Matchbox Day #8 and #9, Mr.Holiday Presents and My First Ever Give Away...

Ok...first things first, we have to get business out of the way before we move on to silly nonsense and yummies, oh....and the giveaway!! Who Hoo! It's posted, it's finally posted!

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MatchBox #8

The sparkly snowflake matchbox above came to me from Shannon Linde. Thanks a bunch Shannon! Inside was a cute little bookmark with a jingle bell and a love charm. You can find Shannon @ http://quiltinginpinksbulldogsatmyside.blogspot.com/


MatchBox #9

The matchbox above came to me all the way from London from Sherry Edwards. Darn, darn, darn I wish my camera took better pictures....This cute little matchbox with postal stamps had a lovely domino ornament on the inside. Thanks for sending me such a lovely box Sherry! You can find Sherry @ http://sherrysimpleblog.blogspot.com/

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Holiday Capers and Mr. Holiday's Great Reveal!

Drum roll please.....

Here's Mr.Holiday standing in front of his giant Gingerbread house. All said and done, the house measured out at 19"x 19" and weighs 25lbs (I'm sure most of that was royal icing weight, Mr. Holiday really liked the royal icing) It took 8 lbs of candy to cover, but I'm not sure how much of that got ate or went on the house! LOL

Here's a picture of Mr. Holidays house next to my little one...



A close up of my little house of joy!


Now do you want to see what Mr.Holiday has been up to lately?


Well the above picture is of him pretending to be an elf.
(Note his ears sticking out. He pointed out to me that is a very important elf factor.)


And then there was the afternoon he made gingerbear cookies...I think it was the day before yesterday...honestly, he's got so many holiday capers going I can't keep track...


Mr. Holiday using his cookie scoop to make an assortment of peanut butter cookies...
(He made the recipe X's FOUR!)
Ok...things are getting just a little out of control around here...what in the world are we going to do with all these cookies?He made peanut butter and jelly cookies.
And cookies with Brach's chocolate stars in the middle, citing that they taste way better than Hershey kisses and they look better too.

Here's his trail of cookies.... I told him tonight that I will take no responsibility for any holiday pounds added this year!!! LOL My house looks and smells like the North Pole! What's a girl to do besides eat a cookie???

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And now for my first ever give away in honor of Mr. Holiday and 20 years of making Gingerbread.

Ta Da!! I hate to keep whining about my camera, butttt...

The above pic is of the most adorable chef style gingerbread apron you ever wanted to see!
And some lucky follower is going to have this (and a couple of other gingerbread goodies) mailed out to them this weekend just in time for Christmas!



Above is a close up of the print on the bottom of the apron. I chose to make a 'chef style' apron specifically because of the print... I didn't want to take away from the detail of the print with too much ruffle and foo foo. Oh, and what I mean by 'chef style', just in case is.... have you ever been to one of those $50.00 a plate, foo foo restaurants where the waiters come out with their long aprons on with the long ties that wrap around their back and tie in front? Just straight, clean lined simplicity.... It may be my new favorite apron to make, (actually they're really nice to wear too!) and if any of you have some last minute Christmas gift need, I highly recommend making this style of apron, it really is quick, easy, elegant and so stylish!

Ok...do you remember the give away rules?

1. Leave a comment letting us know what you think of Mr. Holidays Gingerbread House and let us know you would like your name in the drawing.

2. Become a Follower

3. Post on your blog about Mr. Holiday's Ginger bread House and Holiday Capers and link back to here.

That's it! Easy Peasy!

Entries must be posted no later than midnight on Saturday, December 11th.

Winner will be drawn and posted on Sunday, December 12th.

I do hope you'll all play along...Mr. Holiday is having a blast being the subject of my holiday blog post...but then again, I did tell you he was a Christmas Ham!!

I hope you are all abundantly blessed and enjoying your holiday season!!!

XOXO

Keke

Matchbox Day #5, #6, #7, St Nicolas Day, Monsters and More Holiday Capers

I hope every one is following along...Cherry Kingdom's first ever giveaway is getting very close....

Matchbox Day #5


I want to apologize for being MIA the last two days...too much going on with doctors appts. and sick kids... ugh. I also want to apologize ahead of time to my swap buddies for my inadaquate camera. The pic to the left is matchbox #5. I can not express how adorable this matchbox is....I'm in love...I want to make a whole village of these and the little tattered joyeux banner that was tucked inside was just delicious!! Gratitude and love go's out to Marcia Chunn for all of the time we all know she dediated to this yummy! You can find Marcia @ http://vintagefrenchhen.blogspot.com/ It's a lovely blog, you really should take a look...

Matchbox Day #6

Next is matchbox day # 6. It's simplicity is soft and charming. Tucked inside was a little paper tree stamped tag. Thank you Sarah Sommerville for this cute little matchbox. You can find Sarah at
http://ourpumpkinandsweetpea.blogspot.com/




Matchbox Day #7





Matchbox day #7, which is technically today, just very early today...(12:51 a.m) ugh!... None the less the early hour does not deminish my excitement for this matchbox made by Michelle and Ashley Cox.
Thank you ladies! Tucked inside was a cute little beaded snowman ornament. I'm so sorry you can't see it better it really is cute. You can find these ladies @ http://thetatteredquiltcottage.blogspot.com/

St. Nicolas Day


Did everyone know December 6th was St. Nicolas Day and that St. Nicolas is the patron saint of children? Children all over Europe was waking up to their tiny little boots and shoes filled by St. Nicolas....
St. Nicolas came to my house and filled a beautiful little red shoe filled with candy and toys for baby girl...

I liked the shoe filled so much that after she took her candy and presents from St. Nicolas out to take home with her, I refilled the shoe and put it under the Christmas trees in Christmas corner...I will have to tell you about Christmas corner later....

Making Merry

I'm so lucky that AH is Mr. Holiday...even on my days when I don't feel so well and spend the day in bed, he continues.... My Christmas wish is that everyone who may not be feeling well this month would have a holiday person in their life to surround them with the magic of this season. Some how, some way, it just makes you feel better , at least a little.... To the left is a platter of gingerbread ornaments waiting for the ribbon so they could be hung on the tree...AH put the ribbon in them last night and they look awesome on the trees in Christmas corner.

Popcorn and Cranberry Strings and Monster Cookies

AH decided to sting popcorn and cranberry's Saturday night while he was watching holiday movies....sadly, he threw them out today because the cranberries molded????? I don't remember that happening when we made garland as children??? Does anyone have a helpful hint on this?

So sad for all the work he did....at least he had fun doing it!

Mr. Holiday also made Monster cookies Saturday night! Danger...danger...abort!!!! I've gained 5lbs of monster wieght since Saturday night...they are incredible, and that says alot because as wierd as it may sound, I've never been a fan of Monster cookies...but these were not ordinary monsters. Instead of the normal m&m's and choc. chips he threw in a whole list of items. White choc. chips, Heath bar toffee bits, almonds, pecans, red & green mini choc. chips and m&m's. I'm sure I probably left something out!

I just had to take a pic of him doing this...and being the Christmas ham that he is...he just had to give the Vanna pose!

Gingerbread Capers Continues and the Giveaway is getting Close

AH left no candy pebble unturned...he covered it from top to bottom and all four sides!

AH is getting so excited for the big reveal and the giveaway....he just had to put his bumble teeth in for this picture!

Sleep Sweet Dear Ones.... I hope your holiday season is blessing you abundantly!

XOXO Keke

Match Box Day #4 and More Gingerbread Capers

Matchbox Swap Day #4 came from Valerie Williams @ http://itsanalienlife.blogspot.com
aka 'Mrs A' made the adorable little box below with a cute little pin for the surprise inside.

Thanks Mrs. A and Happy Holidays to you and yours!




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The Gingerbread Capers continues.....

Mr. Holiday became obsessed with the embellishment process last night and worked on his house until 4 a.m this morning.....ugh! He kind of looks like he's scowling but it's actually the look of extreme concentration... I'm thinking he's fallen in love with the 'pastry bag', which of course really is a wonderful thing....but I watched him use it for everything even things he perhaps could have used a spoon or spatula, which was no big deal except watching him struggle every two minutes to refill his pastry bag was slightly painful...LOL. Then it occurred to me that of course...a pastry bag is a 'tool'...and men need tools to get the job done! ;) wink wink....

He's getting close to being finished... which means it's getting close to posting for the give away...

I'm so excited, I can't wait for you to see!!!

Happy Saturday, Happy Holidays... I hope your day is blessed!

XOXO

Keke

Match Box Swap Day #3, Gingerbread Capers and My very first ever Giveaway!

Below is my Matchbox #3 which came to me from Cami @ http://creatingmyselfcreatively.blogspot.com/.

Thanks Cami!

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And guess what? Just by happenstance she recieved one from me for day #3.... posted below.

Every day's a new surprise and this swap as is always with 'Swap for All Seasons' has been stellar. I really don't know how Linda manages, but as I said before...she has to be the best swap hostess on the planet. I don't know what she has planned for the next one but you can be sure it will be top notch as always, so if you want to have a little fun you should go visit her site....You can find her link in my sidebar.

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Gingerbread Capers:

Guess what Mr. Holiday is up to now....

I loaded these pics backwards...ugh! I'm just a little disheveled lately....but, in honor of this being our 20th holiday season of making ginger bread houses, Mr. Holiday has decided to make the gingerbread house of all gingerbread houses! And I have decided to have my very first ever Give Away! Whoo Hoo!! It's about time!! My how time flys!! I can't believe it's been 20 years, and it was a blink.... I wish I had pictures of the past years...I might have a few somewhere...but when we started technology wasn't exactly what is is today.

All you have to do to win is:

1. Watch for me to post Mr. Holidays finished gingerbread house and leave a comment on how you think Mr. Holiday did. This will be Mr. Holidays first gingerbread house that he made all by himself from start to finish.


2. Become a follower

3. Mention Mr. Holidays finished house in your post once the picture is posted in Cherry Kingdom with a link back to here.


I hate to keep you guessing....because I love you all so much...but keep checking in. I will post both the prize and the finished house within the next 7 days! :)

XOXO Be blessed and well!! Keke

This is how it began.....

Matchbox Swap, Making Merry, Rudolph Party and Thanksgiving

Remember my Matchbox Swap.... Well as the first day of Christmas month is upon us, it is time to start posting... I'm a day behind already...but hopefully I will stay on track from this day forward... The matchbox above is the one I made and sent. Lucky for me Genie, a teacher from Lexington, VA was thoughtful and posted a thank you msg. so I could see where it went and capture a pic. (I love teachers! It has been my experience that almost all teachers I've met always seems to have an extra gene of thoughtfulness...) I can't believe I forgot to take pics of my boxes before I sent them... ugh-dah! The little pin I put inside the box was a new invention and I absolutely love how they turned out.... It's hard to see in the pic, but they really were yummy!

You can find Genie here: http://buttonsforbaga.blogspot.com/

For me, participating in these swaps bring friends both coming and going...meaning I can't decide what I love more, seeing where my gifts came from or where they went to. None the less, Genie has a sweet little blog and you should jump on over and check it out....

Matchbox #2

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me... a match box with a silver star for my Christmas tree.... Thanks Jenny Sellars! You can find Jenny @ http://theredbulletinboard.blogspot.com/

Matchbox #1

This matchbox came to me from Jill Doyle... Such yumminess, so well put together...so many little details she gave her attention to. One of the most challenging things for me in putting the boxes together was trying to creatively add a number to ea. box without making it look junky...Jill's idea with the little tag on the ribbon was awesome!

The second biggest challenge was trying to come up with 25 little yum yums that would fit inside the small matchboxes....how cute is this little paperclip with a classic button? I want to make a 100 more for myself and gifts. Simple but yummy and again, put together so well. I so appreciate it! Thanks Jill! You can find Jill @ http://file-under-misc.blogspot.com/

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Jingle On It's Way....

Baby girl was kind enough to model the apron I made for my MIL....

I'm so sad my camera is so crappy!

The apron is a Charlie Brown print with snoopy and candy cane stripes. On one of my MIL's visits we took her to the Snoopy Museum and she absolutely loved it...so did we actually, it was pretty awesome.

The museum gave me a new appreciation for the talent of Charles Shultz...I always liked the snoopy comics and the holiday cartoons but never imagined the scope of his talent. If you ever find yourself in Oz, it's definitely worth the visit. In any case, AH and I have been getting a kick out of the fact that every since we took her to this museum, she acts as if she knows Charles Shultz personally... it's really kind of cute. It worked out wonderfully, Halmark has a really cute animatronic snoopy and piano...(I'm not a big fan of animatronics, but this one was of really good quality and played really well.) My MIL however loves animatronics, and last year she made a point to tell me at least 10 times while they were here that she had only ever had one apron in her 75 yrs. on this earth, that her aunt had given her one but that was yrs. ago. I had made baby girl a cute little pink apron to go with a pie cookbook that I had gotten her for Christmas when my MIL was here...and the for rest of her visit, and all last yr when she talked to AH on the phone that's all she's talked about... The pics don't do it justice, but it please AH that I made this for his mother and I hope she likes it as much as he did. In any case, while I like to get her something she would like, the fact that it pleased AH so much is good for me.

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It Wouldn't be Christmas without a Cat in the Tree...

Ummm....just one problem...I don't think it's as funny as AH thinks it is...I really like my silver retro tree and would really like her little big bottom to not bend my branches!

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Mr. Holiday Rocks Out...


Ok...AH has a collection of hats he can pull out depending on which Christmas character he feels like being.... however, the rock-n-roll Santa glasses with white fake fuzzy sideburns maybe taking it a little too far!

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Rudolph Party...

Evey since the kids were small we would always have a Rudolph party the day after Thanksgiving...The idea was to make up for not being home on Thanksgiving celebrating together because we always had the obligation of running around to both sides of our family on Thanksgiving day...The Rudolph party was our little family's way of cozying in together and celebrating our thankfulness for one another in the warmth of our own home. Now that the kids are older I think they kind of feel silly, antler headbands, light up noses, baking cookies and of course watching Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer...

This year AH was a "Bumble", hence the scary teeth...but his rock-n-roll Santa glasses are kind of throwing off his 'bumbleness'.

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Thanksgiving Day....

The pie cookbook I bought baby girl last year really paid of in spades on Thanksgiving day this year.... Look what she brought...mmmmm....mmmmm is all I can say! I was so proud of her, the crust was the perfect flakiness and the filling was so rich and nutty!!! Yummo, it was the best pie I think I've ever had! And look how pretty she made the top.


Sometimes the holidays bring about an empty nest feeling for me...I was telling baby girl a few weeks ago how much I missed hearing the pitter patter of their little feet running for the kitchen in the morning, their shiney noses peeking around the corner to see what yummy goodness was being cooked up in the kitchen, their squeals of delight. She said, "but I'm still here mom". I know, but it's not the same, she wakes up at a different house now... and lets not forget hands traced around on construction paper and paper pilgrim hats....






So...on Thanksgiving morning bright and early look who was knocking on my door for breakfast....

A cute little pilgrim girl, paper hat and all...and yes she even gave me a little squeal and then we both laughed really hard....

And then we had breakfast together...before she had to go to her BF family Thanksgiving meal..I hate to be selfish...

But I liked it better when I didn't have to share.... however, I'd always told the kids that their holidays would be their holidays to spend how they chose and I would never make them feel guilty or try to manipulate their emotions so that they would feel as AH and I did when they were small. Put up or Shut up time...kind of wishing I would have shut up! But that's not very nice of me now is it....

Besides...I still have AH, and my favorite thing on the holiday is that he cooks with me... We've always worked well and seamlessly together on projects and I love this about us.

Not to mention, Mr. Holiday wears a turkey hat when he carves our turkey.... but wistfully it was a quiet afternoon with just the two of us....

I hope you and yours had a blessed Thanksgiving... XO XO Keke

Don't Buy Brown and Serve

As promised...the homemade bread recipe...I will be making this recipe into rolls for Thanksgiving instead of the usual brown and serve or rolls of that type because it is so worth the very small effort that it takes to make....Mr. Holiday aka AH will be swooning again....

Amish White Bread

• 2 c.of warm water
• 1/3 c. of white sugar
• 1 1/2 T active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1/4 c. of vegtable oil
• 6 c. of bread flour ( I didn't have bread flour...and all purpose still made awesome bread)
  

In a large bowl mix the warm water and sugar until sugar is disolved. ( it really only took a couple of minutes, it wasn't completely disolved and it was ok because the yeast still needed to proof which took about another 5 min.)
Add in yeast and allow to proof ( which basically means it will get foamy and have air bubbles.)

Mix in salt and oil into the yeast mixture.

Add in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough lightly... (at this point I wasn't feeling well enough and AH did it for me...he only kneaded the dough for maybe five minutes at the most.)

Place in a well oiled bowl and cover with a damp cloth in a warm place until doubled in size...( mine took about 45 min.) Punch down, knead lightly, form into your loafs or rolls, place in your oiled pans and let rise approx. 30 min. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Minus the time for it to rise, which really doesn't count because it's not like you stand there and watch it, this recipe really only took about 15 minutes max to put together and it's really worth the effort.... I hope you'll try it and see just how easy and yummy it is... it has really encouraged me to try other bread recipes and I'm a huge foody so I'm not sure why I never did before...probably because of the myth that making bread is too much work...it's really not true, at least in this case and as I move to try to put more natural food into my body for health reasons this is one more thing that I can pretty easily do... :) Not to mention there's just something so comforting and satisfying about having bread baking in your oven that didn't come from the freezer section.... The original recipe called for 2/3 c. of sugar, I cut it down to 1/3 and for my Thanksgiving rolls I think I'm going to try omitting it all together. I'm working on cutting out all white food from my diet....now thats a daunting task!!

Changing gears...I would like to introduce you to blueberry...he's the latest newborn to come to our family.... He's a gracious little pony, but he is a little melancholy because he doesn't have stripes ( he thinks he's a zebra) and he's worried that blue makes his butt look big....I've tried to explain that he's beautifully and wonderfully made but I don't think he's come to full acceptance of this yet. Poor blueberry, I hope that he will be able to love himself for who he truly is soon... it's so hard to watch him struggle with self acceptance.

In the pic above Blueberry and Ms. Itty Bitty was enjoying a little quiet time to themselves...

Oh....and the Mad Christmas Hare is more out of control than ever....I've stopped counting how many times he's moved his tree....I've given up and wonder if he's just high strung and has nothing better to do with his energy....he is sort of nervous and jittery all the time....

Above is another family picture with the newest members...oh how they all seem to enjoy each other and get along so well, considering their vast individual personality traits...

So funny....while getting together for a family picture, MJ couldn't help herself and decided to get in the picture...she is such a naughty kitty most of the time that I thought she was jumping on the stool to grab one of them...instead she laid perfectly behind as you can see in the pic above.

And I just had to post this pic of MJ that Mr. Holiday had taken, she's all tuckered out and sleeping with her pet flea.... I don't know if I told you, MJ is Mr. Holiday's third child...seriously! I think it's a 'Godfather' thing...(you know, the movie), none the less I'm sure she is the most spoiled pet on the planet!

I have so much more I wanted to tell you...but I'm too pooped out right now so I'll have to save it for morning...Until then...I just want to say I am so thankful for you and I hope you are blessed beyond anything our minds could concieve!

XOXO Keke

P.S. It is only 30 degrees outside tonight and we are all on 'snow' watch... so much for 'Sunny CA!!!)