MERRY CHRISTMAS YALL!!!!

My Christmas gift to you all is my book, "Oh What A Night It Must've Been!"

If you'd like your free copy, then please email me directly so I can email the book to you!!

Merry Christmas!!

Be sure to vist tomorrow.

I will have a very special gift for you all!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Gifts in a Jar

If you are looking for the perfect gifts for teachers at school, Sunday School teachers, neighbors, guests in your home, and need something cost efficient, easy, and fun, here’s the perfect gift for you to put together.
There are food mixes in a jar, bath salts in a jar, cookies in a jar, and whatever else your imagination can put in a jar!

http://organizedchristmas.com/index-gifts-in-a-jar

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/index.shtml

http://www.craftbits.com/viewCategory.do?categoryID=REC

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/foodgift/foodgift.html

http://www.kitchenlink.com/holiday/merrygifts.html

You’re going to love this next jar idea.
This is called “The Jar of Nothing”!
For this project all you need is an empty jar.

You can print this saying out onto some adhesive label paper suitable for your printer or print it onto normal plain paper. Use some clear craft glue to adhere it to the jar. If you want to go all out you can add some ribbon to the jar and even box it up for a great gag gift.

--The Saying---

Did you say nothing?
When you were asked what you wanted for
Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation or Christmas.
Don't you remember saying NOTHING
Well this time someone heard you, searched
high and low and found this perfect gift for you.

Note: These are great for Christmas fund raising stalls. Here’s the website for that:

http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1087

Fabric Gift Bags


These bags are loads of fun to make! Choose the fabric. I love John Deere stuff. Fabric shops have pink John Deere fabric now too. You don’t have to make your bag a Christmas bag necessarily. You might would like to use this little bag for your child to put Sunday School papers in to bring home from church, carry their Bible in it, or put a few small toys or books in it for church or to leave in the car.

All I did was decide how big I wanted my bag. I cut out 4 rectangles, 2 sized batting pieces.
I made them similar to the stockings. I had the right sides of the fabric together, then batting on both sides of that, then the right sides of the fabric out.
Pinned and then sewed down one side, across the bottom, then up the 2nd side, leaving the top open.

Trimmed then flipped inside out.

At the top you should see raw edges and the inside of the bag with the batting.
I folded the raw edges down and pressed with iron.
You can either make your bag handles or buy the “rope” type handles. Pin them where you want them. Then sew seam around the pressed down edges including sewing the handles into place.

Next, zigzag stitch around the top of bag.

If you’re making this as a gift for a child, fill it with fun things! A small chalkboard with chalk from the dollar store, or books, candy, pencils, colored pencils, crayons, activity pads, candy canes, or whatever.

Remember, you can make this bag however big or small you want it. That’s the glory of making it yourself.

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

It’s Jesus’ birthday! Jesus is the Reason for the Season! Don’t let your small children forget about Jesus this Christmas. One precious Christmas tradition we started last year with Nathan ( who is 2 yrs. old ) is we baked a birthday cake. Let your tot help you with this process.

If your child isn’t afraid of the mixer, help guide his small hand with your hand to mix the batter. Or let him help spray your baking pan with non-stick spray.

Bake your cake and tell your child it’s for Jesus’ birthday. Be sure to decorate it and write “Happy Birthday Jesus” on the top of the cake once it’s iced.

Now you can get edible sugar letters for wording on cakes and such.

Then, at some point on Christmas Eve or even Christmas Day, as you gather around your dessert table with your family, be sure to sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. It’s a very moving and precious tradition to start with your tot.

7 Days until the Big Day!! Christmas of course!!

Are you finished with your Christmas shopping? Have you gotten it all wrapped??
Are you using gift bags or wrapping the gifts with beautiful wrapping paper?

Links on How to Wrap Gifts

I used to wrap gifts for a particular department store in north Louisiana. I know how to do it and do it well. But it’s difficult for me to explain it from myself to you without demonstrating it. So, please enjoy the following links! And remember – if you still don’t understand how to wrap presents – buy gift bags!!

http://www.ehow.com/how_8019_wrap-gift.html

http://thefuntimesguide.com/2005/12/howtowrapgifts.php

I always try to find a box to fit the gift item. I enjoy wrapping gifts and making bows.
Lots of times, if you’ll check your local discount stores and malls, church youth groups will wrap your gifts for a small fee. They’re usually raising money for missions trips or something like that. Plus, you’re giving to charity.

Hope this has helped you on your gift wrapping endeavors!

This recipe is a very tasty recipe or so says my new friend from the Merry Christmas.com!!

My new friend gave me permission to post this recipe! I hope you try it! Ooh I will definitely be trying this one!!

1 bag (3-3.5 oz) microwave popcorn

1 7 oz. jar marshmallow creme

Colorful candies, if desired

1. Heat oven to 325 and spray a large cookie sheet with non-stick spray

2. Microwave popcorn per instructions on bag. Remove all unpopped kernels.

3. Microwave marshmallow creme in a medium bowl for about 2 minutes (stirring after 1 minute) until melted.

4. Combine popcorn and marshmallow creme and spread onto cookie sheet. Sprinkle candies on top, if desired.

5. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, stirring after 5, until marshmallow creme is dry. Cool completely (about 30 minutes) and break up large pieces.

What are you up to today?
It's FRIDAY!! Yay!

All the snow from yesterday has melted. Except for the two snowmen guarding the mailbox!

I so enjoyed the snow. It was just beautiful!!

Well, I have something fun to do this weekend! I get to go to my church's Christmas potluck dinner! I can't hardly wait! It's going to be loads of fun! I've already decided what my contributions will be.

Also, the recipes are posted already on this blog. So, be sure to check them out. If you ever use any of my recipes leave me a comment. I'd love to know what you thought!

Aunt Kathy's Potato Casserole

Aunt Kathy's Corn Casserole

Spinach Casserole

Peanut Patty

Chocolate/Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

Peppermint Bark Candy

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm also thinking about bringing fruit dip and a fruit tray. Maybe a pie or two. I love to cook and bake and I want to have plenty to offer!

It has snowed in Lafayette, LA!!

Today's Gift is an accumulation of Christmas Coloring Sheets

I hope you enjoy these!

http://coloring-page.net/christmas.html
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Christmas+Coloring+Pages&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/Xmas/color/index.htm
http://www.coloringpages.net/christmas.html
http://holidays.kaboose.com/xmas-color.html
http://www.coloring-pages-book-for-kids-boys.com/christmas-coloring-sheets.html
http://www.coloring.ws/christmas.htm
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas_coloring.htm
http://www.momsnetwork.com/kids/coloring/holidays/christmas/index.shtml
http://www.thekidzpage.com/christmas/colouring.htm
http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/christmas/color.htm
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/Xmas/coloring.html
http://www.ivyjoy.com/coloring/christmas/
http://www.preschoolcoloringbook.com/color/cpchristmas.shtml
http://www.janbrett.com/christmas_trolls_coloring_page.htm
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/christmas/
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/1170/colorpages.html
http://www.coloring.com/pictures/christmas
http://coloringbookfun.com/christian/index.htm
http://coloringbookfun.com/christmas/index.htm
http://coloringbookfun.com/angels/index.htm
http://coloringbookfun.com/santa/index.htm
http://freechristmascoloring.com/
http://www.raisingourkids.com/hol/christmas/coloring_pages/
http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/coloring_book/
http://www.coloring.ws/nativity.htm


http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/christian-christmas/
http://www.coloring-book.info/coloring/coloring_page.php?id=19
http://www.kidsturncentral.com/coloring/12dayscolor.htm
http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/ArtsAndCrafts/ColouringPictures/Christmas/index.html
http://www.seussville.com/grinch/coloring.swf
http://www.allthingschristmas.com/northpole/color/coloring.html
http://www.wtv-zone.com/Marvaline2/CH/tocolor.html
http://www.bigmamasrecipes.com/holidays/xmas/coloringindex.html
http://www.calvarywilliamsport.com/coloringchristmas.html
http://www.mes-english.com/coloring/christmas1.php
http://parenting.leehansen.com/downloads/coloring/christmas-coloring.htm
http://www.coloringpage.org/christmas/christmas-coloring-pagesprint.html
http://www.first-school.ws/THEME/cp_h_christmas.htm


http://www.awesomeclipartforeducators.com/christmascoloringpages.cfm
http://www.edupics.com/en-coloring-pages-pictures-photo-christmas-c90.html
http://www.merry-christmas.com/coloring/index.htm
http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/celebrate/christmas-coloring-pages/
http://www.classbrain.com/artholiday/publish/christmas_coloring_pages.shtml
http://www.santaletter.com/coloringpages/
http://www.myhome.org/hoho/hohotext.html
http://www.coloringcastle.com/christmas_coloring_pages.html
http://www.cybersleuth-kids.com/christmas/color/
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/fun_activities/coloring_pages/holidayseasonal/christmas/

More Yummy Recipes!!!!!

This is Nathan! He's our precious 2 year old little boy who is learning about this Christmas thing!

These are from my precious friend Sylvia!

http://christianhomekeeper.com/

Little Debbie Cakes

Cream together thoroughly 1 1/2 cups soft butter

1 cup brown sugar

Add, beating til fluffy2 eggs

blend in 2/3 cup mollasses

Sift together dry ingredients (except whole wheat flour and oatmeal) and add

2 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 cup whole wheat flour

3 cups quick oatmeal

Drop by spoonfuls into a dish of granulated sugar and roll into balls. Place on greased baking sheet and flatten slightly with bottom of glass. Bake at 350* degrees about 8 m inutes. Cool and fill with Whoopie Pie filling

Whoopie Pie Filling

2 egg whites2 tsp clear vanilla1/4 cup flourBeat together thoroughly, til fluffy. Spread on one cookie and top with another. These are best if individually wrapped.

I was also thinking that if you had some extra sandwich bags or ziplock bags, you could put them in those as well.

Would you like to win a Wii and a Wii Fit??

Then go here to read all about it! http://wiifit.coolmomguide.com/fitness-friday/
I signed up!!

When you think of the color blue at Christmas time, do you think of that song “I’ll have a Blue Christmas Without You”? Are you at risk for having a “blue” Christmas?

There are situations and circumstances that can make the Holiday Season be really hard and sad for lots of people. I think people hurt more during the Holidays than at any other time.

If you know of someone who is hurting during the Holidays, I want to give you a few tips on “reaching out” to them.

First of all, pray for that person or family. Ask God to show you specifically what you can do to minister to them. He will show you. God uses people to minister to each other. So be a willing and yielded vessel for Him to fill up and pour out.

Next, find out if this person/family have/has needs that need to be met. Maybe a turkey or a ham for their table. Gifts for the children? I imagine even a plate of Christmas cookies or goodies would help bring a smile to a lonely, haggard face. Just knowing someone genuinely cares about them goes a long way.


I remember the first Thanksgiving and Christmas after my mother passed away. It was a tender time and a sad time. We were hurting together as a family. Just being together somehow helped us. That Christmas, I’ll never forget.

Christmas 1996. My mom had passed away on October 21. Mother always loved Thanksgiving and Christmas. So we all knew she’d want us to celebrate the Holidays and be together. We shed tears and reminisced about Holidays past. Christmas was really incredible that year.


My dad is a minister and was pastoring at this time. I forgot to mention that my mom was an incredible artist. She could paint and draw really well. She won many ribbons and awards for her work. Some of the ladies from my dad’s church had gotten together and gone through my mom’s paintings. They found painted portraits of each one of us kids. My dad saved them and gave those to each of us for Christmas gifts that year. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

It was healing to receive those paintings. Such treasures too. And those ladies took time out of their schedules to help my dad get those paintings together for us. I will forevermore be grateful to them for the time they invested in our family like that.

You never know what people are going through. You never know what is causing their pain and hurt. So always be sensitive to others and to their needs. Even the grouchiest person in line at the store. They may be grouchy because their hearts are broken. Maybe they are estranged from their family. You never know the root of their grumpiness. You can be the Light of Jesus to them. You can be His hand extended reaching out to the oppressed. Especially during Christmas time.

Now, if you yourself are feeling “blue” during the Holidays, there are some things you can do. Pray. Ask God to touch you and to speak to you. He will. Worship Him and thank Him for all He’s done for you. Light a wonderful, smelling candle. Turn a light or two on in your house during the day if your house seems a little dark.


Read your Bible. Read in Luke 2 about Jesus being born. Read about how Simeon was overjoyed at getting to see Baby Jesus. You can read about a lady named Anna too.

Turn on some beautiful Christmas music. It will lift your spirits if you let it! Bake some fresh banana nut bread or chocolate chip cookies!! Chocolate ministers to me at times!!

If you have children, remember that they’re looking to you and depending on you for their Christmas time joy! Don’t disappoint your children. Mothers set the tone for the home. We don’t want everybody else to be sad and blue for Christmas.

Jesus doesn’t want you sad on His birthday! He wants you to rejoice! Go visit a friend or go visit a nursing home. Get up and get out of the house! If you can’t get out of the house, then keep it festive in your heart! Jesus will not disappoint you. You don’t have to be blue at Christmas time! I think of red as being the color of the blood Jesus shed for us. Instead of thinking about the color “blue” representing sadness – why not let “blue” represent loyalty. Jesus will ALWAYS be a true blue friend to you if you let Him be.


Draw near to Him. He will draw near to you.
Merry Christmas Ya’ll!

Well, I didn't get the garland chain made yet! Hopefully today! When I do, we will post pictures! Lydia's raring to go with that project!

While you're waiting for the slowpokes to get on with the show, how about a few excerpts from my book "Super Holiday Ideas: From One Mother to Another"

Sylvia’s Potpourri and Aroma Tips

I make this Christmas potpourri and let it simmer on the stove top:

In a medium sauce pan, combine:

4 cups water

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp cloves

1 tsp ginger

1 small orange, sliced

1 small apple, sliced

1 handful fresh green pine needles

2 tsp black pepper corns (optional)

Bring to a boil. Turn heat down, simmer all day adding water as needed. This will last about 5 days if you keep on adding water.Another thing you can do: Heat the oven to as low as it will go. Mine goes to 160*F. Sprinkle 2 tsps cinnamon on a baking sheet. Place in the oven. If your oven doesn't go that low, just heat it to 350*F and then turn it off before adding the cinnamon. This makes the whole house smell cinnamon-y.

Puckering Up Under the Mistletoe Peppermint Bark

2 lbs. white almond bark1 1/2 c. crushed peppermint candy

Melt white almond bark on top of double boiler (never add water as it curdles the white almond bark). It takes about 10 minutes to melt thoroughly and will be very thick. Crush either peppermint candy canes or peppermint hard candy in blender until it is powder. Meanwhile, line a cookie sheet with wax paper or spray with nonstick spray. Mix hard crushed candy with melted white almond bark. Spread on lined cookie sheet. Let it dry and chop into pieces.

Do you need a recipe for that upcoming Christmas party? I've got several perfect recipes for you today! They're taken from my book "Super Holiday Ideas: From One Mother to Another"

Puppy Chow: Not for the dogs

1 lb. chocolate almond bark
3/4 c. peanut butter
8 c. Crispix cereal
1 c. peanuts
3 c. powdered sugar

Melt almond bark and peanut butter together in microwave. Pour over the cereal and peanuts in a large container. Mix until the cereal and peanuts are well coated. Put 1 cup of the powdered sugar in a clean grocery bag and pour in the cereal mixture. Add another cup of the powdered sugar on top. Close the top of the bag and shake. Open the bag and break apart any big clumps. Add the last cup of powdered sugar, shake and break apart again. Looks just like Puppy Chow and tastes wonderful. EVERYBODY loves this recipe…..you just can’t make enough! It makes a wonderful gift packaged in a beautiful, cellophane Christmas sack. Also this is great set out in a holiday dish during parties.

DISHPAN COOKIES:

4 eggs 1 teaspoon salt
2 teasp. vanilla 2 cups oil (I use canola)
2 cups brown sugar 2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups quick oats 4 cups rice krispies
1 cup coconut 1 cup chopped pecans (or nut of your choice)
4 cups flour 2 teaspoons soda

Mix eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar until well mixed.
Add flour, soda and salt a little at a time.
Stir in the rice krispies, oats, coconut and nuts. Mix well.
Drop by spoonfulls on greased cookie sheet.

Bake @ 350 degrees 10-14 minutes. I prefer cooking about 10-11 minutes. I like my cookies soft. Foods like cookies and cakes tend to continue cooking while cooling and can become too hard if overcooked. This makes around eight dozen cookies.

Earthquake Cake (makes you quake in your shoes it’s so good!)

1 c. coconut
1 c. chopped nuts
Mix together and spread in bottom of 9 x 13 inch of oblong pan.

1 box Swiss chocolate cake mix
Mix according to directions and then pour over coconut and nuts.

Beat together:
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened1 stick butter
3 c. confectioners' sugar (powdered)

Mix well. Spoon over cake mix. DO NOT STIR INTO CAKE MIX. It will cook into your cake to make a filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. The top of the cake will not be smooth. It will crack open and be lumpy looking like an earthquake.


To Grandmother’s We Go for Dressing

I cook one baking hen on top of stove in lots of water. I debone the hen. I keep the broth for my dressing. You can use a fryer, but the baking hen broth is richer.
I use 1 package peppridge farm stuffing mix and 1/2 package of peppridge farm corn bread stuffing mix.
To that I add one pone cornbread. I add some salt, some pepper and some sage. (This can be added after adding the broth if you would like) add 4--5 eggs (or more--mixed well--the whites and yolk).
I cook 2 cups chopped celery and 1 cup chopped onion in 1 1/2 stick margarine. Simmering until..... I then add that to the dressing mix above. I pour the chicken broth over the dressing mix and mix real well. I add 1 to 1 1/2 cans of chopped water chestnuts and the deboned hen. Then bake at 350 to 400 degrees until done.

Aunt Kathy’s Potato Casserole

6 lg. potatoes
1 sm. carton sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. diced onions
1/2 stick butter
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Boil potatoes and drain. Slightly brown onion in butter. Mix drained potatoes with onion in butter and the rest of the ingredients. Bake 30 minutes on 350 degrees.

Aunt Kathy’s Corn Casserole

1 can regular corn 1 can cream corn
2 TBS flour onion
½ stick butter 1 egg
¼ cup sugar salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Mix both cans of corn in casserole dish (juice & all). Add flour. Saute diced onion (as much as you want) in butter; then put in corn. Mix egg & put into corn. Put sugar, pepper and dash of salt into corn. Bake at 350*F till crusty around the edges about 1 ¼ - 1 ½ hours. If you double this recipe use 3 eggs instead of 2.

Do you have plans today?

It is a wet, misty morning here in south Louisiana.

I'm not sure what the weather forecast is for the rest of the day.

But inside the house it's warm and sunny!!

Our Christmas tree lights are on and twinkling away.

It's snug and cozy in our home this morning!

Remember making the green and red Christmas garland in 2nd grade all those years ago? This is so easy and fun to make with your children.

All you need is red and green construction paper, tape or glue, and some scissors.

Take your red and green construction paper and cut into strips that are three to four inches long and one-half inch wide.
Form a circle with a red strip and glue/tape the ends together.
Next take a green strip and loop it through the first circle, again gluing/taping the ends together.
Do it again using a red strip this time. Then, just alternate between the colors until your garland is long enough to use on your Christmas tree! This looks very festive and old fashioned on your tree. It’s so simple, fun, and easy to do. Oh yeah, easy clean up to boot!

We will do this later on with Nathan (our 2 year old). I hope to get pictures to add here to the blog after the project is complete!

Those cold wintry mornings!

What's for breakfast on these cold, wintry mornings? You don't want to send your precious husband to work on an empty stomach do you?

What about those kids? Are they having to wait outside for the schoolbus to pick them up with cold winds blowing?

Do you have overnight guests for the Holidays? This is a brilliant breakfast idea to serve them too!

Nanny’s Breakfast Casserole


White bread ( 6 slices)

6 to 7 eggs
Butter

1 pint half & half
1 lb sausage

4 to 5 shakes of dry mustard
2 to 3 cups grated cheese

Pam the bottom of a 9X13 casserole dish. Put thin slices of butter on bread slices and place them in the bottom of baking dish. Brown the sausage, drain the grease, and spread on top of the bread slices. Sprinkle cheese over the sausage. In a mixing bowl, mix the eggs,the half and half and the dry mustard. (Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper if you like). Pour the egg mixture over the top of the cheese. Cover and place in the refrigerater overnight. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees and cook for 45 minutes, uncovered.

This is such a good, filling breakfast!

What I would suggest doing is this. Put the casserole together the evening before. Then, when you wake up the next morning, preheat the oven before you wake everybody and then slide that casserole in!

Then get everybody up and going. While they're preparing for the day, the casserole will be cooking!

Voila! A nice hot breakfast before taking on the day!

I have the most wonderful recipe for you today!

I love to try new recipes! Do you?
What are some of your favorite recipes you like the best?
Did you get them from your grandma? Maybe your Aunt Sue.

Do you like egg nog? If so, you're in for a treat!

This recipe comes from my dear friend Sylvia in TN! You absolutely must try this.


Egg Nog Cake - Also known as Egg Nog Quick Bread

2 eggs beaten
1 cup eggnog
2 teaspoons rum extract
1 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter softened
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3 oz box instant French Vanilla pudding mix or regular vanilla pudding mix
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Preheat oven 350*F Grease bottom only of a 9x5 inch loaf pan.Blend together the eggs, eggnog, rum extract, vanilla extract, sugar and butter.Sift together the baking powder, salt, pudding mix and nutmeg.
Add to the eggnog mixture and stir just enough to moisten; pour into prepared pan.Bake bread for 40-0 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out.Cool completely and wrap well in plastic wrap.

Warning - This cake probably has about 4000000 calories per slice but it is soooooo good.