Monthly Archives: December 2018

Victorian Gilded Walnuts – Tutorial

Gilded walnuts were popular Christmas tree ornaments in the Victorian era. Victorian gilded walnut ornaments are easy, cheap and beautiful natural Christmas decorations – all you need are walnuts, ribbon and gold acrylic paint.

Victorian Gilded Walnuts Tutorial

‘Then the ladies called us into another room and there was the Christmas tree! […]There were dozens of little candles upon it all alight. And it was covered with pretty things, gilded walnuts, and oranges, and apples, and sweets.’ (Philips’ Series Of Reading Books For Public Elementary Schools, 1874, p. 57)

Continue reading Victorian Gilded Walnuts – Tutorial

Gingerbread Dog Treats – Recipe

Bake festive gingerbread cookies for your pup this Christmas! These gingerbread dog treats are flavored with cinnamon, cloves and ginger.

Gingerbread Dog Treats

A while ago, Khaleesi’s stomach was upset (Khaleesi is my black GSD puppy). So, besides Moro’s carrot soup, I fed her browned apple with cinnamon and other spices every evening. She soon loved her evening spice mix. Therefore I thought I’d bake her gingerbread treats with cinnamon, cloves and ginger for Christmas!

Cinnamon, cloves and ginger are safe and even healthy for dogs (unlike nutmeg which is toxic for dogs when consumed in large amounts). There are two types of cinnamon: ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon. I used ceylon cinnamon because cassia cinnamon contains far more coumarin than ceylon cinnamon. While cassia cinnamon is still safe in small amounts, I chose ceylon cinnamon to be on the safe side. And ginger is just as healthy for dogs as it is for humans. Besides being a natural anti-inflammatory agent, it prevents nausea and helps to support digestion. Cloves (not to be confused with garlic cloves) are ok too. Even though they contain eugenol and shouldn’t be fed in large amount, cloves are safe in small amounts. Continue reading Gingerbread Dog Treats – Recipe

DIY Popsicle Stick Sled Ornaments

Make vintage inspired DIY popsicle stick sled ornaments with popsicle sticks, wood glue and acrylic paint for your Christmas tree this year!

DIY Popsicle Stick Sled Ornaments

These DIY popsicle stick sled ornaments are a great last minute Christmas craft! They look cute as Christmas tree ornaments or make a great Christmas gift for a loved one. My inspiration for the DIY popsicle sled ornaments was this antique Victorian wooden sled. Continue reading DIY Popsicle Stick Sled Ornaments

Edwardian Walking Dresses

Edwardian walking dresses: What Edwardian women wore in cold and rainy winter weather and for summer hiking vacations.

Edwardian Walking Dresses

‘The very best form of exercise, all doctors agree, is walking. It brings into action every muscle of the body, stimulates the organs and circulation, and provides an interesting amusement, because it is enjoyable. It induces health because it does not overstrain any part of the body, and it brings beauty of form because it gets rid of superfluous tissue, and, at the same time, develops the muscles, thus filling out the hollows and thin places.’ (Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia, 1910-2a)

Edwardians were fond of walking. Even rain didn’t stop them: They believed a walk through rain was an excellent skin toner! But the clothing had to be light and warm so as not to catch cold. Edwardian walking dresses usually consisted of a short leather-lined wool skirt, a wool jacket or sweater, walking boots and a soft felt cap or hat. Continue reading Edwardian Walking Dresses

2 DIY Christmas Dog Toys: Christmas Wreath & Candy Cane Dog Toy

Who doesn’t like a toy for Christmas? Turn old clothes and fabric scraps into these 2 cute DIY Christmas dog toys: A green and red Christmas wreath dog toy and and a red and white candy cane dog toy. You’re pup will love them!

2 DIY Christmas Dog Toys - Christmas Wreath & Candy Cane Dog Toy

These 2 DIY Christmas dog toys are great for playing fetch and tug-of-war with your dog. And the Christmas toys cost you nothing if you use your old torn clothes to make them. For the Christmas wreath dog toy I used an old sweater that I wore as a child. And for the candy cane dog toy I used old red and white fabric strips. Sweater pants and leggings work well too because you can cut them into long strips.

On my puppy’s instagram account @khaleesi_theblackgsd I share pictures of her playing with the DIY Christmas dog toys. Continue reading 2 DIY Christmas Dog Toys: Christmas Wreath & Candy Cane Dog Toy

Green Surprise Inside Christmas Cake – Colored With Kale – With Hidden Cherry Jelly Tree

This naturally green surprise inside Christmas cake with a hidden cherry jelly tree is colored with kale!

Surprise Inside Christmas Cake - Colored With Kale - With Hidden Cherry Jelly Tree

This Christmas cake in the traditional christmas colors – red and green – is made with  natural dyes – cherry and kale. And don’t worry, the green sponge cake doesn’t taste of kale, it tastes just like ordinary sponge cake! Continue reading Green Surprise Inside Christmas Cake – Colored With Kale – With Hidden Cherry Jelly Tree

Homemade Sloe Juice

Delicious, healthy juice for free – what’s better than that? Homemade sloe juice is easy to make with just two ingredients: sloe berries and water!

Homemade Sloe Juice

Homemade sloe juice is sweet and sour – and not astringent like raw sloe berries! It tastes almost like blueberry juice. Continue reading Homemade Sloe Juice

Naturally Green Dog Treats – Colored With Sunflower Seeds!

These naturally green dog treats are naturally colored with sunflower seeds!

Naturally Green Dog Treats - Colored With Sunflower Seeds!

Aren’t these green dog treats fun? They’re perfect for Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day! And what’s best they’re made without artificial food coloring: Sunflower seeds make these dog treats naturally green! Sunflower seeds contain chlorogenic acid which turns green in an alkaline environment (baking soda). Continue reading Naturally Green Dog Treats – Colored With Sunflower Seeds!