Well, I didn't get the garland chain made yet! Hopefully today! When I do, we will post pictures! Lydia's raring to go with that project!

While you're waiting for the slowpokes to get on with the show, how about a few excerpts from my book "Super Holiday Ideas: From One Mother to Another"

Sylvia’s Potpourri and Aroma Tips

I make this Christmas potpourri and let it simmer on the stove top:

In a medium sauce pan, combine:

4 cups water

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp cloves

1 tsp ginger

1 small orange, sliced

1 small apple, sliced

1 handful fresh green pine needles

2 tsp black pepper corns (optional)

Bring to a boil. Turn heat down, simmer all day adding water as needed. This will last about 5 days if you keep on adding water.Another thing you can do: Heat the oven to as low as it will go. Mine goes to 160*F. Sprinkle 2 tsps cinnamon on a baking sheet. Place in the oven. If your oven doesn't go that low, just heat it to 350*F and then turn it off before adding the cinnamon. This makes the whole house smell cinnamon-y.

Puckering Up Under the Mistletoe Peppermint Bark

2 lbs. white almond bark1 1/2 c. crushed peppermint candy

Melt white almond bark on top of double boiler (never add water as it curdles the white almond bark). It takes about 10 minutes to melt thoroughly and will be very thick. Crush either peppermint candy canes or peppermint hard candy in blender until it is powder. Meanwhile, line a cookie sheet with wax paper or spray with nonstick spray. Mix hard crushed candy with melted white almond bark. Spread on lined cookie sheet. Let it dry and chop into pieces.