Blue Jeans & Pearls

As Christmas approaches, it can be a challenge to juggle your budget with the gifts you want to give.  One way that we stretch our budget is through crafts.  The big kids are always wearing holes through their jeans, and when they can no longer be patched, it's time to upcycle!  Today, we're making some wine bags to use as hostess and thank you gifts...

After cutting the legs off of your adult-sized (or teen-sized) jeans, just below the knee, make the outline of your design in tailor's chalk.  Paint over the design with a fine-tipped or firm-edged paintbrush.  Allow your design to dry overnight.

Sew the bottom of the pant leg together, just above the thick portion.  If you try to sew over too thick a seam with a regular sewing machine / needle, it will break....and you don't want that to happen at high speed!  (You can also use heavy duty needles.)

Turn the pant leg inside out, fold down two 3/4" sections, and make a seam.  Be sure to leave the space between open, as this is where you'll run your drawstring.  Again, be cautious when going over the pant seams, or simply skip that small section altogether.

Cut a length of ribbon just a few inches longer than the circumference of your pant legs (twice the measure of the top when laid flat).  I used a 1/4" white ribbon that was silver-edged to dress these up a bit.  Use a safety pin to run the ribbon through the opening at the top of the bag, then clip a tiny hole to pull out through the top, as shown in the photo above.  Tie your ribbon (which will act as the drawstring), and VOILA!  Easy, homemade wine bags for gifting! 

Advent Calendar --> A New Approach

Everyone is getting excited about Christmas.  They're putting up decorations and pulling out advent calendars....maybe the Lego one or a chocolate-filled one...but do we truly remember the meaning of Advent?

Advent means 'Coming' in Latin, and the season is about celebrating the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the period of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas..or they used to.  Now it seems that many folks are more interested in whipping through the season as quickly as possible to get to the big show...and that's not how we want to live anymore.

What's the deal with the calendar?
Paper calendars were first popular in Germany in the early 1900's, although people made their own ones from the 1850's.  During World War II, the production of Advent calendars stopped due to a shortage of cardboard.

When they were first made, scenes from the Christmas Story and other Christmas images were used, such as snowmen and robins, but now many calendars are made in the themes of toys, sports, and candy.  The first calendar with chocolate in it was made in 1958, although they didn't become really popular until the 1980's.

Time for a Change

We are fortunate enough to have a warm home, food to eat, and all of the necessities.  Not everyone in this world, or even in this country, can say the same.  In this time of celebrating Jesus' birth, why not spread the love by sharing our wealth with those less fortunate?

Take a box, basket, or tote and each day, place a non-perishable food or toiletry item into it.  Each child can fill their own basket, or you can have one for the family.  At the end of the season, either on Christmas or in January (Three Kings' Day / Epiphany), take the items to a shelter or food bank.  

A Few Extra Thoughts...

• I recommend the latter date because after the hustle of donations throughout the holiday season, pantry shelves tend to become more barren in the early winter months of January and February.  
• In addition to canned and boxed food items, consider dish soap, laundry soap, toilet paper, personal hygiene products, trash bags, and sponges. 
• If you happen to travel frequently, collect the unused sample sizes for shelters.  These are the perfect size, as folks are typically only there for a couple of days.

Below is a picture for sharing on social media, if you'd like to help spread this mission!

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One lucky reader will win a gift bundle of Our Favorite Things!  This surprise box will include items from some of our favorite places, such as Lake Union Publishing, the Wordy Traveler, TalkBox.Mom, Sparks Forge & Armory, and more...  (Giveaway ends 12/24/25.  Winner will be announced by 12/31/25.  Winner has 48 hours to confirm shipping address or another winner will be drawn.  Unfortunately, due to shipping costs, this is open for US-only entrants.)

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Homemade Bone Broth --> Nourish Your Body & Soul

For centuries, people have known that you use the whole animal when cooking – not just select parts.  Bones are traditionally used for stocks and broths, which are the foundation of cooking.

Bone broths are extraordinarily rich in protein, and can be a source of minerals as well.   They support detoxification, better digestion, and good skin health.  And, as we all know, chicken soup (especially made with real broth) helps to overcome colds and flu.

However, what we’re seeing on the store shelves today is nothing more than a chemical cocktail designed to look like traditional broth.  If you want the real thing, and its benefits,  you’ll have to put in the effort.  No worries….it’s not that much effort!

Bone Broth Recipes

Simple Stock

• 6 c chicken bones
• 2 chicken feet (or 1 pig’s foot)
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• Cold water

Let all stand in container 30-60 minutes.  Then cook 24-72hours on low, making sure remains just covered by water.  Remove bones with slotted spoon.

Get-Well Soup

• 1 whole chicken, with head and feet
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 4 qt water
• 1” grated ginger
• 3 cloves smashed garlic
• 1 sliced onion
• 2 sliced carrots
• 2 sliced celery sticks
• 3 c. assorted veggies (leafy greens, potatoes, misc veggies)
• Sea salt

Put everything in stock pot and bring to simmer.  Simmer 2 hours (after a boil, to cook chicken).  Remove chicken meat from bones (keep about 1 c there for soup ; use rest for other dishes).  Return bones to pot and make more stock.  Can add noodles, if desired.

Stock Eggs

• 2 c. homemade stock
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 eggs

Bring stock to boil.  Add salt and 1 tbsp vinegar.  Reduce to simmer and crack eggs into mix.  Simmer 3 minutes, or until cooked.  Top with rest of vinegar and serve.

Bone Meal

Clean bones after making broth.  Roast at 400 for an hour, or until they become dry and brittle.  Let cool.  Place in a sack and pound to break into small pieces.  Use food processor to grind into meal.  Can be added into broth to provide calcium and nourishment.

Gingered Borscht

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 diced onion
• 3 diced beets
• 2 diced carrots
• 1 diced red pepper
• 1 diced apple
• 1” diced ginger
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 6 c bone broth
• Salt

Heat butter, olive oil, and onion in large pan.  Add beets, carrots, pepper, apple, ginger, cumin, and 1 cup of broth when onion is soft.  Cover pot and allow veggies to sweat.  After 10 minutes, add other 5 cups of brother.  Bring to boil, then reduce heat.  Simmer 30 minutes.  Turn off heat.  Once cooler, blend veggies with immersion blender.  Salt to taste.

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Tips :

• Try to add chicken or pig’s feet to the pot to thicken the gelatin.
• Water should just cover the bones.  For chicken, 3-4 pounds of bones per 4 quarts of water.  For beef, seven pounds of bones for 4 quarts of water.