December

December is World AIDs Month. Don't forget Christmas Eve Dec. 24 and Christmas Day Dec. 25 (as if you could!) and New Year’s Eve Dec. 31. December's birthstone is turquoise, and its flower is the orchid.

Festive Foods: Chocolate Butterscotch Cookies

For a quick and easy treat when company is on their way or you need a hostess gift, try these 4-ingredient cookies. One batch can make 36-42, and other morsels can be substituted for the butterscotch chips.

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 bag butterscotch chips
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs

Combine all ingredients, shape into small balls, bake on a lined cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Enjoy!

Seasonal Soundtrack: Jewel "Joy: A Holiday Collection"

Be of good cheer with Jewel's "Joy: A Holiday Collection" album. Released in 1999, this disc contains 12 tracks. Standouts-

#4- Winter Wonderland

#7- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

#9- Face of Love

Fun Finds: Bakery Boxes

Searching for containers for my 3rd annual cookie swap, I ran across these beautiful bakery boxes from, you guessed it- Martha Stewart. This package contains all the pieces for 6 themed boxes- box, liner, ribbon, and tags for gifting. Martha posted some really great cookie swap information on her site a year or so ago, and since reading it, I have been wanting to turn from the girls taking huge platters of treats home to their husbands, to the girls taking with them a homemade assortment of goodies for giving. Martha's notes and these boxes do just that! Each of my 3 guests will leave with a box for themselves and a box for a loved one. If you want variety, I did notice 2 other designs, but this was most in line with my party style this year. Be sure to catch them on sale or with a coupon- one package is $13.

Cute Crafts: Holiday Wreath

I call this a last-minute fall wreath for two reasons- I made it early this month, which for me is about 3 months too late; and all of the pieces can be picked up at Michael's now and assembled in less than 20 minutes. Since I waited until all the pieces were on clearance to buy, this project cost me less than $7. I used 1 grapevine wreath, 4 sprigs of glittered leaves, 3 sprigs of decorative twigs with berries, a hot glue gun and a little imagination. I separated all pieces into 3 or 4 miniature pieces for ease of use. I like the almost-bare autumn feel, and the fact that by decorating only part of the wreath, I wasn't overwhelmed with symmetry, overlap, and glue gone wrong. If tonight doesn't afford you enough time to create your own masterpiece (and really, I don't expect it does. I should have posted this sooner!), you can always pick up the pieces this winter and put them away until next year.

Fall Tablescaping- Part 2

Another simple yet festive tablescape for the blog party Susan hosts each Thursday at BetweenNapsOnThePorch. This table for two is comprised of patterned plates from Cracker Barrel, placemats from JCPenney, napkins from Kohls, birdies from Michaels, Oneida flatware in Frost, candleholder from Yankee Candle adorned with festive sprigs from Michaels, tealight candles from Illuminations, and white china and gold-rimmed goblets that were gifts.

Seasonal Soundtrack: Chris Tomlin "Glory in the Highest"

Give all the glory to God with Chris Tomlin's "Glory in the Highest" album. Released in 2009, this disc contains 12 tracks. Standouts-

#5- My Soul Magnifies the Lord

#7- Glory in the Highest

#11- Winter Snow

Beauty & Fashion: Beautiful Skin

Merle Norman's Luxiva Nighttime Recovery Creme is one of my favorite beauty products. Its advanced oil-free formula hydrates dry winter skin quickly, and is good for all skin types. I don't go to bed without it! According to the company, with regular use, skin appears less fatigued and stressed for a more revitalized, improved texture. 

Instantly increases moisture level by 50%.
Skin retains 87% moisture even after 6 hours.
Increases skin firmness and elasticity by 48% after 4 weeks.
 
You can find this product and many other great items at Merle Norman Cosmetics Studios across the country. Read more at their website.