My mom has the most wonderful decorating style. It’s classy, it’s eclectic, and — most importantly — it’s fun. She owns a beautiful old home in the hills of San Rafael, overlooking the city and surrounded by trees, and she decorates it with antiques and lace and everything fancy.

Perhaps the best time of year at her house is Christmas. She fills every nook and cranny with elves, stockings, garlands, and nativities. I have many a fond memory growing up of helping her find places for about 100 elves all over the house. She’s toned down the elves since I’ve moved out, but still jam packs the place with more Christmas spirit than old St. Nick himself could claim.

By the way, it isn’t just the table that looks good enough to eat; the meals she serves on it are just as beautiful, and just as delicious, thanks to the efforts of her and her boyfriend.

I love you, Mom, and I love your style!

The hubs and I decided to go on a last minute Christmas adventure tonight, so we hit up the Ethel M Chocolates Annual Holiday Cactus Garden here in Las Vegas. It’s free, it’s fun, and of course it’s utterly freezing – but I got some sweet shots. :)

In the interest of saving money and having a bit of fun, I decided to get craftsy with the Christmas presents this year and make two dozen jars of homemade hot cocoa mix powder to give out to all the relatives this year. While I’m not entirely sure the former was accomplished, the latter certainly was, multiple runs to the store, over-buying of ingredients, and a kitchen covered in powdered sugar and chocolate notwithstanding.

Anywho, I looked all over for a great hot chocolate mix, but I wasn’t entirely happy with any of the recipes I found — so, using this one as a starting point, I made my own. Thanks to lots of powdered milk and a dash of cornstarch, it’s nice and creamy. I also like mine to have a touch of dark chocolate bitterness; you may want to add a little more sugar to yours (not too much, though!).

Anyway, here’s the recipe:

Best Ever Dark Hot Cocoa Mix

Ingredients:

• 1 part powdered sugar
• 1 part granulated sugar
• 4 parts instant powdered milk
• 1 1/2 parts creamer
• 2 parts unsweetened powdered baking cocoa
• 1/3 part cornstarch
• dash of salt

Use 2-4 tablespoons of cocoa mix per mug. The mix will last about 3 months if it’s kept in a cool, dark, dry place (that’s the powdered milk giving it a shorter shelf life).

Depending on how much you need, you’ll vary how much a “part” is. For instance, if you only want a little, you could make each part a tablespoon. If you need a holy wow-ton like I did, you’ll make each part a cup — and then make four batches. Each batch fills about six one-pint jars (if you’re leaving room at the top for peppermint marshmallows).

A note about those marshmallows: I used a combination of Martha Stewart’s recipe and Paula Deen’s method. I still need to work on perfecting my method, as they came out a bit wet. Also, a word to the wise: Block off enough time to dust each marshmallow with powdered sugar after you cut them. With over 100 per batch, it takes a while!

As far as the jar decorations go, I used a bowl that was about 1/2-again bigger than my jar lid to mark my cloth circles, which I secured to the top of the jar lids with a dab of hot glue. I tied a ribbon around them just under the lid, and presto, adorable Christmas gifts! For two-dozen jars, I used about 1 yard of fabric and almost exactly 12 yards of ribbon.

P.S. If you make this for yourself or as Christmas gifts, I’d love to hear it and maybe even see a picture of your finished jars! :)

It’s Winterfest in Raglan, and we kicked it off with some early Tiny Caroling.

Raglan Tiny Carolers on YouTube

I left the group to do some scouting of new locations, and by the time I finished, everyone seemed to be doing quite well without my herding– er… leading, so I decided to do some decorating at the Cave. It looks quite festive! All that I need now is some winter stuff to sell!

New items currently free to subscribers or from trick or treating or my lucky chair.

Exploring Octoberville

Raglan Tiny Freak Show

Raglan Ride of Horrors

Heron Haunted Forest

See more in the full Flickr set!

Hello again, Raglan! Nothing like Halloween to get the building bug a-biting! Below are my first ever pants, accessorized with spooky Halloween belts and fun chain fobs. Built with my ::Anytiny:: system, they will fit most Wynx and Flights of Fancy avatars with just a touch, and color change on command. It’s like having a bunch of pants in one!