Day 7

Read Luke 1:26-28

Day 8

Read Luke 1:29-33

Day 9

Read Luke 1:34-35

Day 10

Read Luke 1:36-38

Day 11

Read Luke 1:39-43

Day 12

Read Luke 1:44-45

Day 13

Read Luke 1:46-56

Sorry I haven’t posted in updates in a few days, we have had major computer issues, a crazy schedule, and illness running through our house. 

We have been faithfully reading our Advent Project and working on some of the activities.  Because we have been dealing with colds this week, we have been reading books and watching some of our favorite movies.

We watched Annabelle’s Wish and talked about the sacrifice that Annabelle made for Billy and how that corresponds to the ultimate sacrifice that our Saviour has made for us!  Annabelle’s Wish is one of my favorite Christmas movies!

Also, we read the book “Snowflake Bentley” and talked about how we are all unique, like snowflakes.  We cut out a blizzard of snowflakes to hang in front of our patio door.  Hopefully I will be able to get a picture to share soon.

We have also been talking about how we can give to others and are planning a shopping trip for the local rescue mission.  A friend of ours is putting together a day of caroling at a nursing home, and my daughter spent all last week babysitting and put 100% of her money earned in an envelope for feeding hungry children in Haiti (a service project sponsored by the youth group).

It is hard to believe we are already halfway through the Advent season!  I have been so blessed to hear stories from some of you about how you are using the Advent Project this season with your own families, and how it has encouraged you to find some special traditions to share with your kids.

Day 4

Read Luke 1:18-20

Day 5

Read Luke 1:21-22

Day 6

Read Luke 1:23-25

It has been a crazy, busy couple of days.  I have been busy helping a friend, attending parties, including a birthday party for a sweet 4 year old and scrambling to finish projects. 

Hannah had a chance to attend the Revolve Tour  with some friends and their moms, so she was gone most of the weekend. 

Because of the busyness, the only activity we did this weekend was to read The Telltale Tile and to talk about a simple act of generosity can have long reaching consequences.  There have been some Random Acts of Christmas Kindness and it is fun to watch the kids trying to find little things that they can do to bring happiness to others!

I am looking forward to this next week–to continuing our Advent Project and building memories as a family!

Caramel Coffee (a random act of Christmas kindness)

Birthday cake for a sweet 4 yr. old!

I hope that you have had a chance to look at the Advent Project and start it with your family.  I am already so encouraged by the people I know who have started their own Advent Project.  Today at Bible study a mom told me that they made their gingerbread house last night, and when I walked into a friend’s house they had a blessing poster up!  It is so exciting for me to know that the Advent Project is bringing families together and encouraging them.  I pray you will share the Advent Project with everyone!

Day 2:

Read Luke 1:11-13

Our activity for day 2 was to build a gingerbread house.  I love gingerbread houses!  Things have been pretty busy, so I opted to just buy a kit from the store which I know those of you who know me would find shocking–yes–I used store-bought!  The whole idea behind the Advent Project to is to be able to relax and build memories and not worry about being “super mommy”.  I let the kids have free reign to decorate how they wanted (which can be hard for us “perfectionist” mommies), but it was so fun watching them decide how to put the candy on the house.

Gingerbread House

Day 3

Read Luke 1:14-17

Today we choose to start our Random Acts of Christmas Kindness.  Everyday we each need to find at least one nice thing to do for someone else.  It can be a family member, friend or even a stranger.  We made up some little cards that say: “You have been blessed with a Random Act of Christmas Kindness”. We also stamped some snowflakes and doves on the cards.  Now when we do something nice for someone else we can leave them a little note and they will know that someone was thinking of them.  I am looking forward to all the ways that we can bless others and be blessed by this project!

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

We have been adding to our blessing poster from day 1.  It is so fun to see the kids walk by and add something that made them happy, or that means something to them.  We have also received a couple of very meaningful and “BIG” blessings from some friends this week that have touched us greatly.  While we may not feel like we know tons of people here yet, the ones we have met have very big hearts!  Friends, and their kindness and generosity, have been our biggest blessing this week!

“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendent of Aaron. Both of the were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and the were both well along in years.
Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.”

Luke 1: 5-10

The one thing that always grabs me in this passage is that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were considered blameless before God–obeying ALL the Lord’s commandments. Sometimes  it seems I struggle and break half the commandments before even getting out of bed, yet here is a couple that was able to obey them all.

The kids working on the blessing poster

Today our chosen activity is to make a blessing poster. We have hung it in the hallway and we will add anything that blesses us between now and the 24th, then on Christmas Day we will read all of our blessings aloud.  We decided to put our poster on the same wall where we hang our Christmas cards, because each card represents friends or family who are major blessings in our life.

Our Christmas Blessing Wall

The Advent Project was written for a friend after a conversation we had about Christmas and how easy it is to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle and “I want” attitude of Christmas. It started as just some ideas to celebrate Jesus’ birth, giving to others and building memories and traditions as a family. As I was sharing some of my ideas, I realized how eager others were for the very same thing! I decided to put it all together in one place and share it with everyone–my Christmas gift to you!

The idea of the Advent Project is simple, everyday there is a Bible verse (part of the Christmas story in Luke) and then there are family activities, books and movies. You can do an activity every day, once a week, whatever works for your family. Some activities will require some pre-planning and are designed for a wide variety of ages, so you choose what is most appropriate.
Download your free copy here:

FREE DOWNLOAD

I will be sharing our Advent Project, day by day with you. Hopefully you will be inspired and can find some time for your very own Advent Project.

We are back after spending the week on Cape Cod.  We spent a lot of time visiting historical sites and museums.  We went to Plimouth Plantation and learned all about the relationship between the Wampanoug Tribe of natives and the colonial settlers.  It was very fascinating and we have decided that we probably would not have made very good colonists!

a view of Plimouth Village

We also visited the Mayflower II-a replica of the original Mayflower.  Did you know that they used to sleep propped up in a sitting position?  The bunks were stacked 3-4 high and were only 3-4 feet long.

Mayflower II

One of the most “suprising” sites we visited was Plymouth Rock.  Now I don’t know what you think of, when you think of Plymouth Rock, but I always sorta assumed it was something like this:

Castle Rock St. Ignace, MI (NOT Plymouth Rock)

Well, the reality was just a little different.  I blame my parents for taking me to castle rock as a kid and filling my head with unrealistic expectations….and I imagine my kids feel the same way.

The Actual Plymouth Rock

My understanding is this is not the complete rock, some was left behind when it was moved and has been worn away or chipped off, but it is still a very small rock for such a large reputation.  My poor kids were like “really…..really……that’s all it is?!?!?!?”

We also visited the Sandwich Glass Museum and learned the history of glass factories in the area.  I am fascinated by glass blowing and making of all kinds.  I wish I had been able to take some pictures, but I forgot my camera.

As for projects, I have ideas for some tutorials, but I haven’t had much free time to work on them.  Hopefully next week when we start school back up, I will have a little more free time.  Until then…….Have a wonderful day!

I have started a new blog  just for my Shortcut Cooking ebook.  It will be dedicated to tips, tricks, ideas and recipes related to saving time and money in the kitchen.

Hopefully in the future I will also be able to host some giveaways and other contests.

You can check it out at: www.shortcutcooking.wordpress.com.  Leave me a comment and let me know you visited.

I am going to be turning the main focus of this blog to my crafting and family ventures.  I have a bunch of tutorials running around in my head that I will be putting together and sharing. I am hoping to be able to have time to post more and maybe even get some giveaways going with some great handmade items.

I would love to hear what you have liked in the past and what you would like to see more of in the future–just leave me a comment.

Thanks!

My kids have a youth group picnic tonight, so we decided to whip up a little treat for them to take and share.  We got the idea from the Bakerella blog.  Being a last minute idea, ours are not quite as fancy.  We didn’t want to have to cut up a bunch of cardstock to make the baskets, so we settled for some origami boxes that we learned how to make at a friends house just the other day.

"Burger" made from cupcake, brownie and frosting

cookie "fries"

The cookies are made from my 1,2,3 Cookie recipe in my Shortcut Cooking ebook.

Notice the handmade fry pouches stamped by Hannah.

origami box

Burger and Fries in their box

Completed Snack Boxes

More completed snack boxes.

Even more completed snack boxes.

Get your copy today!

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Only $14.95 click the buy now button on the sidebar for easy checkout and digital delivery.

Sample Recipes:

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

Freezer Sloppy Joes

Summer has finally arrived in New England after a long, cold and rainy spring.  We have been enjoying warm temperatures and more sun than rain for a couple of weeks now!    It has been nice to set everything aside and just relax.   

Despite taking some time to just relax, I have been finding some time for crafting and cooking.  I also have my ebook written and just need to finish editing–I am hoping to be able to offer it for sale by Monday, so check back and look for the button on the side bar!

Some of my accomplishments:

A clean craft space!

New ironing board cover

Many of you know that I have been making my own mozzerella for a couple of years now, but I have decided to try my hand at some hard cheese.  I finally got brave and made a wheel of Farmhouse Cheddar,  currently it is sitting on the counter to dry out and I will hopefully be able to wax it and move it to the fridge this weekend.  Fortunately this cheese only has to age a minimum of four weeks before I can try it out, I am thinking we will cut into the first of September when we have company.   I have decided that if I am going to keep making cheese, then I definately need to get a cheese press, as stacking weights on a cutting board was sorta dangerous!

Farmhouse Cheddar (I hope!)

Spicy Jellied Cranberry Sauce

Last fall when we were on Cape Cod for a day, we had picked up some cranberries, and I found a stray bag floating in the back of the freezer.  I decided to try my hand a making a jellied cranberry sauce as I don’t really care for the chunks.  All I can say is –YUMMMM!  I added some cinnamon and cloves while it was boiling and it is so tasty with just the right amount of spicy and sweet to balance out the cranberries.  I am definately going to have to get more cranberries this year and make up a big batch.  Bring on the turkey!!

Strawberry Freezer Jam

We pick up our oldest today who has been at an Environmental Leadership camp for two weeks, I can’t wait to see him!  This is the longest he has been away from home, except for with family.   We plan on spending the weekend taking an easy, maybe hitting the Farmers Market and then the church picnic on Sunday. 

Happy Weekend to All!