Computer down

hey there - i have not fallen off of the face of the earth - but my computer has... it is at the shop trying to be healed of some major viruses. so sad but so sweet - I have not had access to it for a couple of days now and find much freedom in that... I am using Charles' laptop to just check emails at night and to pop in on my friend's blogs. I'm expecting to pick up the computer maybe tomorrow or at worst on Monday afternoon. Until then, hang tight I've got lots to post when the computer gets healed! :)

S'more Goofy Pics

she can be sooo goofy -

we made some s'mores in the fire place - too bad I'm the only one that likes them - I ate them all! :o)
she was still pretty proud of her creation..

she wants to play "dress up" all day long - we just go from one costume to the next - she hardly even wears real clothes unless we go somewhere... check out those snazzy slippers!

I just couldn't resist!

ELF DANCE!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Do-It-Yourself: Christmas Cards

Hey everyone - so obvioulsy we got some family pictures taken and I'm just thrilled at how it all came out - Audrey was HORRIBLE, so i'm surprised that she got even one good one! I wanted to share a cheap way to do your Christmas cards this year (I just did mine yesterday... so it's not too late!). Using Scrapblog you can make blog headers, but you can also make other images - that turn out to be a 5x7 size.

Once you create your design (by the way there are lots that are already premade and you just put your pictures into them - that is what my blog header is) make sure to SAVE then PUBLISH. After publishing it you can EXPORT as a JPEG and just save it somewhere on your computer. Then upload to SNAPFISH - I'm reommending this site because until tomorrow (Thursday) they have free shipping: Code - SHIP08 AND their 5x7 prints are only $0.39/each..I just bought the 5x7 envelopes at Hobby Lobby. {the 4x6 print price is only $0.09}

(this is not my card **here is an example of a premade card** -i don't know these cute people!) I had lots of fun making mine from scratch exactly the way I wanted them - but if that doesn't sound like your idea of a good time, the premade ones are really pretty..

I don't think you can get a cheaper Christmas Card than that... and not to mention they are CUSTOM! :) double check the image in snapfish to make sure nothing got cut off.. just a little on each side of mine did - but it was no big deal since the picture was towards the middle. I plan on doing birth announcements this way too.. gotta love it! :) email me or comment if you have questions! :)

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

my favorite view from the kitchen :)

Do-It-Yourself: Ornaments

hey y'all! this could not be any easier and it was lots of fun for me and Audrey to do during the holidays! Bake a bunch of these ahead and have friends over to decorate with you! :)

Recipe for Salt Dough Ornaments:

4 Cups Flour
1 Cup Salt

1 1/2 Cups Warm Water

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Mix flour and salt together and gradually add in warm water until dough forms - knead dough until it is all the same consistency.

Roll it out between two pieces of plastic wrap and cut some shapes using cookie cutters. I let Audrey cut out all the shapes and choose which cookie cutters to use.. she did great!

Don't forget to poke a hole at the top of the ornament with a straw so that you can hang it once it is done.

Bake for 1 hour on a cookie sheet, they shoud be dry and hard to the touch... let cool completely and then paint, decorate, glue on something snazzy and then seal them with a varnish front and back. This recipe made about 2 dozen ornaments and my cookie cutters are pretty big.

Here's what I used to decorate.. I already had most of this stuff at home from previous craft projects... my favorites were the puff paint and the glitter glue! :)

I added some bells for extra Christmas Jingle!!

I found this spray sealer at Wal-Mart

it was around $4.50

Audrey had a blast painting her ornaments!

These are her finished ones! :)

ENJOY!

Do-It-Yourself: Donuts

When I was a little girl my dad would make these special donuts on the weekends and especially when we had friends to spend the night... I have fond memories of shaking the hot donuts in paper bags with powdered sugar with my sister, Kari (sorry Matt - you weren't around yet!). I've started to make them for my little family - Audrey and Charles both go crazy for them! They are surprisingly simple to make and a lot less clean up than the usual BIG Saturday morning breakfasts.
You'll Need:

The cheap-o four pack of buttermilk biscuits (not flaky layers) - We only use two cans for our breakfast and still don't finish them off... adjust to what your family size is...

Some Canola Oil - enough to fill your pot about 1/2 full... It is a lot of oil, but I save mine in the fridge and re-use it the next time I make donuts - It lasts forever *try to strain out the donut bits that might have fallen off before storing.

I use a small pot (2 quart) so that I don't have to use a ton of oil.

Just cut the biscuits any way you want - When we were little my dad cut them each into quarters to resemble donut holes... Use a pizza cutter to make it easier! If you want them slightly larger - just cut them in half - It makes a nice moon shape. You can also leave them whole and punch out a circle in the middle with a small round object in the house... whatever your family likes. I usually make a variety of shapes each time to keep it fun.

When your oil reaches around 350 degrees (just pop in a food thermometer if you aren't sure) the oil is ready - just add a few biscuits in at a time so the oil temp doesn't drop too much. Flip them over after just a few seconds on the first side - it browns fast and take them out when they are a light golden brown. {Each batch should take around a minute or two to cook.}

I drain mine on a plate with some paper towels and when they are cool enough to handle - put them in a brown paper bag (works best) with some powdered sugar or just use whatever you have - gallon size zip loc or even a large plastic container with lid would work just fine. Give them a couple of shakes **this is where the kids can have some fun** and VOILA! they're ready.

Let the kids get involved - older kids can cut the biscuits and the younger can do the shaking... It will mean the world to them - I still remember doing this over 20 years ago :) Try It!

The Reason for the Season

It is super easy to get distracted this time of year with gift buying, decorating and Christmas parties... Lets choose to keep our hearts focused on Christ during this Christmas Season.
Here's one way to do it: our church, Southside Fellowship, has provided an easy to print-out advent booklet to prepare our hearts for the celebration of our Savior's birth.. Click Here


Here are some links to incorporate the kiddos:
http://www.sermons4kids.com/advent_calendar_manger_scene.pdf

this site has lots of great activities and lessons: Sermons for Kids

a list of bible verses for each day:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/adventwreath.htm

This one is a cute color page type advent wreath:
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/mpaperadvent.htm


Christmas Blessings!!

Disney on Ice

We took Audrey to Disney on Ice last night and she loved it...
here are some pictures.. I think I liked it as much {or more} thank she did.. The Little Mermaid part of it was AWESOME!

Jingle Jammin'

Oh how Audrey just LOVES all things Christmas - especially the songs.. enjoy the video!
sorry it is so dark - the lights were flashing on and off to the music..