Colonial Christmas Village

Living in rural America affords many opportunities to visit places that have been in existence for a century and longer.  Last week, our family took a twenty minute drive to downtown Constitution Village where we enjoyed seeing what it might have been like to live in the mid to late 1800's at Christmas time.

Hot cocoa, popcorn, singing, candy canes, reindeer, sleigh rides, story time, toy work shop (with authentic toys), working blacksmith's shop and some other things I can't remember right now.  It was about 36 degrees and although we could have been at home warm and cozy, we ventured out into the frigid weather just to be together and to do something different!! Seeing all the lights, decorated homes, people and smiling faces made it such a wonderful night! And oh, did I mention the snow!! We're gonna make this a treat for every year!

  

  

  Blessings to you from our family to yours!  

Thanks for visiting!

Homemade decorations

Every year we spend a little time and make new decorations and even ornaments. Most all the decor has been  made by us over the years, with the exception of the little heart garland and the angel on top, because it is from my Grandma.  It was hers when she a small.  No telling how many Christmases it has seen.  This year we didn't make any ornaments or decorations, because I am doing something different.

Even though we will be moving shortly, we have been having the best Christmas season ever! We've just been spending every single day focusing on what Christmas means to each one of us.  We've been doing some baking, some school and a little bit of decorating.  We'll be finished with school and with my college by this Tuesday. 

I'm so excited about the week of Christmas here at our house!!  I've got such a fun week planned for us all.  More later on that.  Plus, a delicious menu too.  I posted it earlier. 

I hope you are having such a wonderful time during your celebration of the birth of our Savior.  Every day is a gift and I pray you will spend it with that in mind.  We only have today, don't we!  Blessings to you! 

Preparing for the Sunday School Christmas Party!

We spent an evening getting ready for our Christmas Party for Sunday School. Decoration, Puppets, Tables and fun! This Friday evening we will have all our kids gather for games, pizza, prizes and lots of fun! We are having a Cowboy Theme and everyone is coming dressed up and ready to celebrate the Savior's Birth and learn about why we have Christmas.  I am looking forward to a fun time and so are my kids!  I'll post pics after Friday!

Moving?? At Christmas time! DPP-day 7-8-9

YES!! We are moving A-G-A-I-N!!!   Yippee!!

We moved earlier this year into what we thought was going to be our home for the rest of our days, but God has a way of showing us what He really wants for us.  Certain circumstances changed our plans for purchasing the house we're in now and we have purchased the property behind us, along with a cute little mobile home instead.  It is the piece I've always admired and thought was so beautiful.  It overlooks some of the most gorgeous land in the area.   

We wouldn't know what to do if everything was "PREDICTABLE"!!  We have been taking it one day at a time, trusting the Lord every step of the way.  Here's what it looked like this morning.  We went out to check on the surveyors while they were marking the property!!!  I'm so excited!!  If only I could share it all on here...but it would take a while to post. 

We are still having Christmas here in the house where we are now, but we are doing a little packing too.  I've got all my kitchen items that aren't needed right now, put into boxes.  I've gone through all the closets and sorted the clothes that the kids have outgrown. Went through all my homeschool things and gave away or ebay'd what I'm not needing any time soon.  My husband, children and I spent a day last week sorting the huge utility room.  Thank the Lord!!  I'm so so so glad that is done.  Now, I can move and not have to sort and unpack and decorate.  We won't be actually moving until AFTER Christmas day.  Probably before January 1st!!  I hope so!!  I just can't wait to share it all!!  I'm amazed how God is doing this.  A few months ago, I didn't even see anything and I was having a VERY hard time of it.  A very hard time.  I was worried about myself and wondered how I could ever have doubt.  But I did have doubt.  And now I know that trusting God is more that just faith and believing.  It is allowing the actual PATIENCE of God to REMAIN...in me.

I stand here with hands outstretched and asking..."Where next, dear Jesus, where next?" I'll go. 

Snow Day! DPP 4-5-6

How about this!!  SNOW DAY!  Last night after dinner we noticed the wind blowing and saw the branches on the trees swaying alot.  As we looked out the window, we noticed a blustery white glow and little bits of snow coming down.  It was gorgeous.  We had some friends over and of course,  the children and the adults had to run outside to play in it...in the dark.

Here's what we woke up to this morning...it was everywhere and these pictures do not really give it justice.  

at the fence line near the barn

out came the chickens, from their warm, cozy coop

this is one of my favorite pics so far this season

the pond looked gorgeous surrounded by the snow

let's make a snowball

it was all over the patio

this is Venture..he's a tuxedo kitty and doesn't he look striking against the white snow..

'coop de lodge 'n lesnow

the sun was just about to come out and after a few hours the snow had almost melted...what a great way to start our season, here in the beautiful state of Alabama. 

Fresh eggs, recipes and homemade Christmas cards-DPP day 3

This year we decided to make our own little cards for the children to hand out.  We started with 8 1/2 cardstock in black, white and light blue.  Glitter pens and markers, a few stamp sets and some fun foam shapes. Here's what we came out with!

My little hens are doing so good!  I'm so thankful that they have continued to lay eggs for me.  I usually collect 3-4 per day and a few times we've got 5 from them.  Which is really great considering I now only have four hens.  You don't want to know what happened to the others.  I still have some roosters though.  

Oh, I just love baking during the Christmas season.  My whole family likes to have little tins sitting around, filled with all sorts of goodies!  And for the week before Christmas I like to have my family's favorite meals ready to serve.  

Camille and I were planning our menu for Christmas week.  Here's what we're having. 

Monday 21st:  Potato-Corn Chowder w/Homemade Croutons

Tuesday 22nd:  Baked Ziti w/Steamed Veggies & Garlic Biscuits

Wednesday 23rd: Shepherds Pie w/Brown Gravy, Carrots & Butter'd Bread

Thursday 24th:   Broccoli Braid w/Barley & Sesame Sticks

Friday 25th: Chunky Beef Stew w/Brown Rice & Corn Cakes

One of the reasons I chose these items for our menu is because they're easy, quick and some of them can be made that morning or even the day before.  I can just pop them into the oven and have a hot, hearty dinner ready for comfort on those cold nights! 

Beginning this Wonderful Season-DPP Day 2

Last week our family went over to decorate for Christmas at the Koehoorn's home.  We had lots of food, fun and laughter together as we began our celebration for this very special season.

Camille and Chasity have been friends for a long time now.  Where was Joey for this pic??

Here's Bridget with her Mom, Brenda, and brother, David.  I love this pic.

Jody, Tanner, Camille, Garrett, Austin and Micaylah.

The only ones we're missing were Jud and Heidi. 

December Photo Project '09--One thing I miss...

...is having my evergreen, holly berry trees.  I love seeing the bright red berries against the deep evergreen of the leaves. 

Now, we have pecan, maple, oaks and crepe myrtle trees.  Here is a quick pic of the young'ns under one of the gorgeous maples.  The leaves are everywhere and look so pretty fluttering down as the breeze blows.  Last week though, the guys did the last yard work of the season and blew all the leaves, small branches and debris into a huge pile and then we burned it.  Everything is cleared and ready for the cold weather. 

Thanks Tammy for encouraging me to do the DPP last year.  I think I'm going to enjoy doing it again this year...even more.

~Good Coffee, Good Food and Great Friends~

Growing up I remember always spending the holidays with my family.  There were so many kids running in and out of my Grandma's big house on the lake, adults and young people laughing, joking and sharing memories. My Daddy always went hunting early the morning of Thanksgiving and more times than not, brought home the deer that would last us several months of great meals. Oh, we always had turkey with the trimmings and would sit around my Grandma's huge table eating, talking and just being together. My Mama could always make the best creamed (mashed) potatoes ever! I loved it and have the best memories in my heart.  I will treasure them all my days.
After I married my beloved husband, I moved to another state.  One thing I couldn't bring with me was my sweet family.  Traveling back every year to visit with them, especially during the holidays was something my husband made a point to do for me. In the last 4 years it has been very difficult for us financially, to be able to travel. My heart breaks any time I even think about it. 
But with trials come victories!  And God will bring joy to those seeking Him!  Over the last 10 years the Lord has brought a very special family into our lives. Every holiday that we are both home, we spend it together.  Either at our house or at theirs.  God has a way of easing the heartache and bringing happiness at the same time.  I'm not sure if they know how much they mean to our family, but I think they're getting a pretty good idea of how truly special they are.  

Thanks Jeff, Bridget, Tanner & Jody for becoming our family.  We love you!

What a great time we had for Thanksgiving! Did you say we're coming to your house for Christmas? 

TESTIMONY!!!

How about this?!!!  Here where we live, surrounded by mountains, it can get very cold, very quickly. The forecast has been calling for freeze warnings along with dry spells(which means fires).  

Now, everyone has been touched by the decline of our economy here in the US.  I don't know anyone who hasn't been affected. Other nations are seemingly facing economic difficulties also.  Well, we are going through yet another job loss with my husbands career and are literally making it day by day...
BUT, "I HAVE A TESTIMONY!"

God is on HIS throne and takes care of his people.  I'm so thankful I know HIM! 

There are a few other choices besides electric that someone could use for heating their home: natural gas, wood log fireplace, or propane.  Here we have propane, which means that we have to schedule the propane company to come out and deliver the fuel from their huge truck and fill up the tank that sits to the side of our house. It isn't something that would go unnoticed by anyone, including the neighbors.  

Well, for the last 4 weeks, we have had some pretty cold temperatures.  It has fallen down into the lower 30's at night and we have had to keep the heating lamps going for the fowl.  I remember about a month ago, my husband said we were going to NEED to get the tank re-fueled for winter, because it was on '0'.  We weren't sure how we were going to do that.  It costs about $2.50-$3.00 per pound to get fuel.  And the company will NOT come out and re-fuel for less than 100 POUNDS. Ok. Do you see where this is going?  And to top it off, you need to re-fuel at least 1 time during the winter months if you only get 100 #'s.  Are you getting the picture...

HERE'S THE GAUGE...IT'S ON ZERO  
I just took this pic early this morning--Ha!

BUT WE KNOW A GOD!!!  THE ONE TRUE GOD OF ALL CREATION!  HE CARES ABOUT US IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE KNOW IT CAN ONLY BE HIM WHO PERFORMS THE MIRACLES!!  

On the night that we were getting some super cold weather, my husband went over to the fireplace (it's a gas log f/p, and heats the entire house), and began to light the pilot light.  We asked him what he was doing and he just said, "I'm gonna light this thing and see what happens." Just as calm as he always is.  The kids and I all smiled big and said, "In Jesus Name!" It just seemed natural for us all to say that.  That was the end of that and we sat down to eat dinner together.  In a minute, flames came up out of the logs (gas logs have a thermostat, my husband set the thermostat as he lit the pilot light). We all began to laugh and clap hands and thank God for what HE just did!  We knew God had done it.   But that's only the start...

YES!  WE KNOW A GOD!!  THE ONE TRUE GOD!

 It's been about 4 weeks and that fire is still burning!  We have had temperatures down into the lower 30's and this house can get very cold.  We haven't had one single night (or day) that it has been cold in this house and we have all slept warm, and snug and toasty every night.

HERE'S THE FIRE...STILL BURNING AND WARM AND COZY

What a powerful GOD we serve!  
Ok. For those of you who may DOUBT...fyi:when the gauge gets down to about '5', EVERYONE knows YOU MUST HAVE IT RE-FUELED--A.S.A.P.!!!   It will not run when it's lower than that.  You just don't take that chance. WE all know to get the thing filled back up.  Only this time God's the one who took care of it..and just to kick that 'ole serpent in the face...
...When the f/p kicks itself off, sometimes I'll just go over to the thermostat and turn it up a little bit just to see the flames...and say to myself, "Ha!!!  Look at that! My God is sooooo GOOD!"

Football Fun With The Boys

Our sons really like to have fun with their friends.  So for Austin's birthday, we had a "FOOTBALL PARTY" at  a nearby park that had lots and lots of room for lots and lots of boys to run and play football. 

Here are some pics of the day...Thanks guys for coming...you made the day!

Well, it seemed to me like they all had a great time and we're looking forward to doing it again...just for the fun of it. 

Baked Pumpkin Dinner

Hello there!  Wow, I have an excellent dinner idea for you that is just about one of the best I've tried in a very, very long time!  While we were visiting our family last week, we also celebrated a special young lady's 14th birthday.  She requested to have her favorite dinner prepared and it was called, "Dinner In A Pumpkin".  Now, I must give credit to the one who shared it with me. Thank You, my sweet, bestestestest friend and sister (ITL)Tammy for an excellent dinner, fun and laughter along with puttin' up with our 'hurricane', :)!! 

  We enjoyed it so much that I wanted to make it this week for my family here at home. I just know you're going to love it as much as we did!  I wasn't planning to post on this recipe, but I've had a few requests to share it, so here it is.

Start with :

• 1  5-6# pumpkin
• 2 #'s ground chuck/turkey
• 2-3 cloves garlic/minced
• 1 green bell pepper/chop't
• 1/2 yellow onion/chop't
• 3 C cooked, brown rice, cook as directed
  
• 1/4 C soy sauce
• 1 t salt
• 1/4 t pepper
• 2 T brown sugar
• 1/2 C fresh mushrooms
• 1 can cream of chicken(recipe below)

Here is our gorgeous pumpkin along with some ingredients

clean your pumpkin good and save the seeds for roasting later

making the roux for the home made cream of chicken

browned meat with garlic, peppers, mushrooms, soy sauce, onions, brown sugar, salt & pepper and homemade cream of chicken and the cooked brown rice

cleaned out pumpkin, it looks so nice

pour the meat into the pumpkin 

place the pumpkin on a cookie sheet and put into the heated oven

Mmmm.....it looks delicious and the outer skin is browned while the inside is tender and ready to scoop out

Serve with your favorite veggies; the yellow is part of the actual pumpkin..very soft in texture, similar to vermicelli pasta

Directions:
*start your rice 1st
*while it's cooking, clean out your pumpkin/set the insides and seeds aside
*after that, begin cooking your meat, drain and return to skillet. Add the chopt peppers, soy sauce, mushrooms, onions, brown sugar, garlic, S & P; stir and allow to simmer until veg are tender
*While meat is simmering, continue to stir rice and,
*begin your roux mixture for the homemade cream of chicken
****Cream of Chicken Recipe****

• 2 T real butter
• 3 T flour-I used wheat flour
• 1 C chicken broth-I used organic 
• 1 C milk
• S & P to taste

In saucepan, heat the butter on medium till it sizzles.  Add the flour, S & P.  Stir with a whisk till it begins to thicken. Slowly pour in, the broth and then the milk, stirring well and constantly.  It will slowly begin to thicken. You may need to turn up the heat.  When it is as thick as white country gravy, turn off heat and set aside.  No need to cover, you'll be using it in a moment.   

*Preheat oven to 350
*In large pot, place 3 cups of the cooked rice, all the meat mixture and the cream of chicken.  Blend thoroughly, but DON'T OVER STIR. You'll make your rice mushy and that won't be tasty. Save the extra rice for later.
*Place your pumpkin on a sturdy cookie sheet. Pour the meat and rice mixture into the pumpkin. Remember to put the 'LID' on it. 
*Set the whole pumpkin into your oven on the lowest rack. 
*Bake on 350 for 1 1/2 hours (- or +, depending on your oven)
*When done, remove from oven and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes. 
*Scoop out meat and also lots of the pumpkin, serve with your favorite veggies, bread and drink.

Enjoy~Kimi