I'm rehearsing for the purrfect layout for Santa. Traditionally, we here in the States leave milk and cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve, and he either comes through the chimney or, I imagine, shape shifts to come in, the magical being he is. This year, I'll leave Santa these cute little Italian wedding style favors I made instead. I think he'll probably pass them off to Mrs. Santa, and La Befana, anyway, because I think most guys, like my husband, Fred, who we all know very well by now is also a musician and chocolate aficionado, think of sweets like these sugary confetti almonds as "girl food." All he could say about these delectable delights that I think taste like French macaroons (I've read somewhere that the macaroon originated in Italy), is that they don't have any chocolate in 'em. As I've said before, he loves chocolate a lot! However, he has his limits when it comes to confections.
Here's what I discovered this week: After long searches for the ideal, microwavable Mason jar, I came across this Le Parfait French glass jar. It says, "Familia Wiss" under Le Parfait, which most certainly looks like "familiar with," but means "The Wiss family," and "wiss" meaning "screw," as in, a screw jar. It's heavy and large (24 fl. oz. size), with a wide mouth (not standard size) and no shoulders for easy access to all its edges, and the silicone sleeve I bought for the 32 fl. oz. Ball jars fits it perfectly, though a little loosely, making it easy to take on and off. I tested it out by microwaving half a jar of water in it with the sleeve on, and in 2.5 minutes, I was able to make ramen in it. Just don't hold it at the bottom where there's a hole in the silicone sleeve.
The sleeve fits tightly on the 32 fl. oz. Ball Mason jar it was designed for, and it just so happens that the white color I got was translucent, so I'm now using one to put a shade on my fairy lights. My Mason jar lamp was already pretty, but now, it's even prettier because it emits a softer light, like a paper lantern, although it's no flimsy thing, but a substantial focal piece. If your hand can fit inside a regular mouth Mason jar like mine, you can leave the battery pack right there, but you might want to use white electrical tape to secure it onto the neck finish (thread) for better control of the switch.
About those Doscher's Hanukkah Candy Canes: They look gorgeous for a display in vivid blue and white. The candy canes are thick, like those old fashioned candy sticks I had at a candy store in Fleischmanns one summer, to almost justify spending $7.50 per box of 5 canes, but they taste like hospitality mints, with that same kind of airy, not-quite-hard texture, making them lightweight to boot. A little more sweetness would have sufficed. It was great fun, but I'm a Spangler and Brach's girl 4 life!
So, now, please let me show you what's on the tray: First, here's the box of Doscher's Hanukkah Candy Canes with the sweetest friendship bracelet I was given this year on top. The beads on it are soft like silicone, colorful and shaped like so many fun things: a radiant heart, dog paws, a smiley face star, a football; then, there's a dangling, shiny metal cross charm.✨️Be careful that no one thinks a bracelet like this is candy. I've seen candies made to resemble charm bracelets lately.
In this corner, I put some charms I made, like my zipper pull of a gold Asclepius snake or an Italian horn, a mini lanyard with a horseshoe charm, a wire-wrapped, crystal-beaded unicorn horn charm or ornament, and 3 cross charms I studded with 4mm Austrian crystal glass rhinestones. The Puritans would frown upon such a display of decadence combined with a religious theme. I also left an Emotional Support Pickle charm there for anyone who needs it. Oh, and speaking of candy, there is candy out there that resembles my unicorn horn, too, specifically the Unicorn Pops, or spiral shaped lollipops. Don't eat my good luck keepsake, though it looks tempting!🦄
In this corner are my bomboniere in that Christmassy, yet generically festive winter unicorn theme that's dreamy and befitting for next year's Chinese horoscope: The Year of the Horse, with hope it'll be the luckiest year, yet, for Salicorns! I even bothered to stud the carousel horse charm on it with 2mm acrylic rhinestones in rainbow colors. I've only made one of these so far.
Last but not least, what's this, you ask? This is how I'll leave milk for Santa: "double-walled," wink, wink. Take it easy this holiday, dear Salicorn. Happy Holidays, and I hope to see you *fly* back here on alicorn wings in time for New Year's Eve!🎉🪩
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