Windy Sydney

I created these for Earth Day!


In honor of Earth Day I made a vow to make sure none of these cupcakes go to waste. Hehe...

Well, this is the first year the holidays have rolled around and I have been up in the air about what I believe in. I certainly don't take the Bible literally, in all actuality, I have a hard time believing the Bible is holy at all...

This hasn't put a damper on my holiday season, but it has changed how I view it. It's not a celebration of Jesus' birth from a virgin mother in Bethlehem anymore. Instead, it's a time to be thankful for my new knowledge, and to spend time with the people I love.

My problem lies with when people assume I celebrate Christmas. I have been wished a "Merry Christmas" by customers at work, strangers in the grocery store, and over-the-phone customer service representatives.

It's really starting to get to me.

Don't get me wrong... I am not one of those people who is out to change "Christmas Trees" to "Holiday Trees." I don't really care too much if Santa comes to the office to pass out gifts.

My problem lies with when people just assume I agree with the whole story. For the first time, I see this from the other side. For the first time, I see how my Jewish friend must have felt when we were in elementary school and she was the only girl who didn't celebrate Christmas. Her Mom went out of her way to come to the class and share their beliefs, and we all shared potato latkes (something I have loved ever since!).

I am really wondering if I should say something if people wish me a Merry Christmas... The last thing I want to do is offend anyone, but I don't think keeping my mouth shut is going to help me feel anything but more and more angry.

What do you guys think?

Andee

I spent ALL DAY in the kitchen, slaving, decorating and toasting coconut... I am exhausted... and I hated out the cookies turned out. Ick. Maybe I am too picky, and I know I can be a bit of a perfectionist, but I like these boring old Gingerbread men the best...

Andee

Well, I have already posted about my black Friday experience and how insane people get around the Holidays, but this really has nothing to do with the commercial side of the holiday. It has everything to do with memories.

A few minutes ago I was flipping through the television channels and I saw a small clip of one of those old holiday specials, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

I used to sit with my Mom, Dad and brothers and watch these specials every single year. It brought back some fantastic memories, and then I was sad. I miss my Dad, I miss the times that my entire family got together and chilled in front of the television screen. I miss my Mom bringing us a huge batch of rice krispie treats.

I miss the past.

Don't get me wrong, I totally appreciate the things I have now... I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and a good life... I just treasure those times.

Andee

Yes, I know that Halloween isn't over yet, but I can't help it. Every single store I walk into has a giant Christmas display, complete with colorful lights and Christmas Carols coming out of stuffed animals when you push the "press here" button.

Since I am trying to learn photography, and part of that is learning how to take photos of food (lets face it, where would food network be without those gorgeous shots of double chocolate fudge cake and super-cheesy mac and cheese) I thought this would be a cool way to showcase some really cool Christmas food photos I found on flickr. If you want to see more from that particular photographer, just click on their photo!

Cookie Christmas Tree by creative cake maker

christmas cookies 019 by hellonaomi

Christmas Cookies by EverySpoon

Christmas Cookies by MarionQuaggatuggu

"No, I didn't eat the last Christmas Cookies." by Brian Hathcock

Decorated Christmas Cookies Giveaway by E's Joie

christmas cookie by Penguindrooster

Christmas Coffee Cake by Seitti

inside of my Christmas Cake by perago89

This photo was taken early this morning... 10/13/08

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Really.  It is.

Yesterday morning I woke up to a freezing cold bedroom.  I usually sleep with my window cracked open in the summer and fall, and the cold weather caught me by surprise.  I had to talk myself into getting out of bed to close the damn window, and I didn't succeed.  I ended up taking my entire bedspread with me.  

Every store I walk into has a huge Christmas display already set up.  Pre-lit Christmas trees, stockings, ornaments... you name it.  I love the holidays, but when it starts this early I tend to get sick of the constant fa-la-la-la-laaaaing.

Money is tight right now for everyone.  I am not going to have the money to spend on tons of Christmas presents this year.  I am going to have to give out photos I have taken, or baked goods.  I will be a Christmas-cookie baking fool.  I plan on getting some really nice ribbon and wrapping the baked goods to look nicer than they will probably really be.  

Anyway, here are some fun Christmas ideas for everyone... just because...

 Stained Glass Cookies

 Gingerbread Snowflakes

 Cocoa Shortbread Cookies

Check out this idea from my idol, Martha Stewart.

These glasses are filled with a yummy white chocolate milk shake and whipped cream.  The faces can be made two ways... 

First, as the Amazing Martha suggests, use melted milk chocolate and paint the faces on the inside of the glasses with a clean paintbrush.  This is fun for kids to do, a nice party activity.

If that sounds too involved for you, or a little too difficult, try getting clear plastic cups and draw the faces on with a sharpie.  

Why didn't I think of that?

Also, check out this no-sew idea for a Halloween Costume.  It uses bubble wrap (who doesn't like playing with bubble wrap?  Some friends of mine and I played with bubble wrap the other night at work.. good times...) to resemble jellyfish arms... awesome idea.

I also love this idea... tulle, and lots of it.  Easy to make, and a huge impact on any party you might be attending.  If I were young enough to dress up and beg for yummies, I would do this!  You could even use black tulle and go as an evil ghost... 

Andee

Pumpkin Flower Pots

Stacked Pumpkin Creatures

Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Pie

Detail Pumpkins

Creepy Fence

Pumpkin Villiage

Spider Webs

Autumn Leaves

Spiders

Lanterns (this one seems tough!)

Raccoon

Snake

Porcupines... this look is achieved by using white holiday lights...

Owls

My Personal favorite... Cats!