A Christmas Story: Everything You Want to Know!

During my Christmas quest this week, I stumbled across another museum and this one is a full size tribute to "A Christmas Story". Talk about full scale; in 2005 the actual house where the movie was filmed, was purchased on Ebay by a super fan. Fundraising and restoration happened almost immediately and he was able to open the house and museum to the public in 2006. 

You can tour A Christmas Story House and Museum year around. The museum features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film, as well as hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos. They also have activities throughout the year, including several activities for Christmas in July. 

If you visit their page, I suggest you check out several of the videos on the front page. Their is a great video piece by NBC about the purchase of the house. If you are a fan, I'm telling you, the museum page has endless amounts of information and trivia related to A Christmas Story.

If you are looking to purchase something related to A Christmas Story, they have a shop directly across the street from the museum or you can purchase directly online. The Red Rider Leg Lamps Store has everything all in one place. Anything you want, can be found in that store. Wow...it's endless! 

In my quest, I also found details on A Christmas Story: The Musical. From what I've read, it received great reviews and was nominated for several Emmys this past year. It toured in both 2012 and 2013, so check back later in the year and see if it will be in your area this year.





Want to host A Christmas Story themed party? Pinterest is your place for endless ideas. 

Mickey and Minnie Mouse Felt Christmas Ornaments

Every year, I participate in a Christmas in July homemade ornament swap. As soon as Christmas is over, the Magical Holiday Home post goes up and sign] ups continue through February. Some years we might have 4 sign up, others years the numbers can top 8 or more. Some swappers are "oldies, but goodies", others are newbies. Newbies are always welcome, because it brings fresh ideas to the swap and conversation. Once the sign ups are over, the hard part starts. Looking at tons of ornament ideas and deciding which ornament is the perfect choice for the year, can be nerve wracking. Things like weight and shipping play into your choice, as well as stability and creativity.


Because my screen name is MinnieCo, I decided to go with a Disney theme and created a Mickey and Minnie Mouse pair.

I had pinned the idea from Spoonful.com some time ago and used their Template to create my own pattern. I wanted my template a bit bigger, so I adjusted it accordingly in Print Shop. Although I followed their general instructions, I did change things a bit, so I'll note my instructions accordingly.



1. Print the template and use the pieces as patterns for cutting out the shapes in the specified colors. I used stiff felt for the black and regular felt for the red and green.

2. Sew the buttons on the red semi-square and the pearls on the green semi-square.

*Spoonful used glue for their buttons and stick on pearls. I wanted to make sure these lasted for some time,   without loosing parts, so I sewed mine on.

3. Glue both the red semicircle and green semicircle to a Mickey head.

I've had issues in the past with gluing felt, so I uses Beacon felt glue and was very happy with the outcome.
 

4. Once completely dry, use hot glue to attach the ribbons to the back of both ornaments.

5. Once cooled, flip over the Minnie ornament and use a dab of hot glue to attach the bow. 

6. You are done!!

Remember When Wednesday: Peanut Brittle Recipe

My friend suggested I use Wednesdays to post "Remember When" blog post, so this Wednesday we're going back to December 11th, 2010, when I posted my peanut brittle recipe.

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Apparently I've been promising my husband some Peanut Brittle since Christmas In July and his patience were about gone. The peanuts have been sitting patiently on the pantry shelf, but because I get so hot making peanut brittle, the thought during the middle of summer is not very pleasing. 

Today was the day and less then 20minutes later, it's done and off the Christmas "must have" check list. At least his "personal batch" that is. I'll probably make him one more batch and a batch for our son Chris. 


This recipe was already in the Nemnich family when I married my husband, so I was handed the recipe and told to "make this one". I'm not a huge peanut or hard candy fan, but this is good stuff.

Peanut Brittle
1 cup of white/light karo syrup
1 cup sugar
2 TBSP butter
1 tsp soda
2 tsp vanilla

Mix sugar, Karo and butter in heavy, large, deep skillet or use a large soup pot. Using a non stick pan is what I prefer.  Add butter to melt. Add peanuts and stir on medium, high heat until it begins to brown and turn into an Amber color.

Once it's reached the right color, remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda. This will add some air and make the mixture fluffy. 

Pour and spread onto a buttered or butter sprayed cookie sheet. Let cool and break into pieces. 

What I'm using is my new Silpat from Martha Stewart, which you can buy at Macy's. When I watched Martha make cashew brittle last month and use this tool, I knew I had to have one. What I didn't know, was that my cat needed to eat some too! I left it on my desk for a few days and when I went to wash and use it, I noticed the cat had chewed the corner and edges of the mat. Needless to say, I'm not a happy camper!

On a personal note, I have fond memories of making and boxing up peanut brittle for my grandfather when I was a teen and young adult. I wasn't always able to send much, but I would always send at least some peanut brittle. It was one of his favorites. 

The batch below is a double batch and will require two cookie sheets for spreading. I double batch, should fit into a larger tin container.

A Pretty in Pink Christmas

I was looking for Christmas tree inspiration and thought I'd share some of my favorite PINK theme Christmas trees and decorations. I personally don't have a pink Christmas tree, but I find them absolutely beautiful.

JCann

MarthaStewart.Com

Etsy

via Elizabeth Mann

VintageRoseGarden

Antique Navigator

 

 ApartmentTherapy

SugarSugar

AFieldJournal

animationguildblog

sweeteyecandycreations

And last, but not least, I wanted to include this dress for inspiration. Because we should all have a pretty pink formal to wear, as we decorate our house to be Pretty in Pink!

Christmas in July Day 10: Cute Christmas T-Shirts

Today I'm going to my Pinterest boards and sharing some of my favorite T-shirts. Some are screen prints with great sayings, others are DIY's that can be used for both kids and adults as far as I'm concerned. 

Now I'd love to have this T-shirt and wear it ever Rudy Day throughout the year. People would look at me like I was crazy and I'd enjoy it every moment!  

 Etsy

I saved these two DIY's because they look like something I could whip out in an afternoon and are super cute. 

 B.Jane

VixenMade

I'm tossing in this Apron, because when I sew again "some day" and I WILL, this is an Apron I'd love to make and wear. It's very STYLISH! 

PurpleChocolateHome

This Holiday Junkie is going on a weekend camping trip with my husband to celebrate our 10th Anniversary tomorrow. I'm thinking at this point, I'm going to have to take a mini posting vacation. If I'm superwomen today, I might be back, if I'm not, be Merry and look for me again on Sunday.