Christmas Ornaments

I'm so excited! Let me tell you why....

I have had my own place for a little over 2 years and this past Christmas is the third Christmas season I've had since being in my condo. Decorating decisions have been difficult for me because there's so much that I like (or dislike). Last year I finally made up my mind about my bathroom and got it painted. I also came up with some decor for the bedroom that Ariana sleeps in (planning on painting that one this year). Anyhow, what I'm trying to say is that it takes me a long time to decide how to decorate.

So, before Christmas I was doing a little bit of shopping and found the perfect Christmas ornaments for me. I currently use a 12" tree that kind of gets hidden behind all the presents I get. LOL!!! These ornaments were on sale 50% before Christmas, but I told myself not to get them at that time. If I was meant to have them, they would be there after the holiday. And, if I really liked them I would go back for them. It was hard to pull away from it, not knowing if I would see them ever again.

Finally, I went to the store today to see what the leftovers were. To my surprise I found everything I wanted. And even more surprising, everything was 75% off. I really am super excited for my Christmas tree. However, after all of that I realized that I have to wait till the end of the year to put up the decoration. (Sigh....)

Oh well, I guess all of you have to wait that long as well to see my Christmas tree. I will tell you though, that the color scheme is purple, pink, green and cream, with gold accents and lots of beads and sequence.

Christmas with Wendy

I spent Christmas with my big sis in Alabama. I had lots of fun with the whole family and miss them tons.

Cookie Decorating

Tonight I got together with some old college roommates for dinner with their families. They are such dear friends. We had some chicken and rice soup and creamy chicken noodle soup, which was very welcoming with all the snow we got today. Afterward we decorated sugar cookies, ginger bread people and rice crispy treats. Everyone was very creative and had fun decorating and eating the yummy treats.

Chocolate Candies

I have had this recipe ever since my first year at BYU. One of my roommates let me help her make them for Easter.

Chocolate Easter Eggs

1/2 cup margarine
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk (1/2 can)
7 1/2 cups powered sugar (2 lb bag)

Cream margarine, vanilla and salt. Beat in milk until very smooth. Add powder sugar 1/4 cup at a time. Beat after each addition until smooth. May add more or less sugar if necessary for workable consistency (should have firm fondant). Form egg shapes and place on wax paper covered trays. Cover well with plastic wrap and refrigerate till hard for dipping - overnight is best. Fondant may be frozen (very well wrapped) then thawed, shaped and dipped.

Coconut: 1 1/4 cup coconut - Add to fondant.
Maple Nut: 1 1/2 tsp maple flavoring and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts - Add to fondant.
Cherry Nut: Add 12 oz well drained chopped maraschino cherries and 3/4 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts). More sugar may be added for good consistency.

Chocolate Dip
1/3 stick paraffin was
12 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Melt both together in double boiler (or crock pot) over low heat. Dip eggs and return to wax paper tray to cool. When cool decorate with decorating frosting.

The picture above is the coconut candy and pictured below is the cherry nut candy. This is the first time I made the cherry nut and I like the way it turned out. Also, I used approximately 6 cups of the powered sugar on the coconut candies. The cherry nut did take about 7 cups powered sugar. Once I get my fondant shaped I like to stick them in the freezer. That way I don't have to wait overnight to dip them in chocolate. I have a mini-crock pot that works nicely for dipping as well. If you don't want to shape them into eggs or little balls, you can also use molds. I have tried this before, but I'm not very patient to work with the mold. Perhaps another time.

Parties....

I have been to several parties the past few weeks and I'm exhausted. They have all been fun, though. Stephanie came to the work party with Donna and me. We had a turkey dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Last year we had a buffet, but this year we were served at our tables. I though it was nice and we didn't have to battle it all out at the buffet table. heehee!