Do it Yourself Christmas Urn

Deck the Porch with Hand-Made Christmas Urns!

While browsing the isles of big box stores over the weekend, I saw plenty of holiday-themed urns filled with evergreen branches, sprayed sticks, pine cones and the like.  Many of these in-store selections were selling for $40, $50 and $60 each! It got me thinking about how easy they look to make and I figured that I would take a stab at making my own Christmas urn on a budget.   

Since I already had a lovely holder (as I'm sure many of you have as well), I didn't have to purchase the 'urn' part of the equation.  

I also took out some gardening shears and gloves in preparation for my 'urn-ing'.

Total Cost = $0 

I went ahead and purchased greenery and decorative trimmings including blue spruce and cedar tree branches, red and gold bare branches, decorative red, cream, and silver balls, and LED lights.  I also found some pine cones while taking my dog for a walk.  

Total Cost = about $30 

(like the free pine cones, I'm sure I could have saved even more money by pruning trees in the bush, but I figured that I was already saving money so I'd leave nature alone)

Now I'd like to say that I spent hours designing and perfectly placing each stick and stock, however it only took me about 10 minutes to stick all of the branches in the soil that was already in the pot from the summer. 

Finally, I added the lights(one string of 35 lights was plenty), pine cones, and decorative balls.  DONE!

Final Word:  If you have a decorative urn and about 20 minutes to kill, I would highly recommend creating your own Christmas Urn Creations this holiday season.  It's just enough 'diy' to handle without feeling like you need glue gun or garden boy, but it gives you the feeling of accomplishment from knowing that you made something festive and fabulous, while saving money at the same time.    

My 1st Roast Chicken

I have a confession to make:  I am in love with HGTV and tune into much of the network's programming on a daily basis.  I also record shows that I am unable to watch, or think that I may want to re-watch in the future.  So when a new season of 'Marriage Under Construction' began airing almost a year ago, I was hooked even before watching the first episode.  Not only did I tune into this show EVERY Monday night because I loved seeing the reno's and thought the concept of a newly married couple, buying a home and renovating it top to bottom was genius, but I watched weekly because I loved the couple whom the show was following:  Natalie and Rodney.  I don't think that even the most talented TV writers could even attempt to achieve the humour and chemistry that these two evoked.  Anyway, the show was great.
Needless to say, my live-in boyfriend recently bought me the latest issue of Canadian House & Home magazine.  This was thrilling in itself because I am a big fan of this publication and Christmas issues are always the best.  But if you can wrap up excitement in the flashiest Christmas-themed gift wrap and tie a huge, sparkly bow over it, that is how I felt when I flipped to page 64 and saw an article on Mr. Hilarious himself, Rodney Bowers!  What a gift!

I've included the link to the recipe on the magazine's website, but onto the chicken!


My 1st Roast Chicken = Rodney's Roast Chicken

So after reading the delightful article on Rodney and Natalie, I excitedly decided that I would attempt the recipe that Rodney had shared to readers - roast chicken.  I will admit that I've been a vegetarian for the past 3 1/2 years  and have not eaten chicken in a long time.  But, since purchasing a house and moving in with my boyfriend who quite enjoys all types of meat, I've been cooking all kinds of stinky old meat so that he will clean up and do the dishes afterwards.  I had never cooked a whole chicken before, but I trusted that Rodney would lead me in the right direction.  

Recipe

STEP ONE:  Preheat oven, rinse the bird and pat it dry

STEP TWO - A:  Smash a bunch of garlic cloves and stuff them in the chicken cavity along with some fresh thyme and bay leaves

 STEP TWO - B:  Season, season, season ... then season some more!

STEP THREE:  Pop the chick in the oven - roast at 500 degrees for 40 minutes 

STEP FOUR:  Give the chicken a break (let it sit under foil - foil not shown)

STEP FIVE:  Sit down and enjoy that delicious looking roast chicken (paired with rosemary roasted potatoes, sage butter bread stuffing, and roasted mixed vegetables) ... say a little prayer to thank Rodney before diggin' in!

Final Word


Now I have been very strict with my vegetarianism over the past three years.  I haven't eaten any meat for a lonnnng time.  But I decided to cave this once ... plus it was a free-run chicken and wasn't injected with a bunch of growth hormones ... so I had a teeny piece.  AMAZING!  I don't think I've ever had chicken that juicy or flavourful.  So simple, yet so good.  That guy knows what he's talking about.  


Please try this recipe - I give it a standing ovation.  

http://www.houseandhome.com/food/recipes/rodney-bowers-roast-chicken-recipe 

First comes a post, then 'be'comes a blogger...

Thanks for stumbling upon my 'blog'.  

As my first blog post of my first ever blog, I can't help but wonder what the heck I've been doing (or not doing) for so long!  With the stat being something along the lines of 20-some thousand blogs being started everyday, I have a feeling that I'm on the slow end of this ever popular trend.  Regardless, I am very excited about starting my own blog and sharing my favourite things with you.  While I may not be an expert in design, master chef, vogue editor, yoga master, or dog whisperer, I am very passionate about my hobbies the small details of life in general.  So as more posts come, I hope to share a little something with you and learn a little something in return.  On to the next ...