2 Days Until Christmas

Finished this Christmas book and matching book blanket granny square.  It's about the 6th of 16-18 books of a box I bought at an antique store very early in the year.  I'll attach it to the blanket soon.

Two of the kiddos who received the 24 day advent gift bags, have been in touch, and so far have really enjoyed them (and found it fun and love the "useable" theme I tried to adhere to).  One kiddo I have not heard one iota from.  Not even a thank you.  One loved the hand crocheted dust cloth (as it is reusable and saves them money), while one was ecstatic about the tiny sample jam jars we included.

 The Christmas Spice Extract I "brewed" up was ready to strain and bottle.  Just a few lucky ones will be receiving it to try this Christmas season.  I was able to bottle this up early December, but have not tried it yet.

The had-it-on-the-plan, but did not happen.  Yet.

Homemade Seasoned Salt for another quick and easy gift idea. My Mom loved this stuff.  I plan to write the recipe to gift with a jar of this mix, and also write an additional recipe card for a recipe that uses the homemade seasoned salt.  

                     

Remember I made homemade fruit cake this year?  Well, we froze the other loaf, and we will be pulling it from the freezer.  Not many to share it with this year, but we both feel it is the best ever!  According to my Aunt's notes, it is the best, and my cousin said she used brandy over it.  I won't have time this Christmas, nor the energy ha ha! But!  I am adding this to the recipe gift ideas for Christmas of 2026.  Definitely a keeper recipe, but very very unhealthy, ha ha ha!

Crocheted throw and hand crocheted Christmas ornament were shipped and delivered.  

Christmas cards finally made their way out of the house.  First time in several years, but in a limited amount.   I have already started noting ideas for Christmas 2026 (you would too, if your Christmas was spent like ours).  It will be an exciting new year, as we also welcome another new grandbaby.

There may, or may not be "Christmas" cookies this year.  It may happen later, and it may not.  All depends on if there is a need, but right now it will not happen so I can rest and recoup my health.

Merry Christmas!  

2 Days Until Christmas  ©  December 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

4 Weeks Until Christmas

 

Tree was made from a cinnamon stick, fake evergreen cut, and buttons.  The candy apple ornament was a mini muffin wrapper, a small apple ornament dipped in glue and bird seed.

Drum was made from half a toilet paper tube, craft foam for the top and bottom, felt and ribbon, and the drum sticks were painted tooth picks with tiny pom poms glued on.  Yes, they took forever to make, and back then, I didn't blink an eye on how much time they took to make.

A small bit of all of my duplicate handmade Christmas ornaments.  I could not believe how many duplicates worked their way to the Christmas storage totes (Three more totes to go through yet).  Good grief.  Anyway, the story behind them all. . .

When the kids were in elementary school, I would race to the school and sign up for room parent for their Christmas party first.  My second choice was always Valentine's Day when the lists were full.  

Anyway, for some crazy reason, I fell in love with making ornaments, and when I was a Christmas party room Mom, I came up with a handmade ornament.  I made one for every single kid in the class, and I hand wrapped each one, so every kid had one to open.  Yes, I did that.  Some years there could be almost 30 students too.

In the process of the ornament making, my family got one every Christmas too.  Ha!  Probably way too many, but they got one too.

I would go to our large area library, and check out every single handmade ornament books they had, and then some.  I would get ideas, or in some cases, even patterns (I made a LOT over the years).

The duplicate pile was loaded into a box, and the kids got to pick out any they wanted.  The rest will be donated to a nursing home or if I hear of a family in need. 

~~~~~~~~~~

As for what's happening for this up coming Christmas?

First, I realized when I bought dye free, non-gmo cookie sprinkles for the advent gifts, I did not buy us any.  I had to find them again (not easy to find in the area here).

I have started yet another crochet project related to Christmas, but it's on the slowdown time, for an idea for next year (too late for this year).  More on that later I think.  I saw the idea on facebook one day (ha ha!  Social media at it's best to influence us).

Two advent gift bags delivered.  One more to deliver yet.

I have yet to get a Christmas grave blanket/or saddle for Mom and Dad's headstones.  I will not be able to make them myself, and may not even be able to deliver them this coming month.  In the past, I did a barter with an acquaintance, and she made us two.

I have my 2026 planner now, and there is a section for "projects" in it, so that is where "Christmas 2026" will be kept noted and organized.

We have talked to someone we know, who is not working and could use the extra money over the next month.  We may have found someone to help with a few home repairs before or after Christmas.  We are not done painting, and took a long break from it.

Tried a new macaroni and cheese crockpot recipe.  I added additional cheese.  It's a white cheese dish, and it tasted fantastic.  I will try and get the recipe up soon, but it may be the best we have tried so far, and perfect for potlucks or gatherings.

4 Weeks Until Christmas  ©  November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

10 Weeks Until Christmas

We are experiencing cooler weather, but the rain is back.  Although we need the rain, it puts a halt on garden clean up, and fall herb garden dehydrating.    I may need more spice jars in the mean time.  

Two doctor appointments are off the calendar now.  We have found yet another new-to-us place to walk trails.  I pulled 10 summer tops from the closet, and about half are being donated.  Took 4 boxes of items to a thrift store, and passed one Christmas decoration on to a kiddo.

 I donated one Christmas book to a free little library.  I got to about page 60 and just could not read the rest (did not like it at all).  I forgot to take a photo of it, but that is one less Christmas book on my shelf.

Visited a flea market (indoor) and found a Christmas book display.  I ended up buying one book (gulp!).

Bought this "blind date with a Christmas book" at the "Christmas in October" event (see below) we went to.

Three new recipes for the holidays tried - ham and swiss cheese pinwheels (gulp - recipe called for puffed pastry).  We did not like them.  We really liked the one recipe with the homemade dough (and when baked can be frozen - Pigs in a Blanket).

Peanut butter bars - no bake, from AllRecipes.  I used organic ingredients and the peanut butter I used is homemade from a store in Amish country (peanuts), and it had tiny bits of peanuts in it.  

Very easy to make by the way.  I used dark chocolate for the top.  I wanted to not only try this for the holidays (much easier and quicker to make than traditional buckeyes), and for potlucks.

In trying new recipes, I finally used my miniature measuring do-hickey that I got free from doing an online Pampered Chef show way back in 2020.  Ha!  Best way to measure peanut butter by the Tablespoon.

I sent the rest of the bars to my husband's work, and asked for honest opinions.  These were not the super sweet peanut butter type treats, as the peanut butter I used was simply peanuts.

The results?  Well, first of all, we tasted it right after I pulled it from the refrigerator (and still cold).  We were both saying "meh" to it.  

I had pulled it from the fridge, cut it up and by the time it go to my husband's work, it was room temperature.  He said it was all gone in an hour or so.  He also said it is 100% better when it's room temperature.  Guess who has to make it again to try it again?  Yep.  Like I said though, it's very easy to make. 

Sunflower Seed Brittle.  A keeper recipe for sure!  Yum!

I found the recipe in a library book:  

Recipe from Gooseberry Patch Homemade Christmas.

ISBN:  978-1-6209-3443-2

Very easy to make and delicious, if you like sunflower seeds.  Not hard as a rock to eat, and hard to eat just one piece.

We went to a "Christmas in October" craft event (almost 300 vendors).  I bought one item for the advent gift project.  Would I go next year?  Maybe.  It was a lot of "stuff" I would not use.  It was a very nice set up to look for gifts however. 

Visited a very small Christmas Village that is locally owned, and all proceeds (100% according to the owner) go to Children's charities.  We laughed when we pulled in, as it is very very small, with very small buildings, but we both fell in love with it, bought some items, and plan to go back. It's only open in the late fall up until Christmas.  

Bought 4 more advent gifts for the advent project of mine.  One of the purchases ended up crockpot meal cookbooks from a thrift store.  I mean why not?  $1.50 for a book they may just need with their busy work schedules.

Another advent gift  - magazines from the dollar tree store.  I found one store that was still selling magazines for $1.25 each (almost all stores now have stopped selling magazines for $1.25, or stopped selling them all together). I found one on freezer meals, one pot meals and thrifty decorating for the kids.

Remember the crocheted cord keepers I crocheted for an advent gift?  The plastic snaps do not work for the cotton yarn. I am looking into metal snaps or snaps you sew on.  The plastic ones might work if you use a thinner yarn.  

Special purchases for the home?  Yep.  I bought a few decorations, one for outside, but we are still careful to buy what can easily be stored as well.

10 Weeks Until Christmas  ©  October 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

28 Weeks Until Christmas

 

Restocked.  Our grocery stores used to carry this, but with vanilla in it.  All area stores stopped selling it.  I have now prepared for the Christmas season, by re-stocking the organic/non-gmo corn syrup for any holiday treats.

If I don't make holiday treats, it will not be a wasted purchase.  I use it to make homemade Teriyaki sauce and also for a sweet treat (maybe once a year, and I typically share) of Whiskey Butterscotch Sauce (that is a true delicious sweet treat worth gifting, but will need refrigerated).

Tried a new recipe for baked and flavored pretzels.  I had about a half of a bag that was leftover from another occasion, and I decided to bake garlic-ranch pretzels.

First, the recipe stated to put it all in a ziploc bag and shake it.  I found that most of the seasoning stuck to the inside of the bag.  I will coat the pretzels in the bag with oil first next time, then sprinkling the season on the tray and mix right on the tray to retain the seasoning.

I used homemade garlic powder, and homemade ranch dry dressing mix for ours.  Very good too.  I only had the stick pretzels, but obviously, you could use any pretzel.  Most non-gmo pretzels we can find are in the "stick" form.

Recipe is very simple, and pretzels bake in 20 minutes.  It is a very quick recipe to add to your snack tray, or take to a gathering. Or simply to enjoy yourself.  Eating on a Dime (Recipe online).

Read this Christmas themed book, and crocheted a matching granny square for my book blanket.  The book also contains a recipe.

The recipe seems pretty bland or basic, but I may give it a try (to amuse myself), before handing the book off to another person.  Then again, I may not try it.  

I have not made any purchases for the advent gifts.  I, honestly, have not had the time to even think about them. 

I have finally found a store that still offers brown paper bags.  I have plans to use them to wrap the advent gifts with.  I have also ordered a roll of brown paper (pretty inexpensive), because I don't shop that often with a garden.  

I do need to get the wrapping of the gifts started, so I'm not wrapping them all at once.

28 Weeks Until Christmas  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

38 weeks until Christmas

 

I have an update on the taste testing of the trial size jar of Christmas Jam.  It's delicious!  However, when I spread it out on the sourdough toast, it appeared more like jelly than jam.  I do plan to look for a recipe to can this myself, and reduced sugar if I can find one.   Sharing the label in case anyone has a recipe to can jam similar to these ingredients.

Note:  After drafting this post, I read most recipes state that you puree the fruit, hence the jelly-like spread.  

Does anyone have a tried and true recipe with such ingredients?  I do not see a "Ball" recipe in my books at home. 

It seems as if every new store we visit on any getaway trips, or day trips is selling Christmas decorations.  Maybe I am just noticing it this year?  Maybe. However, even though it's now March, I am finding that the stores are not reducing the prices on the Christmas related items.

I bought myself a new pair of Christmas earrings - hot cocoa cups with a candy cane.  Made in the USA.

Books I borrowed from the library, that are related to Christmas.  I may have found at least one new recipe to try.

I read this Christmas themed book in my book stash.

Homemade gift idea:

Homemade Vanilla Extract.  I gifted this one year and it was well accepted, as it's a useful item.

Grow extra in your summer herb garden, and gift dried herbs in recycled jars for gifts.  Attach recipes to use the herbs with.  One year I gifted rosemary, and another year I gifted sage.  Sage is great for cooking, but can also be used to make a medicinal tea for soothing a sore throat.

Let's talk peanut butter fudge.  I want to make it this year, and the only recipe in the books I have borrowed (so far) use marshmallow in the it.  Is that the normal ingredient?  I am looking for a fudge that ends up with a soft, creamy fudge, with good peanut butter flavor.  Anyone have a good recipe?  I have my Mom's, but it's a skillet recipe, and ends up a dry fudge.

38 weeks until Christmas  ©  March 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

A Little Late ~ Attempt to Put the Jolly in the Holidays ~ Homemade Velveeta

 

Yes, we have Christmas themed bedding.  It is coming out of storage today.  I'm very behind, but it's happening.  In fact, I have another King Christmas comforter to give away, but it may be next Christmas.  The kids have apartments, and no room, nor a place to wash a King comforter.  Any who, I'm hoping the new view of the bedding will put a spark in our Christmas spirit. 

We've had some bumps in the road for sure this season.  I think it will make the house a bit "brighter" and happier.  I have a bad habit of worrying about things that rob my sanity and happiness.  Do you have a prayer in regards for not worrying?

As long as we have life, we have problems.  It's how to be able to laugh and smile, to get thru the problems, worry, or setbacks, and what not.

The Christmas tree is up, grocery shopping has taken place (although we had to go to three stores because most were lacking supplies), and we both got haircuts.  The haircuts were very overdue and a much needed day of pampering.  I got a hard water hair treatment, and WOW!  My hair is amazing now.  No brassy hard water.  We do have a water softener, but she sent me home with some hard water treatments too.

The chicken coop was mucked last Friday, so that is off the to-do list this week thankfully.  I have four filled boxes ready to take to donate (with another possibly getting filled today).

The small room we used for an office, is now put back together.  In fact, I can now store extra folding chairs in our storage area under the stairs, along with other items I won't have to take upstairs anymore.  Woohoo to that.  

I need to finish decorating the tree, and I can put the totes away, and tidy up the house.  The plan is to bake some Christmas cookies, and maybe candy in the next few days (maybe today).  I'll be honest, I have not been in a festive mood this year.  A good daily workout keeps me energized, but.....

The recent handyman wanted to start on our next repair project, but it involves part of the kitchen ceiling, so we said it can happen after the holidays.  We removed an old light, so the drywall needs patched, and then half of the ceiling painted and that project will be completed.

We have had one evening of driving around to see Christmas lights, but plan to go see more.  I do miss my jolly holiday self this year, so I'm hoping some Christmas music will do the trick.  I normally would be busy creating a new ornament, but my siblings (most) do not put up a tree anymore.  Even my husband said I haven't been "crafty" lately, and I should work on something.  I don't know.  I can start another lap afghan, but I needed a break from that.

Jar openers are on the list for my on-the-go project. Apparently, I did not write the pattern down correctly, so I will be re-writing that today.  It should not take that long to do.  I have the supplies, and thought I could make these my "crafty" project for now, and donate them along with the lap afghans to senior centers, adult living facilities, and have them on hand for host/hostess gifts or just gifting.

I know what my Mom felt like at the holidays now.  When all of us adult kids started having our own families, she was alone more often.  I get it now, as our kids are building their own families.  However, I am also trying to focus on making our own couple traditions as well.  I really miss calling Mom and discussing life in general, health issues, advice and the like.  I do not have an elderly person left in our family.  I may have to adopt someone's Grandma.

On the try-it list - homemade "Velveeta" 

I made this yesterday, so we plan to taste test it today or tomorrow.  There is a traditional dish that we have (or used to have, as we don't get together at the holidays anymore).  I got the recipe from a friend at work, many, many years ago.  The recipe requires Velveeta in it - Cheesy Baked Potatoes.  I haven't used Velveeta since the kids were born (that long ago).  It is also an ingredient in my Mom's stove top Macaroni and Cheese.  She never had a recipe, but I think I could remember how to make it.  That's the plan if this tastes good and works well when baking and cooking.

We hope it works out well, and I have read that it freezes well too, as it only lasts about two weeks after it's made.  The recipe is very simple, and is made very quickly.  When I processed it, it not only smelled good, but tasted good.  I'll be back with an update.  I just used a container as my mold, as I did not have a 1 pound loaf (mini) pan.  

A Little Late ~ Attempt to Put the Jolly in the Holidays ~ Homemade Velveeta © December 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Camper Mug ~ Adult Christmas Game Idea

 

I was recently gifted a new mug.  I love it!  It's a camper, and inside the mug, says "home is where you park it."

Sometimes, what mug you drink your morning coffee/tea in, can create your mood for the day.

It was not from my husband, and not a Christmas present.  It was just a gesture of love.  

Speaking of new mug, there is a Christmas game that involves gifting a new mug. You each buy a mug of some sort, and fill it with small gifts.  You all sit around the room and either pass left or right when told, and then when the game ends, you keep the one you are holding.

I thought I would share, as we are trying to think of adult games that are fun, but don't break the bank.

Priming the Trim and other ramblings. . .

 

I wasn't even going to paint the trim in the living room, but after we talked about it, we decided it would brighten up the room.  I have started to prime the trim, which is slow going.  I decided to use a tool to paint edges vs. using expensive paint tape.  It is slower, but works for the job.  You can see the room is already brighter with the trim white vs. dark wood.

Good news!  I got an email and a text.  The flooring will be in this week, and the gas heater is ready to be picked up.  I guess that means I better get these windows done, so we can get the walls painted next.  I never expected to do that either, but since we had to replace the entire floor, and it hasn't been painted in 14 years, we decided to do it.

I have been a bit depressed, and not feeling like it's even Christmas time right now, but glad this project is keeping my mind busy.  I'm just used to baking, and making homemade gifts this time of year, and I am not.  Heck, I'm not even sure where my Christmas cards are, that I bought a few years ago.

I am having grave pillows made for Mom and Dad's grave.  I will post a picture of them when I pick them up.

I am rotating crochet projects again.  I think it's just because I get bored doing the same blanket every night (although I am very happy with my color rotation).  I dug out baby yarn to re-stock baby booties.  I'm working on finding a nice, but inexpensive way to package them.

I'm also looking for inexpensive clear (with zipper) blanket storage bags.  I would like to have them for when I donate the lap afghans.  I found some on Amazon, but the per-piece price is a bit higher than I would like.  I will keep searching.  Wal-mart is more expensive and their bags are a bit too big.

I haven't had time, but there is a new crochet venture I am going to start making, as this living room project comes to an end.  It will keep my spirits up for selling stuff next year.

Today will be interesting.  Balancing house work while painting is a true hot mess, ha ha!

It's her birthday!

 

Yes, that is our youngest in a stocking the hospital gave us.  She was born on the 23rd and we came home on the 24th of Dec.

Gosh, it's hard to believe we didn't have the farm house back then.  I did grow an herb garden and loved it.  In fact, I pulled all of it and moved the herb garden two times before we landed where we are.  Time flies for sure.

Update on my ankle.  I took a chance and left the boot off for a day.  In the evening I however, needed an ice pack.  Boot went back on, but I will do a half day today and see how it goes. 

My husband is going to split wood by himself this morning.  Daughter K is off work, so I hope she gets up in time to help him.

Merry Christmas everyone!

High Wind Warning

Yesterday we literally hunkered in and did nothing but watch movies, and sip hot coffee.  My husband baked some no-bake cookies.

The wind gusts were anywhere up to 60mph.  Although the temperature was in the low 60's, it was not conducive to outdoor anything.

My ankle is a bit better, but still sore.  No one answered my question about dried comfrey, so I went online and dug into my herbal books and made several poultices (update on that later).

I located a person who makes handmade kitchen tools.  I emailed him, but have not gotten a response.  Hopefully I will hear from him soon.  I hope my email didn't go into his "junk" mail.

The glass cutter called me.  He wanted to make sure the cost was okay before he special ordered the glass for the wood stove door.  The prices have gone up 4 times he said over the last year alone.  What cost us under $50 will now cost us $138.78, and it will take much longer to get the glass.  I get so frustrated with this. 

My crafting sales are at the bottom lowest.  I put 17 sets of pot holders up on a social media page.  I got zero sales.  It's my go-do (travel) project, and apparently I have made a lot of sets.  They went back into a storage container, and I will be changing my "go-to" crochet project to another item.

As many people get new, higher paying jobs and sign on bonuses, my husband's salary remains the same, and no bonus for working thru the pandemic.  It's absolutely depressing and frustrating (and why we are not buying gifts not putting up a tree in the living room this year).  I'm usually really excited about Christmas, doing baking, candy making, wrapping gifts, decorating the house and what not.  Not this year.  

I'm still working on the handmade gifts for the two younger daughters (with what I have on hand).  The other kids don't even come around or stay in touch any more.

I sort of feel like that scene in Little House on the Prairie, where they are all hiding in places to make handmade gifts for Christmas.

I don't hear the wind this morning, so I am hoping for a much better weather day, and praying for all those who suffered devastation over the last few days (tornadoes).

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas!

Cheers to all of you who stuck with me this year, even if we had or have a difference of opinion on the plan-demic.  I notice so many adults fighting right now about masks and other related things.  It has been a rough year, so thanks for putting up with me on my off days.

One sister is taking all of Dad's photos and putting them on cd's for us (and siblings).  One brother is taking old reel movies and putting them on devices for us all as well.  Things are moving along I guess.  I have letters and will read them and pass them on or scan them and create booklets so all can have a copy if needed.

I'm already making a list of homemade gifts for 2021, and praying our families can get together.

Christmas Traditions

We have had many fun and memorable Christmas traditions in our home.  First, I loved (loved!) being classroom Mom for the class Christmas parties.  I would literally try to sign up for them when school started.  I loved it!  I always made some sort of treat bag/treat container that was filled with fun.  By fun I mean a handmade ornament for each student, candy, and fun activities or toys.  Here are a few treat bags I made for Christmas.  Also, most years I hand wrapped each handmade ornament so the kids had something to unwrap.

Classroom treats were also made.  One year I dipped large marshmallows into melted butterscotch chips on a stick.

Link to this on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot

I had so much fun coming up with creative treat holders.  The one above was made from a toilet paper roll (bottom piece), and the top was an ornament that sat into the top.

Link to this on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot

Long time blog followers already know that I have a passion for making homemade ornaments for my family every year.  Well, every year until I got some comments that they "had too many."  Then I stopped, but I am making one this year.  The above one was made with gumball machine capsules.

Link to this on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot

Link to this on my blog

Link to this on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot

I made so, so many ornaments over the years.  Many are on my S.C.R.A.P. blog, and if you search my blog here, I posted many photos of some.  Search handmade/homemade Christmas ornaments.  The posts should pop up for you.

Another tradition when the kids were younger - sugar cube castle building with frosting and candies.

We still have a tradition of gifting new and wrapped jammies on Christmas Eve.  We are now down to just the 4 of us, out of a family of 8.  This year I will gift everyone a few days earlier, so we can all wash them before wearing them.

I'm going to start a new one this year, just different from the idea of it all.  I will share when that happens.

Of course when the kiddos were young, they would leave cookies and milk out for Santa.  Making all sorts of cookies and candies was a family tradition, and saving some of them for New Year's Eve.

Over the years, trying a new cookie/candy recipe for the holidays became a tradition as well. One year we even tried an alcoholic breakfast beverage (adults).

Overnight breakfast casserole has been a long time tradition for us.  We only make it for Christmas morning.  I thought for sure I shared my recipe on my blog, but can't seem to find it.  I guess when I bake it this year, it'll get it's own post.