Friday, December 21, 2012

Christmas Traditions :: A Cookie Exchange



This year, I began a new tradition - a cookie exchange. The experience was an absolute delight filled with friends, children, and scrumptious desserts! If you've never hosted a cookie exchange, but would like too, keep reading to discover how easy it really is!

First, set a date, time, and venue. I had my exchange Monday evening at Jason's Deli. I could have had it at my house, but with 13 adults and 16 children, we may have been a little crowded. The plus side of having it at Jason's: no dishes, clean-up, or anything else to worry about!

Decide how many bakers you would like to attend. I initially decided upon 12 people baking 3 dozen cookies each to ensure even amounts. However, we ended up with 9 bakers and had plenty of sweets.

Send out your invites with all the pertinent information. I created a Sign-Up Genius form to use for RSVPs. I left a slot for participants to let the group know which type of treat they were bringing to help avoid duplicates.

Pick up some simple decorations; table clothes and a few centerpieces make for a nice decor. While you are out, you may want to purchase treat boxes from your local craft store for your guests to take home their goodies, if not, suggest they bring an empty container to take them home.

Bake!!! You definitely want to get your cookies baked a day in advance if they are a softer style cookie to ensure they do not crumble in transport. Besides cookies, some of my friends brought chocolate covered pretzel sticks  and homemade candies.

Before everyone takes turns around the cookie table, have each baker tell what they brought. It's also fun to share stories about why you made a certain cookie or if your first batch didn't turn out just right (guilty!). Some of those attending also brought printed recipes for each guest to take home.

At the end of the night, I handed out party favors for my guests. Here's a link to those.

You can make this event as formal or casual as you wish. You can bake as many cookies as you desire. In fact, it's your exchange and you can tailor it to your needs.

Looking back on Monday, my friends and I truly had a wonderful evening of merriment and I can't wait to do this again!

{I do apologize for the lack of pictures as my camera had once again lost its SD card. In fact, I'm kicking myself, because the cookies were beautiful!}

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

A Pinterest Production :: Simple Christmas Gift for Friends


This week, I made a few small gifts for some of my friends. One of my favorites involved soap, ribbon, and a cute name tag. This simple, but adorable, gift made me smile when I saw it on Pinterest and I knew I just had to share them.

Let's begin!

First, gather some fun holiday ribbon. I found mine for $1.99 at the local thrift store. It was brand new!

Next, create your tag. I loved the saying, "Wishing you Peace, Joy, and Hope," with Hope crossed out and Soap inserted. Too cute! {If you'd like the file, please let me know!}

I used Microsoft Publisher to design my tags and sent them to Kinko's to get a really nice print out.

To cut them out, I used my rotary cutter to ensure straight edges. I hole punched the center of each tag and tied them onto the pump soap bottles using a piece of string. I adore Young Living's Thieves Foaming Hand Soap because it smells wonderful! One of my friend's sons was so excited when he saw the bottle - I guess he loves it too!

Then, I fashioned a bow out of my Christmas ribbon and viola, friends' gifts completed!

Cooking with Children :: Christmas Candy Pretzel Sticks



My two boys have lots of friends in our homeschool group and wanted to make something special for them for Christmas. They decided on creating Christmas Candy Pretzel Sticks; a fairly easy task for two young boys to accomplish.

I drove them to Michael's (our craft store) where they picked out a Christmas mold featuring a tree, a reindeer, and Santa. They opted for green and dark chocolate candy melts, as well as festive bags. We already had the large pretzel sticks at home from a previous event.

After dinner, they prepped their work area and set out to making candies. Using my Wilton Chocolate Pro melting pot, they melted the green chips to make trees. Carefully, they filled each tree cavity, first, with the melted chips and then inserted the pretzel stick to ensure maximum mold coverage. After the stick was pressed into each mold, they covered the portion of the pretzel showing with chocolate to get an even appearance.

Once all the cavities were filled, they carefully moved the entire mold to the fridge where they cooled until the candy was again firm and easy to pop out of the mold.

They repeated the process until all the green chips were used and they began again with the dark chocolate chips for the reindeer and Santa. A bag of 12oz. candy melts made approximately 14 candid pretzel sticks.

They wrapped each stick in a seasonal treat bag and plan to share with all their friends at our next park day!

Weekly Goals :: 12/17 - 12/23/2012



Weekly Goals for 12/09-12/16/2012

Home:
1. Finish raking and bagging leaves and pine needles
2. Begin getting tax information together

Family:
1. Get youngest feeling better
2. Take the boys to see The Hobbit

Volunteer:
1. Set dates for next year's JMG class, Little LEGO Club
2. Finish laying out museum exhibit story boards

Personal:
1. Start a new book
2. Begin new craft project

Weekly Goals for 12/17 - 12/23/2012

After last week and all the unfathomable sadness, my only goal this week is to enjoy my children. I wish you all the best and I do apologize for the lack of posts this week, but they are my priority. - Michelle

Friday, December 14, 2012

My Heart Breaks :: Our Nation Morns

 


Today, parents in the city of Newtown, CT had the unthinkable happen. They lost their children.

This event saddens me to the core. I cannot begin to imagine the grief, loss, and heartache parents and community members are sharing this evening.

Our nation cries. Children are our heartstrings. They are our world. They are our joy. To loose them, is unbearable.

As a nation, we can pray for those grieving; for those who have lost the most precious things on Earth; for our country; and for all of our children.

Tonight and tomorrow and next week and every day after, give your children a gentle squeeze and tell them how much you love them, how much they mean to you.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction…" 2 Corinthians. 1:3-4


Thursday, December 13, 2012

DIY :: A Busy Bag Exchange



A friend of mine recently set up a Busy Bag Exchange for the little tots in our life. While my boys are, for the most part, way beyond Busy Bags, I have a new niece who will need a few in the future. I was pleased the Mommies with littles let me take part; in fact, I had a really great time making my Busy Bags and playing with all the ones they made!

For those new to the Busy Bag concept - A Busy Bag is a small project, puzzle, craft, etc. which captures the attention and fosters learning and creativity of a child. They can be made for any age range, however, I've mainly seen them for the 5 and under group. These items are kept in a gallon sized plastic bag and are brought out throughout the day or on special occasions to help keep a child busy while the caregiver is focused on housework or schooling older children.

How do you host a Busy Bag Exchange? It's simple, really!

First, ask a group of Moms, Aunts, Grandmothers, Sisters, etc. to be a part. My friend used our Church Facebook play group as her inviting forum. She gave us about two weeks to get our bags in order, which was plenty of time.

Have each attendee decide on what kind of Busy Bag they will be making and bringing to the exchange. It's a good idea to let the group know exactly what you are making to reduce duplication.

Keep your group to under 10 people. You can always have another exchange and incorporate new participants, as well as bag ideas.

If you don't have any ideas for Busy Bags, check out Pinterest or Simple Organized Living. The Busy Bag I created was about cupcake decorating. The template for it can be found at Money Saving Mom.

We each made 8 bags for this exchange, with one going to the Church welcome desk for new families to use during the ceremony. We traded out bags with one another one morning at the church.

I came home with some super adorable things - Pop the Popsicle, Stuff it In, Felt Fishing, Eye Spy Bottles, and a wonderfully bound and laminated Play-Doh mat set.

I can't wait to see my niece play with all these items. My youngest has enjoyed giving them the initial playability test!

If you've made a Busy Bag in the past - which has been your child's favorite?


Great Deals :: BYGO Starbucks Dec. 13-16 ONLY!



Like holidays, drinks are best shared. So rekindle your favorite holiday moments with someone special. December 13-16, from 2-5pm, buy one holiday beverage at Starbucks and they'll give you a second one of equal or lesser value to share. At participating US stores only.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Simple Living :: Paper Making with Children

 
 
Recently, I held a Junior Master Gardening class and taught the children how to make paper. I'll be completely honest with you all and go on record to say, "I had no idea how to make paper before we started this endeavor!"
All that aside, making paper (at least this kind) was extremely easy, not to mention fulfilling and fun.

Materials:

  • Half a gallon to whole gallon plastic baggie filled with one square inch pieces of newspaper. Fill baggie with water and allow to sit overnight.
  • A blender - not your best for sure! I got mine at Wal-Mart for about $15. You might can find one at a thrift store.
  • Screens - Using window screen replacement material cut rectangles or squares in adequate size for your needs. Tape edges with duct tape to prevent tears, frays, or cuts to your fingers. The frames I used were about 6.5 x 7.5 inches.
  • Paper towels - you will need an entire roll!
  • Styrofoam plates
  • Various cookie cutters (If you're wanting sheets, try the large rectangular cookie cutters used to make ginger bread houses)
  • Embellishments: flower seeds, colored raffia paper, etc.
Let's begin!
 
 
1. Fill your blender approximately 1/2  full with shredded paper and the rest of the way with water.
 

 2. Pulse blender until shredded paper turns into paper pulp. The blender may clog, if so, unplug and stir pulp with a chop stick or wooden spoon.



 3. Place a paper towel down on your work surface. Then, place the screen on top of the paper towel. Next, place your desired cookie cutter on top of the screen. Using a spoon, add a small amount of pulp in the center of the cookie cutter and spread evenly with your fingers.
{Warning: You will get messy! I advise removing rings!}
 

 
4. When spreading out the pulp, you want it to be as thin as possible, but not have any visible holes. Once I get the pulp spread out in my cookie cutter, I remove some and spread it out again to fill the vacant hole. Do this step until you can no longer spread it thinly without holes forming.
 
 
5. After the pulp is spread to the desired consistency, push down on your cutter and gently lift it off as if you were pressing out a cookie from dough.
 
 
 
6. Take another paper towel and press hard onto the paper shape. You want to remove as much water as possible. Gently remove the towel so as not to tear the paper.
 
 
7. Place a paper towel on a Styrofoam plate. Turn the plate and towel upside down over the paper cut-out and screen. Carefully, lift everything and flip it over so the plate in now on the bottom. Peel the screen back slowly from your paper.
 
Viola! You've made paper! Now, let it dry for about 24 hours.
 
If you want to add wildflower seeds to make your paper plantable, do that in step 3 after you've got the desired consistency of pulp. You can also add colored raffia at this stage too.
 
Once dry, you can write or paint on your paper; turn it into an ornament or name tag; and even use it for crafts. Experiment with different types of recycled paper for texture and color variety.

Christmas Traditions :: Helping Others



 

Our family is blessed in many ways, and because of that I want our children to help others and be a blessing to those in need, especially during the Holidays.

Each December, the boys select a child or two from our local ELF Tree to adopt for Christmas. I enjoy watching the boys carefully select items from the lists and also add something they think might be enjoyed by the children. Some years, all that is asked for are toys; other times, clothes are at the top of the list.

The boys may know the child's circumstance or may not, but I explain how important it is for us to help others throughout the year and throughout our lifetime.

Selecting children to purchase Christmas gifts is just one way we help in our community. In the past, we've helped raise funds for a new hearing device for a deaf child, sold cupcakes for Tsunami victims, held a food drive, and delivered flowers to the elderly. As the boys get older, I definitely want to help in our local food pantry or work on a Habitat for Humanity team, but for right now, they enjoy playing Santa for children in need.

What ways does your family help during the Holidays or throughout the year? If you're looking for some ideas, depending on age, here are a few:

  • Purchase gifts for children on your local Angel Tree
  • Drop off presents at Toys for Tots or Blue Santa programs
  • Donate your time at a homeless shelter or community kitchen
  • Give generously during Food Drives
  • Support your local organizations that aid those in need
  • Donate to the VFW to help military families with Christmas dinner or Christmas trees
  • Open your home to those who may not have family for Christmas, especially the elderly, college students, and military service members
  • Be a Bell Ringer for the Salvation Army

Weekly Goals :: 12/09 - 12/16/2012



Weekly Goals 12/02 - 12/08/2012

Home:
1. Have a sock matching party for all those loose singles
2. Scheduled A/C 6 month maintenance
3. Begin preparing holiday treats and freezing

Family:
1. Take boys to a Whoville Christmas event
2. Take boys to the Christmas parade
3. Start working on Christmas cards
4. Movie night with family

Volunteer:
1. North Pole Express
2. Finish program for local toy store
3. Teach Junior Master Gardener class

Personal:
1. Make cupcake busy bag for group exchange
2. Pick up Christmas child donation card
3. Finish any of last week's errands
4. Plan cookie exchange

Weekly Goals for 12/09-12/16/2012

Home:
1. Finish raking and bagging leaves and pine needles
2. Begin getting tax information together

Family:
1. Get youngest feeling better
2. Take the boys to see The Hobbit

Volunteer:
1. Set dates for next year's JMG class, Little LEGO Club
2. Finish laying out museum exhibit story boards

Personal:
1. Start a new book
2. Begin new craft project

This week, all the major plans went out the window with my youngest son home sick. We've been extremely busy the past few weeks and I guess it was just time to slow down. We are enjoying our time together this week and staying home more than usual. How is your week shaping up?

Monday, December 3, 2012

Christmas Traditions :: Nightly Christmas Stories

 

Each year after Thanksgiving, we begin decorating for Christmas. My sweet husband brings down all the Christmas tubs from the attic and the boys and I set to work. One tub in particular is especially heavy as it is filled with all sorts of Christmas and holiday stories.

In addition to our daily reading of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, the boys and I also read one other book from the Christmas tub each night. It has taken several years to build up our Christmas collection and it seems each year a story is culled and a new one takes its place.

If you would like to build a collection this year or add to your current one, please consider adding a few of these beloved titles:

  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
  • The Polar Express  by Chris Van Allsberg
  • The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear by Stan & Jan Berenstain
  • Hanukkah, A Counting Book by Emily Sper
  • The Jolly Christmas Postman  by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
  • The Friendly Beasts, an old English Christmas Carol by Tomie dePaola
  • Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
  • The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
  • The Christmas Story by Jane Werner Watson
  • Home for Christmas by Jan Brett
If you don't have the space to store a Christmas book collection, you can always create a digital library using a Kindle, Nook, or iPAD. Another option would be to visit your local library and peruse their holiday shelves.

What are some of your family's favorite Christmas or holiday stories?

Weekly Goals :: 12/02 - 12/08/2012



Weekly Goals 11/25 - 12/01/2012

Home:
1. Finish decorating the house
2. Find Christmas Cards to mail out
3. Finish any outdoor projects before the cold sets in
4. Take new Goodwill donations

Family:
1. Finish Advent Calendar
2. Purchase a few new Christmas books to add to the collection
3. Gather supplies for Christmas crafts with boys
4. Enjoy a day with Jake and the boys

Volunteer:
1. Board Meeting
2. 4-H cooking time
3. LEGO Club
4. Meet about the Secret Garden

Personal:
1. Freezer cooking this weekend - Ended up heading out of town so we simply ran out of time.
2. Pick up anniversary gift
3. Type up blog articles
4. Go for a long walk

Weekly Goals 12/02 - 12/08/2012

Home:
1. Have a sock matching party for all those loose singles
2. Scheduled A/C 6 month maintenance
3. Begin preparing holiday treats and freezing

Family:
1. Take boys to a Whoville Christmas event
2. Take boys to the Christmas parade
3. Start working on Christmas cards
4. Movie night with family

Volunteer:
1. North Pole Express
2. Finish program for local toy store
3. Teach Junior Master Gardener class

Personal:
1. Make cupcake busy bag for group exchange
2. Pick up Christmas child donation card
3. Finish any of last week's errands
4. Plan cookie exchange