6:30 am Christmas at our house

We told Adele that she could get up at 6:30 am on Christmas morning.  She woke up at 6:29 am... not kidding!  The first thing she said to me was, "I just prayed that Jesus would have a good birthday today."  So sweet.  Then we got up and started the coffee and made some cheese and ham biscuits.  Then we all sat down at the kitchen table to celebrate the birth of our Savior. It was a beautiful celebration.  We have been doing Advent and so this morning was the lighting of our last candle and because it was still dark outside it was beautiful (don't worry I have pictures!).  

Then we all settled into the living room to open our gifts.  This year Adele asked for a metal detector (seriously).  We also bought her several other gifts that were a hit (you know some years you bomb).  She LOVED her new hot pink MP3 Player and pink watch.  It was cool to watch her open each gift and get so excited!

I hope that you enjoy this day and the celebration of the real reason for Christmas and God's "gift" to us... salvation.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:11

A different kind of recipe

I was trying to think of what Adele might like to give the kids in her class as a Christmas present and I came across this recipe for Play Dough.  I know, you are thinking why make your own play dough?  We are just like that... we like to be "crafty".  Anyway, it was really easy and fun to watch how the play dough changed in the microwave.  Give it a try!  I bet you have almost all the ingredients in your house already.

Play Dough

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. salt

2 T. cream of tartar

2 packages of Kool-Aid

2 c. water

2 T. baby oil (you can use cooking oil)

Mix together the flour, salt and cream of tartar in a bowl.  In a separate bowl mix the water, baby oil and kool-aid.  Then mix the 2 together in a microwave safe dish.  Stir until well blended. Microwave on high for a total of 4 to 5 minutes stopping every 30 to 45 seconds to stir. Continue to microwave until a ball forms.  After the play is cool enough to touch, you are ready to create!!!

*I just wanted to add to make sure you stir really well on the sides and bottom of your microwave dish because the play dough starts to form in those areas first and if you don't stir well it will get to hard.  Also we halved the recipe and that made plenty.

Pictures of us making ours... doesn't it look like fun!!!

I do hope that you will try this with your kids.  Like I said we are going to give the dry ingredients to Adele's friends in her class for Christmas (shh ... don't tell them) and hope that their parents aren't too upset with me!  Ha Ha!

Thanksgiving Party

A few days ago (OK many days ago)  Adele had her Thanksgiving party at school.  Another mom and I had this party.  So we had a little feast which consisted of turkey (real) sandwiches, soup and a turkey cookie cake (which I made myself and I think turned out pretty good for a first try - see above picture).  The kids made pilgrim hats and looked so cute singing their little Thanksgiving songs.  Here are a few pictures and video so you can share in the festivities.

Here is a video of them singing about a pet turkey named "Albuquerque" and how they have chicken instead of turkey for Thanksgiving!  So cute!

Well...I guess all there is to say now is MERRY CHRISTMAS (it has been a while since my last post)!

Corn Chowder

This is a recipe that many of my friends love.  I got the recipe from my aunt Vicki and G-ma (grandma).  They love to cook and always share their recipes with me.  I am not sure where they got this one from.  Anyway, this is the time of year to make chowder.  On days when it is cold outside (and if it is cloudy that makes it even better, you know the kind of cloudy I am talking about... like it is getting ready to snow) I love to get into my kitchen and make something like this.  It makes you feel all warm and cozy inside.  Then you get to settle in with your family to a nice bowl of corn chowder.....  

Ingredients

3 ounces bacon, chopping into small pieces

1 large onion, chopped

1 rib of celery, chopped

3 cups of potatoes, cubed

2 cans of chicken broth 

2 cans of cream style corn

16 ounce niblet corn

1 cup milk

1/4 cup butter

Fry the bacon until done, then add the onion.  I usually just do this in whatever pot I am going to use to cook the chowder (the less to clean the better).  Cook the onion for about 5 minutes. Next add the celery, potatoes and chicken broth.  The chicken broth should just cover the potatoes (if it doesn't just add more broth or water).  Cook the potatoes until done then add the cream corn and niblet corn.  In a separate bowl heat the milk and butter until warm and then add to chowder.  Salt and pepper to taste.  

Note:  A few times I have had the chowder to turn out more like soup than chowder.  If this happens just remove a little of the liquid from the chowder.  In the removed liquid add a little corn starch and add back to chowder and it should thicken up for you.  This will not affect the taste of the corn chowder.

Enjoy!!!

Daddy's Birthday (Love, Adele)

I love you Daddy.  Happy Birthday.  We like to play checkers together.  And he plays other games with me.  And he lets me ride with him and Sandy.  He plays basketball with me.  He plays the guitar and helps me play the guitar.  I think that is it....  

Well... he plays outside with me. He is in between 60 years old because he is 33 years old. And sings good with his microphone.  He is a good daddy.  I love you, Daddy.  Thank you for my watch. 

The End.  Adele