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JOY{filled}family

striving to radiate Him always

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

by Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Cookies, Recipe 4 Comments

cookie exchangeA friend hosted a Cookie Exchange during the first week of December for moms and daughters.  It was a great outing and jump start for Christmas baking.

Rose and I decided to try a new recipe.  We were in a chocolatey mood and liked the look of Chocolate Crinkles.  We used Bakers Royal recipe for Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies.

Rose found this to be a simple and fun recipe.  She noted that she would use less powdered sugar.   Also, we tried the Crinkles with and without peppermint.  Peppermint is the way to go!

I printed the recipe on the JOY cards for all to take home.

A tall glass of milk is definitely needed.  This is one rich cookie, just the way my kids like them!

sweetie cookie exchange

check out more cookie ideas at Catholic Cuisine’s Christmas Cookie Recipe Exchange and our last year’s Christmas cookie post.

Thanksgiving and Prayers

by Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Dragonfly Leave a Comment

We have sought simpler times.  This year a Christmas Topiary is part of the plan.  We decided to decorate our tree early this year in honor of our gift from above, Dragonfly.

He turned 7 months on Dec. 17.

JOYfilled Christmas 2010He is a precious baby with a sweet disposition.  He is easy and always happy.  Dragonfly…sits up on his own.  has 6 teeth.  wears 9-12 months clothes.  pulls himself to a standing position, on his own.  eats avocados.  loves to fight with dad and brother.  enjoys his adventures with sweetie.  prefers men to women. is ready for a hair cut.  crawls everywhere.……brings us much JOY!

7 months

seven months

prayers for a

JOYfilled CHRISTmas

We pray that we continue to be filled with the JOY that only Christ can provide.  We extend this prayer to all our blog friends and their loved ones.

 

Waiting For Jesus Christ

by Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Nativity 1 Comment

We are anxiously awaiting the birth of Christ.  On Christmas Day, the children will add Baby Jesus to the Nativity Scenes in our home, that do not have Him present.  He is the true gift of Christmas!

nativity in fireplace mantle – Fontanini Nativity

tree topper JOY tree topper

nativity in livingroom living room side table – Jim Shore Nativity

kitchen nativity immaculate shrine calendar kitchen calendar – Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

bookshelf nativitybookshelf – Dollar Tree Nativity trinket box

gian's nativitypapi – Oriental Trading Nativity

nativity on altaraltar

nativity in schoolroomschoolroom – Oriental Trading Nativity

nativity on entry tableentry table – Fontanini

nativity on piano in holy room piano in Holy Room (on display year-round)

nativity snow globesnow globe nativity

seto calendar in schoolroomschoolroom calendar – Seton Homeschool

outdoor nativity v2 front yard

not pictured: bedroom nativity sets, veggietale nativity, little people nativity, cloth nativity, …..

more nativity scenes can be viewed at the Nativity Parade.

One Sink At A Time

by Filed Under: Advent, Home, Organization 1 Comment

I have been somewhat overwhelmed since having our newest blessing.  My home has been a reflection of my state.  Nonetheless, I am determined to follow His prompting to regain order during this Advent season, one sink at a time.

Like Mother, Like Daughter is hosting a Kitchen Sink Linky Party.  Thank you Auntie Leila for the gentle prompting. 

Pretty over the kitchen sink ~ Share your "flow" progress and your pretty windowsill or other space above your kitchen sink! Link back here to Like Mother, Like Daughter, and leave a comment if you like! Then visit each other to show everyone sink love!

 sinkkitchen counter

Preparing my soul and my home for the coming of Christ.

Giving Thanks – Craft

by Filed Under: Advent, Crafts, Thanksgiving 7 Comments

I used this craft for Little Flowers – Perseverance & St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  My family has made this a Thanksgiving/Pre-Advent Tradition.

The Gratitude Cards are intended to be used from now until the start of Advent – Nov. 28, 2010. 

The the goal is for the children & family to work on preparing their hearts to receive the most wonderful gift, Jesus. 

The box was decoupaged with a picture of Our Blessed Mother, Lord Jesus Christ, and/or another Saint.  It can later be used as a prayer box to store the intentions of family and friends.  The box can also be used for keepsakes such as Rosary, Miraculous Medal, etc.  It also serves as a great gift for another.  We often use the boxes to present a spiritual bouquet to someone dear.

A card is to be randomly selected from the box on a daily basis.  The activity/card selected should be performed by all members of the household.

Here’s an example:  “I’m Thankful for my toys.”  Give some of your toys away to Goodwill so that other children may enjoy them. 

The card is then placed on the hanging twine for all to see.  This serves as a reminder that this task needs to be completed.  It also helps to reflect on what you are giving thanks for.

I put our twine and cards over the fireplace.  The kids love to see what they have completed and what they are thankful for. 

Sparkles couldn’t wait to start her cards.  She was even more excited when she selected the card, "I’m Thankful For Our Car."  Her task was to clean the car and then go out for ice cream cones.  She has never been so happy to clean the car.  She rallied her sisters and went to work.  I even gave a hand.  I couldn’t resist their enthusiasm.

 

SUPPLIES:

Gratitude Cards:

  • I’m Thankful for… Cards (I printed my cards from here and selected the cards that applied to my family and Catholic Faith.)
  • Scrapbook cardstock (I purchased a 4.5×6 book of Thanksgiving scrapbook papers, found at Michaels)
  • Scissors
  • Glue/double stick tape
  • Hole punch
  • Twine/raffia

Gratitude Box:

  • Paper box (purchased from the Dollar Store or Wal-Mart)
  • Gold Spray Paint
  • Holy Picture
  • Foam Brush

DIRECTIONS:

Gratitude Cards:

  • Print & cut the I’m Thankful for… Cards
  • Trim your scrapbook paper to frame the “Thankful Cards”
  • Adhere the cards to your scrapbook paper
  • Hole punch the scrapbook paper with card
  • Thread a piece of twine/raffia in the hole and tie onto the hanging twine for display

Gratitude Box:

  • Spray paint the brown/paper box with gold spray paint
  • Trim your holy picture as desired
  • Adhere the picture to the box by brushing a thin layer of Mod Podge on the box. 
  • Brush another layer of Mod Podge over the picture and entire top surface of the box.  Repeat as desired, allowing time for drying in between coats.

Father, "I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart" (Ps 138:1).

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