Favorite Recipes CookbookThis printable recipe card personalized with Smilebox

We emulate what we're taught growing up, and in my case, it was that food is love.  I was raised by a mom who enjoyed baking.  It never had to be fancy, planned, or perfect, but it sure was always yummy and fun.  I've been busy again, creating Storybook Recipe Books as holiday gifts.  Enjoy some of my favorites!

CREDITS:  ASTRID'S ARTISTIC EFFORTS, MOONLIGHT JOURNEY, and PERSONAL PHOTOS.

Merry Christmas to You

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

A holiday wouldn't be complete without creating a special Christmas card and mailing them out to family and friends. This extraordinary angel image is available through Moonlight Journey's 2010 Calendar. You can personalize, crop and edit in a snap and mail them out in just a few days. By the way, don't miss out on a cyber sale at their site!

Thank you all for your kindness and devotion in visiting my blog this year. Merry Christmas everyone!

November Recipe Card

One of the best ways to cheer up a friend is with an old-fashioned sweet treat. And this one was introduced to me at a dinner party many years ago. This brownie recipe is not only beautiful in appearance, but down right spectacular in taste.

By either placing this recipe in a Christmas baking dish, or cutting them up individually and placed on a seasonal plate, you will be hooked. You can pass out a batch of "good cheer" to those that are in need of some extra love.

CREDITS: Images from Moonlight Journey "Vintage Ladies Holiday Pennant Banner" and Creative Memories.

Pretty Gift Card Holders

Packaging gifts is something I like to do. I do have some loved ones that are hard to buy for or prefer giftcards or cash. I love to give people what they really want, but I look for ways to make it special. Call me fussy, I just challenged myself for unique ways of giving giftcards and cash.

I simply cut two squares of fabric (good side outward), stitched around three sides leaving an opening, and then used pinking shears to add a pretty edge. I didn't want the giftcard to take center stage, but rather blend in nicely with the paper art. Embellishing each pocket with a scalloped 1-1/2" edge on the end of the opening, and the latest images from Moonlight Journey called "Vintage Angels" work beautiful for Christmas gifts. Just imagine the possibilities, It's a great way to use up some tiny scraps of paper too!

I'll tell you that if you are making one, it's addictive. I started out making nine, and made six more that I want to coffee stain. This is a great project to make in mass so that you have gift holders on hand when you bring that giftcard home from the grocery store.

CREDITS: Lisa Super at anartsygirl.blogspot.com. and MOONLIGHT JOURNEY "Vintage Angels"

Christmas Magic

Growing up, Christmas was a huge celebration. My mom always loved the holidays from the tree, the lights, family holiday parties, and the piles of gifts under the tree.

I have begun making a few gifts, and no detail will be unnoticed when you use these gorgeous tags from Moonlight Journey and magical beads from Fire Mountain Beads.

January Recipe Cards

Above recipe card by Nancy Van Hoose

"Alice in Wonderland" images

available through Moonlight Journey.

Above two cards created by Sherry Reiber

Some of the images above

available through Sherry on

her Creative Memories website.

When my sisters and I were growing up, my mom was the best cook. Oh, how all of us remember some of her specialties like Beef Stroganoff, Lemon Meringue Pie, or fresh Apple Pie. I remember my mom for her Spanish rice.....which caused me to wish I could go to a friend's house for dinner on the days it was prepared. But always on my birthday, she made me a Burnt Sugar Cake, which I absolutely loved with "Mrs. Purdy's Creme Frosting."

Once again this year, I have joined a recipe club where a dozen gals exchange their family recipes artistically on a 5" X 8" card. It is more than just getting a beautiful card. It is a monthly retreat where we tell our stories, share our talents, our skills, our secrets, and how each of we women journey through our lives.

Many thanks to each and every one of my recipe card friends for letting me get to know you a little bit more, hear about your gardens, farms, and discover different lifestyles than my own.

And so, let me share 12 months of some of favorite recipe cards in the future year. I regret that I cannot post each and every card I receive due to time restraints.

Happy Holidays

Friends, family, fellow bloggers, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I have had a year's worth of joy to thank you for. I love receiving your encouraging comments, thus helping me to focus more on my art, my family and the blessings of life. I am so grateful for my health and the unpredictable joys of each day.

We all know that these are stressful times and I pray that this message finds you at a place of peace. My prayer for you and your loved ones this Christmas is that you can focus on the abundance and make it a point to chuckle now and then.

Take care of yourself this year!

Merry Christmas to all.

Nancy

Winter Wonderland

Yesterday we spent almost four hours traveling across and back the upper peninsula on our way to Marquette to do last minute holiday shopping. There is not much salt applied to roads up here, mostly sand. It looks rather slippery, however, it is not. Our first stop was the North Pole, in Christmas, Michigan. My mom had her Christmas cards to mail. How cool is that to have your greeting cards postmarked with "Christmas, Michigan" on every envelope?

Check out these street signs!

Our holiday visit is rapidly coming to an end. My dear husband has been so patient with three ladies for the week, driving us all over the place. He usually refers to me as "Miss Daisy" when asked what have you been doing this week with those back home. Tomorrow we will have to sadly pack up again on our long drive home to southern Michigan. We will, of course, stop in Mancelona to visit my daughter, Amy, and her husband Derek to spend a few days enjoying each other's company playing cards and more Christmas celebration.

I am keeping warm and knitting some last minute gifts for family back at home. I think it may be time for some of my sister's fabulous hot chocolate. Jim Carey's movie "A Christmas Carol" is scheduled for tonight's viewing pleasure.

Downtown in Grand Marais, Michigan

Main Street in Grand Marais, Michigan East Side

This is the town where my mom and sister live in the upper peninsula. It is a very small town that is really quite lovely in the summer months. The winter months can be very brutal. The view of the bay is very picturesque. It is a great place to relax, feel the warm summer breezes, however winter can be menacing.

Main Street in Grand Marais, Michigan facing South West Side

Mini Street Plower, Grand Marais, Michigan

Medical Center, Grand Marais, Michigan

The post office in Grand Marais, Michigan

Tomorrow I will try to post some photos of the lake in it's winter fury.

Greetings, again, from the north country.

Nancy

Holiday Visit to the Great Up North

Grand Marais, Michigan USA

Lake Superior, December 2010

Was it the "storm of the century?" Oh my goodness, it snowed and it snowed. We were trapped in the house for three days, but finally took a trip to town to see the waves on Lake Superior yesterday afternoon. It was brutally cold, windy, and the air chilled you to the bone.

Agate Beach, Grand Marais, Michigan USA

This is the famous agate beach in December. It is usually a nice warm beach that I visit in the summer months, so seeing it this way was incredible. We held on to the railing of the beach viewing deck literally, while the snow and sand blasted your face with a 35 to 40 mile an hour rate. Whew!

There are more photos to follow in the next few days. I have been having a great time craft supply shopping, and enjoying the company of my mom and sister in the upper peninsula since last Friday. It is difficult to stop playing to post the progress of the trip. I promise to show more very soon.

Father Christmas Greeting Card

"My Beard"

by Shel Silverstein

My beard grows down to my toes,

I never wear no clothes.

I wraps my hair around my bare,

And down the road I goes.

Here is the first in a series of Christmas cards I am making using this extravagantly bearded fellow. This vintage bearded man image was a freebie from Tumblefish Studios. I have been loving the creations that have magically formed.

CREDITS: "SIR BEARDSFELLOW" COURTESY OF TUMBLEFISH STUDIOS, RUBBERSTAMP IMAGES FROM STAMPINGTON, HANDWRITTEN MERRY CHRISTMAS RUBBERSTAMPS FROM PAPER INSPIRATIONS, MISCELLANEOUS FABRICS FROM JOANN'S, AND BLANK CARDS AND ENVELOPES BY RECOLLECTIONS. BACKGROUND "CALISTO CHRISTMAS' BY ANNA GRIFFIN.

Mini Christmas Card Banner

Making this miniature Christmas pennant banner is not very complicated, when you use these adorable digital collage sheets designed by Becky Loyall of Moonlight Journey. I printed each tiny banner approximately 3" in height. They have recently added "craft projects" to their line of beautiful art. As soon as I saw this digital pack, I just knew I had to do something cute with it.

I think it just might turn out to be a very special Christmas card!

"Go ahead--it's Christmas--

decorate every little thing in the house."

~ Mary Engelbreit

CREDITS: "BELIEVE" pennant craft project from Moonlight Journey, "Vintage Market Alphabet" from Tim Holtz Alterations die cuts, "Christmas Cheer" Grand Adhesions from K & Company, Ranger "Stickles" in turquoise, and sari ribbon.

Here Comes Santa Claus

Get ready! Santa's workshop has been temporarily relocated to my house. I have been very busy knitting up a storm, baking, and creating little gifts made with love. If you are serious about Christmas, you know it's essential to make sure Santa feels really welcome. Don't wait until the last minute to get ready for this important visit!

Making gifts at home is powerful when you like to give presents. It helps me focus less on my own wish list, and fosters an appreciation of the gifts I will be giving away.

This sweet Christmas photo card album has been a work in progress. I purchased a kit for the cover only from my friend, Norma Kooi, possibly five years back and began the process of adding family photo greeting cards each year.

It's truly amazing how everyone changes, and what a great keepsake of friends and family. So save those special Christmas and photo cards. I think it's maybe time to bring it along to family Christmas visits this year to share.

Dear Friends,

The holidays are over before you know it,

so each year I add a few more photos

to my Christmas Card art journal.

I think about what I really enjoyed,

and a jot down maybe things

I would like to do next year.

Then I let everything else go.

Nothing has to happen exactly

according to some grand plan.

Hugs,

Nancy

Bake a Batch to Share

It won't be long before the hustle and bustle starts for the holidays, but with a little pre-planning, you can whip up these wonderful mini bread loaves to share with family and friends. I love the aroma of them baking in the oven! I used instant coconut cream instant pudding instead for a change.

Mini Banana Bread

1 Pkg. yellow cake mix

1 Pkg. banana cream or vanilla flavor instant pudding (3.4 oz. size)

4 eggs

1 cup water

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Beat first 5 ingredients in a large bowl with mixer 2 mins. or until well blended. Add bananas and nuts; mix well until blended.

Pour into 5 mini loaf pans sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake 40 min. at 350 degrees or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool completely.

These mini loaves will keep about 3 days at room temperature or 3 months in the freezer.

The Best Christmas Ever!

The holidays are back! The days leading to December 25th can be very exciting. Back in October, I felt the early whispers of Christmas when I visited the craft store in town. I feel like Thanksgiving formally introduces Christmas, but I like to begin my plan even before.

It's time to start my list. It will become my "making a list and checking it twice" list. Take a deep breath and imagine the Christmas of your dreams. I think of my childhood. Remember how you felt? I want to re-create that spirit and wonder now. I try to in my gifts, and in my hospitality. I truly do not yield to a tide of Christmas demands, but want the comfort and joy Christmas was meant to be. Let your emotions guide you through this holiday journey.

First Presents on my Holiday Workbench

Ever since I became a camper at the KC Willis Ranch a while back, I now experience a charge of excitement when browsing through dollar and resale shops. I saw these humble hangers, and began imagining how I could make them look more artsy. With just a little bit of sanding, some pastel acrylic paint, old sheet music, and a dollie head image, I began the process. Then finding just the right bow to top them off.

Christmas doesn't have to cost a lot of money if you give your gifts a little thought. For me, the joy comes in the making. Handmade stuff, whether it's just for a day or for a lifetime, is such a personal expression. And remember, perfection isn't the goal. It's often the little goof that is just the most precious part of a piece.

Start your list early, and maybe the spirit of the holidays just might be "Your Best Christmas Ever!"

CREDITS: HOLLIEWOOD DOLL IMAGES FROM TUMBLEFISH STUDIOS

Last-Minute Wishes

This precious pink sweater will be given to my dear granddaughter, Lauren, for Christmas this year. It took me a few months to complete, with a bit of anxiety near the end. I feel an "Ooh La La" Parisian moment with these colors. I am hoping she will like it, and enjoy wearing it. Little girls sometime surprise me with their preferences even at the age of two!

When Christmas comes calling,

may your home glow bright

with good times and laughter

and love's warming light.

Merry Christmas from My Home to Yours

And, what an eventful year this has been! Who would ever have guessed that some of our most "secure" American institutions would succumb to such devastation? I truly hope that you are able to put the "junk" aside and just enjoy a few moments of peace this holiday season.

There are, of course, many difficult scenarios connected with where all of us find ourselves this glorious time of year. Our real estate and mortgage business has really taken an devastating economic hit. I am having my best artistic years ever though. I love having joined the exciting blogging world, creating artwork to share with you all, and of course, my knitting. I can't imagine doing anything better. My only wish would be that I could spend more time with my grandchildren.

All in all, I have laughed more than I've cried, hugged, learned, and given thanks perhaps a bit more than in other years. But, we're together, strong, happy and incredibly grateful for the miracles we witness each day. I sincerely hope that you, too, have had more joy than sadness, and that the love that surrounds you will let the glorious light of Christmas bring gladness to your heart all year.

Merry Christmas,

and take care of yourself

and those whom you love.

Nancy

Hand Knitted Socks

The wondrous world of knitting began when my Mom sat down with my girlfriend and I at the age of ten. It was one of those lazy summer days when we were bored, tired of riding our bikes, and we wanted to "do something." Marion (my pal and girlfriend at the time), sat eagerly for my Mom to teach us how to knit and purl for the very first time.

I remember trying to push my needle into those tight stitches, thinking how hard this was. It seemed so awkward at the time. I kept thinking that I would never learn as I would forget to remove the stitch, or drop another when I wasn't supposed to. Marion, my life-long friend from Tennessee, still knits. A few years back, she even thanked my Mom for being so patient with us and was so glad that she learned how to knit so many years ago.

Today, I am posting a picture of my very first pair of hand knitted socks. There are some mistakes, I think. One sock seems a little bit larger, and the yarn is a little heavier than the yarn I would probably use the next time. But, at least, I actually finished a pair!

They are for someone who keeps asking me if I know how to knit socks. I keep telling this person, I don't know how to knit them. But this Christmas, his wish will come true. I am so proud of myself for conquering the heel turn, decreasing the foreboding gusset, and ending my toe with the famous Kitchener stitch. I finally did it! My first, and hopefully not my last, pair of hand-knitted socks!

Post Update: Thursday, December 17th, 2009

These hand knitted socks were given to my young friend, Tyler. I think he was going to cry when I presented him my gift! His Grandma used to make socks when he was a kid, but now suffers from Alzheimer's. I could read in his eyes that my socks brought back sweet memories of his Grandma knitting for him and his brother. Tyler was so thrilled that he wore them to bed the first night, and again the whole next day! It sure was worth the dedication when someone appreciates all your effort. Besides, I got a great big hug!

Dog Gone Christmas Gift Tags

Coming up with ideas for posts can sometimes be daunting. At times I can't find the words, so I get out my camera and capture some of the fun things I do in my art room. As the holiday season draws near, it has become a personal tradition of mine to create my own Christmas gift tags. Celebrating with the ordinary can just make life just plain easy and fun. And heck, you may find some inspiration to make your own tags this year.

I just wanted to do a very simple theme, and what could be more enjoyable than making tags of my favorite canine friends. These sweet little pup collage images can be found at Whymsical Musings Etsy shop.

The tags themselves were made by Paper Magic Group, Inc. There were 75 deluxe holiday gift tags in the box, and these adorable dog images were mounted on thin cardboard, trimmed, edges lightly sanded and stamped with a Color Box Chalk "Creamy Brown" inkpad. I may have to add a little bit of glitter. All gift tags need just a little bit of sparkle!

Thanks again, Becky, for sharing your "Doggone Wonderful Christmas Collage Sheet!"

Cozy Holiday Gifts

It's my favorite time of year again. The urge to cozy up in a comfy armchair, pick up my needles and knit with some gorgeous new yarn is irresistible.

I have been knitting like a crazed woman for the past few weeks, making my list and checking it twice. First of all, I really like to give handcrafted items as my holiday gifts. This very warm cowl scarf was an inspiration from the very talented Jen Geigley of Hey! Jen Renee. I love the chunky look of it, which knits up in a jiffy. Her work is just beautiful and innovative! This scarf was actually completed in between working, and trying to catch up from my Halloween swaps. Boy! I really bit off more than I should have during that commitment.

After knitting about a hundred-plus dishcloths this year for customers, I finally decided it was time for a change. I have took the plunge and knitted my first sock! I was so proud of myself considering the heel flap and gusset decreases have scared me for years. Someone who has been asking to knit them a pair of socks will finally get their wish this year. I would love to find some beginner patterns that I could actually attempt would be blissful.

More good things to show you soon . . .