Monday, December 8, 2008

Deck the Halls

Sat was the day set aside to drag out all the Christmas decorations. Before getting started Sat morning, I thought I'd take a few minutes to check my favourite blogs and found Libby's wonderful post of trees and quilts. She gave me the enthusiasm I needed to start digging out the boxes from under the basement stairs. We don't have much room anymore for a big tree, so last year I bought this skinny tree and it's pre-lite, save on the chore of stringing the lights.
Bringing out all the hand-made decorations brings back so many memories of Christmas past. A wool star I made a couple of years ago, there is a mitten, stocking and holly wool ornaments that go with this one.
Back in the day when I did cross-stitch I made a few of these. There are four in total, I've always wanted to make more.
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Last year I did a swap with Karen and she made this awesome wool framed Santa for me, he will always have a special spot in my decorating.
Another older Santa I bring out every year.
I have a small snowman collection that I put on my quilt rack. The tall snowman I made in the early 90's.
A little closer view of the left side of the rack.
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Now a view of the right side of the rack.
The snowman garland was also from early 90's. This is the banister going upstairs.
A closer view.
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This one is for Karen the "Queen of Cream Cheese", Karen you gotta try these, I'd send some to you but I think the postman would eat it all before they get to you...LOL. I love everything about Christmas baking, as you can see we've been enjoying a few Pumpkin bars already. I still have more baking but that will be closer to Christmas, my daughter and I will spend the day together making all the favorites.

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Mix dry ingredients together:
  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 2 Cups Sugar
  • 2 tsp. Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp. Baking Soda
  • 1 tsp. Cinnamon
Beat wet ingredients together:
  • 4 Eggs Beaten
  • 1 Cup Canned Pumpkin
Mix wet and dry ingredients together and add 1 1/2 cups of chopped walnuts (I didn't add the nuts in mine) Pour into ungreased jelly roll pan.

Bake at 325F for 20 to 30 minutes (mine took only 20 min)

Now the best part "The Cream Cheese Frosting"
Beat all ingredients until smooth:
  • 8oz Cream Cheese
  • 3/4 Cup Butter
  • 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
  • 2 1/2 Cups Powdered Icing Sugar
ENJOY

33 comments:

Abby and Stephanie said...

Beautiful! I love the quilt behind the tree and oh I love the snowmen on the mantle with the wooden spools. Hurry up Christmas!

Libby said...

What a wonderful tour of your home and decorations . . . . I just love the banister all decked with garland and the holly with berries on the quilt rack - not to mention the quilt itself *s*
Thank you for the recipe - a new one to add to my collection. I can almost taste is just reading the ingredients *yummy*

Cathy said...

What gorgeous Christmas decorations!! Love all your snowmen!! Cathy

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Wendy I love all your handmade decorations - especialy the star with the tree on it - so cute. And the quilt on the wall next to the tree is gorgeous! Oh that dessert sounds decadent too. YUMMO! Fun post!

em's scrapbag said...

Your decorations are festive and fun. The pumpkin bars look sooo yummy. I'm going to have to try them. Thanks for sharing.

Christine said...

I love your holiday decorations. I've not been in the mood to decorate, thank you for the inspiration. I needed a kick in the pants.

Unknown said...

I love, love, love your decorations.

Carol said...

Your decorations are wonderful! And those pumpkin bars...I'm on my way!

Candace said...

Wendy, everything is so beautiful and I just love your handmade decorations! Thanks so much for the recipe - everyone who knows me knows that I can't resist anything made with pumpkin - including beer!
Cheers!

Unknown said...

Your decorations are beautiful! I love the quilt that is hanging and the old spools. Thanks for the recipe, it looks yummy!

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Oh my goodness, now I want a pumpkin bar. What are the toothpicks in there for??? LOLOL You know I had to ask.
Love your decorations. Looking festive over there. Everything is wonderful.

julieQ said...

Love your decorations, I have snowmen too! Your cake is wonderful, thank you for sharing the recipe. I will make this one, this week!

Judy said...

Wow thanks for the lovely look around your home Wendy! Everything looks so special!

Ginger Patches said...

Thanks for the tour of your home, I love your decorations! I really like your snowman collection. I made my favorite chocolate chip pumpkin bread today...when it's gone I'll to try those pumpkin bars--yummy!!!

Quilterin said...

Your christmas decocation is adorable!
Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Sherry said...

Thank you so much for the Christmas tour, loved it! :) I know what you mean about Libby's house getting you inspired, did me too. I love that wool star. I still have ornaments my kids made in preschool & grade school & they are way up in their 20s! :) Thanks too for the pumpkin bar recipe, they look delicious! Happy Holidays!

Karen said...

Wendy, Wendy, Wendy,
I just love your Christmas decorations. Your home is beautiful. I love the country look too. The red and yellow walls are such beautiful backgrounds to your decorations and quilts.
And those yummy pumpkin bars. I hope you don't mind, but I had to print out the recipe. I may serve those to the kids for Christmas.
Thanks so much for sharing your home and creations with us.
Hugs,
Karen

Quilter Going Bananas said...

Enjoyed your pics thoroughly; just love all your snowmen :^)

Gina said...

love the decorations. I've still got to do mine

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Karen said...

Wendy - you sure know how to hurt a gal, LOL. Tempting me with that cream cheese yummy. Those look like they are being enjoyed around your house and I agree with you - I LOVE to bake and am looking forward to a little holiday baking. Thanks for the recipe.

Your decorating looks so pretty. Isn't it fun to go down memory lane when we unpack that stuff. Like my plastic santa - there are things that just need to go up every year.

Hugs - Karen

tami said...

Your decorating looks great. All ready for Christmas.

Darlene said...

Oh, Wendy I love it all. So warm and inviting! Can I come to visit - I won't stay long - just long enough to enough a cup of something warm, a piece of your cake and time to take a closer look at everything. Sigh!

Carrie P. said...

Love your decorations. The snowman collection is my favorite along with the quilt. Lovely.

Dionne said...

Your decorations are wonderful, and that cake is to die for !
YUMMY!

Yvonne said...

It all looks so wonderful and festive. You have some really nice decorations! Recipe is looking pretty good too. :)

WhiteStone said...

Love the decos. I would love to try the pumpkin recipe, too, but I see that it does not have oil? Is this a misprint? If not, and if it is a non-fat version, I'd love to try it. Let us now! Thanks.

Knot Garden said...

All your Chrismas decorating looks wonderful. The beautiful quilt on the rack is the perfect accent. Love that wool star ornament!

*karendianne. said...

This "Karen" thinks those Pumpkin Bars look perfect because this "Karen" loves cream cheese frosting, too!

I might have to try this!

Kim said...

Merry Christmas!

Becky said...

I have been reading your blog for a few weeks now and enjoy it thoroughly. I have even made a few fabric baskets from the link to the Pink Penguin tutorial. Thanks!! Your Christmas decorations are just lovely and make your house look cozy! Is the Polka Dot Girls quilt book sold in Canada? It doesn't seem to be distributed in the US. Merry Christmas!!

MARCIE said...

Oh Wendy what fun to see all your decorations! I need that wool star to make next year! Your red quilt is wonderful! I want an all red quilt too! I'm not begging--just saying...

Carole said...

What a lovely home you have and so beautifully decorated! It's just so inviting. You are such a talented quilter! thank you for sharing!

Christine said...

Your decorations are lovely. I like the cross-stitch santa ... used to do a lot of cross-stitch myself ... I love the red quilt on your hanger.