Candle Making

Project for Christmas with the kids:

DIY Candles

Cranberry Ice Luminaria

Sometimes I wish I was Martha Stewart. I wish I had a whole team of people paid to make decorations for me. Because while I love decorations, I loathe making decorations. And this would be awesome to have them make. So not practical, but oh, so cool.

Cranberry Ice Luminaria

I wonder how fast they melt?

St. Nicholas Day

I get a lot of questions about St. Nicholas Day. My husband was born in Europe. When he was a child they celebrated St. Nicholas Day. When they moved back to the States his family quit celebrating it, but when we were married he asked to continue the tradition.

So first I had to figure out what in the world it was.

Then I had to figure out WHEN it was.

And then I had to figure out how to explain the difference between Santa Claus and St. Nicholas Day. Americans say they are the same person. But if Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost can be different people. So can St. Nicholas and Santa. (I know, no comparison, but it works for me.)

HERE is a website we use to help us get resources. You know, just in case you want to celebrate it too.

I get asked a lot how I can remember the date. I can't. I just leave a major portion of my Christmas decorating out until that night. Like the stockings or the nativity. I notice those things aren't out and it reminds me I'm waiting until St. Nicholas Eve to do it. Kind of wacky, but it works for me. :)

Book Pumpkins

I found this interesting idea on The American Homemaker's page and I am intrigued.
They are just folded books. Interesting idea, eh? I really like this idea.

Trick or Treat Crafts

Okay, Halloween isn't usually my thing, but I think these are very cute.

Graphics Fairy offered this print out for free.

Kendra from "Me and My Insanity" came up with this idea for it.

She also came up with this craft, which I think is so cute.


Here are the directions if you want to make it too. Although these aren't really directions, it links to where she got the idea and other ways of doing it. I think it is cute.

Halloween Mason Jar Lanterns

So who likes the food at Our Best Bites? I do! Much to my surprise they had a Halloween craft and I want to do it sometime.

This is tissue paper modge podged onto mason jars. I think it is really cute.
Here are the complete directions on Our Best Bites.