I’ve gathered three projects you might be interested in.  [Sly smile.  A little fingernail biting.]  All right then.  Things I’m interested in.  But you gotta admit, your curiosity has been piqued, has it not?

Wanna see?

That fab wreath above is a DIY project on Design*Sponge.  The directions are here.  So simple and sweet.  It could fit nicely in a traditionally styled house, as well as in one with a more modern, sleek-lined decor.

Are you hankering for a fabric flower to pin to your jacket?  Come on…you know you are.  Wouldn’t you look cute with one of these on your chest?  Click here to see how the magic is done.

And I know cookie exchange parties are for Christmas, traditionally, but who says you can’t break out and do some other kind of exchange–like bars or biscotti or ENTIRE MEALS?  I think it would be fun.  Here’s a delightful how-to from Ashley at Design*Sponge, from invites to actual imbibing.  You might even try the 12 Days of Cookies recipes from Lottie and Doof, which you can view here.  Oh, yeah…

A little Wassail Punch may liven things up–while you’re working on the above three experiments.  I haven’t tried this recipe, but I’ve just typed it up, and I’m going to serve it to some unsuspecting guests this holiday season.  You can view the recipe (and “methodizing” as they call it) here.  If it’s anything like the photos, I think I’ll just swoon with delight.  As will my guests.  No, not drunkedness…delight, I said.

One last holiday drink recipe, because it’s grand.  About a year ago, my sister Amy and I had a leisurely dinner at W. A. Frost in St. Paul, right before she had to fly back home.  Amy ordered the Hot Buttered Rum, and we both agreed it was a drink that everyone should try at least once.  We asked the waitress if they ever gave away their house recipes, and long story short, a few days later, I received the recipe by e-mail.  I don’t think it would be wrong to share it here.  If anything, you local people might just want to try W. A. Frost.  It’s a superbly dimly lit place with wood-paneled walls and large oil paintings.  It’s as though you are visiting your very rich, old-school grandfather, and if you walk into the next room, you might just find his massive library with wall-to-wall books!  [In the winter, ask for a seat by the fireplace.  In the summer months, you have to sit on the amazing vine-covered and light-sprinkled patio.]

HOT BUTTERED RUM (courtesy of W. A. Frost in St. Paul, MN)

– 3 lbs. unsalted butter
– 3 tablespoons ground nutmeg
– 3 tablespoons cinnamon
– 1 tablespoon ground clove
– 1 tablespoon allspice
– 3 lbs. brown sugar

Start mixing butter in mixer to soften.

Add all spices and mix.

Slowly add brown sugar.

Refrigerate.

Yields: 3 quarts

Use  7 – 10 oz glass of your choice, usually a coffee type mug.

1. Place in an oversized teaspoon serving of the batter mix in mug
2. Add Hot water to ½ – ¾ of glass
3. Mix to water and batter until dissolved
4. Add a Dark Rum of your choice.

Obviously, if you’re making just a few glasses, you’ll have to alter the recipe.

Happy Monday, y’all, and don’t forget to enter the Gratitude Journal Giveaway here!