Not Gun Shy at Christmas
When it comes to wrapping gifts for Christmas, I am certainly not gun shy. Each year I wrap hundreds of gifts (personal and professional) and it requires some creativity. I certainly want each gift to look their best and be individualized. However, when using the full glitter wrapping paper no matter how beautiful it may be it is complete pain in the next to work with. Because of the layers of glitter and adhesive used in the manufacturing process of that wrapping paper roll it does not want to stay folded and even worse no tape will hold it in place. That is when I pull out the big guns! A hot glue gun, glue sticks, extension cord and poster board save the season. I may come out with a few burns but I gotta do what is necessary!
Well, another trick to add to the list. Check.
Check out those perfect glitter folds!
Merry Christmas from Austin
Christmas Eve or Evening Mimosa
I know that a mimosa is typically served in the early day either at breakfast, brunch or for lunch while enjoying the company of friends or preparing a meal. Instead I made a special twist on this drink so that we could serve it in the evening by replacing the orange juice with Italian soda. I used the Central Market Organics Frutta d'Isola for this cocktail treat and it went over wonderfully after the beautiful Christmas Eve dinner that Mrs. Mary Ellen Doyle made for us (Roast Beef, Asparagus Mashed Potatoes, Wine, etc etc). Please enjoy!! It was delicious and next time we had better bring more than one bottle! Fill equal parts or less to taste preference.
Merry Christmas,
The O'Mahony Family
No Bake Cookies
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| This photo is compliments of the internet! |
I am sharing with you a recipe that was very popular in the late 1980's, something that was one of my very favorites. I was 6 years old the first time I remember my mom making them in our apartment kitchen. I kept going for more and I vaguely recall my mother stopping me each time saying she did not want me to get sick! Well, my recipe went missing for a few years and I couldn't locate it online at the time. I finally found it last winter and after making them, again I kept wanting to return for more cookies.
Please make them for all of your Christmas guests. They will love.
What You Need:
- 2c Sugar
- 1/4c Cocoa
- 1/2c Milk
- 1/4c Margarine
- 1t Vanilla
- Pinch of Salt
- 1/2c Peanut Butter
- 3c Quick Oatmeal
Instructions:
Mix sugar, cocoa, milk and margarine in pan on stove. Cook over medium heat until it boils. Remove from heat for one minute. Add vanilla, salt, peanut butter and oatmeal. Drop by teaspoonfuls on waxed paper. Let Cool.
Okay I'll be honest...I took pictures but I didn't post them because they don't do justice. Just make the cookies and try them for yourself.
Hand-Dipped Pretzel Rods
Today I made hand-dipped pretzel rods for a cookie exchange. The process was a lot of fun but did require a lot of patience and detail. They were a hit tonight and someone even placed an order with me to make them as their gifts to give this week. What a great night I had with everyone at Lori Post's house. Thank you so much for your dear hosting! As always you were wonderful.
What you need:
*Pretzel Bags with Ties*Pretzel Rods
*Dipping Chocolate - White, Milk Choc, etc
*Decorative Toppings - Andes Mint Chips, Peppermint Chips, M&M minis, Hand-Dyed Coconut Flakes,
*Icing Bag to Drizzle Chocolate, optional
*Wax Paper
To Do:
1. Assemble all of your decorations on flat surfaces ussing cookie trays, serving trays, pizza trays, etc. Put down sheets of wax paper on the trays, then place your toppings on the wax paper.
2. If you are going to hand-dye coconut do that first because you will need to have time to toast and cool down.
3. Lay down sheets of wax paper on your counter or table so that you can put your dipped pretzels on them to dry.
4. Melt your chocolate, either in microwave or double-boiler depending on what type of chocolate you have purchased. Make sure you get a good chocolate that is not too waxy and tempers properly. It is a little more money but in the end you will be thankful for how your pretzels turn out. I use the A'Peels by Guittard Chocolate Co which require no tempering and can be heated in the microwave. I purchase them from the Austin bake shop, Make It Sweet.
5. Then dip! Dip pretzel into chocolate, tap pretzel and drizzle off excess chocolate back into dipping bowl. You will need to let the chocolate cool on the pretzel slightly before rolling in the toppings. Otherwise, all of the toppings will fall off the hot chocolate. You may also choose not to roll in topping and instead drizzle a contrasting color of chocolate on top.
6. Let cool well, then bag individually.
Tips:
*You will need about 20 to 25 pretzel bags for one bag of pretzel rods.* Use a tall and narrow bowl or large mug that you can easily dip the pretzel into rather than have to lay down and scoop chocolate in.
*Bag pretzels individually to keep toppings on and to keep presentation in tact. Also a better way for those receiving to pick up.
Snowman Buttons
This one is very easy. Great for classroom parties, coworkers, guest room fluff, and well just for your good ole friends. It's cute, what else can I say. This year I made them to hand out at a cookie exchange and to give to a few friends too. O' I love to create.
Supplies Needed:
* 4x6 Clear Treat Bags
*Stapler
*Hot Glue Gun
*Scrapbook Paper, Xmas Color or Xmas Pattern
*Giant Black Gumballs
*Avery Printable Labels
*Opaque Paint Marker
Tips
-Get the 4x6 clear treat bags at a craft store like Michael's and Jo-Ann's.
-Find the giant gumballs by the color online or at a party store like Party City.
-Put just 3 gumballs in each treat bag to look like the 3 buttons on the snowman's jacket.
DIY - Holiday Gift Tags
A super easy way to put a unique spin on your holiday gifts this year. Just make your own gift tags. You can chose any method you like. Use ribbons, scrapbook paper, glitter or whatever you find around the house. Heck why not try birdseed.
See below! Super Easy.
What you need:
- Blank Gift Tags (various sizes & colors available at your local craft store)
- Glitter, Ribbon, or Scrapbooking paper
- Glue/Glue Pen
Voila !!
ATX 360 XMAS 2012
The Christmas tradition in Austin is to randomly select and decorate a living tree on Highway 360. At first, a few trees would randomly be done overnight keeping the decorators identity a mystery. From what I can tell this had been going on for a little more than a decade. An old article I found last year reported that a journalist tried to contact the local highway department who had never condoned the act but instead just looked away. Well it eventually caught on as now more than a hundred trees and growing are decorated in just one quarter mile stretch of the highway. Starting Thanksgiving week you will find cars lined up the side of the road as its owner is searching for the perfect tree. In fact, if you haven't put up your tree by Thanksgiving Saturday then good luck to you in finding one that can be seen from the highway!! Other cities may hop on to the trend but just remember Austin was the original. KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD.
This is our very first tree:
A few articles if you would like to read up and plan your next Christmas in the ATX !!!
Check out some of the other trees and some of the other decorators that I caught out and about Thanksgiving weekend. I do apologize that I could not get everyone's tree posted as I had over 300 pictures just from that weekend. And as of today there are soooo many more trees that have been added.
A few active participants :-)
******UPDATE*******
- 2013 CHRISTMAS -
The FSU one was put up just before the bowl games!!
6 Tips to Avert a Turkey Day Disaster (Pets)
This information is actually from a Tomlinson's email, but the 6 tips are great and I wanted to share them with anyone who has a pet this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving! ~Angela O'
6 Tips to Avert a Turkey Day Disaster
1. No Bones About It
Dogs, and especially cats, are made to eat meat, so it’s ok to give them a few scraps of the meal’s main event, be it turkey, beef, pork or any other protein. Just be sure any pieces are clear of bones that could splinter and is fully cooked through to avoid salmonella contamination.
2. Not Much Thyme
Herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme can cause gastrointestinal problems and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils, so keep your feline family members off the herbs.
As you gather ‘round the table this Thanksgiving Thursday, your furrier family members will likely be licking their chops close by. Yes, their sad eyes are near impossible to deny, and thankfully, you don’t always have to. You can share some leftovers guilt-free by following these few tips:
1. No Bones About It
Dogs, and especially cats, are made to eat meat, so it’s ok to give them a few scraps of the meal’s main event, be it turkey, beef, pork or any other protein. Just be sure any pieces are clear of bones that could splinter and is fully cooked through to avoid salmonella contamination.
2. Not Much Thyme
Herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme can cause gastrointestinal problems and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils, so keep your feline family members off the herbs.
3. No Raw Dough
According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is eaten, an animal’s body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become life-threatening and require surgery. Skip the trip to the emergency vet and deny your pet the dough.
According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is eaten, an animal’s body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become life-threatening and require surgery. Skip the trip to the emergency vet and deny your pet the dough.
4. Careful with Uncooked Desserts
Even pets know that the pumpkin pie and spice cake is the best part. But if the batter contains raw eggs, keep your pet’s snout out of the scraps—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning. Chances of salmonella contamination can be reduced by purchasing the freshest eggs.
Even pets know that the pumpkin pie and spice cake is the best part. But if the batter contains raw eggs, keep your pet’s snout out of the scraps—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning. Chances of salmonella contamination can be reduced by purchasing the freshest eggs.
5. Too Much of a Good Thing
It may be tradition to stuff your face, but don’t allow your pets to overindulge, lest they get an stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. Aim to keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.
It may be tradition to stuff your face, but don’t allow your pets to overindulge, lest they get an stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. Aim to keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.
6. Make ‘Em Work for It
Make your pets earn their reward by stuffing any leftovers you give them into toys like Kongs or Busy Buddies. This will keep their bodies and minds active, spurring brain development. It will also keep them occupied during dinner so they’re not poking their noses in the wrong places under the table.
Make your pets earn their reward by stuffing any leftovers you give them into toys like Kongs or Busy Buddies. This will keep their bodies and minds active, spurring brain development. It will also keep them occupied during dinner so they’re not poking their noses in the wrong places under the table.
