Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!

I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas and take time to remember Jesus, who came to earth as a baby at Christmas to save all people for their sins!



Merry Christmas!


John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Luke 2:8-11 NIV
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Mom's Spiced Pecans recipe

My mom has been baking Spiced Pecans at Christmastime for over 25 years. She has given the recipe away many times to anyone who asks. She used to get the pecans cheaper in bulk. She gave them away in little cups or tins to the mailman, the neighbors, people at her work, my Dad's work and at church. Everyone loves them!

I don't make them as much or as often as she does, but I do try to make at least one batch a year. They are pretty easy. I hope you will enjoy them too!

Spiced Pecans
1 tsp cold water
1 egg white
1 lb pecans
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup sugar

Beat water and egg white together until frothy. Add pecans and stir. Mix sugar, salt and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Stir into nuts. Butter 10 X 15" pan. Spread pecans evenly into pan. Bake at 225 degrees for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
They are delicious!

Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear your review!

Genesis 37:25
As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.

Genesis 43:11
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.

John 19:40
Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Easy Fudge recipe

I have been baking up a storm lately! The cool weather and the Christmas season combined make for perfect circumstances to bake. This recipe is one that I got from an older church cookbook (we've had two since I've been there!). When I was a child, my Dad would make fudge. I don't remember that exact recipe, but this one is similar. Enjoy the chocolatey goodness!


Easy Microwave Fudge
16 oz chocolate chips
1 can Eagle brand (sweetened, condensed) milk
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Microwave the chocolate chips and sweetened milk on high for 2-3 minutes. Stir after one minute. When chips are melted, stir thoroughly then add vanilla and nuts. Stir and pour into greased 9X 9" pan. I did mine in a 7 X 11" pan and it was just right. Cut into small squares when cool.

That's it! It is so easy, takes only five minutes to make. It is very sweet and you don't need a big piece of it.

Let me know what you think, I'd love to read your review!


Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lordis your strength.”

Psalm 119:103
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Secret Santa/ Sibling

A tradition we began a few years ago in our home is Secret Santa for our four kids. We put their four names on paper and into a hat, and they draw names out. We make sure that they don't have their own name, and they make sure that they don't have the same person as the year before. We give them five dollars to spend on each other. (So each child gets $5) The kids almost always tell me, Mom who they have, so I give them ideas and help them a little bit.

Then we take them to the store, and we split up. Dad takes two kids and Mom take two kids shopping. This was we can maintain the surprise of the gifting. They like to look around the store and think of what that particular sibling would enjoy. We tell them things like, Rebekah likes jewelry, Caleb likes legos and baseball stuff, Mallory likes Frozen and legos too, and Bethany likes Avengers and cars. They always do a great job finding something for their sibling. Sometimes I know what they buy, sometimes I don't know.

They like to get home and wrap them right away (at least the younger ones do.) That way they don't have to try to hide their gifts too long. I love to see the way they wrap their gifts, with lots of tape and too much or too little paper. I try to let them do as much of the wrapping as they can, since it is their gift. Sometimes the older kids help the younger ones wrap. Then they label them and put them under the tree. Sometimes they label it with "for _______ from Secret Santa" and sometimes from them/ their name.

I like this tradition that was shared by a friend with eight kids (Thanks, Beth!), since they can't always buy for each sibling until they are older. Sometimes they still buy for each of the siblings, but not usually all of them. I like that this tradition is centered on GIVING, not just getting. They learn the message that Christmas is not only about getting more stuff. (Also thanks to VeggieTales for that message!) I like that they think of each other and what would be a good gift to give. They can be so thoughtful and kind, it is just so sweet. I love some of the gifts they find!

If you have more than two children, this may be a good tradition to begin in your family. I believe fostering the idea that giving good gifts is a godly thing, that God gives good gifts to His children.

What traditions do you do in your home at Christmas? Do you do Secret Santa with your kids?


Deuteronomy 16:17
Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.


Luke 11:13
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”


2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!


1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Kindergarten: Christmas week

We had another enjoyable week in homeschool kindergarten last week. We discussed all things Christmas! (Well, not Santa too much!) We stamped a Christmas pattern on paper, put #s of jewels on kings' crowns, made several crafts, we made paper chains for our tree, we baked cookies (measurement), wrote Christmas words, and colored a Christmas poem.

 Putting jewels on the kings' crowns...
 She made a Christmas puzzle...
 A paper plate wreath...
 Here is her laced stocking-- the lacing was a great challenge for her!
 Oh, Christmas tree craft-- my girls didn't really know this song...? So we sang it to them...
Now we are looking forward to a break from homeschool for several weeks. We will be preparing for Christmas, and keeping the kids involved in more baking, gift wrapping and a little more shopping. You can find some patterns for Christmas crafts on my blog here. We may be making some of the other crafts from my old blog post this next week too!

What have you done with your kids at Christmas-time? I'd love to hear all about it! Let me know in the comments!

Merry Christmas, my friends!


Luke 1:30-33
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

This was our theme verse this week...
Luke 2:7
...and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they (the kings) bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Recipe: Tollhouse pie!

This pie is one of our family's very favorites. It is like a chocolate chip cookie in a pie crust. How can you go wrong with that?! It is ooey, gooey and delicious! You must try this recipe! And there are nuts in it, so that makes it nutritious, right?! :- D




Tollhouse Pie

2 eggs
3⁄4 cup flour
1⁄2 cup sugar
1⁄2 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter, 
melted 

1 cup chocolate chips 
1 cup walnuts
1 7 or 9 inch pie crust 

whipped cream
  1. Preheat oven at 325 degrees.
  2. In large bowl, beat eggs until foamy.
  3. Beat in flour and sugars until well blended.
  4. Blend in butter.
  5. Stir in chips and nuts.
  6. Pour into pie crust.
  7. Bake for one hour.
  8. Serve warm with whipped cream. 

Let me know if you try it, I'd love to hear your review! 


Genesis 43:11
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.

Psalm 19:9-10
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.

Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Bethany's 6th birthday!

Bethany had a very enjoyable birthday this past weekend. We went to the parade of lights (which was very long!) on Saturday, so we celebrated with her party on Sunday. We had friends for her party, and the kids were wild, even before we gave them sugar! We loved all the silliness! Enjoy some pictures of her party, and before!
We celebrated at Nana's house after Thanksgiving...

 A Captain America beanie-- so great!
 Reading her card with help... :- D
 Cool black leggings with jewels on the side!
 Grandpa and Grandma gave her some great clothes, a ball and bat and a sticker book too!
 Before her party at home...
 A fun pony shirt!
 With her friends at her zebra/ animals party...
 A nice velour sweatshirt from Grandpa Nadel.
 Reading with her buddy...
With her new sheepdog from Mom and Dad in front of her marbled zebra cake!

It was a delightful celebration of our sweet girl! Can't believe she is already SIX!?! 
Thank you to our family and friends for spoiling her!



Deuteronomy 4:40
Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.

Deuteronomy 14:1a
You are the children of the Lord your God.


Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Joy is her middle name and it fits her so well!)

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Kindergarten: M week

We had a wonderful week last week discussing M and m things! We discussed magnets, marbles, mail, played music & talked about musicians, months, money, used markers, the moon, made masks, and did a maze! One of the best activities we did was using the M & M counting book for math, and getting to eat the M & Ms. YUM!

 On Monday, she played with magnets, discussed what sticks to magnets and what doesn't...
 She counted and sorted marbles for math...
 We ate mini-muffins for snack one day-- delicious!
 Part of the M & M book activity!

She also made a mask, but a few of the jewels fell off, and she won't wear it. It took a little while to dry too! It was another fun week in kindergarten at our house. M has SO many things we could have discussed, we could have spent TWO weeks on it-- mittens could be a whole day by itself!


Psalm 81:2
Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre.

Psalm 98:4-6
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Ephesians 5:18b-20
Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Recipe: Kirkridge porridge

I haven't posted a recipe for a while, I feel like everything original that I have has been posted, but that is not so! Enjoy this breakfast recipe for a nice twist on oatmeal!

This recipe is from my mom, who got it from her mom. I remember my Grandma every time I make it. It is a good recipe for a cold, snowy morning. We often have it on Christmas morning when we are at my parent's house. I hope you'll try this hearty, family friendly recipe!

Kirkridge Porridge
Boil 4 cups of water then add:
1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 cup raisins,
and return to a boil.

Add 2-3 chopped apples
1/3- 1/4 cup wheat germ, and
2 cups quick oats.

Boil one minute, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat, add 1 tsp vanilla. Let stand.

Optional: Add a chopped banana before serving.

Toppings: chopped pecans or walnuts, brown sugar or cinnamon sugar.
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This recipe is easy to double if you have more than 6-8 eaters. It is good as leftovers the next day too!

Let me know if you try it, I'd love to hear your review!


Psalm 17:8
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

Proverbs 7:2
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

Song of Songs 2:5
Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Kindergarten: Thanksgiving Week

We had a fun week in homeschool kindergarten discussing Thanksgiving. We talked about pilgrims, Native Americans, food at the feast, turkeys and more. As usual my sweet girl loved all of the crafts we did. We had fun cutting out "feathers" of different colors and adding them to her Indian headband.
LOVE THAT I CAN SEE HER DIMPLE!
 When I student-taught in kindergarten, I got these pilgrim patterns. She cut, colored and glued them with a little help from Mom. Such a cute boy and girl!
 She also made a paper plate turkey, with different colored feathers. It was pretty cute! Too bad mom only had a paper plate with a design. Oh well, it's still cute!

We talked a lot about what we are thankful for too. One of our favorite Thanksgiving books is Turkey for Thanksgiving, which makes us giggle each time we read it. We also love Cranberry Thanksgiving, which I read as a child too.


We read these verses during the week too...
Psalm 100
A psalm, for giving grateful praise.


1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
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