Merry Christmas

Wishing all who visit here a lovely Christmas.

I have enjoyed interacting with each of you.

Blessings,

Hope

Cookie Bake 2013

Today was the 7th annual cookie bake/exchange with Noel farm ladies. This year my dear friend, Karana, was absent since she is days away from having a little one. We missed you this year- but sure do understand that you needed to stay home and take care.

To view previous cookie baking days click on the year.

 2010 | 2011 | 2012

Charity's Molasses Crinkles | My Russian Tea Cookies

Mom's Cherry Winks | Faith's Crunchy Peppermint Cookies

Aunt Shirley's Chocolate Crinkles | Beth's Spritz Cookies

Brenda's Orange Glazed Cookies | Maggie's Blondie Rolo Cookies

My Three Colored Coconut Candy | Maggie's Almond Joys

Lynette's White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies | Faith's Turtles

There were little boys to help...

...and cookie thieves of all sizes.

We ended a busy day with story time with Grandmother.

My freezer is full and I am happy,

Hope

Grandma's Cranberry Salad

My Grandma Shank makes a delicious cranberry salad. If you are wanting something red and festive to grace your Christmas table try this.

It's the real thing- and it's good. No canned cranberry sauce in this recipe.

Refreshing it is.

Grandma's Cranberry Salad

12 oz. bag of fresh cranberries

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

3 sm. boxes of raspberry jello

2 cups hot water

3 cups cold water

6 apples, grated

4 oranges, cubed

2- 20 oz. cans crushed pineapple

1/2 cup celery, chopped fine

In a saucepan cook cranberries, sugar and water until 
cranberries pop open and mixture slightly thickens. 

Dissolve jello in hot water then add cold water. 
Pour into cranberry mixture and mix well.

Fold in apples, oranges, pineapple and celery into cranberry mixture.

Chill overnight until set.

It makes almost 2 gallon. Great recipe for family gatherings.

Enjoy,

Hope

A Workshop

Celebrate the joy of winter and the warmth of the holidays in a renovated Mill 
tucked away in a tiny farming village. Gather around a table filled with bundles of 
foraged greens, berries and natural elements to tie into festive holiday arrangements. 
Learn how to use nature's inspiration for wrapping gifts to give away. 
Come away with a little something to adorn your tree, a wreath to hang on your 
door and perhaps a garland or two that we created together during a continual flow 
of conversation, sweet treats and hot spiced cider. As the afternoon winds down, 
a spread of hearty savory offerings invite you to linger a little longer then planned.

Hosted by Hope Helmuth and Amy Showalter from Spring Creek Roller Mills, 

Katie Schmid of The Pinwheel Collective, and Sara Christensen from The Lady Jane Shop

Visit Kinfolk's website to purchase tickets.

Cheers,

Hope

Christmas Arrangements

Last week my sisters came over to make Christmas arrangements. We have an abundance of pine on our property so it's handy to make them 'onsite'.

We are in the middle of remodeling our living room so it was hard for me to decide whether it was worth decorating for Christmas. I decided to create a few pine arrangements to set amongst the dust. We will call the drywall dust and sawdust 'snow'.

All of our creations.

The few I created to brighten our home.

Charity and I made Jam for gifts.

I am so happy to be back! 

Blogger decided to let me load photos this evening.

Yipee,

Hope