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Since being married, Jonathan and I have never spent a Christmas with our families. Not that we didn’t want to, we did. But we lived too far away and never had enough time off work to make a trip happen. Last year we were able to go to my parents’ for Thanksgiving and loved it. Now that we are in Texas, we are thrilled with all our family-for-the-holiday options. This year my parents, two younger brothers, and our family, will be meeting in Ft. Worth, where my older brother lives with his wife and kids. To make it even more fun, my SIL’s family will be there too. The last guest tally was 36 people. Eekk! {That’s a squeal of joy}.
I volunteered to plan out our meals for Christmas Day. And while it’s a big task {did I mention several teenaged boys will be there?!}, I am beyond excited to put my hosting, cooking, Christmas-loving skills to work. Here’s a small preview of our Christmas Day menu:
{photo credit}
Breakfast:
Lunch:
Dinner:
Pork Loin Roast with sides and clover rolls
Call me crazy {cause I know I am!}, but I am really looking forward to this cooking adventure. Being in the kitchen with my mom and stepdad {both fabulous cooks} and enjoying the hectic, loud, loving family reunion just feels too good to be true. *happy sigh*
What are your plans for Christmas? Any favorite holiday recipe I should try out?
Vist Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
- In: Life
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One desire I have for my girls is that they would grow up cooking along side me. At times it can be quite overwhelming having a 3 year old and a 1.5 year old “helping” me, but I am always looking for ways to incorporate them.
Our family makes a lot of homemade tortillas and the girls {i.e. Julia} always want to help roll them out. Unfortunately we only have one rolling pin and it is way too big and way too heavy for the girls. In the past I’ve had Julia use a little plastic play one, but it doesn’t work very well. Then last week I found this:
It’s a junior size rolling pin made by Fiesta. It is made from silicon and is non stick. It’s the perfect size for the girls! We’ve used it once and Julia loves it! Her tortillas might not turn out perfect, she is able to help now and make her and Hannah’s tortillas.
What tricks or tools have you picked up to help incorporate your kids in the kitchen?
Visit Kristen at We Are THAT Family for more Works For Me Wednesday.
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I really enjoy blogging. And over the last year as I’ve started to intentionally blog, I’ve learned a lot. So last night when a friend asked me a question about my hosting site, I thought I’d pass along my wisdom {I use that term very lightly} on becoming a blogger
1. Pick a good hosting site – I originally started with Blogger, but moved over to WordPress at the beginning of 2009. I’ve loved WP. The layout is easy, leaving comments/pingbacks are easy. The only draw back compared to Blogger, it’s not as easy to find “cute” templates. Maybe I’m not looking in the right spots, but I’ve never had much luck finding cute, free, page themes.
2. Pick a topic – I can’t say much about this, since I’ve realized I don’t have just one topic. But, if you start with a topic {baking, savings, mothering, etc}, stick with it. Explore the topic and get creative.
3. Be creative – Blogging is just like any other creative outlet, you can have good posts and bad posts. But when you’re creative and unique, those are the ones that are the best. Just be yourself and people will enjoy it.
4. Blog. A lot – If you blog it, they will come. It’s true. Once I really started blogging {several times a week}, my readership shot up. People will read if you write. Especially if you’re creative.
5. Tweet – Unsure of Twitter? Think it’s just another Facebook? Think again. Twitter is an amazing resource for bloggers. It hooks you up with other bloggers, it links you with an entire blogging world facebook just doesn’t offer. And just like writing a post, if you tweet it, they will come.
6. Use pictures – Pictures are worth a thousand words. And if you use the right picture with the post it’s like adding peanut butter to chocolate. You just made things that much sweeter.
7. Be personal – Add a picture of yourself. Write an “About Me” page. Be personal when you write, allowing your readers to know the real you. You don’t have to be detailed and overly open, but give your readers an idea of who you are so they can feel like they know you.
8. Read other blogs – Follow bloggers who are similar to you. Follow bloggers who make you laugh. Follow bloggers you enjoy. You’ll learn a lot about them, but you’ll also learn a lot about blogging.
9. Leave comments – I can’t stress this enough – people like comments. Plain and simple. And a lot of people will start reading your blog just because you left them a comment. I don’t always do the greatest job of leaving comments, because sometimes life gets too busy and I don’t get to read as many blogs. But when I do, I always comment. So when in doubt, leave a comment. If for no other reason than to make that bloggers day.
10. Enjoy it – I once had a friend say “I want to blog, I just don’t like writing”. It made me laugh, because blogging shouldn’t be one more than you have to do, it should be something you want to do. Write because you enjoy it, not because you think you need to.
What are some tips you have for blogging? Anything “big” that you’ve learned since starting?
Visit Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
I Want to Go Home Now
Posted on: December 13, 2010
- In: Life
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Our apartment is mostly unpacked, our Christmas decorations are up and life is moving forward. Yet all I can think is “I want to go home now.”
The last three weeks have been a whirlwind to say the least. And now, now things are slowing down and reality has hit. Reality that I am a thousand miles from “home”. Reality that I can’t go down the street to visit friends. Reality that my daughter keeps asking to play with her friends and she just can’t. Reality that this move is harder than I thought it would be.
I don’t doubt that our family is exactly where God wants us to be. God has shown us time and time again that He is leading us in this new direction. But I can’t help but miss the life we left behind – the friends, the family, we had to say goodbye to. That, that is the hardest part.
Yet, like every lesson, every trial, God proves His faithfulness. God proves that His family isn’t limited to one state or one community. He is bigger than that. Last night we had a chance to meet with a group of families within our new church, Austin Stone. And it was good. So very, very good. I left telling Jonathan that God really met me where I was, in need of feeling His presence in a community, and my heart was full.
I dearly miss our “family” in Iowa, but I am overwhelmed by God’s goodness to show me that wherever He is, wherever His heart is, there my family is also.
Financial Peace Giveaway!
Posted on: December 10, 2010
- In: Life
- 2 Comments
Kelsey at Mrs. Dexter, is hosting her first ever blog giveaway! And she’s blowing it out of the water by giving away three Dave Ramsey financial books!
Kelsey is giving away The Total Money Makeover, Financial Peace Revisited AND More than Enough: The 10 Keys to Changing Your Financial Destiny. How great is that?! Three amazing books!
This year, Kelsey and her husband have been paying down debt, saving money and living on cash budget. It’s been an exciting – and encouraging! – journey to read about.
Be sure to sign up for Kelsey’s giveaway and let her know I sent you over!
- In: Life
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Perhaps I’ve mentioned this a few times, but I really love Christmas. And my love starts showing itself through decorating in November. There, I said it. I decorate before Thanksgiving. But this year, with our big move, I had to hold out. Until December 8th. You read that right. December 8th. As in yesterday. Never in the history of Sarah has Christmas started this late.
Yesterday I spent all morning unpacking boxes just to make space for our Christmas tree. I think it was worth the effort, don’t you?
Excuse the camera phone quality, our real camera is currently MIA.
Christmas trees to me embody the Christmas spirit. I’ve seen a lot of city Christmas trees over the years, and these are my favorites:
- Rockefeller Center, NY
Daley Plaza, Chicago
Trafalgar Square, London
Visit Jill at Diaper Diaries for more Things I Love Thursday.
Snickers, Butterfinger, Caramello – Just a Few of My Favorite Candy Bars
Posted on: December 7, 2010
- In: Life
- 14 Comments
Thanks to Mary at Giving Up On Perfect for her Coke post, I felt I could finally come clean and admit: I have an unending love for candy bars. Even though I typically eat healthy, wholesome, natural foods, I can’t say no to a candy bar. And try as I might to act like I don’t like them, given the choice, I’d eat one every day {hanging head in shame}. Here are my all time favorites:
1. Snickers – Perhaps the quintessential candy bar, Snickers embodies everything a candy bar should be.
2. Hershey’s bar – The bar that can do anything. Without Herhsey’s we wouldn’t have such joys as S’mores or Kisses.
3. Butterfinger – I ate a Butterfinger every day in my last two trimesters with Julia. It was worth every extra pound I gained.
4. 3 Musketeers – The “healthier” option with 30% less fat. A light and fluffy candy bar that is even better when frozen. Hmmm…
5. 100 Grand – I didn’t discover this candy bar until college. Whoa! What was I missing?!? Chocolate. Caramel. Crispy rice. Heaven.
6. Dove bar – I always feel a little luxurious when I eat a Dove bar. Like I should be eating it at a spa, not my pjs right before bedtime.
7. Crunch – I think Crunch bars are the forgotten candy bars. But when I scored a good deal on Crunch bars for Halloween candy, I renewed my love for this chocolatey-crunchy bar.
8. Milky Way – A bar of many choices. Milk chocolate. Dark chocolate. Caramel. Much like a 3 Musketeers, these bars make great frozen treats.
9. Caramello – Yummy chocolate caramel goodness. Not to mention it’s made by Cadbury, the makers of the Easter goodness known as Creme Eggs.
10. York Peppermint Pattie – While not a “bar”, I think the York deserves to stand in the candy bar category. A refreshing, delicious treat that makes this girl happy pretty much any time.
What are your favorite candy bars? Which ones do you think I should have added to my list?
Visit Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
I Think I Forgot How to Cook
Posted on: December 6, 2010
- In: Life
- 4 Comments
{photo credit}
Between packing, moving and living in transit, I haven’t cook for nearly three weeks. Sure, I’ve put together a meal here and there, but I haven’t had a real menu in weeks. We don’t have our things yet {another story, another time}, but I do have a crock pot and a few borrowed pots and pans. The girls and I went to H-E-B this morning to restock our pantry. It felt good to be able to shop and buy good foods. I think our entire family will be happy not see a fast food bag for a really long time. And if nothing else, my hips will be happier.
This weeks meals are pretty simple, since I can’t bake anything yet. We have a lot of chicken that we got on sale and are going to try to eat up before buying anything else. Here’s what I have planned:
Monday – Creamy Chicken with Rice
Tuesday – Chicken Tacos with Beans
Wednesday – Veggie Stir Fry with Rice
Thursday – Ribs with Mashed Potatoes
Friday – Fish and Pasta
Saturday – Soup and Sandwiches {lunch}
Sweet Potato Burritos {dinner}
Sunday – Sweet Potato Burritos leftovers {lunch}
– Grilled Chicken Salad {lunch}
Hopefully by next Monday I will be back to baking, making homemade rolls and feeling more like a real cook!
Visit Laura at I’m an Organized Junkie for more Menu Plan Monday.
The Grinch Stole My Christmas
Posted on: December 3, 2010
- In: Life
- 3 Comments
Movers at the holidays a like the Grinch {photo credit}
We hired movers to bring our things down from Iowa to Texas. Over the last 10+ days, we’ve had some real issues with them. Our belonging were due to be delivered today {after a delay}, but we were informed last night it would be delayed again. Can I tell you the words I said {and especially thought} were less than pretty? I was down right angry. Irritable. Frustrated. Mad. That’s my stuff. My Christmas stuff! They’re like my very own Grinch, keeping me from enjoying Christmas.
I even tweeted my anger. And as soon as I hit “send” I thought “Did I just miss the big picture?” “Did I just miss something amazing from God?” I did my friends. I did.
Over the last several weeks God has really challenged me with my comforts. And in the last few days I keep wondering if I am holding on to my stuff more than I am holding onto God. See, last year I battled with moving at Christmas – my favorite holiday. Now this year I am battling it all over again. Where’s my tree? Where are my decorations? Where’s my Christmas?! Yet this year is becoming different. Because this year, like a flame getting brighter, I’m wondering if my priorities are in the right place. Why am I celebrating Christmas? The presents? The food? The family? Where is Christ in my celebrations? Where is my worshiping of Him in all the wrapping papers? Where is the celebration of my Savior’s birth – and therefore redeeming death?
I’m not saying I’m going to totally give up Christmas. That might be a little too shocking to my system. But I do think I need to reevaluate some things – put the true meaning into perspective and ask myself “How do I want our family to celebrate the birth of our Savior?” It’s a tough question and it’s taken a year and two moves for me to ask it. I’m not sure yet, but I’m opening my heart up to the Lord to show me.
- In: Life
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Yesterday my SIL and I decided to treat our three youngest by letting them help us bake snickerdoodles. Rare is the day that I bake with both my girls helping, let alone three. Each mom manned a counter and had the girls take turns helping us measure, pour and stir.
The girls had a blast helping. It was so much fun to be baking with Christmas music playing in the background and the girls laughing and having such a good time. Hannah especially liked the mixing spoon. Who can blame her? 🙂
*Another adventure this week was my new hat {see picture}. What do ya’ll think?? Is it a keeper?
Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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