In The Refiner's Fire

We had a lot of people we felt we should give something to this year - 7 teachers (team taught preschool and Sunday school), daycare, administrative type people, and friends. It seemed like the list went on forever this year. I didn't want to spend a lot and wanted to do something that wouldn't take up space in people's homes (anyone else in that boat with me?). So, I made baked goodies, caramel corn, hot cocoa mix, chocolate dipped marshmallows and chocolate covered pretzels. The kids made homemade Christmas ornaments. Since it was the end of the semester and quite a bit crazy, we did this in shifts. Here's the results: Chocolate Covered Pretzels (dipped in red and green sugar): Red and Green Caramel Corn: Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows (here's Missy dipping them in colored sugar for a special touch): Homemade Christmas Ornaments (TP tubes, pipe cleaners and beads!) The Final Product! I got the baskets for 50 cents each at the thrift store, bought some food-safe gi...

Okay, I've said I'd post this stuff for a while but, well, I've been too busy enjoying my family and Christmas and all that stuff! I love, love, LOVE decorating for Christmas! I grew up with a Mom who literally decorated every room in the house except the ugly concrete utility room - even the laundry room got decorated! And it was a big deal. We had a special day for the Christmas Tree and the Nativity with music, cookies, cocoa and lots of exclaiming over the ornaments. The rest of the house was no different - a couple boxes each Saturday starting after Thanksgiving. Exclaiming and excitement. Since I'm in school and the kids are little, we don't do as much as my Mom did (plus I need a few more years to acquire all the "stuff" that she has!). I also try to make the transition from fall to winter fairly easy since I don't have much time. So what did we do? Here's my sofa end tables: Fall: Potpourri and cinnamon scented pine cones. Christmas: Pin...