Best Of...

I was going to do a best of...I was looking through the comments on this blog and the Teaching in my Jammies to see which post got the most comments.

Here's what I discovered:

The home school blog gets more comments overall!

There wasn't one post that had more comments then any others. I didn't count my comments or if people commented more than once.

So, instead, I think I'll tell you some of the best of, of my year.

Our health. Seeing the kids face when they finally get something. Seeing family. God "healing" our truck. Seeing people give their lives for God and the change that he does in them. Seeing the change in DD this year. God stretching our food and supplies, we've never gone without. getting the CT position with Scrap Matters. Making new friends. MANY answered prayers.

I really could go on.

As for New Year's resolutions...I usually don't make any. I do want to be more disciplined in many areas of my life though.

Today the kids and I went to cruces to Hobby Lobby for scrapping supplies to redo the photo board at church. Both kids found somethings to spend some of their Christmas $ on. They were well behaved...total blessing as they have been getting a bit on my nerves. we took down the tree last night. So, back go the boxes and back goes the furniture. Ahhh... I do leave the cards up the longest. So if you're a late sender you'll still make our wall!! Hahaha! Our church is having their three day fast. Tomorrow I have nursery and then the church is having a potluck, no-talent talent show (though there aren't many people signed up), and then we'll pray in the new year.

I need to get to the house now. Have a great day and a Happy New Year!

Mmmm Monday

One more, before we have to go out the door again.

I know that today is Mmmm Monday so I have some helpful food tips.

Here's some to make you food healthier:
Add All-Bran cereal to pancakes, oatmeal, bread for added fiber.
Use equal amounts of applesauce to oil when baking.
Use whole wheat flour, even half it with white flour.
Use olive oil when you can, much healthier then other oils.
When baking 2 egg white equal 1 whole egg, for less fat.
When cooking rice, etc from package, you don't need that oil or butter that the box recommends.

I have a quick post today, very busy!!

I have found this new blog, through another blog (friend). It's called Free Range Kids. The whole idea is letting kids be kids and not living in fear that something bad's going to happen. I have read similar thoughts other places. I just thought I share this with you today as our DC were "free range" today. I had a lot to do, grocery shopping one of them. So when we got to the super Walmart I bought the kids lunch and told them where they could find me. Yes, I let them eat alone. Where they scared, no. Did we find each other, yes. They did good. I did good. (This is probably a bigger step for me then for them.)

In other news, Some of my faithful readers have asked what some of the "codes" I used in my posts. First, I try not to write any of our names, hence the letters.

DS = Dear Son

DD = Dear Daughter

DH = Dear Husband

DC = Dear Children

DL = Down load

LO = Layout (the digital scrapbook pages I make.)

SIL, BIL, MIL, etc = Sister-in-law, and so on

SM = Scrap Matters, my favorite place to scrap

I think that's the main ones. Please do ask if I forgot one!

Missing pics

For some reason these pictures got deleted from the previous post.

Almost a White Christmas!

Every Christmas before we open our presents we read the story of Jesus' birth. 12-27 WE GOT SNOW!! I know it's only a dusting compared to most places, but we are excited. It started last night around 9pm. We had people over and J went out to get some firewood. He called out that it was raining then came back all excited when he realized that it was snow. So this is what we woke up to this morning. He's been out in it for about an hour already!

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish each of you a VERY Merry Christmas! Thank you reading my blog/s. May you have a wonderful day on Jesus' birthday! I've sent out all of the cards and gifts. But for my digi friends, or for those who just want another photo of us, the above card is for you! (you can click on the photo to enlarge it)

Update!

Man...it's been awhile since I last blogged. sorry. We have been good, just busy like everyone else this time of year. I'm going to try to recap events from the past few days for ya.

Thurs. a group of us went caroling and telling people about Jesus. I think only a few of us could actually sing in tune (not me). Our ages went from 60ish to 10. What a wonderful time. We would sing a couple of songs and then a couple of us would give our testimony and share the Gospel. There was one house that REALLY touched me. A dad and his 4/5 yr old daughter. As he held her in his arms the pure joy that was on their face was so moving. I don't think I will ever forget it.

Friday evening we went to a graduation. One of the young men in our church was going to an alternative high school. There were 40 graduating students. I tell you what, I really enjoyed the alternative high school graduation. The kids there were so appreciative to have had teachers who helped them and to be graduating. Our friend actually was able to talk in front of everyone and give his testimony.

Sat was play practice. The play is about a young lady who thinks she has one last chance to get right with God. The performance date keeps getting moved due to mainly finding a place to perform it. Anyway, after the practice was over and most of the cleaning was done, the men/young and old were all in a circle playing hacky sack. Having a good old time. Something about that got to me.

Sun. was church. I girl (young lady) came and I got to pray with her! That was awesome.

Mon. school and running around, waiting in line at the bank for 20 min, etc...

I need to get. School starts in two minutes! Have a great day!

Good morning!! I just have to pop in here and tell you a funny story. You know about our dishwasher that needs to be fixed. Well, we've been doing dishes by hand. Which honestly I really don't mind. I feel rather domestic doing them that way. Anyway, J was doing the washing the other night. R & I were in the other room when J called out, "Is there somewhere you can take your dishes to wash them?" (like a laundromat!) too funny. When we told him know, he asked "Why not?" in a rather disappointed tone. Haha!!

Mmmm Monday

Usually every Christmas gathering in New Mexico serves these wonderful biscochitos. Biscochitos are said to be native to New Mexico, where they are traditionally made with lard. Other names associated with biscochitos are names such as Polvorones or Mexican Wedding Cookies. In Spain they are called Mantecosos. As the "Original Mexican Wedding Cookie" these gourmet treats were cut in the diamond shape because the diamond signified purity for the wedding. They were then sprinkled with white powdered sugar so that everything would be white.
The biscochito (bees-ko-CHEE-toh) was declared New Mexico's official State Cookie with House Bill 406 in 1989. The battle over the state cookie was not about adopting it but how to spell it. Several lawmakers got on the House floor to press for the "s" or"z". Eventually the Senate returned it as "bizcochito".

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup shortening or lard
1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
1 egg
1 teaspoon anise seed
3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350˚F. In a stand mixer or in a bowl with a hand mixer, cream together shortening and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth; add eggs and anise seed and mix well.
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt; add to shortening mixture. Add enough water until dough clumps together, about 1/4 cup. Turn dough out onto an unfloured surface and roll it to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Use a pizza cutter or a knife to cut dough into diamond shapes, or cut out with cookie cutter.
In a small, shallow bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar with 2 teaspoons sugar. Dip the top of each bizcochito into the cinnamon sugar mixture and place on an ungreased sheet pan. Bake for 10 minutes or until edges just start to turn golden. Do not overcook; you want them to be a little soft. If desired, sprinkle hot cookies with additional cinnamon sugar before transferring to a baking rack to cool.
This recipe for Bizcochitos yields 4 to 5 dozen cookies.

Will post photo when we make them! Soon! Can't wait!

Some of my Close "Friends"

I have had a pretty bad cold since Thursday evening. And these products along with cold medicine and LOTS of hot liquids have been my steady "companions".


Whoever thought to put lotion into the tissues is a God send!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! My nose thanks you too!! For my nose...without this Santa could put antlers on me to take Rudolph'a place!! LOL!

These are soo good! Michele you really need to try these!

That's all for today. Hope you won't be needing any of these anytime soon.

I've just discovered Jim Brickman! WOW! Can he play piano. I haven't found a song that I don't like.

Quiz!

Here's another quiz for ya! If it's the 80's I'm on it..LOL! This is my results!

Are You a Child of an 80s?
You Are 76% A Child of the 80s
Not only did you experience the 80s... you are practically an expert.

I'm like Totally Stocked!! Heehee

Cha Ching!

Baseball season is right around the corner!!! I can almost hear the crack of the bats!!

I don't mean to sound like a telethon, but keep clicking those little ads!! heehee! I am a bit over $9! Thanks. I noticed that one of the ads is for Replacements.com. I do know that is a great place to get pieces of your dinnerware for cheaper. My dear MIL has gotten us some beautiful pieces there! If you have a nice set of dishes check it out!

Shhhh...don't read too loud. The kids are on a "new" sort of system. I am not reminding them any more (trying not to) about their chores, etc. I made out a chart for them which they are responsible to read and do themselves. J is vacuuming right now and he has already swept! It's not even 8:00am!! I do laundry M/Th. Have for a LONG time. Well, J didn't put any laundry in the hamper for me to wash. (I know, thank God it's not summer!!) This morning, he was the first one to separate his clothes! I did tell him this morning that if his room is not cleaned by tonight that I was going to take away his Lego's. His room has been a major issue. We took everything out at one point except the essentials and if he kept his room cleaned he could get his toys, etc. back. Also, if they don't do their chores and I have to do them, I get their allowance (which isn't much).

Merry Christ"man"!

Here's a picture of our tag that we had put on our tree. I love this feel of this photo. Too me it captures my husband's manliness and his gentleness (for holding the tag so I could photograph it) all at the same time!

Mmmm Monday

Tis the season for gingerbread houses! Last year I had to make the gingerbread from scratch because I waited too long to buy a kit. This year...let's just say we've had it for awhile! Getting the icing on takes team work!

After some adjustments (smearing the icing) the walls all stuck together!

Decorating the tree.

Adding yellow to the windows.

The two "happy" house builders. They did it themselves after I helped with the "construction".

Watch for a Yummy Christmas recipe next Monday!!

For Anne

Hope this helps warm you up Anne!

Three Things...

These three things I love...Autumn...the colors, the crisp sounds, the chill in the air. My Mother-in-love...we were eating dinner when UPS (another thing I love) come with breakfast from B!!! Thanks! R will probably make waffles soon!! Yumm!

And this pile of laundry...hubby leaves his clothes by the door in the morning, so he doesn't wake me as he gets up very early!

In other news...Denise I think I need to borrow your DH's pink dish gloves. Our dishwasher is broke again. I was loading dishes and the top rack fell. Nothing broke. We've checked into the parts to fix it...but we are going to hold off. It's not an emergency and right now not worth the $$ to fix.

Keep on Clickin!

Just wanted to say thanks for clicking on those ads. I just checked & am at a grand total of $3.72! Woohoo!

Today's Musings

Here's a quick post for you today! The kids are studying science, so I'm grabbing a quick five minutes.

Just wanted to fill you in on some things.

*Our shower fixed itself before we left for vacation. So now the cold and hot both work great and we are loving our full showers again...we smell better too. LOL!

*The dishwasher, as you know got fixed only to have a kid run into it while open. So now the top rack is a bit off, you have to work it nice and easy to pull it in & out.

*The leak by our meter...well, it is still leaking. We found out when we turned our water off for vacation. Call to the plumber.

*We have this site here, like a virtual yard sale. I put some items up on it yesterday...most for $1. It will all go toward our debt fund. I have people contacting me already!! I think if the people buy the stuff we will have 4 or 5 dollars! Got to start somewhere. We got contacted about one of our big ticket items too.

*Oh, I found these pretty plates, bowls & cups at the Dollar Tree! We bought some set before and it seems like we break them, and don't have a complete set (hence the 6 plates). So, for $1 each we now have a great set...and if they break I won't feel so bad. (We do have a very nice set that we only bring out for special occasions.)

*C starts her "job" today!

*I have to tackle a huge pile of laundry, some dishes, etc. today!

Hope you have a great day!

OH! THOSE LITTLE ADS ON THE SIDE OF MY BLOGS...IF YOU CLICK ON THEM AND VISIT THE SITES I AM SUPPOSED TO GET $$. THANKS!