DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

Christmas Eve in a candlelit cemetery    At  Christmastime many Finns visit cemeteries to place candles by the graves of relatives, or by monuments such as this one in memory of war veterans. Visiting the local cemetery is very much a part of many Finnish families’ Christmas rituals. Hey, it’s not as morbid as it might sound.    Although going to a graveyard might seem an unlikely activity for the festive season, the sight of hundreds of graveside candles glowing in the snow in a serene wooded cemetery can be surprisingly uplifting. Placing candles on the graves of deceased relatives at Christmastime is a deep-rooted tradition followed by non-churchgoers and members of the Orthodox faith, as well as believers from the majority Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. “As many as three-quarters of Finnish families visit a cemetery at Christmas, mostly on Christmas Eve, and we even have to make special traffic arrangements to accommodate the crowds,” says Risto Lehto, who manages si

   This recipe come from www.bhg.com .  These look like a very neat treat to have some family members help you make and to pass a chilly afternoon making. Makes : 12 servings Serving size: 1 cupcake Start to Finish : 1 hr 30 mins Average rating 5.0 from 1 reviews                                        O Tannenbaum Cupcakes Pointy ice cream cones provide the lift in these sky-high cupcakes. A star-tip frosting tool helps create the fir effect. Ingredients 1 recipe Creamy White Frosting or two 16-ounce cans creamy white frosting or vanilla frosting 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 12 Pine Cupcakes or other 2-1/2-inch cupcakes 12 rolled sugar ice cream cones Green and brown paste food colorings White and/or green edible glitter or sprinkles Small pearl candies or other small candies Fresh thyme leaves (optional)* Directions 1. In a large bowl mix Creamy

   You got the first 13, in part I.  Now sit back and take in the next 12 of the Top 25 Food Gifts, Part II! Poppy Seed Thumbprints Recipe 60 Servings Prep: 15 min. Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling 15 10 25 Ingredients 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup confectioners' sugar 1/2 cup canola oil 1 egg 1 teaspoon Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons poppy seeds 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel 1/3 cup seedless raspberry preserves Directions In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the oil, egg and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Beat in poppy seeds and lemon peel. Shape into 1-in. balls. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Using a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center of each cookie.

   This diy comes from www.makinglemonadeblog.blogspot.com .  These are real simple, just add your favorite paper or fabric.  Even make them different sizes and shapes. Enjoy! What inspires you? Sometimes I find inspiration in books, in nature, and in dreams. Sometimes I find it in the pages of a Pottery Barn catalog. Today I found it while playing home preschool with my daughter. During an impromptu tree craft I was doing with my Ms. Noodle (which can be seen at the end of this post) a lightbulb went off and I realized an easy way to make some pretty little trees. These trees can be tucked along a mantel, in windows, in nooks, on end tables, as part of your holiday table... I even thought they'd make cute gift tags. They take less than 5 minutes to make, too. Oh, and they are practically free. Sweet. Somehow they manage to look vintage and modern at the same time. My favorite mix! Since our mantel area is literally under construction right n