35 More Days Until Christmas: Tip From Grandma Izzy

My Grandma Izzy always decorated her house with wonderful little scenes that made such an impression of what "Christmas" looked like in my little mind. There was a small village under the tree with a train that wove its way around the tree, a crèche with sweet little animals looking in, (some were plastic toy animals) also tinsel, lights and angels all around. She used whatever she had to embellish what she had saved over the years. The result was glorious.

Today we hear the mantra "recycle/re-use".. but Grandma did these things for the sake of being thrifty. For example, she would use Christmas cards from the previous year that were sent as large gift tags that decorated the box beautifully. She also re-used gift wrapping paper, wrapped gifts in oatmeal boxes, nut tins and cereal boxes. She even wrapped some gifts in tin foil, (it's shiny and pretty - why not?)

While surfing the blogs this morning I saw this card luminary and it reminded me of my Grandma. She would have enjoyed this idea...

Southern Living's Caramel Pecan Pie

Easy and Nummy!

Caramel-Pecan Pie

Prep: 20 min., Bake: 38 min., Cook: 7 min.

1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts
28 caramels
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted
Chocolate-Dipped Pecans (optional)

Fit piecrust into a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp. Prick bottom and sides of piecrust with a fork.

Bake piecrust at 400° for 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned; cool on wire rack.

Combine caramels, butter, and 1/4 cup water in large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, 5 to 7 minutes or until caramels and butter are melted; remove from heat.

Stir together sugar and next 3 ingredients. Stir into caramel mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in pecans. Pour into prepared crust.

Bake pie at 400° for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°, and bake 20 more minutes, shielding edges of crust with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning. Remove pie to a wire rack to cool. Top with Chocolate-Dipped Pecans, if desired.

Yield: Makes 8 servings

Great Christmas Time Sites

www.buymommade.org

This is a great spot to shop for Christmas gifts. Order now to ensure proper planning time on wrapping and presentation.

www.tipjunkie.com

I receive an e-mail from them every day and I'm amazed at how often it serves a door to my inner-creative woman. I LOVE it! Right now you can download a free Christmas organizer to help you get through the season with more good memories than frayed and frustrated ones.

http://www.knoxvilletennessee.com/christmas/stories/

GREAT Christmas stories. One idea for this year is to start a Christmas story book of your own for your family. Every year, take a 'new to you' story, or perhaps a favorite old one. Read it to the kids, let them create pictures for the story, and then add it to a binder that you store with your Christmas ornaments. You can also add a summary of each Christmas with pictures and thgouths of the season. After the years go by and the kids have grown, you will have a treasure to give back to them as you copy the collection and gift it to their families.

http://www.joyfulheart.com/

This is a great site to encourage and inspire, to anchor your heart and spirit to the true meaning of Christmas.