Caution: Builders At Work

...Supplies...

...A firm foundation is key...

...Concentration...

...A little extra 'glue'...

...Precision...

...Every house needs a pet...

...Marshmallow chimney & A choir of singing gummy bears...

...Proper placement...

...Squeeze...

...Sweet success...

...Perfect little house...

.True.Lovely.Right.

“Whatever is true… whatever is lovely… whatever is right… think about such things…” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Christmas is almost here. Families will soon be gathering to celebrate. Some will gather in joyous reunions and others will 'just get through it'. Personal values, past issues, marriages, divorces, religious beliefs, political beliefs, financial stress... can cause strain on family relationships. I challenge you this Christmas to leave those things at the door. Set your eyes on
“Whatever is true… whatever is lovely… whatever is right… ”

Search for the good in those you love.
Praise their God given gifts.
Overlook their short falls.
Allow their loose tongue to glide right by you.
Be who God wants You to be & let Him worry about them.

It just might be the Best Christmas Ever.

Scrioture & A Snapshot

Let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas!
Let the light of Jesus shine through you this week as you shop, mail letters, prepare food...

Land of a Million Sprinkles

The icing bags were filled and ready to be squeezed.

While the cookies sat drying
No one was at ease.

The children were bouncing
pony tails flouncing.
Little fingers waiting to start to squeeze.

At last, the time was here!
The waiting had ended.
The sugar high was near.

Squeeze
Squeeze
Squeeze
The frosting was flowing.
Little children's eyes were glowing.

Details were added with tender care.
Some even ended up in little girls hair.

Then, Out came the sprinkles

Adding more joy to the day!

Cookies
Frosting
Sprinkles

Bouncing every which way.

Yes, it was a good day!

Top 10 things that *almost* cause me to lose it in December

10. Children side swiping the car with clean winter jackets.
9. 30 minutes to clothe children in winter wear, 5 minutes of children outside.
8. Toys magazines galore in the mail.
7. Wet snow clothes flung all over the garage.
6. The store clerk asking my kids if they were good enough for Santa to come.
5. 'Happy Holidays'
4. Wrapping gifts. I am terrible at wrapping!
3. Cookies, my biggest temptation. I would gladly skip a meal for a 1/2 dozen cookies. Real good example to my kids huh?!?
2. Trying to fit all the extended family Christmas's in without going in sane
1. Children on a Happy Sugar High, anxiously waiting for Christmas morning, who are low on sleep due to extra activities of the season.

Hope

HOPE

'The act of looking to the future, in confidence, believing it will be better than today.'

HOPE
'Never giving up your dreams of what tomorrow may hold.'

HOPE
'Knowing that His grace is going to give me the strength for whatever I face. Nothing is a surprise to God.'

HOPE
'May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.' Romans 15:3

I Need a Silent Night Amy Grant

My new favorite Christmas Song!

I Need A Silent Night Lyrics

I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?

Every shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their clock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid

And the angels said fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
To end this crazy day with a silent night

December 1st

It is....
'Go Pick Out Christmas Tree Day'
at our house.
Yippee!

I love the smell of fresh pine.

The 5 children and I will pile into the truck later today and head out to go find a tree. Last year it was snowing on December 1st, Tree Day. I can only hope today we will be blessed as well.

The Christmas CD is already packed.
The tree stand is clean and waiting to be filled.

Oh how I love this time of year!


Is it fresh or fake in your house?
When do you put your tree up?

Christmas Traditions, Keepers & Tossers

Keeper: Family group competition

Adults against Kids

The Goal: See which team could build the strongest tower made from Dixie cups, forks, straws and paper clips.
Tosser: Too many rules for the activity. Keep it simple.


Tosser: Good China for our meal.
Keeper: Nice paper plates. SO much easier!


Keeper:
New PJ's for everyone on Christmas Eve

And slippers too.

Keeper: Gingerbread House decorating with friends.

Tosser: Scheduling too many activities and too much school work.
Keeper: Enjoying the month. Weekly special Christmas activity (instead of one school subject) on one day each week.


Tosser: Advent House with too many time consuming activities. I need to simplify or this will become something I dread.
Keeper: Simple activities, ones I know I can realistically pull off.



Tosser: The recipe for these cookies.
The cookies were a ton of fun, but they were dry and tasteless.
Keeper: Making cookies together, tasty recipes only :)

Keeper: Making Krumkake and Rosettes with my children. These cookies are ones my grandmother always use to make.
Tosser: Giving them all away!


Tosser: Agreeing to everything, even if it over books our family.
Keeper: Talk about schedules in advance. (I'll need your prayers on this one!)


What about you?
What will you toss and what will you keep for next year???

white chocolate party mix

Ingredients

1. 1 - 14 oz box corn chex
2. 1 - 14 oz box rice chex
3. 1 - 16 oz bag pretzels
   
4. 2 1/2 pounds white chocolate or white almond bark, white chocolate is so much better, but a bit pricey!
   

Mix dry ingredients in a very large bowl.

Melt chocolate and pour over dry ingredients. Stir or mix with your hands until all of the dry ingredients are covered.
Spread out to dry.
Store in an air tight container or zip lock bag.
We normally freeze ours until we are ready to eat it.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Candy

Tasty
Tempting
Easy
Festive
Quick
Appealing

Yes, it's all those things!
Be prepared, it is soooo simple you might have a hard time wrapping your brain around it.

All you need is:

• 1 bag white chocolate chips
• 1 bag milk chocolate/dark chocolate/or semi sweet chocolate chips
• 12- 18 crushed candy canes- I used peppermint
• 1/2 tsp - 1 tsp of peppermint flavoring - optional, I prefer mine without

Melt chocolate chips. Spread on a lined cookie sheet.
Place in your refrigerator to set, approx 30-45 minutes.
I made a double batch which is why I have two cookie sheets.

While your chocolate is hardening, crush your candy canes.
I used 18 candy canes and had extra.

Melt the white chocolate chips, mix in peppermint flavoring, if using, then spread over dark chocolate.
It does not matter if it is perfectly even.

After you've spread the white chocolate, sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top.
Press gently to make the candy canes stick.
Return to the refrigerator for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

When the chocolate is set and firm, break into chunks.

We bagged ours for church leader gifts.

It's almost Christmas!

Are you ready?
You don't have much time!!!
I'll be sharing a few easy homemade treats to give as gifts or take to you parties in the next few days.
So Be sure to check back!

With all the food I'll be eating from Friday through Monday night, I probably don't need to eat this week, but my family feels different :)
I've linked up again with I'm a Organizing Junkie and MPM. Be sure to check her out. She's got great tips!
MONDAY: Chicken Bruschetta, Steamed Veggies
TUESDAY: Hamburgers, Homemade Bread, Oven Fries
WEDNESDAY: Oven BBQ Ribs, Corn, Applesauce
THURSDAY: Mexican Casserole, Chips Salsa
CHRISTMAS EVE: Christmas Meal here; Prime Rib, Green Bean Casserole, Potato Dish & Dinner Rolls (brought by my favorite sis in law), Spinach Salad, Pickle Wraps, Dessert- to be decided
CHRISTMAS DAY: Breakfast; Sausage Egg Casserole, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Fresh Fruit, Afternoon/Evening @ my mom's haven't been told yet!
SUNDAY: Homemade Pizza
*I also serve a green salad and raw fruit/veggies at each meal

Homemade Marshmallows

Yes! It can be done.
It's fairly easy.
A lot of fun.
DELICIOUS
Plus, Your kids will think you are way COOL!

You will need:

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
9x13 pan
1 cup cold water, divided
3 - 1/4-ounce envelopes unflavored gelatin
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup potato starch, optional, I'd use less next time if at all
1 - 2 cups powdered sugar

1. Line 9x13 pan with tin foil. Spray with vegetable oil.
   
   
2. Mix gelatin and 1/2 cup water in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let stand for at least 15 minutes to soften.
3. In a heavy saucepan, combine 2 cups sugar, corn syrup, salt and remaining 1/2 cup water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase heat, bring sauce to a boil. Boil without stirring until the mixture reaches 240*.
4. Slowly and carefully pour the sauce into your softened gelatin while your mixer is running on low speed.
   
5. Gradually increase the speed to high. Your mixture will go from this
   
   to this, in about 10 - 15 minutes.
   
   
6. Spread marshmallow mixture into 9x13 pan. Smooth with wet hands.
7. Let sit, uncovered, to cool and solidify, for 3 - 4 hours.
   
8. Mix powdered sugar and potato starch.
   
9. Remove marshmallow and foil from pan.
   
10. Turn marshmallow block out onto s clean surface dusted with powdered sugar and potato starch. Remove foil.
    
    
11. Slice block into long strips with a large sharp knife dusted with powder sugar/potato starch. Cut strips into squares or shapes with cookie cutters.
12. Roll in powdered sugar/potato starch.
    
13. Store in an air tight Ziploc bag or Tupperware.