Symfully Late.

The term "chicken with it's head cut off" doesn't seem to even scratch the surface as to how frazzled I've felt over the last few weeks, but that is still no excuse as to why this post is so late.  My brain trust members and guest judge were prompt, and fair, and I just kept spacing it. 

SO, I just wanted to apologize to the 3 contestants in this month's Symfully Sweet Saturday competition.  I know that you had to have been on the edge of your seats.  ESPECIALLY since November's candy was a little on the difficult side. 

Before I tell you who won, let's recap the awesome entries, shall we?

First, we had Melissa, with her ADORABLE and oh so sweet CARDS.  I loved them, and thought they turned out awesome! 

Next, we had Michelle, who did not just one, but TWO projects!  First, she did a festive Thanksgiving banner, and then she made several fabric pumpkins, all inspired by the colors of the Hershey's Miniatures, wrappers and chocolate.  Such a great idea!

Finally, we had Evelyn, who squeaked in just before the deadline with her one of a kind Thanksgiving Pinata.   Yes, you read that right.  A Pinata for Thanksgiving! 

When all was said and done the judges were totally smitten with the paper mache turkey, and declared EVELYN the winner by a hair.  Or, I guess in her case...a feather?  CONGRATULATIONS!

Thanks so much to my lovely contestants!  I hope this next month's candy is a little easier for you...

I found the following story HERE to describe the next month's mission:

Many years ago, a candymaker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus.

He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. The white symbolized the virgin birth and the sinless life of Jesus.


He made the candy hard to symbolize the that Jesus is the solid rock and the foundation of the church. The firmness also represents the promises of God.


The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought it could also represent the staff of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.


The candy maker then added red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could be forgiven and have the promise of eternal life.


The flavor of mint is similar to hyssop. In Old Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice. It was also used at the cross as they gave Jesus a drink of vinegar before He gave up the Ghost.


So, the candy for the month of December is...

the CANDY CANE!

Now, I am aware that the last Saturday in December is Christmas day.  It seems unlikely that anyone is going to be thinking about my little game on Christmas day.  So, I've decided to switch up my game plan a little bit.  Instead of linking opening up on the last Saturday, it will open on the Saturday before.  That would be December 18th.  Yes, that only gives you 2 weeks. 

Since you only have 2 weeks, I will leave the linking open until I would have normally closed it, which would have been the 29th of December.  Got that?  You have from the 18th to the 29th to link up your projects (with pictures).  By January 2nd, I will announce the winner, and assign the next mission. 

Answers to a few anticipated questions:

1.  No, you do NOT have to use the simple peppermint candy canes.  You can use any color/flavor of candy cane that you would like. 

2.  No, you do not have to use the actual candy at all.  IF you choose not to use the candy cane at all, and you decide to use it as inspiration instead, you MUST use the traditional red and white coloring, or peppermint flavoring of the original candy cane.  Does that make sense?

If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me.  I don't bite!