The Magic Returns

Once again, a night of magic, wonderment and believing.  A very Merry Christmas to you all. M.

A Little Whimsy

A great thing about entertaining early in the holiday season is that you are finished with decorating and can enjoy your efforts.  Our get-together this past weekend was delightful.  Just the right amount and mix of guests.  Not because we planned it that way, but it just happened.  It was fun to observe who was in an in depth discussion with who.  Also, to hear a burst of laughter from the other room and wonder what spurred all the hilarity!  It was wonderful time with some of our favorite people.

I wanted to share something I saw on an recent episode on the Food Network.  Nigella Lawson prepared gingerbread for a holiday party and decorated the stacked squares with a little forest scene covered with powdered sugar.  I thought it looked like a fun thing to do.  Instead of gingerbread, I made cake-like brownies.  Our local cake-cookie decorating store had the exact little trees and deer to make the scene.  I piled the brownie squares on a cake pedestal, added the trees and deer -- and this is the fun part -- sifted a dusting of powdered sugar over the top!  Voila - instant holiday fun!  Here is the result...

Sorry it is a little blurry, I was hurrying to get a shot before guests arrived.  It and the poinsettia blossoms above are a couple of my favorite holiday things this year.  The blossom stems were damaged and wilting.  I snipped them off and placed them in old bottles filled with water -- something I had seen in one of the holiday magazine issues.  The blossoms were saved and can be enjoyed for a long time.  Easy and instant holiday eye candy!

So, I guess the moral of this post is ... you don't have to go to a lot of work to create a little fun and whimsy during the holidays.  Keep it simple and enjoy the time with friends and family.  M.

Tis the Season

It only seems fitting that on the first day of December I will be making my first batch of Christmas cookies.  We will be hosting a holiday get-together this weekend, so we spent last weekend "decking the halls".  And, deck it we did - even a sprig or two in the "loo"! 

I spent some time cleaning-up my workroom.  What a mess it was. Now it's a much more contained mess.  I am looking forward to working on a few projects (gifts) this weekend.  I know that my hubby will be watching the Civil War game between U of O and Oregon State, so I will have some quality time at my work table. 

I always look forward to being able to work leisurely on a project for someone special.  Actually, that is how I got started in this creative business.  People would see something that I had made for a friend or family member and ask if they could commission me to make something for them.  And, so it went.  Ten years later, here I am making lots of somethings for many of you.  It still makes my heart happy to see some one's eyes light up when they hold one of my creations.  That makes all the work worthwhile.

For some time now I have been discussing conducting a day-long workshop or two after the first of the year.  I am devising a project that will be universally interesting to a mixed group.  I will pair this day of creativity with delicious food and lots of fun.  SO, stay tuned for more information.  It's coming soon!   M.  PS  If you are interested in hearing more about the workshops, leave a comment and I will keep you in the loop!