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Weather and Christmas and Sewing Machines

What a strange a beautiful day here. I can’t believe we were out in T-shirts today at the end of November! 63 degree here in Southwest Michigan today. The kids played outside a lot as I know there won’t be more days like this. The rain is suppose to start tomorrow and by Friday it will be 25 degrees for a high. Brrrr.
We will be attending an neighboring town's Christmas Parade this Friday nite. I am thinking we will be dressing in layers upon layers.
Other thoughts flitting thru my head today: Maiden's 10th birthday is coming up and she will be having a Spa Party with a few of her friends. Next Tuesday is our homeschool group's Christmas Party where we will be doing Make & Take crafts (to then give as presents to family and friends). And I have written quite the list of items for Hobby Lobby.
Our gift list this year is a lot of homemade things. Much easier on the budget (if you are very careful!). Homemade trail mixes and candy for friends and neighbors. Mama's crazy knitted scarfs for some of the family. Little spa kits for a couple of neices. Our own brand of Wagner Gift Cards for other family members. Funky "knit" jewelry for another neice.
My main brain teaser right now is a Christmas ornament. Each year I like to have my kiddos each make a Christmas Ornament to give to grandparents and such. But this year I am stumped as to what Mr. Conductor should make. It needs to be something easy . . . . .
And my other concern is the Gold gift we want to get Maiden. A sewing machine. I want something not only good for a first timer but something worthy and sturdy- built to last. No Bratz or Barbie machine, please. I have found 2 different machines but the prices are a bit higher than I had expected and the one seemed bit too complicated for a beginner. I about bugged my eyes right out of my head trying to search and search online yesterday. After my fruitless search, Mr. Steady just pulled me close and simply asked, "Did you pray about it?"
Nope, I am sad to say I had not. But I am now! It may seem a bit silly to ask the Lord to help you find the right gift but it actually doesn't feel silly. It feels quite right to put Him in charge of it. 

ornaments

6:21 PM, 2006-Nov-28 .. Posted by hanemlee

You mentioned ornaments...I just made these with my little sister and they are super easy. They also smell really nice.
Emily

Applesauce Cinnamon Christmas Tree Ornaments

¾ cup ground cinnamon
1T ground cloves
1 T ground nutmeg
2T white glue (like Elmer’s)
¾ c applesauce

In a medium size bowl combine all ingredients to make a dough. I use my hands to mix and squish it all together until it is a mildly wet dough. If it is too dry add another tablespoon of applesauce, if it is too wet add a little more cinnamon.

Roll the dough out between 2 pieces of plastic wrap until it is approx. ¼ inch thick. Using metal type cookie cutters, cut out designs. Our favorite cookie cutters were about 3 inches tall. Any taller and they seemed to large for the tree and any smaller were too hard to get a hole in them for the ribbon. The gingerbread man and lady cutters were the cutest of all.

After you cut them out, lay them on a tray. Using a toothpick or straw make a hole in the top for hanging. Let them dry for 3 or 4 days turning once or twice a day. I turn them morning and night to insure they dry out well.

Make a loop to hang them with a ¼ inch size ribbon (red is a nice choice) and tie at the top with a nice bow.

It should go without saying, but for safety sake I will say this: This dough is NOT edible 

These ornaments smell wonderfully and will last several years