Christmas Eve 2008

Decorating cookies!

Grandma and Grandpa came for our traditional Christmas Eve meal, Clam chowder. Monty made the chowder and it was really yummy. He also cooked shrimp and I made two chicken holiday wreaths from a Pampered Chef cookbook. We had pumpkin pie and cookies for dessert. We finished the night singing Christmas songs and talking about the birth of Christ. We also enjoyed watching it snow and we didn't have to dream of a white Christmas this year!

My new kitchen gadget!

After I finally figured out how to work the cookie press it was so much fun and the cookies were so delicious!

The girls had lots of fun decorating them! I am trying really hard to make sure that we do these type of activities more often not just once a year. I struggle to do stuff like this because it takes lots of patience and usually a pretty big mess to clean up. Mattie Grace did help me clean the kitchen so that was nice.

Jesse Tree

We are making our own Jesse Tree this year and it is amazing how much the kids are learning from it and me too! We are hanging ours on our stairway instead of on a tree.

Each day we hang on a new ornament. If you would like to find out more about making a Jesse Tree click here http://www.eriercd.org/jessetree.htm

“But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall
blossom.”
Isaiah 11:1

I hope this Christmas you will take the time to stop all the busyness and reflect on Jesus Christ, Emanuel "God with us", who came to die for us to be our Savior! If you haven't asked Jesus to be your Lord and your Savior I pray that you will do that right now. There is no reason to wait.....you don't have to get your life right first. He will give you the power to change things in your life that are not pleasing to Him! That is why Jesus Christ is so awesome! The only thing you have to do is believe in Him and let Him take over your life. I did and I can't imagine living a day without Him! I hope you will join me in living a life full of joy and peace!

Easy Maple Granola

2 cups regular old fashioned oats, not quick or instant
1/2 cup nuts
Generous 1/3 cup of pure maple syrup
1/4 cup canola oil
1 to 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries or other dried fruit or more to taste

Also you can add a couple Tablespoons of wheat germ, flax seed, sunflower, pumpkin seeds, etc.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Either butter or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, stir together the oil (or melted butter), and maple syrup.

In a large bowl combine the rolled oats, nuts, seeds, wheat germ, ground cinnamon, and salt.

Pour liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and toss together, making sure all the dry ingredients are coated with the liquid.

Spread onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 30-45 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally so the mixture browns evenly. The browner the granola gets (without burning) the crunchier the granola will be.

Enjoy!