"Merry Christmas!" By Nancy Alexander
From Steve & Nancy Alexander…
|
|
| Create your own free picture slideshow |
Archive | December 2011
More Christmas Presents for You…
"Merry Christmas" By Nancy Alexander
More Christmas Presents For You…
Last week I sent out a newsletter with my first Christmas gift for you. It was a FREE video on how to make an inexpensive wreath with just the wreath and lots of ribbon. I have received so many comments on that video – everyone loved it. In this week's newsletter I sent out another FREE video for you. This one was on making an XXL fresh wreath the easy way – using an artificial green base which does not show at all when you're through with this beauty. Here is the link to the video below as my second Christmas gift to you. I certainly hope you enjoy it.
I did enjoy reading all of your comments, and am trying to respond back to each and every one. I would love your comments on this video as well.
http://bestofnancy.com/how-to-make-a-wreath/
Now, in that same newsletter, I said I had one more gift for you this Christmas. I am going to share with you my husband's mother's famous Caramel Cake recipe. Nana, as we call her, lives in a small town called Iva, South Carolina. She has quite a name as an amazing baker, and everyone in town wants to purchase or be gifted with some of her special cookies, cakes, and banana breads.
I am giving to you the recipe for the BEST CARAMEL CAKE anyone we know of has ever tasted. It takes a little practice to make, unless you are a veteran in the kitchen. I am not, so I am still practicing on her cake…
"Nana's Famous Caramel Cake"
The picture of the cake above was the one Nana said may be her last. At our annual family reunion last year, we also planned a surprise 88th birthday for Nana. She did manage to bake her caramel cake, and you can be sure that there was not even a crumb left on that platter long before the meal was over. People were watching it as they ate, and started cutting pieces to hold aside afraid it may get gone before they got to the desert table.
Three Layer Butter Cake
3 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup milk
Line and grease three 9 inch pans
Sift flour, baking powder and salt
Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla
Add eggs one at a time and mix well
Then add dry ingredients with milk and mix well
Put in pans
Bake 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees
Let cool before icing…
Caramel Frosting
3 cups sugar
2 cups milk
1 stick margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine sugar, milk and margarine in a large pan
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly
Cook until a soft ball forms in a little cold water
This could take 20 to 25 minutes
Remove from heat, add vanilla, and beat until it starts to cool
Then put icing on your layers
Above is a picture of our dear "Nana" with a plaque presented to her. Each relative was asked to write down 5 words which best described Nana. Then, the words which were repeated the most, are the larger words. This is so special to her!
Again, I want to wish each and every one of you the true meaning of Christmas!
~Merry Christmas, Nancy~
My Christmas Gift For You…
"Merry Christmas" By, Nancy Alexander
My Christmas Gift For You…
As I was thinking of what I would like to do for my customers and friends for Christmas this year, I was looking through my emails. Many were from friends and acquaintances who may have purchased a DVD, or have looked at some of my You Tube videos. Lots of them were on the exact same subjects; making an inexpensive Christmas wreath when funds are tight, and making Christmas bows. I had an "Ah-Ha" moment when I realized a FREE video for all of you showing how you REALLY can make an inexpensive wreath with just the green wreath and ribbon. Also… I KNOW… I JUST KNOW… that every one of you can make your own bow if we go over the steps enough, and if you practice. So — the idea of my Christmas gift to YOU was right in front of me! A VIDEO!!
I Know YOU Can Learn to Make a Beautiful Christmas Wreath and Bow!
THE VIDEO ABOVE IS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR YOU FROM LADYBUG WREATHS:
Enjoy this special video I made especially for you.
This time of year you may catch me reliving the memories of the past when our children were young. We didn’t have much money, but we had each other and had SO MUCH FUN! I remember back when I had time to decorate our home early, bake cookies, cakes, and an unbelievable selection of treats ahead of time. Our home was full of these gooey, yummy, fattening, sugary concoctions! Shopping was finished, gifts were wrapped and under the tree, and the house was perfect, inside and out.
“Our Stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
and Christmas trees were everywhere!
Elves were hanging upside down,
as Santas were placed all around.
Presents strategically placed ‘neath the tree,
would fill each wide-eyed child with glee”! …teeheehee…~Nancy Alexander~
I wanted to do something very special for YOU, my friends and customers during this holiday season…so, yesterday, my friend and employee, Kim, helped me filmed this video. In it, I show you how you can make an absolutely beautiful wreath with very little money and time invested! Actually, you can go to your local hobby store, just as I did for an inexpensive wreath and ribbon! Have lots of fun making your wreath and decorating your home. Enjoy your family as we celebrate this most wonderful season!
Here's an update on our lives: things have changed a little around our house from times past! We will still have a “magical” Christmas as we always have, this time enjoying our four grandchildren along with our boys and their wives.
I have been working many long hours lately. These days are spent making, listing, and shipping wreaths, filming videos, and duplicating DVDs for anxious customers. I write on this blog about our lives and our business as often as I can. And…I am being interviewed by an author who is writing “my story”.
Then, thanks to my dear friend and partner, Linda Joseph, we’re updating my website, which is long overdue. Time is spent choosing colors, fonts, logos and styles to give LadybugWreaths.com the functionality it needs as well as the look we want it to have.
Our coaching site, “BestOfNancy.com” is growing by leaps and bounds with many new members! This most certainly is where my heart is. This site has been a “gift from God” as Linda and I help, encourage, and teach many women wanting to sell the fruits of their new-found hobby online. This is where God has led me to make a difference in the lives of others as we have so many plans for the upcoming year.
~CUSTOMER FEEDBACK~
My World Has Changed Since I Found You…
“I stumbled on your website by You Tube because I wanted to make a bow with more than one kind of ribbon and I wasn’t exactly sure how to do that and make it look right. However, my world has been changed ever since. I can’t seem to stay away from looking at your work. I ordered your vendor list book yesterday and can’t wait to read it. I have made several wreaths for Christmas and no more than get them to work and they are sold – some for $100.00. I love to use a variety of materials, but I can only go to a Hobby Lobby or a Michael’s and that is not satisfying enough to me.
The greenery you use in your wreaths is stunning and amazing. It makes me feel so good to make something that someone else thinks is beautiful. I am sure you know your work is outstanding but I know one more email never hurts. All of your wreaths are breathtaking and they inspire me to want to make more. I hope you have a truly blessed day!!”
~Debi~
~CUSTOMER FEEDBACK~
Just Knowing You Put a Smile on This Ol' Lady's Face Today…
“Thank you so very much for the most gorgeous Christmas Wreath I EVER laid my eyes on. How did you know I love the oval wreath…and most of all the “little baby Cardinal” tucked safely away on a branch. Our front door is white, so it shows beautifully.
By all means, use this letter for an endorsement. I highly recommend your work. For years, I would watch a dear friend of mine while she designed in her shop. I know a little of the trade. Over the years I have looked on eBay for high class designs, such as yours. I’m sure your designs are not South Carolina’s secret. They’re known all over the world!
Just know you put a smile on this ol’ lady’s face today. One of the most perfect gifts I ever gave to myself!! This will be a “keepsake” for many years to come. You will definitely hear from me again in the “spring” Merry Christmas & a healthy, happy New Year!
~Connie~