Remember our troops at this and every time of the year!!!

During this wonderful time of year when we celebrate the birth of Christ, it is important o remember the troops stationed around the world who help provide the peace and security that we enjoy.

I got this link from an OFG (Old Farmhouse Gathering) sister and want to share it with you. There was ways we can let them know we care and appreciate what they are doing for us, our families, our nation and the world.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Holidays/Support-Our-Troops.aspx?source=NEWSLETTER&nlsource=10&ppc=&utm_campaign=Inspiration&utm_source=NL&utm_medium=newsletter


Thank you to Deb T. for sharing this.

Thanks to all of you for caring.

Hugs
Barb

Scoop style Christmas Candle Holder added to Website

New products are being added daily so please take some time to check out all the new goodies.

http://prairieharvestarts.com/shop/christmas/christmas-wall-scoop-candle-holder/prod_187.html

Hugs,
Barb

New Products on my Website

New Fun items at Prairie Harvest Arts

Be Prepared for a Wonderful Sale staring November 25 at http://prairieharvestarts.com/shop/

Time to think about decorating for the holidays!!!!

There are great ornies available at Prairie Harvest Arts. Time to order now for decorating. Christmas comes early this year!!!!!

For these and more see prairieharvestarts.com

It'll be here sooner than you think!

The snow has not started flying yet, but the signs are here. Days are getting shorter and the mornings are so much darker. It's getting a little more difficult to get up in the morning for chores.

When I say this snowman, it made me remember the fun things that the snow brings. Remember when you tried to built the largest snowman you could. Maybe ther was a contest between siblings. Fun...fun...fun...

Take a look at this great snowman brought to you by the Etsy shop Snowman Collector. Visit the shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7213607

There are so many greta creations there!!!!! Enjoy!

Hugs,

Barb

The kids are back in school and I think I am back to work!!?

This is my youngest child and and last two weeks have been spent getting her to college. She came to us as a 3 week old baby from Korea and has been a wonderful part of our lives from the day I saw her picture at the adoption agency. She is my wonderful daughter and I know her big brother Ted will keep a watchful eye on her at the U.

I sometimes wonder about how wonderful it is that I was given four such great kids. Love you guys.

She got help from grandparents, brothers, friends and mom and dad on the move. It has been something. She is roommates with my son's girlfriend and another sweet girl. It promises to be a wonderful year for her. I hope the best for everyone this year -- including my kids.

Hugs,

It's never too early to plan that perfect meal!

Looking forward when everyone gets together and the house gets loud again!!!!!!

Enjoy this pie and each other!

Cranberry Apple Pie


A touch of color and tartness sets this apple pie apart from the classic standby. Mixing the crumb topping makes a fun job for young helpers.

Pie 1 refrigerated pie pastry 2 cups apples, peeled, cored, and quartered 2 cups fresh cranberries (thawed if frozen) 2/3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 1/2 tablespoons flour Crumb topping 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces

Step 1
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a 9-inch standard (not deep-dish) pie pan with the pastry, fluting the edge.

Step 2
Thinly slice the apples crosswise and combine them in a large bowl with the cranberries. Add the sugar, lemon juice, and flour, mixing well. Transfer the filling to the pie shell, smoothing the top of the fruit. Bake for 30 minutes.

Step 3
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and cinnamon for the topping. Add the butter, rubbing it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 4
After 30 minutes, remove the pie from the oven and reduce the temperature to 375 degrees. Spread the topping over the pie and bake it for another 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden and the fruit thickens and bubbles around the edges. Allow the pie to cool for 2 hours before serving. Serves 8.

Christmas for Kids Monday

Found a great website for keeping the kids busy on those upcoming cold winter days and evenings. You know the evenings when it gets dark early and bedtime stays the same. What to do with those hours. Every Monday I will have some ideas for you and the kids to sit and relax. enjoy the season and the weather.

http://www.merry-christmas.com/coloring/index.htm#

Here is a link for a fine selection of pages to print and color. So get out the crayons, colored pencils, some hot cocoa, and pretzels and enjoy the family.

Have fun getting ready for Christmas!!!!!!

A star made with cardboard

For this project you will need: - Cardboard boxes - red yarn - scraps of red material - scissors - cookie cutters for templates (if desired) - buttons - tacky glue

Instructions: 1. Cut different Christmas shapes out of the cardboard box. 2. Following the method below for stitching on cards, stitch around the shape with the yarn. Leave a longer piece for hanging and tie it off into a loop. 3. Tear out a small piece of fabric and glue it to the center of the shape. Repeat for the back side of the shape. 4. Glue a button on the fabric to embellish it. Repeat on the back side of the fabric. For stitching on cardboard see: http://www.craftideas.info/html/stitching_on_cards.html Merry Christmas Barb

The wonderful scent of Gingerbread

Years ago, in the land before time, I was on a college choir tour. We gave a concert in a remote part of western Nebraska, during a very harsh winter. After the concert, we were divided up into groups of three or four students and went to host homes. For my group the ride to the house was long and cold. The winds were howling and the snow was blowing across the road and the visibility was nearly zero.

We finally got the the remote farmhouse, and when we walked in, we were greeted with warm gingerbread cake with lemon sauce. It has been so many years, and I still remember that home and the thoughtful people who made us welcome on a very cold night.

There's always a place for gingerbread. These ornies are available at:
http://prairieharvestarts.com/shop/ornies/ornies-winter-christmas/primitive-folk-art-gingerbread-men-ornies-w/-rusty-bell-buttons-set-of-4/prod_28.html

Looking forward to that wonderful time of year.

Hugs Barb

And the winner is..........

First, thank you everyone who entered this give away! I truly appreciate it. I wish everyone could win, but sadly only one. Please return often for more give aways and contests. More in the works.....

My son pulled the name from a wooden bowl as I didn't want to do it myself. I just felt better that way.

The winner is Keepsake Korner!!!!

Please send me your address and they will be on their way to you!!!!!!!

There will be a new something or other starting soon!!!!!!!

See you soon!
Hugs, Barb

Last Chance to enter the give away!!!!!!

Today is the last day to enter the give away for the Christmas Stars. Become a follower today!

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW!!!!!!!

How many days till Christmas????

Barb

Still time for enter the Giveaway!!!!!!!

A reminder:


To celebrate the opening of this Christmas blog, I am giving away a set of these stars. These were among the ornies that decorated the front cover of last year's Country Sampler Magazine.

To be eligible, you must become a follower of this blog. Winner will be drawn randomly from that list on the last day of the month.

Happy Monday and how many days till Christmas?

Barb

Reindeer candy pot for kids to make

These whimsical little reindeer can serve as place card holders
for a holiday table, party favors, or give a large reindeer as a gift,
filled with the recipients favorite candy!
They are an easy and inexpensive craft for classrooms or scout troops.


You'll Need:
Scissors
Craft glue, glue stick or glue dots
Terracotta clay pots; 2"-5"
Plastic eyes
Red pom-poms (glitter pom-poms are a fun addition!)
Three shades of brown craft foam, cardstock paper or construction paper;
we combined all three to make our reindeer family.




parts pictured for the large reindeer
2 antlers
2 large ears
2 small ears
2 eyes
one red nose

How to Make It:
First, with one shade of brown, cut the antlers to match the size of
your pot. If you are making the larger reindeer, use a child's handprint as pattern. Then, cut the ears with the other brown. We used a lighter shade of brown to add yet another layer to the ears but that's not necessary.
Attach they ears to the back of the pot. Then add the antlers.
Glue the eyes and nose the front. Fill the pot with candy, nuts or other goodies. It's that simple!


as seen on http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmas-crafts-for-kids-reindeer-pots.htm

Christmas is coming sooner than you think!!!

Hugs,
Barb

Fun recipe for Snowman cupcakes!!!!

Saw these and had to share with you!!!! This would be fun to do with the kids, 4H, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts or just on some cold, windy night when the family could use a little fun.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	Cooled cupcake (baked from your favorite recipe)
	White icing
	Large marshmallows
	Waxed paper
	Pretzel sticks
	Decorators' gel
	Orange slice candy
	Junior Mints
	Thin Mints
	Fruit leather

1. Frost a cooled cupcake (baked from your favorite recipe) with white icing.

2. Flatten a large marshmallow on waxed paper with the palm of your hand. Cut a second marshmallow in half horizontally, then stack the halves on the first marshmallow to form a torso and head.

3. Push a thin pretzel stick down through the snowman (this will help him stand up), then set him on the cupcake.

4. Use decorators' gel to create a mouth, eyes, and buttons, then add pretzel stick arms and a wedge cut from an orange slice candy for a nose.

5. Accessorize with a candy hat (a Junior Mint secured to a Thin Mint with icing) and a fruit leather scarf.

Christmas ornie give away

To celebrate the opening of this Christmas blog, I am giving away a set of these stars. These were among the ornies that decorated the front cover of last year's Country Sampler Magazine.

To be eligible, you must become a follower of this blog. Winner will be drawn randomly from that list on the last day of the month.

Happy Monday and how many days till Christmas?

Barb

p.s.
There is also a poll about"What is your favorite Christmas Movie" on the right. Have fun!!!!!!

Same pic-I'm puttin it everywhere!!

Starting this blog officially today!! And starting it with a pic of my son- the graduate.
Will be having all Christmas all the time from now on but this is a gift in a way and I am sharing it with the world !!!!

A very happy and proud mom
Barb