Craft | Peg Doll Nativity Set

This is the most creative, adorable make-it-yourself craft I've seen this year. I can just imagine how my little niece, Isabella, and little nephew, Matthew, two and almost one year respectively, would love this! And what a treasure it would be to pass this down to future generations!

Supplies for this project include:


7 wooden peg dolls {$1.99/pair}
Wooden Star {$.29}
Wooden Angel {1.99}
Wooden Crate {$2.59}
Plastic toy animals {$4.59}
Acrylic Paints {$1.29/ea; on hand}
Triple Thick Glaze {$2.49}
Tiny Paintbrushes {$3.49}
Raffia {$1.79}
Hot Glue Gun

Cost to make this project: About $20.00.

For a step-by-step tutorial, click here!

Craft | Dried Orange Slices

 One of my most favorite things to do at Christmas is to dry orange slices for my kitchen tree. It's like a stress-free day to recoup from the craziness of the season. The aroma from my oven is like an incense, evoking memories of a simpler time. Of all the trees in our house, and I do love them all, there is something special about my Kitchen Tree. It's loaded with all things natural, homemade ... whole. I load the limbs with dried orange and apple slices studded with cloves and usually tied with raffia. I always make very plain gingerbread men and sometimes gingerbread stars tied with satin or grosgrain ribbon and trim the tree with cranberries. Sometimes I even tie individual cinnamon sticks for extra sensory excitement.

Drying oranges is one of the simplest tasks, perfect for a wrapping day or a Christmas card day ... or any stay-at-home day.




Dried Orange Slices

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

2 large naval oranges, sliced into 1/4' slices
handful of whole cloves

Method

Lay slices of oranges on paper towels and blot as much juice from the oranges as possible. Place several clove studs in each orange slice. Place orange slices on baking sheet, not touching, and bake in preheated oven for 4 - 6 hours, turning periodically so that they can dry on both sides.

Thread ribbon, raffia or other medium through slices after they've been dried and use as ornaments.

Other ideas for dried oranges:

Recipe | Scotch Broth

Scotch Broth is a traditional dish served on Scotland's St. Andrew's day, November 30th. But it's also a wonderful and hearty winter soup that can keep you warm even on the coldest days. This is a quicker version of Scotch Broth, which traditionally cooks for hours.



Scotch Broth

Ingredients

1 lb ground lamb
1 tablespoon butter
2 medium onions, chopped
4 carrots, sliced 3/4-inch thick
1 turnip, cut in 1-inch dice
1 large bunch organic kale, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
6 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
2 cups water
2 cups cooked pearl barley (cook in separate pan for 45 minutes)
1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Method

Brown lamb in stock pot or Dutch Oven until browned. Remove with slotted spoon and remove all by 1 teaspoon of fat.

Add 1 tablespoon of butter and saute onions, carrots, turnip, and kale, add salt and pepper to taste, and continue to cook until onions are softened, 5-8 minutes. Add broth, water, cooked barley, bay leaf and rosemary. Simmer, covered until vegetables and barley are tender, about 10 minutes. Add reserved lamb and vinegar, gently simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes for flavors to blend. Discard bay leaf and serve.