A very pleasant Christmas chore.

Pomanders the quintessential Christmas decoration.

Pierce oranges with toothpicks first, then insert cloves.  Makes for quick and easy work.

Pomanders have long been a Holiday tradition. Their fragrance  fills the house with Christmas  cheer.  

 Making Pomanders is a perfect project for children and grown ups alike. 

Use a sturdy toothpick to punch little holes into oranges, lemons or limes. Insert whole cloves into fruit. Cover  entire fruit with cloves in different patterns.  Spice-rich aroma will fill your house. 

Pomanders will keep for years. 

 Place them into a bowl and toss in a mixture of powdered 

cinnamon, 

nutmeg,

allspice and cloves.

Cover completely, turn often

 making  sure you have enough of the spice mixture to cover fruit. In about two weeks your finished pomanders can be hung into closets or cupboards.

Pomanders make lovely Christmas presents. 

Have fun , Gina. 

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/

A different version

It's that time of year again when I get lots of questions about my hand painted glass Christmas ornaments.

Here is How to 

If you don't want to get out the paints
and want to do something different.

 Tear up very thin napkins (MacKenzie type) into smaller pieces.

 Cover (modge podge style) clear glass balls with colored tissue paper.

Use thinned out Elmer's glue or similar.
You can even make a very thin paste of flour and water. 

These napkins come in layers.  Only use the top layer. 
The thinner the paper the more malleable it is. 
You will get a smoother finish.

Dip the paper in glue and attach to glass ball.

Attach a wire hanger and let dry.

Spray with clear Sealer. 

Almost all napkins come apart into several layers. 

Little once like to be involved. 

Clear plastic hearts and balls are available in craft stores.
They are safe to use for the younger group.  

Have fun. 

Gina

https://tentoesinthewater.blogspot.com/
https://betweennapsontheporch.net

Easy and quick Christmas decorating ideas

Gather a few oranges, lemons and apples.

Add a few greens.

A few cloves.

Unpack old friends.

Don't forget to hang a few ornaments outside.

Fresh roses save the day.

What is Christmas without candles.

A glass of Glühwein makes the spirit bright.

It's not too late to paint a few glass Christmas ornaments. 

Hand painted wooden hearts and hand painted glass Christmas ornaments inside glass vase.

 A chair...provides color for an otherwise empty corner. 

If  the top of the cabinet needs a little color.

The older, the better.

A pomegranate makes the difference.

 Bring a little sunshine into the scene.

Pomanders last a long time.

Life Saver Garlands are favorite decorations.

A Putti here and there.

Acorns add an unusual touch.

And I love Orchids and Hellebore for Christmas.

Soon it will be Christmas. 

Thank you dear friends for stopping by.  

I appreciate each and everyone of you.

Gina 

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/
https://normandylife.blogspot.ca/2017/12/mosaic-monday-66-tis-season.html

Almost ready for Christmas

Only a few more fun chores to complete.

Fresh greens and fresh fruit for the table centerpiece.

It will be replaced with a white rose bouquet at dinner time. 

(Don't you hate to look across the table when a tall centerpiece takes center stage). 

Lifesaver Garlands are still my favorite Christmas Tree decorations.  

More and more of the "open" water is disappearing.

Early morning surprised us with new snow.

It's time to get out the cross country skis and pack up a picnic.

Geese need to fly south.  

Friends are stopping by to wish us well.

That is  my favorite part of this Christmas Season.  

May light and love be with you always.  

Gina

Don't put your paints away yet.

 We've all been painting glass Christmas ornaments. Right?   

So, while the paint is still wet, why not paint a few wooden hearts.

What's great about painting wooden hearts?  You can paint them on both sides.  

So if you don't like one side. Turn it over.  

Just saying.  

Love ya. 

Gina 

The First Advent

Last Sunday was the First Advent

This year it fell on November 29th. 

Advent Sunday is the fourth Sunday BEFORE Christmas Day. 

How excited we were.

Running up four flights of stairs to wake up the first Räuchermann (incense smoker).

Impatiently waiting for grown ups to catch up.

German ebay

 Gently taking him out of his box, gently carrying him down to the Gute Stube (the best room of the house).  Only good little girls and good little boys are allowed to carry him. 

  

Placing  him on the fireplace mantle where he fills the air with exotic incense. And where soon he will be joined by three more Räuchermännchen, the next three Sundays.

Christmas Season had officially begun.

German ebay

Cone incense is placed inside and lit.

German ebay

We were spellbound, waiting for the smoke to come out of their mouths.

The tradition is observed in many parts of Germany and other central European countries. But nowhere more celebrated than in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) central Europe near the Saxony/Bohemia border. 

Ore Mountain Folk Art, in the form of Smoking Figures (Räuchermännchen), Christmas Pyramids, Nutcrackers and many other colorful and hand carved ornaments are known the world over.

Happy First Advent to you, my dear

Blogging Friends.

Gina

http://betweennapsontheporch.net