Merry Christmas from our house!

~ Can you have too many ornaments on a Christmas tree? No! ~

~ Not to self: "Try not eat too may goodies ... yea, maybe next year!" ~

~ Our little mantle forest ~

~ H o m e ~

~ P E A C E ~

~ Wishing everyone a very loving Merry Christmas & a wonderfully happy Holiday! ~

Feeding Our Song Birds

I made up a batch of Birdie Feeder Treats the other day. It's very easy and fun to do w/the kids!

Treat Mixture:
2 - 3 c bread crumbs, old crackers, old bread, old Cheerios, etc... (I used old freezer burned buns & bread that I forgot were in the freezer)
1 cup birdseed
3 uncored apples - chopped
1 c raisins
1/2 dry fruit - chopped
1 c crisco or lard
1 c sugar
1 - 2 c peanut butter (use more or less depending on amt of dry bread/crackers/cereal used)
1/2 c whole wheat flour
1/3 c cornmeal

Very easy to do -- it doesn't have to be accurate, add more or less of what you may want or need too -- use up some things you may already have on hand.

Heat / microwave on low the lard & p-butter until soft for stirring, then fold / stir in dry ingredients. Mix until you have a crumbly sticky dough (sorta' like choc chip cookie dough). Can freeze any remaining mix for later date.

Feeders:
10 - 12 pine cones / several produce netting bags / 10 - 12 orange or grapefruit rind cups (fruit cut in 1/2 w/pulp removed)
string or yarn

To prepare your feeders: wrap 24in piece of string/yarn around the base of the pine cone (bottom petals) and/or 3 strings of equal length threaded thru and knotted in 1/3 sections of the citrus ring cups for hanging. Then carefully press treat mix in between and into pine cones, or fill citrus cups. Or fill the produce plastic net bags and then tie-off the bag's end closed w/12in string and knot (the string ends) for hanging. Hang from tree branches or near your bird feeder location.

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It's time for decorating ... even in Heaven.

Angels, no doubt, are getting busy dusting stars and moonbeams ... hanging some extra shiny touches to shine thru every night. I'll be looking for a very special bright Star to hang a silent prayer on come the 24th ... I'll be celebrating a special birthday. :)

For me, He is the Reason for the Season.

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Follow my Blog ... Win this FREE Gem Bracelet!!

Win Me!!

~ A Christmas Contest ~
Simply follow my blog and you'll be entered!

Taaaa Daaaaa!! Congratulations to Tres Chic Designs Jewelry - she won my 'follow me' blog contest!!

My DH drew her email from a hat that contained all the follower names Sunday night.

Again, congratulations to Sharon and thank you all for "ho, ho, ho ... thanks for the follow!!"

Have yourself a very Merry Christmas!
Kind Regards,
Beth

The prize:
1 - Sterling Gemstone Bracelet
Faceted Rock Crystal Nuggets & Sm Garnet accent stones
set in heavy .925 sterling & toggle closure
length 7 1/2in

The Details:
Follow my Blog & Leave Contact Info before 12/06/09
I'll be drawing one follower Sun 12/06/09

My email: miahasbeads@gmail.com
*Please make sure I have a valid way to contact you by email. US residents only.*

Ho! Ho! Ho! ... thanks for the follow! :D
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Good-Bye Yahoooo...

A quick note for my bead supply customers:

I closed my Yahoo bead store today. It was running $130 a month compared to ArtFire which is $7 a month -- a no brainer decision! I still have my Yahoo website for finished jewelry.

Please visit my ArtFire Bead Shop if you haven't already ... you'll find oodles of beads & pend's 1,500 listings and over 170 $Dollar Beads right now!!

Mia Bella Collection Beads @ ArtFire

Mia Bella Collection Jewelry @ ArtFire

Mia Bella Collection Jewelry @ Yahoo

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Want Some?

~ Who Wants Cake? ~

I love cake ... all cakes ... all flavors ... with frosting ... without frosting ... I LOVE CAKE!! Yesterday, I had my sons and family gathered together at our house for a belated birthday bash supper ... to celebrate all the birthdays we didn't get to share together. Hot on the grill were Mini Bacon Burgers, Garlic-Parm Tater Wedges, Baby Greens Salad & Vine Ripe Tomatoes ... and of coarse ... Birthday CAKE!! I made sure I saved room for my little path to chocolate heaven. For me, this is the BEST and EASIEST way to a REAL chocolate high!

Note to Self: "Sorry, heaven maybe calorie free....but this is definitely NOT." :D

Easy Path to Chocolate Heaven

~ Grease Bundt pan - Preheat 350*
1 choc cake mix
1 box instant choc pudding
5 eggs
1/2 c. melted butter
2 c. sour cream
1/3 c. veg oil
1/2 tsp. almond extract
~ Mix all at Low speed 'til moist, then mix at Med Speed for 4 mins. Reserve 1 c. batter. Pour into pan.

1 c. choc chips
1/4 c. dk cocoa power
1 c. cake batter (reserved)
~ Stir together 'til well mixed. Spoon dollups of dk chip filling on top of batter, and then cut w/a knife into each dollup so it will swirl within the center of the cake, a few simple cuts is all that is needed.
~Bake 45 - 50 min's (toothpic check, so you don't over bake)
Cool. Place on cake plate add any of the following: desired frosting, a glaze, a light dusting of powder sugar, ice cream, or sliced strawberries! Yummy!!

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