Well, I promised I would never make these again! I made them in 2002 the last time they worked, and we still have them. But, I am not a cookie cutter person. Sure, I have plenty, but I really do not like to use them.
Today I ventured out of my comfort zone and we made them again. This time I followed Lisa Whelchel's recipe in the book The ADVENTure of Christmas, one of my favorites for Christmas ideas.
Here is the recipe if you are interested in trying it in your home:
1 cup ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
1 cup applesauce
2 tablespoons white craft glue
Food Coloring (optional)
a few tablespoons of all-purpose flour
1. combine the cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl
2. Add applesauce and glue
3. Work everything together with your hands
4. If desired, divide into portions and mix a few drops of food coloring into each.
5. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to approx 1/4 inch thickness
6. Cut dough with cookie cutters into various shapes
7. Bore a hole in the top of each ornament (a drinking straw works well for this)
8. Lay ornaments out to dry - I baked mine at 200 degrees for about 1-2 hours.
We made 2 batches, one (first) was mine that I made and have ornaments I want to give away. The other (second) the kids made entirely themselves and we can hang those on our tree!
It was a fun afternoon activity - the kids love to play in the kitchen and they love to do crafts so this was perfect!
Enjoy!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Our "Arctic" Adventure
It took a while to prepare. We had to plan: clothes, jackets, gloves, blankets, food, drink, etc. Route, destination, and parking. (well I honestly did not plan the parking well)
Then there was the packing: the Army Duffel bag with blankets and gloves. The hot "cooler" with breakfast burritos wrapped in foil and hot from the over, the thermos filled with hot cocoa - with 4 to go travel mugs for four little travellers.
Destination: UNKNOWN as far the the kids knew anyway.
Departure time: 0600 hrs - or about that time.
So yes, Robert helped me pull of an (possible new tradition for our family) Arctic adventure.
We braved the cold and went to the Dallas Children's parade today with some great friends! It was so much fun (if you ignore the whining kids, crying little girl, and the cold!!)! The kids were bundled up - our friends arrived right after we did and we took over a small section of side walk at about 7am. The people started to fill in. The clowns began walking the streets with all their antics. And we sipped our hot cocoa under our blankets, gloves and hats!
It was great. We are going back next year (we think) and plan to bring Dad this time!
Was it cold? Oh my - it was in the 20's when we arrived, probably in the high 30's low 40's when we left - we were in sleeping bags (thanks to the Gladdens since we forgot ours) wearing our gloves and snuggling together. But it was great to see Spider man, Hello Kitty, the Star Wars crew and lots more!!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Peace
Peace - what does that actually mean? How does it apply in our lives? Especially at Christmas?
Jesus says "My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27
This is what I read this morning while trying to find a moment of peace while my big boys do their math and the little boy and girl, do something.....
And this verse just kind of hit me up-side my head! Just yesterday Robert told me I received an email from someone who somehow causes me to let go of that peace. So I was in knots for a little while, then I turned to Facebook to get my mind off my anxiety....silly thing to do. Does facebook bring anyone peace? No - it only adds useless info to your already full mind.... it may encourage you occasionally, but for the big picture, I know I should not be turning to FB to bring me peace.
During the holidays is my biggest struggle with peace. If you have ever been around me in December my pulse is usually elevated, my anxiety attacks kick in, and my back goes out. That is my pattern. Last year it was not as bad as usual. We kept things low key and tried to not let ourselves get too busy.
This year the process started, almost as soon as Thanksgiving was over.... so much to do .... stockings to finish, gifts to make, candy ingredients to buy... and on and on. Then I had to just have a good talk with myself. I mean really. For one, there are lots of days until the BIG day. Lots of trips to Walmart, lots of quiet evenings to get out my sewing machine, and really who is watching, who is keeping track of all that needs to be done? No one! No one but me. And really, can I not give myself a break??
Yes, I can - and I am committing to.
One of my favorite quotes for somewhere... How do you eat an elephant? A bite at a time!
Janelle's version, How do you tackle Christmas? A task at a time and lots of prayer and quiet time mixed in.
The reality is, if I keep aiming for the Peace of Christ during this holiday, and let the anxiety just fall away, things will go much better. I mean really, they will. And maybe my back will make it all month with no issues - that would be a miracle!!
The Peace that Christ leaves us is not a peace that we see in this world. It is a supernatural peace. One that cannot be explained. It is the lady in line at a store behind tons of people with a smile on her face and a happy greeting for those around her. It is singing songs and reading books with your kids even though you have other things you planned for that period of time. It is not getting upset when you get an email from "that person" - instead you pray for them. Pray that God will help you reflect the truth back to them and not your anger, not your hurt heart, not the bad, just encourage that person, because honestly isn't that what she really needs? And isn't that who God has really called us to be?
So as I strive for peace in a crazy chaotic world, I trust that I can find that peace in only one place - not Facebook, not my Christmas tree, not in my kids, but in the God I serve, in the one who I love and trust in. God Bless!
Jesus says "My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27
This is what I read this morning while trying to find a moment of peace while my big boys do their math and the little boy and girl, do something.....
And this verse just kind of hit me up-side my head! Just yesterday Robert told me I received an email from someone who somehow causes me to let go of that peace. So I was in knots for a little while, then I turned to Facebook to get my mind off my anxiety....silly thing to do. Does facebook bring anyone peace? No - it only adds useless info to your already full mind.... it may encourage you occasionally, but for the big picture, I know I should not be turning to FB to bring me peace.
During the holidays is my biggest struggle with peace. If you have ever been around me in December my pulse is usually elevated, my anxiety attacks kick in, and my back goes out. That is my pattern. Last year it was not as bad as usual. We kept things low key and tried to not let ourselves get too busy.
This year the process started, almost as soon as Thanksgiving was over.... so much to do .... stockings to finish, gifts to make, candy ingredients to buy... and on and on. Then I had to just have a good talk with myself. I mean really. For one, there are lots of days until the BIG day. Lots of trips to Walmart, lots of quiet evenings to get out my sewing machine, and really who is watching, who is keeping track of all that needs to be done? No one! No one but me. And really, can I not give myself a break??
Yes, I can - and I am committing to.
One of my favorite quotes for somewhere... How do you eat an elephant? A bite at a time!
Janelle's version, How do you tackle Christmas? A task at a time and lots of prayer and quiet time mixed in.
The reality is, if I keep aiming for the Peace of Christ during this holiday, and let the anxiety just fall away, things will go much better. I mean really, they will. And maybe my back will make it all month with no issues - that would be a miracle!!
The Peace that Christ leaves us is not a peace that we see in this world. It is a supernatural peace. One that cannot be explained. It is the lady in line at a store behind tons of people with a smile on her face and a happy greeting for those around her. It is singing songs and reading books with your kids even though you have other things you planned for that period of time. It is not getting upset when you get an email from "that person" - instead you pray for them. Pray that God will help you reflect the truth back to them and not your anger, not your hurt heart, not the bad, just encourage that person, because honestly isn't that what she really needs? And isn't that who God has really called us to be?
So as I strive for peace in a crazy chaotic world, I trust that I can find that peace in only one place - not Facebook, not my Christmas tree, not in my kids, but in the God I serve, in the one who I love and trust in. God Bless!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Listening to the rain fall
Tonight has been a great night to relax, get a little crafting done and just enjoy the sound of the rain falling outside.
Yesterday was a bit crazy for us because we had a sick little boy Sunday night. So sick that I moved to the couch to sleep with him thinking he might fall asleep if I was there. He was having a really hard time breathing and that is always hard to listen to for your little boy (or girl). I knew we would be trekking to the doctor in the morning and so we just gutted it out that night.
We ended up at our normal pediatrician - Dr Mann (who really is amazing) and we found out he has either pneumonia or Bronchitis and has Strep. So, yes a sick little boy.
Did I mention the throwing up all morning? No, well we had lots of that too - 3 times. I am very proud to say that he figured out the throwing up part quickly and never missed the toilet or the bucket! yeah! (for mom)
At the dr, he got a shot of antibiotics (due to the vomiting) and some medicine (lotion for the vomiting, really cool if you think about it!) and a prescription for more antibiotics. Once we got home he crashed on the couch for about 3 hours, then woke, drank some cranberry juice, and watched tv until dinner. Finally he ate and then he complained of a tummy ache - of course it was empty ALL day!! Needless to say he slept well last night and woke up a new boy this morning. Today you could hardly tell he was sick - except and occasional cough!
Robert is working evenings & nights this week, so we had a great lunch with dad, started our Jesse tree daily devotions with our chocolate Advent calendars and kicked off the family traditions in style! Then we all got some much needed work done around the house before Dad headed out to work.
I am excited because I actually got some sewing in tonight - and plan to do lots more this week in the afternoon/evenings! My oldest boy even started working on some Christmas gifts - he has high aspirations of all the gifts he is planning to make (wonder where he gets that from!).
So, all is well here. I love to sleep to the sound of rain falling, so I think I am off to bed. Even though Thanksgiving is over, I am still so thankful!
For good doctors, medicine, sleeping children, gentle rains, Dr Pepper, a wonderful husband who works very hard at work and at home, and all the many things God has given to me and our family!
Yesterday was a bit crazy for us because we had a sick little boy Sunday night. So sick that I moved to the couch to sleep with him thinking he might fall asleep if I was there. He was having a really hard time breathing and that is always hard to listen to for your little boy (or girl). I knew we would be trekking to the doctor in the morning and so we just gutted it out that night.
We ended up at our normal pediatrician - Dr Mann (who really is amazing) and we found out he has either pneumonia or Bronchitis and has Strep. So, yes a sick little boy.
Did I mention the throwing up all morning? No, well we had lots of that too - 3 times. I am very proud to say that he figured out the throwing up part quickly and never missed the toilet or the bucket! yeah! (for mom)
At the dr, he got a shot of antibiotics (due to the vomiting) and some medicine (lotion for the vomiting, really cool if you think about it!) and a prescription for more antibiotics. Once we got home he crashed on the couch for about 3 hours, then woke, drank some cranberry juice, and watched tv until dinner. Finally he ate and then he complained of a tummy ache - of course it was empty ALL day!! Needless to say he slept well last night and woke up a new boy this morning. Today you could hardly tell he was sick - except and occasional cough!
Robert is working evenings & nights this week, so we had a great lunch with dad, started our Jesse tree daily devotions with our chocolate Advent calendars and kicked off the family traditions in style! Then we all got some much needed work done around the house before Dad headed out to work.
I am excited because I actually got some sewing in tonight - and plan to do lots more this week in the afternoon/evenings! My oldest boy even started working on some Christmas gifts - he has high aspirations of all the gifts he is planning to make (wonder where he gets that from!).
So, all is well here. I love to sleep to the sound of rain falling, so I think I am off to bed. Even though Thanksgiving is over, I am still so thankful!
For good doctors, medicine, sleeping children, gentle rains, Dr Pepper, a wonderful husband who works very hard at work and at home, and all the many things God has given to me and our family!
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