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a snowy day project: simple homemade ornaments



Around here, we like to keep Christmas cozy, simple, foraged and homemade. Most of our decorations are things we make (dried citrus, foraged wreaths, garland). One of my favorite little crafts, especially now that I have a little helper, are these cinnamon ornaments. This year we had one of Calvin's little friends over, along with his mama and together we mixed and rolled and cut and and dried these ornaments. By the end, there was cinnamon sprinkled all over the kitchen (including the boys' faces), and our home smelled glorious. 

The thing I really love about these ornaments is that they are made of cinnamon, applesauce and cloves. Most recipes for cinnamon ornaments out there have some sort of glue in them. With two-year-olds helping, it's nice to have something absolutely edible. I'm not encouraging them to eat it by any means (SO MUCH CINNAMON), but I can rest assured that if they do, it wouldn't bother me as glue would.  

We hung these on the tree (they are some of the few ornaments within Calvin's reach) and have adorned many of our Christmas gifts with them. 

My favorite cut-out shapes were the stars and trees! Although little gingerbread people would be awfully cute. 




Recipe: 

2 cups applesauce
about 3 cups cinnamon (go buy the big cheap containers at Aldi!)
1/8 cups ground cloves


Mix together the applesauce, cinnamon and cloves. Dust the countertop with cinnamon and roll out the dough about 1/4 in. thick. Cut out ornaments and place on parchment lined cookie sheet. Use a skewer to poke holes in them. Bake at 200 degrees F for around 2 hours, until very hard. Tie strings through holes and decorate! 

These are not for eating, just decorating. 

Enjoy this little snowy day project! 


home | hygge: winter

As we slip deeper into the beginning of winter season, I am reminded of a word I recently heard defined. Hygge. I am seeing quite a few different definitions to this Danish word, but the theme I'm gathering is coziness, warmth, community, loving life's simple pleasures in this season. And as these lovely days get cooler and the darkness is longer, I find myself doing little intentional things to promote this feeling in my home. I thought I'd pass along a few ideas for keeping this season cozy, uplifting and finding the simple things to bring pleasure and togetherness in this season.

. lights-As it gets darker sooner and sooner, layer your warm lighting all around the house. Have a few lamps scattered around, light your fire place, bring those cafe lights off the deck and into your sun room, put fairy lights on your shelves and, of course, always have a candle going. I also strung lights under the cabinets in the kitchen, which brightens the room when cooking supper while it is dark outdoors. The warm glow is inspiring and uplifting.

. blankets-invest in a few cozy blankets that are welcoming as you curl up on the couch. Fold them up and place in a basket, or hang over your furniture for a quick grab whenever you have a minute to cozy up.

. books- one good thing to keep yourself mindful this season is to have books sprinkled around the home in easy to grab places. Opt for a few pages instead of scrolling through social media. Maybe set out a journal with a writing utensil nearby to jot a few thoughts here and there. Let your mind have some space to just wander and fill it with goodness from written word on physical pages.

. games- keep a couple of board games in easy reach and plain site. Perhaps on a coffee table or end table. When you are in the living room with another person, open up the game instead of flipping on the tv. Or, plan a night of the week to just relax with friends or family and play games.

. music- find or make a couple of playlists as your go-to for this season. I'd recommend having both a quiet, relaxing one and a more upbeat one for those winter blues.

. drinks- keep your pantry stocked with your favorite teas, hot cocoas, and coffee. Have a kettle on the stove ready to warm.

. meals-one helpful thing that I've started incorporating is freezing meals. If I make a pot of soup, I choose to double the recipe and freeze half for a day when nobody is in the mood to cook but everybody wants a homemade meal. Here are some of my favorite recipes to have on hand:

Quinoa and Sweet Potato Chili

Lentil and Black Bean Chili

No-Time Bread