Enjoying a cookie of her own after delivering cookies to a local assisted living facility.
Friday, December 12, 2008
December 12
Enjoying a cookie of her own after delivering cookies to a local assisted living facility.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Christmas Cookie & A Giveaway!
I recently received an e-mail offering me a review copy of this book in consideration for posting it here. The Gift of the Christmas Cookie by Dandi Daley Mackall.The Gift of the Christmas Cookie helps kids return to the spirit of sharing with those in need at Christmas, inspiring them to be cheerful givers. The tale follows young Jack during a Christmas season where many families are struggling to make ends meet. To his disbelief, he finds his mother baking cookies, a luxury at the time. Jack is disappointed when he learns that the cookies aren't for him, but for the needy people at their church. While he helps roll the dough, his mother recounts the story of the Christmas cookie. He learns that the real gift of the Christmas cookie is getting to share with a homeless man.
The Christmas cookie tradition originally sprung from Southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland where craftsmen carved special molds into shapes symbolic of Bible stories. Today, the tradition continues in American homes, bringing families together to bake treats shared with neighbors and friends.
I was immediately intrigued by the idea because I am always looking for ways to incorporate meaningful activities into our life.
I liked the book because it encourages giving to others cheerfully regardless of how little or how much you feel like you have to offer. And it showed a young boy making a decision to give something he wanted for himself as a gift and rejoicing in being able to do it. And, I thought the illustrations were very fitting for the book ~ homey and cozy.
I was eager to pull this into some kind of tangible activity. Tuesday, we made three kinds of cookies and packaged them up in little cellophane bags. Then, yesterday morning, we read the book and talked about what we were going to do together.
I had prearranged to go to a local assisted living facility and deliver the bags of cookies. We got everybody all dressed up and headed over - handing out cookies and wishes for a Merry Christmas!
While we were there - our guide invited us back in the afternoon to make gingerbread houses with them! Something I'd considered doing with my little ladies, but hadn't done anything about yet. So, David's dad graciously came over and sat with Samuel while he was napping and all of us girls headed back over.
The smiles we received and the hugs to the girls were so sweet and it was so fun and rewarding to be able to reach out and brighten someone else's day!
Now, I get to give three copies of the book away here! I'd love to hear how you incorporate teaching your children to be cheerful givers, who you could give Christmas cookies to or how to share more of the true reason we celebrate Christmas through baking and giving Christmas cookies!
Leave a comment by midnight tonight (Eastern time) and you will be entered in the drawing. I will select winners by random number generator sometime tomorrow and announce the winners.
Please note: If I do not have a way to contact you and you win, I will have to select another winner.
Making gingerbread houses:
December 11
A good part of Tuesday was spent baking - here are some of the fruits of my labor!See more pictures here.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Linkies, Games and a Yummy Recipe!
Several things to include in this hodge podge post today!
First up - I recently received an e-mail from Jen at Legacy Prayer Journals. She sent me a free copy of her product and I can hardly wait to work on it! I am hoping to work on this in January while in Colorado.
I have mentioned before that landing on a good system for prayer requests can be very overwhelming to me. And, honestly - prayer is something I struggle with because it is hard to know how many legitimate needs there are and overwhelming to know how to keep up with them all.
I have found that keeping a prayer journal is the most successful thing for me. I like to write out my prayers. This is something I did several years ago and have just started again recently - it has made a wonderful difference.
I love the idea of having pictures and places to journal for those I will regularly be praying for. And, what an exciting way to begin teaching my children about prayer by including pictures of family and friends they can recognize and pray for even without knowing how to read.
Jen has created a CD of templates that you can print out and mount into a journal or scrapbook of your choice. Add pictures, favorite Scriptures, etc... to personalize the book and make it your own.
Thank you, Jen, for sharing your wonderful idea with me - I am eager to get going on my own Legacy Prayer Journal! If you are interested, Jen is having a special through December 25th. In the "special instructions" box, type in code "CHRISTMAS" and receive a 25% discount on your order. If you purchase more than one, you will receive 50% off each additional CD with the same code.
I also received some great Christmas cards from Elizabeth! This was a blessing because I usually make my own cards, but that did not happen this year! Here are my three favorites! She is always adding new things - so be sure to check in and see what's new! Thanks, Elizabeth!
I keep thinking I'll write this into its own post - but it hasn't happened - so I'll include it here! David and I love to play games. It is a standing Sunday afternoon tradition for us to enjoy a game together! We love lots of the classics, but have gotten several games in the past couple of years that have quickly become favorites!
I just realized while typing up this list that my sister is how I found out about all of these! One thing we like about each of these games is that they are good for only two players. These versions of Settlers and Castle are made to only be two-person games. Sometimes when you play a game it just doesn't work the same with only two players or isn't as challenging. These are definitely different!
Ticket to Ride: complete "routes" between cities or countries; lots of expansions and variations available.
Settlers of Catan: we had played the multi-player game at my sisters and loved it. I stumbled upon the card game for two players unopened at our local Salvation Army thrift store for just a couple of dollars. What a fun find! This game is very challenging and has lots of variations as well!
What are your favorite games?
And, here is a fun new recipe I tried over the weekend ~ fun and festive this time of year! It was the featured recipe on my Gooseberry Patch calendar this month.
Fudgy Peppermint Dreams
4 (1 oz.) squares unsweetened baking chocolate, coarsely chopped (or substitute 3 T. cocoa and 1 T. oil for each 1 oz. square)
1/2 c. plus 2 T. butter, divided
2 c. sugar
4 eggs, divided
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. flour
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1 T. cornstarch
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. peppermint extract
green food coloring
1 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. whipping cream (I didn't have any so substituted the peppermint CoffeeMate Creamer instead)
crushed peppermint for garnish
Melt baking chocolate and 1/2 c. butter, stir until smooth. Add sugar, 3 eggs, vanilla and flour. Spread in greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 12 minutes.
Beat together cream cheese, remaining butter and cornstarch until fluffy. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk, remaining egg and peppermint extract. Add food coloring.
Pour over hot layer and bake an additional 30 minutes.
Combine choc. chips and cream - melt in a saucepan or in microwave until smooth. Spread over top and garnish with crushed peppermint. Cool and chill. Makes 2-3 dozen bars.
Well, now - how was that for random! Any other random thoughts to add? :)
First up - I recently received an e-mail from Jen at Legacy Prayer Journals. She sent me a free copy of her product and I can hardly wait to work on it! I am hoping to work on this in January while in Colorado.
I have mentioned before that landing on a good system for prayer requests can be very overwhelming to me. And, honestly - prayer is something I struggle with because it is hard to know how many legitimate needs there are and overwhelming to know how to keep up with them all.
I have found that keeping a prayer journal is the most successful thing for me. I like to write out my prayers. This is something I did several years ago and have just started again recently - it has made a wonderful difference.
I love the idea of having pictures and places to journal for those I will regularly be praying for. And, what an exciting way to begin teaching my children about prayer by including pictures of family and friends they can recognize and pray for even without knowing how to read.
Jen has created a CD of templates that you can print out and mount into a journal or scrapbook of your choice. Add pictures, favorite Scriptures, etc... to personalize the book and make it your own.
Thank you, Jen, for sharing your wonderful idea with me - I am eager to get going on my own Legacy Prayer Journal! If you are interested, Jen is having a special through December 25th. In the "special instructions" box, type in code "CHRISTMAS" and receive a 25% discount on your order. If you purchase more than one, you will receive 50% off each additional CD with the same code.
I also received some great Christmas cards from Elizabeth! This was a blessing because I usually make my own cards, but that did not happen this year! Here are my three favorites! She is always adding new things - so be sure to check in and see what's new! Thanks, Elizabeth!
I keep thinking I'll write this into its own post - but it hasn't happened - so I'll include it here! David and I love to play games. It is a standing Sunday afternoon tradition for us to enjoy a game together! We love lots of the classics, but have gotten several games in the past couple of years that have quickly become favorites!
I just realized while typing up this list that my sister is how I found out about all of these! One thing we like about each of these games is that they are good for only two players. These versions of Settlers and Castle are made to only be two-person games. Sometimes when you play a game it just doesn't work the same with only two players or isn't as challenging. These are definitely different!
Ticket to Ride: complete "routes" between cities or countries; lots of expansions and variations available.
Settlers of Catan: we had played the multi-player game at my sisters and loved it. I stumbled upon the card game for two players unopened at our local Salvation Army thrift store for just a couple of dollars. What a fun find! This game is very challenging and has lots of variations as well!
What are your favorite games?
And, here is a fun new recipe I tried over the weekend ~ fun and festive this time of year! It was the featured recipe on my Gooseberry Patch calendar this month.
Fudgy Peppermint Dreams4 (1 oz.) squares unsweetened baking chocolate, coarsely chopped (or substitute 3 T. cocoa and 1 T. oil for each 1 oz. square)
1/2 c. plus 2 T. butter, divided
2 c. sugar
4 eggs, divided
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. flour
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1 T. cornstarch
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. peppermint extract
green food coloring
1 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. whipping cream (I didn't have any so substituted the peppermint CoffeeMate Creamer instead)
crushed peppermint for garnish
Melt baking chocolate and 1/2 c. butter, stir until smooth. Add sugar, 3 eggs, vanilla and flour. Spread in greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 12 minutes.
Beat together cream cheese, remaining butter and cornstarch until fluffy. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk, remaining egg and peppermint extract. Add food coloring.
Pour over hot layer and bake an additional 30 minutes.
Combine choc. chips and cream - melt in a saucepan or in microwave until smooth. Spread over top and garnish with crushed peppermint. Cool and chill. Makes 2-3 dozen bars.
Well, now - how was that for random! Any other random thoughts to add? :)
December 10
We had some friends over for dinner recently and she brought me such a fun gift! A bag of pinecones, birdseed and a jar of peanut butter! We had fun making these!! Thanks - Michelle! More December Pictures here.Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Blessings of Christmas
"With a bright, cozy fireAnd our loved ones around us,
The blessing of Christmas
Will surely surround us."
~ The Country House catalog
December 9
Over the weekend, tons of our leaves came fluttering down! This made a great time to go outside and make a big leaf pile - we all had fun playing together and it was Samuel's first experience with leaf piles! More December Photo participants here.Monday, December 08, 2008
Names of Jesus Garland Tutorial
When I saw a few round tins at my local thrift store - I never imagined that they would spark an idea that would be so well received!A special thank you to all of you who ordered garlands from my Rusty Robin sale! All orders are completed and you should have heard from me regarding payment details. I hope you will enjoy using this in your home, not only to look festive, but to remind us of the birth of Jesus for whom we celebrate this season of Christmas!
I will accept future orders for the garlands, but I won't be able to complete anymore before Christmas this year. Details will be posted to The Rusty Robin sometime next year.
However, if you are interested in making your own - here's how!
Type up the following in Word or other word processing program:
Oh, come, let us adore Him!
Wonderful Counselor
Son of the Most High
Mighty God
Jesus
Everlasting Father
Emmanuel
Prince of Peace
Glory to God in the highest...
Print on regular white paper.
Use a drinking glass or canning jar (or whatever is the appropriate size for your text) to trace a circle around the words. Cut out.
Use a larger glass or canning jar lid to trace a circle from patterned scrapbook paper. Cut out.
Glue smaller circle onto larger circle with glue stick or double stick tape.
Punch small hole in the top of each larger circle - centering at the top.Laminate ~ I had this done at Staples and it was about $2 per garland to have the laminating done.
Cut out again, leaving a small edge around the circle. Punch through the same hole at the top of each circle.
Cut a length of ribbon about 52 inches (or to desired length) and create a loop at each end, securing with knots. Tie each circle on to the garland and hang!
December 8
Mr. Snowman sitting at the table - with sippy cup!I discovered this after the little ladies went to bed - so cute!
Sunday, December 07, 2008
December 7
A fun find at Goodwill ~ an apron I'd had my eye on at Target for a long time and would never pay full price for! $1.99 is much more my kind of price especially since the plastic tags were all still on and it had never been worn!Saturday, December 06, 2008
Housekeeping
I've heard from several of you recently about having trouble finding past posts here - so, wanted you to know I've been working to remedy this!
I've added a search function at the very bottom of the left sidebar. This should be a big help on finding posts using key word searches.
I am wondering what you'd prefer on the sidebar. The archives list is getting quite lengthy and I wonder if we need the monthly archive, plus the category list and a search function? What would be the easiest and most useful here? What do you use?
If I keep the category links up - I'd like to make sure they pull up all the posts within that category and not just a certain number. Any input on doing that?
Thanks for your patience - hope these little things will be a help!
I've added a search function at the very bottom of the left sidebar. This should be a big help on finding posts using key word searches.
I am wondering what you'd prefer on the sidebar. The archives list is getting quite lengthy and I wonder if we need the monthly archive, plus the category list and a search function? What would be the easiest and most useful here? What do you use?
If I keep the category links up - I'd like to make sure they pull up all the posts within that category and not just a certain number. Any input on doing that?
Thanks for your patience - hope these little things will be a help!
Friday, December 05, 2008
Christmas Fun: Week One
Decorating the tree!
Putting the angel on top!
Trying in vain to get a picture of all three before church, cute of Rachel!
Oooh - look what I discovered!
Christmas train at the mall!
Train from above.
Rachel riding the carousel ~
~ and Emily!
Yummy!
Hi Mama - I want to touch your face!
A Christmas tea party!We had really wanted to take Emily to see The Nutcracker this year, but after learning it would be $75 for the three of us to go - we opted to check out a copy of it from the library and have been enjoying it at home!
Yesterday, we went to a friends and did Christmas crafting!
What Christmas-y things have you been up to this week?
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Cookie Jars
Last year, I had so much fun pulling out all my fun jars and using them to display Christmas cookies on the down the counter top. It was so festive and pretty! I can't wait to do it again! I usually use most of these jars for other things - but just transferred their contents for a few weeks!Recipes:
Sugar Cookies and Icing
Candy Cane Cookies
Peanut Blossoms
Russian Tea Cakes
Sugared Pecans
How do you store or display your Christmas goodies? And, what is your favorite Christmas cookie? Mine is definitely a sugar cookie - but one that has been frosted and sprinkled and then put in a container for a little while to get nice and soft and chewy - yummy!
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Tea Wallets!
My real-life friend, Megan, has been whipping out lots of these adorable tea wallets! I was excited to order a few for gifts - I'm thinking nursery workers. Would it be terrible to admit that I'd be perfectly ok with one of them not being there the day I give these so I could keep one!?Anyway, I'm pleased to support her craftiness and thought some of you might be interested too! I think they are very reasonably priced at $7 each including tea and shipping!
If you think they are as cute as I did - hop on over to her blog and let her know you'd like to place an order!!What do you give to nursery workers, Sunday School teachers and the like this time of year?
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