A Word For The Year And A 100 Day Challenge

Here we are in a new year - 2014.  New years bring resolutions, resolve to do or not do things that have become part of our habits.  Most resolutions do not last very long unfortunately.  It is so very hard to change our habits, our lifestyles, the things we like and don't like, especially about our "selves."  Some things cannot be changed - ever.  This I know, but we can improve, or progress if we try.

The above painting is one I did about how I see myself.  I have always felt like a fish out of water, a square peg in a round hole.  I didn't seem to get a rule book to life when they were passed out.  There are many things I just don't understand.  As an introvert, I am not a particularly social person.  Yes, I can get up in front of hundreds of people and sing, or give a talk, but I am a wreck at one on one.  Please don't make me go to a party where I don't know anyone.  Chances are I still won't know anyone when I leave, because I have been outside, or in the other room where it's quiet.  I turn to jelly inside at the thought of interaction with people I don't know.  If it's loud, noisy, boisterous, please take me  home.  That's just the way I am and I can accept that.  Now.  Thank  you, Jim.

My time is spent creating, reading, and with those I love.  It takes me a good long while to let others know "me."  When we become friends, I will be the most loyal and generous person you have ever known.  I love doing things for those that I love.  It gives me great pleasure and joy.  Until then, I will be trying to swim in that stream in the picture.

If you are not familiar with Dr. Christiane Northrup, you might want to look her up.  She is a very spiritual physician who writes amazing books.  She posts inspiring blogs and statuses on Facebook.  Friend her, you will like what she writes.  Anyway, she wrote about "My One Word" last year as did Brene Brown (get to know her too!).  There is a blog and a book called My One Word and it is about choosing a word for the year that will inspire you, help you make changes, think, look at the world in a new way.

The other day I came upon the word "marvel" and knew it was my word for this year.  It struck me like a thunderbolt.  The definition of the word marvel is:

 mar·vel

ˈmärvəl/

verb

1. 1.

   be filled with wonder or astonishment.

   "she marveled at Jeffrey's composure"

   synonyms:

   be amazed, be astonished, be surprised, be awed, stand in awe,wonder; More

noun

1. 1.

   a wonderful or astonishing person or thing.

   "the marvels of technology"

When we look at the world and people around us, we become desensitized to all its glory, majesty and beauty.  We keep our heads down, nose to the grindstone, trying to stay afloat with life.  Paying the bills, feeding our family, and repetition become the norm, while all around us there is unimaginable beauty, joy, happiness, wonder, and majesty.  Do we see it?  Do we think about it?  Do we meditate on it?  Do we share it?  Perhaps not.  I am here to do my share to change that for myself this year and hopefully for you too!

I plan to marvel at all the wonder of this world, to share it in kindness, compassion, generosity, and love.  If we all did our small part, we could change the course of this world.  There would be no hunger, no sorrow, no pain, no anger, no hatred, no war, just peace.  We all could use a lot of peace couldn't we?

Perhaps it's time to forgive all the past hurts and move on.  Perhaps it's time to accept our brothers and sisters of the world for who they are and hope they accept us in return.  Perhaps its time to share all that we have been blessed with.  You know, there is plenty for everyone in this world and if we share in gratitude, there will always be more.  Perhaps its time to forget the perceived "differences" such as race and religion and marvel at ALL the amazing differences there are in the world.  There are thousands of species, plants, and people who are all alike and yet different.  What is the reason to hate them for who or what they are?  I marvel at the chance for change and acceptance.

Today my friend Claire posted a video on Facebook made by a woman who said she had never had any self esteem, didn't think she was lovable, was never going to be married because she was so heavy and unattractive.  It was heartbreaking, BUT she did something about it.  She determined to try to lose some weight, to exercise and get herself in better condition.  She  made a video of herself for 100 days, exercising, losing weight, becoming who she wanted to be.  At the end of the video, she challenged everyone to do something for 100 days.  Anything you wanted.  My friend, Claire, asked who was interested.  I said I was in!

I have always wanted to be a visual artist - a painter really.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I do a lot of creative, crafty things.  I owned a costume shop for 10 years and created many amazing theatrical costumes and the work gave me great pleasure.  I am a trained floral designer and balloon artist.  Creating is what brings me joy.  But, always nagging was the desire to paint even though I never thought of myself as a painter or being a painter.

This past year, I was fortunate to be able to do a one on one session with a life coach thanks to the extreme generosity of a friend.   We finally worked around to "what" I wanted to do and I talked about creativity, even wrote a paper for him about my thoughts on creativity.  I believe that everyone is creative in some way.  There is something each of us does like no other person - the way we cook, dress, decorate our home, do our job.  It's doesn't necessarily mean making something although it is a blessing to be able to create in that manner.

While discussing my desire to paint, he asked why I didn't paint.  I said I really didn't know, somehow it frightened me because I was afraid I couldn't.  I used a Van Gogh quote to him about "If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, by all means paint and the voice will be silenced."  I think about it often.  His asked if I could paint my life?  I said I didn't know, but I would try.  And so, it began.  My journey to paint.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I am no Van Gogh (my favorite painter), nor Monet, nor Matisse, or Grandma Moses.  I am me and I do what I do.  But, I marvel at what I am doing.  Yes, marvel.   I get better with each painting.  Today, I was watching a YouTube video on painting and the instructor suggested painting 5 minutes every day in order to improve and learn.  Hmmmm, just 5 minutes a day.  So, when the 100 day challenge came along, I knew what I would do.  I am going to paint for at least 5 minutes a day for the next 100 days and see where I am at that point in time.  Coincidence?  Maybe.  Serendipity.  Definitely.

Now, I want to challenge you to find something you want to do for 100 days and begin.  Also, find a word that will be your mantra for the year.  If you want to share your challenge or word, please do.  If we are all joined in this together, we can inspire each other in a marvelous way.  See what I did there?  Marvelous?  From the word marvel?  Yes.

It's only January 9 and we have many days to go.  Please join us in this challenge and let's all marvel at the changes that occur in our lives.  Here's wishing you all good things in this year of the horse, 2014.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good.  It's the thing you do that makes you good.
Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers:  The Story of Success

1. 
   

Refrigerated Strawberry Cake - Oh My!

 Hey everyone.  The thaw has begun.  The polar vortex is on the wane - hip hip hooray!  It was in the high 30's today and is supposed to be 60 on Saturday.  Yes!  We will take it.

Yesterday, I posted a recipe for a soup that I made and hinted at the fabulous dessert we were having with the promise of a recipe today.  Well, it's your lucky day and here it is.  It is a dessert that I have made for years with a slight modification.

My friend Joyce sent me a recipe the other day and commented on how good it looked.  It did indeed look wonderful.  I told her I had been making one quite similar for many years.  The recipe she sent used a strawberry cake mix, but I have always made mine with a white cake.  I love white cake.  Sometimes, strawberry flavored things sort of overwhelm me with "too much" strawberry flavor.  It can be too sweet and somewhat cloying, but that is just me.  Otherwise, the recipe was pretty similar except it used frozen strawberries in syrup instead of strawberry jello.  This was one of the first "poke" cakes I ever made.  Is it good?  You bet it is!

While making soup, I decided we needed a fabulous dessert to go along with it.  We were stuck in the house after all, and that calls for fabulousness somehow, don't you think?  So, I thought of the strawberry cake.  I didn't have a strawberry cake mix, but I did have a white cake mix.  I didn't have frozen strawberries in syrup, but I did have a bag of whole frozen strawberries from Aldi's and a box of strawberry jello.  I didn't have Cool Whip, but I did have heavy whipping cream.  I also had the necessary box of vanilla instant pudding and milk.  Everyone makes sure they have milk when there is a winter weather warning right?  Everything was a go!

This is a really easy cake to make, but I did make the  modification of adding the frozen berries to the jello.  Wow, what an addition!  How did I never think of that?  This cake is like eating the lightest, airiest, fluffiest strawberry shortcake you can imagine.  It was a taste of sunshine, of summer, of warm days and bare feet.  Oh my goodness and Yummmy  Yum  Yum.    Here is what you need:

1 white cake mix, baked according to directions on the box(or a strawberry cake mix if you desire)
1 20 oz. bag frozen strawberries, thawed, no sugar added
1 small box strawberry jello
1 cup boiling water
1 box vanilla instant pudding, made with only 1 cup of milk, not 2
8 ounces Cool Whip thawed, or 1 and 1/2 pints heavy whipping cream

Bake the cake according to directions.  Let cool.  Poke all over with the handle of a wooden spoon.

Pour 1 cup boiling water over the contents of a small box of strawberry jello which you place in a bowl.  Stir to dissolve completely.   Place the thawed strawberries in a blender or food processor and pour the  hot jello over the berries.  Place the lid tightly on the blender/processor and cover with a tea towel while blending.  Blend until you still have some chunks of berries left, not totally liquid.  Pour this over the cake.

Sorry, the color is so artificial looking.  It was the lighting when I took the picture.  Using a spatula, smooth the strawberry mixture over the cake so it will soak into the holes.

Make the instant pudding with only 1 cup of milk, not 2 as the box calls for.  Cover the strawberries with the pudding.

If you are using heavy whipping cream, whip the cream using a mixer adding just a little sugar and vanilla until it forms stiff peaks.  Spread over the pudding.  If you are using Cool Whip, simply cover the pudding with the Cool Whip.   Refrigerate until ready to serve - IF you can resist diving right in.  This cake should be refrigerated at all times.

Cake descriptions -  Heavenly.  Ethereal.  Fabulous.  Delicious.  Amazing.  And, I just finished a piece while typing this blog.  So good with coffee.  So, so good.  If you use a white cake, you will notice how light and airy the dessert is.  It's like eating heavenly strawberry air with so many layers of flavor with a hint of cake.  I don't know how it would be with a strawberry cake - very strawberry is my guess.  It's up to you.  Take your pick.  You do want to make this cake.  Let me know what you think.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Doubtless God could have made a better berry (than the strawberry), but doubtless God never did.  William Allen Butler

Cold Weather Means Soup!

Happy New Year everyone.  I have finally rested and recouped from the holidays.  How about you?  Hope yours was as much fun as ours.  There were good friends, gifts, grandsons, and lots of fabulous food.  What more could you ask for?

We received a marvelous gift from our children that brought us into the present century - a flat screen television!   Yes, we still had a big old dinosaur television.  The funny thing is, we had bought one for ourselves as a Christmas gift to us the morning of Christmas Eve.  We decided it was time.  (Ya think?)  As our two daughters and I were preparing to put food on the table for Christmas Eve I casually said, "Hey, guess what we got today."  They both turned and looked at me and asked, "What?"  They had that look on their face.  You know the one - like something's up?  Anyway, I said a flat screen television.  They looked at each other and then looked at me and one of them said, "Well, now you have two I guess."  We laughed hysterically.  It was a truly funny moment.  Our second daughter said, "We waited until yesterday to get it for you because we were afraid this would happen.  When you hadn't gotten one by yesterday, we went ahead and got it."  Oops.  How did I know?  The good thing is, we took the one back that we had bought and now we can get something else with the money.  That, my friends, is a good thing.  We have a new television and a choice to get something else.  We're still thinking.

The other spectacular gift we received was a Keurig coffee maker.  We have really come into the present century, let me tell you!  Coffee on demand, one cup at a time and a flat screen television.  Could life get any better?

I suppose you all are experiencing the polar vortex (a new weather term for me) just like the rest of us?  Cold?  No thanks.  Not a fan at all.  It can leave and not return for the rest of the winter and it will not hurt my feelings in the least.  It  was 2 degrees this morning.  Ugh.  Hasn't been this cold in Nashville for 20 years.  It's supposed to be 60 on Saturday.  Now that's what I'm talking about!!  I'll take  all of that I can get.  Maybe a sweater in the evening, no heavy coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots and whatever else you have to put on to stay warm.  I.  Am.  Over.  It.

In case it's not going to warm up that much where you are, I have a great soup for you that I made for dinner tonight.  To us, cold weather means soup - really hot soup.  Do you like your soup really hot?   Please, don't serve me luke warm soup.  Ew.  Hot.  Hot.  Hot.  The only way to eat soup.  Sorry, I digressed.  Actually, I could eat soup every day - even in hot weather.  I know.  I'm weird that way.

We had chili on Sunday and Monday, because I make lots of soup when I make it.  It gets better each day AND you don't have to cook again.  That is a super benefit for making a big pot of delicious soup. Tonight, I was going to make potato soup.  Yum.  One of our favorites.  I peeled the potatoes, and chopped an onion.  When I got the onion out of the fridge (yes, I keep my onions there), I noticed there was a pound of breakfast sausage that needed to be used.  Okay, I'll throw it in the soup.  So, I browned it up in a saute pan.  Oh, and there was a 10 ounce box of spinach I had thawed for another recipe that I didn't make.  It needed to be used.  Okay, I'll throw it in the soup.  Why not?

I didn't want the soup to be bland, so I added a can of Ro-Tel for a little zip.  Well, why not add some cannellini beans too?  Sure, drain and rinse a can of cannellini beans and throw them in.  Yes, there was a parmesan cheese rind in the fridge too.  Toss it in.  Add a box of chicken stock and enough water to cover everything.  Add a couple pinches of red pepper flakes, and let it all cook until the potatoes were done.   Dynamite!

When I was ready to serve the soup, I poured a drizzle of olive oil over the soup and added some freshly grated parmesan cheese.  For the coup de gras, we had big pieces of crusty garlic bread drizzled with olive oil to mop up that delicious broth.  If I do say so myself, it was one fantastic meal!  Yum.  Yum.

If you wanted to make this soup vegetarian, just leave out the sausage and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.  It is also gluten free for all of you who have to watch your gluten intake.  Don't you love one pot meals?  I sure do.  Here is what you need to make this soup.  I really don't know what to call it.  If you have an idea, let me know.

1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 TBSP butter
1 pound breakfast sausage, hot or mild, or 1 pound Italian sausage, browned
1 10 ounce box frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry*
1 14 ounce can cannellini beans (or you could use kidney beans)
as many potatoes as you would like, peeled and cut in chunks - I used about 2 pounds
1 32 ounce box low sodium chicken stock
1 can Ro-Tel
parmesan cheese rind optional

salt and pepper to taste
a couple pinches crushed red pepper flakes
olive oil for drizzling
freshly grated parmesan cheese

*If you don't want to use spinach, you could use chopped kale or swiss chard.  Either one would be delicious.  I used the spinach because I had it.


In a large dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the onions until translucent.  Add the minced garlic.  While you are cooking the onions, brown the sausage in a saute skillet and drain.  Add the sausage, cannellini beans, spinach, Ro-Tel, and chicken stock to the onions and garlic.  Use enough water to completely cover all the vegetables.  Add a couple pinches of crushed red pepper flakes.  Cook until the potatoes are fork tender.  Taste and season with salt if needed.  I used freshly ground black pepper in each bowl when served or you can add it to the soup pot.

When you serve the soup, drizzle a little olive oil over each bowl and grate some fresh parmesan cheese on top.    Serve with some crusty bread and ENJOY!

This soup was so hearty and delicious and really good for a "throw together" soup.  I really wish you could have shared a bowl with us because it sure hit the spot on this frigid arctic night.  And then, you should have seen what we had for dessert.  Oh my.  Come back tomorrow and I will show you and give you the recipe.  It's fantabulous.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home.  Edith Sitwell

Creamed Greens With Shallots - Yum!

It's HERE!  It's officially crunch time.  Today is Festivus ( you know, for the rest of us) and tomorrow is Christmas Eve.  Do you celebrate on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or both?  I mean presents, you know. We usually do presents on Christmas Eve so our children can do "Santa" on Christmas morning with their children.  We will have dinner tomorrow evening at our daughter's home.  She is preparing traditional Lebanese food and I am so excited.  If you have never eaten Lebanese food, it's so good. Christmas dinner will be at our house on Christmas Day.  Our youngest son is bringing several friends who could not go home for Christmas.  It should be pandemonium and so much fun.

On Thanksgiving, I tried a Martha Stewart recipe for creamed greens that was simply spectacular!  It was a major hit so we will be having it again on Christmas Day by request.  Do you like greens?  You know, turnip greens, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, spinach?

Growing up there was always a controversy in our house.  My dad loved turnip greens and my mom didn't.  Mom liked spinach and dad didn't.  We were just confused.  No kid can understand why anyone would like greens of any kind.  Seriously?  Yuck.

Things change when you get older - hopefully.  I happen to love greens of all kinds, especially with some vinegar added and some hot sauce, braised with some bacon, ham, or fatback.  Yummmmm!

Kale seems to be the new food darling right now and it is so good for you - full of antioxidants and nutrients.  The only thing with kale is it is kind of chewy if not cut in really small pieces before cooking.  Other greens wilt down a little more and are easier to chew.  The upside is all greens are full of iron and vitamin B12 which are hard to get in most other foods.  We benefit from eating as many greens as we can, unless you are on medications to thin your blood.  Then  you should consult your doctor.

Here is what you need to make this recipe:

2 large bunches turnip greens
1 large bunch kale
1 large bunch collard greens
6 TBSP butter
2 large shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced (1 TBSP)
2 TBSP AP flour (I substituted 1 TBSP cornstarch for gluten free)
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
pinch of nutmeg
pinch red pepper flakes
3/4 cup dry white wine or chicken stock
coarse salt

First, remove the stems from the collard greens and kale.  Chop the leaves into bite sized pieces.
Heat a large saute pan over high heat (I used my electric skillet to saute the greens).  Add kale, collard, and turnip greens, 1 tsp salt and wine or chicken stock.  Cover and cook until greens wilt, about 2 minutes turning occasionally. (You will start with a huge mound of greens and will end up with what looks like a small amount.  Don't be alarmed.)   Reduce to medium and cook, turning greens until almost tender - about 15 minutes.  I used long tongs to turn the greens.  Remove cover and transfer greens to a bowl.

Add 4 TBSP butter to pan, melt on high heat.  Add shallots and garlic.  Saute until softened, about 3 minutes.  Return greens to saute pan.  Remove from heat.

Melt remaining 2 TBSP butter in a saucepan over medium high heat.  Add flour (or cornstarch) and whisk to incorporate.  Add milk and cream, slowly whisking until sauce thickens slightly and coats back of a spoon - about 2 minutes.  Add nutmeg and red pepper flakes.  Season with salt.

Stir sauce into greens and cook over medium heat until warmed through.

If not serving immediately, cool completely then refrigerate.  Reheat over low heat before serving. Transfer to a bowl and serve.  Double Delicious is all I can say.

A minor Christmas miracle occurred today.  I actually have all my Christmas gifts wrapped before Christmas Eve for the first time EVER!  Miracles do happen every day.  Now, it's time to begin preparations for Christmas dinner.  

We are having Cornish Game Hens and roast beef for the carnivores and spinach stuffed manicotti for the vegetarians.  Sides are yet to be decided.  I know there will be creamed greens and wild rice.  Desserts are always a toss up.  Have you set your menu yet?

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you one and all.  Thanks for reading my blog and I will return after Christmas.  Let the fun begin.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

It came upon a midnight clear,
That glorious song, of old
Of angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold.

Grandma Elf Builds A Darth Vader Costume For Her Grandson

 Hip, Hip, Hooray!  Darth Vader is finished and ready to ship tomorrow.  Whew.  One more task completed.  Can't begin to tell you how happy I am about that.  I cut this out yesterday.  Started sewing on it at 11:00 am this morning and finished it at 3:00 pm.  I sew pretty fast.  Couldn't tell you the number of costumes I have made through the years.  Lots and lots for certain.  Yes, I owned a costume shop for 10 years.  Little costumes go pretty fast most of the time.

Our grandson will be 6 on Christmas Eve.  He has the Darth Vader helmet, but did not have the costume.  His mom told me he really would love a costume.  Grandma Elf said she thought she could come up with something.  There are no patterns for Darth, so  it was all on a wing and a prayer.
Here are his up close details.  I took about a gazillion pictures and none of the detail would really show.

This is Grandma Elf's workshop.

Thank goodness this closet has doors.  It will be reorganized after the holidays.  The whole room will be reorganized.

Yeah, two ironing boards.  Don't ask.  I have sayings by the Dalai Lama hanging over my ironing board to remind me not to get too bent out of shape about things.  One is called "Never Give Up."  I've had to refer to it on many occasions.

This is Grandma Elf sewing away.  Doesn't she look calm?

Yes, Grandma Elf looks calm, steadily working away.  But, this is how she actually feels about trying to create Darth and get it done to ship by tomorrow.

Do you feel like this at holiday time?  Deadlines?  So much to do?  Will you ever get finished?  And, who is going to straighten this workshop up?  It makes Grandma Elf want to cry when things are in such a mess.  Oh well, this too shall pass.  But, the costume is pretty awesome.

Grandma Elf really hopes a certain little 6 year old will be ever so happy with this Darth Vader costume!  It was truly made with all the love she could put into each stitch.

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas, Roman!  Grandma loves you lots and lots.  I can't wait to see a picture of you in full regalia.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go..........

Christmas 2013 Living Room

 We started today by meeting friends for coffee on the other side of town.  I'm talking 30 minute drive from here.  In Evansville, you were always 10 minutes from anything.  We always have great conversations and it was so great to see them!  After we returned home, I cut out costumes for our grandsons that will be Christmas gifts.  Darth Vader and two cowboys.  Guess I know what I will do tomorrow.  It's gonna be me and the sewing machine spending some quality time together.  I mean, it is getting really close now.  Deadlines.  I've always got deadlines.

Today, I thought we would do a little Christmas, 2013, tour of the living room.  You have seen most of it in bits and pieces in other posts with a few tutorials thrown in.  Our living room is L shaped.  The area we use for the television is probably supposed to be a dining area, but we use the whole room for living space.  We just like it that way.

The big white star that hangs over the couch used to hang above our fireplace.  This is the first time in almost 30 years we have not had a fireplace, so I had to "break my mold" so to speak and use things in some different ways.  The white shutters that flank the star were a $5 purchase I made at the Habitat ReStore.  I have a thing for shutters.  Don't ask why.  I couldn't tell you.  I had them in my craft room for months, didn't know what I was going to do with them.  As I was falling asleep one night right after Thanksgiving, it dawned on me that they would be the perfect thing to hang next to the star to fill out that wall.  It had looked so blank to me, but I hadn't found anything I wanted to hang there.  TaDa!  Shutters.  Perfect.  For Christmas, I hung some of my rusty snowflakes that I have had for years and years on the long piece that moves the louvers.  Super easy and it meant no more holes in the walls.  Yay!

I have many small trees throughout the house.  We haven't had a big tree in years due to lack of space.  This is my white flocked tree that is done all in white, silver, and crystal.  It's hard to get a good picture of it, but it is my favorite.  It sparkles in the sunlight and at night is so beautiful with the tree lights on.

The entertainment center is decorated with lights and greenery and to the left sits my pencil tree with handmade ornaments on it.  The red goblets were a Dollar Tree purchase many years ago and I put tea lights in them.  I have never seen them in a Dollar Tree since.  I would really love to have some more.

The cabinet on the right holds our crystal and is decorated for the season.  The "Santa's belly" candles were made last year and you can find a tutorial on the blog.

There is also a tutorial to make the ornament wreath.  You can use the search to find it.

The sofa table is flanked by two chairs that we have had forever.  They are great for reading since the window is in between and they each have an ottoman of sorts for propping your feet up.

 This is a picture of me at age 4 sitting on Santa's Lap.  That was a LONG time ago, but it seems like yesterday.  This was taken at the Sears Department Store in Evansville, Indiana.  I had turned 4 a few weeks before.

Well, it's crunch time and there is much to do, so I better get busy.  Hope you enjoyed today's tour.  Check out the tutorials.  The Santa's Belly Candles are super cute and so inexpensive to make.  Hope you are coping with the season and are on the downhill slide.  I'm getting there.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Oh, you better watch out
You better not cry,
Better not pout, I'm tellin' you why
Santa Claus is coming to town.......

My Different Burlap Christmas Trees

 Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches.  There are many representations of the traditional Christmas tree.   You may have a huge evergreen tree decorated with lights and ornaments, or it may be a Charlie Brown tree.  It could be shiny aluminum with a color wheel that rotates casting different colored lights on the tree.  Perhaps, you have improvised something on your wall because you have no room for a full tree.  I have seen trees made from old ladders and decorated that are amazing.   Everyone likes something different.

One of the most beautiful trees I ever saw was years ago when I was doing direct sales and was conducting a party in a home where their tree was a sapling that had been cut in the woods.  The tree was totally wrapped in cotton so that it looked like a completely snow covered tree.  There were lights and ornaments hanging from the limbs and lots of icicles.  The sapling reached the ceiling and it was so beautiful I wish you could have seen it.  The hostess told me this has  been her family's tradition for as long as she could remember and she had continued it.  I know it was a lot of work to do all the wrapping, but it was one beautiful tree.

One night I was about to doze off, when a vision of some burlap Christmas trees came into my head.  It may sound strange to you, but things like that happen to me right before I go to sleep, or when I am in the shower and not thinking of any particular thing.  The trees were simple and lovely.  This is my interpretation of what I envisioned.   They are very primitive which is something I really, really like.

I didn't know how I was going to make them because they needed a form - a support.  So I went to Michael's and wandered around.  I found some wooden squares in the craft section that were $1.00 each.  I bought 3.  Then I found some dowel rods for $.59 each.  I bought two because I knew I could cut them to different lengths.  I had a package of styrofoam cones at home that I thought could work to complete my "form."  I found a package with cut dowel rods at Wal Mart that would make the final shape work.  There were 8 in a package, so I bought two because I didn't know how many I would need.  I used them all.

Dan drilled a hole in the center of each base that would hold the biggest dowel rod for the center of the tree.  To find the center, simply draw a straight line from corner to corner that intersects like an X.  That is  your center.  I held the big dowel rod up and marked where I wanted them cut to make different heights.  Dan cut those for me.

I hot glued the big dowel in each base.  Then, I cut a styrofoam cone in thirds and placed a piece on the top of each dowel.

This is what the first one looked like.  Then, I painted the cones with some brown paint so the cone wouldn't show through the burlap.  I pushed the shorter dowels into the bottom of the styrofoam at quarters of the styrofoam and then filled in between with more rods.  I put hot glue at the base of each dowel so it would hold in the styrofoam.  I painted the base, center, and all rods with some light brown paint.

For the first tree, I cut two long rectangles of burlap.  Make them at least twice as long as the width of the tree and long enough to cover the spokes of the tree when gathered at the top.   Add several inches.  You can always cut it off if it is longer than you like.  Next, I  stitched the side seams together with a tapestry needle and some yarn using a running stitch.

Now, you have a big circle of fabric that is open at the top and bottom.  Using the needle and yarn, I gathered the top edge of the circle using the same running/gathering stitch pulling it as tight as I could get it until I reached the beginning stitching.  I wrapped the yarn tightly around the gathered top several times to hold the "tree" shape and tied it.  I then dropped the burlap over the wooden form.    It was a big puff of fabric with a top knot.  

To make the tree shape, I did an overhand whip stitch with the yarn by attaching the bottom few inches of the burlap to the wooden spoke, then continued the rest of the way up catching only the fabric.  You will have as many seams as you have spokes as well as the two side seams.  Now it looks like a primitive tree.  

It took a little time, but it is so precious and worth every stitch.  Charlie Brown's tree has nothing on this one.

The next tree was made by cutting strips of burlap and tying each piece to a spoke until the dowel was covered.  Next, you progress to each additional spoke until they are all covered.  Continue by cutting longer pieces of burlap and wrapping and tying it around the styrofoam cone.  The last few pieces are hot glued to the top of the styrofoam so that it stand up like the top of a tree.  I folded each strip in half and ran hot glue along the fold, then pushed it against the styrofoam.  Remember, hot glue will come through the burlap, so I used a glue stick to push the burlap so I didn't burn my fingers.  

Oh how I love this tree.  Don't ask me why.  It's kind of pathetic looking, but it has character and to me it is representational of our indomitable spirits.  We are all beautiful in our own way.  

The last tree was made with a piece of burlap ribbon.  I hot glued it to the top of the styrofoam and just swirled it around the wooden dowel rods, adding a little hot glue in places to help it keep it's shape and not all fall to the bottom of the tree.  

This tree was fast and easy.  The other two took a little time, but they were so fun to make.  They all have their own personality just like each of us.  If you made 10 or a 1,000 of these trees, each one would be slightly different.  That is the part about crafting and handwork that I love.  Everything is unique and individual.  Manufactured things can be beautiful and they will certainly have much more uniformity.  That is not what I wanted.  These trees were a vision.  I could no more explain to you where that vision came from than I could explain the universe, but it is more than a joyous occasion when it happens.

I am going to enjoy these trees for years to come and they will always be a reminder of inspiration, how it comes, and the result of such inspiration.

You could use colored burlap to make these trees or you could add some paint with a brush keeping the primitive look, spray snow, lights, whatever you wanted to make them "yours."  I thought about wrapping lights under the trees and letting them shine through the burlap.  Maybe I will do that next year for a different look.  The options are endless.

Give this project a try and see what you can create.  These could be made very small using toothpicks or as big as you want.  Be creative.  Use your imagination.  Let me know if you make some of these trees.  I would love to see pictures.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
You'll never be unchanging!
A symbol of goodwill and love
You'll ever be unchanging

Each shining light
Each silver bell
No one alive spreads cheer so well

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
You'll ever be unchanging