Holiday Decor

I finally took some pictures of how I decorated for Christmas. I mostly decorated our living room, since we spend most of our time in there. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the slide show.

Yummy Christmas Treat

Christmas is just around the corner!! Today, I got busy making some homemade Caramel Crunch. I have used this recipe for several years and have had lots of good compliments on it. It's so easy to make.

Caramel Crunch

9 cups popped popcorn

9 cups Crispix Cereal (I have also used Corn Chex)

1 cup slivered almonds (I have also used sliced almonds)

1 cup butter (no substitutes), cubed

1/2 cup ligh corn syrup

2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

In a very large heatproof bowl, combine the popcorn, cereal, and almonds. In a saucepan, melt the butter; stir in the corn syrup and brown sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Stir in baking soda. (Mixture will foam up and get lighter in color). Carefully pour over popcorn mixture; stir to coat evenly. Transfer to two 15-in. x 10-in x 1 in. baking pans coated with a nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight containers. Yield: about 4-1/2 quarts.

Look at What I Painted

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Now it's countdown for Christmas. My book club is having a gift exchange, so I thought I would paint something. This was painted on a piece of linoleum, so material-wise it was very cheap, but it took a long time to paint. Hopefully the gift receiver likes it.

Snowman Bowl Fillers

Sorry it has taken me a while to post again, but things have been getting busier here. I have been trying to keep up with painting and other crafts for Christmas. I have been making ornaments and just tried my hand again at sewing. Here are a few pictures of some snowman bowl fillers and shelf sitters. I got the free directions from another blogger. I haven't used my sewing machine in years, but this was a quick and easy pattern. It was fun grundging up the snowmen with a homemade antiquing solution.

If you like to craft, especially primitive crafts, you will want to check out the "The Pickled Pepper Patch" blog. She has wonderful ideas, tutorials, and even offers free patterns once in awhile.

Yummy Dessert

Have you ever needed to bring a dessert for a large crowd? The girls are in sports and frequently I have to sign up to bring in snacks. Here is an easy cookie bar recipe that has been the hit with the kids every time:

Easy Chocolate Chip Bars

1 C. sugar

1C. brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 C. oil

1/2 C. milk

3 C. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 package large bag M&M's (more or less as desired)

1/2 package chocolate chunks (more or less as desired)

Cream together sugars, eggs, oil, and milk. Blend thoroughly. Add dry ingredients. Pour batter into 15" x 10" cookie sheets. Sprinkle chocolate chunks and M&M's on top. Bake at 350 degrees fro 2o minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out dry.

Sunny Thursday

What a beautiful Fall day it is here...sunny and mild. I have to get busy cleaning up the flower beds. The girls and I have off of school today and tomorrow. I'm have a couple of appointments, but then I plan on doing housework and crafting. I trying to get done with some Christmas goodies.

Fall is my favorite season. I love to decorate and fill the house with harvest scents. I will be posting some pictures of my Fall decorating soon.

I'm hoping to keep you updated with what is happening on Green Grass Road and maybe share some fun crafting ideas.