Homemade Christmas - No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies

My mother used to make these all the time. They are easy, quick, and delicious! The perfect cookie to tuck in a handmade gift basket. Enjoy!

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
3 tbsp cocoa
3 cups uncooked quick oatsl
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter (optional)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

In a saucepan combine sugar, butter, milk and cocoa. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly, and boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Quickly stir in the oatmeal, vanilla, peanut butter and nuts. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let set until firm. Makes 2 dozen.

Homemade Christmas - Christmas Snow

I thought it would be fun to share a Homemade Christmas tip

I was reading through The Pioneer Lady's Country Christmas by Jane Watson Hopping. I came across this recipe for homemade Christmas snow. We used to make this to decorate our tree when I was little - it was popular in the 50's.

1/2 cup lukewarm water
1/2 cup plus about 2 slightly rounded tbsps ssoap flakes (Ivory Snow is the best - can you still buy this???)
Plain silver glitter, optional

CAUTION: Make certain that children in the home realize the snow is made of soap and should not be handled or played with.

In a medium-size mixing bowl combine water and soap flakes or granules. (Note: Only gentle flakes or granules will whip up to a meringuelike consistency.) Stir to dissolve, then whip by hand or with an electric beater until homemade snow looks like stiff meringue and holds its shape when spread along the branches of an evergreen gree. Dust with glitter if you wish. The moist snow will dry out overnight and cling tightly to the branches of the tree. Makes about 3 cups.

Preparing for Christmas

It's been so long since I've posted - I have a lot to catch up on! I got the last of my holiday shipping to my customers done today unless there are some last minute purchases. That sure felt good! Now I can start on Christmas preparations here!

I've had a horrible cold and was on the couch for two days. I slept all day on Monday and Tuesday but today I actually feel like I'm among the living again!

We're supposed to get from 5 to 8 inches of snow tomorrow so it will be a good day to get the tree up (yes, I'm very late this year) and get some decorating done. I got all stocked up on groceries today and will start baking in the next few days. Because of everyone's finances being extra tight this year we decided not to exchange gifts. We will buy for the children - my grandsons and Steph - and enjoy watching them open gifts. It's actually been very liberating! I haven't had to make dozens of lists, figure out what to buy, where I was going to get the money, fight the crowds, etc.

I will be making homemade goodies like cookies, fudge, and that kind of thing. I personally feel those are the best gifts anyway. They are gifts from the heart and it doesn't get much better than that.

I haven't been overly busy this holiday season but haven't sat down to visit other's blogs like I usually do. I'm going to spend time this evening getting caught up on what's been going on with my online friends. Tomorrow I will post pictures of our Christmas decorations!!!

Holiday Giveaway

My friend Kim is having a Holiday Giveaway on her blog, Mrs. Morris Art! Pop on over there, leave a comment, and you're entered. She makes the most beautiful things - ceramic drawer knobs, ATC cards, Scrabble Tile Pendants, and more! You know you want this Gift Certificate! The deadline is Sunday, December 14th.

Christmas Bazaar

Yesterday was the Hockinson Christmas Bazaar. I wore my new Holly Apron that I got from Grace (I featured her here on my blog - I love her aprons!) and it was so festive. The picture is not very good - I look like I'm worn out and I was! Four hours of sleep is not enough for a person my age! The day was fun but I sold less than half of what I did last year - not surprising given the economy. I'm grateful for what I did sell though. I met lots of nice people and made some new customers. I have lots of soap, lotion bars, and room spray inventory left over! I'm going to be putting sets together today and listing in my Etsy shop and on eBay.

It's a cold and rainy day here so I'm going to make some soup and homemade bread. Then I'm going try to get this house straightened up. It has been a wreck for the last week with last minute bazaar preparations. It's so bad I can't stand it anymore!!!

I hope that you all have a great Sunday!

Cobalt Blue Glass Giveaway

I love cobalt blue glass! Isn't this little hen adorable?? I've always wanted to collect these little hen dishes. Laurie from Laurie's Cobalt World Blog is having her First Annual Christmas Giveaway! How would you like to be able to choose up to $99 in cobalt blue glassware?? Just hope on over to her blog and enter! If I win I'm choosing this little hen!!! Please let her know that you found her giveaway through my blog. Have fun!

Merry Christmas Giveaway

I just found out about this great Merry Christmas giveaway at A Year From Oak Cottage blog. Hurry - today (11/30) is last day to enter!

I'm Awake From The Turkey Coma

I think I've finally revived from the turkey coma and am getting back to normal! We had such a lovely Thanksgiving and I hope you all did too. The company was wonderful, the food great, and it was just the best day ever! Of course, we ate like there was no tomorrow. I still have 1 pumpkin pie left in the frig - can't believe it's lasted this long!

The bazaar that I'm doing is next Saturday so if I don't post much this next week it will be because I'm up to my eyeballs making snowmen, gift tags, and whatever else I can think of to work on. I've got all my soap done but still have to wrap it all. I don't like to do that much ahead of time as the soap always shrinks and the bands get loose. Wednesday and Thursday will be marathon wrapping days. Sure wish that some of you were here - we could sit around the table, wrap soap, and enjoy each other's company. Kind of like a quilting bee with soap!

Yesterday I got my big craft table moved into the dining room and rearranged my bedroom. Today the dresser will be moved into the bedroom and it will be done except for decorating. I have a swivel rocker in the corner by the window. I can sit there when I read my Bible and look out. I want to find an ottoman to put my feet on when I sit in the rocker. Maybe I can find one at the thrift stores or a garage sale. I'm not sure how I'm liking the size of the table in the dining room. It's about 10" wider than my other one so it sticks out farther. I've had to move the dining table over and things look kind of cramped. I was kind of thinking that I could take the dining table out and make the whole area my studio! I'll have to think on that for a while.

My oven is ready and I'm baking cinnamon rolls for breakfast - the Pillsbury Dough Boy was here this morning and left rolls for me! Have a great Lord's Day!!!

After Thanksgiving FREE Shipping Special

After Thanksgiving Shopping and Shipping Special - through Sunday 11/30 - FREE shipping on everything in my Etsy shop!!! http://therusticcottage.etsy.com

This will be the only free shipping special before Christmas!

Thankful

Lord, I come to you today to bring thanks. Thank you for loving me so much that you gave your only Son to die for my sins. If I had been the only person in the whole world you would have still made the sacrifice just for me. Because of Your grace and mercy I am a sinner who has been set free!

Thank you for your provisions. For a warm home to nest in, for food on the table, for the financial provisions that you provide. These things I have taken for granted in the past. This time of struggle has been a lesson that a loving Father has taught His child - to enjoy the simple things in life and be grateful for even the smallest things.

Thank you for my family. You have blessed me with two beautiful daughters who are the joy of my life. You have blessed me with two grandsons who I adore. My cup runneth over with the blessings of these children and grandchildren. I am blessed to have had the love of a wonderful father and mother who are now with You. I look forward to being able to see them again some day. Thank you for my brother and sister. I am so grateful to have their love and I ask for your blessings on them this Thanksgiving season.

Thank you for my many friends. Thank you for my nearby friends who I am able to be with on a regular basis. They know me, know my heart, and love me anyway. Those are the best kind of friends. Thank you for my far away friends and online friends. Most I've never met but they are so dear to my heart. They lift me up, encourage me, and share their love for which I am so thankful. Bless all of them Lord with your love and grace.

I pray for blessings for each and every person who reads this post. Bless them Lord on this Thanksgiving holiday and all the days ahead.