Sunday, December 11, 2011

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I think that quiet early mornings are delightful... especially when punctuated by the twinkle of Christmas lights!

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Here's a peek into my kitchen at 4:30am... just before leaving for my master's swim class.  I *love* the lights above the cabinets!

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We have been having so much fun crafting here... the boys have been making boats...

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with sails and all!  So, so creative and cool!

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And I've been having fun doing a little crafting myself!  Today I decided that my beloved kitchen farmhouse sink needed a little Christmas "bling" in the window...

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The sheep were gifts from my mother... aren't they cute?

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The children like to re-arrange these two so they are "kissing!"  So funny!

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The little pinecones in terra cotta pots were inspired by a photo on Pinterest.  I think they are pretty fun!

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When my older children were little we enjoyed making cinnamon dough ornaments for our Christmas tree and other projects.  These are such fun and hold their fragrance really well.  They are, of course, not edible.  Apparently they were a little too tempting for some of my older children when they were little ... for several years we had cinnamon ornaments with small "bites" taken out of them!  I decided it was time this year to make a new batch.

Here's the recipe, if you want to make your own!

Cinnamon Ornaments

4 oz. (1 c.) ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp. ground cloves (optional)
1 Tbsp. ground nutmeg (optional)
3/4 c. applesauce
3 Tbsp. white glue

Combine and work until smooth.  Divide into 4 portions.  Roll out 1/4" thick.  Cut out with cookie cutters.  Make a hole in the top for hanging using a straw.  Dry at room temperature for 1-3 days, or if you are impatient like me you can dry them in your food dehydrator overnight.
yield: about 20 cookie ornaments


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I decided to use part of the heart-shaped cinnamon ornaments for a garland to hang above my kitchen sink.  I figured that if I used hearts I could enjoy it all the way through Valentine's Day!

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I used twine, the heart ornaments, pine cones and some red glass beads.

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The rest of the cinnamon ornaments will go on our tree... I think they are pretty fun!

Another new thing simple Christmas decoration that I've had fun with this year are these canning jars with lights in them!  I seriously *love* the glitter and sparkle that these give off!

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I love them so much that I put similar jars in other places too...

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We have so many fun things planned in the next few weeks!  Our oldest son Nate will be home for two weeks this Thursday and a week after that I get to see my brother whom I have not seen in 7 years!  I am *so* excited!  So excited!  We'll be doing lots of playing guitar and singing Christmas carols, baking cookies and pies, playing games, etc, etc.  I can hardly wait!

Hope it is twinkly and glittery in your "neck of the woods" too as you celebrate Jesus' birth!

8 comments:

  1. I love your kitchen!! But 4:30 am :-0 ahhhh a bit early for me. Although really I'm up about that time every day, just feeing Rosie then snuggling back into my bed :-)

    I love your kitchen pine cone, twine, heart creation. I am doing that if I do nothing else :-)

    Cinnamon Ornaments....okay that's way too simple....add that to my list too.

    Love the boats.....it's been a while since my big boys built cute little boats.

    I love the glow of lights at night too...I have some on my hutch that I keep on 24/7. They act as a nightlight for me when as I walk upstairs to Rosie's room for a little nighttime feeding.

    Merry Christmas friend~ Cinnamon

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  2. So many lovely ideas and sights. Your morning glimpse of the house looks very peaceful. We crave those moments, don't we?
    Love the boats, and jar lights and tree and the shiny floor from the tree and that smell of cinnamin ornaments!

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  3. Susan~ Popping over from Cinnamon's blog. Love the posts I have read this morning while sipping my mocha!
    I have been using our cinnamon ornaments as toppers on our gift bags of granola. So cute and yummy smelling!
    Love the kitchen!
    Love the messenger bag!
    Love the homeschooling!
    Merry Christmas~
    Kristin

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  4. Such fun and doable ideas! Have a Blessed and joy-filled Christmas celebrating our precious Saviour!! Love to all of you from all of us! :)

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  5. Hi Susan,

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all your Christmas decorations, the farmhouse sing...extra love love love, and the blue mason jars :) :) :) Your kids boats are super creative and cute, too :) :) Thanks for the cinnamon ornament recipe ;) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)

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  6. I love the photos of your kitchen. So, so beautiful. And good for you, 4:30 a.m. I think I would struggle trying to keep that schedule!! Blessings to your family.

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  7. Your kitchen is amazing! What a great idea to set the lights in jars. Beautiful pictures of a very blessed life.

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  8. Thanks everybody! I wish I could have a Christmas open house and have all of you over! That would be *so* fun! Who knows, perhaps we'll all get to meet "for reals" someday! {{{{hugs}}}}

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