CHRISTmas Questions Part II
Posted on 2008-Nov-21 at 04:49 by Kim Wolf<>< - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link
Got this one from Jen...
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? YES! lol Usually bags for friends and wrapping for family. Don't know why, it just ends up that way. My FAVORITE wrap is brown paper tied w/twine or raffia w/some sort of CHRISTmas Stampin' Up stamps.
2. Real tree or Artificial? We used to do the real ones, but I pick up quills ALL year, so we have used a fake one for years. Last year, however, we got the most wonderful tree!! It's very rustic - just the way I like it - it has just a touch of "snow" (so it doesn't look 'cheap') and pine cones and we put only vintage and rustic ornaments on it. LOVE IT! I hate to take it down!
3. When do you put up the tree? If not the day after Thanksgiving, then the weekend following.
5. Do you like eggnog? No.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmmm...my Barbie Dream House. I'm old enough that it was the second edition, still cardboard, but it was WAY cool!!
7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom. She's very well off and has 2 of everything. 
8. Easiest person to buy for? My dog, Maggie!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes; it's the one my family has had since I was about 3 years old and is starting to fall apart. I'd like to get replacement Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus and a few animals from the company that does the wooden angels for all occasions (shoot, can't think of the name). While I'm at it ... I CAN'T STAND to see the wise men in a nativity scene!! They didn't find Jesus until He was 2 years old, for Pete's sake...so put them waaaaay over on the other side of the house that they can make a journey of it!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both. If I have your e-mail address, you'll probably get an e-mail; family and friends w/o e-mail get cards.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? OK...I'm serious here...no joke...My dear grandma was a very frugal gal, having lived through the Depression she was always thinking of USEFUL things to give. The first CHRISTmas we were married she gave us a can of Crisco w/a bow on top!! lol 
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White CHRISTmas.
13. When do you start shopping? Usually in December.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes. 'Nuff said.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's stuffing!
16. Lights on the tree? White.
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night and I Wonder as I Wander. I have a really beautiful arrangement of 'I Wonder...' that I worked out on my hammered dulcimer.
18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? We usually go to my mom's house.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? Possibly...um...no.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A rustic star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We have our OWN family CHRISTmas on CHRISTmas Eve morning - when the girls were little we were always rushing all over the place and we weren't making OUR OWN memories and they couldn't enjoy their news clothes or toys. So, when our oldest was about 5 we started our own tradition on the day before.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year. The emphasis on Santa and stores putting up CHRISTmas - eh hem - I mean 'holiday' decorations BEFORE halloween!! 
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Rustic, vintage.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Didn't I answer that? My mom's stuffing.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A digital camera.
Thanksgiving Wishes
Posted on Nov. 21, 2008 at 04:00 PM by HSB Front Porch - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link
Nothing purchased can come close to the renewed sense of gratitude for having family and friends. ~Courtland Milloy
This season, I am increasingly aware of the blessing of family and friends. And you wonderful folks here are some of those I feel priveleged to count among my friends; though our connection is just a "cyber" one, I feel a kinship with many of you who are part of this little community.
I received this little poem in my inbox from another dear friend, and would like to share it with you:
The Computer Prayer
Dear Lord,
Every evening as I'm lying here in bed,
This tiny little prayer
keeps running through my head.
God, bless my mom and dad
And bless my little pup
And look out for my sister
When things aren't looking up.
And God, there's one more thing
I wish that you could do
Hope you don't mind my asking
But please bless my computer too.
Now, I know that's not normal
To bless a motherboard
But just listen for a second
While I explain to you, my Lord.
You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends.
Inside those small compartments
Are a hundred of my 'friends'.
I know for sure they like me
By the kindness that they give
And this little scrap of metal
Is how I travel to where they live.
By faith is how I know them
much the same as you
I share in what life brings them
From that our friendship grew.
Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above
To bless this scrap of metal
That's filled with so much love!
author unknown
I pray you have a lovely Thanksgiving holiday, surrounded by the the blessing of family and friends, enjoying some of the bountiful harvest from your gardens!
I will be back visiting with you on the Front Porch soon. Our family is once again "on the move", so it may be a few days until the computer has a new spot in our little nest, and is set up and ready to go. First must come other things...the kitchen, the bedrooms, the bathrooms (oh, they need some serious attention), and of course, a nice sunny spot indoors for my potted herbs.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!!!
Blessings to you and yours,
Catherine
CHRISTmas Memories
Posted on 2008-Nov-21 at 01:29 by Kim Wolf<>< - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link
Got this in an e-mail and thought it was cute. KW<><
The holidays are near so I want to know...
1.
Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot chocolate!
2.
Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Nope, never did the Santa-thing. Jesus supplies the gifts – that’s what we’ve always told them.
3.
Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White
4.
Do you hang mistletoe?
yes
5.
When do you put your decorations up?
always right after Thanksgiving :)
6.
What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
My mom’s stuffing.
7.
Favorite holiday memory as a child:
When I was about 11, I couldn’t sleep one Christmas Eve night and I had my radio on. It was about 2a.m. and Nat King Cole’s “Chestnuts Roasting” came on while huge, fluffy snowflakes floated down outside my windows. Ahhhh.
8.
When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
2nd or 3rd grade.
9.
Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes. So that OUR family can make our own Christmas memories, we open our own presents on Christmas Eve morning so that it’s not interrupted by having to leave to go to someone’s house.
10.
How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
We got a new Christmas tree last year that is very real-looking w/just a little ‘snow’ and pinecones on it. We put away many of our more trendy ornaments for the girls to have one of these days and now only use the more vintage and backwoods-looking ornaments. It’s very rustic and I LOVE IT!!
11.
Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I love snow...especially when I’m inside looking out!
12.
Can you ice skate?
That’s up for interpretation…I’ve roller skated all my life and only ice skated once.
13.
Do you remember your favorite gift?
Christmas of 1998, Ty got me my hammered dulcimer!!
14.
What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Remembering God's gift to us in His Son Jesus and having my family all together for Christmas.
15.
What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Pumpkin pie and red velvet cake.
16.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
The big family meal – everyone together and happy.
17.
What tops your tree?
A rustic star
18.
Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Definitely giving
19.
What is your favorite Christmas Song?
O Holy Night and I Wonder as I Wander
20.
Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Yum.
21.
What do you want for Christmas?
A digital camera
22.
Do you attend an annual Christmas Party?
Ty’s work and – if can call it a party – our annual Christmas Eve service.
23.
Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs?
When I was little we dressed up for the meal. Now we just wear ‘nice’ jeans and maybe a ‘dress’ blouse/shirt or sweater.
24. Do you own a Santa hat?
nope – don’t do the Santa-thing here.
25.
Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
Our family ~~ Christmas Eve day is for our own family; the weekend before Christmas day is w/Ty’s side of the family, Christmas Day is usually w/my side of the family.
Wishing I had more time to post here to ya'll
Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 11:28 AM by FaithfulAcres - 1 Comments - Link
We are living here in Linden, or should I say south of Linden. Its beautiful here in fall but boy it sure feels more like winter already. Tonights low is 15 and we have been 2 weeks with no furnace due to the electrical fire in it . We have rented a 14x60 2 bedroom 2 bath. Now imagine me trying to sort through all the stuff that we brought with us from our 2200 sq ft house, after getting rid of half of it. We only brought our beds and my sewing stuff and my soap stuff and my homeschool stuff, crib, changing table, porta crib, high chair, fold up tables and 2 folding chairs, 2 bins of toys that were left of the girls ( baby dolls and tea set, little people house and farm, noahs ark and play set.) All the bathroom, kithen stuff and what food I could bring with us. I am sorta set on baking supplies for a month maybe less and it seems that I only run low on milk and meat, potatoes and those things that come from a garden. Since we were moving we didnt really plant a huge garden as we wouldnt be there to can things. We left for TN Aug. 2nd. I did have meat in the freezer but it was not able to travel down with us , what I tried to bring spoiled on the way down though packed good. Yes I brought my electric sewing machine and serger and vacume and our computers. ( 2 desktops and one laptop with wifi capabilities)
Well the point is we thought we were coming down with less and yet in the RV and in this smaller home it seems like alot of stuff. So what is really needed anyways ? Well as I sort through it all much is going in boxes to be sold. To raise money for other needed things. ie. land, cabin or small home, wood cookstove. After all that was the idea, to move here and eventually get land and homestead more then we had been in NY. Somehow living the countrylife no longer seems like homesteading once you have visited many here that life off the grid and have built their own home, rustic as they are, they are home and boy they seem nice to me. What is life all about anyways ? Was it about nice rooms with painted and papered walls ? Was it about having a nice bathroom with all the fixtures and such ? No, it is nice to see an outhouse now with paper holder, a light in there and ya know what ? copies of countryside and a real toiet seat !!!! Fancy huh !!!!
Some here have solar, some are living no electric substitute at all and each encourages us to strive toward whatever the Lord tells us is for us to do and each gives "My use to be DH who said we will never go non-electric and we will never live like the Amish" A new vision for our lives. The first goal was to live on what money we do have or can make and live on less or with less. Unless it can make you more money or serves a purpose that is useful, it has no real value here. ( I will admit I have my country tins, crock, and rooster things with me, but they serve a purpose too. My rose bowl and pitcher and my tea set will be used not just sit on a shelf for looks anylonger. Here DH has a shed to keep his tools in and we can keep our goats here. All the new ways are blessings and those we meet are the best blessings in our new life here in Linden TN. The likemindedness is in the fact that Jesus died for each of us and though we are each different in our degree of living the life of plain and simple living, we are all sharing the fact that Jesus died for us to save our souls.
Wensday night we attended a local sing, the glorious sound of our blended voices while we blend our lives in friendship I am sure is the most wonderful thing to the Lord God.
Blessed to be in His Child
Love
Linda
Faithful Acres Homestead
Baby, it’s Cold Outside!
Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 09:32 AM by Angela - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link
I love this time of year. Its 25 degrees here in North Texas and it’s a time when lots of baking goes on around here and the oven is keeping the house nice and warm. My DH is not fond of the cold because he sometimes has to work and feeds the critters everyday even when the temperatures are nippy. So, in order to make his efforts worthwhile, I try to have the house clean and the aroma of his favorite foods after a long day of work. So, last night, I had DD bake homemade chocolate chip cookies and I made fajitas from the leftover steak we had the night before. The smell of onion, bell peppers, and sizzling steak along with fresh cookies seemed to make his day. DH also asked me if I would make a little bit of coffee after our meal. This always indicates to me when he is in total comfort and glad to be home for the evening. Needless to say, we had a lovely evening together talking at the dinner table and enjoying each other’s company.
I have lots of things I need to accomplish today. DD is having a birthday party this weekend. It will be at the local Dairy Queen. We have a lovely DQ here. It is owned by some wonderful local people and it is the perfect and easiest place to have a party this time of year. In addition, I decided to have it at the DQ because it is convenient for the parents to drop off their child while they run a few errands. And, it also has a playground for the children to play if the weather is nice. The theme for the party is “High School Musical” and I am having a friend make a Gabriella doll cake. Needless to say, DD is excited and I know this will be a memorable party for her.
My college class is going well. I am taking a Biology class and I’m in the 5th week of this 8 week course. My next class will be Introduction to the Gospels. After the BIOL class, I am finished with all core classes with the exception of the Bible classes. The university I am attending is wonderful. All my studies are online and I will finish my degree in Psychology soon. Since my grades are excellent, I will apply for graduate school. I’m not sure in what area of study I would like pursue, so I will continue to pray and ask God for guidance. My intentions were to teach public school. But, after looking at the other opportunities available in the teaching field, there are plenty of other options for me to consider. My dad works as a guard in a prison and he tells me that there is a need for good teachers there. My ultimate goal is to teach online courses. This way, I could homeschool our daughter and still work at the same time. But, whatever the Lord wants me to do is the desire of my heart.
Well, I could sit here all day and fill this page up with more but I think I will save the rest for another post. I wish everyone a safe and wonderful Friday!
DD making cookies
The Finished Product
Delicious!
My first try at ZIPPERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 01:22 by Gabbie - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link
I am in a swap online, and my swap partner has specifically requested throw pillows for her living room couch. We made a deal that if I make the pillow covers, she will buy the inserts for them if I make them a standard size. That way the shipping won't be so costly. I hope she loves them!!! The fabric was on her wish list, so I think she will.
And the bonus is, zippers are not that hard!! I am thinking of buying some smaller zippers and making some wristlets and makeup bags sometime soon!!
Here is a pic:
And here is a close up of the fabric:
I finally made myself an apron!! IT"S MINE!! ALL MINE!!!
Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 01:19 by Gabbie - 3 Comments - Post Comment - Link
I have been sewing and crafting for others so much lately (and I honeslty do enjoy it), but decided the other day to take 15 minutes to spend on my own apron. I have had this apron laying in a stack on my sewing table 1/2 way done for 2 months or so now. LMSO Sad isn't it??? But alas, it is done, and I love it!!!!
Here is a pic:
Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer
Posted on 2008-Nov-20 at 02:13 by Crystal Miller - 3 Comments - Post Comment - Link
I love the liquid coffee creamers that come in all kinds of yummy flavors, but… I don’t like the unhealthy ingredients they contain. So every now and again I try my hand at making my own with better quality ingredients. I made this one today and I hope you enjoy it too!
.
.
Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer
Crystal Miller
1 cup half-n-half
½ cup cane juice crystals (can use white sugar instead)
3T canned pumpkin
½ t vanilla
½ t cinnamon
¼ t ginger
1/8 t nutmeg
1/8 t cloves
Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat until cane juice crystals dissolved and ingredients are well combined. Enjoy in a hot cup of coffee. Store in refrigerator.
.
.
Garden Jobs by the Month
Posted on 2008-Nov-20 at 01:50 by Kim Wolf<>< - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link
I really enjoy my Old Farmer's Almanac newsletter and I have learned so much from it. Today's newsletter offered and link to "Gardening Jobs by the Month," which is of interest to me as a novice gardener. So many of those of you that I've spoken to lately are considering either planting a kitchen garden next year or expanding the one you already keep, so I thought you might benfit from this information, too. Here's the link:
http://www.almanac.com/garden/jobs/index.php
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><
Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer
Posted on Nov. 20, 2008 at 12:31 PM by HSB Front Porch - 5 Comments - Post Comment - Link
I love the liquid coffee creamers that come in all kinds of yummy flavors, but… I don’t like the unhealthy ingredients they contain. So every now and again I try my hand at making my own with better quality ingredients. I made this one today and I hope you enjoy it too!
.
.
Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer
Crystal Miller
1 cup half-n-half
½ cup cane juice crystals (can use white sugar instead)
3T canned pumpkin
½ t vanilla
½ t cinnamon
¼ t ginger
1/8 t nutmeg
1/8 t cloves
Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat until cane juice crystals dissolved and ingredients are well combined. Enjoy in a hot cup of coffee. Store in refrigerator.
.
.
Crystal Miller
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