Category Archives: Family

On being a swim mom, a room mom, a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend…

Everything Else, Family

More Unwrapped Christmas

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This is my favorite Hand-Made Christmas gift:


My nephew Charlie is 1 and I was at a complete loss for his Christmas. Then, Mom handed me this great train-track panel from her stash. I lined the back with black fleece and stitched on a pocket to create a train-in-a-bag set. All his mommy has to do is:

fold the bag in thirds,

roll it up,

and turn it right side out!

And–and made the pocket with an extra pleat so it would open the bag up and make room to store his new train!

Everything Else, Family

Merry Christmas!

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I love Christmas for so many reasons:
  • I love the lights and sounds.
  • I love the smells of yummies baking in the kitchen.
  • I love the joyous laughter I hear in children.
  • I’ll even admit that I love the shopping.
  • Most of all, I love the promise of Christmas–the promise that God fulfilled when He sent His only Son into this world to be born.

Jesus Christ’s birth changed the world over 2000 years ago, and it changes it still today. If you haven’t lately, read Luke 2 again. Then, turn to John 3:16 and remember why it matters!

Merry Christmas!

Everything Else, Family

Our Christmas Traditions

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What is your family’s favorite Christmas tradition?
We have several, but here’s a hint to one:
Yep, you guessed it. I’m in the kitchen ALOT, but at Christmas the baking and candy-making seems to turn up a notch!
Recently, I had the opportunity to share a little bit about our family’s traditions with my new friend Karen. I sent her this cute apron, a new recipe book with a few of our favorite Christmas recipes, and some homemade marshmallows. Here’s my marshmallow recipe. It’s yummy!
  • Prepare a 9 x 13 x 2 inch pan by lining it with aluminum foil and greasing the foil with Vegetable shortening.
  • Put 1/2 cup cold water in the large bowl of your stand mixer.
  • Sprinkle 3 envelopes (3 tbsp.) unflavored gelatin over the water and let it sit.
  • Place 2 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup light corn syrup, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup cold water in a 2 quart saucepan over med-low heat.
  • Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is boiling.
  • Cover the pan for 3 minutes.
  • Uncover and raise the temperature to high. Insert a candy thermometer and let the syrup cook until 240 degrees. Do not over cook.
  • Remove from the heat.
  • While your mixer is beating at medium speed, pour the syrup slowly into the gelatin mixture.
  • After all the syrup is added, turn your mixer to high and beat for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is lukewarm, white and a whipped consistency. Add 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract towards the end of the beating. You will also need to scrape the bowl occasionally. (My big Kitchenaid doesn’t take quite 10 minutes. Something less powerful–I don’t know.)
  • Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and smooth. (It is super sticky-so be prepared!)
  • Let the marshmallow stand uncovered at room temp for about 12 hours. I usually leave mine overnight.
  • Sift powdered sugar over your cutting surface.
  • Invert your marshmallow over the sugar and remove the foil.
  • Sift powdered sugar over the top of the marshmallow.
  • Cut the marshmallow into 1 inch cubes using a long, sharp knife. It helps if you grease the knife first. After the first cut, keep the blade covered in powdered sugar.
  • Roll each side of the marshmallow in powdered sugar to coat.
  • Store these in an airtight container.
Enjoy!
Everything Else, Family

Giving Thanks!

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Counting My Blessings:
My salvation through Jesus Christ.
My husband who encourages and supports me.
The kids who are the most brilliant, creative beings.
My parents and parents-in-law, my sisters, and the rest of the gang.
Jane, Ashley, and Ashley.
And their little ones who my little ones love.
My imagination and creativity.
A warm home with plenty to eat.
Wonderful neighbors (Happy Belated Birthday Pam!).
Living in a country where I can speak up about
right and wrong and tell others, without shame, of my Source of joy.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Everything Else, Family

The Christmas Card Dilemma

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Every year, it’s the same.
What can I do for Christmas cards this year?
How can I top last year?
To be frank, I’m never going to beat 2003,
as least as far as my daddy is concerned.
Here are a few others from the past years.
2005
Too cute.
2006
One day in December, the Big Girl came home from
St. Paul’s K-4 with this picture. She drew it during free time.
I loved it and immediately knew it would become our Christmas card.
2007
This one was probably the most fun for us
because we all worked on them together.
We all sat around the table to fingerprint the cards.
Then, the hubby applied the sticky-backed rhinestone noses.
I glued on the wiggly eyes and the Big Girl drew the antlers.
The Little Man (only 2 years at the time) had
2 blank cards that he covered with fingerprints while he supervised.
So, what on Earth am I going to do this year?????? I’m open to suggestions.

Everything Else, Family

It’s Slumber Party Time!

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Tonight’s the big night. Tomorrow my Big Girl turns 7, so tonight she and 3 of her friends are going to stay up late, watch a few movies, and enjoy birthday cake. I’ll post plenty of pictures Monday or so, but here are a few sneak peaks:

p.s. I know I teased you with a sneak peak of my fall mini-wardrobe. I’m hoping to review those patterns and post pics tonight while the girls are watching movies.