BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes 2007

WELCOME TO MY HOME!

As you enter, you will hear the new Josh Groban Christmas CD playing in the background. Please start humming I'll Be Home For Christmas...now.

Our first stop will be my Christmas Tree. It is 8 feet tall and a splendid replica of a real tree, if I say so myself. I have an extensive snowman ornament collection, which I started eight years ago and add to each year. Our tree topper is not the traditional star, but a snowman's hat and scarf. I have also added snowflake garland, and red and white ball ornaments to give it some pizazz. There are also corncob pipes cascading throughout and all other types of snow paraphernalia, such as mittens and skis. I love the theme of the tree and the sweetness of the fat, cheery snowman.

My next display is found in my kitchen. It sits atop my antique sideboard, which was an anniversary gift from my husband. Here I have added cheerful mistletoe to our mirror overlooking the sideboard. There is also a small tree, decorated with my newly collected COKE ornaments. I started this collection about 2 years ago. It is still in the growing stages, but I love all the Coke and Santa ornaments in the marketplace these days. I expect this collection to grow and soon live on a much bigger tree in my kitchen. You may also notice the pretty HO HO HO basket. This is where all my Christmas cards go - so if you send me one, it will live here!

Our next festive stop is my fireplace. Here are our stockings, one for each of us and one for our doggie. I have lined the mantle with garland and our stockings hang from the word NOEL. On Christmas Eve we will have a plate of cookies set out on the hearth for Santa. Yummy!

And speaking of refreshments, please take a moment to sample my Fudge Wreath. It is yumo and quick and easy to make. Thanks Rachel Ray!

Five-Minute Fudge Wreath
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate morsels 9 ounces (3/4 of a 12-ounce bag) butterscotch morsels 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 (8-ounce) can walnut halves 1/2 cup (a couple of handfuls) currants
8-inch cake pan, lightly greased with softened butter Candied cherries, red and green, for garnish, optional
Place a heavy pot on the stove and preheat it over low heat. Add chips and milk and stir until chips are melted and milk combined. Save the empty condensed milk can. Stir in vanilla and remove fudge from heat. Add nuts and currants and stir in immediately.
Cover empty condensed milk can with plastic food wrap and center it in the greased cake pan. Spoon fudge into pan around can, making sure to recenter can if it drifts.
The fudge will set up almost immediately. Garnish can only be added in the first minute or 2 the fudge is in the pan, so work quickly. Decorate your wreath with "holly" made from cut candied red and green cherries. A wreath left plain can be garnished with a pretty fabric bow when serving. Chill covered in the refrigerator and slice fudge very thin when ready to serve, a little goes a long way.

Well, it seems we have come full circle and arrived back to the foyer. Here I have decorated a treasured family heirloom, my husband's grandmother's vanity with some snowmen and the word JOY!

I hope you have enjoyed the tour. Please feel free to drop in again anytime! Oh - I hear Josh singing I'll Be Home For Christmas once again - WOW - you've been here a long time ! I really think it is time for you to be going... and hey -- leave some fudge for the other guests won't you? Gee Whiz... some people!

Oh well - Merry Christmas to you and yours anyway - have fun as you travel to the next home on the tour.

Merry, Merry!
Beverly

Please leave me a comment - I would love to meet you!