Christmas Tour

I thought it would be fun to participate in Nester's Christmas tour of homes this year so here are a few pics from around my home. Not all decorated yet, but getting closer. I'm still working on my drop cloth stockings and a names of Jesus garland to hang on my mantle. Hopefully I will have those up on Tuesday. 

Here's a glimpse as to what my decorations look like.....I'm just now realizing that I have NO picture of my tree...oh well. You all know what one looks like, right??

Thanks for looking!

Merry Christmas!

I'm also linked up with Southern hospitality and It's so very Cheri.

The day after

Do you ever look around the day after Christmas and just go "what tornado blew through here"? That is how I feel today! I'm certain my house could be declared a natural disaster, laundry is backed up (again!), there are still too many sweets hanging around and pieces and parts of toys are strewn everywhere. Eric is sure in a few hundred years when archeologist come and dig up the area where our house is, they will most certainly determine there was a Lego factory here. Instead of cleaning we decided to go visit my grandmother today since she wasn't able to get out of the nursing home to come to our Christmas gathering yesterday. I think this is the first Christmas we spent without her there and it really just wasn't the same. She fell and broke her leg in 2 places back in October and is still recovering. She's on Medicaid and they think if she is well enough to leave for a Holiday, then she doesn't need to stay....very disappointing. We also ventured out to the Guitar store for Eric to spend a gift card on something he wanted. It was almost 70 degrees out and felt kinda weird considering it was below zero last weekend. That's pretty much Kansas for you....it might snow tomorrow (really!). I ventured out this afternoon hoping to find some real bargains, but no such luck. I went to Hobby Lobby hoping to get some gift bags, ribbon and wrapping at at least 75% off. Nope....still only 50% off. Really?.....it was 50% off before Christmas. Nobody was buying a thing! I also went to Kohl's and pretty much felt the same way. There stuff is always 40-50% off so I was looking for a little more of a bargain.....nope! However, I did manage to find a very cute watch that I liked, it's a little funky and I've needed one since last spring so I went ahead and bought it with a gift card my mother in law gave me. It was only 25% off but, I Love it! Our Christmas day was pretty quiet. We did our usual...open gifts at our home and then head to my parents for brunch, presents, games, snacks, puzzles, dinner etc. I have 3 siblings (plus theirs families) and we are not normally a very quiet bunch, but this year everyone was so out of it and quiet it was kind of strange. None of the kids were loud, we didn't play many games, there were several naps happening, lots of snacking and such, but pretty quiet. Even though it was quiet it was still a lovely day and everyone enjoyed themselves. The highlight for me was Josiah going around to each person to make sure they new it was "baby Jesus' birthday". He also prayed for us at brunch (along with Eric) and it was just too sweet....and long. I am really just rambling here with absolutely no point at all except to say I'm back on the bloggity scene and we had a very blessed Christmas and I pray you and yours did as well. One last December Daily photo.....I really didn't keep up the whole "daily" part, although I really wanted to....there's always next year! My kids on Christmas Eve with their new blankets I made for each of them.

Playin' Catch up

I tried to get on blogger yesterday, but it wouldn't let me log in for whatever reason so I didn't get to post my daily picture and tell ya about my day. It was a good one, I tell ya! It started at about 4:30am with Corban waking up sick and throwing up all day long until about 11:00pm. Poor guy, he missed his Christmas party at school and his friends birthday party last night...ugh! The first thing he said after his first throw up at 4:30 in the morning was "does this mean I can't go to Tanner's birthday?" (crying while he asked)...so sad. There was much drama early on in the day as he figured out he would miss 2 parties, but we both agreed it was better to be sick this Thursday than next Thursday (Christmas). So I pretty much disinfected everything I could yesterday, washed all the towels, blankets, toothbrushes, etc. I got really motivated around 4pm and scrubbed the entire bathroom and even washed the shower curtain (really needed it!). Nothing like a good sickness to really bring out the "Lysol lady" in me. Oh, and I cleaned some carpet...I'll leave you to guess why. Thank goodness for the portable DVD player my parents gave Britt last year for her birthday. I was able to quarantine Corban to his own bed to watch movies, play video games and snooze all day. Eric and Britt went and picked up Berkley at the airport last night and got home around midnight. I don't know what time the girls finally fell asleep, but I'm sure it was late. They were terribly gabby and LOUD, which was to be expected. They did have to keep it down a bit just because the boys need sleep and Eric did have to go to work today. We finally dozed off around 1am, but they were still up being giddy girls. I am so happy for both of them to be back together again, it just hasn't been the same without her around all the time. We missed her a ton and we will be sad to send her back home (maybe we'll just keep her). That's my day in a nutshell, nothing profound, no recipes, no great wisdom. Nothing much accept taking care of my sick boy and cleaning my home. Not much, but a lot all at the same time. This is what being a mom is about, taking care of those little ones the Lord has entrusted to you, both physically and spiritually, and creating a soft..clean, place for your family to fall at days end. Thank you Lord, for giving me the opportunity. Here is the picture I would have posted yesterday:

December Daily Photo 12/17

Is it really the 17th already? Time flies when there is much to do.

New!

These are my new "don't you dare wipe anything on those" towels. Aren't they cute? I love the colors and the little starbursts made of dots. They make me smile!

Random ramblings

*We have company coming this week and we couldn't be happier. Brittney's best friend Berkley moved to PA about 14 months ago and has been deeply missed. They have managed to keep in touch and they talk often. Her mom got in touch a couple month's ago about Berkley's 16th birthday, she said all Berkley wanted was "Brittney" so we tried to work out her going there, but it just wasn't working so now Berkley is coming here for 5 days and we are just very excited to see her and love on her. Brittney has been a little bouncier in anticipation. *It's freezing in our home, literally...the windows (our very lovely metal windows...I know you are jealous) are frozen on the inside, yep...the inside. See Looks cozy, huh? *Last night in the midst of being sent to his room due to a poor attitude, Corban jumped (real angry like) up into his top bunk and *snap* went one of the slats under his mattress. Nothing fell and it did have a knot in the wood right where it broke, but I think it caused Corban to rethink his stormy ways. He was sweet as pie the rest of the night. *Has anyone made homemade marshmallows? I'm looking for a good (good....not bad) recipe. I've always wanted to try them, but never had the gelatin on hand. Well, I finally (like 4 years later finally) picked up some at the store so I'm ready, I just need a recipe. I've heard they are spectacular in hot chocolate and I love me some hot cocoa. Liquid chocolate...yumm! *Eric got some new cowboy boots he ordered online (on Friday...got them today...wow..and it was free shipping) While he was putting them on Josiah put on his cowboy hat and had his cowboy rope ready. As soon as Eric had them on Josiah began stringing out his rope and goes "Well, howdy partner" in a real southern accent. It was hysterical at the time, but possibly it loses something in the translation. Trust me...it was funny. *I just started a 30 day study on Proverbs 31 over at Revive our hearts. I personally want to run screaming or possibly just sit down and cry when I read all the things the Proverbs 31 woman is able to accomplish. I fear I do not even begin to measure up, but I think that is the point, at least partially. I am unable to accomplish any of it without the Lord, but with Him there is hope. Please join me if you feel led. *Josiah is still trying to wrap his little 3 year old brain around the Jesus' birthday thing and why isn't he going to be here if it's his birthday. He is starting to grasp the "star" was in the sky and that is why we have one on top of our tree, well sort of anyway.... he explained to us that "Jesus was born on a star in a nest". What is that Sunday school teacher teaching him?? Just kidding Amy...we love you.

Let the wrapping begin!

I just love wrapping paper. All the pretty colors and patterns just kinda make me giddy! I'm sorta goofy like that. Here's what will be going under my tree this year. Go here for more December daily photos.

Oh, the screaming!

My little guy does not care to have his hairs cut at all.....I mean AT ALL!!! This time the trauma of it all started last week when I mentioned that he needed to get a haircut sometime soon (mental note: I should not mention this next time). Every time I would call him to the bathroom to get his hair combed, he'd freak out that I wanted to cut it. Wed. night he was even a little hesitant to sit next to Natasha (who sometimes does the dreaded deed for me) for fear she would whip out her scissors on him. Bless his little heart he is just overwhelmingly terrified of the whole thing and boy, does he show it. He can't stand to have anyone in his space. This includes, but is not limited to, combing his hair, cutting his nails & cleaning his ears. I'm sure you can just imagine what a visit to the Dr. is like. To top that off, he also can't stand loud noises and the sound of the trimmer next to his ears is just about to much for him to handle. The screaming, not crying....Screaming, is just enough to break your heart. "I want my daddy", "I want out", "I wanna be done", "mommy, please stop" on and on and on the entire time. I promised him cake for breakfast if he would just stand fairly still and he did, so here is the "after" with cake (thank goodness there were leftovers Wed. night). Visit here for more December daily photos, much more artistic than mine.

December Daily Photo 12/11

Definitely one of my favorite Christmas decorations

snowflakes anyone??

We are getting hit pretty hard today with some snow...what happened? Yesterday it was almost 60 degrees. It's just Kansas, near as I can tell. I started out this morning heading up to church (about 30 miles north) to decorate for our tea this evening and about pee'd my pants (possibly too much info...oh well) when a big SUV did a 360 on the highway right in front of me. If I had been going as fast as he was, he would have had a nice silver paint job on the side of his black SUV and Josiah and I to go with it. I was near my parents so I stopped off to muster up the courage to keep driving and much to my delight when I got back on the highway all the snow had nearly melted and it was a much better drive north. It is pretty nasty down south here (big wet snow flakes), but up north they have nice little tiny snow that just blows away and just leaves the street wet. Yeah....Josiah and I made it all the way there, decorated and back home in just 3 1/2 hours (pretty sure I could have done it in and 1 1/2 hours if I hadn't had a 3 year old helper). I sure hope they don't cancel the tea this evening or the whole day was pretty much for not. Not that I want anyone to get hurt or anything ( I really don't!), but really now... just drive slow and you'll be fine. Anyhoo, I got all the decorating done and I think it looks pretty ok for only spending about $13. I cut some spirea trimmings off a bush in my back yard and spray painted them silver and then shot them with some snow spray. Then I artfully arranged (stuck) them in my big white pitchers and a big vase stuffed with snow fluff. I also bought a pack of 20 glittery snowflakes and a pack of 24 icicles, added some silver balls of mine and there you have a centerpiece. I added some votives and a couple other hurricanes and snowflake decorations and there you have it. A finely decorated room to remind you of how cold it is outside....I didn't pick the theme I just carried it out.**UPDATE: the Christmas Tea tonight is canceled and so today and yesterday getting everything ready was a complete waste of time. Nope, I'm not bitter...ok, just a little, but I'll get over it. I really don't want anyone to get hurt driving, but can I please have the last 2 days back? Visit Tackle it Tuesday and Talk about it Tuesday for more inspiration and gabbing. Visit here for more December photos. I need to go get some laundry done...ugh!

December Daily Photo 12/8

Here's the view as I walk down my hallway....exciting huh? I seriously need to clean that mirror....oh, I'm sure it's just the flash....um,sure it is! My day has been a little busy. I was asked a couple weeks ago if I would do the decorating for our Mom's & Mentor's Christmas Tea on Tuesday evening and I reluctantly said yes knowing that I also had to make about 25-35 wreath bows for a cheerleading fundraiser by Friday. Well I thought and thought and just wasn't feeling very creative since I didn't have but a few dollars to spend and not much time to do anything. We are going with a snowflake theme and I just don't have much outside of one snowman (seen above) and a bunch of snowflake ornaments. What I do have is a couple of big white pitchers, a couple good sized vases and free branches in my backyard, so I will post some pictures tomorrow when I'm all done. Hopefully it will all come together with very little money and just a little time.

Mom's best zucchini bread

My family loves to have fresh bread for breakfast or a bedtime snack and really anytime in between for that matter. We can easily go through an entire loaf in a day. Here is a favorite zucchini bread recipe of ours:

INGREDIENTS

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/4 cup wheat germ (or 1/4 cup flour)

(you can use all-purpose flour instead of the whole wheat flour & wheat germ)

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cup grated zucchini
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Grease and flour two large or 3 small loaf pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flours, wheat germ, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugars together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

I apologize if the pink writing gives you a headache, but my daughter just returned home from a Women's Christmas program and dessert extravaganza and in her sugar high is insisting I do the recipe in all pink. 

Go here for more December daily photos

December Daily Photo 12/6

14 (almost 15) is apparently not too old to sit on Santa's lap. We had breakfast with Santa at my dad's old work (he's retired). So basically we ate lots of pancakes and sausage, drank fake orange juice and Josiah was terrified of Frosty and Rudolph, but was brave enough to go up and tell Santa that he would really like his own piggy bank. Not a chance he was going to sit on his lap though. Corban got sick right before we left the house and couldn't go so that left just one lone girl to sit on the big guy's lap. I really don't think she minded the undivided attention.

December Daily Photo 12/5

Not a great photo, but I love growing these bulbs in the middle of the winter. I get a few paper white (Narcissus) bulbs (at a nursery) and place them on top of some rocks in a glass jar or vase and fill up with water just to the bottom of the bulb. The kids love to watch the roots grow down into the rocks and I love to see the flowers grow up. Just keep the water up to the bottom of the bulb, but not any more than that or they will rot. If you start them just after Thanksgiving, you can have beautiful fresh flowers for Christmas. They are only about 69 cents a bulb so they are cheap to boot!

December Daily Photo 12/4

A sweet boy and his magnetix..... so proud of his colorful creation. go here for more December photos and possibly join the fun!

December Daily Photo 12/3

More December photos here

I love Batman!!

I bet you didn't know this handsome hero lived with me, did you? December daily photo

December Daily Photo

I thought it would be fun to participate in the December Photo Project and post one picture each day of what my December looks like. Today's is our nativity that Eric's mom gave us our first Christmas. It comes from Bethlehem and is hand carved. It reminds me a lot of the nativity set my family had growing up. It too was from Bethlehem, but my grandma actually traveled there and brought it back for us. Sweet memories!