Ornaments for our children to give the first Christmas of their marriage

I need to get better at storing away ornaments for my children. Over at one of my favorite blogs:

"Balancing Beauty and Bedlam" 

She paints a picture that really sticks in my mind. About what a wonderful and cherished gift to give to our children and their spouses the first Christmas they will celebrate as husband and wife. Read below and them make sure you check out her blog for more wonderful ideas!

Do You Have a Christmas Ornament Tradition? (Start one now)

As I determine when to pack away our Christmas tree ornaments for another year, I’m continually amazed at how many of our family’s ornaments tell their own story. This year my daughters spent hours looking through each ornament and reminiscing its story – who gave it or made it or  how it was passed down.  Some are purely for show, you know those cookie cutter ones that we all have, but others are part of a heritage, a collection that has been started for each child.

As I young girl, I received ornaments for my hope chest. When I got married it was so special to already have meaningful ornaments for our first Christmas. When our first child was born, I decided I wanted to begin a traditional ornament collection for each of our children as well. I started with a theme, but have since branched out in variety.

One can only buy so many “bear, angel or sports” ornaments.

So each year I buy every child an ornament for their collection. Through earlier error, I now mark each ornament with the child’s initials and the year it was given (or note any special memory tied with that ornament. Yes, you WILL forget, even if you’re assured that will never happen. Ask me how I know.) If I was starting it now, I would keep a “ornament journal” included with the ornaments for those notes because knowing the story behind each ornament doesn’t always fit on the bottom in my “Sharpie” ball point writing.
When each child gets married, I will then pass on this special gift to them for their first Christmas. I know now that they don’t understand the significance of receiving an ornament every year (mainly the guys), but they will…eventually.
Why am I talking ornaments AFTER Christmas? Well, now is a great time to get a jump start on this new tradition. I will pick up special ornaments full price that might signify a trip or memory, but often, I will purchase their annual ornament (or two) this week when prices are slashed. That way I can invest more money than I might normally spend because I want them to be special.

My storage and organization is finally starting to take shape. Slowly,  I have purchased one of the Christmas Memory Boxes above for each child. A Rubbermaid box will work just perfectly as well, but when I finally pass on the gift, my desire is that the box, as well as the ornaments, will be presentational, so I took advantage of the sale. I also have one just for my vintage ornaments and the special ones given from my mom.
If you haven’t started an ornament collection, it’s never to late to start. You can always begin the tradition with a few ornaments for those older children.

 

Our Crockpot recipe contest is still going on!

We've extended our Crockpot Recipe Contest below. 

So you still have a chance to win a Dewars gift certificate!

The closing date to send in your recipes is Dec. 21st. See below for all the rules and guidelines.

The 12 Days of Christmas with a meaning

Rebecca sent me over this link from "The Crafting Chicks" on this great

idea about the 12 days of Christmas. And you know me, I just LOVE stuff like this!

So I ask you to read through it, put your own little twist on it and start a tradition of meaning this year and get started! Check out their blog for a bunch more great ideas. 

Thanks Rebecca for sharing this link!

12 Days of Christmas Ideas

 

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is the 12 Days of Christmas.  For as long as I can remember, my mom has been making up fun little packages of 12 Days gifts for widows or widowers.  She would drive up to 40 miles to deliver these packages, most the time not even knowing the person who was recieiving them, just finding out that they needed Christmas cheer.

We have kind of done this on and off for a few years, but decided to pick this up last year as a family and delivered one bag full of fun gifts to a single lady who doesn’t have family near.  It was so exciting to drop the bag off and run and just know that she was going to have a fun surprise awaiting her each night til Christmas.  This year we are going to deliever to her again and two other elderly couples in our neighborhood.  We can’t wait.  It is such a great thing to teach my young daughters that the real joy in Christmas comes from giving and not receiving.
So here is how you can do the 12 Days of Christmas.

Gather 12 gifts for each person.  Some ideas are:

• Holiday hand towels
• Small box of chocolates
• Holiday note paper
• Holiday pen
• Holiday mug with hot chocolate
• Small holiday decor
• Christmas story
• A holiday place-mat
• Small nativity (Nik’s block nativity would be SO fun)
• Candle
• Ornament
• Snow globe

Basically, I go to the dollar store and find anything that I could use.  Target also has a fantastic dollar section where I found most of these things.  I also will buy some things after Christmas and place them in my Christmas totes to store them for next year.  Then I am ahead of the game with at least a few items.   You will also want to buy a large Christmas bag to place all the presents in. 

Next you will want to wrap your presents.  Make sure you know who is getting what if you are doing more than one person, so that you don’t duplicate presents to someone. 

My mom has written some fun rhymes for each day.  She said that I can share these with you.  It is a Word document and you can make a fun tag with them or do whatever works for you.  Place these on each present and place them all in your sack. 

Take the presents to the lucky recipient, ring the bell and run!  You will be surprised at how exciting and happy you feel!

Now, this isn’t just for people you don’t know.  You could also do a fun 12 Days for your kiddos, your hubby (I’m sure those husbands need a reminder of how much we love and appreciate them), parents, grandparents.  You wouldn’t have to do these in secret.  Just hide the presents somewhere you know they would find them, like in the car for your husband, in your kids dresser.  You could have a lot of fun with this. 

I hope this helps you feel the spirit of giving this season.  Let us know how you go about teaching your kids about service during this season.  We <3 to hear your ideas!!

Merry Christmas!

Becky

Crockpot Recipes

You asked for more Crockpot Recipes so here you go...

So it seems that as busy Moms good Crockpot Recipes are like Gold! I couldn't agree more! A recipe that I can start in the morning and not have to do a single thing to and it not only makes my house smell YUMMY but also makes me look like the BEST Mom Ever...I'm in!

 

So below are a few recipes I have come across. I haven't tried yet but I though I would share. I also thought we would do another Contest.  (The recipes below will not be included in our contest- I just wanted to get you started )

So here's how the contest will work:

1. Email me: Bradshaw4@sbcglobal.net as many recipes as you want to enter. With "RECIPE" in the subject line by Tues. Dec 14th.
2. We will have 4 categories: Main dish, Side Dish, Dessert and Beverage (Again all recipes must be for the crockpot) So if you send multiple recipes to me please specify which category it is at the top of the email. NOTE: We did do this contest over the summer so try and submit NEW recipes. 
3. By Weds. Dec. 15th the recipes will be posted on the blog. I will have a place for you to cast your votes for each category. We will collect votes up 'til Dec. 21st. That's when the Winners will be announced. If for some reason there is a tie I will have our Mentor Moms and Awesome Staff at Olive Knolls help! NOTE: You can only win in 1 category. You can enter all categories but only win once.

WINNER of each category will receive a 

$10.00 Gift Card to Dewars!

Have fun!

Crock Pot Chicken Fiesta
From: Kelsey B. at "Envy My Cooking" blog.

Here

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 2 frozen chicken breast halves

1 can corn, drained 1 c. salsa

1 pkg. taco seasoning 3/4 c. water

Put beans, corn, taco seasoning and water in your crock pot and mix together till seasoning is dissolved. Place frozen chicken breasts on top and spread salsa on chicken. Cook on high 4 hours. Shred meat and serve over rice or in tortillas. Garnish with sour cream and more salsa.

 

Crock-Pot Green Chile Chicken Burrito
From: Jenny. at "Envy My Cooking" blog.
1 can- cream of mushroom
1 can- cream of chicken
1 can- green chilies
4-5 chicken breast
1 can of green enchilada sauce
1 bag-Jack cheese

Throw can of mushroom, cream of chicken, green chilies, and chicken breast together in the crock-pot and cook on low for 5 hours! shred the chicken the last hour!

Fill the tortilla with chicken, (sour cream if you like) and cheese! Roll up like a burrito and spread the green enchilada sauce over the top..... Than top it with cheese- throw in the microwave to get the cheese melted on top- Ready to eat! Enjoy!

Tonight!

Tonight grab some friends and make the rounds for a fun girls's night check out below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come join us at House of Colour

 

House of Colour

9500 Brimhall Rd.

 

for their client appreciation night! No appointment required. 

Sign up to win FREE HAIR SERVICES for a year, 2 $50 gift cards for $79, 25% FLAT IRONS, all hair products 10% off. FOOD, DRINKS AND LOTS OF FUN. T...ONIGHT-WED DEC. 8 5-8
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OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT FROM 4-7 AT LACEYS HOUSE. COME DO SOME SHOPPING!!!! 

•  Scentsy 
• Sassy shelves
• Blessings Unlimited 
• hair flowers 

 

Send me an email if you need directions:

Bradshaw4@sbcglobal.net

A Gift of Rememberance for ME

DECEMBER DAILY

 

So I've been in awe of "Project 365". Our own Rebecca Street did it one year and I thought it was the collest thing ever! We think we will remember every little moment of our lives but honestly there are so many memories I wished I would have documented better. One day I really hope I can accomplish "project 365" but until then I will take baby steps. 

I came across this blog "Echoes of Laughter" and she created a "December Daily", an idea inspired by "Allie Edwards" It's a special gift of keeping those special memories.

So here's a brief overview. Check out both of the blogs above to get the full story and ideas! I encourage you to give it a try! Even if you don't have a fancy scrapbook to put it in or time create those adoarble pages. Go buy a photo book where you can slip the photos in the 4x6 slots and keep room in some of the photo slots to write descriptions/little notes/letters to Santa etc... GET STARTED!!!! TODAY'S DEC.1st GO TAKE SOME PICTURES!

At the bottom you can see my pictures for TODAY!

December Daily is an album project that documents the 25 days leading up to Christmas.

The idea is this: Make a scrapbook page for every day in December up to the 25th.
Sounds daunting, doesn't it?
I tried it last year.
It forced me to slow down a little and reflect~it was such a rewarding experience.
I used a 6x6 scrapbook album that I constructed before December 1st came.
Here are some Christmas memories from 2009 I captured from participating in this project:
December 5th~ the day we trimmed our tree:

December 6th~the day we ate peppermint ice cream before bed:

December 7th~ the day of our Christmas card photo shoot:

8th: The day a child gave me her Christmas Wish List~

December 9th: The day I finished up last minute shopping errands~

Preserving our Family Christmas letter for 2009~

December 11th: The day I mailed the last of our Christmas cards~

going sledding:

Some of the topics that appeared in my album last year included visiting Santa: 

and decorations:

(Photos from, "Echoes of Laughter" and "Alli Edwards")

Here is the Bradshaw Daily December!

 

 

 I want to hear from you if you decide to take this on!

An easy way to decorate cookies with kiddos

Rebecca Street came across this blog post this morning and thought it would be great for all of us moms with little kids. Decorating Christmas cookies with icing can be difficult for little ones and this is an easy way for them to decorate them with less mess!

 

Over at She Wears Many Hats 

She talks about a great way to decorate cookies! Take a look below and then check out her blog for some other great ideas!

When it comes to Christmas traditions in the kitchen, they don’t have to be complicated or fussy. It’s more about spending time with family and friends while creating memories and making some tasty treats.

(All photos are from "She Wears Many Hats" blog)

This tradition is truly simple and sweet.

You’ll need a basic sugar cookie dough (we used the Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix and it worked just great, just don’t tell anyone and they’ll never know), egg yolks, food coloring, sugar sprinkles (optional), cookie cutters and small paint brushes.

Begin by preparing the paints. The paints are just an egg yolk and a few drops of food coloring. So easy. In a small bowl (one for each color) place one egg yolk and a few drops of food coloring of choice. Mix well. Repeat for each color. Set aside.

Next roll out the sugar cookie dough and begin cutting out shapes.

Now for the fun part. The painting.

Be sure to use a separate brush for each color or you may end up with a lot of brown cookies. I like brown. Brown is good. But if you’re wanting your angel to be majestic, I think yellow or red would be a better choice. But that’s just my opinion. If you want a brown angel, go for it. Let the Picasso inside flow. Want a blue Christmas tree? That’s fine too. Rebel.

You can also add sprinkles for a little sparkle.

When finished painting all of your cookies, bake according to recipe directions.