BCC 2Peas Dreams

Christmas Corner

 

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Hot Holiday Punch

 

 

 

3 cups apple juice

 

3 cups orange juice

 

6 cups cranberry juice cocktail

 

3/4 cup maple syrup

 

2 teaspoons powdered sugar

 

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

 

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

 

3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 

cinnamon sticks * optional and use as stirrers in mugs of hot punch.

 

Combine all the ingredients in a very large heavy pan, except the cinnamon sticks.

 

Bring to a boil and turn to simmer for few minutes.

 

Put in a crockpot after it has boiled and keep warm over low heat.

 

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things to do with kids for Christmas, Make Cinnamon Applesauce and/or Salt Dough ornaments

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Hungarian Christmas Biscuits with Poppy Seeds (Makosgubo)

 

1 envelope dry yeast
2 tablespoons lukewarm water
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
2 whole eggs, beaten
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, as needed
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar, approximately
1/2 cup washed, dried and ground poppy seeds

 

Sprinkle yeast into lukewarm water, add 1 teaspoon sugar and set aside in a
warm place for 5 to 10 minutes, or until mixture is foamy.

 

Scald milk, add salt, butter, 1/4 cup sugar and stir until butter melts.
Cool to lukewarm. Add to yeast mixture along with beaten whole eggs and
yolks.
Stir in 1 cup flour. Mix thoroughly, cover loosely and set to rise in a
draft-free corner for about 30 minutes, or until dough is light and puffy.

 

Beat in as much remaining flour as needed to make dough smooth but soft.
Knead for 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place in floured bowl,
dust
top of dough with flour, cover loosely and set to rise in a draft-free
corner until double in bulk - about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

 

Punch dough down, knead for 2 or 3 minutes, then cut off pieces slightly
smaller than walnuts. Roll into balls, dredge lightly with flour, dusting
off
excess, and place 1 inch apart on a buttered baking sheet. Let rise for 30
minutes.
Bake
in preheated 300 degrees F. oven for 1 hour, or until pale golden brown
around edges. Place biscuits in a bowl, blanch with boiling water and drain
immediately.
Heat 1/3 cup butter in a large skillet over low heat, add biscuits and stir
gently with a
wooden spoon
to coat with butter. Sprinkle with sugar and ground poppy seeds and serve
while hot.

 

Makes about 4 dozen biscuits. Enjoy.

 

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Boogie Woogie Santa Claus

Well look here Jack
There's something down the track
He's got rhythm in his feet
But nothing in the sack
The boogie woogie Santa Claus
Boogie woogie Santa Claus
Boogie woogie Santa
Comes to town every Christmas day

Well he lives up in a mountain
Like a hermit in the cave
He never had a haircut
He never took a shave
The boogie woogie Santa Claus
Boogie woogie Santa Claus
Boogie woogie Santa
Comes this time every Christmas day

Well it's rock rock rock Mr. Santa
Jump jump jump Mr. Santa
Well the boogie woogie Santa
Will boogie all your blues away

Got no presents for your tree
No Candy for your socks
When he starts to boogie
The whole town rocks

Mama get your hat
Put your best dress on
We're gonna jump for joy
On the Christmas morn
The boogie woogie Santa Claus
Boogie woogie Santa Claus
Boogie woogie Santa
Boogie all your blues away

Well it's rock rock rock Mr. Santa
Jump jump jump Mr. Santa Claus
Well the boogie woogie Santa
Will boogie all your blues away

 

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 Today is a good day to take out of storage any storm doors and windows. Clean them before installing.

 

 

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http://www.craftideas.info/html/door_wreath.html

 

Christmas Door Wreath

You can get more into the spirit of the season by making decorations yourself. When guest come, greet them at the the front door a this fresh smelling and naturally decorated wreath. Because the cold temperatures outside preserve the greenery, this wreath can even be left on the door long after Christmas is over.

 

For this project you will need: - basic straw wreath in any size - florist wire - various evergreens - nuts - cinnamon sticks - dried apple and orange slices - pinecones, etc.... - hot glue gun - gold spray paint for pinecones if desired\\ Wreath making tutorial

How to Make Natural Green Wreaths Experiment using one or more different types of greenery on the same wreath for added effect.
	1. Knot the florist wire on the back side of the wreath and secure ends.
	2. Knot the wire around the wreath and hold it in front of the wreath.
	3. Prepare a few 6 inch bunches of greenery. It looks attractive when more than one type of greenery gets used.
	4. Place the first bunch the straw wreath. Bring the wire from the top, wrap around to the inside, around the backside und come up from the bottom and then over the greenery, securing it.The wire will again be in front of your wreath each time you finish. You will always be turning the wreath clockwise when working. The wire will always be wrapped after each new layer.
	5. Layer the next group of greenery on top of the first bunch, making sure to cover the wire holding the first bunch tight. Wrap the wire around this 2nd bunch as you did the first time and come back up in front of the wreath as seen in the picture.
	6. Continue adding new layers. Each time you follow the instructions in step 2. Make sure that the outside and inside rim of the wreath are also getting covered so that the wreath looks uniform.
	7. As you continue, you will be slowly reaching the beginning point. Continue working until there is hardly any more of the wreath showing. Keep adding greenery as before and...
	8. ... you will reach a point when it seems you cannot add any more. You will want to tuck the ends of the last layer you added under the top ends of the first layer. You will sort of be lifting the first layers over this last layer. The wire is never to be seen in this process. Therefore, at the end, try to hide the wire under the first batch of greenery while wrapping it around the last bunch and you may have to add a few more pieces of greenery until the beginning and end match in thickness.
Illustrated Craft Tutorial - How to Make a Simple Bow This bow can be made with all widths of ribbon. 1. Decide on the size of your bow. This will be the length of the loops and the size of the tails. This particular ribbon measures 4 cm x 52 cm. 2. Cut a "v" into both ends of the ribbon. 3. Lay the ribbon flat on the table with the bottom side up. 4. Bring the right end over the middle and hold in place. The right side of the ribbon is facing up. 5. Now bring the left side over and also hold in place as you did on the right. Decide where the exact middle and center and adjust the loops on the left and right side. 6. Once the middle is adjusted gather the 2 ends and also the bottom side as seen in this picture. Pinch all the layers between your thumb and index finger. 7. Take a thin piece of wire and wrap it around the front of the ribbon and bring it to the backside. 8. Twist the wire closed on the backside. Leave the ends hanging. You can then use these to tie it to your decoration. 9. This is the finished bow. Use it to decorate packages, wreaths, floral decorations or what ever needs to be decorated. By changing the width of the ribbon, you can create many different looks to match your decorating needs. You can also add embellishments to a ribbon while securing the ribbon with the wire. Experiment!	9. When completed, the wreath is ready for decorating for the table or for the door. You cannot see where the beginning or the end is.

 

We received this tip from one of our crafty readers for drying orange or apple slices. "If you have a gas stove with a pilot light, you can leave your items in the oven to dry. This method is a little faster than the radiator method but not as fast as the microwave."

This is a second example of a door wreath.

 

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Things to do at Christmas time, Buy a special treat for your pets (dog bones, cat treats)

 

 

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http://www.holidaydecorations.com/Christmas-Wreath.html\\

 

Christmas Wreath

Its Meaning, History and Types

One of the most popular holiday decorations is the Christmas Wreath. You will see Christmas Wreaths used in many different ways and in many different settings.

 

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Billie C.