Jack Frost

The first snow fall turned out to be a BIG one! Megan and Ryan built a snowman! Meet 'Jack' ~

This Year's Christmas Card

I sent an eCard instead of snail mail this year. Here's what we sent:

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJab

Tell me what you think!! UPDATED: It appears that sometimes it shows our family and sometimes it doesn't. If it doesn't, try refreshing your page. Sorry.

Advent Calendar

Hubby was telling us about growing up with an advent calendar, and I decided that should become a new tradition in our home too. So I set out to find them. Apparently I am too picky about what I want. Not a surprise here, but I REFUSE to pay the prices for some of them, so what is a Momma to do? I made one! I scoured the internet looking for ideas (I'm sorry, but I didn't keep track of all the sites) and mixed and matched and came up with this:
The kids poke through the numbered foils and inside there are Candy Cane Kisses (Those are Yummy!), and a Bible verse or little idea of something fun to make or do. And all I had to buy was the posterboard! The kids like it so much we also made one for Megan and Ryan's Sunday School Teachers! This is going to be a Frugal Friday post - you can check out more here.

Update on Christmas Cards

I know, I know, I should've checked this out BEFORE I posted about it. I went to Walter Reed Medical Center and they have this posted:
Walter Reed cannot accept these packages (packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' ) in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy in 2001. This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense.
It breaks my heart that I can't do something like this. I do understand their safety concerns. We had decided that instead of mailing cards to our usual friends and family, we were going to send them all to soldiers. I think I'll check with my brother who is in the Army - I bet he can get me a name or two. Just wanted to let everyone know.

One Way To Do It...

We were outside and saw our neighbor putting up his Christmas lights. I've never seen it done the way he did it, but I guess it works for him! Take a look:
He climbed a ladder, then laid down on his belly so his feet were higher than his head! When I showed this picture to the girls, they thought he had slipped and was falling down the roof! Their eyes 'bout popped out of their heads! It was a good laugh!

New use for snowblowers

Ryan came up with a new, innovative use for snowblowers. I mean, after all, you should be able to use them for more than just heavy snowfalls, right? They can be used to blow leaves to the curb! Here's how it's done:

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving day!!

Christmas Cards

I try to have my Christmas cards in the mail by the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is NOT happening this year. I haven't even picked a photo for the cards yet. But I came across this and thought maybe we could ALL do this; won't you join me? I love knowing I can lift a soldier's spirits for all they've done for me!

(Edited: Walter Reed Medical Center will not accept the cards or packages)

Free Christmas Music

Provident Music label is offering all bloggers a chance for a free copy of Michael W. Smith's new Christmas CD. All the details are on this site. Only the first 150 qualified bloggers will get a copy.

Little while

It's been a little while since I've posted, I've had a killer ear infection and today is the first day I feel somewhat normal. The stabbing pain has stopped, but it is still swollen shut. Hubby had me put the heating pad on it last night and I was able to sleep. Haven't slept more than a couple hours a night since Sunday. Only woke up once last night for more Tylenol! Guess I'm on the mend!! It is so sweet to hear my kids and Hubs praying over me - knowing their requests will be heard and answered. Jodi got a part-time job at the local library! Her first job! We are all excited for her! That's what has been going on around here.

It's my birthday!!

Today is my birthday! Jodi made me chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing! The whole gang made me birthday cards (I love handmade cards) and I got some new pink fuzzy slippers! They look like fiip-flops, and they're really comfy cozy! I had to work late tonight, so this weekend we'll use the gift card to eat at our favorite Amish-style restaurant! I can't wait!!

Back to work

I started a new job last Monday! I work part-time at our local bank in the Item Processing department. It is really nice because it doesn't interfere with schooling and it is so close to home, not to mention the extra cash will be nice! Just what I needed, something more to add to my daily "to-do" list LOL! Seriously, I think I'm really going to enjoy it. Just wanted to share :o)

Tea on Tuesday...

Today we had sausage gravy and biscuits, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and orange juice. We read "The Mystery of the Dancing Angels" by Elspeth Campbell Murphy. Would show some pictures, but the battery in the digital camera is dead. Will have to charge it (again).

Food for thought...

Ever wonder about those people who spend $4.00 apiece on those little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backwards: NAIVE

Isn't making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing section in a swimming pool?

If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?

Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren't they just stale bread to begin with?

If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?

If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP?

Do Lipton Tea employees take coffee breaks?

I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me ....they're cramming for their final exam.

I thought about how mothers feed their babies with tiny little spoons and forks, so I wondered what do Chinese mothers use? toothpicks?

Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don't they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the mailmen can look for them while they deliver the mail?

If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?

You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.

My imagination?

This is really making me wonder - when I'm on a roll and blog every day, it seems like everyone else stops. I'll blog for several days and realize hardly anyone has updated theirs, so then I'll stop and it seems like there are so many new posts on everyone else's that I can barely keep up! Ever feel like this?

Laugh 'til you cry

This is a long video - but I PROMISE it is soo worth it! My kids still laugh like him and it's been almost a year since we first watched it. I'm glad I remembered it so I can share it with you. I still laugh until I cry every time I watch it.

BFF Award

Heather has given me the Blog Friend Forever award! Thanks so much! I love her blog, she's so personable that I feel like she lives right next door. And really, she'd fit right in - she has taken up fencing, and we already have neighbors that stand out in their front yard swinging their sword collection at each other! (Sometimes in fun, sometimes their screaming and yelling and really fighting) Shouldn't be too much longer and someone who's into jousting will move in across the street! LOL Back to the topic at hand; I want to pass this award on to:

Beth
Bethany
Michelle
Lori

Freaky

This is soo right on with how I am! This is the first one of these here thingys that actually worked! I know, I'm easily amused, but hey, you like me. LOL

What Your Hands Say About You

You are logical, analytical, and rational. You have good verbal skills. Bold and daring, you're not afraid to change your life if you think it needs an overhaul. Consistent and reliable, you like to count on structure and routine in your life. Your emotions tend to be nervous and potent. Your energy - both positive and negative - deeply impacts your life.

What Do Your Hands Say About You?

Another Tea Party

We had another little party today! We drink tea every day, so to make our parties special - we usually drink something else in our tea cups. Today we had French Vanilla Coffee and donuts. I've had the recipe for the coffee for a long time but I can't remember where I got it from.

French Vanilla Coffee Mix
1/3 c sugar

1/3 c instant coffee
1 c instant milk powder
1/2 c powdered milk creamer
1/4 c French Vanilla instant pudding

To prepare, combine 1/4 cup coffee mix with 3/4 cup boiling water. Enjoy!

I'm thinking about making this and some homemade hot cocoa mix and giving it out with Christmas cookies as gifts this year. What do you think?

Laundry

I usually do laundry on Mondays and Fridays, and I usually have about 4 loads, well we went through some clothes we were saving from Jodi for Megan, and they finally fit her!! She feels like we've won the lottery and bought her a whole new winter wardrobe! I feel exhausted because my normal 4 loads of laundry turned into 9! At least the child has clothes that fit her though! Her ankles will be covered! This winter anyways! LOL

Toffee Bars

Today, Megan made us some toffee bars. We took pictures during the process to post the recipe BUT I didn't care for it! The end result was delicious, but it was a pain to make! The kitchen was even full of black smoke at one point! Then when we went to break them apart, the waxed paper stuck to them terribly. I will post one pic anyways (just because she is such a cutie!):
She has started her own blog too, check it out HERE!

Crazy 8 Meme

Heather tagged me for this meme - I'll have to come back and finish it later. I don't know why, but these things are always so hard for me to do.
8 things I am passionate about:
Homeschooling our children
Getting the family to church EVERY Sunday morning.
Creating a love of reading in the kids
Being a good wife
Being a good mom
Cooking
8 things I want to do before I die:
Move to Amish Country
Be debt free! (pretty close now!)
See my children accomplish their goals
Play with my grandbabies
Make a difference
Lose weight
8 things I say often:
LEVI! (our dog)
Bless you (Ryan has the sneezies)
What did I tell you the last time you asked?
Go ask your Dad
Are you serious?
Somebody needs to take the dog out!
Are your chores done?
Knock It Off!
8 books I have recently read:
The Covenant
The Betrayal
The Sacrifice
The Prodigal
The Revelation
The Preacher's Daughter
I Kissed Dating Goodbye
The Children's Story Bible
8 songs I could listen to over and over
I Still Believe
Worthy of My Praise

Beautiful One
Wonderful Maker
Glory
8 things that attract me to my best friends:

Their faith
Humor Similar interests
Honesty
Loyalty
Dependable
8 things I have learned in the past year:
My house does NOT have to be spotless at all times
It's ok for my kids to act like kids
How to start a blog
Things always happen for a reason
I am human
People I'll tag for this meme:
YOU

Book Giveaway

This looks like it's going to be an excellent book! Head over to Crystal's blog to register to win one of 10 copies!

DISCO

Hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

Let's Dance!

Time To Make The Donuts

We decided to have our first Tea today(see previous post), thinking Fridays may be a little more relaxed. We made donuts and had orange juice, and Jodi read "The Rainbow Fish." Here's some pictures:

And because I know you're DYING to know -

Homemade Donuts~ canned biscuits
~ icing
~ oil

We used an apple corer to cut the center out of each biscuit. Deep fry in the oil until golden brown on both sides. Decorate and enjoy!

Tea on Tuesdays

Beginning next Tuesday we are joining Lori and her girls for Tea on Tuesdays. Megan LOVES tea parties and is so excited that we are going to be incorporating it into school. You should sign up too and let's see how big of a tea party we can have!

Ryan

Ryan just had to have his own blog. He wanted me to post a link to it in hopes you might stop by and say "Hi" Here's the link.

Mac & Cheese Casserole

Nicole asked how I make this, it is so simple and easy that I'm almost embarrassed. Just cook your favorite mac & cheese, put meat (diced ham, cut up smoked sausage, whatever you like) and chopped broccoli in the pot while boiling the macaroni. Drain and mix in the cheese. Place in baking dish, cover with crumbled plain potato chips. Place in oven for 10-15 minutes. How's that for simple?

FYI

Just a little FYI...I had blogged quite a bit last night. So much so, that this is the first of 8 new posts! Didn't want ya to miss out on anything.

By George I Think I've Got It!

I think I've finally figured out how to show my 'signature' on my posts. It took me several tries, and searching several different blogs, but here's what I came up with:

Go to THIS website to create your signature

Follow the directions and copy the HTML code

Go to your Dashboard

Click Settings

Click Formatting

Go down to Post Template

Paste HTML code

Click Save Settings

Thanks Ally for your help!

Homemade Egg Noodles

Ryan could eat his weight in these! I double the recipe so everyone can have some. I can't believe I had this recipe for over 12 years before I tried them! So simple and delicious!

Homemade Egg Noodles
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 egg yolks
1 egg
2 tsp salt
1/4 - 1/2 cup water

Measure flour into bowl. Make a well in center and add egg yolks, whole egg, and salt. Mix. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Form dough into a ball. Turn out onto a well floured board. Knead until smooth, about 10 minutes. Cover; let stand 10 minutes. Divide dough into 4 equal parts. Roll each part into a paper thin rectangle. Cut into thin strips. (Notice I'm using my handy dandy pizza cutter to do this, but you could use this!) Shake out strips and let dry. Cook in 3 quarts chicken broth (I suggest either using low sodium broth, or leave out the 2 tsp salt above, or both like I do) for 12 - 15 minutes or until tender.How do I dry my noodles you ask? Well, you could buy one of these little gadgets:
OR you could do what I do (we are trying our best to be as frugal as possible around here):