Winter Wedding

Although I am a happily married woman, I still LOVE to look at wedding ideas. Here are a couple I stumbled upon on FB yesterday. Isn't this table simply to die for??? I love every single inch. Spectacular!

Thought the "I Do" was a cute addition to the cake table too.

Happy NYE to all!

1-And a Cocktail in a Pear Tree....

So the 12 days comes to an end with a delish drink for all you lovely followers! I have served this at many parties and it is always a HUGE hit. Better triple the batch for a crowd though, I always do!

Sangria

1 750ml dry red wine (a dry "box" wine works just fine!)

1 cup orange juice-I prefer pulp free

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup lime juice

1/4 cup triple sec

Chill overnight.

Before serving add ice, orange, lime and lemon slices. I also like to put whole, fresh cranberries in around the holidays.

Cheers to all of you! Thanks so much for following The Gifted Life. I enjoy sharing my ideas with you. Have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!

2-Holiday Thank You Notes

Get a jump start on your holiday thank you notes by ordering them online today at http://www.vistaprint.com/ Click on holiday and then caricatures to create items like the above. Everything holiday is 50% off right now too!

3-Money Wreath

Tired of giving gift cards, but need a similar gift? Make a money wreath! My crafty husband created this one from a styrofoam wreath and U shaped pins. Just lightly fold $1 bills into bow tie shapes and stick into the wreath with the pins. We added floral picks to give it a festive holiday look. This wreath used $50, but you could easily do it with around $40 instead.

4-Candy Sushi

I think this idea is so fun! Great for entertaining kiddos at home on Christmas break this week too.

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
4 cups mini marshmallows
6 cups crisped rice cereal
20 to 25 gummy worms
1 to 2 boxes of fruit leather (I think Fruit by the Foot would work, if that product still exists!)
12- by 17-inch baking sheet
2-quart saucepan

Instructions
Grease a 12- by 17-inch baking pan.

Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat.
Add the marshmallows and stir until smooth.

Remove mixture from heat and stir in the rice cereal until it's evenly coated.

Turn the baking sheet so that the shorter ends are at the top and bottom. Then press the marshmallow mixture on the sheet, distributing it evenly.

Starting at one side and 1 inch up from the lower edge, place gummy worms atop the mixture end to end in a horizontal line.

Gently roll the lower edge of the marshmallow mixture over the gummy worms.

Then stop and cut the log away from the rest of the mixture. Use the same method for 4 more logs.

Slice each log in 1-inch-thick "sushi" rolls and wrap them individually with a strip of fruit leather.


In one of the images above, you can see they have used powdered sugar doughnuts, cut in 1/2, placed a Swedish Fish on top, and then wrapped with the fruit leather.

5-Clementines and Peppermints

I am loving this idea from Real Simple. Mix clementines and peppermints in a glass jar or trifle bowl. Have small bags on hand for your holiday guests to create take home goodie bags.

At an all ages Christmas party, keep the kiddos entertained with this easy craft. Give each child three clementines, a sturdy plate, some toothpicks, and store bought frosting. Dollop frosting in the center of the plate and place a clementine in it. Stick a few toothpicks halfway into the top of the fruit and spear a smaller clementine on top. Repeat with the third clementine. Make a hat out of frosting, a vanilla wafer, and peppermints. Use candy cane pieces for arms and a nose, and cloves for the eyes. Finish by tying on a scarf of red licorice.

6-Wine Wrappings

We are headed over to a friend's house for dinner tonight and since those gift bags for giving wine are so boring, I decided to come up with some more creative options.

This first one is just a square of left over fabric cinched with a ribbon. Simple and festive!

This second one is a sleeve of wrapping paper that I folded the top edge under about 3 inches. I cut slits into the folded edge to create a frilly collar. Add a sparkly ribbon and this gift is good to go!

7-Stocking Stuffer Place Settings

I picked up these miniature stockings at Dollar Tree yesterday and think they are perfect utensil holders for our Christmas dinner place settings!

8-Merry Kissmas to all and to all a good night....

Here are two great holiday ideas involving Hershey's Kisses.

Need a last minute centerpiece idea for a Christmas party or your holiday table?

Try this one. It requires nothing more than a few martini glasses, silver taper candles, Hershey's Kisses and some greens plucked from the tree. You don't need a fancy fabric runner. Just use wrapping paper. There are so many different varieties of Kisses now, you can definitely find one to coordinate with your decor. (STL'ers metallic taper candles are on sale this week at Schnuck's!)

I have to give my husband credit for this next idea. He had these treats at work this week and then surprised me by making them last night! They make a perfect give-away treat to go along with the fudge recipe I shared earlier this week.

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 170F. Set a number of bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels (one for each treat) in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug.
2. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes (the white chocolate will melt more quickly), until the chocolates feel soft when touched with a wooden spoon. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and quickly press an M&M's candy into the center of each Kiss.
3. Allow the treats to cool for a few minutes, then place them in the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes. Place handfuls of the candies in clear plastic bags and tie on colorful ribbons.

9-Super Easy Fudge

This seems like the week of Christmas parties to me! I attended one last night where my friend Anna served a very tasty fudge. We couldn't believe it when she told us how easy it was!


1 – 12 oz. bags chips (Use flavor you prefer: chocolate, peanut butter, white chocolate, mint chocolate..)
1 – 16 oz. containers of frosting (Whipped is good!)

Place chips in microwave safe bowl and microwave for one minute; stir; repeat-reducing time to 20 seconds & stirring. When melted, add frosting – stir together, microwave for 40-60 seconds, stir & repeat. Reduce time to 20 seconds and stir. Do this 2-3 times. If you want to mix in nuts, do it now before pouring in pan. Or you can place nuts on the top.

Pour into small square or rectangle pan (8 x 6 or 7 x 7; an 8 x 8 will make the fudge thin. You can double ingredients and put in 9 x 11 pan).

Let set on counter. Or you can chill in the refrigerator if you’re in a hurry for it to set. Cut into 1” squares.

* note on the pan size for the fudge...Anna used an 8 x 8, but she put something underneath one end to raise it up, so the fudge wouldn't set at that end. Her fudge covered an 8 x 6 area. There are small foil pans that you can buy that are the right size. Foil pans are perfect for giving fudge away in too!

Anna also recommended swirling the chocolate into the icing if she uses two different colors. Like say, Peanut Butter chips mixed with chocolate icing. You would need to heat them up in two separate containers, then pour & swirl them into your pan to set.

Yummy! And Easy!


(Coconut Pecan Frosting mixed with semi-sweet choc. chips taste like Mounds candy bars.)

Day 10-Cookies in a Jar

Need an easy gift for co-workers or your girlfriends? Try this recipe for Cookie Mix in a Jar.

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Layer ingredients in a 1 quart jar in the order given below:

Flour (including salt, baking powder and salt), oats, brown sugar, white sugar, nuts and chocolate chips. Use a small spice jar to press all of the layers into the jar.

2. Include a recipe card with the following instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease cookie sheets.
• In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 egg, and teaspoon vanilla.
• Stir in the entire contents of the jar. You may need to use your hands to finish mixing!
• Shape into walnut sized balls and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
• Bake for 11-13 minues, and cool on wire tacks.

Tie a pretty ribbon around the jar and attached the recipe card. You could also attached a small ornament or candy cane.

11 days and lots of Christmas cards

I like to find creative ways to display Christmas cards around my house. Most cards are so pretty these days, it is nice to incorporate them into your holiday decor.

I really like this first one using ribbons, a door and a roll of double sided tape. I have also done this same technique on my kitchen cabinet doors to add a little cheer.

This next idea only requires a hole punch and some ribbon. Really "punches" up the bannister, don't ya think?!? You could also string one long ribbon along the bannister and attach cards with clothes pins for a different take on the below.

Grab a branch from outside, anchor in a vase or pitcher with rocks and create a tree of cards. Easily attach cards with ribbon or curtain clip rings. This would make an adorable centerpiece if done on a smaller scale. Get creative by spray painting branches in metallic silver or gold or even dusting with fake snow before adding cards.

12 days of Christmas

I am kicking off a 12 day Christmas blogging spree with lots of fun ideas to get you ready for the 25th in style and more importantly with your sanity still in tact.

Drumroll please.......here is idea #12:

Courtesy of Paula Deen's Christmas magazine from 2008, these ornament-turned-flower-vases are just too easy. Don't they look great staggered as a centerpiece above? How about putting one at each place setting? Heck, if I was hosting Christmas this year, I would put these baubles all around the house.... in the powder room, on my guest room nightstands, clustered with candles and greenery on my mantle. The possiblities are endless, especially because you can choose ornaments and flowers to match your holiday decor. Use silk flowers and/or berries if you want to go completely low maintenance. One trip to Hob Lob and you have this one in the bag, girls! Their circular mirrors are even on sale at 1/2 off this week. They were located next to the registers at my store. Use a little hot glue to attach the ornament to the mirror, then stand back and wait for complements from your friends and family!

Clever Cranberries

Goodness! It is hard to find time to blog during the holidays! Depressing too, since I have lots of fun and festive ideas to share.

Here are some pretty ones using cranberries from Better Homes and Gardens. Check out the link for instructions and more photos. http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/indoor-decorating/decorating-with-cranberries/?page=4

Who wants a shot?

A shot of dessert that is! I love the idea of having a small portion of dessert, instead of the entire serving. Much easier on the old waistline during the holiday season, that is for sure! These cute shot glasses are available on amazon.com, but you could make your own using glass votive holders from the Dollar Store. Fill them up with desserts you can layer in for a pretty effect.