Sights of the Season

I made a pretty long list of things I wanted to accomplish this holiday season. While I couldn't check off everything this year, many memories were made and my pictures below captured the sights this season.

 

Hot chocolate with extra mini marshmallows and whipped cream in festive mugs.

My open house Jingle & Jewels invitation

Handmade jewels deck the tree for Jingle & Jewels

Beaded Expression by Marla boxes for Jingle & Jewels

Mistletoe kisses with Gracie

My gingerbread house this year was far better than last year's collapsing cul-de-sac, but not nearly as great as the Salezze mansion my aunt had professionally made for our indulgent pleasure.

Last year's collapsing cul-de-sac

Salezze gingerbread mansion: What every gingerbread house aspires to look like

The Nutcracker curtain

Gracie enjoying one of the many snowfalls this year

Champagne in monogrammed glasses

We were nice!

Waiting for Santa by the fire

Greeting card photos

Hope you had a wonderful, blessed holiday season with family and friends!

Let it Bead,




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Poinsettia Punch

This fragrant and refreshing holiday drink is such a crowd pleaser. It's both delicious and decorative as the finished product resembles a deconstructed poinsettia plant floating in the punch bowl. It's easy to prepare and will add to your table-scape this holiday season.While serving a punch is certainly a throwback, it allows for self-serve so you can host or hostess with bells on!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 750ml bottles chilled brut Champagne
• 1 1/2 cups white rum
• 1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice
• 1 large lemon, thinly sliced
• pomegranate seeds
• fresh mint leaves
• 1 ice block

Preparation

Bring 1/2 cup water and sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes. Cool syrup completely. 

Combine Champagne, rum and pomegranate juice in punch bowl. Add enough syrup to sweeten to taste. Mix in lemon slices, pomegranate seeds and mint leaves. Add ice block to bowl.

source

Let it Bead,


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Making a List, Checking it Twice

It's hard to believe it's almost the middle of December. If it wasn't for the frigid temperatures and beautiful dusting of snow along the trees and sidewalks and the shimmering light from holiday decorations, it almost wouldn't feel like it's time for Christmas to be right around the corner...but, alas, it is. 

Christmas really is one of the most wonderful times of the year because the message of faith, hope, love, peace and joy are so strong. 

This holiday season, my family is starting new traditions to celebrate Christmas. While there is much to look forward to with these new plans, there is a sense of longing for the old traditions we won't be celebrating this year. 

My family is not exchanging presents, we will not be waking up Christmas morning in our childhood home, we won't even be waking up in a home with a Christmas tree. While I know Santa always has some tricks up his fur lined sleeves and won't leave us completely hanging this year, I do want to spend the next few days taking full advantage of activities and amusements that compliment the good tidings of our traditional Christmas.

So I made my list and I checked it twice:

• Hang stockings by the fireplace
• Watch Elf and Home Alone
• Sip a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Latte or a Hot Chocolate spiked with Peppermint Schnapps
• Host a Holiday Open House
• Bake cookies
• Celebrate St. Nick's Day
• Attend a presentation of The Nutcracker
• Host or Attend an Ugly Sweater Party
• Make a gingerbread house (that does not fall apart AND looks aesthetically pleasing)
• Make a Christmas wreath
• Take a family Christmas photo
• Mail above-mentioned family Christmas photo to friends and loved ones
• Make Poinsettia Punch
• Walk around the Promenade Shops and/or Downtown Bethlehem
• See Pip the Mouse at the Allentown Liberty Bell Museum
• Create a beaded snowflake necklace, bracelet and earring set

Let it Bead,


What are some holiday traditions--new or old--that contribute to the good tidings of your holiday season?

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