Baubles and Wobbles

Christmas Greetings 2014

Here we are once again at another Christmas season and once again I'm totally overwhelmed but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love this time of year from the houses all decked out in their illuminated finery, to the muzak playing in the malls, to the food, food, food that you're allowed to indulge in to your hearts content. After all, worrying about your diet is what New Years is for, right?

I don't know about you but I've spent enough time this past year worrying about things and I  am taking a break from all of that.  One thing I love to do to de-stress over the holidays is to 'light-spot' christmas lighting displays by hitting suburbia to see the creative results by those who love this time of year as much as I do. There is a sense of community to be found along with a healthy dollop of christmas spirit. You don't have to have any religious sensibilities to appreciate this time of year either - simple appreciation for friends, family and the child-like joy that wells up in your soul at this time is all that's needed.

Take advantage of lower gas prices and do a tour of where you live - I'm sure you'll be surprised at how an undemanding task like sitting in a car can reap some sparkling rewards :)

Lights ! Lights ! Found in suburbia in Woodstock, Ontario

This year, at the new house, I decided to do a bit of outside decorating. I have never been able to accomplish this before so the potential to go all out was there, lurking below the surface of practicality but I did manage to restrain myself. Nothing like an implacable budget to keep the christmas faeries in line ! So while I wanted to go "Griswold" on the tree and house, I ended up going "Charlie Brown" instead. My Magnolia  at the front looks very scraggly without the leaves so I picked up a wagon load of oversized ornaments and hung them from the tree after wrapping the base with white lights. It really does look like a Charlie Brown tree, which is just fine by me. I'm just happy I got to join in the fun this year. Gotta love that dollar store !

Simple materials from the dollar store

My Christmas craft project this year was something simple and inexpensive but oh so pretty when you're done. What started me thinking of doing this wreath is that I have an assortment of handed down ornaments from my mother that I don't usually put on the tree. I don't decorate with a gold scheme but I still want to utilize the ones my mother gave to me. So to practice and to see the effect, I decided to use balls I already had along with some balls and a wreath purchased from the dollar store. It was an easier project than I thought, or I should say it wasn't as messy as I thought it would be. Me and a glue gun usually means burns and taking a chisel to the glue that ended up everywhere but where I needed it. 

Directions are pretty straightforward. Start with the inner and outer edges then fill in the centre with assorted sized. Fill in any holes with some mini ornaments. If you have some special ones you'd like to showcase, then add those at the end in strategic places.

Now that I've made this one, I'll be making either a wreath or a garland with my mothers glass ornaments for next Christmas.

Handmade joy !

For Christmas dinner this year I am not doing a fowl as I usually make, but am going down a food alley I've never gone before. Rabbit. That's right, I'm cooking rabbit. Now before I get people with their "up with bunnies" T-shirts all riled up, I should point out that rabbit has been eaten the world over for centuries upon centuries. It's a good lean protein that is easy and cheap to raise. 

I will be posting the recipe I've come up with along with the sides I'll be serving. Check back over the next week to see those posts :)

Christmas Menu

Green Pea Soup with Mint

Goat cheese, Pepper and Artichoke bundles

Rabbit in White wine with Pearl Onions, Carrots, Celery and Grapes

                   served on a grilled Portabello Mushroom

Sauteed Potatoes with Bacon and Chives

Roasted Honey Walnut Beets

I hope each and everyone of you have a fabulous and safe Christmas holiday!

Edit Dec 29 2014: I decided to make the goat cheese bundles for New Years instead and I went with my recipe of Rabbit in Cider instead of wine. The pearl onions were changed to chopped sweet onion.

all text and photographs ©michelle levasseur The Groaning Board