Billie's Christmas Corner: Dec 17

Wow.. one more week and it's Christmas !!! Are you ready? I have a couple of things to go in the mail tomorrow and I'm done. Well... unless I find something else for Hubby that is. I have a couple of things for him now. but one really is a birthday gift since his birthday is tomorrow.

4 cups Original Bisquick® mix

2 cups milk
2 teaspoons green paste food color, if desired
4 eggs

Snowy Vanilla Glaze

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons milk

Toppings and Garnishes, If Desired

: Powdered sugar

: Candy sprinkles

: Small candies

1 In large bowl, stir all Pancakes ingredients until well blended. Heat nonstick griddle to 375°F. or 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. (To test griddle, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If bubbles jump around, heat is just right.) Brush with vegetable oil if necessary (or spray with cooking spray before heating).

2 Each pancake tree is a stack of 8 different size pancakes. Make only one tree at a time. Pour 1/4 cupful, 3 level measuring tablespoons, 2 level measuring tablespoons and 1 level measuring tablespoon batter onto hot griddle. Watching each pancake carefully, cook until bubbly on top and dry around edges (small pancakes will get done first). Turn; cook other side until light golden brown around edges. Keep warm. To make remaining 4 pancakes to form one tree, pour 2 level measuring teaspoons, 1 level measuring teaspoon, 1/2 level measuring teaspoon and 1/4 level measuring teaspoon batter onto hot griddle. Watching each pancake carefully, cook until bubbly on top and dry around edges; pancakes quick will cook quickly. Turn; cook other side until light golden brown around edges (they will cook very quickly). Repeat with remaining batter to make 5 more trees. 3 To assemble trees, stack on serving plate starting with largest size pancakes on bottom and stacking each smaller size pancake on top. Drizzle with Snowy Vanilla Glaze and garnish with sprinkles or candies, or, just sprinkle with powdered sugar and garnish with sprinkles or candies.

Things to do with kids for Christmas, Keep An Ornament Journal

The family tree shines during the season when each ornament tells a story--but will you remember?

Keep track of ornament collections with an ornament journal. Whether it's "Baby's First Christmas" or a special gift from Nana's last vacation, a quick note about each new ornament will preserve the memories from year to year.

Make it easy with a free printable ornament journal page:

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/printable/christmas-planner/ornament-journal

Cherry Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats (uncooked)
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
6 ounces white chocolate chips (or semisweet
chocolate chips, if desired)

Place sugar in bottom of a 1-quart jar. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together to make the second layer. Add the remaining ingredients in the order given. If there are any gaps at the top when finished layering, add cherries, chips or nuts to fill in the space.

Attach these instructions to the jar:

Cherry Chip Cookies

1 Cherry Chip Cookie Mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 egg

Cream 1/2 cup butter or margarine in a large bowl, add 1 egg and beat well. Stir in the contents of jar. Drop by teaspoons onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool.

Makes 3 dozen.

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
but have a cup of cheer
Have a holly, jolly Christmas;
And when you walk down the street
Say Hello to friends you know
and everyone you meet.

Oh Ho the mistletoe
hung where you can see;
Somebody waits for you;
Kiss her once for me
Have a holly jolly Christmas
and in case you didn't hear
Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas this year

Gather together items needed for overnight house guests. Make a basket/box of small toiletries, collect or purchase guest towels etc. and extra bedding.

http://adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com/2012/12/diy-glitter-ornaments.html

DIY Glitter Ornaments

Supplies needed:
Clear Glass Ornaments
Glitter {each .49 oz bottle of glitter did 6 ornaments}
Pledge Floor Care with Future Shine {I used wood finish because I had it}

First take the tops off of the ornaments. Next squirt a bit of Pledge into one of the ornaments.

It doesn't take much. Swirl it around until you've coated the whole inside of the ornament with Pledge. Then pour it into the next ornament. I did 7 or 8 ornaments with the small amount shown above.

Pour in the glitter. I used a funnel to prevent spills. Swirl the glitter around to coat.

Repeat with other ornaments.

Leave the tops off for an hour or so to let it dry completely.

Super easy right?

So do you like the silver or the white ones better? I think I like the white ones. But I'll be using them all. My tree is silver and white. Each year I make something new to add to it. This year I made two new things: these glitter ornaments and my DIY Crystal Snowflakes.