My favorite christmas decor

I have to share it with you because I have no friends here to see it.

This is the original banner I ordered online that I used as a pattern for the other ones.

These next two I ordered from CB2 this year. I love the hanging tea light holders.



Ian wanted you to know he has also been doing lots of projects lately.

My first croquembouche

I saw this on Martha Stewart and immediately wanted to do it. I'd never made cream puffs so the whole multi-step process took me a LOT longer than it probably should have. But seriously yummy... So here is what it's supposed to look like...
And here is my first try...


Not quite as fancy but I heard they often use a Styrofoam cone in the center to make the shape so for having built it completely of puffs, I think it turned out pretty good. The guys we gave it to are serious cooking gurus and complimented me on attempting it and said the puffs were identical and well-done. I think they just liked having real cream puffs.

Recipe at http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/john-barricellis-croquembouche

I might try to make another for Christmas.

Love these decorating ideas from Real Simple

Cute snowflake garland

http://mycutestamps.com/snowflakegarland.html

I really want to find time to make this - but sewn to fishing wire not ricrack and hung straight down from the ceiling.

Cute.

Snowman Brownie Pops

The sister-in-law uber blog

So I have wanted to post some recent projects...I know it should have been one at a time, but at least I am getting these up! You may not want to look through all of them, but I just wanted to document that I have actually attempted some creative projects in the past few months. I may not cook or craft like a Clay yet, but I will!

Apple pie from yummy New York apples courtesy of Kathy!



My first lasagna EVER!!! You can't really tell by the picture, but it really was a masterpiece.

I made these sugar cookies for my piano students for Halloween. Basic sugar cookie recipe, but I really liked making a good glaze--tip of the day: use meringue powder with powdered sugar and milk to make the icing harden and smooth out like this.

This was my biggest project...finding a way to organize my music books. I had them all lined up in a box in the corner and decided it was time for some shelves. We found this at Target and Dave put it together for me to then decorate...

My first real experience with decoupage! The finish on the wood resisted the glue and that created a lot more air bubbles than I wanted...I should sand it next time but I'm happy with it nonetheless. I cut the note out freehand from some stiff craft felt. You can't see the sides from this picture but they are decoupaged with different colors and then overlaid with strips of sheet music I cut up for the occasion. the top is a solid collage of sheet music. And of course, it's purple. what could be better??

Finally, I made this Christmas wreath today for our front door. I usually complain about Christmas decorations and Christmas music coming out before Thanksgiving, but when I was at A.C. Moore and saw some of the foliage and picks they had on display, I got inspired.

Fiery Pumpkin Dip

Rated 8.5 out of 10 Prep & Cooking Time: Yield: 4 servings Serving Size: 1.000 Measurement salt and ground black pepper 2 tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tsp grated fresh ginger 1 1/2 cups butternut squash or pumpkin, seeded peeled and cut into chunks 1 red chili, seeded and finely chopped Directions: This glorious orange dip offers a rich combination of sweet and spicy, fiery and sour flavors. Be warned, once you start dipping, it is hard to stop. Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F 2. Put the squash or pumpkin in a baking dish, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 20 minutes, tossing once or twice during cooking, until tender. 3. Transfer the squash or pumpkin into a food processor and add the garlic, ginger, chili, and remaining oil. Process until smooth, then briefly pulse in the lime juice and check the seasoning. 4. Scrape the dip into a bowl and serve hot, warm or cold. (It will thicken on cooling so give it a good stir before serving.)