December 2008
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Snowbound! But there is also good news to share!
Submitted by Pam on Sat, 12/27/2008 - 21:42And the good news first! I am going to continue Gingerbread Snowflakes. But at a slower pace - posting about once or twice a month until the Fall, when I will be back full blast! I am having way too much fun to stop now! I know for sure you can look forward to craft tutorials and maybe a few treasured recipes... who knows.
That Diane, it's all her fault - I am not only hooked, but I would miss all of you so much if I didn't continue. I have made some wonderful new friends and I so appreciate the support all of you have offered me over the past two months. Thank you for being a part of my new adventure.
And now, my snowbound tale.
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Merry Christmas Magic all around us!
Submitted by Pam on Wed, 12/24/2008 - 17:08
Today I am going to take you on a little Christmas journey to learn more about Christmas traditions in countries that have had the greatest influence on my own celebrations and traditions.
We will begin with the holiday itself - its origins and its traditions. These three links offer a wealth of information about the holiday.
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The Sun is returning! Happy Solstice! Happy Yule! Happy ME!
Submitted by Pam on Sun, 12/21/2008 - 18:14 -
Give tradition a try
Submitted by Pam on Fri, 12/19/2008 - 17:49
Ok...so today I am going to climb up on my little soap box! And then I am going to treat you to lots of holiday eye candy!
I am hearing and seeing the words "go green" and "repurposing" and "recycle" everywhere I turn this year.
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Luminarias
Submitted by Pam on Wed, 12/17/2008 - 16:37
It wasn't Christmas when I was growing up without a drive around town on Christmas Eve to see the Luminarias. Actually, they are known as Farolitos (little fires) in New Mexico and the word "Luminaria" is reserved for the small bonfires used to light the way for participants in Las Posadas. But since most of the world knows the little bags with candles in them as Luminiarias or Luminaries, I am using that word in this post.
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December 13th - Santa Lucia Day
Submitted by Pam on Sat, 12/13/2008 - 17:06
Yule lads have arrived! Don't miss them! One will arrive every day from now until Christmas Eve, and you too can share in the fun of their daily visits!
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December 12th - Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Submitted by Pam on Fri, 12/12/2008 - 16:56In Mexico and Latino communities throughout the United States, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated with processions and special church services. You can find beautiful pictures of Our Lady of Guadalupe here.
Debra-Duran Geiger, a Santa Fe artist, designed and hand-painted this lovely representation of Our Lady on high fired ceramic tile. I am so fortunate to have this piece as I understand the artist is no longer making these tiles.
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Espejitos (small mirrors in Spanish)
Submitted by Pam on Thu, 12/11/2008 - 17:37
Get acquainted with the beautiful arts and crafts of Mexico, beginning with these lovely mirrors, the inspiration for my colorful small mirror ornaments. And while you are visiting the mirrors, do a little exploring on the site. So much artistic talent there to enjoy (and of course to purchase.)
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Making Woven Paper Heart Baskets to Celebrate Santa Lucia Day
Submitted by Pam on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 15:25
I have been wanting to learn to make Danish woven paper heart baskets for years, but always felt intimidated by the instructions available to me. So this Fall, Diane and I spent the day together figuring out how to make them. (Of couse, SHE caught on right away and by the time I had finished my first practice basket, she was already in the middle of constructing a 5-strip basket with variations in the strip widths.) Sigh!
I thought I'd share the process of making a basic three-strip basket with you...
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Catching up with holiday craftiness
Submitted by Pam on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 15:43I just have to share some holiday cheer, crafty beauties, and edible art!
I spent most of the Thanksgiving weekend helping my friend Heidi make her very first gingerbread house. My part was strictly instructional - an extra pair of hands when needed for wall support, and a bit of assist with piping on frosting. She chose and applied all the candy and cookie decorations. Notice the little kitty faces in all of the windows - one little candy face to represent each of the four members of her kitty family.
