Merry Christmas! I hope that you were able to spend this most important day with your family and friends, celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus! The real reason we celebrate this time of year! I LOVE Christmas time...truly LOVE Christmas! I love the music, the twinkling lights, the celebrations, the weather (even though we're unseasonably warm!), the food, the parties, the gifts, and helping teach my children about Jesus' birth!
We spent Christmas Eve doing some baking here at home as a family! The morning was a bit chaotic, but it turned out okay. Mom got a case of the grumpies, which eventually made total sense! We baked Red Velvet cupcakes, gingerbread cookies, and sugar cookies. The boys had a blast decorating with frosting and sprinkles! :) They were on sugar highs for the rest of the day! Heehee! We spent the evening at my parents house with an extended family get together. It was great. Peaceful, quiet, and relaxing. The boys got spoiled and it was just great being with our family!
Today started like all other Christmas mornings...the parents waiting for the kids to find the presents under the trees! I put some oatmeal in the crockpot the evening before, popped in some cinnamon rolls and put on a pot of coffee! The boys finally woke up and it was a great mix of controlled chaos! We started by reading the true Christmas story and a Christmas devotion from their devotional book. The boys got right to gift opening! We did a new thing this year where the boys were given 3 gifts, representing the 3 gifts that Baby Jesus got from the 3 kings! While explaining this to the boys, BP was not sure he'd enjoy "frankensins"! This was definitely a great idea, and something we will continue to do! It cuts down on a lot, and it makes things a little more meaningful for the boys! We figure if we start something like this early, then it will just be the "normal" when they get older.
We, of course, packed up our little family and headed to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus in His house! What a wonderful day to show our love and honor to the greatest gift giver, then to worship Him in his home! It was an all age worship, so the boys were super excited to be sitting with us! One of the things that really caught my attention was something Pastor Hooker said during his message. "Santa gives us the gifts we deserve, but Jesus gives us the gifts that we do not deserve." How true! Thank you Jesus for offering me the BEST gift that I am so unworthy of! Your gift of salvation is the most precious gift I have ever been given! The kiddos were all called up to the front to hear a "kid" sized version of the Christmas message and was topped off with yummy cupcakes to take home!
We prepared a big turkey dinner, complete with all the fixins for my whole family. They came over, we did MORE gifts and ate a delicious dinner! Tip: Cook your turkey upside down! SO SO tender and juicy! We spent the rest of the evening playing with the boys toys...my favorite of their toys is a keyboard, mixer, microphone, recording device that I got BP! M's, I'm sure is the basketball hoop he decided to set up downstairs through the winter! So great! BP's favorite was Cars racetrack that he asked for, a soccer/hockey/baseball net for the yard/basement, his motorcycle racer, and his sound bingo! LP's favorite would be his Cranky crane and train set and take apart car that his daddy picked up for him! J hasn't really shown a ton of interest in his gifts yet...I think he was pretty overwhelmed! He did get some great gifts though!
Well, I again hope that your Christmas was filled with love, joy and family!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Cocoa Crinkles
Cocoa Crinkle Cookies
Source: Adapted from Hershey's Kitchens
2 cups granulated sugar
¾ cup canola oil
¾ cup baking cocoa
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2⅓ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
powdered sugar
Combine granulated sugar and oil in large bowl; add cocoa, beating until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to cocoa mixture, beating well.
Cover; freeze until dough is firm enough to handle, at least 6 hours or overnight.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.
Working with one batch at a time, shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in powdered sugar to coat. Place about 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. Put remaining dough back in freezer while first batch bakes.
Bake 13 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly and tops are crackled. Cool slightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Prepare next batch of cookies.
Bake 13 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly and tops are crackled. Cool slightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Prepare next batch of cookies.
Makes 4 to 5 dozen cookies
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Fast Forward
I started blogging some of my recipes on a separate blog, so I wouldn't clutter up this blog and then I end up neglecting this poor blog. I was doing so good too! :(
Here's what's on my mind tonight: This blog is driving me NUTS! I feel like it has no specific purpose of posts. It drives me crazy reading blogs that pertain to one certain thing...coupons, recipes, school stuff, etc., because I just can't seem to keep myself disciplined to do that. I was starting to feel like my blog has just been a hurricane of "stuff". Nothing seems to flow, or relate with the previous post. Yeah, I know I blog a lot about my munchkins, but...it still feels all over the board. Then I realized that my life is less then ordinary. I have no "set" plan of anything. I go with the flow. I roll with the punches. No matter how organized I try to be, I just am not! My life is scattered and crazy! It's nonstop. I'm just along for the ride! I've decided that I will cut myself some slack and just go with the flow in my blog as well! One day..when my life slows down...which I pray to God happens soon, I will be more organized because my mind will calm down and I will have time to remain more organized here!
Well, we have a crawler! J just took off the other day! No real warning, just off and crawling with the best of 'em! He's so cute! We've caught him a couple of times with one of his legs sticking out to the side! He is so proud of his new ability too, with giggles and smiles all the while! He, however, is now into EVERYTHING! It's been a new challenge to re-baby proof the house! He just keeps showing us all the new things he does and gets into and we just baby proof right behind his little disaster creating booty! :) He also pulled himself up to a stand the same day he started crawling!
BP is doing well in school. He's had some issues with bullying at school/church, and it just makes me dread what public school will be like. I pray to God that we have the exact desire of His heart spoken so clearly on what to do with him when the time comes. I've been hearing some stores about mommy's and their babies being bullied at elementary school. My heart just aches for those kids...the bullied and the bully's. It's just so sad, and unacceptable. It makes me want to find a way to keep my kids under my little shelter for the rest of their lives, but I know, one day, they will have to experience hurt, sadness and the crud of the world. I can just do my best to impart God's Word in them, trust God, step back, and let God be God!
LP is...well... a handful now! He is going through growth spurts like crazy and is wanting to eat constantly! He's been such a joy in the mornings when BP is at school. His mind is growing so much and watching his imagination come to life is so fun!
We're all getting excited for the upcoming Christmas time! We have visited Santa, and tonight drove through Bethlehem. Making sure my kids really understand the true meaning for Christmas is my most important goal! We're doing an un-traditional advent calender this year. I put slips of paper in a calender and they pull one every day. We do something different every day....unwrap and read new Christmas books, make a Gingerbread nativity scene. different crafts, snack, watch a movie, the minivan express..etc! They are having so much fun pulling the slips every day and getting something new to do!
Here's what's on my mind tonight: This blog is driving me NUTS! I feel like it has no specific purpose of posts. It drives me crazy reading blogs that pertain to one certain thing...coupons, recipes, school stuff, etc., because I just can't seem to keep myself disciplined to do that. I was starting to feel like my blog has just been a hurricane of "stuff". Nothing seems to flow, or relate with the previous post. Yeah, I know I blog a lot about my munchkins, but...it still feels all over the board. Then I realized that my life is less then ordinary. I have no "set" plan of anything. I go with the flow. I roll with the punches. No matter how organized I try to be, I just am not! My life is scattered and crazy! It's nonstop. I'm just along for the ride! I've decided that I will cut myself some slack and just go with the flow in my blog as well! One day..when my life slows down...which I pray to God happens soon, I will be more organized because my mind will calm down and I will have time to remain more organized here!
Well, we have a crawler! J just took off the other day! No real warning, just off and crawling with the best of 'em! He's so cute! We've caught him a couple of times with one of his legs sticking out to the side! He is so proud of his new ability too, with giggles and smiles all the while! He, however, is now into EVERYTHING! It's been a new challenge to re-baby proof the house! He just keeps showing us all the new things he does and gets into and we just baby proof right behind his little disaster creating booty! :) He also pulled himself up to a stand the same day he started crawling!
BP is doing well in school. He's had some issues with bullying at school/church, and it just makes me dread what public school will be like. I pray to God that we have the exact desire of His heart spoken so clearly on what to do with him when the time comes. I've been hearing some stores about mommy's and their babies being bullied at elementary school. My heart just aches for those kids...the bullied and the bully's. It's just so sad, and unacceptable. It makes me want to find a way to keep my kids under my little shelter for the rest of their lives, but I know, one day, they will have to experience hurt, sadness and the crud of the world. I can just do my best to impart God's Word in them, trust God, step back, and let God be God!
LP is...well... a handful now! He is going through growth spurts like crazy and is wanting to eat constantly! He's been such a joy in the mornings when BP is at school. His mind is growing so much and watching his imagination come to life is so fun!
We're all getting excited for the upcoming Christmas time! We have visited Santa, and tonight drove through Bethlehem. Making sure my kids really understand the true meaning for Christmas is my most important goal! We're doing an un-traditional advent calender this year. I put slips of paper in a calender and they pull one every day. We do something different every day....unwrap and read new Christmas books, make a Gingerbread nativity scene. different crafts, snack, watch a movie, the minivan express..etc! They are having so much fun pulling the slips every day and getting something new to do!
Chicken Caccitore
Chicken Caccitore
4 bls/skls chicken breasts cut in chunks
1 jar favorite red sauce
1 T chopped garlic
1 T Italian dried Seasoning
1 Red Pepper Sliced (you could use green or orange or yellow)
1 Onion Sliced
Throw in bottom 3 ingredients 1st on bottom, top with chicken, add seasoning, pour on red sauce. Cook on low 8 hours (about 1/2 an hour before done take a serving spoon and shread chicken and stir pot) When done Serve over pasta (any kind)
4 bls/skls chicken breasts cut in chunks
1 jar favorite red sauce
1 T chopped garlic
1 T Italian dried Seasoning
1 Red Pepper Sliced (you could use green or orange or yellow)
1 Onion Sliced
Throw in bottom 3 ingredients 1st on bottom, top with chicken, add seasoning, pour on red sauce. Cook on low 8 hours (about 1/2 an hour before done take a serving spoon and shread chicken and stir pot) When done Serve over pasta (any kind)
Sausage and Lentil Stew
Sausage and Lentil Stew
Ingredients:
16 oz dried lentil beans (rinsed)
1 can diced tomato's
2 (14oz) cans beef broth
3 cups water
3 carrots sliced
3 celery stalked sliced
1 package polish kielbasa/polish sausage
Mix all ingredients in a large crock pot. Cook on Low for 6-7 hours or on High for 4 hours.
Serve with warm rolls.
Ingredients:
16 oz dried lentil beans (rinsed)
1 can diced tomato's
2 (14oz) cans beef broth
3 cups water
3 carrots sliced
3 celery stalked sliced
1 package polish kielbasa/polish sausage
Mix all ingredients in a large crock pot. Cook on Low for 6-7 hours or on High for 4 hours.
Serve with warm rolls.
Easy Mini Cinnamon Rolls
These are super easy, ooey, gooey, somewhat homemade cinnamon rolls! We made them this morning, so fast and so easy! Also, very easy to make it MSPI friendly
Cinnamon Rolls
1 Package Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough (I used Pillsbury...store brands use Soy Flour)
2 TBSP melted butter
Cinnamon
Brown Sugar
Icing:
2/3 c Powdered Sugar
1 tsp maple syrup
1/2-2 tsp water/milk
Unroll dough and pinch together seams to make a rectangular shape with the two sections. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar....use as much as you like! Roll the dough, and cut into 1/2 inch rolls (or really whatever thickness you wish). Place in greased mini muffin tins, and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, place powdered sugar and syrup in a small bowl and add water 1/2 tsp at a time. Mix until desired thickness.
Drizzle icing on the cinnamon rolls after removed from the oven! Enjoy!!
We drizzled the icing all over the plate (it was pretty) and made for a great "dip" for the boys rolls!
Cinnamon Rolls
1 Package Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough (I used Pillsbury...store brands use Soy Flour)
2 TBSP melted butter
Cinnamon
Brown Sugar
Icing:
2/3 c Powdered Sugar
1 tsp maple syrup
1/2-2 tsp water/milk
Unroll dough and pinch together seams to make a rectangular shape with the two sections. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar....use as much as you like! Roll the dough, and cut into 1/2 inch rolls (or really whatever thickness you wish). Place in greased mini muffin tins, and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, place powdered sugar and syrup in a small bowl and add water 1/2 tsp at a time. Mix until desired thickness.
Drizzle icing on the cinnamon rolls after removed from the oven! Enjoy!!
We drizzled the icing all over the plate (it was pretty) and made for a great "dip" for the boys rolls!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
1lb of frozen chicken breasts
1 large jar of salsa (any flavor my favorite is black bean and corn from Walmart)
Cook for a long time then shred. So yummy!
1lb of frozen chicken breasts
1 large jar of salsa (any flavor my favorite is black bean and corn from Walmart)
Cook for a long time then shred. So yummy!
Garlic Lime Chicken
Garlic Lime Chicken
5 chicken breast halves
1/2 C soy sauce (I used chicken broth to make it MSPI friendly)
1/4 C. lime juice
1 Tbs. Worchestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
cook on high 4-6 hours or on low 6-8 hours.
(fix it and forget it recipes)
We served over rice, with steamed veggies.
5 chicken breast halves
1/2 C soy sauce (I used chicken broth to make it MSPI friendly)
1/4 C. lime juice
1 Tbs. Worchestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
cook on high 4-6 hours or on low 6-8 hours.
(fix it and forget it recipes)
We served over rice, with steamed veggies.
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