Tending the Eclectic Kinder-Garden

…that my students and their parents ~*know*~ me:

A gift tin full of cookie-makings…

…and multiple batches of coffee, Starbucks goodies, Pampered Chef items, hot chocolate mix, sparkly ornaments, and my magic-teaching-vitamins: peanut m-n-m’s. Also received (but the photos turned out blurry) nummy smelling candles and bath treats~

Yep, my Stars and their parents see *everything*!

Merry Christmas Super Stars and Super Star parents- thank you for making me feel so special!

*****

Need some holiday inspiration or just want to look at pretties that other bloggers have shared?  Take a peek:

~ A Storybook Life shares the most beautiful cupcakes (could you ever really bite into these without feeling guilty?)…

~ The Pioneer Woman Cooks fruit and crumbled left over chocolate chip cookies- should there ever *be* left over cookies in my house (um, never), this is the recipe I would try.  Those of you with better self control than me, give it a try and let me know how it turns out…

~ Check out Motley Mutton and the Gangly Goat’s felt animal necklaces (VERY CUTE!) at Etsy…

~ Saucy’s bake sale goodies at Bloggedy Blog Blog just might convince me to pull out the ol’ parchment paper one more time this month…

~ Should you ever want a strawberries and cream colored Christmas, head over to Everyday Beauty’s Pretty Little Christmas for ideas…

~ Heather Bailey shares a flower pinwheel pattern over at Hello My Name is Heather- check out the poinsettia!

*****

Tomorrow is my 39th birthday and I am THRILLED!  Wonderful husband and kids- *check*.  Terrific family and friends- *check*.  Awesome students and colleagues- *check*.  Roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food in our bellies- *check*.  Hope, optimism, healthy bouts of laughter, with some quiet time for myself thrown in- *check*.  Master’s Degree… uh…

Guess it’s time to start the New Year’s Resolutions.

*****

~ A Little Blog of Art features art/illustrations by Emma Block- my favorites so far are her holiday watercolors featuring ice skaters (along with some cute banners and ornaments), which you can find here…

Tags: Christmas, links, students

The thought “It’s not quite right” has been nagging at me for the past three days.  A visit to Hobby Lobby yesterday *convinced* me to listen to my inner voice, use a 40% off coupon (or two~ it’s *so* helpful having Dear Daughter along to make multiple purchases!), and buy plain ol’ artificial greenery for the mantle and hallway (it’s too dark now for hallway photos, I’ll try again with the camera tomorrow).

Before:

and AFTER:

No more fabric (as cute as it is):

Much better!

Tags: Christmas, home decor

The kids made their sugar cookie batch last night, so I had free reign in the kitchen today, making Toffee Butter Cookies, Pretzel/Rolo/Pecan melts, and my own sugar cookie trees and stars (I know, they didn’t turn out nearly as nice as the cookies the kids made!).

The Toffee Butter Cookie recipe was from a back-issue of Victoria Magazine (2001), and since I couldn’t find it on the new recipe site, here it is:

1 1/2 sticks softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup English or almond toffee bits
Decorative sugar for rolling

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sugar, butter, egg and vanilla in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (1-2 minutes). Add flour, baking powder, soda, reduce speed to low. Beat until well mixed (1-2 minutes). Stir in toffee bits.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls (I use a small cookie scoop then roll the balls smooth in my hand) and roll in decorative sugar (I used white/clear). Place two inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet, flatten slightly.

Bake 9-11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned (do NOT overbake). Roll again in decorative sugar if desired while warm.
Cool completely.

I discovered the Pretzel/Rolo/Pecan melts referenced on Angry Chicken’s site, but I changed the recipe a bit to accomodate my gas stove (lowered the temp to 350 degrees, used square pretzels only), so if you decide to try them, make sure to do a test batch before unwrapping too many Rolos from their gold wrappers! Oh, and * use parchment paper * on a baking sheet with an edge around it so the pretzels don’t go sliding onto the floor when you take them out of the oven!

Finally, I “cheat” when it comes to sugar cookies, because Betty Crocker makes the BEST mix out there! It’s usually sold in pouches, but can be purchased in a huge box at one of the bulk food stores. You can add flavoring (I added 1/4 tsp mint extract and crushed candy canes to one batch), make drop cookies (and add candies or Hershey’s Kisses while they’re warm), or make cutout cookies.

Of course with these done, I’ll be making Mexican Wedding Cakes (also known as “Russian Tea Cakes”) and possibly some gingerbread cake to round out the bake-fest.

Thank goodness most of these are being given away and mailed out in care packages…’tis the season to wear stretchy jeans, fa la la la laaaa, la la la laaaaaa…

Tags: Christmas, cookies, recipes

Though this year’s holiday decor was inspired by 1) missing Alaska and 2) Target’s faux birch winter decor, I’ve kept a traditional red vignette in one corner of the dining room, and it’s a favorite of my children! With textural pip berries, Shannon’s Mr. and Mrs. Claus shelf-sitters, and various candle votive holders/sticks tucked away into an old tool box, not to mention two more Santas keeping the whole scene company, all I need to do now is bake some gingerbread cookies or cake to get that *smell* of Christmas in the air to complete the effect.

The stand-up felt Santa was purchased by me in Alaska at a holiday bazaar (do they still have the UAF Women’s Bazaar each winter?), the Santa in the basket was a figurine given to me by a former student, the shelf sitters are from Shannon’s Angel Kisses, the faux birch snowflake is from Target, and two of the candle votives were gifts from students, the crystal candlestick from my mother-in-law, and the Russian lacquer cup from my own collection. The white flowing “snow?” An extra curtain sheer we’re not using this year.

See you tomorrow for the next vignette, it’s time for my family to sign Christmas cards! Happy holidays!

Tags: Christmas, home decor

The harvest decor has been taken down, dusted, and safely packed away until next year (and our next home), which means it’s time to decorate the house for the holiday and winter season. Each day this week I’ll post photos of one new vignette (here’s where you can find helpful tips and ideas for areas of focus and interest for your home, office, or even classroom)- let me know what you think!

Also, *kudos* to In Practice, nominated for Best Group Blog for the 2007 Edublog Awards. It’s been a terrific blog to contribute to (thank you again Alice, for the invite!), and a wonderful resource to ask you to consider voting for online.

Tags: Christmas, home decor