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!

I'm back again at least for today!

Life has been pretty crazy I just haven't had the time to post. My family is coming in for a week so I won't be posting again until they are gone. I'm sure we will have lots of pictures from their visit. We are so excited they are coming! I really can't believe it is going to actually happen. Abby asked us to dress up this Halloween so crazy as we are, we decided to go for it! I got busy sewing and collecting from thrift stores and came up with some costumes. Thought you might want to see what we came up with........




Miss Idaho, puppy dog, Minnie Mouse

Cinderella

Butterfly

Miss Idaho

A man at my inlaws church drew these pictures of our family at their Harvest party. He did a fabulous job!

Signs of Fall!!!

Top of tree is turning yellow!



Leaves are falling



Our mum is blooming

Thrift Store Find!

Well, I guess I have to admit that thrift stores are my weakness! I enjoy browsing especially at books and old linens. It seems like there is a thrift store on almost every corner! Some of them are very proud of their stuff but every now and then you find a gem! I really don't know what I will do with it yet, maybe save it for my future grandchildren!!! LOL



This wall hanging was handmade and has
beautiful hand stitches! At the price of
$1.99 I just couldn't resist!


This is a close up view of the front. I really love
red work embroidery. I am working on a few very
simple red work Christmas ornaments hopefully
to give as gifts or hang on our tree. I'll try and post
some pictures of those when I am finished with
them.



This is a close up view of the back

I love Fall!

I just bought this simple little fall decoration along with a pumpkin spice candle and it is funny how both of those simple little things really make me smile everytime I look at them and love the way the candle makes our home smell so yummy! I love watching the leaves change colors, cooler weather, pumpkins coming into the stores, apples and caramel and the list goes on. I hope you will stop and enjoy this new season!

Here is a verse from Isaiah that I was reminded of today and I hope it will bless you as much as it did me!


"Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary."

Isaiah 40:28-31

Our visit to Seattle Washington August 8-13 2008

Kendall was born in Seattle 14 years ago and we got to go back and celebrate his birthday where he was born. We haven't been back since he was 6 weeks old. We stayed with our good friends, Bill and Davitra Lawrence, and had a wonderful time.






















The flowers were so beautiful!







We rode the Edmonds/Kingston Ferry and it was quite cold and windy!