Oh Christmas Tree!

"We are so much more than 'getting a Christmas tree.' We're about infusing the Christmas spirit and joining families together."

~Oney's Tree Farm

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, let's talk Christmas trees. But first things first. Do you prefer a real tree or fake tree? In my opinion, real trees are the only way to go. When I'm really honest with myself, however, I realize that my strong feelings on the subject are less about the tree and more about the past 18 years of memories that I have tied to getting a Christmas tree with my family.

Every year, right after Thanksgiving, my family bundles up, grabs the dogs, digs out the Charlie Brown Christmas CD, and piles into our suburban to head out to Woodstock, Illinois, for our annual visit to Oney's Tree Farm. We've braved sub-zero tempuratures, snow and wind because nothing will keep us from the hunt for the perfect tree.

Upon our arrival, we pick up our saw and discuss the type of tree we are looking for (although... I am not quite sure why this annual discussion takes place; we always end up with a Blue Spruce). 

Next we trek out to the vast expanse of trees and start our search. Trees we like are "marked," usually with a stick. (The real hunt is finding the marked trees when we are ready to make our final selection.)

Look at this gorgeous specimen; it's way too big for our homes, but it sure made a great backdrop for our holiday card pictures (another tradition we believe strongly in, but that's for another blog post).

 When we feel like we have seen all there is to see, or our feet are thoroughly frozen, whichever comes first, we pick our tree! Someone then has to get down and dirty and saw it down. It has never been me!

We always opt to carry our tree back to the main entrance for shaking and bundling. 

If you are not inclined to walk, however, the Oney's team can offer you a ride. Look at these beautiful horses!

Time for a quick shake, then it's through the nets.

We're now more than ready to head to the Christmas Shop's snack bar to thaw out and indulge in the annual fare.

Mom always has an apple donut, Dad and A.J. get the cinnamon rolls, Mark gets the chocolate covered pretzels, I get the frosted snowman cookie and we all enjoy hot cocoa or apple cider. Yum!

 

After snacks, time to shop! Look at these beautiful handmade wreaths! Now imagine how they smell!

This shop has everything from ornaments to decor items, handmade bows and, of course, stockings.

It's a wrap for another year! While this might seem like your average family outing, to me it is so much more. It's the singing in the car, the family time out in nature, the inside jokes (why do we have to take so many pictures), and most importantly, the memories that we have created year after year. In the coming years, our family will continue to grow, and I know I speak for A.J. and myself when I say, we can't wait to continue this very meaningful tradition with our own kids.

What are your family traditions? Tell us in the comments section.

 

Apple Santas!

Hi Friends:

Have you heard of apple santas? When I was little, my mom taught my sisters, brother and I how to make apple santas. Every Christmas we made them for teachers and friends and put a few around the house for decoration and fragrance - they smell like a clove pomander! I passed on the tradition to my children and, this year, I have the joy of making them once again with my son, A.J., as he is home for the holidays. He might be 24, but he is still full of child-like wonder at this time of year! Aren't we all? 

Zip out to the grocery store and pick up the supplies and make a few with your family; they're easy and so cute!  

Supplies: Bright red apples (pick the ones with the best shape for santa's belly), marshmallows, large red and black gum drops, whole cloves, cotton balls, long toothpicks or cocktail skewers and honey.

Start by attaching a marshmallow and red gum drop to the top of the apple with a long toothpick. This is santa's head and hat.

Attach a marshmallow and black gum to lower sides of the apple. Now you have santa's legs and boots!

Stick cloves into the marshmallow head to represent santa's eyes and nose.

Dribble a little honey on santa's chest for attaching santa's beard.

Stretch out and shape a cotton ball into santa's beard and attach just below santa's head.

Finally, add a tiny cotton ball to santa's hat with a little honey if you like.

All done; note how everyone's santa has his own personality! If anyone is tempted, santa is edible; just remove the cotton and toothpicks. How fun was this!

Lisa and Nikki's Holiday Friday Finds!

Hi Friends:

This week's Friday finds is devoted to decorating for the holidays! What has inspired and delighted us? Here they are - the sights, sounds, and one-of-a-kinds we loved!

You have to love this over-sized grapevine wreath embellished with a cheerful gingham bow!

Beautiful wreath made with vintage ornaments!

 

Look at this basket of vintage ornaments! We love the idea of displaying these beauties in a bowl, apothecary jar or adding them to your ornament collection and covering a slim line tree placed in your kitchen.

Sugar pinecones in seasonal planters. So quick and easy to assemble!

Georgia's is all about repurposing so we love what Green Depot is up to. They are selling  23" x 27" color samples from YOLO Colorhouse, an eco-friendly paint company, for $2. These samples, meant to save paint bought for painting test patches, make beautiful craft and wrapping paper! 

What a treat! Randolph Street Holiday Market shoppers and vendors were entertained throughout the show by carolers. This photo was snapped during their rendition of "Let it Snow".

Check back next Friday for vintage stocking stuffers for the home!

Accessorize Your Door!

I have a confession. For the past 15 months, I have completely ignored my front door. There, I said it.

I, myself, can't even believe I made such a terrible gaff. I mean, my front door is my guests' first impression of me, my home, my family! I can't have the pizza delivery guy thinking that I run a ho-hum operation in here. And what about our Thai delivery lady? I'm sure she just shakes her head in wonder at our boring door...and our incredible knack for consuming mass amounts of Crab Rangoon.

Well, no more. Trusty moss "B" door decoration for the past year, you have more than served your purpose; now step aside. It's the holidays and our door is getting the makeover it deserves.


Now, where to begin...

Do I go traditional winter greens with a big beautiful red bow wreath hanger? No, but isn't this wreath hanger out of this world?

What about a great set of vintage jingle bells. Super cute...but no.

So what did I decide on?

First I started with this awesome door swag that I picked up from Home Depot for $5. It smelled great and served as the basis for my door's new look. Next, I ditched the red faux velvet bow.

I added a pair of 1930's Dutch ice skates. Oh, how I love these.

To finish off the look? A great big, beautiful natural burlap bow trimmed in red.

Recognizing that I don't have the best track record for switching out door decor, I am starting seasonal. Instead of a holiday-specific decoration, I opted for a look that will last all winter long.

Now, I best get started thinking about Spring! Do you have any ideas to share? We want to hear them! Tell us in the comments section.

Homemade Turkey Stock and Turkey Soup!

Hi Friends:

Like many of you, I am trying to use up my leftover turkey. After finishing off most of the white meat on hot turkey sandwiches, I am left with wings, legs and thighs (dark meat is definitely not preferred in our house). I could do a turkey salad, but decided to try my hand at turkey stock for soup and future gravy as stock freezes well. The process is actually very simple with minimal hands-on time; start it around noon and you'll have a delicious soup for supper! Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!  

Turkey Stock and Turkey Soup

Ingredients:

3 lbs wings, legs and thighs

1 large onion, peel on

2 celery stalks, large dice

2 carrots, large dice

3 parsley sprigs

1 bay leaf

10 cups water

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

 Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place turkey pieces, skin side down, in a roasting pan and roast until browned turning once - about 40 minutes. Remove from pan and place in a stockpot.

Add onion (cut sides down), celery and carrot pieces to roasting pan and roast for 15 minutes stirring once. Add roasted vegetables to stockpot.

Deglaze roasting pan with 1/2 cup of the water and then add pan juices along with remaining water, parsley, bay leaf, salt and pepper to stockpot. Bring to a boil, skim if necessary, reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 3 hours.

Just look at that rich stock! Strain and cool for later use or make soup by adding 1/2 onion, 2 celery stalks and 2 carrots (diced small) to stock. Simmer just until vegetables are tender.

While veggies are simmering, prepare soup noodles (or rice) and dice any remaining turkey meat. Assemble soup by adding cooked noodles and turkey meat to a bowl, ladle on hot stock and top with some grated parmesan cheese. 

There's nothing better than homemade - Enjoy!