winter evenings = flannel sheets

Especially nice are ones with sledding penguins on them.

winter = pockets full of candy canes

I keep a jar filled so I can grab a few as I go out the door.

long winter days = hot chocolate

I even set up a jar just for storing the mini marshmallows

A few people have asked me about the string I used to tie up my Christmas packages. It is a large spool of baker's twine I bought online... quite inexpensively. This spool should last me the rest of my life. I don't remember the exact place but a google search will turn up several alternatives.

It was the Little Italy pastry shops that I frequented during our visit to Boston that inspired me to use baker's twine.

My mom found this painted recipe holder shaped like a mini rolling pin. I think the design matches my candle carousels.

The recipe is from Max Brenner's.

This year's Christmas theme was inspired by my deer collection. I think I might keep some of them out even after the New Year.

Here is a picture of our mantle decorated for Christmas.

It has my collection of Christmas bendy figures, mini snow globes and mini jewery boxes (faux limoge).

We are in PA by the way and at the mercy of internet dial up. Blog posting and email will be sketchy at best.

I got a few new ornaments for our tree this year.

Little metal Joy to the World sign...

... and a matching Merry Christmas sign... from Joann Fabrics.

Here is a little crocheted turtle from the Martha Stewart Kmart Sugar Plum collection.

I also got a set of mini kitchen utensils from Martha's Kmart collection. There was a lot of cute stuff in her holiday collection.

Someone asked in my comments about this little tree. I got it at Wegmans and it is just the right size for displaying my favorite little ornaments. Here are a few of them.

I got this little vintage ball at a yard sale. It used to have candy inside.

I love this glass mushroom ornament.

Glass Peter Rabbit.

Glass chick peep.

Fuzzy Peep.

Longtime readers know that every Christmas I have a "theme" that I carry through that year's gift wrap and Christmas Cards.

This year my theme was "A Woodland Christmas". I was inspired by my collection of plastic deer... and the fact Aaron could make mushrooms and acorns on his lathe.

I was able to use the Woodland Creatures craft supplies from Martha's Craft line at Michaels.

Here is what the wrapped teacup candles looked like. Quick and easy to put together. Here are some more pictures of how I put them together.

Here is what Aaron and I made for Christmas gifts this year.

Aaron turned the acorn and mushroom ornaments on his lathe and I made the teacup candles.

I found the teacups at yardsales and flea markets throughout the year. Here are pictures of how I made the teacup candles.

Aaron stained the top of the acorns and mushrooms and added the hooks to finish them off. Here are a few pictures of Aaron making the ornaments.

I love the mushrooms. I have plans for him to make more for me to paint. I hope our friends like their gifts this year!

Here are two of my favorite Christmas decorations... my German Christmas Carousels/Pyramids.

I actually got this one at Target a few years ago on clearance.

They cast a wonderful glow when they are lit. I am having trouble finding more candles to fit the one on the left though.

A reader asked if I would share some pictures of my Christmas decorations. I would love to!

These are pictures of my vintage Santas. Aaron thinks some of them look creepy, but I love the nostalgia they invoke.

These little plastic Santas in sleighs with reindeer are the best.

Ho, ho, ho!

I will have more pictures in the days to come AND pictures of this year's handmade gifts and trimmings.

This year's Oscar & Stewie Holiday Cards just arrived from the Gallery and we got them all addressed and stamped this evening.

Aren't this years holiday stamps the cutest? I should have gone with a knitting theme this year.

So what theme did I go with this year? I don't want to give away my card design too soon, but check out these out takes. *chompy*

We are having a snow day today. We stocked up on yummy treats and firewood and snuggled in.

Oscar and Stewie are forced to bunk together to stay warm.

When that isn't good enough they resort to sitting on heat vents.

Or they put on their Christmas t-shirt and sweater.

Heh, heh, heh, heh.

We are expecting a big snowstorm this weekend. We have only had a bit of snow so far. This is what I found on my car last week when I came out of work. Thanks Joel.

This evening we had a Holiday Cookies and Cocktails party. I pulled fresh baked chocolate chip, white chocolate chip and macadamia nut, peanut butter kiss and molasses cookies out of the oven all night.

I was pretty happy to wear my new apron during the party. Party pictures are on My Gallery.

It's weird how sometimes I notice certain things popping up everywhere. (ew bad pun)

A few weeks ago I went to see a pop up book exhibit at RIT with Aprille and her husband. It was so cool, there were giant examples of the different sorts of techniques.

Soon after I saw a commercial for Lexus where the car is in a pop up book. Then I saw another commercial for TGI Fridays with a pop up menu. Recently Fergie came out with a video where she is inside a pop up book.

But the best one.... my favorite show... Pushing Daisies had an episode where they suspected a pop up book author of murder. Some of his books were "The Pop Up Book of Sports Related Deaths" and "Pop Up Pin Up". I love that show.