Simple Sangria Recipe

It's that time of year again.  The time where you have to find a way to deal with your family so you turn to booze.

I kid.  I kid.

I do, however, love to celebrate the holidays with a tasty sangria.  I love sangria because it's usually sweet and doesn't taste like alcohol. There aren't a lot of ingredients for sangria.   I also like sangria because it's pretty.  Always important.  Today I thought I'd share with you one of my holiday favorites.

Sangria is also ridiculously easy to make. It's one of those drinks that looks fancy/hard to make but totally isn't.

Here are the ingredients for sangria:

• Glass Pitcher

• Cutting board

• 1 bottle white wine (cheap is always good for sangria)

• 1/2-1 bottle sparkling apple cider or apple juice (both work. amount depends on how bubbly you like your sangria)

• 2 clementines

• 1 Granny Smith apple

• 1 Gala apple

• 1-2 cups cranberries

You will need to chop up your fruit.

Once you have your fruit all clean and chopped and sliced and diced, you will add it to a pitcher with the wine and cider.

Look how pretty it is!  Look who finally learned how to use the DSLR!  *pats self on back*

Chill in the fridge until you're read to serve.  You could mix this up over night.  I would probably wait to add the sparkling cider until just before serving if you are waiting that long.  (Make sure it's chilled!)

Here's a handy dandy recipe for printing if you're into that sort of thing.

Click on the photos below for more holiday fun!

Christmas Wreath Trio

Andes Mint Cookies

Bottle Brush Tree Place Cards

Holiday Home Tour

Make a Gnome

How to Make a Marquee

Holiday Home Tour

Holiday Home Tour

Peppermint Oreo Truffles

Are you a sangria fan?  What's your holiday drink of choice?

DIY Dog Treat Jar {Dare to DIY}

Happy Monday!  It's a party today here at Decor and the Dog.  I'm hosting the Dare to DIY Give Handmade party today.  Don't worry, there's Sangria.  You can do this.  

I was talking out loud again.  Sorry.

Handmade gifts can get a bad rap.  Thanks for the 100th fleece tie blanket, Grandma.  Ike and I, however, love a handmade gift that is thoughtful and well executed.  Handmade gifts don't need to be expensive or difficult.  As is the case with my Dare to Give Handmade gift, a DIY Good Dog Treat Jar.

Ike loves Christmas so very much.  He loves spending time with family and opening presents.  He totally approved of my treat jar.  And then he kept begging for treats.

Here's how to make your own for those special pups in our life. This could totally work for your feline friends as well.  Shove that jar full of those tiny cat toys that Ike loves so much.  Or how about a "Good Kid" treat jar?

Supplies

• 1 glass jar with lid (I purchased one guy from Hobby Lobby.)
• Glass Etching Cream (I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby.  Bring your coupon!)
• Painter's tape
• Stickers (or some form of lettering that is sticky)
• Paint brush

Apply your stickers to your jar.  You could also use some form of fancy cutting machine (Silhouette, etc).  I don't own anything fancy like that so I bought some stickers.  Press those stickers on well.  You don't want the etching cream to sneak under the letters.

Apply your painter's tape as close to the lettering as possible.  The etching cream doesn't work the best in large areas so keep it close.  Press the tape down well also.

Apply the etching cream according to the package instructions.  Mine said 5 minutes. I did almost 10 because I'm a rebel.  Or get distracted easily.  

Run the jar under water to remove the etching cream.  It takes a little bit of time. Dry the jar. Remove the tape and stickers and marvel at your superior glass etching skills.

Now it's time to fill the jar with your favorite treats.  I made some of Ike's favorite treats to fill the jar.  I figure if they are Ike approved, any dog will love them!  I used a scrap of fabric to tie around the top to add a little festive flare!

Be sure to stop by my lovely co-hosts and check out their handmade gift ideas.  I can't wait for all of them to arrive at my doorstep.

Cassie {Primitive and Proper} assembled some beautifully quirky vintage mug planters.  Kim {Newlywoodwards} whipped up a cozy knit infinity scarf.  Rachel {Maybe Matilda} made the cutest kid pants I have ever seen.

Now it's time to see your handmade gift creations! One of the links from the link party will be randomly chosen to win this week’s giveaway— A $50 stencil shopping spree from Royal Design Studio Stencils.  (I'm a BIG fan.  Check out their stencils in use in my powder room and craft room!) 

Be sure to "like" Royal Design Studio on facebook for more stencil inspiration! 

Now there ain't no party like a Decor and the Dog party and a Decor and the Dog party has rules.

1. Up to two links per person.
2. Your post must be ‘give handmade’ related.
3. Please link back to at least one of the hosts of Dare to DIY.  I'll make it easy.  Copy and paste this:

Linking up with: Decor and the Dog, Maybe Matilda, Newlywoodwards and Primitive and Proper!

4. Hop around and visit other links and leave some comment love.

I can't wait to see what you all are making me for Christmas.

Dare to Entertain Features + Sneak Peek

How was everyone's week? Who's glad it's Friday?  I have a four day weekend.  A busy four day weekend.  We have two little girl birthday parties to attend and some Christmas gift shopping to accomplish!

Did you check out the Dare to Entertain projects over at Maybe Matilda?  If not, hop to it!

Today I'd like to share with you two of my favorites!

First up we have the lovely Mindy from at Finding Silver Linings.  Between trying to set her house on fire and preparing a holiday meal for her family, she whipped up these beautiful coffee filter peonies.  They make for a simple, yet beautiful, centerpiece.

Next we have the ever-so-buff Cindy from The Flipping Couple.  Cindy put together this neutral, and oh so beautiful, winter tablescape.  I love the bowls of pine cones!  The whole thing looks perfect for a cozy dinner party.  (Did I mention that Cindy and Nick are pretty stellar hosts.  'Cause they are.)

Be sure to check out all of the features on the Dare to DIY Pinterest board!

Are you ready for Monday's sneak peek.  I'm still trying to decide between two projects.  I will share them both but only one on Monday.  I just can't decide!  (I also haven't made either one yet.  No biggie.)

Now.  Here's the important part.  (If anyone is still reading. :P)  Monday I am the host.  The party is right here at Decor and the Dog.  The theme is "Dare to Give Handmade".  I need you all to join the party.  Get those handmade gifts going!  Anything goes as long as you make it and want to gift it!  (Did I mention I haven't started yet and I'm the host? You've got this.)

I also don't want to hang out at a party with just the hosts.  I mean, I love them all but they'll probably just talk about all of their ridiculously cute children.  Don't leave me hanging.

If that isn't enough motivation, you also have the chance to win a $50 stencil shopping spree from Royal Design Studio!

Will you dare to give handmade?  PEER PRESSURE!!!