It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It's the most wonderful time of the year. At least for me. Apart from periodic meltdowns because I'm not sure I'll get everything done. But other than that...!

I love all of it. Decorations, the music, the cookies, the parties, the gift-giving, the fun!

So, here's part of the house so far. And more to come!

Remember the wreath I wrote about in the Southern Exposure post a few days back? Here's the finished piece!

Not long ago I got my brand new hutch and I couldn't wait to decorate it for Christmas.

Let's peek inside!

It's a perfect spot for all my bottle brush trees and some of the Santa collection.

And a good way to include Mom's Christmas plate into the decor!

Having some of mom's things help keep her with me over the holiday. She really loved this Christmas Royal Doulton girl. Most times of year she's not my style -- but at Christmas, perfect!

The "white" tree isn't all white -- it has lots of pastels and a bit of red!

Once upon a time I only had one tree. Then two, then three, then more! I loved discovering these tall skinny trees.

The "white" tree is in front of a window and above -- garland with the pressed paper ornaments I make. I keep thinking I should put some of those on the Gypsy Caravan -- but that'll have to wait another year!

And some of the ornaments are among my favorites!

Then there is the desk -- not much here. A couple of Santas and my very favorite reindeer!

Atop the china cabinet, a favorite Santa in front of a photo from Ste. Chappele -- a gift from a good friend...

Silvery reindeer...

And one of last year's cage creations. Behind it, a photo from another good friend with sweet pink vintage ornaments.

An old lute of my grandfather's, a Santa and a nativity. Not a likely combo -- but it works for me!

The woodland tree is mostly snowflakes and birds with the occasional angel or two!

I have a big weak spot for snowflakes. Interestingly enough, I'm not fond of the real thing.

But on the tree -- perfection!

Remember the Greeting Angel? She's been dressed up for winter.

And beside her, a bit of light. I took the autumn branches and feathers out and added some sparkle!

You might remember the cotton boll wreath. To make it simple, I just added a bow and a little "peace.

There's a nativity scene here and there...

...and of course, "A Christmas Carol."

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with the Marshmallow gang in the kitchen!

Back for more soon! Meanwhile...

Keep the gingerbread coming!

Please join lots of us bloggers for joy and good cheer at Share Your Cup! and at Sweet and Simple Fridays. And I'd like to thank Jody at Sweet and Simple for featuring my post on the Ice Berry Wreath at Southern Exposure in her week's features! Do stop by these blogs to check out the links. The inspiration will make you dizzy with happiness!

Ghosts of Christmas Past

I borrow this wonderful idea from several bloggers who (probably, like me, running frantically!) decided to share a few favorite past moments! ("Yeah, right," says the Marmelade Gypsy, "You had to lead with me!")

Yes I did. I miss my Orange Boy terribly, my Christmas Kitty. This one -- Lizzie -- well, you have to keep your eye on her!

I started out as a child... Yes, that's me. And that's how I spent Christmas Day for a lot of years -- with old people. All gone now, since Marie, dad's only remaining cousin, died this spring. She's between Mom and Grandma. (And speaking of Grandma, she is the same age there that I am now. Thank you, Paula, for keeping my hair young...)

When your parents are avid amateur photographers, you get "used" a lot. Above, it's a three-year-old (or maybe 4?) discovering the magic of Christmas. And below...

With my best buddy Major. No fire in that fireplace. Just a couple of well placed lights.

I can't think of Christmas without thinking of my mom and dad. She loved her Christmas tree skirt!

And of course, there were the Christmasses with the cousins. We did that for a number of years till families got too big to travel at the holiday.

The men of the family -- always good times.

And times with friends. Even in college I had to have a Christmas tree!

And friends today! Each year we do a Christmas exchange with our friends Mark and Jan. We pick a Christmas song and all the gifts in our $25 limit relate to that song or theme in some way. We've done this for 11 years now! This picture was from "Let It Snow" -- and as we had our Christmas brunch at Mark and Jan's, it began to snow!

There was that first Christmas with the kids. At about four in the morning, Kevin got the hurlies. I guess I knew I was supposed to be with this family when I realized I was cleaning up kid puke and the kids weren't mine!

But now I sure feel like they are.

Then there was the year we went to Frankenmuth and world's biggest Christmas store, followed by the traditional Christmas dinner. Don't you love Kevin's smile -- complete with blackjack gum!

They're a lot taller now! We've added Molly to our family and next year a baby KevMo!

It doesn't feel like Christmas if we don't do our annual Christmas Eve cookie decorating after dinner. There have been quite the cookie designs. Greg's "haz-mat" symbol, after his cancer treatment, Kevin's multi-layered frosting bombs and then the traditional!

Christmas is sharing and there was the year we shared the holiday with Japanese friends, introducing them to the American Christmas. On one of the coldest days of December!

There will always be a Cork Popper Christmas.

And a visit to Southern Exposure for some holiday eye candy.

We will remember sweet Kitty Boys who graced our hearts, like Stimpy, Ace Tree-Knocker-Down Champion.

And listen to yappy Sweet Lizzie purr her carols! (And sing -- very loudly -- howl for her dinner.)

And then we will toast to the season...

...and to all the new memories to be made in the coming year.

What are some of your favorite Christmas or holiday memories? Please share!

Homemade Ice Cream with No Ice Cream Maker!

So, the other day I am laying on the massage table and my therapist, the divine Ms. Sarah, and I are chatting. Sarah is the consummate baker. She's always whipping up a cake or some other wonderful treat and if I'm lucky, my massage is right after baking day!

Well, this time, she had been making ice cream and when I tasted her version -- Pumpkin Pie Spice -- I was hooked. I immediately went to the store and got the ingredients to make peppermint stick. My favorite. The one ice cream that seems to only last a month or two in the store.

Best of all, it doesn't require an ice cream maker!

It's so easy and pretty darned good, so I had to share!

Easy Ice Cream

Whip one pint of whipping cream to stiff peaks.
Beat in one can of sweetened condensed milk
Add flavorings of your choice.

Sarah's Pumpkin Pie spice was 1 T. Bourbon, about 1 t. of pumpkin spices, which she mixed together.

Jeanie's Peppermint was six or seven candy canes crushed (which I had left from last year), about 1 t. peppermint extract (add gradually to taste) and about 1 t. vodka. If I had schnapps, I would have used that. I'm not sure if the vodka left a bit of an after taste or if it was the extract, so I will rethink this one next time.)  And I would have used more candy pieces but that is that I had!

(Sarah says that her son, who gave her the recipe, says the alcohol affects the texture. I am going to try it without and see what I think because I know that may be an issue for some and I'm not quite sure what the difference is in the ice cream. The vodka was relatively tasteless so I figured it wouldn't throw another flavoring off balance, while some combos would work well together.)

If you want, include add-ins, like the candy canes, toffee pieces or mini chips. 

Pour into a cellophane lined baking pan. This amount fit a 7x9 perfectly and Sarah used an 8x8. Cover and freeze.

Sarah served me the pumpkin spice on graham crackers and it was fabulous that way. I might make me some ice cream sandwiches!

After I did this, I looked online and found the almost-identical recipe but no alcohol HERE. Apart from that, the instructions are a bit different -- they have you fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk instead of add the milk to the whipped cream with the mixer. I don't know if it would make a bit of difference. Mine was fine and as I said the only thing I'm not sure about was my flavorings.

I'm definitely doing it again! This is too easy -- and too dangerous. And too good!

(A bit ago, after this post was prepped, I saw one by Jenna at Painted Apron for a very similar but different version - and she incorporated white chocolate and cranberries into hers and uses Cool Whip. So if easy ice cream is your thing, check it out right HERE!)

One other thing -- some of you mentioned an interest in seeing some of my inventory after the November art sale. I finally got a link up to my Gypsy Caravan page. Find it at the header bar right up above!

And finally, this post is linked to Pink Saturday where you'll find lots of lovely links! Check 'em out!