Weekend Links

Tealight Village Tutorial

Cooling Rack Christmas Card Holder

Burned Wood Christmas Ornaments

Melted Snowman Ornament

Sweet and Savory Compound Butter

This Week:

What I Made: I made some Christmas projects for the kids, addresses the rest of the Christmas cards to go out, and baked till I dropped on Thanksgiving!  :-)

What I'm Reading: I just started the book club book for December.  Light read for the holidays... have you picked it up yet?  Any book club ideas for 2014?

What I'm Doing: Celebrating a second Thanksgiving with my in-laws...

What I'm Watching: If you were following on Facebook, you'd see that I was working through a couple of Walton movies...  we love the Walton's.

What I'm Enjoying: The last few days of Thanksgiving break... Christmas lights... spoiling my niece and nephew... pumpkin pie cake!

What are you up to?

Happy Thanksgiving

(Image Credit)

Wishing you a Holiday

Blessed with much to be Thankful for!

Turkey Appetizer

Looking for a last minute Thanksgiving appetizer?  I'm sure you've seen these cute little turkey appetizers around so I had to add mine as well.  Easy, quick, and nutritious... just pair with your favorite low fat dip and you've got a great start to your meal.

*Linked to these Parties

25 Books for a Christmas Book Avent

One Christmas Night

Gingerbread Mouse

Gingerbread Friends

Room for a Little One

God Gave Us Christmas

Bear Stays Up for Christmas

Santa's Favorite Story

Silver Packages: an Appalachian Christmas Story

Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect

The Mitten

Polar Express

The Animal's Christmas Eve

Mickey's Christmas Carol

I Spy: Christmas

The Littlest Angel

Froggy's Best Christmas

Snow Happy to Be Here!

A Christmas Tree for Pyn

Who's that knocking on Christmas Eve?

Christmas City

Olivia helps with Christmas

Little Bunny and the Magic Christmas Tree

Christmas Magic

The Donkey's Dream

Prairie Christmas

*Linked to these Parties

10 Goals this Week

Here's how I did on my goals this week:

Parenting:

*Take kids on dates

*Take kids on field trip

Blogging:

*Finish book club book

*Finish 1-2 unfinished posts

Homemaking:

*Work on Christmas cards

*Try 1-2 new recipes

*Hang Christmas lights

*Finish 2 Christmas projects

Personal:

*Get 8.5 hrs sleep/night (about half the time)

*Workout 3-4 days

These are My 10 Goals for the Week:

Parenting:

*Take kids on reward lunch

*Finish a couple of projects

Blogging:

*Finish review book

*Finish 1-2 unfinished posts

Homemaking:

*Finish Christmas cards

*Try 1-2 new recipes

*Work on Christmas projects
*Make cookies 

Personal:

*Get 8.5 hrs sleep/night

*Workout 3-4 days

What are your goals this week?

2013 Advent List

Here's our 2013 Advent List.  As you know, I try to come up with a small little thrill each day for my kids from Dec 1st to the 25th.  Now I hold this list lightly.  I don't post it for the kids.  This is a list for my eyes only.  So if the day gets hectic, we aren't tied to the schedule.  But this list just keeps me on track and reminds me of the wonder of the holidays.  It's a way of keeping me in check and reminding me to make time for the little things.  Hope this inspires you as well.

Dec 1st--Make Gingerbread playdough
Dec 2nd--Set up Little People Nativity Set
Dec 3rd--Bake treats for neighbor
Dec 4th--See Cascade Christmas
Dec 5th--Go look at Christmas lights
Dec 6th--Put up Christmas tree
Dec 7th--Go to Christmas Parade
Dec 8th--Wear PJ's to dinner
Dec 9th--Read books under the Christmas tree
Dec 10th--Make a craft with jingle bells
Dec 11th--Make spiced cider
Dec 12th--Go Christmas caroling
Dec 13th--Watch a Christmas movie
Dec 14th--Lydia's birthday party/
Dec 15th--Make Hot Choco Playdough
Dec 16th--Game night
Dec 17th--Decorate Gingerbread houses
Dec 18th--Wear Christmas socks
Dec 19th--Make bird feeders
Dec 20th--Christmas party/ watch a Christmas movie
Dec 21st--Lydia's birthday/ sing some more Christmas carols
Dec 22nd--Make peppermint bark
Dec 23rd--Star gazing in the backyard
Dec 24th--Color Christmas pictures
Dec 25th--Enjoy Monkey bread breakfast

Weekend Links

Every Heart Matters

11 Pieces of Advice Every Millennial Should Hear

Thanksgiving Napkin Ring

Thanksgiving Bingo

Thanksgiving Table Centerpiece

This Week:

What I Made: I started some Christmas projects: Dancing Ribbons for the toddler and a sleeping bag for my 6 year old's American Girl.

What I'm Reading: I'm reviewing a book for another blogger.  But with this crazy week, I hadn't gotten much read.

What I'm Doing:  I'm pruning back the roses and we're hanging Christmas lights today.  It's the changing of the seasons. 

What I'm Watching: Nothing new actually.  I've been watching old episodes of 19 Kids and Counting.

What I'm Enjoying: The cooler weather... Christmas planning... a break from school...  

What are you up to?

2013 November Bookmarks

*Bookmarks is an online book club hosted at Creative2xmom. Here we discuss the books we've read in the past month as well as the suggested reading. Our suggested reading for November was Steady Days by Jamie Martin.

These are the books I read this month:

Women Living Well by Courney Joseph-- See my review here.

Adventure Bible Storybook-- See my review here.

A Home for my Heart by Anne Mateer-- See my review here.

Our suggested reading for November was Steady Days by Jamie Martin--  Matin has long since been one of my favorite blogs and I frequently find myself nodding my head as I read both Steady Mom and Simple Homeschool.  While the philosophy behind this book is a lot of what you'll read on her blog, she also fleshes it out with some practical ideas as well.  How to implement a learning board in your home, how to continue learning with a scrapbook of ideas, and how to structure your day toward professional motherhood.  The back of the book is filled with worksheets to help all of us in structuring our own days as well.  For a long time, my own goal has been to elevate motherhood to professional statue, giving it the same time and energy that I would any other job.  This book offers the encouragement needed for all of us to see the value in what we do and how to keep growing in our field.  This is a great book for first time moms and a good reminder for the rest of us.

So what are your bookmarks this month?

Tell us in the comments about the books you're chewing on. Or link up a review from your own blog. Let's share the books we're finding, good and bad. And give us your thoughts on From Frumps to Pumps by Sarah Mae.

And join us Dec 20th as we discuss Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson. And be on the lookout for 2014's Bookmark Book List coming soon.  Can't wait to see you then.

*Linked to these Parties

Thanksgiving Cards

Recently I had the opportunity to get away for the weekend and do some scrapbooking with my mom.  While I was there, I mixed in some card making, just when I need a break and a chance to do something new.  I wanted to make some cards for my niece and my nephew so put together these Turkey Cards.  If you have a thinner oval cut on your cricut, these would be even cuter.  But work with what you've got and you can't go wrong.  Hope these inspire!

*Linked to these Parties

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #13: Ready for Fall Blessing

Ready for another challenge?

The tree in our front yard is dropping leaves like crazy.  I love this time of year with the changing colors and the kids living it up in the huge pile of leaves.  They make for a lot of fun ... and a lot of messiness.

What if we all took our rakes, our energy, our warm autumn afternoons and raked someone else's backyard?  An elderly neighbor?  A disabled vet?  That single mom who is busy round the clock?  What if we just showed up, uninvited, and raked someone else's yard?

So that's your challenge... my challenge... our challenge!  Here's to the secret leaf raking society!

A Home for My Heart {Review}

Sadie loves the Raystown Home For Orphan and Friendless Children.  Each child that walks through the door has a special place in her heart.  As the assistant to the head matron, she is responsible for school work, chores, and generally loving and parenting her charges.  Her work is fulfilling and yet, haunting in so many ways.  

So when the head matron retires, Sadie early accepts the position.  Without thought of the consequences.  Including the fact that the matron cannot be married.  Her fiance also makes a decision without her, leaving them both to wonder if there's a future for them together.

As Sadie discovers all the pressure of her new position, her judge of character is put to the test as well.  Who will win her heart: Earl or Blaine?   Who will best assist her: youth or experience?  And who will save the home from closing?  The pressures mount, and as a former Raystown resident, can she overcome her past in time?

Anne Mateer was a new author for me.  I thought this book might be something I'd be interested in and the time period (early 1900's) and setting would be a change of pace for me.  Although new to the Christian fiction scene, Mateer crafted a respectable story with endearing characters and a suspenseful feeling.  This is a book full of twists and turns, and although I knew how the story should end, I wasn't always sure it would get there.

My only criticism is that occasionally the Christian morals felt a bit as though they were haphazardly thrown into the story.  It wasn't disjointed, but rather sporadic and not well woven.

But for a new writer this was certainly a respectable book and one that I would recommend.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review.  All opinions are my own.

Fall Sensory Box

*Linked to these Parties

10 Goals this Week

Here's how I did on my goals this week:

Parenting:

*Finish LP grades

*Take kids on dates

Blogging:

*Finish review book, work on book club

*Finish 1-2 unfinished posts

Homemaking:

*Finish calendar, Christmas cards

*Hang Antiquities photos

*Try 1-2 new recipes

*Make shortbread cookie dough to freeze (made Molasses cookies instead)

Personal:

*Get 8.5 hrs of sleep/night (about 4 nights)

*Workout 3 days (only 2, got sick)

These are my 10 Goals for the Week:

Parenting:

*Take kids on dates

*Take kids on field trip

Blogging:

*Finish book club book

*Finish 1-2 unfinished posts

Homemaking:

*Work on Christmas cards

*Try 1-2 new recipes
*Hang Christmas lights
*Finish 2 Christmas projects

Personal:

*Get 8.5 hrs sleep/night

*Workout 3-4 days

What are your goals this week?

Weekend Links

Pilgrim Hats

Pumpkin Vases

Thanks Vases

Teepee Treats

Mayflower Nut

This Week:

What I Made: I made a bunch of birthday cards to carry me over into 2014.  And I made Thanksgiving cards for my niece and nephew.  I'll put them up next week.

What I'm Reading: I'm working on a review book that I should finish today or tomorrow.  The setting is really different from what I'm used to.  Will try to share in the next couple of weeks.

What I'm Doing: Planning out our day... shopping, laundry, and a birthday party.

What I'm Watching: Lately I've been trying to catch up on old Once Upon a Time episodes.  This season is really different and I'm not sure what to think of it.  We'll see how it plays out.

What I'm Enjoying: Pumpkin and peppermint... two favorite flavors of the year.  We're also making lots of zucchini muffins lately.

What are you up to?