7475. Make a 3D Snowflake

 My cousin text me the other day and said she was going to bake cookies but decided to make a 3D snowflake that she saw hanging at work. She said I could handle make it. I wasn't too sure but I always thought they were impressive looking. I decided to give it a try especially since she sent me a YouTube video.

Supplies

-- 6 pieces of Square Paper
-- Tape
--Scissors

I was concerned when I needed square paper. I thought I had to wait until Heather and I got together so she could cut my paper for me. Then my cousin told me just fold the paper into diagonally and cut off the excess. Doh.. paper folding 101. I was off to a great start.

Steps

1. Fold paper diagonally to make a triangle

2. Fold triangle in half to make a smaller triangle

3. Cut 3 slits equally spaced apart on one of the short side. What the video failed to tell us was that you needed to make your cuts from one short side to the other short side. It took me several tries to get this right. Needless to say I was about to give up.

4. Unfold your triangle and tape the tip of the inner points together.

5. Flip it over and tape the next set of points together. Repeat this process two more times so all the points are taped.

6. Repeat with the other 5 pieces of paper

7. Take two pieces of paper and tape the ends together. Tape where they meet in the middle together.

8. Repeat with the other 5 points.

Ta-Da you now have a giant 3D snowflake.

I am quite impressed. If I had a place to hang them, I would make more. The one I have is hanging in the office window.

I guess this was my year to get crafty. It was an easy(ish) winter craft that didn't really take much more than 15-30 minutes to make once I figured out how to cut the slits. 

Maybe I will make another one next year with light blue and white paper. Or sparkly paper. The possibilities are endless. 

4942. Go to a Christmas Concert at Lawrence Chapel

 Danielle mentioned she was going to Menasha Library and I was like check for a FAN Pass not really expecting them to have any. She sent me a picture of the two FAN Passes available -- both to Christmas concerts at Lawrence Chapel. The one was the same day I was going to Christmas Stars and the other was a week later. I told her to get the later one. She was unable to go with me since she had to work.

What FAN pass did she get me? NEW Voices Concert: "Gather 'Round the Manager." I had my choice of times 2 PM or 7:30 PM. I decided to do the late show since the hubby had basketball at 7. Brenda came along with me.

The concert was at Lawrence Chapel. Neither of us had been to the chapel. I was really looking forward to this as I've always wanted to see the inside of the chapel and the grand pipe organ. Parking wasn't as bad as I feared. When I got to the chapel, there was plenty of room in the small lot. I was wondered I'd have to park on the street on walk in the cold night air. The nice thing about parking in the lot, there is a ramp that leads you up to the doors of the chapel. 

Inside was smaller than we expected but still grand. I chose seats on the main level so we didn't have to climb the stairs to the balcony. The one side of the chapel is the even seats and the other side odd seats clarified why we had seats 7 and 9. We were five rows back from the stage so we had a great view of the show.

The concert itself was beautiful. The choir sang a multitude of Christmas songs many of which I have never heard or done in newer versions. As audience members were asked to sing a long to several songs as well. The opening and closing songs we just sang the last verse of the song the choir as it was a familiar carol even though the song was not. We also sang two complete songs. It was amazing to be singing Christmas Carols as a group. I miss caroling not that I could carry a tune.

A few things that surprised me.

1. The conductor used an IPad with his scores loaded on to it so he just had to swipe the screen to turn the page. The pianist also used a IPad but I don't think he had to swipe. The choir used traditional choir folders with sheet music. I found the IPads a bit odd at first but they are actually very smart. 

2. One of the flutist had a gold flute. I don't know why this amused me but it did. She was very good.

3. The last song, Peace, Peace, featured handbells. There was a bigger guy ringing small bells. I thought they usually got the big bells. I'm just glad there were some handbells.

I am really glad that Danielle picked up the FAN pass for me. It gave me a chance to get some more Christmas spirit, see a group I would not normally see, and see the Lawrence Chapel. If you ever get a chance to see the NEW Voice Christmas Concert either at Lawrence Chapel or the Cathedral in Green Bay, do it. It is a beautiful show.

7472. Make a Christmas wreath

 For the last couple of years, Kimberly Library has put on a wreath making workshop. The first year they did this, they charged for. Last year it was free and for whatever reason I didn't sign up probably because I was in the midst of AEP at work. I made a vow that if they were going to do it again this year, I would make sure I signed up in time and I did.

We were sent an email to bring pruning shears, a needle nose pliers, and a wire cutter if we had them. I have a needle nose pliers in the tool bin. Mom let me borrow their pruning shears because who needs them in December in Wisconsin. The wire cutters I figured I could share. I was amazed that they would let me play with sharp objects. To be honest, I really didn't need the wire cutters as the needle nose pliers worked fine to snip the wire.

When I got to the library, I was greeted with a pile of pine branches and a wire wreath frame.

Ken, the Master Gardner that was helping out, was very helpful. He first instructed us to prune our branches about the length of our forearm. We wanted a pile of branches about 2 feet high. I got to snipping. Some of my branches were rather thick or they were really thin. I didn't pick the best table. Oh well. I would make it work.

After we all had our piles of trimmed branches, Ken showed us how to attached them to the wire frame. Gather a bunch of branches about the width of your index and thumb. Trim the ends so they are all even. Lay them on the frame and wrap wire around the branches three times and pull tight. You want to pull extra tight on the first go set so they don't come loose and wreck the entire wreath.

Continue laying bunches of pine branches an top of each other about an inch down from the previous bunch. 

Repeat until your wreath is full and you have no more room to stick any more branches. Then tie it off with the help of Ken. Add a hanging hook on the back.

Trim the inside so you have a hole and the outside if you want to make it nice and uniform.

Add some pizzazz. I went with a more traditional look and added just a glittery bow and balls. I kept it simple. It was going outside and I didn't want too much objects on it.

Take it home and hang on the door.

Ken and his group of volunteers were wonderfully helpful. There was always someone available for help. Making the wreath was a whole less complicated than I feared. I would do it again next year. Heck, I could go find my own branches in the Northwoods and metal frame and wire and I could do it without help.. well maybe. It does tend to get a bit messy with all those pine needles and sap.

Celebrate Krampustag

 One of the many Christmas events that popped on Facebook in the last month, was Krampustag at the Bavarian Bierhaus in Glendale. Stacy marked she was interested in it. Since I Glendale was technically on my way home, it made sense that we would go after we got our cookies made.

Krampus is a troll looking creature in Central and Eastern Alpine folklore of Europe who, during the Advent season, scares children who have misbehaved. I really didn't know what Krampus what. I figured he was like St. Nicholas. He is actually quite scary looking. Before we Googled Krampus, I was like why are there trolls. I associate trolls with Norway. 

Krampustag was from 11-6. We got there about 1 and there wasn't much going on. We picked up lunch of Nuremburg Sausages and a giant pretzel. The food was good but I didn't eat my sausages on bun. The sausages were a lot bigger than we remember what Nuremburger sausages. The pretzel was nothing special except it was the size of my head.

I did try Guhlwein. It wasn't bad as far as spiced wine goes. It helped once I put the orange slice in my wine. 

They had several beers as well but there was no way I could drink a 1/2 liter or liter of beer and drive home.

St. Nicholas and Krampus was walking around.

There was an accordionist playing until when it was time to set up for the band at 3. 

Honestly it was nothing special. It was neat to see Krampus. Maybe after 3 when the band stands and they tap the beer, it would get more livily. Stacy actually told her husband not to come and she'd take a bus back to the south side. There were no real activities for kids. There was some cornhole outside but that was about it. It definitely need something more action.

Would I go again? Maybe. If I was in the area and there was nothing else going on, I might go check it out to see if it improved or not. However, if you want to see what Krampus is all about, check it out.

5245. Go to Festive Friday Eves in Cedarburg

 Cedarburg is a charming place to visit. They put on Festive Friday Eves every Friday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cedarburg becomes magical during this time. I've wanted to check out Festive Friday Eves for a few years now. It's something the hubby wouldn't be interested in. He's not really into the magic and festivity of the holidays. However, with being down in Saukville for 2 days before cookie baking this year, it was a perfect time to check it out and even better Kris was more than willing to join me.

Every Friday, from 5-8, various shops in downtown Cedarburg will be bursting with Christmas Cheer. It is a time to eat, drink, shop and be merry. Luminaries line the sidewalks adding to the festive atmosphere. There are drawings, music, and even a trolley. 

Parking is a challenge. Kris and I decided to meet behind City Hall. Well when we both got there shortly before 5, the lot was full. We ended up parking on the street and then had to coordinate where to meet.

Once we met up, we decided to grab dinner at Sal's Pizza. It's a small pizza by the slice place with limited seating. We were lucky to grab a seat inside. They also had outdoor seating which since it wasn't too cold out, wouldn't have been too bad.

After dinner, we strolled Washington Avenue. We popped in a few stores. We enjoyed the Christmas window displays. We particular liked the jeweler's. I wonder how they managed to do get the tree through the window.

We stopped to catch the end of the live nativity. 

However we were on a mission. We had to check out the moonshine place. It turns out the moonshine place is called the Shinery which is also in Appleton. It was a popular place and not very big. We opted to sample a few shots. Now I have sampled moonshine before and am not a fan. However, I am always opening to samples. 

For $10 you get 4 shots of moonshine. There were about 15 flavors to choose from and plenty more flavors you could buy. I went with Caramel Apple, Peppermint, Shine Nog, and Chocolate Cream. Apparently I've been tasting the wrong moonshine. All of them with the exception of the peppermint were very smooth and I would bring any of them home. I wasn't sure the hubby would like them so they stayed there. The peppermint was definitely moonshine. It had that really strong alcohol taste. I was not a fan. 

Our second mission of the night was I wanted to go to Cedar Creek Winery. It's been years since I've been there. It was the first winery I've been to right after I turned 21. They were not doing wine tasting per se. They offered BOGO glasses of wine. We had about 5 wines to chose from.. none of them really sounded great. We both had the Christmas Blush. It is a semi-dry wine which is not my favorite. I still am a sweet, fruity wine kind of girl.

We wine and moonshine flowing through our veins, we continued on our way. 

We studied the architecture of the old buildings

We tried to recreate the famous Singing in the Rain lamp post scene. The first attempt was the best probably because I didn't even think about it.

We explored the Cedarburg Art Museum. The art was okay. 

The trees and trains were more excite.

The original woodwork and canvas ceilings were impressive.

We stopped by Santa's workshop. We didn't go in but still managed to get a picture.

A fun girl's night out wasn't complete without a picture with the Christmas tree.

It was definitely a must needed girl's night out. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather. Festive Friday Eves are definitely worth checking out. The holiday spirit is alive and well. I will definitely do it again. Go early, grab food, and then do some shopping and drinking. It is perfect date night, girl's night, or even family night out.