Christmas Cookies

 

I didn't share our Christmas Gingerbread cookies with you last year, so here we are Christmas in July. These are the gingerbread cookies the kids and I baked and decorated last year. It was so fun. We had some traditional winter and Christmas shapes. The most fun to decorate were the fandom, geekery cookies though.

These are gingerbread and I don't have the recipe up, but I'm sure you can google a recipe. I do have a fantastic Sugar Cookie recipe that you can find HERE. It's the best.

Cranberry Orange Muffins

Cranberry Orange Muffins

Cranberry season is upon us! I don't know what it is about cranberries. I only make a handful of things with them but I really like them. I don't now if it's the tart berry flavor, that they are good in both savory and sweet applications, or that the color just screams "HOLIDAY SEASON APPROACHING" Whatever the case I smile when I see them, and I always grab an extra bag of cranberries for the freezer for the rest of the year for that bright flavor they give.

I also love seeing them on a tree at Christmas, it's so pretty. They aren't the easiest to string but I think it's worth it, here's our tree from last year. Very simple.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

I know it's Take It Tuesday but Jonas brought 30 inches of snow, at least! So no lunches to post, sorry about that! But I thought I would share the cake I made for Christmas this year.  We usually make a cake for Jesus every year, it's usually the same recipe also. This whole wheat carrot cake. It's the only carrot cake recipe I'll make. It's just that good. I made it without the cheesecake layer, then slathered it with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting. For decoration I printed out a line drawing of Jesus, Joseph and Mary then topped that image with wax paper. I melted some chocolate and outlined/traced the picture. I also did some sheep and a shepard free hand. 

The gold stars are sugar stars I found. It came out pretty cute I think. The kids thought it was cool. I've used this method for cupcake toppers and it works beautifully.

I hope you all are having a wonderful New Year. My children are enjoying a 7 day weekend, and I'm loving every moment we're being blessed with! Did you get a lot of snow?

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Nutcracker Christmas Tree

This tree though. I puffy heart it. It's in my middle girl's room. It's quite lovely. Whimsical and classic. She picked the scriptures and phrases for the chalkboard ornaments. I love each and every one of them. So sweet.

Christmas in the Kitchen

Joyeux Noël. I made this sign reversal, and hung it with hooks so that I could change it out with the seasons.

Getting closer to Christmas! I really am a little confused with this warm weather we've had lately! Where's my SNOW!? Sigh... I had these visions of being snowed in, sitting by the fire, and snuggling with my family. Oh well, we're still snuggling by the fire! I can't wait until school is OUT for the year! What about you all? How's the weather where you are?

Deck the (Dining) Halls!

Christmas Chandelier in the dining room.

I'm pretty much done with decorating for Christmas, it's just a matter of sharing all these photos with you guys! I love the way my lights turned out in the dining room and in the kitchen area. I've had this tree and the ornaments for it for a while now. The only thing I purchased this year are the Holly berries. I originally wanted to gather some from our yard, but I wasn't sure how they would hold up. Does anyone know if the leaves stay green and the berries stay bright? I think I'll gather some for a smaller arrangement to do a little research. But for now, here is our dining room!

American Girl Bitty Bear Christmas Tree

Trees, trees, trees. So it's been a good 5 years since I've really decorated for Christmas. I mean I think in that time we've put up one tree, I believe that was in 2012. Well, we finally have the room to pull things out and decorate! So I thought I would share some of our Christmas decoration with you all. First up is Pixie's tree. It's a 6 foot tree that is quite sad and not very fluffy or full, none of their trees are fluffy or full actually. But I got them for $21 each, so you can't beat that.

Free Friday- Christmas/New Year

Diva reading the Christmas Story to us.

Hope you had a blessed Christmas (holiday season) and wishing you a healthy prosperous New Year! I thought I'd share some pictures from Christmas.

One of my favorite things this year was how very excited the girls were to give gifts. We went to a Holiday Bazaar at school and they got to buy gifts for everyone. The way it works is that the PTA collects items, gently used etc, then sells them at around $1.00 each.

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I won't be posting until the weekend but wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. I hope you got to spend time with your loved ones and reflect on the greatest gift ever given to us.
Once the New Year starts there will be more recipes and not daily posts with elf and Christmas Angel shenanigans. ;) I have some wonderful giveaways scheduled once I recuperate.
Please continue to pray for the family and loved ones in Newton CT that are mourning the loss of their loved ones.

Today please pray for the family and loved ones of  Chase Kowalski , age 7 .

And if you would like to set a reminder 

Tuesday the 25th pray for all of the families and loved ones mourning on this Christmas day, and the family and loved ones of  Jesse Lewis, age 6

 

 On Wednesday the 26th James Mattioli, age 6

 Thursday the 27th Grace McDonnell, age 7

Friday the 28th Emilie Parker, age 6

Saturday the 29th Jack Pinto, age 6

Sunday the 30th  Noah Pozner, age 6

 

Monday the 31st Caroline Previdi, age 6

 

January 1  Jessica Rekos, age 6

January 2  Avielle Richman, age 6

Another thing, the post office has dedicated a PO Box if you want to send mail to those in Newtown and Sandy Hook. 

 If you’d like to send your own condolences, the address is PO Box 3700, Newtown, Connecticut 06470.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 24

 Last day for Joy and Angel here! They left a great letter for my girls, I'll try to remember to put it up soon.

Snowball fight!!!

Ok, and a couple of snowmen.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 22

I didn't get to post yesterday :)

On the card

Happy Birthday Jesus! Matthew 1:21

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Today- Bake a cake/cupcakes or make a card for Jesus, thank Him for His gift! Share your goodies!

*  I posted on Facebook but-

Today please pray for the family and loved ones of Madeleine F Hsu, age 6.

And if you would like to set a reminder 

 Sunday the 23
Catherine V Hubbard, age 6

Monday the 24
Chase Kowalski , age 7 

Tuesday the 25th

of course all of the families and loved ones mourning, and the family and loved ones of 
Jesse Lewis, age 6

 

 

Another thing, the post office has dedicated a PO Box if you want to send mail to those in Newtown and Sandy Hook. 

 If you’d like to send your own condolences, the address is PO Box 3700, Newtown, Connecticut 06470.

What is the deal with all these cards and verses? Check out the other Christmas Angel/Elf posts below, and read the my letter to the girls HERE.

Do you have any Christmas traditions? Are you blogging about them? I'd love to see! No blog?  Leave a comment!

More Christmas Angel/Elf on the Shelf posts HERE.

More pictures HERE.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 21

Nothing too exciting. Joy made some elf sized powdered sugar donuts with some Cheerios and had a tea party with Angel. They also had donuts waiting for the girls.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 20

 Joy and Angel got into the Scheich toys, the girls play with these all the time. Narnian battles happen quite often, so they got such a kick out of it.

On the Card

For Narnia! And for Aslan!
Deuteronomy 31:8

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Today-

Remember that God is with you, He loves you and is so faithful!

Adventures of Joy and Angel day 19

It's so much easier to just move the elf from place to place isn't it? Here is Joy, entertaining us all, esp Angel, who was watching from the sideboard. But it reminded me of a great Newsboys song

One to another
Do you remember me
I feel so small
Are you listening tonight
So temporary
Things that I have seen
I ran so far
Will you take me back again
Entertaining angels
By the light of my t.v. screen
24-7 you wait for me
Entertaining angels
By the time I fall to my knees
Host of heaven, sing over me
One to another
The feelings in between
I won't let go
Of all you taught me - alright
Close as a brother
The way we used to be
I'll hold my breath
And wait for you to breathe
Entertaining angels
By the light of my t.v. screen
24-7 you wait for me
Entertaining angels
While the night becomes history
Host of heaven, sing over me

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 18

I didn't post yesterday on here, but Joy got into my stickers. Pixie who has been corrected many times about putting stickers all over was appalled! Oops. 

On the Card

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 17

Someone wrapped our TV in wrapping paper. The kids were so surprised. They thought it was funny, which was good. Because when Joy had made the snow angel with salt,  Pixie said, "she's so naughty!" Great time to do some forgiveness and grace teaching though!

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 16- join us!

This is just is not exciting is it? I'll do better, tomorrow should be fun! Joy and Angel are just hanging out with the PetShop toys. It was a long busy day yesterday. We we very blessed to spend some time with friends and hosted a gift exchange. I was good for us to spend time with people we care about and love. Light and love in the midst of so much sadness. So the card I picked today was perfect for us. I pray that you get to be surrounded with loved ones today.

 

On the card- 

Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

 Today- Do something kind for your family. Leave a note for someone in a special place, or read a book with a sibling.

 *On another note, I'll be posting (on Facebook) a name of a victim that loss their life in the Newtown, CT shooting on December 14. Just a reminder to pray extra for their loved ones. Today is Charlotte B. age 6. I won't make a huge deal out of it, or anything. I did want to let you know so you can join if if you'd like. I want the focus to be on the victims, not anyone else.

Are you on Pinterest? I have a board for Christmas Angel and Elf Ideas it's open to the public for everyone to pin to, I'd love more ideas so leave me your pinterest link or name in the comments and I'll invite you!

What is the deal with all these cards and verses? Check out the other Christmas Angel/Elf posts below, and read the my letter to the girls HERE.

Do you have any Christmas traditions? Are you blogging about them? I'd love to see! No blog?  Leave a comment!

More Christmas Angel/Elf on the Shelf posts HERE.

More pictures HERE.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 15

No elf antics today. I didn't have a card printed out. I just put Joy and Angel on our sideboard with a reminder to pray for others. The glitter says BAND- which stands for Bear Another's Name Daily. From my Mercy Band.

Psalm 5:1-7

Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my meditation. 

 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray. 

 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.

 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil dwell with You. 

 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity. 

 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

  But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.

Adventures of Joy and Angel Day 14

 Yesterday Joy got into my salt, which was my fault because I didn't have a table salt container around. So I guess I'll be scrubbing my cast iron and stoneware. 

I decided not to post yesterday because of what happened in Newtown, Ct. I don't do a lot of heart blogging here. I generally save that for Chaotic Balance. But. Here I am. My heart aches for those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. Their babies. I at times get angry. So angry. WHY!? WHY!? WHY!?? Then looking over at a toy making a snow angel in salt... Sigh. Even more questions.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."