December Birchbox

Here's what December's Birchbox looked like.

Harvey Prince Yogini perfume...Befine Gentle Cleanser...L'Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil

Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss (in Birchbox pink)...Show Stoppers fashion tape...EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster

Gift

Here is the gift I mentioned in THIS POST.

I just love it! Now I want to make one for myself! :)

Christmas...Twenty-Five

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Matthew 1:12 ~ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

II Corinthians 9:15 ~ Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Christmas...Twenty-Four

Tonight we went to Leavenworth, a small town that looks like you're in a Bavarian village. It's a fun place to be at any time of year, but it was especially neat to see it at night with all of the Christmas lights!

Here's just a peek at what the town looks like from the main road.

There were lots of people sledding down this hill.

Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of dad and Josh...not sure what we were thinking. :) This was taken when we were waiting for them to come out of a shop.

Christmas...Twenty-Three

Just some thoughts...

For those who have children, I'm sure they could testify to how much their life changed when they had their first child. It affected their lives in so many ways. 

This time of year we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. How amazing that something so wonderful came to us in the form of a baby. I can't imagine what Mary must have been thinking as she carried the Son of God in her womb for nine months and then raised Him. To look at your Son and know that He was sent to be the Savior of the world. It was that precious baby that would one day perform many miracles, but most importantly He would die on the cross for our sins, and then come back to life proclaiming victory over death.  

Long, long ago a baby was born that would change lives. He has changed mine...how about yours?

Isaiah 9:6 ~ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

John 1:12-14 ~ But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Christmas...Twenty-Two

Finished Braxton's hat tonight! 

Christmas...Twenty-One

I saw this really neat idea on Pinterest for Scrabble tile ornaments.

So, armed with a glue gun I set out to accomplish the task. Here's the results!

[Click on the picture to enlarge it and see them better.]

Christmas...Twenty

This evening we made gingerbread (graham cracker) houses.

The boy was SO happy to eat candy and frosting!

Even though it's blurry, I love this picture because of the look on his face as he's staring at the house! Haha! Once I started having Braxton help put candy on, it seemed pointless to have anything other than a flat roof. It's not very pretty to look at, but I *think* he enjoyed it. At least I know he enjoyed eating the candy! I was trying to tell him to put the candy on the house and he would grab a piece, start to eat it and then try to put it on the house. Then I promptly removed the piece of candy. :)

Maggie's 'attacked by gummy bears' house. Lol

Christmas...Nineteen

Here's a few videos from Handel's Messiah! Love it!

Christmas...Eighteen

The Christmas program at church today went really well. Praise the Lord!

I've been working on a homemade gift today. It's given me quite a bit of trouble too! I'm crocheting a gift for someone and had to purchase yarn 3 times before I got the right kind/color I needed. Now that I have the right yarn and started making it, it wasn't turning out the way I wanted/needed it to. So, now I'm crocheting something completely different. Oy! Praying it turns out and the recipient likes it! I'll post a picture after Christmas, because I'm not sure if they read my blog or not. :)

Christmas...Seventeen

Tonight we went to a nearby outdoor skating rink. I thought for sure there would be other people there, so it was quite a surprise when we pulled up and the rink was EMPTY! We had it all to ourselves the entire time we were there. It was SO nice! We had such a blast and definitely plan to do it again!

Josh was the first to fall! Haha

On the way there we were all voting on who we thought we would fall first. Josh got one vote, Dad one, and Mom three. Maggie and I didn't get any votes, and we were the only ones that didn't fall. :)

This is one of those activities that you wonder to yourself..."Why don't we do this more often??"

Couples skating :)

Family fun <3

Christmas...Sixteen

When I was younger we used to make it a tradition every year to drive around the neighborhoods and look at Christmas lights with my dad's parents. For whatever reason, we stopped doing it. I think maybe we just weren't able to spend as much time at their house around Christmas because of everyone's busy schedules.

As I was writing a list of things I wanted to do in my countdown to Christmas, I remembered that old tradition and wanted to make sure it came back this year! So this evening we bundled up, stopped by DQ and got sundaes :) and then drove around the neighborhoods looking at lights.

The local newspaper had a handy little map that showed where different light displays were that were part of a home/business contest, but after we went to the first one and decided we had seen better ones we just drove around. There were some pretty decent displays, but nothing like I remember in Port Angeles. I guess that's what you get in a small little town. :)

Here's the only house I took a picture of. Honestly, they didn't get much better than this. BUT...it was a nice evening spent with the family and that's what counts!

Christmas...Fifteen

Today I worked on some Christmas presents.

Braxton LOVED having paint on his hands!

Poor Lizzie wasn't as happy.

Two more Christmas presents finished! Ten days to go!!

Christmas...Fourteen

Instead of telling you that I've eaten more than my fair share of Christmas cookies today =), how about I share some favorite Christmas movies? Sound good?? As I think about it, there are lots of movies that I enjoy watching this time of year, but my top 2 favorites would have to be...

White Christmas

The Christmas Card

. What are your favorite Christmas movies?

Christmas...Thirteen

Thought I would wrap some present tonight. :)

An extra hand (or paw) around is always nice. Haha

Christmas...Twelve

Tonight we had a ladies Bible study. A wonderful time of food, fellowship and a devotion from God's Word. It was also the cookie exchange...Mmm!

I made Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies. They're very rich, but oh.so.delicious! Plus, they're gluten and dairy free. You can find the recipe HERE.

Source

I also made Chicken Italian Appetizers. So easy to make, and they look neat too! Perfect bite size food for that Christmas party you're hosting or going to. :) You can find this recipe HERE.

Source

Christmas...Eleven

I was sitting here thinking it was about time to go to bed, and then it hit me...I haven't posted yet! So here is day 11 for ya!

Things from today...

Great preaching from the Word of God

Playing the piano and flute (yay!) for congregational singing...not at the same time! :)

Practicing music for next Sunday's Christmas program

Sweet fellowship with new friends!

I've been learning to play this song (not quite the same arrangement though) for next Sunday. Great song...It's Still the Greatest Story Ever Told!

Christmas...Ten

I did it! I finished my Christmas shopping today! Woo Hoo!! I still have a few more handmade gifts to make, but the shopping is done!

How is your Christmas shopping coming along??

Christmas...Nine

Tonight I made popcorn balls! Haven't had those in a long time...yummy!

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 5 cups miniature marshmallows
• 
  
• Add vegetable oil to a 4 quart saucepan, and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add popping corn. Keep pan moving constantly. When corn stops popping, remove from heat. Put popcorn in prepared pan. [OR you could do what I did...microwave popcorn in a brown paper bag...so easy!]
• 
  
• Melt butter In a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and cook until melted, stirring constantly. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and mix with spoon to coat evenly.
• 
  
• Let mixture cool slightly. Smear butter on your hands or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Mix popcorn with your hands so that it is evenly coated.

Form popcorn into balls.

Here's another popcorn recipe we usually make this time of year...Caramel Corn!

2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
2 sticks butter
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Dash of salt
8 qts of non-buttered popcorn
 

Mix sugar, syrup, and butter. Boil 5 minutes. (As tempting as it may be, do NOT stir while it's boiling.) Remove from heat. Add baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Pour immediately over popcorn. Mix until popcorn is completely covered with caramel and bake for 1 hour at 200 degrees. Put on wax paper, separate, and enjoy!

You could even take it to the next level by drizzling your favorite chocolate over it. Mmmm!

Christmas...Eight

Thanks to those who entered my giveaway! I'm sure you're just dying to know who won, right? Earlier today I wrote the names of those who entered on pieces of paper, mixed them up and had Braxton pick one. :) The winner is....*drumroll please!*

Jennifer!

Congratulations, Jennifer! You should have an e-mail from me requesting your mailing address.

To finish off today's countdown I'll leave you with a couple songs from one of my favorite Christmas movies.