It's a tall real candy topiary with artificial greenery on each side. On each end I used my silver candlesticks with red candles. It was very quick and easy.
It's made mostly of Bob's Sweet Stripes candy. I discovered this candy last year and just love it. After Christmas I can eat it.I stuck a a few candy canes in the greenery to continue the real candy theme.
I used little red, green and white felt mice (that I made years ago) and some garland with red berries.
Sandy just asked when I take all this stuff down. I take it down before the first of the year. Normally I have it all up in early November so I am quite sick of it by Christmas and can't wait to get it all down. This year I am very late in completing everything.
I actually finished this hours ago, but Blogger wouldn't let me post. For the past couple of hours I have been listening to my old, old Christmas music and cooking.
Look at all these old albums!
This is my favorite -- Dolly and Kenny. I have already listened to it three times today.
Every year I have to play this silly one because it was my son's favorite ever since he was one year old. There is a song called, "Chris, the Christmas Tree." His name is Kristopher, so that is why we had to sing that one over and over and over and over every year! :) When I play it now I can still see that little towhead jumping around the living room dancing and singing the crazy song. Now I need a Kleenex. This is making me cry. Better get back to cooking pea soup.
Wow your home looks so festive. Don't you hate when it's all over and you have to take it down and the whole place looks so bare. Anyhow, you asked for a punch recipe and I have an alcoholic one for you. It is my Aunt Elaine's famous Jamacian Rum Punch (and it packs a little punch so alter the rum if you like). Here goes (the following is a breakdown for one drink/glass so increase it for however many people you are having, it looks very festive):
ReplyDelete1 oz fresh limes juice
2 oz prepared sugar syrup (we use a strawberry syrup that can be found in Canadian grocery stores usually in the pop/soda, water, drink mixer section)
3 oz rum
4 oz pineapple juice
Throw it all together (it tastes even better if you let it sit overnight in the fridge). Slice some oranges or at this time of year some limes and throw it on top. I have become famous at our street parties with this one. Enjoy. TWT
Now I'm on the hunt for you because I love recipes. Our liquor is controlled by the government here in Ontario, Canada. You can only buy alcohol from what we call the LCBO. Anyhow, they put out a gorgeous magazine every season with recipes for food and drinks (check it out at www.lcbo.ca and click on food and drink, then click on mocktails. There are pages and pages of yummy ideas). Here are a few more non-alcoholic drinks that you may like for the season. I haven't tried them but they sound good or at least interesting:
ReplyDeleteCinnamon Holiday
By: The Martini Club
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 1 oz apple juice, 1 small piece cinnamon and 2 oz cranberry juice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a candy cane.
Citrus Fizz
Holiday 2001
By: Heather Trim
This Mocktail is a wonderful welcome to the start of a brunch.
5 large seedless oranges
1 cup (250 mL) water
½ cup (125 mL) granulated sugar
2 large grapefruits, preferably pink
One 750 mL bottle sparkling water
1. Scrub 1 orange well. Remove peel in wide strips. In a small saucepan, bring water and orange peel to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. When cool, strain into a pitcher, discarding peel. Meanwhile, squeeze juice from the 5 oranges and grapefruits, discarding seeds - you should have about 4 cups (1 L) juice. Strain if you wish, then stir into syrup. To serve, fill glasses with ice, pour in juice and top with sparkling water.
Ginger Punch
Holiday 2005
By: Jennifer McLagan
This non-alcoholic punch is a good alternative to serve at a holiday gathering. It can be made in advance - just add the ice and ginger ale before serving.
½ cup (125 mL) sugar
5 oz water
2 tbsp (25 mL) finely diced fresh ginger
¾ cup (175 mL) orange juice
1/3 cup (75 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ orange, thinly sliced
½ lemon, thinly sliced
¼ English cucumber, thinly sliced
2 cups (500 mL) ice
4 cups (1 L) ginger ale
1. Place the sugar, water and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When the sugar is dissolved, boil the syrup for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 20 minutes. Strain, pressing on ginger to extract all the flavour, then allow to cool.
Makes about ¾ cup (175 mL) syrup
2. Pour the syrup and the orange and lemon juices into a large pitcher. Add the sliced orange, lemon and cucumber, then the ice and ginger ale, stir and serve.
Makes 8 cups (2 L)
Peach Berry Mocktail
By: The Martini Club
Printer friendly version
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 1 oz. cherry juice and 1 oz. peach juice. Stir and strain into a flute. Top with 4 oz. sparkling water and garnish with a peach and cherry skewer.
Okay I'll stop. Assuming you haven't already done so yourself. I know just a little crazed, lol. TWT
TWT, Are you famous for it because of how you act after drinking it? LOL. Just kidding.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the recipes! They all sound good.
I'm surprised you still have a working phonograph.
ReplyDeleteWhy am I not surprised that you still have a record player and all those records you must have a lot of storage space.:)
ReplyDeleteLove your idea with the candy.
I know what you mean needing a kleenex every year I have to cry a little when I bring out the box of old ornaments that my boys made for me.
Pat
LOL...I have that same Dolly and Kenny Cd and early NOVEMBER started listening to it. LOL I think I listen to it at least once a day if not more. I also have Kenny's Christmas CD and Martina McBride. Great CD'S...All three. Have a great Holiday Zoey. HUGS
ReplyDeleteTaracotta
YOu mean something has replaced the phonograph? When? ...just kidding.....my son bought me a cd player years ago, but I never use it. I do have one in my car though.
ReplyDeleteTaracotta, how nice to have you drop in during the holidays. I wish you and your family a happy holiday season, too.