Last Minute Jewelry Designs

I'm hosting our neighbors for holiday open house tomorrow evening so I'm busy getting ready for that and also finishing the Christmas gift shopping.  I made some jewelry pieces for family members over the weekend that I thought I'd share.  These designs are available in my Etsy shop. 

Bubble Pendant

Detailed Hoop Earrings

Silver Disc earrings      Copper Chained earrings

Rack of Pork for Quick and Elegant Dinner

Crown Roast of Pork is one of my favorite holiday meals.  But, if you are having a small dinner party a rack of pork is the way to go.  

Tell your butcher how many bones you would like.   Ask him to "French" the bones, which means he will trim the meat and fat from the ribs.  Before you roast the meat, cover the bones with foil so they don't burn.  I made a rub of olive oil, salt and pepper with chopped fresh thyme, sage and rosemary.  

Preheat oven to 425 and roast pork for 15 minutes and then turn down heat to 275 and roast until internal temperature of pork is 140. (about 20 minutes per pound)  Allow meat to rest a few minutes and then slice between ribs and serve.  I like to offer a chutney with the meat.

Whipped sweet potatoes would be a great side dish as would a butternut squash and sage risotto.  I served my favorite Wild Rice Stuffing with Pearl Onions, Dried Cherries and Apricots.

Happy Weekend

I found this great glass bowl at Marshalls for $10!

I think it makes a great vessel for bright colored Christmas balls.

I don't know about you but I've got lots of shopping, baking, planning and decorating to do this weekend.  I'll have the holiday music playing, an aromatic candle burning, and a (gas) fire in the fireplace while I work and I'll take pleasure in every minute of it.  

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy!

Gift Guide: Men

 A few ideas for the guys on your list

Tiffany 1837 Valet Key Ring $170

Hubby says this is one of his favorite gifts. 

A very smart umbrella stand with a sponge base to catch drips. $179.

Nontron Steak knives about $160 for 6

Individually crafted the same way for the past 500 years in the Dordogne region of France

Call Euroblade, 800 706-0183 for the list of handle woods and colors and to order.

Stocking stuffer for geeks, MoviePeg is the "no-hand" stand for your iphone, or ipad. $7.99

A very practical Mighty Wallet made of Tyvek  so it is lightweight and tough. $15

Gadget Gifts 

1 Bamboo iphone case waveaudio.com

2  Amazon.com: Grandmax Tweakers Mini-Boom Speakers for iPod/Mp3 Players..., $27

3  Ziplinq Retractable 3.5mm White Earbuds at Retractablecables

Men's Refueling Kit  $29.50 ($44 value)

Tinsel Wreath and Glitter

We will be back in the Bahamas for Christmas so over the Thanksgiving vacation, my daughter and I got a bit crafty and made some ornaments using local materials.  

These decorated shells just need some ribbon to be transformed into ornaments.

Color inspiration palette.                                         Martha Stewart glitter from Michael's

Idea and directions from Martha Stewart Living here.  This was a lot harder than you would think to get the right effect.  Messy too so I'm glad we could do it outside.  

I'm sorry I can't remember on which blog I saw this idea for a tinsel wreath but it couldn't be more simple.  This was a 12 inch round and used 24 feet of tinsel garland.  Anchor the garland with hot glue gun and then just wind it around the form.

 All it needs it a big bow.  

Puzzling

I've been seeing puzzle motif in all sorts of products so I thought I'd put together a post that includes puzzle gift ideas.  Have fun checking it out.

These puzzleboards multi-task as serving plate, cutting board and when lined up, as a table runner or large work space. Each piece $26

Cute way to cut a sandwich in half or make a bread puzzle.  Puzzle Shape Sandwich Cutters (Set of 4) $14.21

A Puzzle Stool can be used as seating or a side table.  Available in mango wood and foil covered mango wood, these stools interlock to make a larger table.  Price upon request.

Some Etsy Finds

1 cuff links $19.99 geekcuffs  2 Autism awareness necklace $18 tamanthajewellry  3 set of 4 coasters $20 zipper8design 4 keychain $34 SilverShedStudio

Elephant with calf kid's puzzle $14.95 usnavyretiredvet on Etsy

Holiday Houses

I'm back from my week in the Bahamas and gone are my bathing suit and flip flops, exchanged for coat and gloves.  It is definitely time to formulate a plan for the holidays.  I've sent out invitations for two parties.  

We are hosting a weeknight open house for neighbors next week.  In Michigan, once it gets cold, you don't see neighbors again until it is warm, so it will be nice get together.  

The Sunday before Christmas is our annual Christmas cocktail party.  We invite friends and work colleagues for "sips and nibbles".  Hubby and I make all the food and often as early as July, people start asking what the theme of the party will be.  I'm still in the planning stage and can't answer that yet.

I have very fond memories of family gingerbread decorating parties hosted by my friend Kathy.  She and her husband, James, would make gingerbread structures, one per family and tubs of frosting.  Each family would brings bags and bags of candy to decorate the structures.  The kids would slather on creamy, white frosting and then add decor in the form of candy, marshmallows and cereals with their own creative style.  The decorated houses would last a long time as they were assembled with a hot glue gun for stability.  

Holiday Houses by Spiralstyle on Polyvore.com

1  Gingerhaus Ultimate Gingerbread House Kit - Sur La Table, $25

2  No-Bake Winter Wonderland Gingerbread House Kit | Williams-Sonoma, $20

3  fredflare.com | 877-798-2807 | mini gingerbread house kit, $16

4  Gingerbread House Kit $29.95 King Arthur Flour 

Buying a gingerbread house kit would be an easy way to create a holiday house.  Assemble the house and then have fun decorating.  Your imagination and creativity can run wild.

This cute little cabin is made of graham crackers.  The directions are here from the Martha Stewart website.  This could be a really fun party idea for kids or adults.  

If you are really ambitious, try this Martha Stewart peppermint house.