When I was a wee, little girl, Christmas time was always the best. We struggled like many folks and I remember that all our trees were "real" and several times I went with my dad to go out in the woods somewhere and we would pick out a tree together. If I liked one bigger, he would climb way to the top and cut the top of it off for the tree. As I grew older we bought trees or an artificial one but never would they replace those wispy ones from the woods we put in a bucket inside.
This is me. All giddy on Christmas Eve with my brother in matching pjs. I used to think that was so neat. We got one pair like that right before Christmas for a pic under the tree. I was 5 years old here and had made a Santa and proud to put his limp self with cotton balls and all right under the tree for Santa to see when he came to put the presents around!
Of course back then, mama put alot of icicles on the tree and as I grew older, she let me put them on there. I think then she would go back and even them out. :o
Those were the simple times.
I guess my love for crafting came very early in life even way before this when I got put in the time out chair in kindergarten for playing with my crayons when I was supposed to be listening.
This weekend, Mr. Darcy and I went to a lovely, huge Christmas party and danced till we couldn't anymore. We had so much fun. The food was overflowing, the music was good too.
So, today I've been getting a little out of the village and decorating a bit. I'll show you some pics later but here are a few sneak peaks. We even got a pic with Santa but I don't have it with me right now.
more of the village when I get finished with it. It honestly takes a good 2-3 hours of set up.
I used a different "snow" this year. I so miss the other kind but couldn't find it in stores so I basically used the poly stuff.
On the baking front, Mr. Darcy likes yellow cake with chocolate frosting so in between decorating,
I made up one. The frosting recipe is from a Better Homes and Garden cookbook.
It's a Chocolate Butter Frosting.
simple to make and oh so rich!
it made enough for extra cupcakes if you whip it up though....I was licking beaters and bowls until I was about sick.
The one piece was mine till he gets home. Yes, I'm a pig. :P
Our Hoosier cabinet makes a great place to put sweets for the week.
the recipe for the frosting is:
Chocolate Butter Frosting
takes about 30 minutes to make, 20 if you are quick
this yields 4 and 1/2 cups of frosting!!!!!! They say enough for one layered cake. I say enough for 2.
3/4 cup of sweet butter softened
2 pounds of powdered sugar (in a 2lb large bag)
1/2 -3/4 cup of milk ( I used canned evaporated milk as I was out of regular)
2 tablespoons of vanilla
3/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Hershey's and a bit more to taste)
In an extra large mixing bowl beat butter (softened) with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Add the powdered cocoa. Beat in 2/3 cup or so of milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in remaining sugar ( LOTS). Beat in additional milk to reach spreading consistency.
To frost a 13 x 9 inch flat cake, halve the recipe.
Then try to refrain from licking all the icing and spread generously on the bottom layer and sides. Then plop out the 2nd from the baking pan and load up the top and ice and lick until your heart's desire. :0
So what else is on the stitching front???? Well, lots of cleaning and sorting into new cabinets downstairs in my sewing area. (didn't get it today) but in the process I pulled colors for the freebie previous to this post for Mr. Darcy and my first Christmas ornie.
I was about to pull the colors and then I found this in the mounds of stash.
so I decided to use these silks I got a couple of years ago and the ones I selected from the box for the sampler are here. Silks stitch like BUTTAH!
yep, with some small piece of 32 count antique white linen
Obviously this was in between the village decor and the chocolate mess I made. :P
My other things I gathered are a small wooden hoop I've had from the Scarlet Letter for 5 years or so and these scissors.
They are 7.99 including free shipping from Speed Factory Bike Ebay store. They are antiqued with titanium planting over stainless steel. They are razer sharp and 4 inches. They have several about 7 or 8 other vintage style scissors. Great for gifties for stitchers.
The seller for these on EBAY is:
hsuan05
Along with this small clip on Mighty Bright light and a pair of magnifying glasses and I'm good to go!
Well, best get back to decorating and cleaning up.
Soon bedtime will be here and yes, I'm watching the 2 hour special of the Walton's wedding tonight if I can stay up late. Late to us is 10pm here on Fox Mountain.
Soon to get out my Christmas cards.....
oh what a list of things to do in December!
Till our threads entangle again,
Jennifer
