We’ve been elving quite a bit around here lately. Here’s a sample:

Most of the lights on Anneke’s doe were no longer working, so Adam and Rowan re-wired it with brand new lights and lots of zip ties (she had intentions of helping, but was too busy with some art project).

The kids have been really into finger-knitting, so we have finger-knit garland on the tree, as well as some popcorn that they strung Thanksgiving weekend.

Anneke infused some almond oil with dried calendula flowers from her garden for about 8 weeks this fall. Then she strained it and we made some homemade lotion with it. This recipe makes a slightly greasy but very effective lotion, and the calendula gave it a nice yellow color (we used lavender essential oil). Here are some more calendula-based recipes.

As long as we were making lotion (finished product in ready-to-gift containers is on the right), I decided to try SouleMama’s peppermint lip balm recipe too (left). I love this lip balm! We’ve been using it for a couple weeks now, and we also made extra to give away.

Yesterday we tried making toffee for the first time, with this simple recipe from Twin Cities Mix. It’s not a terribly hard thing to make, but be sure you have a working candy thermometer first.

This afternoon, we’re making more venison sausage. Have you been making anything homemade for the Holidays this year? Please share links to recipes or projects if so!