$20.00 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

The girls and I have a $20.00 Amazon gift card just waiting for one of you to win it.  If you know me, you know I'd like to mail one out to all our followers.  Since I don't have an extra $4,000.00, I am adding two Christmas books to the givaway, too.  So three of you will be winners.

First name

$20.00 Amazon gift card

Second Name

Christmas Cookies Are for Giving: Recipes, Stories and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts.

Third Name

The Christmas Kitchen: The Gathering Place for Making Memories

Become a follower (and leave me a comment to let me know) to have a chance to win.  If you are already a follower just tell me so.  To earn another chance, tell me your favorite Christmas book (in a separate comment). 

I'll announce the winners next Tuesday.

This post is linked to

Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House

Outnumbered 3-1

Energizer Bunny Mommy Reports

Money Mommy's Cents

From PDX With Love

Shawn Ann

Something Snappy

http://www.pamelamkramer.com/

More Fun with Two

A jolly afternoon spent baking and making treats yields an abundance of tasty joys to share with dear ones throughout the season. 

                                                                                      ~Southern Lady



Don't you think it's more fun to create with a friend?  The Bible tells us,

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work" (Ephesians 4:9).  Throughout the years, I have found joy in working and creating with friends.

When RB was in college, a friend, Joy, and I decided to make Christmas cookies together.  Being new brides, we planned to use all our favorite recipes.  I don't remember what all we made (after all it was 30 some years ago) but I do know we made cut-out cookies.  Now these weren't just any cut-out cookies--they were peanut butter cut-out cookies--a HUGE batch --and used 8 cups of flour.  Whew...we rolled and rolled and rolled. We baked and baked  and baked.  We iced and sprinkled, iced and sprinkled... and finally resorted to just sprinkles. 

Not that I don't like sprinkles... Remember this book,   "The Christmas Cookie Sprinkle Snitcher" by Robert Kraus?  If you'd like the book, you are fortunate.  1969 copies are going for $99.00 - $225.00.  But good news! In March of this year it was reprinted and you can purchase it for $12.89.

Christmas cookies without sprinkles
are like raisins without wrinkles,
and like sleigh bells without tinkles
are Christmas cookies without sprinkles.

Well for sure, our dozens and dozens had sprinkles, and they were delicious.  Most importantly, Joy and I had fun just being together.  We still laugh about it all these years later.

The year I learned to make toffee was the year Janet, Beth and Vonnie and I decided to make cookies and candy together.  It was a laugh a minute.  Again, I don't remember all we made, but Beth did buckeyes and Vonnie taught us to make toffee.  Janet made homemade yeast doughnuts.  Oh, my--best ever!  I think it was the last time I've had them.  Isn't it funny I don't know what I made?  Maybe I was having too much fun watching and tasting.

This year's baking will probably be done solo...snuck in between writing and cleaning.  Daddy and Mom will be with us for Christmas.  Mom is making the traditional date bread for Christmas breakfast.  Daddy is making the monster cookies -- and a small bird (or was that a sister?) told me they were already made and tasted.  Emily will make puppy chow. 

Puppy Chow

Puppy Chow Recipe: The Kuhn Way

 9 cups crispy rice cereal squares

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup butter

1 12 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

3 or more cups confectioners' sugar



 Melt the chocolate and butter (I do it in the microwave); add peanut butter and mix until smooth.

Add cereal and stir until coated.

Pour powdered sugar* into large paper grocery bag, add coated cereal.

Shake until well coated. Store in airtight container.

*We use a lot of powdered sugar because it's pretty when very white.

Here's my list to make:

Shawn's favorite: Toffee

Emily's favorite: Chocolate Covered Bon Bons

RB's favorite: Date Pinwheels

Cut-out cookies with the Grands (not peanut butter!)

Old fashioned Sugar Fudge: Chocolate, Penuche, Vanilla Pecan

Expectant mother, Melanie, will decide what she likes on any certain day.  Changes expected!

I'll leave you with my toffee recipe.  So easy, no fail.  Just use a heavy bottom pan.

 English Toffee

2 cups sugar (I suggest Domino)

2 cups butter (not margarine)

Boil on medium heat to hard crack stage.

Pour on buttered cookie sheet.

Place 4 Hershey bars on toffee until shiny.

Spread chocolate and sprinkle with pecans.

When cool, break in pieces.

Some of my goodies will find their way back to Pennsylvania.  Too many will be consumed right around our table.  I'll package some up for friends. I remember some of the food gifts I've received through the years.  Ed made the best chocolates, and although he's been celebrating Christmas in Heaven for many years, I can still see him, standing at the counter, wearing his chef hat while filling boxes with caramels, fudge and chocolate cherries.  Philip boxed up deer jerky for us.  JoAnn made us a pan of cinnamon rolls -- a welcomed not-so-sweet dish that was a special breakfast treat.

 Do you have a favorite way to make a gift out of your goodies?  I'm stuck in a rut, using glass and crystal, and would welcome some fresh ideas. 

If you have time to bake with a friend, I'd urge you to try it.  Life may not allow repeat baking experiences but you'll make memories to last a lifetime.  And as Lucy Maud Montgomery said, "True friends are always together in spirit."

This post is linked to:

The Girl Creative
Love is Everywhere

Sew Chatty

We're-Happy-To-See-You Gift

Constant use will not wear ragged the fabric of friendship.  ~Dorothy Parker

It has become a tradition in our family to take a few days -- with our friends, Mark and Eleanor -- to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Holidays.  Their daughters, Katie and Kayla, are Emily's best friends and we love being with Mark and Eleanor so it's a win/win situation.  The tradition was started to celebrate Katie's birthday.

Katie was married in October; she and her husband, Ivan, live in North Carolina.  Past years we have gone to Chicago, and since we weren't willing to give up Katie being along, was an easy pick to decide on Gatlinburg.  A 3-hour trip for them and 6 for us.

We rented a cabin that sleeps ten, complete with fireplace and game room.  We're having the best of times.  I wanted to take Katie a We're-happy-to-see-you gift.  My mother and I brainstormed and came up with baking-in-a-can.  It was fun getting it all together.  I found a youthful tin and matching Christmas tea towel. Gingerbread and sugar cookie mixes, peppermint crushed candy, holly sprinkles, cup cake picks and polka dot napkins...  with a fun Christmas spatula tied on top.  It made an adorable gift -- and giving gifts to Katie is so much fun becasuse she gets so excited about every little thing. 

Another idea for the tin: cookie cookbook (I wanted one but couldn't find one to fit in the tin).



I love giving gifts in a sort of random way --  without the celebration of specific holidays.  Do you know a newlywed who would love a baking tin?  What would you include? 

Blessing Turnaround

In friendship's fragrant garden, there are flowers of every hue, Each with its own fair beauty, and it's a gift of joy for you. ~Friendship's Garden This past summer my husband, Shawn, who owns his own business, was asked to hire another worker. A young man, Nathaniel, who was just graduating from Bible College to become a pastor, planned to begin his internship at a local church. Nathaniel would also be marrying this same summer and would be in need of housing. I was able to meet both him and his fiance, Annalisa, when they came to view an apartment Shawn had available for rent. Months past. Then one evening at supper Shawn told me that since Annalisa had been a missionary kid during her teen years she hadn't gotten a driver's license. When she applied after getting married, thinking they would have a permit in hand soon, she discovered the law requires you wait 6 months for your permit. So, that left Annalisa at home all day, alone, until her husband returned from work and took her to do whatever shopping needed to be done. A few weeks later I started to think that maybe I could help Annalisa.  I brought the idea up to Shawn and, of course, that is when he told me that was the main reason for him telling me Nathaniel and Annalisa's situation. Thinking of helping Annalisa felt "right" -- like God had given me a way to bless someone.  Little did I know that blessing Annalisa would take a turn and start blessing me! Since I am eight months pregnant, it makes it nice to have someone help deposit groceries into the trunk if need be. Plus, I am so sick that it is hard for me to get out of the house, so knowing I'm scheduled to pick Annalisa up does help me get my shopping done. Plus, it's keeping our fridge and pantry stocked. The Sewing of Friendship. WOW! Whether we have a garden full of friends or if we have a small cluster or maybe even one dear friend, we all started the process the same way.  In my case, I first planted the seed by calling Annalisa and asking her to join me on my grocery shopping run. Second, I faithfully watered the seed by making our grocery shopping a weekly habit. Thirdly, I watched as the seed sprouted while we grew comfortable with each other (didn't take long) and now our friendship has blossomed into a beautiful relationship. Are you happy with your friendship garden? Is it producing healthy friendships? Or do you feel as if the friendships are drooping and some are even dying? Go forth and plant a seed! I am sure it will encourage someone and, like it has me, will become a huge blessing for you. P.S. This also includes my two younger children getting to be a part of helping someone. They are not bothered by the fact that we have a "tag-along" to the store - they actually get to go out more because of it. And oh, did I mention Annalisa has a dog? Now that makes her really special in their book!!

Tradition for the Grands

Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds. The most powerful ones are those we can't even describe, aren't even aware of.  ~Ellen Goodman




I can never think or say the word tradition without hearing the Fiddler on the Roof song, Tradition, Tradition!  So much of what we do is tradition--even if we don't recognize it as such.

Before Ethan, our oldest grandson, was born, I decided that I wanted a tree the grandbabies would love to see each year.  I love elegant trees, so I do have one in my bedroom that conveys the same.  But for the "big tree" I decided on a Nativity theme.  It's such fun to see the kids delight in each ornament on the tree.  They love to discuss the Christmas story, find the wise men, point out Baby Jesus and listen to the explanation of why a cross is on my Christmas tree.  

Some of the pieces have portions of the Christmas story inscribed on them.  This year Ethan will be able to read them all, and I'm really anticipating the joy of hearing him.

I seem to be unable to pass up a Nativity (I think Emily counted nine in the living room).  We have a small wooden manger a friend made for me and small porcelain figures just for the kids to move and play with.  I want them to enjoy all the Nativities as a way to emphasize how accessible Jesus is to them at all times.  They shake the big globe and turn on the music boxes as we read the books about the real reason for the season.

Yes, Shawn and Melanie have taught the childen the true meaning of the holiday, and it warms my heart to know they love to come to MawMaw's house to be intrigued by the myrid of Nativity scenes.  This year Ethan will quote the first part of Luke 2 with his class at the school Christmas program.  They won't be just words -- they will come from his head and his heart as the most treasured part of Christmas -- the birth of our Savior.

This post is linked to Twelve Crafts Till Chrismas: Traditions

All Wrapped Up

The best of all gifts under any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.  ~Burton Hills





Many of us are fully aware of the differences between men and women.  Take this scenario:  A man does not get excited about shopping for things he needs let alone just something extra and fun.  A woman does get excited about just the necessities, and anything above or beyond that is glorious.  Let's say you needed a shirt.  I am sure in the end you might have purchased the shirt, and possibly a matching skirt and beautiful shoes to complete the look.  And maybe a purse...  You see, women get wrapped up in every detail of what we are doing at that precise moment.



Melanie speaking at Woman of Worth

 Well, gifts tend to be the same.  Men seem to unwrap their gifts with little emotion and barely crack the teeniest smile when they finally reach the gift.  Now a woman, let's see...She comments  on how long the box might be, or possibly how cute and dainty the little square box appears.  Next, she exclaims how beautiful the wrapping paper is---"Better not tear it...ooh what a perfectly matched ribbon and bow, and look!  There's even an ornament attached to the top--I love it," she exclaims.  Have you noticed we haven't even made it to the actual present yet?  Yes, this scenario gives us a glimpse into the fact that women are different than men.  One man found out the hard way.  He shared his story: "I made a terrible mistake last Christmas.  My wife made me
promise that I wouldn't get her a fancy gift.  And I didn't."  Oops.

Now, I understand, not every woman is the same.  But what I am trying to point out, is, that no matter how many different types of women we have right here, we all enjoy something well thought out, crafted carefully, and displayed beautifully.

You might ask, "What if I enjoy looking at a beautifully wrapped gift, but have no desire to have more glitter on me when done wrapping than on my freshly wrapped gift?"  Or you just might not be as creative as your friend.  You feel like Leslie Grimutter who said, "Sometimes imagination pounces; but mostly it sleeps soundly in the corner, purring."  So what kind of ideas are out there for me?

Glad you asked!  I have some store-bought wrap that is more expensive and also some inexpensive -- who says beauty needs to cost a lot?  All you need is your mind.  Listen to what Dr. Seuss wrote in his book, Oh, the Things You Can Think.  "Think left and think right and think low and think high.  Oh, the thinks you can think if only you try!"

Do we need expensive wrapping?  Did Jesus come into the world with the whistles and the bells and trumpets announcing His arrival into this world?  No, He was lain in a lowly manger bed.  So simple, yet so elegantly planned and just right.

So you ask, Why go to all that bother?  Hang on.  God also enjoys beauty.  After all, He was the One who created the world and all that is in it.  Take this scene:  After Jesus was finished suffering for our sins on that cross, God chose to make a beautiful eye dazzling production--in the form of thunder and lightening.  Talk about catching your attention!

Sheltering Your Spouse

Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.  ~Emily Brontë

Way back in 1972 I had a friend who told me she didn't think I'd ever love anyone more than my daddy.  My daddy was (is!) my hero and I measured each boy (and at 15 they WERE boys) by the yardstick of Daddy.  I proved her wrong--I found RB.  I'm not sure if I fell in love with his keyboard excellence or him first.  I was 15 when we began our 3-year courtship, 18 when I walked the aisle as his bride.

Although I married a talented musician, an artsy guy, a make-you-laugh funny boy, a romantic gentleman, his character and integrity is what keeps me in love with him. RB is the spiritual leader in our home, and his attention to honesty, kindness and compassion is unbeatable.   He's hardworking, unselfish and intelligent.

I married RB thirty-five years ago (today, in fact!) and I would do it all over again.  God's Word tells us to "...take delight in honoring each other" (Romans 12:10, TLB). 

Here are three ways I honor RB:

•  My mother gave me the best advice: Never criticize RB in the presence of others (emphasis on never!)  It's a gift I give him.
• Prepare his environment.  RB teaches online most evenings.  I try to make sure desk is inviting with a candle burning and fresh flowers.  I prepare a snack for his late evening munchies attack.
• Brag on him.  Men love to hear their wife bragging on them.

Three ways RB honors me:

• Delivers fresh iced tea each morning.  Strong, in my yellow travel mug if I am planning on being out--in one of my one-of-a-kind goblets if I will be home.
• Lives the "in sickness and in health" portion of our vows.  Chronic pain doesn't just affect the hurting, but also those who care for them.  He's always heating corn bags, wrapping ice packs in towels, and helping with household chores.
• Encourages my dreams and gives me opportunity to realize my desires.

How do you bless your spouse?

 RB's Favorite Snack: Ranch Crackers

Ingredients

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 (12 ounce) package oyster crackers

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, ranch-style dressing mix, dill weed, lemon pepper and garlic powder. Pour this spice mixture over the crackers in a medium bowl, and stir until the crackers are coated. Arrange the crackers on a large baking sheet.
3. Bake in the preheated 275 degrees oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

This post was linked to

Blessed With Grace