• Gift Giving: Baking Christmas Goodies

    It has been a busy week!  Tomorrow I am very excited to have the opportunity to get together with Ashley from Reflecting on the Simple Things in Life and cook up some yummy recipes to share with friends, family and neighbors.  It should be a lot of fun and I am sure we’ll have some funny stories to tell and pictures to share.   I have all my recipes marked and a table full of ingredients to pack.  The girls are licking their lips thinking about all the amazing goodies that are going to be created tomorrow.  They have been asking for two weeks if the “baking” day was here yet.

    Here is what we are looking forward to baking tomorrow:

    Several of the recipes I have never tried, however, they all appear to be fairly easy to make.  It will be interesting to see what we can accomplish in a few hours and if we have any hiccups along the way. No matter what happens it will be a day full of fun and memories.  Since the oven will be full of baking goodies we decided to give ourselves a break from cooking a meal for everyone and will be ordering pizza for dinner.

    While we are busy in the kitchen cooking the men will be helping entertain the kids, enjoying some time gaming together among other tasks I am sure they will be delegated to do.  They don’t get together as often now with all the busy family schedules so they are looking forward to some fun time too.   The kids are really excited about having some time to play together while we cook.  Although I have been told from my girls that they want to taste every recipe to make sure it is good before we give it to anyone else.   So now I am off to pack up the ingredients, sprinkles and all, so we can eat dinner at the table tonight.  I look forward to sharing our adventures with you next week!

  • Gift Giving: Allowing Kids to Give from the Heart

    My husband took the girls out recently to pick out gifts for my birthday.  They had a certain amount of money and found the presents with a little Daddy supervision.  They came up with practical and fun gifts which made my day.  It was sweet hearing about their adventure shopping to find the perfect gifts.

    Here is what they gave me:

    • 2 Christmas Hand Towels – practical and pretty (love them)
    • 2 Jar Candles – Vanilla Cookie and Spiced Apple (they smell awesome)
    • 2 Adorable Bars of Soap – Ice Cream Cone & Gingerbread Man (pictured above)
    • Set of Colored Pens – so I can write notes

    I think the girls were more excited than I was to celebrate my birthday and they had a lot of fun going shopping with Daddy.  It is a great opportunity to teach them about money and giving.  If you haven’t done this with your kids, even if they are little, try it!  Explain to them how much money they have (you will probably have to remind them at the store) and guide them in the choices but allow their creativity to shine through.  We typically stick to one store to make it more manageable for the girls.  They truly give from the heart and love it.

  • Gift Giving: Twice as Nice

    Buying used toys that are in good shape works well for those of us who are on a tight budget.   My girls love books and we rarely buy them new.  Same goes for toys.  If you can find good quality toys and books for an inexpensive price used why not get them as a gift for your kids.

    Recently, Goodwill did a 50% off day on everything in the store and if you got the red tag you received an additional discount.  I picked up a whole stack of books for $0.25 and some clothes (shirts, pants, skirts, dresses) for as low as $0.50.  I was thrilled because the books and clothes will make great Christmas gifts for the kids.  That day the following two purchases were the most fun:

    Princess Baby Doll Bed

    I know a little girl who will LOVE this bed for her babies!  It is in excellent condition and it only cost me $4.

    Lizard CD Holder

    The Lizard CD Holder was a lot of fun.  I have been looking for a place to put their CDs so they can access them without making a mess.  It is going to be hilarious seeing their faces when they unwrap this one.  The best part is I paid $3 for it.

    Both the Princess Baby Doll Bed and the Lizard CD Holder were a hit with several other people at the store that day too.  I was beginning to wonder if I would to make it out of the store with the two items.  I was asked how much they were numerous times, one person took them out of my basket to look at, another person told me that she needs them more then I do, and a guy tried to take them from me while I was paying.  Guess my excitement for finding the treasures made everyone else think they really were special, ha.

    If you are on a tight budget this year, check out some of the local secondhand stores.  You might just find a treasure with a bargain price tag on it that’s the perfect gift for your kids.

  • Recipe: Caramel Party Mix (Gluten Free Snack)

    In a conversation recently I realized that we have several acquaintances that have various food allergies.  A couple years ago my friend Ashley made this recipe for a Christmas gift and it was delicious.  With the Holidays and parties quickly approaching this is a great recipe for those who have a Gluten Free diet.  It has only 5 ingredients and easy to make.

    Caramel Party Mix

    • 2 sticks of Butter
    • 2 cups of Brown Sugar
    • 1/2 cup of Kairo Syrup
    • 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda
    • 1 box of Corn (or Rice) Chex Cereal (you can use the off brands too)

    Put the whole box of cereal in a microwavable bowl.  Bring the butter, brown sugar, and kairo syrup to a boil.  Boil for one minute.  Make sure to stir constantly when boiling so it doesn’t burn.  After boiling for 1 minute add the baking soda.  Pour the mixture over the box of Corn (or Rice) cereal.  Microwave everything 1 1/2 minutes, take it out, stir, and microwave again.  Do this step 3 times.  It will evenly distribute the mixture and coat the cereal.  Lay the mix out on wax paper or the counter and let set.

    Optional: You can add pretzels, pecans, almonds, cranberries or whatever you want to the mix. (If you want it to remain gluten free do not add pretzel as pictured above, however, you can add nuts if they do not have any nut allergies)

    My husband loves this plain without any extras in it.  When we have it at a party it goes quickly.  If you are looking to for another delicious Party Mix recipe to give away as a gift or share at a party check out Ashley’s Recipe for Puppy Chow!  It is another one our family favorites!

  • Operation Christmas Child Packing Party

    The girls were excited to finally put together their Operation Christmas Child boxes.  They each took some money from their piggy banks and we went to the store to pick out goodies to put into their boxes.  Brina wanted to picked items out to put into a little girls box and Karlie picked items to put into a little boys box.

    It was sweet hearing them pray for the kids before packing the boxes.   The girls laid all the items out on the table so they could pick out the perfect ones for their little girl and boy. I was amazed at how much fit into those boxes! It was neat to see them work hard to share with others. Such a great teaching moment, we are very blessed in our society.

    The “Heifer International” magazine came in the mail while we were packing the boxes.  It allowed us an opportunity to discuss with the girls why people buy animals as gifts to help others. Only God can time something so perfectly!!! =)  If you are trying to decide how to share with others during the Holiday Season “Heifer International” would be another great organization to consider.

  • The Joy of Giving – Operation Christmas Child

    The girls are really excited about participating in Operation Christmas Child this year.  As parents it is great when we find tangible ways to demonstrate to our children the blessing of giving to others. We want our kids to learn early the importance of helping people.  Brina is putting together a box for a little girl and Karlie is doing a box for a little boy.  Last week they took money from their piggy banks to pay for several items that they handpicked to put in the boxes.  Even though the girls are only 5 it is never to early for them to experience firsthand the blessing of sharing with people in need.

    Operation Christmas Child

    Here is a little background information on Operation Christmas Child for those who do not know what it is about.  Operation Christmas Child is part of Samaritan’s Purse Organization.  In 2009 they sent shoe boxes to 8 million children.  The shoes boxes have been sent to over 95 countries around the world since it started.  Their mission:  To demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

    The children who receive these boxes live in poverty and / or in crisis areas of the world.  You may not have the ability to travel to a foreign country but by sending a shoe box full of goodies to a child you will help encourage the families in these countries.  We are excited to be a part of such a wonderful ministry.

    It is always a blessing to have the opportunity to share with others both locally and all over the world. For more details how you, your church, and community to get involved in this great ministry go to their website at Samaritan’s Purse If you are looking for a way to spread the Christmas cheer and give to others I encourage you to check out this opportunity.

  • A Gift of Thanks!

    When is the last time you were given a thoughtful gift from the heart?  A gift that made a positive impact on your life?  I love Thanksgiving because it is a truly wonderful time of the year when people are thankful for all the blessings in their lives.  We need to make a real effort to continue the spirit of thankfulness every day of our lives.  Take time every day to make a meaningful contribution into a person’s life.  Everyone desires to be  appreciated and thoughtfulness for others goes a long way in both our personal and professional lives.  Giving “A Gift of Thanks” does not mean it has to be time consuming, expensive, or stressful.  Here are a few quick ways to express your “Gift of Thanks” and thoughtfulness to those you interact with in your day to day life:

    • Share a Smile – you may be the only smile someone encounters that day.  Make it a point to specifically smile at people you interact with throughout the day.  Smile when you are greeting people prior to a business event, shopping at the grocery store, waiting in line, welcoming them into your home, or making an introduction.
    • Give a Hug – greet a personal or professional contact with a hug.  Some people love hugs and others really need a hug.  This is true in both personal and business situations.  A hug  is more personal than a handshake and demonstrates an appreciation for the recipient.   Use discernment and common sense  because not everyone will be comfortable with a hug.  Reserve big bear hugs for close friends and family.
    • Note of Appreciation – a handwritten note of thanks, appreciation or thoughtfulness still means a lot.  Whether it is a client you haven’t heard from in a couple weeks, a friend who has recently lost a loved one, a family member on your mind and heart, a birthday, or reconnecting with a business contact.  Take the time to write a  note and touch the lives of those connected to you.
    • Call of Encouragement – use the phone as friendly reminder that you care.  If they do not answer please be courteous and leave a message.  New business owners are excited about their products or services, call to see how things are going for them, listen, and encourage them.  A Mom with a newborn may appreciate a call from a friend to share new milestones or to encourage her.  Some people love a long chit chat and others do not.  Practice ways to give a “word” of encouragement while respecting their time.
    • Cup of Coffee or Tea – share a cup of coffee or tea with a business contact, friend, or family member.  It is important to reconnect with someone you haven’t seen in awhile.  Make it a time to catch up and learn about what’s going on in their life and/or business.  It is not a time to sale or pry into deep problems but a few moments to help and encourage.

    Take time every day to give  “A Gift of Thanks” to someone connected to you both personally and professionally.  Reaching out to others will be a rewarding experience for everyone.  Let’s help each other remember the importance of showing appreciation and kindness to others as a daily routine.  Please share a story of how you were impacted or how you impacted another person by giving “A Gift of Thanks” with us.

    Wishing you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!