A Handmade Christmas Gift

Are you in a last minute rush for Christmas gifts?
Are you completely overwhelmed because you can't find ANYTHING worth while with the little amount of money you can afford to spend?

Why not make a gift for someone?

I know. I said it. The dreaded home made gift!
"NO NO NO. I will not be the one to give the wretched 'Christmas Sweater', the ugly pink bunny suit, this dispropotionate 'I think it's supposed to be a...ooohhh Now I see it...gee thanks...' " Is probably just what went through your head.

But do not fear! There is a lot more you can give than a stale, hard-as-a-rock fruit cake, or a dispropotionate scarf.

In today's world of crafting, there are many resources for homemade gift guidance. Granted. some of the resources that you will find on the internet are strange and completely unrelated to anything that you and your loved ones are possibly interested in. However, much is available of true quality.

There is a deeper sentimentality involved in giving a gift that you have made. A part of your time, energy and spirit is intertwined with what you give. People are often touched more by the simple treasures of time and love than they are of the expensive item that was aimlessly bought at the department store.

Some suggestions for easy gifts:

• knit/ crocheted hats, toys, scarves, mittens, blankets- this may sound like an impossible task, but once you learn the basic crochet stitch, you can make almost anything. The same can be said for the knit and purl stitches. the links below lead to free knitting and crocheting patterns.

http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/

• quick sew patterns the link below features many free and easy sewing patterns

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/

• fleece blankets - super easy! all you do is buy the fleece and cut it to the desired size! our family has a tradition. Mom cuts the fleece for blankets and each year the kids get a new blanket. Fabric stores typically have incredible amounts of various patterns ranging from princess to college prints. if you are feeling adventurous, you can cut the edges in about 2-3inches in and 1 inch across- this allows you to tie, lace, or leave as a decorative frill

• Hand embroider/ embellish an article of clothing, pillow case or handkerchief. learning a couple basic stitches can create beautiful gifts.

http://www.needlenthread.com/
the above link has a section with video tutorials of a great number of stitches.
http://www.embroiderypatterncentral.com/directory.php

• do you have a signature dessert that everyone raves about? mass produce it and give it as a christmas gift! everyone loves homemade goodies.

• decorate glass ornaments. they are relatively cheep and you can fill them with all sorts of wonderful decorations and designs. people love recieving beautiful ornaments, and if they are handmade they are all the more special.

http://theornamentgirl.com/blog/
this blog is centered around creating ornaments. maybe you can get some ideas and start on your own beautiful creations!

• little girls love paper doll sets!

http://tpettit.best.vwh.net/dolls/pd_scans/index.html

• there are also some very fun paper toy patterns for all kids!

http://www.thetoymaker.com/2Toys.html

• Another really good sight for simple, quick and cheap Christmas ideas is linked below

http://www.theprudenthomemaker.com/index.php/frugal-living/holidays/christmas

• In need of vintage clip art?

http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

This season is so much fun! I hope that some of these sites will provide you with some of the last minute inspiration that you need for your gift giving.

Remember that Christ is the reason we celebrate this wonderful holiday. The number of gifts wrapped beneath the tree, though fun to open, are not the true purpose for our jubilee.

May we all be able to feel the joy of Christ in the midst of such a chaotic and troubled world.

Christmas Kringle

The other day one of our wonderful friends stopped by for a visit. She brought us the most delicious Kringle. She was given the recipe many years ago by a German family who brought it to America when they immigrated, and it has become an iconic Christmas pastry to all those who know our friend. I hope that you enjoy today's yummy treat!

 

 

Christmas KRINGLE

Bottom Layer:
1 cup flour
½ cup butter or margarine
2 Tbs ice water (may need a small amount more)
 
Cut butter or margarine into flour (same as pie crust) until pea sized. 
Add ice water and form into two balls.  May need to add a bit more water.
Pat out each portion on a baked cookie sheet 3” wide by 12” long.

Top:

1   cup water
½  cup margarine or butter

Bring to boil in medium saucepan.  Remove from heat

Add

1 cup flour, stir until smooth
3  eggs, Stir in one at a time, with heavy spoon or rubber scraper until smooth and mixture is consistent throughout.

Add

½  tsp Almond extract, mix well
Divide mixture in half and spread over bottom layer.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes

Frosting can either be put on while still warm as a glaze or wait until pastry is cool and frost.

Frosting:

1 cup powdered sugar                                         

½  tsp almond extract
2 Tbs. butter or margarine
    Small amount of Milk to thin for spreadable consistency

Optional:

Sprinkle sliced almonds over frosting, and decorate with colored sugar

Cut each pastry in half lengthwise, then in 1 – 2 inch diagonal strips width wise.

From the Kitchen of Brenda Werrett

 

 

O Come, Emmanuel

This is a beautiful arrangement of O Come, Emmanuel.

"Best Hot Chocowat in Da Whole Wide-Word!!!!"

The other day we were out of milk.
And one of the littles asks for a glass of hot chocolate...
We ALWAYS make hot chocolate with milk...

SO we improvised and made the "Best Hot Chocowat in Da Whole Wide-Word!!!!"(note the voice of a six year old).

What was my secret ingredient you ask? Half-and-half.

"Best Hot Chocowat in Da Whole Wide-Word!!!!":

1 cup  1 serving size of your favorite cocoa mix  1/2 cup half-and- half   1/2 cup hot water

put the mix in the mug.
fill the mug a little over half way with hot water
and top it off with half and half.

It makes for a much creamier hot chocolate than the traditional fat free or 2%.

At our house, you can't have hot chocolate without whipped cream or marshmallows!

For different flavors, try putting cinnamon on top of your whipped cream, or stir your drink with a candy cane!

Of course this is a very common drink to make during winter months, but it is still fun to share ideas! How does your family make warm winter drinks?

and now for some cocoa pictures courtesy of google search:

don't those just look yummy?


If you want to give cocoa as a gift, you can also make a cocoa cone!
People love to receive hot chocolate at white elephants, gift exhchanges, or other fun events!
And they are really simple to make.

all you need is a large plastic bag such as a gallon ziptop, or a bread bag, or a cheap pastry bag.
fill it about 2/3 of the way with cocoa mix, and about 1/6 with toppings such as marshmallows, crushed candy cane, favorite candies or powdered creamer. Tie off the top of the bag with a ribbon and recipe card.

again, found on a google search...we make them all the time, but always give them away before I think to take a picture...
* zip top bags will require the zip top to be cup off before the bag is filled. Make sure to use the cheap and uniform, clear bags. The freezer bags, colored bags, and folded bags, though very useful, are not ideal for this project.

A New Way to Follow Sew What's Cookin'!

The last couple of months have been very busy. However, a pinterest account has been started and built up which is full of fun ideas for the Holidays and for all seasons. You will find craft ideas, stocking stuffers, DIY projects, Sewing tips, and recipes.
Follow us on Pinterest!!!

http://pinterest.com/sewwhatscookin/

If you follow the boards, your boards will be followed back!

Just because money is tight, that doesn't mean that gifts have to stop.
Items can be repurposed, re-created, and can be the most meaningful gifts of the season.

Do not let hard times make you feel inadequate. It isn't about the stuff. It's about the Spirit.
It's isn't about the gimmes it's about celebrating the Savior by loving others.

May your Soul be given peace and joy as December brings many new adventures!

Luke 2:10

Kids and Christmas

This is a really cute video where the magic of Christmas is shared through the eyes of Children.

Stuffing or Dressing?

Is if Stuffing or Dressing?

There is much confusion about this breaded side dish that is a staple of holiday menus.

If they both have the same ingredients, then what's diffference?

The difference in the name is only a matter of where is cooked.

Put simply, stuffing goes in the bird, dressing goes beside it.

The recipe being shared today is an easy and delicious comfort food.

(we are going to cook it dressing style)

 Ingredients:

16oz Bread Crumbs

1c celery        1c onion

1c pecan        1c apple

1c mushroom 1c carrot

 

8TB butter          2 1/2c broth

1 1/2 TB sage  1/2 tsp marjoram

1tsp thyme        3TB parsley

1tsp basil

salt and pepper

 

*the recipe calls for 1c of each veggie/ fruit...

we did a bit more than that to feed a family of six, plus leftovers...

 

in a large pot, over medium heat, start melting the butter. Add the celery, carrots, apples, mushrooms, spices and broth. stir until butter is melted and everything is well mixed. Add the bread crumbs and pecans and mix until the bread crumbs are well saturated and all is evenly incorporated.

disperse the dressing in a glass baking pan and bake at 350F until the top has a golden crust

(around 45min- 1hr)

 serve hot

 

From the kitchen of: Kimberly Leinbach