embracing motherhood
I remember reading somewhere that it can be traditional for the first ornament on the tree to be an apple. As luck would have it, we have an apple ornament. Every year I pack it on the very top of the ornament box when I’m packing up the ornaments. Every year I pull it out [...]
A tangible way to teach kids sacrifice is to give up your time during Christmas to serve others. This is our second year to give up a 2 hour block of time ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. They only ring the bells around our house on the weekdays, so Dad has to work, [...]
This is my grandma’s chocolate chip cookie recipe. It’s delicious! She always has cookies when we come to visit. My kids might like them as much as I do, but I’m not sure it’s possible. Of course, when I make them they never taste as good as hers, but I try. At Christmas I like [...]
These brownies are yummy and look impressive. They get lots of “oohs” and “ahhs”, but are easy to make! Always a plus! Brownies: 2 c. granulated sugar 1 c. butter, melted ½ c. unsweetened cocoa powder ½ tsp. salt 5 eggs, beaten 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 ½ c. flour 1 c. chocolate chips Topping: [...]
Here are a few of my favorite resources for Advent this year. Truth in the Tinsel an easy, craft-centered guide for Advent. Ann Voskamp’s Jesse Tree ebook. Download it for free when you subscribe to her blog. Jotham’s Journey (daily Advent readings in the form of a compelling story) weekly reading for your Advent wreath [...]
Advent 2011 is now in full swing! Please join me over at The Better Mom this morning as I talk a bit more about Advent and what it’s all about! Then you can join me over at Homemaker’s Challenge and print up your Christmas Baking Planner! Don’t let that holiday baking stress you out [...]
Last week, over at Holy Spirit-Led Homeschooling, I wrote Part 1 about Sacrifice During Advent. How can we keep this idea of sacrifice at the forefront of our children’s minds? How can we help the kids maintain this spirit of giving throughout Advent? Maria Trapp has a few ideas in her book Around The Year [...]
Advent is here on Sunday! Here’s a super-cheap and fairly easy-to-make Advent wreath using bread dough! If you live somewhere evergreens are scarce, or don’t have the resources nearby to buy all of the crafting materials, this is a great option. For the pastry: 2 envelopes yeast 1 c. milk, brought almost to boiling 1/2 [...]
My primary job these days is being mom to four sweet children (well, they're not ALWAYS sweet, but neither am I - we're all works in progress). I write, run, love needlework, and avoid housework whenever possible.
