Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to wish all the Dad's who read this forum a Happy Father's Day!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! I have not been blogging lately because everything has been so crazy with getting ready for the holidays. We will be back after the New Year. Hope you all had a great 2008!

Christmas Stockings

I think Christmas Stockings make a nice little accessory to any tree. Ours hang on the fireplace and my stocking resembles a Dorothy's slippers. I found a few others that I like for kids or adults.

Telluride Ice Skating Stocking - sale for $19.99 at potterybarnkids.com

Made out of ecospun felt which is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

Ecofriendly Personalized Christmas Stocking - $21.00 by rikak on Etsy.com

Personalized Holiday Cutwork Stocking - $34 at Williams-Sonoma.com

Cool Gingerbread Houses

I'm always a fan of gingerbread houses but to be honest I don't think I have ever made one from scratch by myself. I have made a gingerbread house with a home ec. class many moons ago. I've made tons of gingerbread (and molasses) cookies but just have never shaped the dough into a house on my own. It seems like more of a group project. I have come across a few pretty cool gingerbread houses and thought I would share. Have you ever made one?

The door mat can be personalized with a name up to 8 letters

Personalized Gingerbread Manor - $249.95 at Williams-Sonoma.com

Wisconsin Cheeseman Gingerbread House - $44.99 at wisconsincheeseman.com

I love this one because it's great for sending to relatives (like mine in Vermont).

Personalized Small Gingerbread House - $59.99 at 1800flowers.com

The above is my favorite. This picture was taken by Shealah Craighead and features a gingerbread house created by Thaddeus Dubois for the White House!

Favorite Christmas Movies

What are your favorite Christmas movies? I saw Charlie Brown's Christmas yesterday and was reminded of my favorites. I have a friend who every single year watches "It's a Wonderful Life" with her mom.

A Charlie Brown Christmas - $13.99 at Amazon.com

It's a Wonderful Life - $13.99 at amazon.com

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - $11.99 at amazon.com

Christmas Craft Kits

These craft kits are such a great idea for kids around Christmas. I also love the idea Darcy has about having these kits available at a grandparents houses. I would have loved a little kit like this when I was younger and my grandparents would have appreciated the fact that this kit helps to avoid a lot of the mess.

With this kit, all of the planning and organizing of the materials has already been done for you. Materials are can vary but all will coordinate nicely. Each kit contains easy step-by-step instructions with color photographs and most materials are included. You will have to supply scissors and a permanent marker.

Kit is ideal for ages 3 and up! Also a great idea to leave behind with the babysitter or keep on hand for a rainy day.

Snow Man Kid Kit - $11.50 by Andthen on Etsy.com

Holiday Bibs

I just wanted to show you all a few holiday bibs. I love the idea of the naughty and nice bibs for twins!

Naughty and Nice Bibs - $9.99 for both by babysewhappy on Etsy.com

Personalized Baby's First Hannukah Bib - $11.94 at walmart.com

Personalized Reindeer Bib - $20 at warmbiscuit.com

Cool Hanukkah Menorahs

Hanukkah this year is on December 21st and in honor of the festival of lights I thought we'd feature some cool childrens menorahs!

First up is the kids musicians menorah which measures 12-1/4"l x 3"t x 2-1/2"

Kids Musicians Menorah - $38 at thejewishmuseum.org

Next, is this adorable ballerina menorah. I love how cute the little girls look on that ballet bar!

Ballerina Menorah - $125 at thejewishmuseum.org

Last but not least is the train menorah. So sweet...

Train Menorah - $32 at thejewishmuseum.org

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am sorry I wasn't able to write sooner but I wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! I have so many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for my family, friends and those of you who have come to visit our blog and forum. Thank you so much for checking in with us and also for submitting interesting products for us to write about. I'm also thankful for my dogs and so blessed to be working for the company I currently work for.
I am back to baking my apple stuffing now and hope that it turns out okay. Wishing you all the best! Please let me know about any standout recipes you used this year!

No Crust Pumpkin Pie

While many of you may think that pumpkin pie without the crust is just plain heresy, I happen to like the idea. I love the crust on apple and berry pies but for years I have just eaten the pumpkin filling along with cream. This year I set out to make a change. I played around with the ingredients as well as baking method and found something that our guests seemed to enjoy. I asked friends their thoughts on making a pumpkin pie without the crust and many did not think it was possible. Well, here's proof that it is:

Joy's Pumpkin Pie without the Crust

1 15 oz can organic pumpkin
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

Bake @ 375 for 15 min to start and then bake at 350 degrees for one hour in ramekins with a bath filled half way. Baking times vary depending on the size of the ramekins you use and your oven. It's pretty hard to mess these up and if you just keep checking them every 10 minutes or so you should be fine. Test with a toothpick for doneness.

Let cool and serve with a dallop of fresh whipped cream!