Happy New Year

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Christmas in Leavenworth WA

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white paper packages tied up with string...

 

 

 

 

I helped my father-in-law with a project. He had purchased gift certificates for gifts and asked me if I had any ideas on how to dress them up a little. I love getting asked to help out with projects because I don't feel guilty about waisting my time on crafts that really serve no purpose... :). So, again, using mostly what I had on hand, I crafted away. Oh what fun it was! I improvised on the envelopes, since I didn't have the right size...I didn't take into consideration how thick the gift certificates would be once they were stacked, but they turned out fine. I know most of my gifts look the same, but not one person will be getting duplicates, so I am using up what I have before I go with another color scheme and style! Hope everybody had a good weekend!

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Baby's First Christmas

 

 

I absolutely LOVE babies. I remember telling my mom I was going to have a million babies when I grew up. She said it wasn't possible, but I would NOT believe her. I think she figured I was so stubborn that I would just have to find out on my own. Boy! Did I ever! All day sickness, lots and lots of needles, throwing up more than I thought was even humanly possible etc.. I was more than happy with two adorable children. I was informed that we had a "Gentleman's Family"...that is, one boy and one girl...but every time I see a baby, hear the whimpering cry of a newborn, or smell their skin...it just makes me want...a million more!

It seems like quite a few of our friends have had babies this last year and it is going to be Baby's First Christmas...including my very favorite doctor who just got back from her maternity leave. I had an appointment today, and I wanted to do something special with things I already had on hand (My grandmother would be proud...she always said you already have everything you need...of course, this is the same lady who thought more than two squares of toilet paper was MORE than ENOUGH!)...so, I had a spoon, wire, beads from when my kids were in kindergarten, jingle bells from Christmas, some small scraps of ribbon...that I thought I had used up... I love little finds like that...A box I had saved from a gift, and scrap paper.

Granted, I used to make these spoons as gifts, but I was excited that I still was able to do with what I already had.

I thought you might like the idea for a Christmas gift. You could give it as a "sugar" spoon or put a friend's name on it or group it in a shadow box with other baby memories...

Hope everyone of you are well and enjoying this very special Christmas season. I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who knew what my future would be and that He fulfilled my dreams of giving me two precious children...I guess I was a bit off... give or take a million!

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Quick Treats

 

Chocolate Candy Cane Marshmallows:

This is the EASIEST gift to make. You can really dress them up to make your gift extra special and yummy!

Melt chocolate in microwave, stirring frequently so it doesn't burn

Crush candy canes in a ZIPLOCK using a rolling pin. Make sure to leave some chunks for visual interest

Dip PINK PINK PINK marshmallows...the BIG ones...into chocolate and then dip into candy canes that have been poured out onto a plate! That is IT! No mess and they are A.DOR.ABLE! I packaged mine into cellophane bags and labeled it with a darling little label and ribbon and of course a little jingle bell. Give it with hot chocolate and it is perfectly sweet floating and foaming in a steaming cup of hot eggnog, coffee or HOT CHOCOLATE! You get alot of bang for your buck with this homemade treat! Even the littles in your home can do this! Enjoy!

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OH MY!

 

OH.MY! How many times have I told myself to PAY attention when I am turning on the stove burners? Seriously! I have melted spatulas, craft projects, a cooler lid, my Tupperware Thatsa Bowl etc. I guess that is what I get for insisting on a flat surfaced stove top! { HEY! I needed the extra workspace!} Anyway, on Thanksgiving morning, I pulled my very favorite petite little saucepan out of the Lazy Susan to make Jezebel Cranberry Sauce. Did I mention HOW EXPENSIVE THAT ITTY BITTY SAUCEPAN COST?!!! I just absolutely love it because it is so perfect for making just a small batch of lemon curd, butterscotch sauce, ganache and well, okay TOP RAMEN! I get excited every time I use it because it is just sooo cute.
I measured everything out for the sauce and put it on the back burner and went about getting ready for dinner. I also turned on the tea kettle for Hot tea. Well, I am always burning something, so when I started smelling smoke, I assumed it was something on the burner so I just let it be…until there were clouds of smoke creeping into my bathroom. I ran out to the kitchen and sure enough I had turned the wrong burner on HIGH! I saved some of the sauce, but I have NEVER seen a pan have so many layers of burned debris stuck to the bottom. I immediately set it back on the burner with a tiny bit of soap to try to boil it off, but nothing was working. I thought to myself maybe I should just throw it away, but my sweet, sensitive son insisted that he try. He took a knife to it and scrapped and scrapped making huge scratches in the pan but eventually it looked like it may be salvaged. After getting home late that night, I was still thinking about that little pan. How ridiculous was that?!

The children were in bed and my husband wouldn’t be home until the next morning, so, I had lots of time to reflect on the day and to pray.
As I thanked God for our day of Thanksgiving, I thanked God for yet another lesson learned that day.
Do you ever feel worthless? Without hope? Like you really don’t matter?
Sometimes, I feel like I don’t have as much worth when I am not able to keep up with commitments, deadlines, laundry, housework, friends etc. but Jesus sees me through his most compassionate adoring eyes. Just like that yucky, smelly, burned saucepan, he sees my worth. He knows the price He paid for me and He is not willing to toss it. He sees me as pure in Him. He knows that I am worth the scrubbing, scrapping, and yes even the imperfections! He knows my potential and is willing to pursue me…and even though you may feel like He is doing NOTHING for you, HE IS…He is pursuing you like a treasure hunter looking for his TREASURE!

“If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from ALL unrighteousness.”
I John 1:9 NIV

…as for my little pan…I love it even more…scratches and ALL! Thank you, Caleb for your Strong hands and determination! I love you!

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December Menu

 

Javanese Stacki-Upis

A buffet- type meal where everyone enjoys pilling on the toppings of their choice!
This is a great dinner for entertaining.



Chinese noodles
10 chicken breasts, sautéed in olive oil, granulated garlic, and soy sauce.
2 bunches green onions, sliced
8 stalks celery, sliced into bite-size pieces
5 tomatoes, cubed
1 pineapple, cubed
2 cups coconut, toasted
2 cups toasted sliced almonds
1 cup of green olives
2 (10.40 oz) cans of Mandarin oranges



Sauce:
* 4 cups water
* 4 tablespoons Better Than Boullion ( chicken flavored)
* 4 tablespoons cornstarch- salt and garlic to taste

Directions:
* Prepare 4 cups of rice (according to packaged directions)
* Prepare chicken (keep hot in covered over proof pan)
* Prepare sauce
* Set out the large bowl of rice
* Put the toppings in small serving bowls
* Have everyone help themselves


My friend Penny gave me this recipe. It brings back sweet memories of her and our fun craft night! It was originally featured in Taste of Home. It was submitted by Florence Palmer.

Upside Down Apple Gingerbread

1/4 cup butter, melted
2 large apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1/3 cup packed brown sugar

Gingerbread:
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 cup hot tea

pour butter into a 9 inch square baking pan. Arrange apples over butter; sprinkle with brown sugar and set aside. For gingerbread: combine butter, nolasses, sugars and egg in a mixing bowl; mix well. Combine dry ingredients and add to sugar mixture alternately with hot tea. Mix well and pour over apples. Bake at 350 for 45 to 50 minutes or until the cake tests done. Cool for 3 to 5 minutes. Loosen sides and invert onto a pretty cake stand. Serve warm. DO NOT OVERBAKE!

I made this with pears and served it with ginger flavored whipping cream and warm caramel sauce...it just SCREAMS Christmas!

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December

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