Chunky Crayons

What can come from this mess?

These can!!!

I have heard about melting down old and broken crayons to make new ones. I've never tried it... so the kids and I began peeling crayon paper!

I think under my fingernails is permanently stained a myriad of colors.

Once you have them all peeled and snapped into small sections, put into muffin tins that have been sprayed with no-stick cooking spray.

We organized some by colors and others we just combined a bunch of different colors.

Stick in a 275 degree oven and watch until melted. Ours took about 8-10 minutes.

Remove and swirl the melted wax with a toothpick.

Allow to cool and harden. Then carefully pop out of the muffin tins.

They are perfect for those chubby little baby hands....

but maybe not so perfect to sample a little taste!!! I think she may be saying, "Yuckkkk!"

Lindsey showing Mommy how pretty her new crayon is.

Fabric Scrap Ornaments

Ok, just say it...

I know, I know... I have too much time on my hands these days!

With the 3 older kids at school and Lindsey down for naps in the afternoons, what am I to do?

I can only sweep and fold laundry so much.

So I either bake or craft.

I found these cute ornaments using fabric scraps over at http://www.theskyispink.blogspot.com/

She's a crafty mom with 6 adorable kids.

So I gave it a shot... and I think they turned out pretty cute!

I first started out making the round ones. Super easy.

Just strips of fabric sewed WRONG sides together to give it the scrappy, frayed look. Back it with some fabric. Cut into circle and stitch the outside with the ribbon inserted for the hanger. I stuffed mine with a little poly-fil to make them "plump".

Then I decided to try making a tree shape. Still easy just took a little more time.

I made my own pattern on paper and cut the fabric strips from that. I didn't stuff this one.

Well, that's what I did this afternoon... now I guess I better go sweep my floors and get that laundry folded that is sneering at me from the couch!

Wreath Decorating

Hi everyone,

I hope you all are having a peaceful Christmas season so far. We are taking the time to read our nativity book in the evenings, to listen to Christmas music in the car, and to enjoy the twinkly lights in our home.

It's so nice to slow down a bit and remember the true reason we have Christmas...

That little baby that was born in a dirty manger.

That boy who grew up working with his Dad in the woodshop.

That young man who healed lame, sick, blind, diseased and even dead people.

That Savior who allowed Himself to be nailed to a wooden cross, all because He loved Me and You. To keep us from having to suffer a horrible death and eternity.

And that Redeemer who brought Himself out of death and is now preparing a place for us in Heaven, just so we can live with Him and worship Him forever!

At times I can hardly wait... the anticipation of what that day will be like is so great!!

Last night the kids spent some time putting together some wreaths to decorate our house with. My Mom had bought all the goodies for them to use. I had some other things (ribbon, bows, and their previously made gingerbread boys) for them to add also.

They turned out very pretty!

Snowball Treats

These are alot of fun to make with the kids.

WARNING: Messy, but it's a fun kind of messy!

Although I made these by myself today to surprise the kids with when they get home from school. (Maybe that's my excuse for not having as big of a mess?)

I use chocolate in ours but if you want to keep them completely white, use white baking chips instead. We just prefer chocolate flavor... I guess ours are muddy snowballs?

4 oz cream cheese, soft

2 cups powdered sugar

2/3 cup chocolate chips, or white baking chips

2 tbsp milk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups mini marshmallows

coconut

Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together. Add the melted chocolate, milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Fold in marshmallows; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle. Make into small balls and roll in coconut (this is the messy part). You have to push the coconut into the balls a little to make it stay. Store in the frig or even in the freezer. They are, after all, snowballs!

Hope you like them.... Yum!!

Stitching and Sick Dog

I found these little stitch patterns online.

so cute!!

I guess they could be used for just about anything but my plan is to make 6 blocks and put together for a small Christmas wall hanging.

we'll see how that goes!

This is the one I'm working on now.


Finished this one a few days ago. Sorry it's wrinkly, haven't ironed it yet.


And here is my sick puppy!
She got into some salmon at the river and now has salmon poisoning. Ken took her to the vet yesterday and they hooked her to an IV to get her rehydrated and start medicine. She is home now but has to have 2 types of meds every 8 hours.
We have tried to hide them in some food but she refuses to eat anything. Ken finally held her down and forced her to swallow the pills.
The kids were upset that we had to do it that way, but it's either that or she could die! They then agreed that "torturing" her is better than her dying.
Poor McKenzie!
So now she is getting spoiled and allowed to lay on the rug by the door.

Tadpoles

Here we are again. Adding to our animal family!

The kids received an early Christmas present from their Aunt, Uncle and Cousin today.

Planet Frog.

You get the "habitat" first and with that you get a voucher to send in to have the tadpoles sent to you. We have 2 tadpoles. I think it will be fun to watch the metamorphosis into frogs.

And of course, they have to have names.

Tad and Lil.

Another animal adventure in our household!

Pretty cool, isn't it?

Can you see the little tadpole in the bottom left corner?

The other one must have been hiding during the photo shoot.... can't blame him!

My Son's Heart

For years now, Ryan has told me that when he is a pro athlete, he will give me a 1/4 of his paycheck. I've always played along and told him what a good boy he is, wanting to take care of his old Mom. He says he'll build me a log house on a hill and he'll make sure to come and visit as often as he can.

It's funny the plans and goals our children set for themselves. We encourage each one of them to strive for those things. Kyle, being the silly guy he is, changes his mind all the time. (of course, he is only 10!) but sometimes he wants to be an athlete, other times it's a gas station attendant. Quite a drastic change in goals!

Anyway, we have been sponsoring a little girl, through WorldVision, in Kenya for a couple months now. We have sent some pictures and letters. Haven't received anything back yet but we were told it could take months for our child to respond. Her name is Ronice. She lives with her Grandmother and a sister. Her life has been horribly affected by AIDS. We pray for her and talk about her often.

Last night, we decided to watch the DVD sent to us by WorldVision about their programs across the world and how our sponsorship helps children, families, and communities.

It was a very touching DVD. Very hopeful and positive.

As we were watching this, Ryan all of a sudden says, "Mom, would you be OK if I only give you an 1/8 of my paychecks?"

I said, "Sure, why?"

"I want to sponsor and take care of all those kids that need help."

My heart swelled with pride that he had been touched in his heart to help children that need help!

Then Kyle speaks up and says, "I want to help them too, Mom".

They started to talk about how they didn't realize that there are kids that truly do not have food to eat, or the chance to go to school, or don't even have warm beds and pillows. We've talked about it but it didn't become real to them until they saw it.

The big one was that children all over the world are sick and dying because they don't have clean water. Boy, do we take that one for granted!!!

I'm glad we sat down and watched the DVD. Instantly the kids began drawing pictures, and making paper airplanes to send to Ronice. They also looked up some Swahili words on the computer to write her a letter that won't need translation when it gets to her.

Man, I love these kids!!

Check out http://www.worldvision.org/

There are so many kids that need our love and prayers all over the world and even right here in the USA!

Christmas Mood

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!! (around here anyway!)


I took down the Harvesty decorations and put up some Christmas stuff. I don't have alot because in the last couple of years, mice and rats have gotten into my Christmas totes and destroyed things. uggghhh!
So I guess I will gradually build up my collection as I see things that I like.

The stockings were (NOT) hung by the chimney with care... I always hang them on the wall, it freaks me out to hang them near the woodstove! I had a hard time getting them all in the picture, if you look closely you can count all 6.

Goodwill find (3.99). Love it!! It stands over 1 foot tall.

My Mom got this for the kids last year. Each pocket (numbered 1-25) has a little book that you read each night. A cute idea for a nativity countdown tradition.

I've had these for years. The carolers are one of my favorites. You wind it up to hear "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". The white trees hold a tealight candle in the middle.

The BEST Christmas reading for you and the kids. I pull these out every year. Mary's First Christmas by Walter Wangerin Jr. and Christmas Hearts by Tim Roehl. Both of these books have absolutely beautiful illustrations. FAVORITES!!

My Christmas Rabbits Shelf Sitters. Had them for years. The new item is the candle in the center. Kaycie made it for me for Thanksgiving and I love it. I decided to keep it up instead of packing it away with the other Fall things. The base is made out of dried beans and popcorn. Around the candle is raffia and eucalyptus.

Anybody else out there getting decorated for Christmas? Turn on the Christmas tunes and sing away. Light up the house with reminders of God's ultimate Gift to us... Jesus Christ... Our Savior!

Chocolate Banana Bread

This is a very good version of banana bread.

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup mashed ripe bananas, about 2 or 3

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

chopped nuts, optional

Cream the butter and sugar together. Add eggs, bananas, milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; add to the banana mixture. Fold in the nuts if adding them. Spoon into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes. Check doneness with a knife. Cool for a few minutes before removing from pans.

Sunset

Ryan took these pictures last night. They are so pretty!!

God has been so good to us, He provides so much beauty around us every day! Some days we wander and stumble through without even taking a second to open our eyes to His blessings of Creation. Then there are days when we see something striking and we enjoy it.

I try to be aware of the everyday beauty around me.

I do not want to take it for granted... I do not want to walk past a visual blessing without noticing... I do not want my children to forget to enjoy what God has provided for us...

Just looking out my window in the morning is breathtaking. This little valley holds the morning fog along the pasture. The sunlight streams through the feathery clouds. The cows in the field are grazing contently. The river is rushing through it's bed and it hums and gurgles with praise to God.

Even when we forget or overlook praising our God for the beauty around us, Creation doesn't forget! It continually "sings" praises to Him! I love the idea that the rocks, the trees, the rivers, the mountains, the animals; they all cry out to Him with praise!

I think we all could learn a little something from Creation... to constantly be appreciative of his abundant love and blessings and to praise the God of our Creation!!