Christmas Questions & Answers

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I like both but I like wrapped gifts the best!

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial~ I would sneeze a lot with a real tree and my son's asthma would go bonkers!

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually the week after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually the week after Christmas. I really don't like the tree up too long. I never have. I don't like clutter and sometimes feel like the tree is cluttering my livingroom.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Nope!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A play organ when I was about 9 years old and my Cabbage Patch doll when I was 11 years old.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My inlaws.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My children.

9. Do You have a nativity scene?
Yes...after all, isn't that what Christmas is about?!

10.Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail. I prefer getting a "real" card too!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I think I'll opt out of commenting on this one : )

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Honestly...I don't have a favorite..not much of a movie person.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Sometime in the summer.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My mom's cheese ball, fudge and Christmas cookies!

16. Lights on the tree?
Absolutely!

17.Travel at Christmas or stay home?
All our family lives here so we don't have to travel.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Contrary to my children's wishes every year to cheat and open gifts early~
It is always Christmas morning!
I am a "It has to be the day~ Girl."

Death Is Not Dying...

As this year draws quickly to an end I've been reflecting on all the many blessings and sorrows this year has held. With the death of Kara, our family experienced loss in a way that we had never felt or experienced it before. However, in the midst of all the grief, all the loss, all the pain that I was feeling, there was a constant joy that I can't explain other than to say that it was the Lord holding me up, giving me peace and reminding me that "death is not dying."

A few months after Kara's death I was driving the boys across town. The radio was on and I was listening to a testimony of a lady (Rachel Barkey) that had cancer on "Revive Our Hearts." What I heard playing that day has been a huge blessing to me. I just listened to it again a few days ago and felt that I needed to share Rachel's message. It's a message of hope, courage, and faith in the midst of the storm. I hope that you can carve out some time to listen, be blessed and be reminded that "death is not dying..." It's only the beginning of our eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
http://deathisnotdying.com/fullvideo/

Steak coupon!

Here's a link where you can print coupons for $3.00 off of steaks. Walmart sales these for $3.98 for a 2 pack (I checked this myself). Remember you can print this coupons twice allowing you to score 4 steaks for really cheap! You'll have to fill in the form first before you can get the coupon.
http://www.chefsrequested.com/coupons-.aspx

Let your light so shine before men....

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5: 16

I just wanted to post a picture that I took a few years ago. We were at Lake Michigan and I just couldn't resist the photo. We were attending Life Action Family Camp and the above verse was the theme verse for the week. The picture was definitely appropriate and in good timing!

Creamy Crab & Artichoke Dip

Creamy Crab & Artichoke Dip

1 package (8oz.) Crab Meat (fresh, frozen, imitation or canned will work in this recipe)
1 package (8oz.) Cream Cheese (room temperature)
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup finely chopped Onion
1 can (13.75oz.) Artichoke Hearts (drained & chopped)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, blend cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients and place into a glass pie plate. Bake uncovered, for 15-18 minutes, until heated through and lightly browned. Serve with crackers or cocktail bread.

Easy Bake Oven Mix Recipes

I was so excited to find some recipes for Easy Bake Oven Mixes today. Emalee is still too young for an Easy Bake Oven, but I know that there may come a day that she might request that for her birthday or Christmas present. That's why I decided to post this recipe in my blog today...for my own future reference.

As a little girl I always loved baking with my mom. One of my fondest memories is baking pies with her. She would always save just enough crust and filling so that I could bake my own pie too. I'd put it in the little foil pot pie container and it was the perfect size to eat!
My sister's had a Holly Hobby oven and would bake cakes in it. If you've ever priced the Easy Bake Oven Mixes you know that they're kind of pricey for what they are. So here's a great frugal recipe for them. Enjoy!


Easy Bake Oven Chocolate Cake Mix~
1 cup of sugar
3 Tbsp. cocoa
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup of vegetable shortening
In a medium bowl combine sugar, cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt. Cut in shortening until it resembles corn meal. Store in airtight container and use within 12 weeks.

To Use:
1 cup of mix
5-6 tsp. water
Mix together and pour into greased and floured pan. Follow Easy Bake Oven directions.


Easy Bake Chocolate or White Frosting~
2 cups powered sugar
3 Tbsp. dry milk
1/2 cup cocoa
6 Tbsp. vegetable shortening
In bowl, combine first three ingredients. Next cut in shortening. Store in airtight container. Use within 12 weeks.
*For white frosting omit the cocoa.

To Use:
1 cup of mix
2-2 1/2 tsp. water
Mix with a fork.

Doctors, Birthdays, preschool and Cooking...

I'll start out by saying that the St. Louis trip didn't go well. Brian and I could tell right away that the doctor I saw didn't really have much experience with Hypereosinophilic disorders. So, we decided to call it quits with him and look for other options.
There is a place in Cincinnati that specializes in this disorder and they have agreed to view my records and look at all the slides of any of my scopes I've had. After they look at all of that they'll call me and let me know if they'd like to see me. From the conversation I had with the head of their Eosinophilic department it sounds like they would most likely want to see me. I will be at least a month before I know anything.

Jacob's bday party went well. We had 9 boys over for a slumber party. We roasted marshmallows and made smores in a homemade fire pit in the back yard, they played outside a lot, we took them to McD's for breakfast and then to Ritter Springs Park for a hike. I think they all had a lot of fun and it was nice for us to get aquainted with Jacob's friends.

Emalee also turned 3 years old this past Monday. We didn't do a big party, just had the grandparents and Uncle Corey over for cake and ice cream. She got some clothes, puzzles, and other various toys. She also started preschool this week. She'll go 1/2 days Tuesdays and Thursday mornings.

Today I've made 4 lbs. of taco meat, 4 lbs. of shredded chicken and a crock pot full of applesauce.

Here's the applesauce recipe:

10 apples, peeled, cored, cut
1/2 C. water
1/2 C. white sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon

Put in crock pot on low 8-10 hours, or high 4-5 hours.
When cooked take out, puree in the blender. Let cool and eat up. You can freeze this too.

My friend, Ruth let me know that she cooks up chicken in advance in her crockpot. Here's her recipe for lots of shredded chicken:

Put chicken (can be frozen or thawed) in crockpot up to the top. Put in one can chicken broth and cook on low until chicken is done. Take out, shred or chop and freeze for future dinners in freezer bags. This should make cooking dinner a bit faster on one of those busy nights!