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!

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. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! (ddp 25)

Hoping this finds all of you spending your day celebrating the birth of our Savior and Lord of all creation. We are having a wonderful time together. (Although we are missing several somebodies...you know who you are). Yesterday, we spent the day baking and just being together. We made cookies and I started our Christmas dinner. Here is a little sample. I have a few other pics of some of the other things we made, but I will need to download them later. We are getting ready to play another game. Gotta go for now. Much love~Kimi and family

The Wrap Station(day 22)

Every year we set up a little 'wrap station'. With a folding table set up and paper, tape, tags, ribbon, boxes and bags, we can come and wrap at anytime. The kids especially like it because this way they can use it anytime and don't need my help to wrap something special from them. Our house rule at Christmas time is: "Christmas time is not a time for questions." So when we see someone at the wrapping station, we know to look the other way. No need to spoil any suprises! Right? I didn't take the picture early enough this morning. It was 13 when we got up. I don't care who you are...that's c-o-l-d! Our windchill was 9. We needed to go out and break up the horses water. It was iced over at least 2-3". It was soooo cold. They were glad to see us and look so fluffy with their winter coats. As you can see from the pic below, it's 21 now and our high today is only 32. My friend and her family are on vacation and in very cold temps. I hope they stay warm.

A Walk & My Violet (Photo proj-Day 21)

In our small town, we have a nice little park that has picnic tables, pavilions, a playground and gazebos, just like any other park. But we also have a very old church, the very first school in our town and some cool, main street (antique) stores. They have been moved to our park and are always on display. Every 1st and 3rd Saturdays, the little buildings are open and anyone can stroll through them and make purchases and see how it may have looked many years ago. They even have wares you can buy. It's really neat. Every year, the town 'department' decorates the entire park up for Christmas. Lights, candles, huge lighted-stars, lighted-banners, and all sorts of decor go up. It literally takes them several months to finish. They start in August to be done by November when they have the "Official Lighting of the Park" opening for all to see. It is alot of fun! And the only reason they do it is to make our town HAPPY.

It is such a fun time. On Friday & Saturday they have a concession stand up and sell hot cocoa, popcorn balls, and other treats for the kids (and anyone else :0) This is a photo of the big gazebo near the front of the park. We make sure to go every year so we can look for any new decorations that might be up. If you get the chance, come on over and we'll go to the park for a walk.

In the midst of all this cold weather, it is quite a job keeping my indoor plants looking good and thriving. I enjoy taking care of little plants and seeing them grow. I especially like variegated Spider plants. I also have just started learning about African Violets. This one was given to me a few months ago and it was only about as big as the first ring of leaves (from the center outward). I guess I must have placed it in the right spot on my window sill and it has been growing very well. I moved it to my little plant cart with my Spider plants and it is still thriving. They seem to get just the right amount of sunlight there in the sunroom. I think having a bit of LIVE greenery in my home is essential. It's one of the staples of decor I like to use when making up a design element. It works for me.

Always Jesus!(photo proj-day 20)

A very nice brunch this morning. We had fluffy, home made biscuits with bacon (turkey, of course), eggs (fresh) and OJ, along with some of that cream cheese icing and coffee. Mmmm...I think everyone had seconds. Camille was able to be with us today and that made it so nice.

This evening my husband and I took a walk. Then he wanted to take a photo of the house with all the lights up. After that we went to the place that claims that they 'always have THE lowest prices, ALWAYS'. I can honestly say, we haven't been there but twice the whole season and that was ONLY because my grocer was out of what I needed. I have made it my business to stay away and have found it to be "rather refreshing". Plus, all that extra $$ is still in our pocket. I tell myself and live by this..."the only thing I really, always need is Jesus!". JESUS, ALWAYS!

The Nativity-(day 19)

We all love to get out the Nativity Set. Ever since the children were very, very little they have played with it and I don't know how many pieces have been broken and replaced over the years. We set it up and place a little decorated tree next to it and then put lights all around too. The light at the top is supposed to be the star. We've had it set up all month, but I thought it was a perfect thing to share. ***Do you guys have any pics of your Nativity Sets?***I'd like to see them. :)

Crafts for Christmas (day 18)

I am always on the lookout for a good, fun and easy craft that the kids and I can do for different seasons and then keep them out on display.

Here's a REALLY FUN craft to make that doesn't take any craft experience at all. It's a snowman family and you can make as many as you would like! Super Easy!What you'll need:

• powdered coffee creamer containers-one for each snowman
• package of white tube socks
• tiny black buttons-2 for each snowman
• tiny buttons of various colors-for decor(we used flower shaped from my scrapbook stuff)
• orange pipe cleaners-shaped into a 'carrot'
• fluffy pom-poms-for hats
• fleece-various colors for their hats and scarves
• hot glue and glue gun
• rubber bands-two (2) for each snowman, one above eyes and one at top of hat
• zip-lock sandwich baggie & rice or beans-1/2 cup for each snowman

Here's the instructions:

• remove lid, place sock over container.
• fill baggie with 1/2 cup rice or beans. Place into container and replace lid. Secure lid.
• cut a piece of fleece the size you'd like to make a cute, little hat.
• roll the fleece around the top of snowman and place 1 rubber band at lid(rim) and fold the fleece up to cover. Glue into place.
• at floppy end of hat, secure the second rubber band. Glue a few pom-poms around to cover rubber band. (I fringed some)
• using buttons, glue eyes into place and then the nose.
• cut a thin piece of fleece to go around the neck. Don't forget to allow enough to make the knot and hang down nicely. Tie into place.
• glue buttons down the front.
• straighten the sock so it looks even.

We also used these to give as gifts and filled them with goodies. (Just changed the lid a bit though) They always smelled good when they were opened up, because of the creamer. We usually filled them with chocolate or fudge. And that goes with anything!! :) __________________________________________________________________________ One year we made these stockings. What you'll need:

• newspaper
• scissors
• pencil & eraser
• fabric -enough to make the stocking (I used a different fabric for all 9 of us)
• sewing machine or glue (I used my sewing machine)
• embellishments (eg: glitter, buttons,ribbon, stars, etc)

Here's the instructions:

• Draw a pattern that you like onto newspaper. Cut it out
• Place 2 pieces of fabric, right side together. lay flat on table.
• PIN BOTH PIECES TOGETHER, just about where the pattern will lay.
• Trace the 'pattern' onto the fabric. Make sure pins are in proper places.
• Cut out the stocking pattern and sew together.
• Turn right side out and press with iron to make it flat.
• Hand sew a little loop on one side.
• Lay them out and let the kids decorate them till their hearts content.

What fun and How easy is that! (Note: I lined mine with a bit of thin fleece. If you choose to line yours, just lay fleece on both sides of your fabric and then cut your pattern. Remembering to pin all four (4) pieces.

Little Somethings! (DPP- Day 15)

The children like to countdown to Christmas using this little snowman chalk board. We have had it for a while-I think we got it for $1 at the $ Tree. It just goes to show, you don't have to spend lots of $$$ to do a little something special. Florence Littauer says, "It takes so little to be ABOVE average." That dollar bought a whole lotta of smiles!

How 'bout that! :)

This year we are doing something new with our kids. Every day they will get to open a very special little present. Grant & I have placed a 'little something' in 48 tiny, colorful boxes. They will each have one for the **12 Days of Christmas**. There may be a Bible scripture, a note from Mom or Dad, an IOU (eg: "I will take you to the ice cream shop"), or a fun size piece of candy. I stacked the cute packages (2"x2") on my 3-tiered server. They can choose any one they may want. After that, we open a little window on our scenic advent calendar. Each day builds up to the birth of Jesus with a note or verse printed on the numbered, little window.

I just love Tea and Coffee! A few years ago, my husband and I found this little antique cabinet at a local shop and I thought it would be perfect to house all my different teas and coffees. It's been fun decorating it for the seasons and I keep it filled and ready for friends to share. I like to use a peppermint stick in my tea,so nearby I keep a few on hand. My Mother gave me the Christmas sugar and creamer china set-many, many years ago. She included the pretty, dainty plates and cups with it. I especially love my scented Christmas mat from Tammy.

photo project-day 14

Wow!! Has this been an exciting day! A great day that started at chuch this morning with a powerful message about "Change". Then this evening's events were superb! We actually have our OWN TSO--Transiberian Orchestra that is. Did they ever out do themselves tonight. Here is Bro I with some of the members...Bro Greg is in the drum booth.(not :( pictured) Camille is playing next to Bro I. They gave praises to God in a special way with those instruments!

Anthony & Austin were the king and drummer boy.

This was the manger scene. Donte', Hunter and James were the wisemen. Makenzie was Mary and Adam was Joseph. See Austin grinning-isn't he cute!

Drake and Garrett are singing in the kids choral. Drake and Garrett are good buds! How cool is that!

Micaylah is singing her verse as the 'nightwind'. This was the best part of all! Here is a picture of Bridget's sister-in-law getting baptized in Jesus Name! The only name given among men where by we must be saved. She was so excited and she came out so happy! WE all are! That's what Christmas is all about! New life in Jesus! Afterall, that's why He came.

Photo project-day 13

these are a few of my favorite things...

When it comes to Christmas, we so enjoy getting out our most treasured things. So many little items have precious memories that go along with each one. Here are a few of mine: snowflakes, a glass ornament from my husband, a new flower to myself and a very old crochet angel. But these are only the tangible ones, below is what I treasure most! Here are 4 of my little treasures taking an afternoon nap. And one of their favorite things is... making a huge 'pallet', right in front of our tree, then piling lots & lots of blankets and pillows everywhere and finally ploppin' down for a long story, a family game or in this case just a nap. I actually found room to squeeze in there myself this afternoon too. It was great! I really needed the nap. (ps-they don't know I took this pic, ha!)

This is the gorgeous sunset that graces our back yard every evening. What a wonderful God we serve!

photo project-day 12

Since we didn't start this project on the 1st of December, we will add a few extra pics along the way.

When I was growing up, my Grandma always had apples on hand. She said, "An apple a day keeps sickness at bay." So especially around the Christmas season she would make these wonderfully, delicious cinnamon apples for all the grand kids.

I loved them immensely. So this year we made some of our own and they turned out just lovely. Every year when it gets colder, we like to give our little doggies some special, holiday treats too. Here are Lacy, Autum and Reebok(the cat) waiting for something special. They almost look like they are smiling. Well, maybe not Reebok. She's a cat, after all!

DECEMBER PHOTO PROJECT-Day 11

My friend was telling me about a project that she was doing on her blog...it is a photo project and basically you take every day during the month of December and document it with a picture. The picture should show what December/Christmas means to you and your family. Now, since I am a bit behind, I will start with today (the 11th). Maybe I will place 2 or 3 photos in one day...or not...I will most definitely, absolutely have fun with it! Hope you will try it too.

Day 11 Fresh baked cookies..mmm...this is one of the favorite things for our family.

We have had some pretty cold weather here in Alabama. One morning we woke up and it was snowing!! It was so beautiful as it was coming softly down. The children got their coats on and we all ran outdoors to 'play' in it.

My poor little pc

Here we are in the month of December and no posting yet. Well, I do apologize to all my bloggy friends for not posting. My computer is not running too good lately and even though a friend looked at it and fixed some of the problems, it is still not able to run good. It blinks out and the screen goes black and then when we try to turn it off, it stays on indefinitely. But, I am trying to view all of your blogs and that is quite a job for my pc. I have been enjoying it emensely though!!! Hopefully, we will get things running better soon. Till then, Christmas time's a coming and oh it won't be long! Much love, Kimi