wouldn't recommend it.  But!  If you already have a hutch (or similar type piece of furniture) give it a try.

A couple things to keep in mind...once you string these up, it will be very difficult to open your hutch doors.  I pulled out the items I knew I'd use between now and late January and put them below the hutch or up on top.  You also don't want to use tape on the face of your hutch in case it leaves residue or effects your finish or paint.  The way I worked around this was to thread the twine around the hinges, tying them off for the top and bottom rows.  For the center row, I threaded the twine between the door and front frame and taped the end to the inside of the door. 

You can hang as many rows as you think cards will come your way.  Since our hutch sits the end of our dining room table (where we eat all our meals), the lovely cards will be in plain view for us to enjoy.

Need an idea of what to do with them once you're ready to take them down?  I'll tell you come January:-). Pin It

Art Roll Winner!

Happy Friday to you!  I've had a rather rough week, but am feeling the antibiotics kick in...finally.  An easy supper of pizza is planned for tonight along with my last couple Christmas-related errands.  I'm looking forward to this weekend of feeling better.  And what a wonderful way to start it off- giving away one of Margo's Art Rolls! 

Just so you know, on Tuesday, I'll announce our last giveaway for the year and I'm so excited about it, so come back next week for some gorgeous hand-crafted jewelry (as well as recipes and the usual ramblings):-).

Without further ado, the winner of the Art Roll courtesy of Margo at Thrift At Home is...

Plain and Joyful Living

Congratulations!  Please email me your name and address and we'll get your prize out to you.  If I don't hear from the winner within a week, I'll draw another winner.

Don't forget!! For the rest of the only... use THYHAND11 at checkout to get free shipping on any order from Thrift At Home.  Christmas shopping anyone?!

Thanks, again, Margo.  Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Pin It

The Young Woman At My Door

I told you last week how Jamey put a sign up by the road asking for bagged leaves.  I had grown accustomed to strangers (men) coming to my back door asking where we'd like the bags placed or leaves dumped.  I had gotten used to keeping an eye on our driveway (clearly visible from our school room and kitchen) so no one would catch me off guard.  I am mama bear, you know.

One day, I heard the rumble of a loud truck coming in our lane and looked out in time to see a beat-up light blue pick up truck pull in behind our house with leaves in the back.   There was a knock at the door and I stepped outside to speak to (to my surprise) the young woman standing there.  She must have been in her very early twenties.  She was thin and dressed in outdated, worn clothes, including a thin flannel that could've been a man's.  Her light, frizzy hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail.

She asked if we were buying bagged leaves.  I said, "Oh, no.  I'm so sorry, but we're only taking them if people just want to get rid of them."  She said okay (but didn't offer me her leaves) and very politely asked if I would like to buy any eggs.  Again, in my most apologetic tone I said, "Oh, I'm so sorry.  We have chickens," and I gestured out to the chicken yard where they were ranging.  She followed my arm, glanced at the chickens, said thank you, and left.

The one thing I could not get over while speaking to her was the state of her upper teeth.  Not only were they crooked, but where tooth met gum, there was blackness.  Large, black splotches that unnerved me.  "How does that happen?" I wondered, imagining a toothbrush never having entered a mouth like that.  I felt so badly for her.

As soon as I heard her rumble out the driveway I felt wave after wave of instant regret.  Why in the world didn't I buy leaves from her?  Why didn't I buy some of her eggs?  All of her eggs for that matter!?  Who cares if I didn't need them?  She clearly needed money.  I was devastated and so very disappointed in myself to the point of feeling almost shame.  What was wrong with me?  

That young woman and my regret haunted me for the rest of the day.


That evening, after things calmed down,  I recounted the story to Jamey, filling him in on all the details, including the state of her teeth.  He reached for his laptop, pulled up some photographs and asked me if her teeth looked like the pictures.  They did- they were almost identical.  He told me that is was good I didn't give her any money.  What she likely had was "meth mouth", a condition that occurs with heavy methamphetamine use.

My heart sank.  My regret didn't abate, but shifted.  I was now glad I hadn't given her any money, but I could have reached out in some way.  I could have asked her name and gotten to know her a bit.  I could have offered her some food- my pantry and freezers are overflowing!  I could have told her that I was glad she stopped by and that I cared about her.

For awhile the guilt and regret was all I could see when I thought about her, but then just the other day something occurred to me.  I don't know her name, but I know her face.  I know she exists.  And maybe, just maybe, God placed her in front of me just for those few seconds so her existence would leave a mark on me.

Maybe He placed her at my door so I could pray for her.

At the thought tears welled-up in my eyes and I began to pray.  I didn't do many of the things I wish I would have, but with God as my witness, I'm going to pray for this young woman.  And maybe that was the point of all this after all.

While we're thanking God for coming down to earth through His Son, Jesus, this season, let's not forget those who haven't met Him yet.  Let's keep our eyes open and sharp.  May God place before us those who need Him and instead of turning away, feeling regret or helplessness, let's pray for those that are lost.

My prayer is that one day this young woman and I will be standing shoulder to shoulder in front of The Throne of God, offering Him praise and thanksgiving. 

Lord, let it be so. Pin It

Turkey Thanksgiving Favors

I know, I know.  I'm a little late here, but it's never too early to be thinking about next Thanksgiving, right?  And, yes, I know.  I'm absurd. But I really want to share this with you in case I forget come next November.

My mother-in-law has quite the creative streak.  She and one of my nieces and a nephew made these cute little turkey creatures and placed one at each plate on our Thanksgiving table (inspired by Taste of Home magazine).

I think it's pretty obvious what she used for each part, but I will tell you that she used melted chocolate to adhere everything together and the body of the turkey is rice crispy treat rolled into a ball.  Our kids thought these were the coolest thing and thoroughly enjoyed eating them.

Bookmark or pin away if you're afraid I'll fail to give you a reminder next November.  It really could go either way with me :-).

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Art Roll {Thrift At Home} Giveaway!

 This giveaway is closed.  To see who won, please go here.

Good Monday morning, friends!  I love hosting these giveaways where I get to introduce you to a fellow-reader.  It just makes this whole internet-thing a bit more personal, doesn't it?  Behind all these screens are real people- women and men with real lives, joys, struggles, stories and dreams.  Well, today, I am privileged to introduce you to Margo.  She writes at Thrift At Home blog and shares her creations at Thrift at Home on Etsy.

Friends, meet Margo.

"I started my blog as a stay-at-home mother two years ago to keep track of all my projects which seemed to get eaten up or used up and I would wonder what exactly I had done. The lovely, lovely bonus of my blog is gaining an online community that inspires and educates me. I started my etsy shop, also called Thrift at Home, a year ago, just to see if I could supplement my family's income because the recession had affected us directly.  I've had so much fun making things for my shop!  My things are made from my own designs, the same designs I use personally.  I rarely buy new fabric for my etsy shop things - it comes to me through friends, thrift stores, old curtains, and stained tablecloths.  I love to take an ugly fabric and see if I can match it up with something that makes it look good - it's finding beauty within limits, something I think is a spiritual lesson for my life."

Margo has been married 12 years.  She has two adorable children.  Ben is 3 and Genevieve is 6 and just started kindergarten.  She works two days a week as a cookbook editor.  Her blog, Thrift at Home, landed her that job!  

Her shop is full of lovely pieces and I'm so excited to send you over there in one second.  But first, I want to show you what Margo wants to give one of you lucky readers!

It's an Art Roll!  A sweet and convenient way to carry skinny markers, colored pencils or pens and I just know you all can think of a little person in your life who would love one (if you don't already want it for yourself)!

To Enter:

To enter to win the Art Roll shown above (coloring book and pencils not included), please take a stroll over to Thrift at Home and look around.  Then, come back here and leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is in Margo's shop (it will be tough!).  Only one entry per household.  If you comment anonymously, please leave your name or some initials so I can identify you.  If you have trouble commenting, please email me your entry and I'll post it for you.  I will choose a winner on Friday afternoon.  If the winner does not respond within a week, another winner will be chosen.

Free Shipping! Only for the duration of this giveaway (today through this coming Friday), use THYHAND11 at checkout to get free shipping on any order from Thrift At Home.  Christmas shopping anyone?!

Thank you, Margo, and happy browsing to the rest of you!

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Christmas Treat Inspiration

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, I'm officially allowed to talk about Christmas, right?  Below are some of our family's very favorite Christmas goodies with links to the recipes (if I've posted them).  But!  More importantly, I want to hear about YOUR favorite Christmas treats and there are two ways for you to share.  You can leave a comment telling me about it, OR at the very bottom of the post, you'll see my first attempt at using a Linky (a way to link your posts to this one).  Link to a post you've already written about your favorite Christmas treat or get baking, blog about your treat and come back and link to it.  I will keep a special Christmas Treat link in the margin (toward the top) so you can find this post easily so you can come back here and check what others favorites are.

While family favorites are important, it's also fun to try new recipes!  Link up as many posts as you like relating to Christmas goodies.  Now, to get you motivated (and hungry- I'm very sorry)...

Peanut Blossoms

Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

Lemon Bars

 Gingerbread Cookies Dipped In Chocolate

 Pumpkin Streusel Bread

 Haman's Ears

 Homemade Marshmallows

 Chocolate Peppermint Bark

 Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

Caramel Corn

Well, I totally missed that you have to "subscribe" to linky.  They gave me a free trial and it's now expired, so I'm just going to link to the posts the good-old-fashioned way:-).  If you'd like to add one, just link to it in the comments below and I'll add it up here in the post!

Haman's Ears
Treat-Prairie Snow
Butterscotch Rolled Cookies at Clover Lane
Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti
Thrift At Home-Best Cookies for Children
Chocolate Mint Brownies
Dipped Gingerbread Cookies
Peanut Blossoms
Pecan Tarts Pin It