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.