40% off deals end December 31st Don't Miss out!!

Just popping in to remind you that those great 40% off deals with Willow House end Dec 31st

Thats right, all of these items sale extended through the 31st. Don't miss out on tremendous deals!! 
Also if you love the Italian stitch dishes, they will be discontinued on that day so order soon!!

A Week of giveaways over at Creative Home Expressions

My friend Kathy is having a week of giveaways over at her blog Creative Home Expressions to celebrate Her 500th blog post and her 3-year Blogaversary!  Head on over there to see what you could win. Today's give away is from yours truly for a Willow House Cookbook holder
This particular one is being discontinued on the 31st so if you are interested in it and don't win be sure to order it before it is gone. 
As a gift to you to celebrate the season, I am offering free shipping on your Willow House order of 75.00 or more. (up to 10.00) I will refund this through paypal
(free ship offer ends Jan 1)

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas I will be back next week with an update about our Christmas. I am recovering from a flu that wiped us all out on Christmas and busy helping with a Wedding (Coordinating , decorating, etc) on New Years Day.

The weather outside is frightful... and a recipe

Did you start singing that song?  Actually it is so beautiful outside. The snow has been falling much of the day, I just finished all of my holiday baking and am off to wrap the last of the gifts. Listening to Bing and Frank belt out the Christmas tunes and thinking of my dad today. Hard to believe it has been a year since he passed. He would have hated the snow today but he would have loved the music.
He also would have loved munching on the sticky popcorn we made. It was one of his favorite Christmas goodies and he looked forward to it every year. It is a quick treat and really yummy too. 
Here is the Recipe for you. I like to put it in cellophane bags tied up with pretty ribbons and give to our neighbors.

Sticky Popcorn Treat
10-12 cups air popped popcorn(already popped)
1 cup whole pecans
1cup whole almonds
2 cups wide coconut(sometimes called ribbon coconut)
Put these items in a large bowl and set aside(i find that if you divide it all into 2 bowls it is easier to mix and coat)
1#real butter
2 2/3 C sugar
1c Karo Syrup
In large saucepan melt the butter, add sugar and karo syrup
stir over med heat. Once boiling boil for 3 minutes then remove from heat and pour over your popcorn, nuts and coconut. Stir until well coated. Pour out onto wax paper that has been sprayed with pam spray(important step) When slightly set eat and enjoy. this will not be hard like carmel corn but soft and gooey. If you prefer a crunchier texture you can boil the sugar mixture longer (5 min)


I am taking a posting break for a few days, so, 
Wishing you all a very Merry CHRISTmas

Replay

I shared this a few weeks ago, It brought tears to my eyes. Many of may have missed it so here it is again
Enjoy and Merry Merry Christmas to all of you!!
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Just something I made

I love Aprons!!
I wear them almost daily (maybe cuz I'm a messy cook). I have a dear friend who has been wanting a new one, yet she never buys herself one, so I had this bright idea to try my hand at making one, to give her as a gift. These things always sound better in theory. : ) Anyway it took me most of the day to get it made. The pattern lied...it said sew easy. I personally did not think it was all that easy but here's how it turned out.

The pattern did not call for that cute Ric Rack but I thought the apron was plain without it. Besides, I had this cute vintage extra large Ric Rack just waiting to be used. Here is a closer view

So glad to be done with it. It was an enjoyable day listening to Christmas music while I sewed.
I will be linking this to a few parties.
Oh and if you haven't had a chance to watch the Cute nativity video go here to see it

TOO cute for words!!

Well worth the 4 minutes it takes to watch this cute video!!

Dishing It! Party (Share Your Christmas Traditions)

Amanda at Serenity Now is having a party. Here is how she explains it: One of my favorite things ever is having a girlfriend over for coffee and dishing over anything and everything. That's what Dishing It! is all about: getting to know other bloggers. 
She provides the questions that we answer and then we can visit other bloggers to see their responses too. Here are the questions:
~Do you have any specific traditions that your family looks forward to each Christmas?

My girls love it that we/santa, hides the stockings every year.  We started this when they were little to make Christmas Morning last a little longer. We leave clues all over the place and send them on a wild goose chase/scavenger hunt sort of thing to find them.

Even though they are all adults they still look forward to this tradition

~Is your tree real or fake? We still do a real tree, however, the older I get the more I think about going over to the "dark" side and getting a fake one. The fake ones really are quite beautiful these days

~Do you have any favorite ornaments? My favorites change from year to year. This year it has to be the dove ornament I got from a dear friend when my dad passed away last December. The hospital he was at puts a "dove" on the door of the room when someone passes on and as a symbol my friend presented us with a dove ornament for our tree as a tribute to my daddy.

~What's your favorite Christmas treat? There are so many :  )

My homemade Almond Roca, Shortbread

Homemade Caramels and a cake called  Orange candy cake (this one has orange candy slices,coconut,dates and pecans and is decadent!!)

~Coolest crafty thing you made or home decor thing you tried this Christmas season? A candle tray with fresh greens was about the only crafty/home decor item item so far this season

~Best Christmas gift you ever received?  A diamond necklace from my very frugal hubby. I was totally shocked and surprised!! 

~Your favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas with Bing Crosby

~What's the number one thing on your kids'/husband's/wife's/significant other's list this year? I know this will sound sappy, but we all just want to be together. It has been a hard year for us and our girls as far as missing dad/grandpa. It has also been a joyous year with the birth of our Grandson Ezra last April, Our twins moved out in Sept and we are all just missing each other. We are so looking forward to hanging out, playing games, and playing with that sweet baby too

~If Santa could bring you one big surprise this year, what would you want it to be? One more day with my dad. Cherish your families!! 

Whew, I think I got them all answered : )

Food For thought

Christmas is the season of Love

a time for gathering together

and celebrating the 

Greatest gift of all,

the arrival of the Savior

May you take some time this busy holiday season to reflect on Him.

After all He is the reason for this season

Christmas Blessing

May God Grant you:

The light in Christmas, which is faith.

The warmth of Christmas, which is love.

The radiance of Christmas, which is purity.

The belief in Christmas, which is truth.

The all of Christmas, which is Christ.

Merry Christmas Macaroons YUM!!

A christmas favorite from my mom in law many years ago. Hope you enjoy it!!

Merry Christmas Macaroons
Ingredients

• 4 egg whites, room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 C pecans chopped
• 3 C cornflakes
• 1/2 C crushed candy canes
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup coconut

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. Beat egg whites in a clean glass or metal bowl until foamy. Add cream of tartar, and continue beating until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar while continuing to beat to stiff peaks. When the meringue is stiff remove from the mixer. Stir in vanilla and fold in candy canes, chocolate chips, cornflakes, pecans and coconut. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. 
3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until dry enough to easily peel off of the cookie sheet. Cool cookies then store in an airtight tin. can garnish with red or green candied cherries if desired. I personally am not a huge fan of those candied things but they do make it look festive : )

Linking to Foodie Friday 

Publish Post

Just a reminder, that if you would like to help me with my 

Willow House Party

 All orders need to be placed by Tuesday night to ensure Christmas delivery

Great items and one whole page items 70% off or more!!

Important:Please put my name (Debbie Smith)in as the host at checkout

Creative Gift Wrapping

 My Friend PK over at Room Remix is having a linky party.
It's a Christmas Gifts--Gift Wrap--Bows--Tags Linky Party
I am also linking up with Kara at Elements Interiors today
So I am linking up.
Recently I did a presentation to a group of ladies on creative gift wrapping ideas, so this linky party is perfect to share a few of those things with you
First I want to show you how to look like a professional gift wrapper by just having the right tools.
My favorites are: Tulle, Cellophane, cello bags, and raffia. I alos liek to pick up ornaments for 1.00 or less to add to the charm of the package.

These items are fool proof!! They make a package look professionally wrapped but are so easy to use
For example, Don't just present a bottle of wine to the host at your next party, dress it up a bit, like this one:

Here is another one I love to do.
Take a dish towel or a placemat from the dollar store and place it over a pound of coffee. Easy wrapping and an extra gift for your host.

Dollar store placemat

I just used a couple of "t" pins to fasten the placemat at the bottom

Here is another creative way to wrap a gift card to a home improvement or craft store

I just used a mini paint can from Michael's
stuffed it with tulle, hid the gift card inside and embellished it
 with ribbons, bells, and paint brushes

Now for those of you wanting a more "earthy" look, Brown Kraft paper (I get it at the dollar store) and greens found in your yard are fun to use!!

For this one, we just ripped strips of burlap and tied it on the box with some pine cones and a package tie

And finally one of my favorites!!
I have "bowl" thing and love to give them as gifts, but, I do not like to give them empty.So off to the  dollar store for cookie mix, sprinkles, and a cookie cutter or two.

Often I have used a spreader or spatula as the tie on instead of  the cookie cutter too

I have so many other great ideas but I think you get the picture. Make your wrapping fun. Have an area set up to do your gift wrapping in, with everything you may need at hand. Pick things up to use as "tie ons" that are not always meant for that. The dollar store is a great resource and so are clearance bins throughout the year.

 

Doors of Welcome

Here is a peek at my front door all done up for the holidays. You may have seen it last year, but since I have no creativity  right now thought I would share it again

Decorating your tree like a pro

This is a tree we did for  client last year

Want your Christmas tree to like like it was decorated by a designer?

1) Start by making sure all the branches are fluffed if it is not a real tree.

2) Make sure all lights are working before putting them on the tree.( this will save you lots of hours of frustration)

3 )Next decorate in layers

4) Start with your ribbon and fabrics
I like to use fabrics to fill in where branches are sparse.

5) Next work on the top display. Break away from just an angel or star on top. Use unexpected items like floral or branches, glitter picks, etc to create a unique and elegant tree top. (like the one shown here)

 6) Next add your balls and ornaments. Start at the top and work your way down in a pattern around the tree so items are evenly spaced.

7) Finish by adding some floral picks or sprays or even berries to fill in the areas that need it.

The important thing is to have fun, use what you already have, go through your fabric and craft boxes and see what might be able to be used. Old snow shoes, Skates, Mittens, Stuffed toys. I have been known to undo floral arrangements that look tired and use the parts in the tree.  I have seen tress done with Kitchen items like spatulas and wisks.You would be surprised what works
Here are a few pictures to help inspire you.

images courtesy of Silver Sage,Elements, google images

Better than Cyber Monday Deals

Okay Friends I know I have been hitting you hard with Willow House Deals lately. I Hope you will bear with me on this.  The savings are just too incredible not to share!!!  First I want to say a huge
Thank You to all of my blog friends who have placed orders from my online store. You have helped me get my business off to a wonderful start!! I have a few more goals to meet and would appreciate your help, by placing an order from my store. Great gift and entertaining items for all of your holiday needs

Now for the deals:

Just in great savings on the weekly deals Here is a sampling
This Italian bowl just $9.96, The covered compote is an incredible $5.96 Get over to the outlet now while the selection is best

Check out these items at 25%off 
(Extended thru December 15th)

And these deals of at least 40% off

And then, there is the outlet with even more incredible savings

Don't miss the chance to save your feet and shop from your seat!!!

***Remember spend $100.00 or more and I will refund your shipping cost***

*Shipping cost will be refunded up to $15.00

Great gift idea!!

Give the gift that gives all year long!!

Perfect for that "hard to buy for" someone!! And the best part is: It only cost $22.00!!That's right 16 issues of Southern Living Magazine plus 12 issues of Cooking Light too!!

Seriously, where else can you find a gift for such a wonderful price that keeps giving all year and beyond

If it is a gift be sure to leave me the address in the notes section of the pay pal payment so the gift gets to the rightful owner