Fa La La La La

These two videos I thought you all might be entertained by. I thoroughly enjoyed them.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7QfAaPZpK4


This child has other videos he does to. They are all pretty funny. I like this one a lot


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMgyi57s-A4

This guy you would think be a better speech giver seeing that he has had so many degrees. This is really no joke either. It may seem like one but he serious!

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I love staying in this time of year and drinking yummy drinks like these: Plus you can make these for gifts as well.  just make this mix and put it in a jar with lid and a pretty ribbon around it.  These recipes found at Country living.com

Hot Cocoa

• 3/4 cup(s) quality unsweetened cocoa
• 6 ounce(s) quality semisweet choc., chopped
• 1/4 cup(s) sugar
• 2 tablespoon(s) sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoon(s) cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tablespoon(s) pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon(s) ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) ground clove

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Directions

1. Make the mix:
   Place all ingredients in a food  processor fitted with a metal blade and process just until mixture is powdery -- about 30 seconds. Be careful not to over process. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Include peppermint "stirring" sticks for added flavor and color. To make hot chocolate, combine 1 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of this mix in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate is incorporated and mixture is warmed through. Serve immediately.

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Spiced Warm Cider- This is another favorite of mine

 

• 1/2 gallon(s) apple cider
• 1/3 cup(s) dark brown sugar
• 2 stick(s) cinnamon
• 5  whole allspice berries
• 1  (1/2 inch by 1/2 inch) chunk fresh ginger, peeled
• 3  whole cloves
• 8 slice(s) orange

In a 3-quart saucepan, combine cider, sugar, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, ginger, and cloves. Heat to a simmer and allow to cook 20 minutes.strain into a punch bowl and garnish with orange slices. Serve warm.

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White Spiced Coffee- I have not tried this one but it sounds delicious

• 3 cup(s) whole milk
• 1 cup(s) whole organic coffee beans, lightly cracked
• 1 1/2 stick(s) (3 inches long) cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole(s) green cardamom pods
• 1/4 cup(s) honey
• 2 tablespoon(s) dark rum, such as Mount Gay, optional

1. Place the milk and crushed coffee beans in a saucepan. Heat the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, about 7 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and let the beans steep in the milk for 15 minutes.
2. Strain the coffee mixture and transfer to the jar of a blender. Discard the crushed coffee beans. Add the cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and honey to the steeped milk and blend on high speed until the spices are coarsely ground, about 30 seconds.
3. Strain the liquid back into the saucepan and discard the ground spices. Rewarm the spiced coffee over medium-high heat until the liquid is hot and steaming. Add rum, if desired. Pour into warmed coffee mugs, and serve hot.

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Time saver: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet to crack coffee beans and spices. Place in a sealable plastic bag before crushing.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 Another great idea for a Christmas gift is a candle and what is even better is that I have  the steps on how to make your own candle.

Making Candles

What you need:

You'll need wax, wicks, putty, a pencil, and a candy thermometer, all of which can be found at a craft store such as Michaels. Wax is sold in blocks, sheets, and shavings, to be melted on a stove or in a microwave.

 






 
Pouring the Wax



Wrap one end of the wick around a pencil. Set pencil on egg cup, suspending the wick. With putty, secure wick's metal clip to bottom of cup. In a double boiler, melt wax according to package directions; use a candy thermometer to gauge temperature. Pour wax in cup; allow to fully cool. Trim wick to 1/4 inch. You can see a picture of this at http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/how-to-make-a-candle-1110




Hurricane Candles

:http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/how-to-make-a-candle-1110


Place three hurricanes on newspaper in a well-ventilated area. With a grease pencil, mark where you'll be placing the doilies to ensure even spacing. Put the doilies face down on the newspaper, spray lightly with spray mount, and press to the glass, smoothing as you go. Once dry, set the hurricanes securely on the stairs or arrange on a table and insert the pillar candles. To decorate votives, trim the doilies to size, spray with spray mount, and adhere to glass. For variation, use doilies in different sizes. Tip: The number of hours a pillar candle burns before the wick is buried is usually equal to the pillar's diameter. (These four-inch-wide candles burned for four hours.) To resurface the wick, score the candle's circumference with a knife.

Candlelight can instantly transform any room into a cozy and inviting space. But as with any open flame, caution is necessary. For your safety, remember never to leave candles unattended, around playing children or pets, or near a draft.