A Christmas tradition I love...

I've already told you how I have participated in the  Twelve Days of Christmas.  I didn't get involved until week 5 or 6, but I went back and looked at all the other weeks.  I found something I loved and really wanted to share with you.

Go read Carrie's post at This Cozy Home.  Then come back and we'll talk...........

**waiting**

**waiting**

Ok, what did you think?  I thought her idea of the 3 Christmas gifts was fabulous.  I have heard many people have many different takes on how to make Christmas more centered on Christ, but I had never heard anything like this.  I've known people who didn't get any Christmas gifts, but I think that's just a bit much.  I've heard of people who only get one gift, because Jesus was our gift.  Good idea, but still a little over the top for me.  I loved the idea of the three gifts AND what each gift will represent.  When I first read this post, I immediately sent the link to Michael.  I think this is something we would both like to do when we have children.

Now don't go and start feeling sorry for our children.  They will have enough.  Don't your kids already have enough?  More than enough?  Plus, I had already planned on making sure my children have an extra special birthday.  This is something I didn't have, and I can't wait to throw the fun birthday parties and make my kids day all about them.  It will all balance out... all while keeping Christmas about what Christmas truly is.

Oh the places we will go...

Alright, well I told you that I'd share some fun places for you to take your kids.  Some of the ideas I have are local, and some are going to be able to be used by all.

Today my suggestion is to go to the zoo.  Ok, I know you are probably saying, "duh Bethany, what parent doesn't know to go to the zoo.  Kind of obvious".  Yes.  You are right.  But here is my tip that you may not know.  Go when it's cooler outside.  A lot of people hit up the zoo in the summer.  A) Because kids are out of school and sometimes moms or dads take time off then.  B) it's a "nice" day to be out. C) there are a lot of days in the summer and the kids need something to do OR D) That seems like the obvious time to go.  I'm telling you that you should go in the spring or fall.  I prefer the fall.  It's the best. 

Here's why:  It's comfortable outside.  (i.e. no ones skin is sweating right off)  It's pretty with all the fall leaves.  There are hardly any crowds because people don't think of going.  But best of all--the animals like it best then too.  The animals are more active and out when the weather is cooler.  Which, obviously, makes a trip to the zoo so much more enjoyable.

Little Man and I went just last week.  Here is some of what we saw...

Lots of elephants--Little Man's favorite!  These are the African elephants.

(Yes, his hair is that long.  No, there is nothing you can say to me about it that I haven't already heard.)

On the other side of the building were the Asian elephants.  Look at the little baby.  He's actually almost a year old, but he's still so darn cute.  Plus, we got to hear the elephants make noises I've never heard before!

 

 

Look how close the tiger was..... LOVE IT!

 

We heard the Lion roar TWICE!

The bears were out and playful as well.  (Usually they are sleeping!)

 

Little Man loved the komodo dragon.  (yuck!)

It liked Little Man too! :)

It was the perfect zoo day.  Next time you have a good fall day with nothing to do... hit up your local zoo!

Leaf Turkey

I apologize ahead of time for the not-so-good picture of this project.  This is a project from last year, and didn't "save" well.  You'll still get the idea though.

We did this project as a play date.  We had a few friends over and went collecting leaves.  Then we came back in and glued the leaves onto the construction paper.  You can see where there was glue (and leaves) and now they are missing.

After the leaves were glued on, Little Man and his friends glued on a circle body, a circle head, a beak and a wattle.  Then they each drew a face onto their turkey, as well as feet.  (I had to cut them off in the picture, because Little Man's name was at the bottom of the page.)  There you have it-- a simple turkey craft for Thanksgiving..

Kristen Heitzmann

If you are a reader and looking for a good book... or 3... I have a recommendation.  Check out Kristen Heitzmann.  She is a Christian fiction author.

This series is pretty good.  It took me a little bit to get into the first book, but once I was into it I really enjoyed it.

7 Ingredient Chili

I promise, I really do cook using more than a few cans of this and a few cans of that! :)  However, I am at work a little over ten hours a day.  With travel time, I am gone for almost 11 and a half hours.  That means I need fast and easy dinners.

I found this recipe a few years ago on an internet recipe site.  I later found out that it is actually listed on V8's website.  Either way, it's good.  It's probably not going to win a chili cook off or anything, but it will be a nice hearty meal for those nights where it's rainy, dark, and you don't feel like cooking.

Here's what you'll need:

2 pounds ground turkey

1 large onion, chopped

2 T chili powder

1/2 t ground cumin

3 1/2 cups V8 juice (I used reduced sodium)

1 small green pepper, chopped

2 cans (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Note: I actually didn't use an entire onion.  Michael isn't a fan of onions, and I like raw onions on my chili anyway.  I used about half of a large onion and then used some of the leftovers as a topping.  This can vary according to your family.  I've also cooked it with less beans before too.  I'm not a huge fan of kidney beans.

Here's what you do....

1. Cook turkey, onion, chili powder, and cumin in pot until turkey is browned.

2. Add V8 juice, green pepper, and beans.  Heat to a boil.

3. Reduce heat and cook over low heat for 15 minutes.

Serve with cheese and saltine crackers.  Yum.  It makes between 6 and 8 servings.  (8 WW points plus toppings based on 8 servings.)

It also freezes well.

Mighty to Save, Laura Story

more about "Mighty to Save, Laura Story", posted with vodpod

Oh how I love thee... (1)

(one of our MANY engagement pictures)

...let me count the ways.

So I said when I started this blog that one of the things you may read about is me bragging on my husband.  There have been a few posts of me referring to him, but no bragging has really been done.  There is a reason for that.  He really is an amazing man.  It's not that I don't have a ton to brag about.  It's just my own issues with coming across sincere.  You see, I often want to shout from the roof tops how lucky I am.  How God has blessed me beyond measure.  How in my wildest dreams I never could have imagined a more perfect husband for myself.  The struggle is, that most of the time I find if someone is going on and on and on and ON about their spouse.... via facebook status updates, blogs, emails, etc.... that there is a hidden issue there.  I don't know why, but sometimes I have a hard time believing it.  If you have to SHOUT it at me every chance that you get, then can it really be that good?  So while I want to brag on my husband and just how good he really is, I don't want to come across as fake.  Do you see my internal dilemma?

Well anyway, I decided that despite my reservations, Michael deserves to be recognized.  He is a one of a kind gentleman that I think you should know about.  I can't do it all in one post.  It would be a book.  Literally.  So every once in a while I'm going to blog about something I love about him.  These will be listed in no particular order.

Oh how I love thee.... let me count the ways.

#1.  I love that Michael CHOSE me.  I feel so honored and blessed to be his wife.  I feel like he could have chosen a number of great women, yet for some reason, he chose me.  I will be forever grateful.