Tasty Tuesday: Slow Cooker Holiday Ham

"Mom! That is the BEST ham ever!" was heard from all three children when Christmas dinner was served. For us, Christmas just doesn't seem the same without ham lately and well... I found an amazing way to cook this delish main course that really took all of three minutes worth of effort!

Ingredients

Spiral cut ham (make sure you have a slow cooker that can hold it ~ see note below if it is too "tall")
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
Glaze that came with ham

As you can see there will be plenty of "juice" so please do not add any liquid!

Directions

1. Open ham! (LOL)
2. In bottom of slow cooker put 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
3. Place ham slices side down on top of sugar.
4. Pour glaze on top.
5. Bake in slow cooker on low for about 4-6 hours (depending on size)

*Note*
If your ham fits but it is too tall ~ just wrap foil around covering and sealing to top of slow cooker.

It really is THAT easy. It truly leaves time to get other dishes prepared or to enjoy family time with your family.

We are going to do it again on Thursday for New Years Dinner!

I received the best gift!

By the time many of you read this, it will be too late but Merry Christmas to you and your family from the One Pretty Little Box house! But more than that i wanted to share one of the best gifts I have been given!

Do you know what it is? The gift of peace, joy, harmony, and true Christmas spirit!

This has truly been one of the most peaceful, calm and enjoyable Christmas' that I can remember. Sure, I was tired for a big portion of the day due to lots of busy activity prepping but let me tell you .... Christmas couldn't have been better.

From Thanksgiving through till now I have seen my husband more at peace and enjoy the holidays more than I have seen since we have been married. We will celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary in May.

No anxiety from family gatherings.
No irritability.
No arguments.
No foul moods.

Just Joy.
Just Peace.
Just Love.

Merry Christmas to all...... and to all a good night!



**Don't forget! You have ONE MORE DAY to enter to win a fabulous prize for this month!  JUST CLICK HERE for more information! **

The greatest gift you can give....

I know it's Christmas Eve. I know I have quite a bit left to do before I can call the day "done" but this is on my heart to share, and I am convinced that just because it's a holiday (the greatest one at that) I don't need to NOT post.

Do you celebrate Christmas in the traditional way of sharing gifts with those you love? Gift buying, shopping, and wrapping can be so fun and yet sometimes so overwhelming at the same time. It can bring  joy or anxiety. Peace or concern. The difference is the  motive behind the gift. If you are giving a gift because you are "supposed to" then do yourself a favor right now at this moment and say "NO MORE!"

Do you want to know the greatest gift you can give someone? I know that many are expecting me to say Jesus and while that is true there is something different on my heart. If your offended at that  ~ then maybe you should evaluate why. If your not ~ I encourage you to keep reading!

The greatest gift you can give someone is the gift of YOU being your true self. That's right. It won't cost you a dime... or will it? Let me tell you something you might not understand at first. This will be the most expensive gift you can give someone. Being your true genuine self. Do you know why? Because you are going to have to let go of any false idea that you might have alluded to whether it has been to yourself, your family, friends, strangers. Stop being something your not, and get to know what you are.

People do not stay the same ~ and they shouldn't be expected to remain the same. They change. Their lives change. Their needs change. Those things change who they are, and how they handle various situations. (When I say they, I mean you too. I am speaking in general.) Expecting yourself or others to remain the same is asking them to live a humdrum boring life with no passion, dreams, or goals. Getting in touch with who you are, will allow those passions, dreams, and goals to not only rise to the surface but be reached.

Again, I say the best gift you can give someone is yourself. By doing so, you free your energy, focus, and soul to embrace the day you have been given as the gift it was given as. When you simply live under someone else's vision for your life ... you are simply surrendering your life, energy, and passion to someone else's dream for you.... and to be honest that is impossible. You will in turn die. Maybe not physically but emotionally, spiritually, and any gift you may have been able to offer to the world... will be lost forever. But please know... by giving this gift  you will have some who will not receive it so graciously. In fact, they may even leave you alone ~ because you did not remain stagnant and move forward in your life. Just as some refuse to accept the gift of Jesus, some will refuse the gift of you. But don't let that stop you!

From my family to yours, we wish you a very Merry and Whole Christmas!

Tasty Tuesday: Caramel Popcorn

Tonight is our annual Christmas Light Tour where the kids and I go around our little town and enjoy all the Christmas lights that are on display. We live in a small town but it has LOTS of houses, and it still has that small town feel so people really get into decorating. It's nice to not have to travel far, and by not waiting until Christmas Eve as we have in the past we are looking forward to seeing more than we did  last year. Every year we usually take a snack and just truly enjoy the time. Most times it is what we call "Trash" but  this year I wanted to do some thing different. Caramel Popcorn.

I remember my favorite Aunt had made some when we girls were young for a Girl Scouts meeting, and I LOVED it... and have never had homemade since. I have had boxed, bagged, and such but really there is nothing better than homemade! Do you know what?! It didn't' take much effort and I had all the ingredients on hand! I used to be so intimidated to try new things .... afraid to fail. I am finally growing up!!

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla
12 cups popped popcorn (air popped)

Directions
Preheat your oven to 300*. Melt a stick of butter in a medium to large sauce pan. Add in brown sugar and corn syrup bringing to a rolling boil. Turn heat down and allow to and leave alone without stirring for 5 minutes. Cook for an additional 4 to 6 minutes stirring every 30 seconds or so. Turn heat completely off whisk in salt, baking soda, and vanilla. Pour caramel onto bowls of popcorn and stir well to coat making sure to get all of the caramel out of the pan. Pour popcorn onto greased cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes stirring every five minutes. Immediately remove from oven and pour onto waxed paper or parchment paper and allow to cool. Break into pieces and store in air tight container. It can be stored for up to a week, but I doubt it will last that long!

This is really something GREAT to offer your guests at a Christmas or New Year's Eve party!

An Early Christmas Gift!

Do you like receiving gifts?! I do. I don't always like opening gifts in front of people which is silly I know and kind of robs those who give the gift ~ but I do like to receive them. Yesterday I received a gift, and once again I was so glad that I was able to open it alone. Yes my family was around me ~ the hubster was in his chair, the kids were eating dinner, and here I was opening a gift and it went unnoticed. The tears of revelation went unnoticed, yet I wasn't alone. That I am thankful for because this particular gift ~ left me speechless, yet inside I was shouting!

As many of you know I wrote a book this summer. It was a dream of mine from when I was in Junior High School. In fact I had said over the years of our marriage to my husband how much I wanted to write a book. He often reminded me ... and yet it took this long to get going. We will celebrate our 20th Year Anniversary in May... so that dream has been "out there" for a long time.

Sadly, I felt like a failure. Not immediately after, but in the response. When you write, and self publish you must also self promote. I have no idea how to do that.... so I simply have used social media and my blog to share the news. I don't know why I expected a better turn out but my expectations way outweighed the result. Needless to say, I felt like a failure. It is so hard for me to admit that and to be this vulnerable with you about this part of my life, but I have to be real about this area of my life just like I am anything else.

I put my writing stuff away and decided now must not be the time. In other words, I gave up. I decided what I dreamed I wanted to do wasn't what I must not have been created to do ~ and as heartbroken as I was, I let that dream fizzle down a bit.

UNTIL this past weekend. Now, I didn't start writing yet, but a flame was reignited. Then I was searching something, and I ran across a post that gave me hope again ~ because it said EVERYTHING that I was feeling... yet couldn't understand or even realized until I read the exact words that had been in my heart and head. I truly believe God gives us JUST what we need... when we need it. This today was just what I needed and I am ever thankful! If you ever felt like you have failed at something, please take the time to read this. If you have never failed at at anything, take the time to read it so that you too may can encourage someone else.

If you have ever felt like you failed at something, and need a bit of hope to continue..... READ THIS!

It was definitely a gift that after I opened it, was so thankful I could experience it alone in my thoughts, and emotions. No questions, no expectations. Just enjoyment of realizing that I am not a failure because my first book was not a best seller! I am not a failure because someone doesn't see eye to eye with me. I am not a failure and I have no right to feel that way.

Motivation for your Monday: Even Keeled

There has been LOTS that God Almighty is working on in me lately. I mean like TONS. And while it is so hard, I can tell you this... it is way better than just floating around in this thing called life.

Are you an "all or nothing' kind of person? Either your house is a disaster or it's spotless? Either your cooking all your meals for weeks or your buying take out instead? You either clip coupons or are buying the most expensive items? This is one time of year that we see extremes all around us. Take this past Friday.

In the United States, we have what is called "black friday" where retailers swoon customers with great "you can't miss" deals. Without extra costs, it comes with frenzy, anxiety, depression, greed ~ even though at times very subtle, with a whole plethora of debt, forgotten bills, and fear. I know this from experience you see, because this is only the second year I chose not to participate. And no, it wasn't for a political ~ or consumer stance. See for me it was a spiritual matter.

No where in your traditional "Black Friday" events can you see the actions of an even keeled person.

The man who fears God will avoid ALL extremes. Ecclesiastes 7:18

This is an area that God is really digging deep within me. I have gone through many extremes in various areas of my life and willing have done so. The problem is I am now reaping those consequences and helping to undo those consequences in regards to our children as well. See, what a man reaps not only does he sow but so the children for generations to come. When we see our children effected by our actions it is heartbreaking.

See I helped our children become greedy when it comes to Christmas because I thought the more under the tree was better. For growing up there was always a ton under the tree ~ even on the "light" years. That is what Christmas was to me and I began that same tradition with our children. Now.. I regret every second of that and while they are still home I must undo some damage. For years they went to their grandparents because ... that was the weekend this mom did the bulk of her Christmas shopping filling the back and even center of my Explorer (or minivan).

I was a better parent because I made sure (with the help of my husband) that our kids had a big Christmas every year. I might have had to pay a few bills late but by golly they had a good Christmas. I really wasn't a better parent ~ for I was greedy, prideful, wanted selfish gain (attention and to be recognized for doing so much), in fact it was downright sick! Right now I am completely disgusted.

Does that mean I won't go buy Christmas gifts for our children? No. I love being able to give to them. But it does mean we won't have a ton under the tree ~ simply because we can. The last few years with the adults I really put a lot of time and thought into each gift purchase I make. I don't pick up something because it is cheap. I don't pick up something because what I already have gotten them wasn't enough. Even though I do put a lot of time and thought into some of the kids gifts, I was in the habit of providing a TON under the tree so I would fill in with things I got really cheap. Gift giving was indeed ALL of the all or nothing mentality. Then I couldn't afford to get much for them for months afterward.

Black Friday often had me grabbing things just because it was a good deal. I love this verse: "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9" I was indeed quickly provoked by those sales, and often did get angry afterward when I realized how much I spent.

9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Ecclesiastes 3:9-14

So I challenge you this Monday to start striving to live more even keeled than ever before! I know even though some of these notes were jotted down weeks ago... they ring so true for me today. 

 

What's coming this week!

Less then a week to go, until Christmas 2010! I am so excited. The shopping is finished, wrapping is almost done, and I have a few day off to put the finishing touches on the house decorations and begin my baking.

This year, I will be sharing two new cookie recipes with you, a new fudge recipe with you, and maybe just maybe a new twist on an old favorite.

You can be on the look out for:

Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies (aka ~ Starbucks knock offs of their famous Cranberry bliss bar)
Peppermint Patty Crinkles
Pumpkin Fudge
Sweet and salty trash

Also on the agenda for "One pretty Little Box" will be the return of Menu plan Mondays. As far as food budgeting and keeping on target for the entire family, menu planning helps in more ways then one. I don't focus all day what I will be eating (in fact, I plan an entire week's menu out in one day), because it is already planned out, the entire family knows what is coming so they stop asking me, AND... I can purchase the much needed groceries and have on hand the items I will need throughout the week. Not only will this cut down on grocery trips, but it does cut down a lot of spontaneous purchases. The time of year I really pinch pennies in the grocery department is in the Summer when I am not working, but that is no reason to be spending frivolously even when I can. Consider this one of my first attempts at my "Less is More" approach to 2011.

Book Review: Call Me Mrs. Miracle

Every year, I love to spend time in the evenings reading a Christmas tale or two. I read a lot of non fiction books (especially this year), so from time to time, it's nice to let go and just enjoy a good story. This story did NOT fail to bring a smile to my face, or the Joy of Christmas to my heart. Mrs. Merkle or Mrs. Miracle as she was "accidentally" portrayed was such a feisty little one. She could easily fit the bill for your favorite grandma!

Debbie Macomber includes a few tasty recipes in this tale as well, which sound delightful. As one of my favorite authors, it was my pleasure to purchase this book and read it just as my Christmas break was about to begin. I was actually sad when the story ended but only because I wanted to read more. If your looking for a nice read this week, I highly suggest this book!




P.S. I did not receive this book for review, but chose to do so on my own because I really liked the book! While I am given books to review from time to time, I fully purchased this book on my own.

25 Days of Christmas: Day 23

25 Days of Christmas : Day 23

And, last but NOT least, the other twinkie! (Holton)

1. What is your favorite Christmas cookie? Decrorated sugar cookies
2. What is your favorite thing to do on the week of Christmas prior to the "big day"? set out milk and cookies for Santa
3.If you could decorate a Chrsitmas tree anyway you wanted, what would it have on it? Gingerbread ornaments
4. What is your fondest Chrstimas memory as of yet? Getting presnts
5. IF you could have ANYTHING in the world, what would you want? Remote Control Dunebuggy
6. What is your favorite Christmas Candy? Candy Canes
7. If there wasn't a Chirstmas, what would be your favorite holiday? Valentines

Okay there you have it! YOU got the "best" of Christmas from the three munchkins!

25 Days of Christmas : Day 22

25 Days of Christmas : Day 22

I am continuing to interview my kids, so here is one of the twins! (Charles)


1. What is your favorite Christmas cookie? Gingerbread
2. What is your favorite thing to do on the week of Christmas prior to the "big day"? Go to Aunt Paula's on Christmas Eve.
3.If you could decorate a Chrsitmas tree anyway you wanted, what would it have on it? Star Wars The Clone Wars
4. What is your fondest Chrstimas memory as of yet? Santa bringing presents
5. IF you could have ANYTHING in the world, what would you want? A girlfriend (OH MY!)
6. What is your favorite Christmas Candy? Candy Canes
7. If there wasn't a Chirstmas, what would be your favorite holiday?  Uncle Sam's Birthday

There you have it! The TRUTH from a seven year old!

25 Days of Christmas Day 21

For the next three days (for the 25 days of Christmas) I am going to interview my children, and today I will start with the oldest ~ the Queen Bee of the Drama! LOL JK

1. What is your favorite Christmas cookie? Gingerbread
2. What is your favorite thing to do on the week of Christmas prior to the "big day"? Going to look at Christmas Lights.
3.If you could decorate a Chrsitmas tree anyway you wanted, what would it have on it? Pictures
4. What is your fondest Chrstimas memory as of yet? Last year, getting my LIttles Pet Shop electronic game.
5. IF you could have ANYTHING in the world, what would you want? An Iphone (~ I think not!)
6. What is your favorite Christmas Candy? Santa Claus Crunch
7. If there wasn't a Chirstmas, what would be your favorite holiday? New Years because I like cabbage.

Okay there you have it! A Q&A with a ten year old girl who can only dream of a White Christmas! (No snow here!) See ya tomorrow!

25 Days of Christmas: Day 20

25 Days of Christmas: Day 20

Today's sharing is just so fitting, because this is the last Sunday morning before Christmas. This is the Sunday where many who only go to church at Christmas time, may attend. Of course if your church has a Christmas Eve service, you may experience an influx of visitors as well.

I was always so perplexed that so many would come to church for Christmas and Easter, but would rather not be bothered the other 50 Sunday's of the year. Why is that? I don't understand, and to be honest, I feel a little bit sad. Yes I am grateful for those who usually don't attend and decide to partake in the Christmas festivities but then I realize how aftewards, life will just go back to normal, without a tiny bit of rememberance how WONDERFUL this season is we celebrate. Yes I get that so many pegan tradtitions have made their way into the festitvities, and I get that Dec 25th wasn't Jesus' ACTUAL birthday. BIG whoop! What a wonderful time to celebrate what it was ~ a miraculous gift to the world! AMAZING! And then to think how many people knowingly and even unknowingly turn away that gift so many times in their lives.

I am excited about service this morning. The choir is doing our annual "Handel's Hallejuiah Chorus" during the service, and it is just soooo moving! LOVE it!

May you be blessed today!

25 Days of Christmas : Day 19

25 Days of Christmas: Day 19
Christmas Ornaments & A new tradition

I know by now, most everyone has decorated their tree, but I wanted to take some time today to talk about ornaments. I think every family has traditions when it comes to this, but I am sad to say, I had to really start our own. And honestly before kids I had a themed tree, or two. But since I have had kids I love having a hodge podge of different things. Mainly because of all the fun things they have made and added to the tree. I have gotten lots of cute ornaments from my students, and I can remember every one who has given me what. I love taking the chance to think about them and remember all the funny quirks that made the child so unique. At three, there is always something!

This year I was given a new ornament with a NEW tradition! I have never heard of this tradtion, and I even have German in my bloodline! So, I was blessed on Thursday with a Pickle from Pier 1.


I love this idea, and the simplicity of it. I also loved reading the story of HOW it began. So touching!

Of course I also love my Willow Tree Angels, Hallmark, and various things, but the things the kids make are so special. Do you have special ornaments that have been given to you? What's your favorite?

Edible Ornaments

I don't know how many of you are really like me, but I LOVE to sit in the dark, with the tree all lit up and a cup of flavored tea or coffee in my hand (in silence of course). It is just something that I do to ground me back to what REALLY matters this time of year. I have some thoughts, that I will be sharing in the next few days on how I want to do things differently next year. I am always observing and watching  how things can be improved upon. I love that about my personality. I am accepting of change, and realize that there are TIMES when we need to change, and it is so much easier to do it with a willing heart.

May you be blessed immensely this weekend with Spirit of Christmas.

25 Days of Christmas : Day 16, 17 & 18

Yep! Three days smacked into one. You can forgive me right? As I posted last night there was one of me and I was doing two jobs this week, along with trying to man down my own home, head up my own children, and everyone's Christmas goodies! So.. yeah. :) All is well!

Today has been spent with 100+ fifth graders serving them sundaes for their Christmas party. It was NICE to be able to be there for my girl, as I haven't been able to be much through the last couple of years. We are developing a very close bond as of late ~ not that we weren't already close. I surely am enjoying it. Being how this season always seems so crazy, it has felt good to make "little" things BIG Things for them!

Less then a week to finish all the prepping, and I have to admit I do have quite a bit to do. BUT.. I am planning on staying in at least two of the three days before Christmas Eve tackling those things, as well as just enjoying being home. "Home for the HOlidays" means more to me every year. And the funny thing is, I don't get that nostolgic about being home ( as in the home I grew up in) as I do my OWN! LOL I realize how much I must truly love my home, it's surroundings, and simply it just being the 5 of us.

I know this post isnt much, but you have to forgive me. My mind is still so  ~ trying to recover from this previous week. I challenge you all ~ to make you a productive plan of action ( Including visiting to see neighborhood christmas lights, drinking hot cocoa, watching your families favorite movie) and tackle it with a smile, and allowing yourself time to enjoy each moment for what it is!

Be blessed!

25 Days of Christmas: Day 15

Our family has so many different traditions this time of year, I love embracing each one with as much anticipation as the next.

Winter Wonderland

One of our family's favorite things to do the week of Christmas, often on Deember 22nd or 23rd when the kids are getting ansy about the arrival of Christmas morning, is to go to a neighboring subdivision and view the various homes that are all decked out. It truly does vary from year to year, and no matter what we enjoy every minute. I often make them a cup of hot cocoa to take, with a few Christmas cookies that we have baked to enjoy while we stroll (in the Explorer) street after street. It was something I loved as a child, and I think I appreciate it more as an adult.

I am a very simple kind of gal though. I don't go overboard on my own lights, simple spiraled around each tree on each side of my walkaway, up the walkway, up the bushes, around the front of the house. All soilid white. Very classy. Very cozy, and yet so pretty on it's own. I have seen many homes overdone, and it just looks so tacky! BUT..... to each it's own.

No Bake Cookies

Ingredients

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup milk
1 stick oleo or margarine
3 cups quick oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup peanut butter

Directions
Place sugar, cocoa, milk and oleo in sauce pan. Bring to a boil and boil for a minute. Remove from heat and add peanut butter and nuts (if wanted). Blend well, stir in oatmeal and vanilla. Drop by teaspoon on waxed paper. Let stand until cool and real firm. **Please be wary. These are very addictive!**

Do you have any favorite traditions? Do you go out and look at Christmas lights in your community?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 14 GUEST post!!

Annie was so thoughtful and decided to join us in our 25 Days of Christmas and I couldn't have been more excited! As I read her entry, I was just overwhelmed with joy, smiles, and longing for just a breif second for a larger family.

The holidays in Hawaii are definitely different than what most people think the holidays are:


-No white Christmas
-No sleigh rides
-No warming up by the fire
-Not even any cold weather!

But to me the holidays, especially Christmas, are a feeling more than anything else. Every year, all my family members take off of work (if they have to work on Christmas) and even the pets are included! We arrive at my parents' house around 8 in the morning and my mom cooks us a simple, but big, breakfast of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fruits for the humans, and she always has an assortment of treats for the pets. One year she even packed up little gift bags of FISH food for anyone who owned fish! Anyway we'd have Christmas music playing in the background, always performed by a local Hawaiian band because my dad won't have it any other way. We all just enjoy each others company for about two hours, catching up with everyone, then it's present time!

We all gather around the tree and usually the youngest kids get to sort through all the presents and place them in piles according to who they belong to. My family and I take turns opening presents while my mom makes a big list of who-gave-what-gift-to-who so we'd have all the information down at the end of the day (later, my dad will put all the names/gifts into a spreadsheet and email it to everyone). BTW, my best Christmas gift ever: dog bowls! I've wanted a dog my entire life and asked my parents every year for about 12 years but they would never get me one. But Christmas of 1998 was the best! I opened up the gift from them and I literally just started crying! Two days later, I had my first dog and still have her today!

So anyway, all the gift opening usually takes till lunch time and then we order out from the same restaurant every year... not so much because it's good, but because it's the only restaurant open on Christmas day! All the family members stick around till around 2 or 3 then we slowly make our way home.

Christmas is my favorite holiday because of the family-time I get to spend with everyone and it's the one day we all let go of any petty fights or bad feelings towards others and we just get along! To me, this makes the holidays special and I look forward to it every year!

Merry Christmas,
Annie

Annie, your story about the dog bowls brought tears to my eyes, and a for a brief moment I thought WOAH! Just yesterday I posted a link to share with children about the true meaning of Christmas and the first story was just that. A little girl wanting a dog, but opening bowls and was confused. LOL Thank you for sharing!!
There are still a few days left, if you HAVE NOT participated yet, I welcome you to join in! IF you have and want to again ~ I would LOVE that!

December Edition: A letter to me

Dear Sheila,

It has come to my attention that I have not spoke to you in months, and I feel like we need to take this time to catch up. It seems to me that you have grown by leaps and bounds, and NOT by gaining an ounce! A lot of letters, I have really layed into you, because you needed a swift kick in the rear, but I am impressed!

In the last six months you have learned to accept yourself for who you are today, and have begun to realize that tomorrow is just another day. You have realized you still have dreams that you want to persue! There are still new adventures that you want to now persue. The things you have accomplished in your life in the year 2009 are only a glimpse of what is to come in 2010.

I am so proud of you, because not only have you kept off the weight you lost in 2008, but you took off a few more and LOTS of inches this year. No one you know in your personal life can say that. Just about everyone who has began losing weight has either gained some back, or in most cases gave up completely. At times it felt lonely, and dark. Even a bit desolute. BUT... you realized in your own brain, in your mind, in your inner soul how destructive you once were ~ and how that kept you from being the free one you are now.

You are like a shining star, and it is with my honor that I say that. I can't wait to see what we accomplish TOGETHER in 2010. We need to have a conference this week, to discuss your goals ~ in all aspects of your life for the next six months. We don't need to discuss the entire year of 2010, beause well as 2009 has taught me about you ~ you can do anything you put your mind to, and you do better when you approach them in smaller steps. When it feels like your sitting in the dark, alone, and wondering why you are still doing what your doing, remember one thing. You do what you do, say what you say, to continue to live a life that inspires. YOU NATURALLY are an inspiration to many, whether you know it or not. Sometimes, you get a glimpse by their kind words, and responses, but .... I am willing to bet there are many more out there who say nothing, yet are becoming better people because of you.

I want you to embrace this season, just as you are. Excitedly expecting everything, and yet, needing nothing. Staying humbled, will allow you to see this time of year for what it truly is. A gift! A gift that money can't buy, and no one can replicate.

Merry Christmas! I look forward to our conference this week, spending time with you on Christmas, and ending a fantastic year by your side. You truly are someone I like to be with.

Love  always,
ME

25 Days of Christmas: Day 13

Embracing the Season of Sharing

Yes. I am. Are you? I am not talking about sharing money, sharing gifts, but simply sharing of yourself! I have found that often times, this time of year I am more willing to be sharing more of "me" and to be there to help others more then I would any other time of year. I often share my love for the Lord throughout the year, but I can't help but share more and more of Him  this time of year.

I love the story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. It stats out so tender, so innoscent, and so many unanswered questions.I want to know what Mary was thinking, how she told her parents, all those little details! I cant' wait for the chance in Heaven to ask those very things. How did Joseph explain to his parents what was happening, and did he feel "Trapped" or was he honored to be the chosen man to be the earthly father to our Lord? Did he pace the floor? IF you have never spent time in the Word, to read the story, please take time today! You can find it here. And, for those of you with children, here is a children's version. Whether you have "Santa" at your home or not, the one thing you can do is make sure your children know the true meaning of Christmas. I am blessed to know in my heart that our children know the reason we celebrate the giving of gifts, and so many times we talk about what it must have been like to be Jesus knowing his entire life that he was on this earth, and yet still God. :) Amazing!

I love giving gifts! Every year I enjoy it more and more. And I have to be honest. I don't like to know what is someone's list. Sure, if I don't know them very well it helps, but I often do not purchase gifts for just everyone. I would love to do that, but it just doesn't happen. For those people (like neighbors, coworkers, etc...) I will share homemade yummy goodness from my kitchen. But for those that I am close to, that we exchange gifts, I do NOT like running their errands. In other words, I don't really want a long list of what they want. Sure, a few ideas are nice, but I thoroughly enjoy shopping and searching for that perfect gift that speaks to me as soon as I see it. I like to give from my heart, with thought. Not just sonething to wrap up and give for the sake of giving. It means something to me to find that perfect gift (often in off the wall places). It thrills me to know that when (insert  name here) opens the gift I chose, they will be floored like I was when I found it. I think that is what I have enjoyed most so far. Is knowing that there are going to be a few "WOW" moments, and not because someone got what they asked for. Instead, because they got something that MEANT more then just running an errand picking stuff up off a list. I am now challenged, to continue this scouring to and fro, not to get as many packages under the tree, but to continue to add things that are little "wow" "ooh" and of course "Ahhhh"!

As this season continues, and as you begin to finish (or in some cases, start) your shopping try to embrace the gift of giving for what it is. It isn't mean to be a way for others to begin running errands for one another, to buy something they could very well easily go do on the their own. Instead, seek out that gift that says you were worth the effort of looking for this perfect gift!

25 days of Christmas: Day 12

25 Days of Christmas Day 12

Stillness
Often enough we allow our lives to become extremely caotic this time of year, and rightly so. I mean for me, it is the one time of year I can show everyone how much I love them, and enjoy buying them gifts. As I type that out, I thrown into the thought of "Why does it only have to be this tme of year?".  ~ Something to ponder for another post I guess.

Today I am actually talk about something that has been yearning in my own spirit this week. Stillness. When we get so busy, so often we begin to lose ground. Lose that solid steady ground of contentment, peace, and the ability to hear the quiet voice of God. I mean HE IS the reason for the season! His love shines for us several times of year, with one of those being at Christmas.

With all the parties, shopping, baking, celebrating, going to and fro, it is easy to set ourselves up to go go go and yet, NOT regroup. I was so tickled when I found a few entries at one of my favorite bloggers blog this week about this very thing. It was a HUGE reminder to me to simply STOP and enjoy!  So please enjoy these lovely thoughts from Monica.

I am encouraged to make more "quiet" Time be just that. Quiet. No tv. No interuptions. The hard thing for me is, it is hard to "scrapte" it unless I stay up after everyone else. Something to definately work on. What ways to do you find "quiet" and stillness?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 10 GUEST POST!

Today's 25 days of Christmas post is brought to you by the sweet and little did I know soul sissta of mine Annalisa. Over time we are both learning how much alike we are in so many aspects of our lives. I was so happy when she said she was in, on sharing part of her Christmas with us! So, without further ado, here ya go!

Here in Australia, Christmas dinner is the usual "Thanksgiving Feast".... you know the one - Turkey, honey glazed ham, stuffing, roasted veggies, everything with all the trimmings. All except for pumpkin pie - Australia has never had pumpkin pie! So sad. But then again, it is summer here, so it is more commonly mangos for dessert - it is way too hot to bake :)


I actually grew up in Oregon, and a 2 day drive from all our relatives living in Utah. The holidays were a time to spend with our family, but not the relatives. It was quiet and cheerful. I remember staring at the thermometer waiting for it to get down to 32 degrees so it would snow. Even if it was a clear night, I would wait and wait for it to snow. I loved it. It was the season to bless the neighbors with enough cookies and candies to kill them with cholesterol poisoning, or at least try anyway. My grandmother's speciality was peanut brittle, but my mother's favourite was always rocky road, and white divinity a close second.

When I was quite young, my mother decided that the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays were too close together to cook all that food for just the four of us on both holidays. It is less than 30 days apart after all. So early on our "traditional" Christmas dinner became crab legs.

Yes, I know that sounds funny. But if you think about it, December is the season when Alaskan King Crab legs are in season, but Turkey... prices increase in Dec! Not to mention that crab has always been my absolute favourite food. Still is.

This year, I would love to continue the tradition. With the crab legs I mean, not the rocky road and cookies. No, this year for dessert I will be making my new favourite dessert, Mango & Coconut Rice Dessert, a recipe straight from Thailand. I have 10 mango's left (I bought a tray for a school fund raiser) so hopefully we won't be sick of mango by Christmas.

Photo courtesy of: John S. Boyer
Mango and  Coconut Rice Dessert

1 cup glutinous rice (seek in asian section)
2 cups water
1 can coconut cream (I use lite version of course)
1 fresh mango - can use 1 can mango
1 tsp butter (again, I use lite, margerine)
3 tbsp palm sugar (seek in asian section)


Directions:
1. Cook rice as directed.
2. Cube mango.
3. Grate 2 tbsp palm sugar (reserve 1) and add to butter in a frypan. Heat until sugar dissolves and begins to brown slightly.
4. Add Mango, and stir until heated.
5. To the rice, add coconut cream and additional 1 tbsp palm sugar (grated) and stir.
6. Serve rice topped with mango while warm.

This dessert is to die for! Next time you go out to a Thai restaurant, order this dessert before you eat (so you won't change your mind when you get too full) because this dessert is a must-have.

Coming from a White Christmas region (Colorado) to a smoldering hot Aussie Christmas, and from old traditions to new, this Christmas is sure to be one to remember! Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas!