Christmas Mantel

I think this is the first year I've decorated our mantel for Christmas.  I usually hang the stockings and Santa's clothesline and call it done.  But this year, since I went all out on the ornaments (here, here, and here) and the wreaths (here), I figured there's no reason to stop now.

We also have a floating shelf in the livingroom. The thing's gotta be at least 6 feet long, so that gave me double the decorating space!

I used more of the branches that we collected from my father-in-law's property. Sorry about the pictures, they were all taken at night.

First the shelf.  I layered cedar branches, just randomly, filling in with smaller pieces as needed.  I ran a garland of pinecones and berries from Micheal's (50% off!) along the length of the shelf.   The garland was intended to drape across the front of the fireplace but it looked so much better here.  I then added in some candles from the dollar store, old candlesticks from Goodwill, and flameless candles.

Sidenote: Costco has packages of 24 different-sized candles/tealights with 24 spare batteries for $15.  Tom says it's worth it for the batteries alone as he uses them all the time at his work and they're expensive. Should I start a black market battery store on the side?

The display needed some height so I added my apothocary jars filled with bows (don't they look a bit like poinsettia leaves?)  I added more pinecones - can't ever have too many pinecones - some red ribbon and bits of birch bark. Oh, there are also some spheres that I bought from the dollar store years ago.  Don't know what they're for but I think they fit right in.

The fireplace mantel was a little harder to decorate because it isn't very deep.  I started with a candle holder we bought last year and added pine branches around it.  I had to use little spots of hot glue to keep them in place because they kept falling forward.  But the glue comes right off so no big deal.

I tried out just about every candlestick I own. And I own a lot. I have two faux lanterns that I received as a shower gift but that I've never really liked.  I spraypainted the silver bases with oil rubbed bronze to coordinate with the dark wood of the candleholder.  I then partially filled them with burgundy gravel and pearl beads, and added more flameless candles.

Wove in some red ribbon and silver beads. 

Added more pinecones.  (Of course.)

 I also a couple of table "vignettes". 

There is a set of birch bark trees I loooooove.

And a pretty little vase filled with cedar twigs and pinecones. 

I love that ribbon.  It's new this year.

I think I might be ready for Christmas!

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Linking to these fun parties this week!

Paleo Spaghetti

I have to admit that since giving up cereal grains, I haven't really missed pasta.  But I do miss the sauce, and it seems weird to dig into a big bowl of spaghetti sauce all by itself.

Enter Paleo spaghetti.  I found this recipe on paleodietlifestyle.com and it gets a gold star from me.

I make my sauce in the slowcooker - 'cause I'm lazy.  I add ground beef, chopped onions, mushrooms and garlic.  I let that cook completely and then add a jar of prepared spaghetti sauce.  Sometimes I'll add a can of diced tomatoes if I have it in the house.  Then some spices (chinese chili sauce and garlic pepper this time), and a tablespoon of sugar to sweeten it. I also used some coconut milk to cut down on the acidity of the tomato.

Doesn't that look good?

For the  "spaghetti" you're going to use a spaghetti squash.  I've never liked squash but I'm warming up to it now.  Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scrape out the seeds and what-have-you, and season it if you wish (I used southwest pepper flakes). 

Feel free to put the sticker from the squash on your dog's head and watch her dance around trying to get it off.  Dinner and a show! 

Place the two squash halves face down in a baking dish and bake in the oven for about 40 minutes.  You don't want to overcook it or the squash will become mushy instead of stringy.

Once done, take a fork and "fluff" the squash strings apart.  They should come apart easily. 

One average squash makes enough for at least 5-6 servings, maybe more. We've made two dinners, two lunches, and a breakfast from it so far and there's still quite a bit left.

What do you think?  Something you'd want to try?  If you do, let me know how it turned out. Do you have any other pasta alternatives you like to use?

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Linking to these great food parties this week!

Jingle Bell Ornament

I made a simple little sheet music ornament.

I bought a couple of music books from a used book store and one song happened to be "Jingle Bells".  Appropriate, right?

To make the ornament, first I inserted a loop of ribbon into the top of a styrofoam ball the same as with my pinecone map ornament.  You just make a hole in the ball with scissors, make a ribbon loop and tie the end with a knot, drop some glue into the hole and push the ribbon knot firmly into the hole.

I cut the sheet music up into approximately 2 inches strips and mod podged them onto the ball in a random pattern.  Make sure you go right up to the ribbon loop.

After it has dried, spray it with a sealer to make it shine and seal it (duh) from moisture.  I tied a bow to the top to finish it off.  Next time I think I'll tea-stain the paper before I glue it on to give it a more antique look.

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Linking up here this week!