Christmas Tour

I thought I'd post some pictures of our holiday decor, even though I don't decorate with very much. Another blessing of a small and cozy house--not as much room...not as much stuff to put away!

Potted tree and window candles...come on in! It's cold outside!

Entryway wreath.

Every year I use the same things, for the most part. The last few Christmases we've stuck with a small tabletop tree for a number of reasons...his name is Adam. :-) This year I sensed that it wouldn't be such a temptation and frustration for all parties involved to put up the big tree, and I'm happy to say that has rung true.

I just love my Christmas tree ornaments. Traditional Polish straw stars and snowflakes, various shades of red glass balls, strands of wooden beads, white lights, a big ribbon bow on top, and my newest bargain find: wooden filigree crosses and hearts. I found them in the unfinished wood department clearance bins at Michael's for 25 and 75 cents each! Added some red embroidery floss and voila!

I added Scrabble letters to my nativity scene atop the china hutch. Now if only I could find someone to play SCRABBLE or TAKE TWO with me. My husband is not a board game fan and, well, the rest of the family is still learning how to spell their name. :-P

This tin had some tasty treats in it and now doubles as a candle holder; a gift from my mother-in-law after her trip to Poland this fall.

My music box nativity, a gift from my dad one year.

It plays "Silent Night" and one of my favorite things to do as a kid was to sit in the living room with only the Christmas tree and manger scene lights on, and wind up the ceramic musicbox angels we kept by the tree that played the same song.

Now, if you'll excuse me, my gifts are all wrapped and I've got a hot cup of tea and a book calling my name.

Christmas Children's Book Collection

Over the last 2-3 years I've been gradually adding titles to our Christmas collection of books for the kids. Some are simply fun winter books, but the majority are a wide range of Christmas titles. And I've been pleased to find new or in good condition used copies on amazon--sometimes for pennies.

Here they are in no particular order, along with a few thoughts. (See any of your family favorites?)

1. THE TALE OF THREE TREES: A Traditional Folktale ~retold by Angela Elwell Hunt
This one never fails to choke me up! Three trees, each with dreams of what they'd become when they grew up, and how God's plan for each of them turned out to be very different (but far better) than they ever dreamed.

2. THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY ~Susan Wojciechowski
Our ex-library copy came with a CD narrated by James Earl Jones--which the kids just love. And I could stare at the beautiful watercolored illustrations for hours. They are breathtaking. It's a story of a hardened man rediscovering the meaning of Christmas.

3. THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING ~Rick Osborne
A simple story about selfless giving with a sub-lesson on Saint Nicholas and the origin of hanging Christmas stockings.

4. THE CRIPPLED LAMB ~Max Lucado
The illustrations didn't grip me as some in the other books, but the message that God has a special place for each of us, no matter how different we are, is a treasure.

5. MR. WILLOWBY'S CHRISTMAS TREE ~Robert Barry
This one is just so much fun! Mr. Willowby's tree is too tall for his fancy parlor, so he asks his butler to chop off the top. That top becomes someone else's Christmas tree, but alas it is too tall for their space,...and on and on. My kids ask me to read this one over and over!

6. THE CITY THAT FORGOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS ~Mary Warren
This was my favorite Christmas book from our church library some 30 years ago! It seemed much larger back then. Doesn't everything seem smaller than you remember it as a kid though? It's the story of a carpenter named Matthew who happens upon a village that no longer celebrates Christmas, and how he brings the message of Christ's love through carving a life-sized nativity.

7. THE VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS ~Paul L. Maier
Phenomenal illustrations, true depictions of the ethnicity of Jesus and the Middle Eastern region, and lots of biblical "footnotes" included in the story as it's related from a mother to her son. I found the dialogue between the mother and son distracting and a bit awkward in parts, but the richness of the biblical account totally makes up for it.

8. KATY AND THE BIG SNOW ~Virginia Lee Burton
For the train/tractor fans in your household, you can't go wrong with this story of Katy coming to the rescue for the city of Geoppolis.

9. HUMPHREY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS ~Carol Heyer
The first page contains the most amazing close-up of Humphrey's beautiful, long-lashed, and luminous eye. The second page elicits giggles everytime. Humphrey is the most awkward, goofy-looking camel you ever did see, and his thoughts are only for himself until he encounters the King of Kings. My only qualm with this book is that the three wise men visit the newborn Jesus in the stable, not later as the scriptures teach. A cute book none-the-less. Who can help but fall in love with the unlovely Humphrey?!

10. BEAR SNORES ON ~Karma Wilson
A wonderfully sychopated rhyme of a hibernating bear whose cave becomes a haven from the wintry weather for a gaggle of furry and feathered friends...that is until the bear wakes up! Another book with marvelous illustrations!

11. ONE WINTRY NIGHT ~Ruth Bell Graham
This Christmas book is really an abbreviated account of Creation through the Resurrection; eleven chapters that are for the attention span of at least a 5 year old. The thirty-some beautifully detailed, full page illustrations by Richard Jesse Watson are a feast for the eyes. Only minor details of the text left the impression that the author, Billy Graham's wife, was loosely paraphrasing. I have not yet shared this book in it's entirety with Natalia, but hope to this Christmas. A wonderful tool to bring the BIG picture into focus this holiday season.

12. FROGGY GETS DRESSED ~Jonathan London
This one is just plain silly. Aside from us asking the kids why it was wrong of Froggy to ignore his mother's admonition to go back to bed (frogs hibernate during the winter) this book illustrates the maddening exercise of getting dressed for the cold weather only to forget something!


What are some of your favorite winter/Christmas children's books?

I've picked up The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and want to re-read that one before I decide when to share it. And though it's a chapter book I remember reading Treasures Of The Snow as a young girl. (I am discovering how differently I assess books from my childhood, now that I'm a mother.) I'd also like to get a book that deals with the legend of Saint Nicholas more in depth.

Recipe Repost, Sort of: Lemon Cheese Braid

This is one of our family favorites for Christmas. I like it because it's easy to freeze for whenever I need to take a dessert to a gathering; just slice and pour a sugar/milk/lemony glaze over top.

Last December I posted pictures of it, but upon digging up that post I discovered I had never included the recipe.

So...here it is! Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lemon Cheese Braid
(makes 1 large loaf)
INGREDIENTS:
Bread:
1 Tbsp. yeast
1/3 c. milk + 3 Tbsp. water
1/4 c. sugar
4 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
3-3 1/2 c. flour
Filling:
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. grated lemon zest
Glaze:
1/2 c. powdered sugar
2-3 tsp. milk or water
1/4 tsp. vanilla or lemon extract
*additional zest if desired

DIRECTIONS:
1. Warm milk and water in microwave for 45-60 seconds. Add yeast and let sit 5 mins. til frothy.
2. Add remaining bread ingredients to yeast mixture (start with 1/2 the flour amount and after incorporated with yeast add the remainder). Knead well, then cover and let rise 1 hour in a greased bowl covered with plastic wrap. (I preheat my oven to 200, then as soon as it reached that temp. I turn it off and put my bowl of dough in to rise.)
3. Beat together filling ingredients and set aside.
4. Punch down dough and roll out onto a floured surface. (1 large rectangle, about 10 x 12")
5. Spread filling down the center third of rectangle, lengthwise, then on both sides of the filling cut an equal number of 1 inch wide strips. Fold alternating strips at an angle across filling to "braid" the dough.
6. Carefully transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment, cover and let rise 30-45 mins. more in oven warmed as before.
7. Bake at 375 degrees for about 25-30 mins. Cool completely and refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice, then pour prepared glaze over top.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wordless Wednesday: I Say Socks, He Says Marshmallows

This Season...

...has been busier than I anticipated. Guess I thought life would settle down after we got into the swing of the school year. But life rarely adheres to my expectations. (I know, surprise, surprise.) How comforting it is to know that there is One who is infinitely wise and powerful orchestrating our lives.

Is it just me, or does this time of year seem to be extra "charged"? You can almost feel it in the air. Maybe it's the tension and stress in the people around you that seems more tangible. The holidays are just around the corner, the consumer-driven frenzy seems to have started even earlier (what is up with THAT?!), and to quote the Berenstain Bears, the "galloping greedy gimmies" are on full display. There are days and nights where I just want to stay home and completely shut out the world.

But the world does not go away.

And I am called to be in the world, but not of it.

I am charged to be the hands and feet of Christ to those around me. And if my eyes are open, the needs go on and on and on.

This season has been one in which numerous people in our circle of relationships have had pressing needs...so many are heavy in nature. My heart has been overwhelmed and burdened with the load I see them carrying. I aim to be bold but find myself hesitating because I want the assurance that it'll be the perfect "gift" at the perfect time. I vacillate between wanting to do something to alleviate their suffering, and worrying that I'll over commit myself (and our finances) during this season of already feeling the strain.

Then I remember who my Provider is, and who is the Giver of all wisdom, and I pray.

I pray for the discernment to know what I am to be about, each and every day.
To be lavish in my love towards others, not holding back out of fear or worry or selfishness.
To be wise, and full of faith.
To preserve family time together, and enjoy simple pleasures.
To point to Jesus in all situations, and to teach my children to be looking for Him too.

Lord, help us to be about You and your purposes in this season.

Multitude Monday #8

It's been over a month since I've posted for Multitude Monday. And while life has been quite busy these last few weeks and I've put my blog on the back burner, God has been so good to give us all we need and more.

Multitude Monday is about intentionally fixing my eyes on God's blessings, big and small, whatever the season, whether life is good or the road has been rocky.

106. A successful consignment and purchasing experience at the Weeusables sale, end of September. I was able to find everything I needed for Adam, who is growing like a weed, so believe me there was a list!

107. A date night and a day trip with my man. So thankful for uninterrupted time with him!

108. Applesauce in the freezer! I was alittle more ambitious this year, bought 3 baskets, did it solo, and netted 38 quart jars. We like our sauce!

109. Connecting with old friends.

110. Building upon new friendships.

111. An autumn snowfall!

112. Finishing our 5th and final batch of chickens. My freezer is stocked!!!

113. Shoo fly cake. Great paired with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream and a mug of strong coffee.

114. Restored health. Our whole family had colds for about a week.

115. Sunshine-filled, crisp autumn days.

116. Witnessing another baptism at church yesterday morning. My faith is always stirred, my heart always full, my cheeks always wet with tears. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me eyes to see my need for a Savior.

117. A new-to-us entertainment cabinet for a great bargain. No longer is our bulky TV, DVD and VCR players, and accompanying stuff piled onto an old kitchen table in the basement.

118. An additional upright freezer--another provision from the Lord. Friends of ours were downsizing and asked if we were interested. It couldn't have come at a better time!

119. A very handy and hard-working husband. Our water heater kicked the bucket last week and my hubby once again saved us alot of money by doing the work himself.

120. Time away from our everyday...just the four of us. Literally. There was no one around except for a deer and some squirrels.

121. A successful shopping trip to find new jeans for myself. I loath shopping for jeans. Quite honestly I don't enjoy shopping much either. But, my one and only pair of jeans got a rip in them so I was thrilled to find 2 pair on sale with an awesome coupon to boot!

122. Our care group from church. They are such a means of grace in our lives. And boy, do we have alot of fun together!