Pioneer Craft House

I saw an ad for some very unusual art classes on a flyer for the Pioneer Craft House. The prices aren't bad. Here is a list of classes. They offer Jewelry, Sewing, Stained Glass, Silk Painting, Fused Glass, Bead Making, Photography, Pottery, Metal Working, Mosaic Tile, Ikebana and more.

Bare Sock Yarn Dye Blank

Sorry, but this blog is about what "I" think is cool, so again, sometimes some of you, "non-knitters" have to put up with my mini obsession. The Duchess has been here visiting and we both got these sock blanks for Christmas from the Yarn Queen. In between eating and sleeping babies we have been dyeing them and it was so much fun. They are pre-knit blanks that you can dye in stripes or however you like and then you unravel it, knit socks, and voila, striped socks! Luv it!

Happy-Navigator Kettler Tricycle

This was a gift to "W" from the Yarn Queen and Band King. I love it, but probably not as much as him. He even watches TV in it. Read about all the cool features, here.

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to say..........

Afrikaner [Afrikaans] "Geseënde Kersfees"

Albanian "Urime Krishtlindjet"

Amharic "Enkwan laberhana ledat abaqqawot" OR "Melkam amat ba`al yehunellachihu"

Arabic "Milad Majid" OR "Milad Saeed"

Argentine "Feliz Navidad"

Armenian "Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand"

Bohemian"Vesele Vanoce"

Brazilian Portuguese "Feliz Natal"

Briton "Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat"

Bulgarian "Tchestita Koleda" OR "Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo"

Cambodian "Soursdey Noel"

Chinese [Mandarin] "Sheng Dankuai Le"

Chinese [Cantonese] "Sing Daan Faai Lok"

Cornish "Nadelik Lowen"

Croatian "Sretan Bozic"

Czech "Velike Vanoce"

Danish "Glædelig Jul"

Dutch "Vrolijk Kerstfeest"

English [American] "Merry Christmas"

English [Australian] "'Ave a bonza Chrissy, Mate"

English [UK] "Happy Christmas"

Esperanto "Gojan Kristnaskon"

Estonian "Roomsaid Joulu Puhi"

Farsi "Christmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad"

Faroese "Gleðilig Jól"

Filipino "Maligayang Pasko"

Finnish "Hauskaa Joulua"

French "Joyeux Noël"

Frisian "Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier"

Gaelic "Nollaig Shona Dhuit"

German "Froehliche Weihnachten"

Greek "Kala Christouyenna"

Hawaiian "Mele Kalikimaka"

Hebrew "Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova"

Hindi "Shub Badadin"

Hungarian "Boldog Karácsonyt"

Icelandic "Gledileg Jol"

India "Tamil Nadu - Christmas Vaazthukkal "

Indonesian "Selamat Hari Natal"

Iraqi "Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah"

Irish "Nollaig Shona Duit"

Italian "Buon Natale"

Japanese "Meri Kurisumasu"

Klingon "QISmaS Quch Daghajjaj"

Korean "Sung Tan Jul Chuk Ha"

Latvian "Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu"

Lithuanian "Linksmu Kaledu"

Malay "Selamat Hari Natal dan Tahun Baru"

Maltese "Il-Milied it-tajjeb"

Maori "Meri Kirihimete"

Navajo "Ya'at'eeh Keshmish"

New Guinea Pidgin "Meri Christmas"

New Zealand "Happy Christmas"

Norwegian "Gledelig Jul"

Pennsylvania German "En frehlicher Grischtdaag"

Peru "Felices Fiestas" OR "Feliz Navidad"

Polish "Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia"

Portuguese "Feliz Natal"

Punjabi "Hacahi Ke Eide"

Rumanian "Sarbatori Fericite"

Russian "S Rozhdestvom Kristovym"

Serbian "Hristos se rodi"

Slovakian "Sretan Bozic" OR "Vesele vianoce"

Samoan "Manuea le Karisimasi"

Scots Gaelic "Nollaig chridheil huibh"

Slovak "Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok"

Slovene "Srecen Bozic"

Spanish "Feliz Navidad"

Swahili "Heri ya Krismasi"

Swedish "God Jul"

Tagalog [Philippines] "Maligayang Pasko"

Tahitian "Ia ora'na no te noere"

Telugu "Santhasa Krismas"

Thai "Suksan Christmas"

Turkish "Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun"

Ukrainian "Z Rizdvom Krystovym" OR "Veselogo Rizdva""

Urdu [Pakistan] "Shadae Christmas"

Uzbek "Yangi Yiligiz Mubarak Bolsun"

Vietnamese "Chuc Mung Giang Sinh"

Welsh "Nadolig Llawen"

Lemon Curd & Devonshire Cream

I may get put on a "most wanted" list for posting this. These "secret" recipes were shared from the Misseldine family cookbook, in-laws of the Duchess. They are absolutely delicious spread over toast and would make a perfect, last minute neighbor gift in a cute container.

Devonshire Cream (a british treat)

3 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 Tb. sifted powdered sugar

1/3-1/2 C whipping cream

Beat cream cheese until light & fluffy

beat in sugar and vanilla

gradually beat in whipping cream until desired consistency for spreading

DO NOT OVERBEAT

cover and chill 2-24 hours

serve with toast, keep refrigerated

Lemon Curd

4 eggs

1 C butter (no substitutes)

3 Tb. grated lemon peel

2 C sugar

2/3 C lemon juice

1/8 tsp. salt

In top of double boiler beat eggs & sugar

stir in butter, lemon peel, juice, and salt

cook over simmering water for 15 minutes or until reaches 160 degrees on candy thermometer

cover & store for 1 week (it's good as soon as it's chilled, but gets better over time)

keep refrigerated

(makes a lot, cut recipe in 1/2 for self)

3sisterslove 2009 Desktop Calendar

Really cute calendar on Etsy.

Yorkshire Pudding

A Holiday favorite in our family. This may not look very appetizing, but add a little butter and sugar on top and you can thank me later.

5 eggs (beaten)
1 C flour
1 C milk
dash of salt
4 Tb hot grease (either drippings from any meat you've cooked or mostly I just use oil)

Heat grease/oil in glass cake pan, unless it's already hot.
Mix flour, milk, and salt to form a thin batter, add eggs and pour into pan.

Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes

Bilibo Shell-Shaped Toy

I think that this would provide endless hours of entertainment for "W". Mentioned uses include helmet, sit and spin, doll cradle, train tunnel, shovel, water basin. Comes in more colors.

Mt. Olympus Clock Shop for Nutcrackers

I am not a "collector" of anything, however, I do have a small (about 6) collection of nutcrackers. While I worked for the Yarn Queen and the Band King, they would buy their management employees a nutcracker for Christmas each year and that is why I have the collection. They are genuine, made in germany nutcrackers (Ulbricht, Seiffener, Steinbach) My collection pales in comparison (more like 50+) to their collection, and the Band King's parent's have a collection that's equally as magnificent. They almost always buy their nutcrackers at the Mt. Olympus Clock Shop.

"W" gets a little overstimulated when we visit. He has quite a fascination with them.

I like the Natural collections.

Gift Tags on Etsy

There are some cute gift tags on Etsy. In my family, we fill in "from:" with holiday characters and celebrity names. This year "W" will receive gifts from the likes of Elmo, John Wayne, and Cash (the Yarn Queen's dog, his favorite sidekick). It is one of my favorite traditions.

Ormolu

TheHollister25

afavorite

Amaryllis

Another gift idea. I have never actually given one as a gift, but I have received a few, and I have to say, they are one of my favorites. They are so exciting to watch, they grow fast, the blooms are huge and the colors are vibrant. And the best part is, mine have always kept blooming into the spring. You can buy a bulb and find an inexpensive pot or buy pre-potted, whatever your budget allows.

Excelsior Academy Holiday Carnival

Finally, we're snowed in! If you looking for a little holiday cheer, stop by the Tooele Armory (SW corner of Vine and 1st st.) today for Excelsior Academy's Holiday Carnival.

· Free Family Picture with Santa from 1-3 pm (Taken by, yours truly)
· Free admission with can of food or new or gently used book for the school library
· Door Prizes
· Children's Games & Crafts
· Cake Walk
· Crafter's Booths
· Silent Auction
· Pizza and drinks
· Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Polar Express @ the Heber Valley Railroad

"W" added this to his Christmas Wish List.

Martha Banner Template as Gift Cards

I thought this banner template from Martha would be great to use as a monogram gift tag for Christmas. So, cute! And, the black and white will match my vintage plaid and winter scene wrapping paper I found in the Yarn Queen's "attic".

Sundance Film Festival Tickets

Last year for Christmas I bought my Dad the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die (USA & Canada version). He's not big on international travel. I was surprised at some of the places mentioned that I hadn't been that were right in our backyard. One of them was attending a film at the Sundance Film Festival. His bd is directly after Christmas, so that's what I gave him for his bd. Him and the Yarn Queen saw "Raisin in the Sun" in Salt Lake. I am not sure if you can purchase the actual tickets in time for a Christmas gift. Anyhow, you have to register first and then they'll assign you a timeslot to purchase. You can register to buy Locals Advance Individual Tickets until Dec. 10. Also, there are tons of films to choose from, so do your homework on their website ahead of time. There are plenty of clean films, but you have to filter through and decide for yourselves, they are not rated. The rules are a little tricky, but if all else fails you can buy waitlist tickets 2 hours before each film. At $15, they are slightly more than regular tickets and obviously not guaranteed.

She and Him Volume One

I happily stand corrected Zooey Deschanel does have an album, released early 2008, and it is just as heavenly as I imagined. Thanks to Jenny from Plants and Animals, *very* cute etsy items, for pointing out my mistake.

Fresh Magnolia Leaf Wreath

A fresh magnolia leaf wreath makes a great gift and they dry beautifully for use year round. You can pre-order them at almost any floral shop. My grandma still has one that I gave her 2 years ago.

The Night Before Christmas in Utah

Tooele and Dugway are even mentioned in this cute little mini book. It sits on my coffee table each year. There are different versions for other states, as well.
Cute idea, brought to you by my SoCal relatives. Over the years collect a total of 24 Christmas books. When your collection is complete and your kids are a little older, wrap them all up each year and use them as an advent calendar. Read a different Christmas story each evening while counting down the days until Santa arrives. I'm still working on my collection, maybe by the time "W" is 6.

Linnea 2009 Calendar

I've loved these calendars for the last 4 years. Each month is a separate poster that you can frame and they are so beautiful.

King Leo Soft Peppermint Sticks

King Leo are the best soft peppermint sticks, yum! Plain or dipped in chocolate.

Elf Soundtrack

This soundtrack has one of my very favorite chistmas songs on it.....Baby, It's Cold Outside, Zooey Deschanel. I looooovvvve her voice, why doesn't she come out with other songs!?

Stripes @ ON

Thinking that if I hadn't knit my own, these sweaters would have been perfect for holiday photo cards.

Taste of Thai

I heard through the grapevine that this is the "place to go" if you're in the mood for Thai. Can't wait to try.

Hammond's Gourmet Candy Canes

Another favorite that I am missing this year without having my store (We could never keep them in stock) These candy canes are absolutely beautiful, you could actually use them for decoration. They are oversized (7 1/2 inches and very wide as well) and taste delicious too (lots of different flavors, including clove), but they do run out, so order early.

Wall E

Every year, the Yarn Queen bought us a new movie for Thanksgiving. So, whether she meant to create a tradition or not, I always feel the urge to buy a movie for Thanksgiving. We are not big movie buyers, but once a year is ok. This year's pick, Wall E, no particular reason ;)

Little Sleep Well by Favorite Things

Pajamas on Christmas Eve was always a tradition at my house. I created my own little twist, homemade christmas jammies. We'll see how long that lasts. I doubt I could convince any child over 8 or so to wear homemade jammies. I think this pattern will be perfect.

One of these fabrics, maybe? I was leaning towards a plaid, but the others are nice too.

Gary's Original Soft Caramel Popcorn Balls

I used to carry this line of popcorn balls at my store around the holidays. They are so soft and fresh and yummy. I know they sell them at the outlet mall in St. George, but I need to find somewhere closer to buy. They come in 4 yummy flavors.

Clam Dip

Made this for the big game today. (My niece's recipe) I swear it's like another holiday around here.

8 oz. cream cheese (softened)

16 oz. sour cream

beat with electric beaters

add 2 cans drained clams, minced or chopped (I only used one can of minced)

add worchestershire, garlic salt, and lemon juice to taste.

serve with potato chips.

Zipfy Luge

I love this super long Autumn that we're experiencing. However, this would be so much fun when it does finally decide to snow. Only weighs 3.7 lbs., nice for those long hauls up the mountain.

The King's English

Going here was such a treat as a kid. They had a cat wandering around and it is just the epitome of your mom and pop bookstore. There is actually a book written about this classic bookstore. Can't wait to take "W" there.

My Noah's in South Jordan

Remember when I posted about Noah's? Well, now they have a new location in South Jordan. Definitely close enough to justify now. Perfect for holiday get togethers, business or family.

Downeast Basics Favs

I have a few favorites from the latest Downeast Basics catalog. Why not Anthropologie or some other cool place? Let's be honest. I can't afford it and I don't like to torture myself.

Holiday Cruiser @ Gap

I have a nice bike that is in perfectly good condition, but that doesn't stop me from wanting this beach cruiser. I guess they sold out of pink/orange already. This color was all that was left online. Comes in adult and child sizes.