Christmas all year Round

Christmas time is such a special time of year. One most of us enjoy. Not only are there presents, parties, food, love and family time. I think family time is one of the most precious parts of christmas time. So as a family what can we do during the christmas season to be able to enjoy this special time together. Here are some ideas

• If you enjoy singing. grab some christmas songbooks, bundle everyone up, a list of friends you would like to go and visit (you can also go to neighbors, an old folks home or hospital) and either get walking or snuggle up in your car and head on out. 
• 12 days of Christmas.. pick a couple or 1 terrific family and put some goodies together and drop them off every night for the entire 12 days. most people start this tradition on Dec 13th and end Dec 24th.
• Decorating... in my family decorating the tree is usually a family night, we put on a christmas movie or music and trim the tree. the little ones love helping put on ornaments. 
• Go to the theatre. My husband loves "the Christmas Carol". We went this last year as a family and enjoyed the live theatre and the meaning that this particular story teaches us. 
• Go to the theatre (you probably thinking you just said that one) This time I am talking about the movies. We dressed up and went to the movies. We had a blast going to see Frozen in 3D. Can you tell we loved the glasses. 

When it comes down to it though. any time spent with family (or friends) is good.

Thanks to our host: 

http://www.kingofchristmas.com/

Artificial Christmas Trees http://www.kingofchristmas.com/category/artificial-christmas-trees/
Pre Lit Christmas Trees http://www.kingofchristmas.com/category/artificial-christmas-trees/pre-lit-trees/ 
Unlit Artificial Christmas Trees http://www.kingofchristmas.com/category/artificial-christmas-trees/unlit-trees/ 
Giant Artificial Christmas Trees http://www.kingofchristmas.com/category/giant-artificial-christmas-trees/ 

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Christmas Series Day 24 - Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies

On the 24th Day of Christmas

Santa brought to me

Amber with "Dessert Now Dinner Later"

Her gift for us is a post on a

"Peppermint thumbprint cookies"

Check out Amber's Blog Here

http://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com/2013/12/peppermint-thumbprint-cookies.html

Christmas Series Day 20 - Inexpensive Neighbor Gift

On the 20th Day of Christmas

Santa brought to me

A great idea for an alternative to goodie plates!

So I am sharing it with all of you

Today I am personally posting :)

My gift to You is a post on

 "Inexpensive Neighbor Gift"

    If you are wanting to give a little something to a friend, family member, co-worker, neighbor this year and don't want to give sweets or break the bank. This is a great idea for you.

   What it is, is a roll of wrapping paper and tape tied together with ribbon and a poem to go with it. 

How many times have you run out of wrapping paper or tape while trying to get all those presents ready for christmas day. I know I have and the last thing I would ever want to do is run out to get more.  That's why this is the perfect gift for many, even the diabetic. 

   Even though I have seen this idea floating around the web with a poem already. I wanted to embrace this idea and make it mine. So my wonderful husband wrote a poem for me that I think is even better and I wanted to share it with all of you.

   Below you will find a copy of the poem. You just have to right click on the photo, save it to your computer and then you can print it.  If you want to type it up and use it on a different design or just want to hand write it, all I ask is that you keep the author's name tied to the poem. Thank you.

This gift cost me $1.50 each

I went to the dollar store, searched for the rolls that had the most on them and then bought a 2 pack of tape. So it would be a $1.00 for the wrapping paper and when you break the tapes into 2 gifts they are only .50 each. Then all you need is a little ribbon to tie the tape and poem onto the roll.

   To tie the tape and poem on. Run your ribbon through the hole on the tape dispenser, then tie around the wrapping paper roll, punch a hole in one of the top corners of the poem and then string the poem onto one side of the ribbon. Now make a bow.  Then place a piece of tape over the ribbon (taping it onto the roll). Now your done!!

I am so proud of my hubby and hope you all like his poem too.

Carrie

 Linky parties
Funky Junk Interiors                      Shanty 2 Chic                      Remodelaholic                     Thistlewood Farm                          Whipperberry                    Thirty Handmade Days                      The Answer is Chocolate           Moms and Munchkins

Christmas Series Day 16 - Garland Card Holder Frame

On the 16th Day of Christmas

Santa brought to me

Jessica with "Designer's Sweet Spot"

Her gift for us is a post on a

"Garland Card holder frame"

Check out Jessica's Blog Here

http://designerssweetspot.blogspot.com/2013/12/garland-card-holder-frame.html

Christmas Series Day 13 - Quick & Easy Snowman Milk Glasses

On the 13th Day of Christmas

Santa brought to me

Sara with "Maj Hoff Takes a Wife"

Her gift for us is a post on a

"Quick & easy snowman milk glasses"

Check out Sara's Blog Here

http://www.majhofftakesawife.com/2013/12/quick-and-easy-snowman-milk-glasses.html

Christmas Series Day 12 - DIY Pottery Barn Inspired Noel Wall Art

On the 12th Day of Christmas

Santa brought to me

Shelly with "Dolan Diaries"

Her gift for us is a post on a

"diy pottery barn inspired noel wall art"

Check out Shelly's Blog Here

http://www.dolendiaries.com/2013/11/diy-pottery-barn-inspired-noel-wall-art.html

Christmas Series 11th Day - Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Ideas

On the 11th Day of Christmas

Santa brought to me

Tia with "Events to Celebrate"

Her gift for us is a post on a

"ugly christmas sweater party ideas"

Check out Tia's Blog Here

http://eventstocelebrate.net/2013/12/ugly-christmas-sweater-party/

Christmas Series Day 5 - Chocolate Peppermint Donuts

On the 5th Day of Christmas

Santa brought to me

Katie with "Clarks Condensed"

Her gift for us is a post on a

"Chocolate Peppermint donuts"

Check out Katie's Blog Here

Here is a link to her post:

                    http://www.clarkscondensed.com/dessert/chocolate-peppermint-donuts

Christmas Series Day 4 - Chocolate Dipped Mint Oreo Cookie

On the 4th Day of Christmas

Santa brought to me

Allison with "Cupcake Diaries"

Her gift for us is a post on a

"Chocolate dipped mint oreo cookie's"

Check Out Allison's Blog Here

Christmas Series Day 3 - Redneck & Manly Ornamant

On the 3rd Day of Christmas

Santa brought to me

Shauna with "City 2 Country"

Her gift for us is a post on a

"Redneck/manly ornaments"

Check Out Shauna's Blog Here

Redneck Ornament / Manly Ornament

 Here is an ornament perfect for that "redneck" in your life ...or maybe you have an outdoors man. It is manly, but yet cute enough to go on any Christmas tree. It has a hole in the back so when it is hanging...a Christmas light can go inside and make it glow.

I have these available in my Etsy shop here

I made it for my Lovie~ Kyle the wanna be mountain man!!!!

All you need is Fishing line ( I used heavier line), Fishing Bobber, 

Barrel Swivel, Ribbon & Bell. I did put a dab of hot glue

 on the back when I was placing the ribbon so it was easier to tie.

I never go totally basic...so I drilled a hole in the back with my dremmel so that a light on the Christmas tree can go in it to make it glow!!! It turned out so fun and super cute!!!

And the best part is that if you want to purchase any of

 these awesome ornaments you can find them at shauna's etsy shop....

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/167997088/1-redneck-ornament-manly-christmas?

Christmas Series Day 2 - 4 week guide to getting Christmas done!

On the 2nd Day of Christmas

Santa brought to me

Jenny with "The Happy Gal"

Her gift for us is a post on a

"4 week guide to getting christmas done"

Check out "the Happy Gal's Blog here!!!

I know I’m not the only one that feels a little overwhelmed at the thought of Christmas. Between the decorating and the shopping and the wrapping and the parties, the tasks start to stack up…and so does our anxiety!

Through my blog I encourage my followers to remember that life doesn’t have to look a certain way, and that includes Christmas. Sure, in the past you might have run yourself ragged trying to keep up a festive holiday pace. But remember, there are no rules about what Christmas has to be. Are you ready to relax and experience Christmas in a different way this year? This simple guide can help you adequately prepare for the holidays while still leaving you plenty of room to actually enjoy them.

Week 1 {November 24-30} Decorate.

 Decorating helps create an ambience that is unparalleled during the rest of the year. I encourage this to be your focus this first week so you can enjoy the holiday cheer throughout the entire season. Just remember that it doesn't have to look a certain way. If decorating is not your specialty, then give yourself permission to tone it down this year. Just choose a few of your favorite decorations. This especially applies to those of you who have been dreading the decorating because it takes over your life for several days. If you feel overwhelmed, those feelings might be a signal that you need to simplify. Have the courage to cut back if needed. Or perhaps you love to decorate, but it seems to hang over your head for weeks. Give yourself a decorating deadline of November 30 so you can move on to other holiday preparations.

Week 2 {December 1-7} Shop.
Where did this pressure come from to be “done” with your shopping before Thanksgiving? That might work for some people, but don’t feel badly if you still have the bulk of your shopping to do. Dedicate this week to getting it done. If possible, on December 1 make a complete list of all gifts you need to purchase. Then click here to meet my good friend Amazonand ORDER EVERYTHING YOU CAN ONLINE. It is worth every penny of shipping, as it saves you gas, time, and the hassle of hunting down the right size or that out-of-stock toy. Place your Amazon orders at the beginning of the week. Upon arrival, inspect each item, keep all receipts in the same place, and create a space for returns. By the end of the week you’ll be ready to ship back the returns and then shop for the remaining items that couldn’t be ordered online. THG Tip: Keep your list with you in your purse or car at all times so you can update or have a place to jot down a good idea when it comes.

Week 3 {December 8-14} Select holiday traditions.
t’s okay to think about this half way through December. It can be a lot of pressure to feel that you have to continue with a dozen different holiday traditions, and ironically, that pressure can defeat the original purpose. In our stress to create the “Perfect Christmas,” we can miss the Christmas spirit completely. At the beginning of this week, make two lists: every tradition you’ve done in the past, and every new tradition you’d like to try. (Sidenote: I think items such as sending out Christmas cards and giving neighbor gifts can fall into the tradition category. You don’t have to do them!) Evaluate which traditions bring you the most joy and then ask yourself which you have the most time for. Choose a few meaningful traditions, and realize that you can re-evaluate next year. Remember, Christmas doesn’t have to look a certain way. You have the power to create the kind of holiday season that will mean the most to you.

Week 4 {December 15-21} Wrap it up..literally!

y now all of your orders should have arrived. Give your gifts a final inspection at the beginning of the week, and take the next few days to purchase any remaining items, including plenty of wrapping paper and tape. Then set aside a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night with your favorite Christmas movie to get those gifts wrapped up. How nice it will be have those last few days before Christmas to spend with family and friends, rather than rushing around to complete the final details!

Sometimes we make Christmas (and life, for that matter) a lot harder than it needs to be. This post is your invitation to free yourself from outdated and unrealistic expectations of what you think you have to do each Christmas, and create the kind of holiday experience you have been longing for. At The Happy Gal, I believe that life is so good…and Christmas is no exception. Visit www.thehappygal.com for more great ideas in the "Christmas The Happy Gal Way" series. In particular you'll want to check out The Happy Gal's Guide to an Organized Christmas. From http://www.thehappygal.com/christmas-happy-gal-way/ to The Happy Gal Holiday Gift GuideThe Happy Gal is your source for a happy, healthy, and organized holiday season.

Christmas Series Day 1 - Christmas Reading Activities

I am so excited to start my Christmas Series.

Come and check out some awesome bloggers each day

 and see what Christmas treats, décor and

 great ideas they come up with.

On the 1st Day of Christmas

Santa brought to me

Taralyn with "Keep Moving Forward With Me"

Her gift for us is a post on a "Christmas Reading Activities"

Check out Taralyn's Blog here!!!

Bacon wrapped Turkey

Bacon wrapped Turkey

We'll I decided to use a new technique for cooking my turkey this year for Christmas.

All I did was put stuffing in the inside and then wrapped it with bacon. Nothing else.

I criss crossed the bacon across the top of the bird 1st (making sure that I didn't cover the thermometer up. Then covered the legs. I had to use toothpicks in a couple places to keep the bacon in place.Then I placed in the oven for the amount of hours and temp for this size bird and 4 hours later and 2 stops to quickly bast. and there you go. (I did have tinfoil over it for the first 3 hours and then took it off for the last hour).

This was not ONLY the Juiciest turkey I have ever had but it had a great mild flavor to it also because of the bacon. I am definitely going to do this again come thanksgiving. Yumm

Happy Cooking !!