Don't forget to check out and follow the Gardenia Nest out on Pinterest and Instagram. Grow this site by sharing our pins with your friends 🤗. Thanks friends for your visits, likes, and continued support. I promise to keep working on more content. Let's grow this community!
Author: Shawna
Christmas Tree Flocking Project
Christmas is over, but don't toss out that old tree just yet! It's probably too late to be taking on this project, but it may give you a little inspiration to hang onto that old tree or garland a little longer for next year. I so desperately wanted to buy a new Christmas tree this year. I had visualized a beautiful, tall, full, fluffy, snow-sparkled tree making a statement in my living room corner. Turns out, our budget didn't allow--and honestly, that's okay. As I get older, I realize more and more that all of these material things aren't always worth the money. The "perfect" tree, gifts, lights, etc. won't actually fill your home with Christmas spirit. You, with your love and goodwill create the magic. The laughter of children certainly helps!
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
I was really looking forward to Christmas this year, especially as a new homeschooling family--oh all of the fun activities we would do (don't forget, recipe reading and baking math counts as learning 🤗)! But, confession: sadly, most of my plans never happened. We finally just made our Christmas fudge on the eve of Christmas Eve, and our gingerbread cookie dough is currently in the refrigerator waiting to be rolled out and baked on Christmas Eve. So we're definitely a bit late this year, but I think every bit of 2020 has been off. Hey, at least we have our home, health, cookies for Santa...and saw the Star of Bethlehem 🥰! Regardless of how your December has turned out, here's a super quick and easy peanut butter fudge recipe for all of you fellow slackers (also, it's just a good recipe):
Southern Praline Recipe
Addicting. If I had to sum pralines up in one word to someone who doesn't know what this sweet, southern delicacy is, it would certainly be 'addicting.' I fell in love with this insanely rich, sugary and buttery candy in Savannah years ago. The brown sugar just melts in your mouth. I really struggle to stay away from them. So while everyone is busy making their Christmas fudge, I'm working on my traditional pralines (even though there's never a bad time to make or eat them). They also make for nice little gifts because usually, most of our family and friends don't make them .
Grandma Emma’s Stuffing Balls Recipe
This Thanksgiving family staple is a recipe that has been handed down to me through generations with very few tweaks. It actually came to me from my great grandma, who I am blessed to still have around for treasures like this. Although this recipe is a traditional Thanksgiving side dish, it will likely also fit right in with your Christmas dinner. They are a bit time consuming to make, but I assure you, they are not impossible--and quite worth the effort!
☕ Almond Joy Latte Recipe ☕
I am addicted to cappuccinos and lattes--specifically this one in particular. I will be the first to admit that I was definitely spending more money than I needed to be by giving regular business to a local bakery/coffee shop. As good as they are, I figured out how to make my own take on a favorite--here in my very home...and for way cheaper!
Crafting Sparkling Christmas Trees
Do you need to have more projects on your to-do list right before Christmas? Probably not, but like me, you may be looking for ways to save some money while still decorating (plus, we can always use another reason to venture into our local craft store). Scrolling through ideas online, I came across many different diy project Christmas trees. I thought these would be the perfect project to take on, seeing as my daughter is a few days away from having her Frozen-themed birthday party. I figured that making silver, glittery trees would be an easy way to add some sparkle, while also easily transitioning into my home decor for Christmas and Winter. This also serves as a great Christmas art project for those of you homeschooling this year (we all know kids love glitter and sequins). Fair warning: they do make an absolute mess!
Pasta Salad Recipe
Pasta salad is such an easy addition to any gathering--any season. It most reminds me of spring and summer, but no holiday in my family is complete without pasta salad--and we've never had a Thanksgiving without this salad on the table. I'm going to admit, though, that I am a snob when it comes to what I deem to be an acceptable pasta salad. I just have a hard time enjoying it if it's not my mama's dish. Over time, I've developed my own style of making it, but foundation remains the same. But really, how different or complicated can pasta salad really be? I've been asking myself this same question when I taste other salads
Girly Pom-Pom Garland
Add a touch of whimsical to your little girl's room. Customize the colors and textures to coordinate with bedroom decor. For E's room, we're making a gradual transition to a boho-princess (is that a real thing?) look. Drape this crafted garland over windows, beds, make a tapestry--really your imagination is the only limit. You can even use it to spruce up a classroom. I basically threw this piece together spur of the moment in about 15 minutes. It's incredibly inexpensive (requiring only two supplies...HELLO 🥰) and entirely too simple not to try on your own!
Sweet and Tangy Collard Greens
My absolute favorite way to enjoy greens--sweet and tangy, all at once. I really could eat a big plate of them by themselves--and I have! I can't think of many reasons not to serve these as the sidekick to the main dish. Actually, I just look for reasons to make them.
