Bathroom Decor

I was bored with the towel rack in my bathroom and had some left over horseshoes. I decided to turn them into towel holders. I had my hubby weld a a piece of metal to the horse show and then I painted them black. I also had found an awesome toilet paper holder in Vegas. I painted it black so it would match. I also had some left over barbed wire. I painted it black and added flowers to make a cute wreath for the bathroom.

Just a quick and easy bathroom update without spending much money.

~Chelsea

Ten Days of Christmas~Day 10 Christmas Cookies

Today was my first day of Christmas Break.I spent the day wrapping gifts, baking cookies and cleaning up. Last week was a busy week with our Christmas Performance, decorating gingerbread houses and an ugly sweater party.

Even though I have been super tired today I managed to bake and decorate 5 dozen sugar cookies.

I divided the cookies up into clear bags and put them in the gift bags I am giving out.

~Chelsea

Gingerbread Houses

Last week my class decorated gingerbread houses. We used graham crackers, icing and a ton of candy to create some wonderful houses. The kids had a blast decorating them

In the past the houses have always been sturdy and never broke. This year it has been raining and very moist outside. We noticed the gingerbread houses were more fragile than in years past. I had to take a picture of this sad little house. Some kids who had their roves collapse announced they had flat top houses like the adobe houses we had read about in a story. Third graders are very resourceful.

I had to try and make a three story house. The next day our elf Si started eating it.

~Chelsea

Ten Days of Christmas- Day 9 Pomegranate Jelly

Pomegranate Jelly

Day 9

 A lady I work with gave me a gallon container of fresh pomegranate juice. It tastes wonderful and I was so excited to not have to squeeze pomegranate seeds. I was able to make two batches and have quite a lot of jars for gifts.

 Here is the recipe I used:

• 4 cups of pomegranate juice
• One box of powdered pectin
• 5 cups of sugar

Prepare jars and lids for canning. This recipe fills six 8 oz jars. Mix juice and pectin. Stir with a whisk until it boils. Once it boils add sugar and stir together. Bring it to a hard boil. Let it boil for 1 minute. Then pour it into jars. Place jars in large bot of boiling water for 10 minutes. After ten minutes let jars sit in pot for 5 minutes. Remove jars from pot and let them sit for 24 hours.

~Chelsea

Ten Days of Christmas- Day 8 Chicken Feed Bags

Ten Days of Christmas Day 8- Chicken Feed Bags

Today I used some chicken feed sacks to make tote bags. I thought these might be fun to hold the gifts I am making. Overall this is a very simple project.

To start make a straight cut through the bottom of the bag and roll it inside out. Them sew along the bottom of the bag. Next to make the corners cut out a 4 inch square from the corners. Then sew them.

Now fold it right side out. To make the handles I just used left over feed sack from the top.

~Chelsea

Ten days of Christmas-Day 7 Cookies

Day 7 Trail Mix Cookies

I love these cookies. I randomly created them once. I was planning on making chocolate chip cookies and didn't have a full bag of them. I had oatmeal and some raisins and viola, I created Trail Mix Cookies. Now I make them each year at Christmas.

Here is the recipe:

It makes about 5 dozen cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
3/4 cups butter
1/4 cup shortening
2 large eggs
3 tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups oats
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda, salt, and baking powder
*Here is where the trail mix comes into play: Now add two cups of a mix of chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans,craisins, raisins or what ever else you want to add.

• Preheat oven to 350
• Mix sugars, butter, and shortening together.
• Add egg, milk and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients together.
• Slowly add  dry mixture to butter mixture.
• Once mixed together add in trail mix items.
• Chill mixture in fridge for 1 hour
•  Place spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes.

ENJOY!

~Chelsea

Ten Days of Christmas Day 6- Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards

Day 6

I love creating our Christmas card each year. This year I used our wreath from the front door and had our dog Sadie wear it. She is such a good sport and is very used to the silly things I make her do.

~Chelsea