Home at Christmas Time

"My favorite place in all the world
Is home at Christmas time,
For there is where we gather near
The precious ones we love so dear,
And hold them in our hearts once more
To last throughout the coming year."

~ Nancy Nowiszewski,
Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Keepsake, 1984

Viennese Crescents

I received this recipe from my mother-in-law several years ago. My husband remembers these cookies from his childhood, and they were always his favorite Christmas cookies (although nowadays he prefers chocolate chips). This week we're busy with Christmas decorating, and my stepdaughter (she's 24) is visiting with us for the week. In addition to trimming the tree (does anyone still say that, or do us modern-day people just say decorating??)... I'll be baking some cookies. Usually that's something I do with our daughter (22), so it will be especially fun to have two daughters to bake with :) I think this recipe from their grandmother will be perfect.



VIENNESE CRESCENTS

1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans or almonds)
1 teaspoon vanilla

~ Mix all ingredients together with a spoon. Don't use an electric beater or hand mixer.
~ Shape into crescents and roll in powdered sugar.
~ Bake in a 300 degree oven for 35 minutes.
~ Remove from cookie sheet and roll again in powdered sugar.

Welcoming the Holiday House Guest

"Gifts of time and love
are surely the basic ingredients of a truly
Merry Christmas."

~ Peg Bracken

I'm really excited because we'll have a house guest for a week before Christmas. My 24-year-old stepdaughter will be here visiting us from December 16th to the 23rd. She lives in Kentucky where her mom and other family live, so it's always special when she gets to visit. She's busy finishing up her college degree, and working as well, so doesn't have a lot of free time.

Our daughter (22) and I always have a lot of fun getting the guest room ready for visitors, and it's especially fun at Christmas time when you can include holiday decorations. No matter what time of year we have guests, we always prepare a basket full of goodies for them to enjoy. When guests come during this season, they'll find a small decorated Christmas tree sitting on the table next to the basket of treats. I'm always looking for new ideas, and here are a few things I've copied down in my notebook over the years...

~ Decorate the guest room door with a wreath.

~ If you have enough space, place a small Christmas tree in the room... even a tabletop tree makes a welcome addition.

~ Set out a basket with some fresh fruit, nuts, candy, and homemade muffins or cookies for a special treat for your guests. Don't forget to add a few bottles of water, or a carafe and glass (and some holiday napkins).

~ If you have a small coffee maker, this can be a nice addition to the guest room for guests who rise early, or who might like an afternoon or late evening beverage. Be sure to include packets of cocoa, apple cider, teas, special coffees, as well as some sugar (or sugar substitute), creamers and spoons. Some special additions would be most welcome, too... cinnamon sticks, candy canes and chocolate spoons all make perfect 'stirrers'.

~ Provide an alarm clock, radio, and some stationery or note cards with envelopes, stamps and pens (and maybe a few holiday stickers). You might want to add a few other items just in case they need to wrap some last-minute gifts... scissors, tape, to-from tags, some pretty paper and ribbons.

~ A pretty journal tied with a ribbon and a pen tucked in would be a perfect gift for your friends who love to write. Place it on a bedside table, or right by the pillow. Write a special message or Bible verse on the front page!

~ If you have an extra CD player, place one of these in the guest room with a few favorite Christmas CDs for your guests to enjoy.

~ A large basket on the floor can be filled with an assortment of books and magazines... make sure to include some holiday editions!!

~ Add a pretty fleece throw, a quilt or an afghan in the room for your guest to cuddle under while they read, write or enjoy some music.

~ There's nothing better than the aromas of the holidays! Use some seasonal potpourri or candles in the room.

~ Place a special basket in the bathroom for your guests. Include small sample sizes of personal care items they might have forgotten to pack... some special soaps, bath oils, and lotions.

~ Provide nice, lush towels ~ and include a bath sheet for them to wrap themselves in (or a robe) after their bath or shower.

~ Don't forget to include an extra blanket or two, and plenty of pillows!!

From My Notebook - Country Christmas Decorating

Celebrate the holiday with a country theme.

~ Use quilts and afghans draped over chairs or sofas to lend a cozy look, and hang some cross-stitched or embroidered samplers on the walls.

~ Purchase old-fashioned looking tins and use them for potpourri, candles, cookies and candy.

~ Hang knitted or crocheted stockings.

~ Use old tin kitchen graters or muffin tins as candle holders... a nice assortment of candles fit easily in the muffin tins, and the graters look great when placed over a burning votive.

~ Find an old patchwork quilt or chenille spread at a yard sale, and use it to make ornaments, stockings, pillows or wreaths.

~ Use pine cones, greenery, apples and cinnamon sticks for decorating

~ To decorate the kitchen or dining area ... red and white homespun fabric for table runners or mug mats... gingerbread men... gingerbread houses... popcorn and cranberry garlands... stuffed felt ornaments made from cookie cutter "stencils"

~ For a nostalgic decoration use children's old train sets, wooden blocks, small cast-iron stoves, small wagons or rocking horses decorated with greenery and lights.

~ Fill a basket with pine cones, greenery, bare branches and lights for an attractive display inside or out.

~ Find old Christmas books at yard sales or thrift shops, tie a few together with a strip of gingham fabric, and place them on a table, or in a basket.

Spend some time over the next few months looking at items in your own home to see what lends itself to a "Country Christmas" look.

A Weekend Project

I saw this cute little pillow kit in my local needlework shop just before the holiday. I didn't have time to stitch it then, but I did last evening. The pillow was already made ~ all you had to do was stitch the design and insert it in the opening of the pillow. I have it sitting on top of the fireplace (wood burning stove insert) and it looks so sweet.

A View from My Front Door

I wish I could say we had some snow, but it missed us, staying to the northwest of our area. We did, however, have two days of cold weather with freezing rain and sleet (as you'll notice from the icicles hanging on the eave). I've really enjoyed my time in the house, making soup and cornbread, and enjoying hours and hours of cross stitching. What a perfect way to spend a day!

The cold icy weather reminded me of Christmas, and I made some notes in my planner for things I'd like to make for gifts. I've been looking at several of my cross stitch charts and magazines, and am trying to come up with an idea for an ornament to "match" each person on my list. There are so many beautiful charts it's difficult to decide :) I seem to make a lot of changes to my notes as I find something new that seems "just perfect".

Today will find us at home once again, since just about everything in our area is still closed due to the icy roads. I'm planning on more stitching and a little reading ~ and I think I'll spend a little bit more time working on my Christmas notebook.