41 weeks until Christmas ~ Christmas Shop and Other Fun News

 New Recipe Tried?  I had a recipe in the lineup to try, but after reading the "notes" I decided not to try it.  It was a Puppy Chow recipe, but used freshly made popcorn vs. store bought cereal.  It said to store it in the freezer and consume straight from the freezer.  Not really a winter go-to Christmas treat if you ask me.  The recipe stated the popcorn goes soft after you coat it, so hence we ditched the idea.

However, I purchased a trial size of Christmas Jam to try.  I know it won't taste like a home canned jam, but if we like the taste, I may look into any good recipes similar to it.

We do can a jelly at Christmas that everyone absolutely loves - it's a cinnamon/candy apple flavored jelly.  It's definitely not made with healthy ingredients (ha ha!), but I do not know one person who does not like it at Christmas.

The jelly is called Cinnamon Cider Jelly - Recipe on my blog.

I finally convinced my husband that we needed to visit the largest Christmas store in our state (open year round).  They decorate it beautifully, and we are told there is much more on display and for sale, the closer it gets to Christmas.  I purchased a few tree decorations, and plan to go back (love this store!).  The store has 3 floors.  Prices are rather high, so you have to really consider your purchases here.  By the way, we have been to the famous Bronner's in Michigan, and we like this store better.

I also purchased a new tree ornament at an antique store.  It was an inexpensive, whimsy purchase.  I do make many crocheted and handmade ornaments, but thought it was pretty glittery and would look nice on our tree.  If not, it will make a nice gift for someone (the husband is not too sure he likes it, ha ha).

I have purchased two more advent gifts (the ones above are small journals I snagged for $1 each) for the advent calendar.  I think I will plan to save paper bags to use for wrapping the gifts with.  I believe this puts me to 6 advent gifts per gift bag.  I'll have to get wrapping and re-count them.  I'm trying to stay with useable gifts.

Gulp!  Guess what I did ha ha ha ha!  Oh boy.  I bought a box of 18 Christmas books that I have not read.  Not sure I'll get them all read this year, but I'm stocked up for a while now.  Good grief, I should not be buying more books.  Cost of the entire box was $6.00, and some look brand new.  I thought for sure I had read the Clark book, but according to my book journal, I have not.

It has taken a few years for me to find my joy in the Christmas holiday since Mom passed away.  I found so much joy in planning her homemade gifts, or other gifts, and when she passed, my joy for the holidays passed with her.  I'm finally in place where I can enjoy it, and now crochet and donate lap afghans to those who need them or can use them, and that brings back my joy (Mom constantly got compliments on her lap afghans, and expressed that to me often).  

Thank you Anne in the Kitchen for inspiring me along the way to a fantastic, upcoming Christmas this year too.   

41 Weeks until Christmas ~ Christmas Shop and Other Fun News ©  March 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Cinnamon Cider Jelly

I make Cinnamon Cider Jelly every fall.  I typically give this away for gifts versus selling it.

Cinnamon Cider Jelly
4 cups apple cider
1/2 cup cinnamon imperials (red hot candies)
1 box powdered pectin (1-3/4 oz)
4 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  
Add cider, cinnamon candies, and powdered pectin to a 6-8 quart stainless steel pan.

Heat and stir on high, until it reaches a rolling boil.

Add sugar, and stir on high until it reaches a rolling boil.  Boil for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and skim.  Pour into sterilized, hot jars,  wipe jars with a clean wet towel, and add lids and rims.  

Place jars into canning pot.  Process for 10 minutes.

Remove from canner and place on towel lined counter/table.  Let sit for 24 hours.  Place any jars that have not sealed into the refrigerator.

Yield:  Approximately 7 half pint jars.


For Candy Apple Jelly, simply use organic, unsweetened apple juice in place of the Apple Cider.