AFV: Great Christmas Gifts and Epic Fails

Did you get anything for the holidays that you really liked? Or do you want to re-gift your present already?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Source: Pinterest

Click here for Judy Garland heart wrenching performance from Meet Me In St. Louis!

These are my top two songs. Hope everyone has a very blessed holiday!

Christmas Bingo!

You can play this with the family or turn it into a naughty game with your Mr. Claus for later (wink wink)! Whomever you play it with have fun! Just print out these free boards from Crayola. If you don't want to use crayons, you can use buttons or coins as markers on the board (not suggested for younger kids).

 

Funnovation Friday Finds 4

I'm assuming many of you out there are enjoying having your home feel cozy and smell like the holidays. Usually I just go for the sugar cookies fragrance or classic cinnamon, but with today's FFF Etsy shop Huntley & Fox I can have fun with these additional scents.

These pure soy candles are the perfect countdown to Christmas in their numbered tin containers. Each day or night can be something different. Number 22 scent being Sugar Pumpkin, number 23 Gingerbread House, number 24 Winter Berry and number 25 scent being Christmas Hearth. These candles can burn for up to 40 hours.

This can make for a great gift to teachers, hostess, last minute gift for a special girlfriend with a card so it doesn't seem last minute (hint hint to fellas). Even a nice anniversary gift. It will be my parents 24th anniversary on Christmas Eve, so I'm sending an early HAPPY 24TH ANNIVERSARY shout-out to them! Lol

What smells remind you of the holidays?

Secret Santas and Layaway Angels?

It seems people really are more into the holiday spirit this year! There's been more holiday shopping than what was predicted for this holiday season. Some shoppers are even anonymously paying off multiple layaway balances. It started at Walmart and K-Mart stores and just took off from there across America! It has been an everyday occurrence!

There has been all sorts of other great deeds. 

There was a story on NBC Nightly News about a man losing his wallet full of money with his ID and credit cards. A lady returned it. She didn't take the cash reward for finding and returning it, even though she could've really used the reward money. She has three kids, is unemployed and looking for work. She said she didn't accept the money because she felt like, "Why should she get a reward for doing the right thing that any normal person should do?"

Here's some more great deeds (courtesy of KSDK):

A $50 gold coin was dropped into a Salvation Army red kettle at St. Claire Square Shopping Center in Fairveiw Heights, Illinois. "It was wrapped in a dollar, it was kind of hidden. Once we saw it, we were pleasantly surprised to find the gold coin," said Captain Health Sells with the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army was even more pleasantly surprised at its worth. The coin is valued at $1,800. Another gold coin was placed into an Alton, Illinois Kettle worth $200.

There's a similar story in Portland, Oregon. A South African Gold Krugerrand, worth more than $1,800 was dropped in a red kettle.

In Miami, a Salvation Army bell ringer found a diamond ring. It was wrapped in a a $50 bill using a rubber band. A note was attached: "They need it more than I ... Do good!"

Some icing on top of the cake, all of our U.S. troops are coming back home by December 31st! Welcome home and thank you for serving our country!

Quite frankly, it is so good to hear great things on the news for a change.


Have you heard of these Secret Santas and layaway angels? Have you been one yourself? Who do you plan on paying it forward to in the future?

Marvin Gaye - Purple Snowflakes

Best Holiday Light Displays

Further inspired by Sarah, as she went on a "staycation" I thought, "Why not discover your own city or state with a vacation attitude?" What better way to go on a family staycation than to bundle up, jump in the car and spend an evening taking in some great views of holiday lights? Maybe it could even turn into a new family tradition. Or a great date. I'm the type of person that would like to have most of the events planned out ahead of time in detail. Like what holiday music station we'll be listening to on the radio during the drive, and have some type of snacks  packed and coco in canisters ready to go. Yes, I've really thought this one out for a while now! The light display would be so spectacular with snow! Hopefully it'll happen sometime soon.

Here are some of the best (and romantic) places to visit locally for light displays:

Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park

You can drive through the display, but if you want to do something extra special you can do this by horse-drawn carriage. Winter Wonderland is open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., except for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Cars are welcome Sunday through Friday, but Saturdays are reserved for carriage rides. Admission is $9 per car. Tickets for carriage rides are available through MetroTix, and vary depending on the size of the carriage.

Getting There:

Winter Wonderland is centrally located in Tilles Park in West St. Louis County. The easiest way for most visitors to get to the park is to take I-64/Highway 40 to the McKnight Road exit. Go south and the park will be at the intersection of McKnight and Litzsinger Roads. All vehicles must enter Winter Wonderland from McKnight Road and exit via Litzsinger Road.

November 23, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Tilles Park, St. Louis County

Santa's Magical Kingdom

Millions of lights and dozens of holiday scenes fill Jellystone Park in Eureka. You can see Santa's flying reindeer, travel through the Candy Cane Village or visit the Waterfall of Lights. For even more fun, take an old fashioned wagon ride through the display. After seeing the lights, head over to Kringle's General Store for a little holiday shopping. Santa's Magical Kingdom is open from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Admission is $19 per car or $12 for wagon or train ride tickets.

Getting There:

Santa's Magical Kingdom is located in Jellystone Park, just off of Interstate 44, in Eureka, Missouri. Take I-44 to exit #261 and follow the outer road to the entrance to the park.

November 18, 2011 - January 8, 2012
Jellystone Park, Eureka

Way of Lights

Lights are used to tell the story of Jesus' birth. You can drive through the display or take a carriage ride. There's also a laser light show, camel rides, an indoor Christmas tree display and an interactive play area for the kids. The Way of Lights is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to view the lights is free, but there is a small charge for the laser light show, camel rides and other attractions. Donations are also accepted.

Getting There:

The Way of Lights is located about 20 minutes from downtown St. Louis at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine in Belleville, Illinois. To get to the Shrine take I-255 to exit 17A (IL Highway 15 east). Then, go about one mile down Highway 15 and the entrance to the Shrine will be on the right side. The address is 442 South DeMazenod Drive.

November 18, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Our Lady of the Snows Shrine, Belleville


All of these locations are quite a drive in distance, but you could always enjoy driving around your own neighborhood for free looking at house light displays. Just try not to look like stalkers cruisin' around!

Funnovation Friday Finds 3

You can completely avoid being the one in the fugly holiday sweater with today's FFF. Just simply adorn yourself with the accessories of warmth as jewelry with the help of Etsy shop blockpartypress! Hey, there's even FREE shipping til the New Year!

I really like all of the items from blockpartypress

Not having to deface a tree
in the name of love can be achieved!

There's even more where that came from, so check it out!

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Christmas Everyday

I'm getting myself back into the holiday spirit. Trying not to give up on all of mankind just quite yet, and I do mean ALL men right now. I've been force feeding myself Christmas to cheer myself up and it actually was working. Hey, fake it til you make it right? I'm actually a huge holiday nut, in case you haven't noticed! In the month of December I've managed to make almost every post Christmas everyday. Last year was unexpectantly enjoyable, but it's been pretty hard throughout the last few years. Though, it doesn't take much forcing when it comes to the classics. Nothing can compare to those "oldies but goodies"!

Aretha Franklin - Kissin' by the Mistletoe

Carla Thomas - Gee Whiz, It's Christmas

Let's Celebrate With Christmas Cocktails!

I can't believe I'm at the 100th post so fast! It's about to be 101 posts after I do the FFF of today. Time really does fly when you're having fun! I know all the veteran bloggers are sitting back like, "Ha! What a newbie blogger, wait til you have five times more posts!" I'm not focusing on that though. For right now I'm really enjoying blogging about what ever I find interesting at this particular time. I hope to continue to do this, and keep it illuminated with what's going on with me and my views.

I'm looking forward to these later on as part of my blog mini milestone celebration!

Recipe courtesy of bartender Charles Corpion
 featured on Martha Stewart show.
Photo via Etsy.

Candy Cane Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 Candy cane, crushed for garnish on rim
• 2 oz. Strawberry vodka
• 4 dashes White Creme de Menthe
• 2 1/2 oz. Cranberry juice
• Ice cubes

Serves 1

Directions:

1. Place crushed candy canes on a small plate or saucer. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Holding the glass by the stem, rotate the rim to coat with candy.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, creme de menthe, cranberry juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass; serve immediately.

Cocktail Hints from the Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails 2 :

Cocktails are usually served as appetizers or aperitifs, before a meal. Such cocktails should therefore be tart or "dry" to stimulate appetite. Being mostly liquor with only a small part of flavoring or sweetening, such cocktails are of course more potent. There are times when sweeter cocktails are suitable: when your guests are not regular drinkers (me) there should be more emphasis on fruit juices and sweetening. Any cocktail recipe can be modified to suit your taste and that of your guests. Sophisticated drinkers, as suggested above, like a lot of liquor and only a touch of flavoring; unsophisticated drinkers (again me) the other way around. Most cocktails are at their best ice-cold; they should be shaken or stirred vigorously with ice-cubes (cracked or shaved ice is even better) and served promptly in thin, clean, stemmed glasses. Chilled glasses are an added refinement. Cocktails like Martinis and Manhattans which contain only liquors, may be stirred vigorously with a rod or long spoon. Cocktails which contain fruit juices or eggs should be shaken in a cocktail shaker. Vodka may be substituted for gin in any recipe. Cocktails should not be made in advance if you can help yourself. If all your ingredients are lined up beforehand, the actual making is a very quick -- and pleasantly social -- process.

Here's some drink recipes from Ultra-Lounge: Best of Christmas Cocktails.

North Pole Nog

Ingredients:

• 1 qt. Chilled eggnog
• 5 oz. Brandy
• 4 oz. Dark rum
• 3 oz. Dark Creme de Cacao
• 1 whole nutmeg (or dashes of already ground nutmeg if you have it available)

Directions:

1. Whisk together the eggnog, brandy, rum, and creme de cacao in a large punch bowl.
2. Add ice.
3. Grate a little nutmeg over the top of each drink when serving.

If you want to serve individually, not in a punch bowl:

1. Mix ingredients together over ice in a glass.
2. Pour into a shaker and give one brisk shake.
3. Pour into the glassware you will be serving guests with.

Makes 8 (6oz.) cups.

Mistletoe Martini

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 fl. oz. (31 ml) Gin
• 1/4 fl. oz. (6 ml) Dry Vermouth
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) Peppermint Schnapps
• Cracked ice
• Candy cane garnish

Directions:

1. Half-fill a cocktail shaker with the cracked ice.
2. pour the gin, dry vermouth and the peppermint schnapps. Shake well.
3. Strain the mixture into chilled Martini glass(es).
4. Serve garnished with a candy cane. See first drink recipe at top of page.



Printout from Etsy shop FlairDesigneryLLC,
located in St. Louis, Missouri.



Dreaming of a White Christmas

It just so happened to snow for a little bit here after I made this treasury list five days ago. Though, it wasn't the type of snow that sticks around. In fact, it was barely noticeable unless you watched the weather report on the news early in the morning then you would've just missed it. You would've just woke up and thought the street was wet because of rain. Yesterday it left that ashy residue on cars. In Saint Louis,MO, we don't typically get real heavy duty snow until it's already in the month February. I think it was last year the very first day of snow was right on Valentine's Day. I like the look of snow. Not so fond on the functionality of it. Like I think it was the year before last year that we had a huge snowstorm. There was a HUGE power outage for a good chunk of the winter in St. Louis. Ice was underneath knees height snow, then it snowed again on top of that for a week straight. The weight of it all made trees snap on power lines. The power was out in my home for almost five weeks! Then when summer rolled around the same thing happened again. Everyone went all crazy on the hunt for ice and regenerators! I think the state even sent out the National Guards for the innercity [SMH]. At least during the winter it was cold enough to just take the food (including milk) from the fridge out into coolers in the shed. Yes, it did stay fresh. That's how freezing it was! Not looking forward to freezing and having snow related issues. However, I think this etsy treasury list is very soft and gives the fuzzy nostalgic feeling of seeing the first heavy duty snow of the season!

Can't view board? CLICK HERE.

Holiday Treats

Photo by SashasMommy

Since my Peppermint Land treasury went so well I decided to celebrate with this recipe. There may be more mint recipes to come throughout this month of blog post! You can say I've taken a umm.. special liking (cough, slight obsession) to peppermints for this holiday season.

Peppermint Candy Cane Bark
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

2lbs. White chocolate chips
12 Candy canes, crushed (can be pulverized in a closed Ziploc bag with a hammer)

1 teaspoon Peppermint Extract

Directions:

1. Melt white chocolate either in a double boiler or in a bowl over a pot of boiling water.
2. Stir in crushed candy cane and peppermint extract into melted white chocolate.
3. Line a 11x17" baking pan with wax paper.
4. Pour and spread chocolate mixture onto wax paper.
5. Chill until firm and break into pieces
6. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Such a simple recipe with a gourmet look! You can use 1lb. baking chocolate chips (bittersweet or dark chocolate) to layer the bottom of the white chocolate. Just let the brown chocolate cool in the fridge while you're melting the white chocolate and layer that on top. You can also reserve the chunkier pieces of crushed candy cane to layer the top of the whole treat as sprinkles.

I also found these:



Head on over to Our Best Bites for

Peppermint Candy Cane Brownies

and even more winter goodnessville!

Lena Horne - Jingle All The Way

There's something about the holidays that give crooners a third lease on life. Ms. Lena Horne is a classic though regardless of what season we're in! Lena Horne adds her touch to Christmas with "Jingle All the Way" --that's the sound her glittering gems makes when la Lena strikes a pose!

Peppermint Land

This is by far, the most viewed and commented on Etsy Treasury List I've ever curated! I actually helped get some items sold too! Enjoy this festive holiday-spirited list as much as I have!



If you can't view board, CLICK HERE.

Sweater Queens and Kings

Etsy shop NanLawson

Day 1 of December!

With the first of December comes the countdown to Christmas!