Tag Archives: homespun Christmas

Pioneer Homemade Christmas-How to Make an Evergreen Swag

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Our pioneer forefather’s didn’t decorate as lavishly as we do. Depending on the region they lived and items on hand, there would be popcorn chains, cranberry chains, cedar boughs, paper chains, or small hand crafted ornaments.

In ode to that I went traipsing outdoors to cut my own evergreen boughs for a swag. I actually intended to make a wreath, but I know how to improvise when in doubt. So, I made a swag.

We have an abundant of trees on our acreage, but if you don’t, it only takes about four small branches, so I’m sure if you asked a neighbor, they wouldn’t mind a bit. I actually trimmed one branch that was beginning to stick too far out in the driveway.

I recommend chosing cedar or pine. Hemlock looks lacy and intricate, but it drops its needles fast. Cedar drapes so prettily and smells like Christmas, so that was my choice, but if you wanted different textures you could combine pine and some holly sprigs.

Gather your branches, I cut part of branches, varying in lengths. Then lay them out.

cedar boughs

Lay your largest branch down first then layer the others on top until it looks good to you. Next, using twine or wire, (I had twine on hand from tying up the raspberries), tie the tops of the branches together, making sure to leave a loop for hanging your swag.

Tie your branches together

Now, attach a bow to the top, hiding your twine or wire. You can hot glue pinecones or ornaments to your swag for added glitz. I used a few red berries picks and just twisted the end of the pick onto the branch. Put your wreath hangar on your door and hang up your masterpiece.

Cedar Swag

Now you have a beautiful piece to greet guests. The boughs will last for at least a month or two outside in the cooler temps.

Merry Christmas!

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Twitt

Pioneer Homemade Christmas Day 2- How to Make Non-Alcohol Mint Extract

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Is there any combination better suited than mint and chocolate? I couldn’t think of one either!

I wanted to make mint extract, but almost everything I could find involved alcohol. Which is fine for baking because the alcohol content bakes out, but I wanted to be able to serve my kids homemade mint hot chocolate. So, I came across this recipe and couldn’t wait to share it with you! 

I had mint leaves from my herb garden and harvested them fresh. Take equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. I did 1/2 cup of each and pour in a Mason jar. If using fresh leaves, rinse and pat dry your leaves. Crush and bruise (this step is important) a 1/2 cup of fresh leaves and dump in the jar with vinegar and water. Put on lid and band and then shake vigorously. Make sure all the leaves are covered in the liquid. If using dried leaves, just a 1/4 cup.

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Twitt

Pioneer Homemade Christmas-Day 1 Pumpkin Applesauce Cake

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I’m thrilled to announce I’m doing a guest post over on New York Best Seller author Cindy Woodsmall’s blog and it’s the start of my 8 part Pioneer Homemade Christmas series! (Tomorrow, Day 2 involves mint and chocolate)

I love this picture. I took it in our back pasture last year. God truly does create the best art, doesn’t He?

Hop on over to Cindy’s blog and see my tutorial for making homemade applesauce that involves NO peeling or chopping apples!

Then my recipe for pumpkin applesauce cake with a buttermilk glaze that is soooo moist and yummy. We eat it for dessert and breakfast, because hey, it has fruit and vegetables in it. That makes it healthy enough for breakfast, right?

Head over to Cindy’s blog for the complete recipe. www.cindywoodsmall.com

A jar of homemade applesauce with this cake would make a lovely gift. Or a jar of applesauce with the dry ingredients and recipe in another Mason jar. Did I mention I love Mason jars?

Day 2-Pioneer Homemade Christmas How to Make Non-Alcohol Mint Extract and Hot Chocolate Mix.

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Twitt

Crocheted Flower Hat Pattern for a Homemade Gift

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Crocheted beanie hats with flowers on the side are very fashionable right now. They’re gracing the heads of infants on up to teens and adults. If you have the basic crochet stitches down and possess a pioneer spirit of I can make it myself, then you can make one of these darlings in an evening.

The color choices are endless. Here’s a picture of the infant version. You can clip an artificial flower on. (I hot glue a flower to a metal alligator clip, then you can also use it as a barret or an a headband)

Infant crochet hat w/ flower clip

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or, you can crochet a flower and then sew it on.

Both are cute and depend upon your on hand supplies.

Infant hat with crocheted flower

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a toddler hat I made for my daughter to match her new coat.

I have an obsession with pink and brown. I did use infant yarn on this hat, the others were regular.

Toddler hat

And here’s an adult version. You can do stripes, I actually didn’t have enough yarn to do all purple, so I used scraps. Buttons or jewels look cute in the center of the flower. You can change yarn to do an outer edge in a different color, or do two flowers and then layer them.

Adult crochet flower hat

Here’s the link to the pattern I used for the hat. I used it as a base pattern for the adult hat too, I just kept repeating round 4 until it was large enough to fit my head and then continued with the instructions for round 5 until it fit.

Here’s the instructions for the flower embellishment. There is a hat pattern listed here also, but I preferred the above pattern myself. I just found a pattern for the layered flower here, it gives instructions for three different sizes you then sew together as one.

For a boy or man’s hat, I like to do dark colors, though school colors would work for a teenager or the favorite sport team colors for your sport fanatic adult. (I’d leave off the flower though, hee, hee) Another fun option is camouflage yarn.

If you’re pressed for time but would like to give other homemade gifts or baking, check out this post.

Please share any tips or links you have to fun crochet projects. If you have any questions on the pattern, I’ll help as best as I can.

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Twitt

Tips for quick homemade Christmas baking and gifts

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Do you ever find yourself short on time and money during the Christmas season? Living over forty miles from the closest mall and stop light, time is the one thing I find myself short on. I can’t just run to the store for a forgotten gift, unless I can find three hours to spare.

Here’s some tips for easy gift ideas and ways to cut time and still be able to get homemade goodies baked.

1. Make your dough ahead of time. I mix up a enough pastry dough for two double crusts pies and divide into four balls. Wrap it in plastic wrap and toss it in the freezer. When I need to bake a pie or pop a quick Quiche in the oven for breakfast or dinner, I just need to open my freezer door. You can either thaw the dough in the fridge overnight or leave it on the counter for about an hour and a half. I also do this with cookie dough. It works great for sugar cookies, no waiting for that dough to chill before rolling. Just be sure to thaw in the fridge for a few hours. I do the same with chocolate chip cookies, but freeze the dough in a log and then chop while still frozen and bake at normal temp and time.
2. Baking mixes in a jar. Grab some quart size mason jars. I pick up extras at garage sales throughout the year for this. Fill them with your favorite dry ingredients for cookies or brownies. I like to add the Christmas colored M&M’s, or crunch up some candy canes for the top layer on brownies. Use your imagination. A cute circle of fabric for the top and tie it with some ribbon or raffia. Be sure to include the directions for the liquids and baking. These are especially nice for neighbors, co-workers, and teachers.
My mother made brownie mixes this way a few years ago and when we were invited to a last-minute party, I just tossed a pan in the oven and didn’t have to worry about finding something to bake.
3. Snowman poop. Yes, you read this right! Simply use a packet of hot cocoa mix, top with mini-marshmallows, and tie on a candy cane. There are tons of recipes on-line for this. You can put the ingredients in a mug or dump the cocoa in a Ziploc bag or clear cellophane and add some curled ribbon. Here’s an adorable site w/ instructions.
4. Bring out the crock pot. Finding time to cook a meal for your family can be hard during all the extra holiday activities. Toss your favorite recipe in the slow cooker. Almost everything you cook in the regular oven can be adapted to the slow cooker. Just add a little extra liquid. Or, put oatmeal in the night before and set on low. Breakfast is served!

Another time and money saver, win a free book! Here’s two books I’m offering up to one winner. A Log Cabin Christmas Collection and Valley of Dreams.

I’d love to hear what gifts you make or tips for saving time in the kitchen.

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Twitt