DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   This was found at www.marthastewart.com .  They would make a great decoration around the front door of your house. Glowing Gift Boxes     Lit from within, these presents suggest magical snow sculptures; the open bottom and a small hole provide ventilation. Anchor a battery-powered candle or outdoor-safe light fixture underneath a ready-made plastic box. Cut waterproofed fabric ribbon long enough to wrap around three sides of box, leaving extra to be secured with electrical tape inside the box. Repeat with additional lengths of ribbon, imitating a wrapped gift. Tie a bow, and affix it to the box top with tape.

   This recipe was found at www.bakerella.com .  Like a said before, you don't always have to make a big dessert.  Small sometimes goes along way (especially when you trying to watch what you're eating) .  Make different mini dessert and have a sampling party! Pumpkin Pie Bites I’ve been in a mini-mood lately when it comes to baking and these bite-sized pies met my big craving. They are really, really easy. Let me show ya. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I used ready to roll refrigerated pie crust. It comes two to a box and if you roll each round pie crust a little bit thinner with a rolling pin, you can get 24 mini pumpkin-shaped pie crusts out of them. Make sure you use all the dough scraps and re-roll to maximize quantities. Then, stuff each one in a mini muffin baking pan. This one holds 24. Press the dough down, in and around the edge of each muffin cup. Make sure the stem for the pumpkin stays sticking out. You’ll n

  The story of the Pilgrims has its origins in early 17 th  Century England. It was at that time, nearly four hundred years ago, when religious persecution was making it difficult for many people to practice their religions and live comfortably and safely in London and in the rural areas outside of London.   England, at that time, was a monarchy. Today, it is a Parliamentary Monarchy in which the Queen has no real power. At that time, however, the King had absolute power over all of the nation’s citizens and, as a result, could make the practice and observance of religion difficult. That is exactly what happened. Persecution ruled the day … especially if the religion you chose to practice was different from the “national religion.” England, at that time and today, as well, was and is primarily Protestant. These persecuted individuals met frequently and, after a time, decided to seek permission to start a new life in “the colonies.” Remember, it was very early in the 17 th  

   This comes from www.increations.blogspot.com .  They would go perfect with some paper flowers or even just by themselves glued to some branches or twigs. How to make paper leaves with veins Recently I've been asked how to make the paper leaves with veins I sometimes use in my greeting cards. Let me show you my way of doing this in a step-by-step tutorial. 1. Cut out a paper leaf. I usually fold a sheet of colored paper in two and cut a symmetrical leaf shape around the fold. 2. Fold the leaf in two. 3. Grip it with narrow pointed tweezers , where you want a vein to be. Tip of the tweezers should be as close to the fold as possible. 4. Without releasing the grip of the tweezers, twist them clockwise or counterclockwise, whichever works best for you. 5. You've got a nice crease. Move the tweezers further on a little bit. 6. Twist again, without releasing the grip.