Silver Bell Cocktail

1 1/2 ounces bourbon

3/4 ounces orange liqueur

3/4 ounces pomegranate juice

3/4 ounces lemon juice

sprig of fresh rosemary

Fill cocktail shaker about halfway with ice. Add all liquid ingredients. Shake vigorously and pour into a glass. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprig.

The Ginger 75

1 ounce pear nectar

1 ounce ginger syrup*

Cava or other sparkling wine

Candied ginger for garnish

Pour pear nectar and ginger syrup into a champagne flute, top off with Cava, garnish with candied ginger.

*Homemade Ginger Syrup

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup water

1 cup ginger root, peeled and sliced

a pinch of cinnamon, cloves, and/or allspice (optional)

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Stir constantly until sugar is dissolved. Add the ginger and any optional spices and continue to heat, bringing to a light boil. Cover, reduce heat, and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool and steep in the covered pan for about 1 hour. Strain out the ginger and bottle under a tight seal until ready to use. Kept in the fridge, syrup will last two weeks.

Pom Pom Ornament

fabric scraps that are at least 6″ long

pinking shears (optional)

an empty pint glass

thin cardboard (an old cereal box is perfect)

pen or pencil

paper and fabric scissors

one 6″ long piece of yarn

Cut fabric scraps into 1/2" strips using pinking shears or fabric scissors. The pieces need to be at least 6" long. Take your pint glass and place it upside down on your piece of cardboard. Trace two circles using the pint glass and cut them out with paper scissors. Then, cut the centers out of your circles to make two cardboard doughnuts. Hold the doughnuts together and start wrapping fabric strips through the hole and around the edge of the doughnuts. When one piece of fabric runs out, grab another and keep wrapping tightly. The more you wrap the fuller your pom pom will be. When you've wrapped to your satisfaction, use your fabric scissors and slide them in between the two doughnuts. Carefully snip all the way around your circle. When you've snipped all the way around, work your piece of yarn between the two discs. Tie the yarn into a very tight knot, then slide the cardboard off of your pom pom. Give the whole thing a fluff and trim, and you’re ready to hang it on your tree!

Source: Crafting a Green World

Cinnamon Stick Christmas Tree

fabric scraps

6" cinnamon stick

button

1 piece of ribbon or twine

scissors

hot glue gun

Cut the fabric into 9-inch by 3/4-inch strips. Tie the fabric scraps onto the cinnamon stick with a square knot (tie right over left, then left over right). Scrunch them up a lot - you want about 13-15 knots. Use the scissors to snip off stray threads. Cut the fabric scraps into the shape of a Christmas tree. Use the hot glue gun to glue a button to the top of the Christmas tree. Last, glue a loop of ribbon or twine to the back of the ornament.

Source: Fireflies & Mudpies