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Showing posts from December, 2011

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

My babies are sleeping and I should be prepping/cleaning for our New Years Eve celebration but instead I am looking through this year's pictures.  2011 was a good year - here are some my favorite memories.  the birth of our little lady sunday afternoons spent with husbandie (no kids!) an amazing vacation with friends our 1st garden watching my boys become best buddies celebrating the final harry potter movie   my baby sister's annual visit   a rained out dinosaur party   completed projects our niece isabelle time with old friends picking apples on a rainy day our niece wren I always feel a little sad at the end of a year - how did it go by so fast?  But I'm also excited. I love making goals and thinking about what the new year may bring. Here are some of the things I hope to accomplish in 2012. read through the new testament at least twice learn to knit turn on my sewing machine create a homeschool space

Small Graces

A weekly reflection inspired in part by Bob Bennett's song "Small Graces" a retro toy perfect for car trips finding gas for less than $3 a gallon brown paper packages  superhero blankets (thanks aunt nonie!) swords!! fancy popcorn at home  the bracelet husbandie made for me  a quick and easy reading fort (pack and play turned on it's side) first baby doll stair climber - ok this actually a little a scary, but it's also fun to see her excitement and pride 

Celebrating

Sandwiched in-between multiple Christmas gatherings and New Year's there is an event that must be celebrated.... husbandie age 1 Husbandie's birthday! With the holidays so close (and busy) we usually don't do too much, but we have great memories from every year. 2004 2006 2011- headed out for a matinee and dinner It is one of my favorite days. It is the day were I get to celebrate the person who is my love, my best friend, my encourager, my helper, my strength, and so much more.  Husbandie - you are an amazing blessing to me.  I love you! Happy Birthday!

Small Graces

A weekly reflection inspired in part by Bob Bennett's song "Small Graces" finding big buddy hiding behind the tree with my  i-pad, sneaky but cute an evening spent with a good book, great  food and amazing women *this book starts off a little slow, but eventually picks up  and is very thought-provoking an early christmas present...go orangemen! urgent conversations   culver's frozen custard - a road trip ritual a quiet drive sleepy cousins in matching pajamas watching my little sister be mom - she's amazing! learning how to make egg noodles - my little sister is amazing! taylors' maid-rites, if you are ever in marshalltown, ia you must stop   This is not a small grace but instead the only reason we can enjoy any of life's small graces - Immanuel: God is with us Merry Christmas! 

Looking at Lights

Every year we like to drive around and look at Christmas lights. It's fun to see how creative our neighbors are and it's a great excuse to have popcorn and hot cocoa for supper. This year however we added a twist. Inspired by our pastor's family, we decided to hand out little rewards to our favorite houses.  Each of the boys made a card which we then attached to small box of chocolates.  supplies: construction paper folded in half, paint, glitter, sponge cut in to light shapes dip sponge in paint and press on paper sprinkle glitter on wet paint  mini man's card big buddy's card Inside each card we wrote a short note thanking our winner for decorating and explaining that their lights were a favorite.  We also included Isaiah 9:2 which prophesies the birth of Christ The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;  those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them has light shined. mini man's favorite house 

Peppermint Cookies: 3 of 3

Have you ever had cream cheese mints at a wedding or graduation?  You know...the really addictive ones? This recipe is those mints in cookie form. The basic recipe is: Ingredients 1 cup white sugar 2 sticks butter (room temperature) 4 ounces softened neufchatel cheese 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp peppermint extract 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 egg yolk 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour Directions 1) Beat everything except flour together until smooth 2) Stir in flour until well blended 3) Refrigerate dough at least 8 hours 4) Preheat oven to 375 degrees 5) Shape cookies as desired 6) Bake 7-10 minutes The dough is really easy to work with so you can do lots of things with it. The first time we made these cookies, we made candy canes.  Immediately after blending in the flour I removed half the dough (leaving it white) and added several drops of red food coloring to the other half. I then placed both halves in the fridge over night.    both doughs rolle