The Clock is Ticking

Tick Tock, Tick Tock...can you hear the Christmas clock ticking?  Are your ready?  Almost ready?  The fact is Christmas comes ready or not.  I'm trying to get those "must do" tasks done so I have time to enjoy some Christmas movies while warming by the fire.  mmmmm....love something hot to drink, a good movie or Christmas carols playing and the fireplace.  So cozy.

I haven't forgotten my post about the Cricut tip.  I've just had some camera issues.  But, I will remind you gals with Cricuts, don't forget the simple things your Cricut can do for you that will still pack a punch.  Picture it, you are ready to walk out the door to take the neighbors some Christmas baked goods before trying to make the annual Christmas pageant on time and you realize you have to tag to add to your goodies.  Fire up your Cricut and use the ornament or tag feature and "ta da" you will have a very impressive looking tag with very little effort  Don't forget when using the ornament feature, you can add some packing tape (sure beats messing with glue)  to the back of the cutout and then sprinkle on some glitter for some extra pizazz!  So simple but yet so pretty.  What did we do before the Cricut?

Here is a challenge for this weekend:  try to get some wrapping/bagging done.  Such a mundane task but it has to be done.  Don't procrastinate...get it done and you will feel better for it.

Are You a Cricut Bug?

If you are a serious crafter these days, chances are you own a Cricut.  If you do, stay tuned.  I will give you a quick tip you can use  for those last minute cards, gift tags, tags for your baked goods, etc.  Be on the lookout Wed. or Thurs.

I Little Reminder for your Monday...take time for this one!!!

Sometimes in our hectic schedules this time of year, we think we have to do it all by ourselves.  The economy is a mess and I'm sure Christmas shopping is a big challenge.  You may be wondering how it will all work out but remember this one thing "God Will Take Care of You".  Take time, please, to watch this little video (if you haven't seen it already).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLPp4gXUY3o


Now when you have finished watching it and you've ooo'd and ahhh'd at the cute little boy, watch it again.  This time listen to the words and take them to heart.  You don't have to do this holiday season all by yourself.  After all, you have God taking care of you.  What more could you possibly ask for??!!

The Year I "Believed"

I say the "year I believed" with tongue in cheek..LOL  I don't know about you but Christmas always brings out the child in me.  I seriously think if it doesn't in you then you need to slow down a bit and just let the Christmas spirit invade your being.  This little chuckle I'm about to share with you today is true and really happened to me.

The Christmas our daughter was 3, she and I made the expected trip to the mall to see Santa.  Of course, we all know that sometimes at that age the excitement of the man in the big red suit is more for mom than the little one.  As was the case this particular year.  Her excitement began to wane as we approached Santa's workshop and she realized she was to go through that gate by herself.  We stood outside looking in at all the pretties as I tried to encourage her to have fun....for my sake..LOL.   While I talked to her about how fun this would be, she continued to resist.  Santa was watching all this and finally he looked at me and said "Just bring her on in Sharlyn."  Needless to say, I was dumbfounded.  Santa knew me by name.  What?  How could this be?  Again, he called out my name.  I couldn't move, I couldn't speak.  You see, unbeknown to me, the husband of one of my mom's cousins was playing Santa that year.  I cannot explain to you the thumping that took place in my heart at that very moment.    It is a story of Santa that always makes me smile every year when I think back on that experience.

Just think, our Heavenly Father, knows us by name.  He calls out to each of us to come to Him.  As you reflect on the Saviour's birth this Christmas season,  reach out to Him.  Remember,  He knows your name and loves you so very much.

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.  Isaiah 43:1

Winter Time = Soup Time At Our House

Some requested the soup I mentioned in my first post so here it is:

African Chicken-Peanut Soup

1-1/2 cups cubed peeled sweet potato

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast (8oz.)

1 cup bottled salsa

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

2 (16oz.) cans fat-free, less sodium chicken broth

2 (15oz.) cans Healthy Choice Chicken w/ Rice Soup (any brand will do)

1 (15oz) can of black beans, drained

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

Place a large Dutch oven coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat until hot.  Add sweet potato, onion, bell pepper, garlic and jalapeno; saute for 5 min.  Stir in chicken and next 5 ingredients, bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer for 10 min.  Add peanut butter, stirring with a whisk; cook 2 min. Yield 11 1-cup servings.

Now for some time-saving tips I use:

Put you sweet potatoes, unpeel/uncut,  in a pot of boiling water before you begin soup.  Let boil for 10-15 min.  Drain and while holding under cold water those jackets will slip off easily and it also makes cutting that sweet potato so much easier.

Also, I use canned chicken breast and we like it just as well.

Remember to use caution when handling jalapeno peppers. 

Don't let that peanut butter discourage you from trying this recipe, unless of course you have peanut allergy.  I know I probably would not have tried this had I just seen it in a magazine but we had it at a friend's house for dinner and I was sold.  One of our favorite soups.  Enjoy!!

Let's talk Books

Do you have a favorite holiday book?  I always try to start around November 1 reading books about Christmas.  What can I say?  I love Christmas.  I've read a lot of fiction books over the years but I think my all-time fav is a book entitled "Two From Galilee", a Love Story of Mary & Joseph, by Marjorie Holmes.  I would encourage you to check your public library, church library, and if all else fails purchase it.  You will enjoy it.  Have you ever thought of what Mary's family went through when they found out she was carrying a child?  What about Joseph?  About the town's people?  What did Mary go through when her friends, her siblings found out her news?  It is really fascinating but also very touching.  I hope you will have time to check it out.

Another one is "The Christmas Bus" by Melody Carson.  Such a warm story about several different people who are spending the holidays at a bed and breakfast "The Shepherd's Inn" (catchy, huh?)  The inn is full when a young couple arrives in their bus, they are broke and she is about to deliver their child.  You will laugh and cry as you read this wonderful story.  I certainly enjoyed it.

And last but certainly not least, Karen Kingsbury has a set of 3 Christmas stories sure to warm your heart.  I've read all three and would be hard pressed to name a favorite.  The series of 3 is called "The Red Glove Series".  The first book is called "Gideon's Gift", the second is "Maggie's Miracle" and the third is "Sarah's Song".  These books are very small, a quick read,  so they are perfect for this busy time of year.

Well, that's it for my book reviews.  LOL  These books are all available through Amazon if you don't have time to shop or go to the library.  (I've used Amazon for a few things this year & I'm totally impressed with their service)   I hope I have inspired you today to take time to relax and read a good seasonal book this year.  Taking some time for yourself will renew you for the rest of those holiday tasks on your "to do list".

Don't Procrastinate!

Happy December 1!  Well it's here "my most favorite time of the year".  But, with it comes more and more tasks to complete.  Over the years I have learned that if there ever was a time not to procrastinate, December is that time.  Procrastination leads to frustration.  Don't waste time being stressed out this year.  Get those cookies baked, gifts wrapped, decorating done so you can sit back and enjoy.  There are many opportunities for fun this time of year, choir performances, plays, parades, and on and on.  Learning to pick and choose what you partake in will keep your life simpler.  You can't do it all so don't even try.  Don't underestimate the value of time at home this year.  Take time to sit down with a cup of hot chocolate, a cozy throw, some good music and admire the awesome job you did decorating that tree.

Speaking of cookies, here is a wonderful recipe I found recently and it is quickly becoming a favorite in our house.  Check it out.

http://bakingbites.com/2009/02/oatmeal-cranberry-flaxseed-cookies/