Cinnamon Sugared Almonds

A sweet nut.

No, I'm not talking about you!

You sweet thing...you're just a nut.
;-)

I'm talking about cinnamon sugared almonds.

I've had these (expensive!) almonds at fairs and such.

I figured there had to be an easy way to make them at home...

Have a Blessed Christmas Friends!

Christmas Mantel 2016

Better late than never...

Our Christmas mantel has been done for some time now but oops, I have not shared it here on the blog yet.

I am loving the simplicity of it this year.

Some faux greenery, a red berry garland, a couple votive holders, and some sticks that I painted.

I didn't use any glue or wire on this wreath.

The picks are just strategically placed into the wreath.
Check out some other wreaths that I've made.

Instead of a bow, I used this burlap poinsettia that has a little bit of glitter.

It is a pick, as are the berries.

I bought these at Hobby Lobby...on sale of course.

The wreath hangs on the mirror above the mantel.

I gathered these sticks from the yard last year and spray painted them with some glitter paint.

I stored them with my Christmas decor, and think they held up nicely.

The votive holders were a gift.

Because they are so close to the greenery and berries, I chose to use battery operated candles.

Cold outside and toasty warm inside...one of my favorite times.

I think it's fun to look at this year's mantel compared to previous years.

Seeing how my scrapbooks are gathering dust ;-(  I'm glad to have this blog as a remembrance.

Christmas mantel 2015

Christmas mantel 2014

DIY Christmas Wreaths

Weather you consider yourself crafty or not, I guarantee this is one project anyone can do.

With a little creativity you can make your own wreath!

And for a fraction of what a store bought decorated wreath costs.

I have been making Christmas wreaths for years.
Some for myself.
Some as gifts.

If you haven't made one yet, I hope you will soon...

Using Milk Glass With Christmas Decor

Milk glass, oh how I love you!

I only have a few pieces, mostly given to me by my mother.

They're so pretty.

A bit nostalgic.

Crisp white.

I like to decorate with milk glass all year round,
 and I also like to use my milk glass pieces.

Here are few ways that I am using milk glass this holiday season.

Vibrant red bulbs nestled in the crisp white milk glass makes the living room feel so festive...
Like it's ready for a party!

Fresh cedar branches tucked in a milk glass vase can be used all winter long.

The girl's bathroom is getting a bit of a makeover (post coming soon).

Blue Christmas bulbs adds a little cheer to the space as they are getting ready for their day.

Homemade pimento cheese served in milk glass makes a Christmas party feel a little more fancy, compared to a plain bowl.  Click HERE for the easy recipe.

Pine cones and dried oranges tucked in a milk glass dish makes a simple yet stunning statement.
And can be used all winter long.  Click HERE to see how to dry oranges in the oven.

So dust off your milk glass and let them shine this Christmas and winter season!

No Sew Christmas Pillows

I wanted to add some red plaid Christmas pillows to my decor this year.

But, after shopping for holiday pillows (and getting sticker shock!), I decided I could make my own.

And you can too! 

A Home Grown Turkey For Christmas Dinner (and the hard way we got there)

A home grown turkey for Christmas dinner was part of our vision when we started on the turkey raising journey.

I was so excited to raise two turkeys - one for Thanksgiving dinner and one for Christmas dinner.  It all seemed nostalgic to me.  I envisioned a male and female, happily living at LL Farm.  In the end, they would be my bragging rights at the holiday table.  

The idyllic vision that I had in my head, slowly turned into one trial after another.

Ahem...Did someone say homesteading was easy?  

To read about our journey of raising turkeys, click HERE.

The day came, and I think it is safe to say that we were all ready for it.  My parents came over to help and we ended up with a 26 pound turkey that I put in the freezer.  

On Christmas eve, we put that humongous turkey in the oven to bake 'low and slow'.
The taste was definitely different from the store bought turkeys that we are accustomed to.  After all, it was pasture raised, compared to some poultry farms where the poor things don't see sunlight or get to roam in the grass.

So to sum up our turkey raising experience:

Would I consider it a failure?  No - we did raise a turkey and it did make it to our Christmas dinner table.  We'll call this a learn as you go lesson.

Do I think it was financially the way to go?  No - Wow, those turkeys ate a lot!

Will I do it again?  I'm not going to shout NO, but I can say that I don't plan on raising turkeys any time soon.

Well, like I said, he was 26 pounds!  I need to create some leftover meals using turkey for the next couple days.

This post (with more details) was posted on CommunityChickens.com.  Click HERE to read it.

Merry Christmas!

I wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with love, joy and hope as we celebrate Jesus' birth!

And, THANK YOU for reading my blog and for the awesome comments that you leave!

~ Lori

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

Looking for that perfect Christmas cookie to make?

The one that looks festive dressed in a red and white stripe...

The one that tastes delicious...

And of course, the one that is easy to make...

This Candy Cane Kiss Cookie fits the bill!

The cookie dough with a dusting of powdered sugar snuggles around the candy cane kiss, making a beautiful presentation!

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

1 stick of butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons milk

1/3 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until well blended.

Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt.

Add flour mixture alternately with milk to butter mixture, until well blended.

Using your hand, roll dough to make one inch balls.

Roll the dough balls into the powdered sugar.

Place onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

While baking, unwrap enough candy cane kisses for the amount of cookies made.

Transfer cookies from cookie sheet to wire racks.

Gently push a candy cane kiss into the center of each cookie.

(You don't want it to protrude through the bottom, but you do want it secured in the dough.)

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday

Using Nature To Decorate The Porch For Christmas

I had a vision for our front porch...

a simple country style, using nature for the Christmas decor.

So, I went for a walk in the woods to gather some cedar branches.

(Note to self:  remember to wear gloves so you don't have to wash in bleach from the itchies.)

Crock Pot Chocolate and Peanut Candy

Tis the season...for making cookies and candies!

When my girls were little we used to make decorated sugar cookies every year.

We used all kinds of holiday cookie cutters.

We would use food coloring to make different colored icing.

We had all kinds of sprinkles.

Wow, sometimes we made a mess, but...

It was our tradition and I loved every minute of it!

Christmas Mantel 2015

I've said it before, but I'll say it again...

I love having a mantel to decorate.

For the seasons.

For the holidays.

For the 'just because'.

For this years Christmas mantel I decided to go with a simple look.

The deer is from my Mom.  She got it from Home Interiors years ago.

The Eating Nook All Decked Out For Christmas

The eating nook is all decked out and ready for Christmas!

We don't have a formal dining room in our home.  Actually when we were building, we changed what was suppose to be the formal dining room into an office.

In The Meadow We Can Build A Snowman

In the meadow Coke crate we can build a snowman...vignette.

As I take down the Fall decorations and move toward Christmas decorating, I also incorporate Winter decor...things that can stay up all season long...even when the holiday decor is put away.

This vignette is one of those dual purpose decorating items.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from LL Farm

I want to take this opportunity to say that I am so thankful for the readers, followers, and friends that I have made through my little blog.  I hope your Christmas is filled with peace and joy!

- Lori Leigh                

Great Grandma's Dishes

Great Grandma's Dishes

For Christmas dinner, we use my Great Grandma's dishes.  She received these dishes as a gift for her 50th wedding anniversary.  The name of the dishes are Fire King.  The are made by Anchor Hocking in Ohio!  

Unfortunately, I do not have a memory of my Great Grandma, but my Dad speaks fondly of her often. He is the one that has gifted me these heirlooms.

I purchased the gold chargers at Dollar Tree.  I think they help to show off the gold trim on Great Grandma's dishes.   

I don't have any gold flatware, so I use my every day mismatch silverware (many are from my Great Grandma's daughter - my Grandma - my Dad's mom).  

That little glass plate you see above the butter knife is...

a butter pat.  These are from my mom.  Back in the good 'ole days, people used butter pats for just that - a pat of butter at each place setting.  Last year we used these, and they were a great conversation piece.

For the center piece, I used one of the serving bowls from Great Grandma's set of dishes (see the gold rim peeking out).  I filled it with greenery and red bulbs.  I scattered a few white tipped pine cones around the center piece.

How 'bout you?  Do you have any butter pats or a story about them?  

Sharing at: Thursday Favorite Things   Share Your Cup Thursday  Treasure Hunt Thursday  Tablescape Thursday  Tweak It Tuesday  Inspire Me Tuesday  The Scoop  Wow Us Wednesdays  Wake Up Wednesday

  

From A Jar Of Peaches To A Snow Covered Jar

From a jar of peaches to a snow covered jar.

I will start with a confession...I did pay a little more for this jar of peaches, compared to the canned variety that I would usually buy, but the jar was so pretty...I knew I would do something with it.

This little DIY project is easy to do in just a few minutes, but can give such a wow factor, and it is up-cycling! 

Cast of characters: 

a glass jar (be creative in what you choose)

painters tape

foam brush (I rinse it out after each craft project and reuse, reuse, reuse)

mod podge

epsom salt

paper plate

Remove any labels from the jar.  Use painters tape to mark off where you want to stop the snow.  I can't draw (or make) a straight line...never have, probably never will...  so forgive me if it's a little crooked.  Actually, let's just call it rustic (smile).  

Using a foam paint brush, smear mod podge below the tape line.  With a paper plate under, sprinkle epsom salt over the mod podge.  Let dry.

Next...

no wait...

that's it!

  

Put some more epsom salt inside the jar and put a candle in.

Tie some twine with a Christmas bulb around the top.

Once Christmas is over, put some pine cone and berry sprays in for a wintery look.

This would also be adorable with some wrapped candy put inside the jar.  I would take a picture of that, but....

Lily said it was taking longer to do this post than it actually took to do the project.  She put her paws up as if to say that she had enough, and off she went to sleep.

Sharing at:  Metamorphosis Monday   Tweak It Tuesday   The Scoop   Inspire Me Tuesday    Wow Us Wednesdays  Wake Up Wednesday    Down Home Blog Hop  Thursday Favorite Things  Share Your Cup Thursday