Day 3: Community Celebrations

Whew! I wasn't sure I was going to make it today, but it looks like I'm coming in just under the wire.

Day 3: Attend and join in community celebrations.

Tonight, Jay and I went to our community's Christmas parade. The streets have tinsel decorations, the courthouse is bedecked with lights, and the town turned out to welcome the season - some with their own lights on display. The weather even cooperated, bringing gray skies, colder temperatures, and rain so that it really feels like winter.

The festivities began with local musicians performing Christmas music as the crowd assembled. Next came a non-denominational prayer, and then our Mayor shared the history of our community Christmas tree (more interesting than I would have thought it to be), followed by its being lighted.

All throughout southern Arizona, the towns and cities hold annual electric light parades - all of the entrants have to be lit up in some way. Ours began with the U.S. Marine JROTC youths presenting our country's colors, with the police providing the lighting.

Many of the local businesses, neighborhoods, organizations, schools, and community members entered floats.

My personal favorite was a float that featured Snoopy fighting the dastardly Red Baron. While I'm not sure who was responsible for this entry, they certainly went all out. Not only was it completely lit up, there were also moving parts -- Snoopy and the Red Baron moved from side to side, and up and down, as if in a dogfight.

By the time we were finished, from our cheeks to our toes, we had felt the nip of winter. We had also enjoyed joining our neighbors to celebrate this lovely holiday.

I would like to encourage everyone to get out and take part in the festivities being held in your communities.

Day 2: Gift Idea for the Crafter in Your Life

You know those people in your life that are extremely difficult to shop for? Sometimes, it gets made worse if they are crafty (especially if you are not).

One thing you might want to consider for that crafty person is a class in a subject area or technique that they've been wanting to learn. If you're wondering how to find out what that would be, just ask them. Most will end up telling you more than you ever wished to know. ;-)

I would first suggest looking for a class that is local to the recipient, but if you just can't find anything there, there are many online options available.

Day 2:

Craftsy Workshops - Here you'll find a wide variety of classes and subject matter.

Universal Class - Where you earn continuing education credits as you learn your craft.

CraftEdu - An "online art and fine craft university" - but not, as far as I can tell, accredited. They do
                  have a large variety of classes.

The Makery - A couple of makers who decided to create a place where they, and others, could share the
                       crafty goodness.



Disclaimer: I am a member of the Craftsy community, but am otherwise not affiliated with or receiving any payment or benefits from any of the above sites. Furthermore, although I have linked to them, I have not used or taken classes from all of them, so this should not be taken as an endorsement. I'm not saying anything against them either. Do your own research to find out if they are companies you wish to do business with. And Merry Christmas!

Day 1: Let the Countdown Begin!

Well, it's now December, so let the countdown to Christmas begin.

Each day I'll be creating, sharing, linking, or discussing something for the holidays. I hope you're feeling festive, and let the countdown begin!

Day 1:

Drops Christmas Calendar 2011


Photo Credit: luigi diamanti

I Wasn't Going To Do It

I'm not a big fan of Black Friday. In fact, I tend to avoid going anywhere the day after Thanksgiving.

I've mocked it.

I've lamented it.

I've railed against it.

I was all set to do the same this year.

And then I looked at the ads.

So, I went shopping, and now have my Christmas shopping (except for stocking stuffers) done.  Plus, I was able to get lots of sewing and crafty goodness at unbeatable prices.

Maybe this day isn't so horrible after all.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a very happy Thanksgiving!

They're B-a-a-a-ck

The desert in winter is full of wonderful things.  Like these:

Since my neighborhood abuts a farm on two sides, and I live very near one of the boundaries, I get to see and hear them from my home.

Now if only I knew the farmers, and when they did their shearing.

I especially like the silver colored fleece of the sheep that is trying to hide in this pic. Do you see him?  Near the bottom edge on the right side?

I love sheep! 

Peanut Butter Cups

Jay asked me to make him something sweet to eat a couple of days ago.  So, today I did.

Peanut Butter Cups
2 cups peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 package graham crackers
1 stick butter
2 - 12 oz. packages milk chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening
mini baking cups

Break the graham crackers into a gallon size plastic zip bag, then crush with a rolling pin until finely crumbled.

 

In a large microwave-safe bowl, put the butter

and the peanut butter.

 Cover loosely with a paper towel, and microwave on high 1 1/2 minutes.  Stir to combine.

Add in the powdered sugar

and the graham crackers

and mix until thoroughly combined, and the mixture forms a stiff dough.

Get out a piece of waxed paper.  With your hands, shape the dough into small, flattened circles, using about 1 teaspoon of dough per circle.  Do this until all the dough has been used.

Next, get some water boiling in a double boiler.  In the top pan (or bowl, like I used), put the chocolate chips

and when they have mostly melted, add the shortening.

The shortening helps make the chocolate silky smooth, and makes it flow well.  While the chocolate is melting, set out the paper cups so that they are ready to be filled.

Place a peanut butter ball into the chocolate,

turning to coat.  Remove,

and place in a baking cup.

Repeat this process until all of the peanut butter balls are coated, then set them aside to let the chocolate set.

As you can see, mine are not perfectly even, but I think that's part of their charm.  And they still taste fantastic.

They're not limited to cups either.  The dough can be rolled out on waxed paper and cut into any shape you like.  Christmas trees, Valentine hearts, Easter eggs...Whatever you can imagine!