January Food Calendar

Sorry folks, I know I've been slacking lately on the posts. But I finally remembered to post my January menu. Its been a little lazy around here since the holidays but feel free to use my calendar should you wish. It's a very simple quick and easy meal list because I'm all about feeding my kids w/o tons of worry.

Here's a link to my January Food Calendar

Keeping up with life, slowly.
Jenna

A Candid Prayer to God

On Sunday morning one of the elders preached so eloquently at my church that I feel compelled to share just a piece of this sermon with you. As part of his sermon he quoted this letter written by Max Lucado and I think it describes very well how many of us are feeling, and our prayer as well.

Dear Jesus,
It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.
These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?
Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.
Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.
Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.
This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children

By Max Lucado

Ruldoph the Red-Nosed Reindeer mini-unit day

Hello everyone! I like to spend the afternoon with my kids doing fun crafts and yes, watching old Christmas flicks this time of year. Today I decided to duplicate: an old craft and an old movie, the old book, and the old (but never goes out-of-style) song.

the Book

For today's craft you will need:
brown foam paper
clothes pins
brown pipe cleaner
sparkly pipe cleaner (such as silver)
an art bubble eyes
red pom poms
small art bell
glue

I began by cutting out the shape of a reindeer's body. Then attached the brown pipe cleaner as antlers. After that attach the bell to the silver pipe cleaner and wrap around the neck of mr. reindeer by twisting on the back. Use glue (or glue dots) to attach the eye and red pom pom nose. And last, attach the two clothes pins to the bottom to make the legs.

After that you can let the kids watch the old classic, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and snack on some Peanut Butter Wands: pretzel sticks rolled in peanut butter, sliced almonds and dried or fresh fruit.

When the movie is done teach your kids the old classic song by first letting them hear it, and if they can read, print out the lyrics to the song while you sing along.
YouTube
Lyrics
Holiday mini-units are a simple way to fill time in the afternoon when school is done and the kids need something to keep them occupied and out of mischief. Plus it gives me an excuse to "watch" my kids movies.

Merry Christmas,
Jenna

Candy Cane Brownie Lollipops

Candy Cane Brownie Lollipops

1 pkg of brownie mix (plus ingredients to make brownies)
24 candy canes
10 oz. chocolate flavored almond bark
additional decorations such as red sprinkles
mini cupcake liners

1. Line medium sheet pan with 13-in piece of parchment paper; lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Prepare brownie mix according to package and after baked let cool for 20 minutes or until slightly warm.

2. Meanwhile, cut off straight ends of candy canes to form 4 1/2 inch sticks. Place candy cane tops into a ziploc bag and crush using a flat side of a large knife, set aside.

3. Using a medium scoop, scoop brownie into 24 rounded scoops, packing brownie into scoops using hands (the more you place with it the more "doughy" it feels). Roll brownie scoops into smooth round balls. Insert candy cane sticks into centers of balls, mounding brownie around stick.

4. Place almond bark into Small Batter Bowl; microwave according to directions until melted and smooth. Spoon melted bark evenly over each brownie ball, turning to coat completely. Allow excess bark to drip off. Dip into reserved crushed candy canes or additional decorations and stand upright on parchment paper. Repeat with additional almond bark, lollipops and crushed candy. Let stand until set. Place into miniature cupcake liners.

I found this great recipe in an old Pampered Chef Holiday Cookbook and will probably try all the recipes at one point or another because they're all just so delicious looking!

Happy Holiday Baking,
Jenna

Christmas Holiday Wreath

Hi everyone! I hope the holiday season is bringing you joy! 

Every so often I look through magazines and see really great crafts for the home. Sometimes I even buy the supplies but somehow never find the time to get it done or the task seems so big that I just set it aside for "some-other-time." Well this time I saw a great idea from a mag that I just had to try. Its creative, unique and the perfect simple gift for someone very special to me who also happens to love music.

I give you the Holiday Musical Wreath

First I went into an antique store and bought two old music books for about $1.50 each. Then I started by tearing one sheets into fourths for the first two layers. Since the books were from 1929 and 1941 simple folds were enough to tear them without using scissors. Then I rolled and hot glued the rolls tightly over and over again until I had A LOT, maybe 40. Surprisingly this part didn't take too long! I made enough to make two layers, then cut some shorter so they weren't overlapping in length.

After that I took a old cardboard box and traced a large and small circle with two sized bowls. Cut out the wreath then one by one started to hot glue each cone-shaped piece onto the cardboard wreath. Once the first layer was done I trimmed about 1" off the second layer of cones to give the wreath a little more depth.

 

For the third layer I tore the remaining sheets into 16ths to make tiny cones for the top layer. There's no science to this, "unevenness" is better because not all the cones are evenly sized. You might end up with little gaps here and there and you can use the little cones to fill in those spots.

An up-close pic of the three-layered final wreath.

   The end result is a lovely new piece that in all honestly was not complicated to make or expensive. I do not possess the DIY creative gene but this one turned out pretty cute and I totally recommend for all!

Happy Holidays and Craft Making,
Jenna