website statistics
Less Of Me~ More Of Him





Great deals on School & Homeschool Curriculum Books and Software

Dec. 16, 2008

Christmas 2008 Highlights!

Posted in Holidays



I have decided to join Sprittibee for her
...

The 12 Days of Christmas Holidays and Meme-ish-ness


I will be sharing our Christmas Highlights  for the next 12 days!

Christmas Tree Hunt...






Our family pick! It took us all of 5 minutes to find this one!



I hope everyone has a Blessed & Merry Christmas!!!

Wordless Wednesday (Snow Day) is below this post!



Blessings (6) Share a Blessing! Permanent Link



Dec. 5, 2008

Christmas at our Home!

Posted in Holidays

I saw this meme on Tracy's blog and decided to join the fun over at HOTM!

I am the mother of 4 little boys 7 and under so our Christmas is easy, fun and full of crafts, stories, baking and music! I am going to try to keep this short but sweet!

Christmas at our home!



 

Books~ First off we READ the Bible to the children often, daily. We have lots of special books for this time of year and we usually will buy about 3 new Christmas books each year so we have a good collection of them. To see some of the books we have enjoyed go HERE!

Toys~ Our favorite toys for this time of year are “new” to us and the boys have loved them! We got these out on November 1st and the boys play with them often. We have done story time and played with the toys as a reenactment and it’s a great way to learn the facts about the Christmas story for little ones. Oh the toys you ask? Two nativity sets one is from Fisher Price and my 3 yr old loves this one (It is precious if I do say so myself)

 

The other is from "Playmobile" and the older boys love playing with these, taking them apart and putting them all back together again like Lego's.  

 

 

Movies, Music and Stories on CD ~ We love our DVR, we have the FamilyNet channel on cable and we have recorded the 5 or 6 Christmas Story specials they show on Saturdays and we play these through the month, the boys never tire of seeing or hearing about the Christmas story! We of course have children’s CD’s with the classic Christmas carols that we all know and love.  Lastly I found a treasure at the dollar Store, they have Story telling CD’s with different Christmas themes all using the KJV Bible for reference. They are wonderful!!!

 

Traditions~ Honestly we don’t really have any yet, I am looking forward to reading all of yours! We do the baking every year and we have a Trim the Tree night where we all decorate the Tree together and talk about our many family ornaments. The Children get to hang their own personal ornaments on the Tree. We drink hot coca and roast marshmallows (even if its 80 degrees out) We also allow the older 3 boys to go out on dates with us to purchase their gift for their Brother. Right now we buddy up the two oldest and the two youngest, as they get older we will probably pull names or something. Oh, we also adopt a family for Christmas and gather food and gifts for a family in need and deliver it ourselves.

Ok so I take it back, we have some Traditions after all!

 

Baking~ We love to make gifts in a Jar together, this is so easy for the littles to help with and they make great gifts! Here is one of mine from years past…

 

 

Crafts~ We do lots of them and we usually find them from a Christmas craft book my mother bought the boys and the following links…

http://www.jesse-trees.com/index.html

http://www.homeschooled-kids.com/christmas.html

http://www.craftown.com/xmas.htm

 

Devos for mom~ Here are my favorite Christmas Devos; I love Creative Ladies Ministries!!

http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/ornamentdev.html

http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/sweetchristmasdev.html

http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/bakingdev.html

http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/christmasfun.html

http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/ornamentstomake.html

http://www.titus2.com/corners/12-03-m.htm

http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200711/20071128_Christmas.html

 

Favorite recipe~ Christmas Gumbo

Gumbo is a very popular Christmas meal here in Louisiana!  We all (including the boys) love Gumbo for Christmas. Each year my Gumbo gets better but I know it can still use some improvement! I make mine with a bit of help from a ready-made roux. Gumbo is just the appetizer for our Christmas meal.


Homeschool ~
If anyone is interested, for the month of December we will be focusing on a Christmas unit study with Twenty complete lessons (4 weeks on a 5-day school week schedule) on Christmas Symbols. I will not teach it word for word, I will be omitting those things I personally do not find Biblically sound. J I am combining these two studies I found HERE and HERE!


If you need any help with planning, need recipes for Gifts in a Jar or crafts you can check out my holiday planning post
HERE!
If you would like to see some of our home at Christmas you can click
HERE!

 

 May you all have a very Blessed and "Merry" Christmas!

Hugs & Blessings,

Tiany

Christmas On The Lounge!


Blessings (5) Share a Blessing! Permanent Link



Dec. 17, 2007

Christmas Tour Of Homes

Posted in Holidays

 

Christmas Tour of Homes

 
Its that time of year again; the fun and ever popular "Christmas Tour Of Homes" is under way!  It's where we all gather for a huge bloggy party at
BooMama's and open our homes to our bloggy friends for some Christmas  fun!!! So what does your home look like for Christmas? I have seen many of your homes already and today I will share some sights and smells from around our home, of course your invited to sit for a spell and enjoy some warm apple cider or hot coco and some delightfully bright Christmas cookies!



Our one and only table in the home where we share all of our meals both formal and informal! We did not have this table last Christmas so it is a very special addition to our home!



Troy's Grandmother made this precious tree (it lights up) about 40 years ago and she was so nice to pass it on to us last year (seeing how much I was admiring it )



Our humble  "live" Christmas Tree! We always get a live tree, I like to "smell" my little Christmas tree 
We have so many special sentimental ornaments, most passed down and made by my Grandmother plus the boys 1st year ornaments and my childhood ornaments! Its not the best picture, sorry...


A favorite childhood ornament...

Grandmothers handmade ornaments...

Our fireplace and mantle...


We always have to make and decorate Christmas cookies! We had some stars left over from our Christmas Party so we decorated them with lots of icings and sprinkles!



Would you like a very sweet and very festive "Christmas Star"




Now for a peak into our play / school room...

It says.. "A Savior Is Born For...

Micah, Dominick, Ashton & Noah

I thought this was a neat way to incorporate the "Reason for the season" with the children...


Our favorite Christmas Carols CD

"WeeSing for Christmas"

 We still have "Thanksgiving" decor up in this room too! It was too cute to take down!

Lastly, I have for you the sweetest addition to this years Christmas in our home!  Our sweet baby Noah!!!


Well its getting late and dark out so it's time to go for now....




But before you go here are a few of our favorite Christmas recipes...

Butter Rum Cake 

Cake

1 box Butter Cake Mix

1/2 cup Water

1 stick Melted Butter

1/2 cup Rum

1 large box Vanilla Pudding (not instant)

4 Eggs

1/2 cup Chopped Pecans

Grease & flour bunt pan.  Sprinkle bottom with 1/2 cup chopped pecans.  Mix & blend ingredients except eggs.  Add eggs one at a time mixing well between each egg.  Beat 3 minutes.  Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes (until cake pulls away from pan).

Glaze

1 cup sugar

1 bar butter

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup rum

Bring to a boil.  Pour 3/4 over cake in pan as soon as you take it from oven.  Invert after all glaze is absorbed.  Drizzle the rest of glaze over cake.

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

  • 4 cups milk
  • 3 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed
  • 1 cup whipped cream
  • 4 small peppermint candy canes
  1. In a saucepan, heat milk until hot, but not boiling. Whisk in the chocolate and the crushed peppermint candies until melted and smooth. Pour hot cocoa into four mugs, and garnish with whipped cream. Serve each with a candy cane stirring stick.
PEPPERMINT CRUNCH BARK
 
1 lb. white chocolate
1 c. peppermint crunch (you can also use crunched peppermints)

Melt white chocolate for one minute in the microwave. Stir in peppermint crunch. Spread on cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Place in freezer until cool (approximately 3 minutes). Break into pieces.





Remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season!!!

Isaiah 9:6 is the Old Testament prophecy that was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus,
and recorded in Luke 2:11.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
~Isaiah 9:6~
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

 

 

If you are looking for Monday Meanderings please click on the graphic below...



Blessings (68) Share a Blessing! Permanent Link



Dec. 13, 2007

DON’T FORGET JESUS

Posted in Holidays

We are busy busy , but in a good way!   Tomorrow we have our homeschool group Library and Park day and I am getting ready for guests we are having over on Sunday evening for supper!



We are finishing up our gift shopping and im tying up a few loose ends for our Christmas Dinner that we will have at our home. I never know how many guests  we will have;  as the days get closer more friends and family will invite themselves over (which is just fine with us

My errand day went well, I will share more about it tomorrow if time allows. I bought the cutest "Happy Birthday Jesus " stocking stuffers at Hobby Lobby, they were having a huge sale!!! I was a happy camper to say the least!



DON’T FORGET JESUS



Christmas is a special time
To reflect on Jesus Christ
The wonder of His lowly birth
Brings meaning to our lives

There really is no other reason
We celebrate this day
The birth of God’s precious son
And the life He willingly gave

But so much seems to distract us
In the busy-ness of our lives
We lose our focus in all the happenings
Not knowing, we leave out Christ

We lose sight of the true meaning
As we endlessly rush about
Trying to find that perfect gift
Seems to cloud our Saviour out

We need to stop and reflect awhile
Remembering our precious Lord
His birth, His life and sacrifice
And all that He stands for

For though the world may celebrate
It seems though for other reasons
Let’s keep in mind that Jesus Christ
Is the true meaning of the season

© By M.S.Lowndes

 

Hugs & Blessings,

 

P.S. I have an urgent prayer request below this post , please read and pray for Kate!!!



Blessings (6) Share a Blessing! Permanent Link



Dec. 10, 2007

Holiday Open House Door Prizes!

Posted in Holidays

Thank you all so much for making this Holiday Open House such a great success! There are so many wonderful ideas, touching stories, traditions and decorations that have been shared! You all have shared the sweet "Reason" for the season and I thank you! I will enjoy spending the rest of the month reading these wonderful posts!


So now its time to announce the "Door Prize" winners!! The winners names will be above the item won with a link to their site!! Please contact me with  your addy if you have won at tiany@cox.net!
I have randomly chosen the winners with an online random number picker. I have subtracted "extra posts" to make it fair! :-)


Holiday Open House Sponsors

Please Click on the Graphics to visit the sponsors site!



The very talented and amazingly wonderful Susan Branch (the eldest of 8 children) has been ever so kind to donate a number of her books that she has personally AUTOGRAPHED!!!  I am humbled that she wanted to be a part of our Open House!!!


And the winners are....

88. mamatigerj

 

5. Training Hearts

 

12. ~Jenn M~


15. 4sweetums



 


 


35. keri@Sunny

 


2. Nancy


A one-year Subscription to the all-new “Victoria” Magazine! Donated by the wonderful people over at Victoria Magazine!!!

Serenity awaits you in every issue of Victoria magazine. Unabashedly feminine, Victoria offers the best in charming home décor, gracious gardens, entertaining touches, intimate profiles of inspiring women, and off-the-beaten-path travel destinations. Leave the every-day behind with Victoria!


 

28. Devildogwife



The wonderful folks at "TEA Magazine are donating an amazing gift package for one very blessed door Prize winner!!!!



This amazing package includes the following items over $100 in beautiful gifts!!! Go to the site http://www.teamag.com/ to view these neat gitfts!


A one-year subscription to TEA Magazine

 

3 Beautiful Books ~"Tea Poetry" , "Scones Shortbread and More"… and a Tea Address Book!

 Bookmark

I love tea pin

 Magazine mark


98. Karenscorner

Hearts for Family
A ministry of The Crawford Family
The Crawford family has graciously donated one of their beautiful Scriptures CD's...
Passages of Scripture put to beautiful music to help families memorize God's Word together!




92. Katie - Boasting in my Weakness

Karen over at "Story Time Felts" has donated a felt package of "The Christmas Story"

90. Holly


The Family Planner was developed and created by a busy mom with today's busy family in mind. Its original design makes it the must have calendar for all moms. The Family Planner is not your typical wall calendar. Instead, it is a full-size planner with spacious daily columns providing ample space for even the most overwhelming schedules. Its user-friendly format creates the perfect organizational tool for the entire family.



46. Melissa Markham


 Homeschool boutique will be donating a Homeschool T-shirt for mom!!!


 

74. Yvonne
83. Holly (aka mommyto7)

 

holiday-open-house-button

 Paulette over at Capturing Today contacted me and wanted to bless a couple of you moms with a Total Care Carpet Cleaning Kit from Capture!!! 


 58. Kate


 

 Susan from "Suzyscribbles" contacted me and wanted to bless one of you moms with a Gift Set  of her first two books!


29. Eclectic Education

 

 Bobbie from "Encouragement along the way has donated a precious half apron she made!!! Perfect for Christmas day it even sparkles a bit!!!


66. Holly

 

 Phyllis Sather is donating her E-book "Purposeful Planning"

To read more about this encouraging and helpful book go HERE!  

 



 25. Amy/Homeschool Highlites

Marybeth Whalen from "Cheaper By The Half Dozen" has donated her new E-book "A Recipe For Christmas Joy "


A Recipe For Christmas Joy contains recipes, ideas, encouragement and thoughts on keeping Jesus at the center of your Christmas celebration. This book was designed to help you find that Christmas JOY your heart is longing for!



 89. LivingforGod

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Graham Family Ministries
www.school4jesus.com
Encouraging Families in the Lord and His Ways
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Do you desire to have fun making memories with your children this holiday season? Do you wish you had a fun and easy way to document all those special memories? I don't know about you, but this is my desire as we head into the holiday season. While I still want learning to be taking place, I don't want to be so caught up in "doing school" that we miss out on LIFE --- on all the opportunities we have over Christmas to build relationships and make memories with our children.


I wanted something that we could use to incorporate some language arts into our December, as well as provide a way to document our memories. I also wanted to keep Jesus at the very center of all we did over the holidays.  Our Christmas Journal was my answer to my own need.  This 110 page ebook contains decorated pages you can print and fill in with pictures, captions, stories, recipes...memories of the Christmas season.


I pray it will bless you and your family as well!

 

38. Cindy

It’s here! It’s here! The Winter 2007 issue of Seasonal Delights is here and one of you blessed Ladies will be recieveing one  paper copy!!!

The Winter 2007 issue is 46 pages and contains more that 275 full-color photos — and still no advertisements! There are also four pages of templates for four separate projects in the magazine, bringing the total page count to 50!

We’ve tried to give you more of everything you’ve told us you love about Seasonal Delights. We’ve tried to create the magazine we would love even if we weren’t responsible for it. We’ve tried to capture a love for winter in 50 pages, and we hope you like it!

 

 Congrats to all of the Door Prize winners!!!



ImageChef.com - Custom comment codes for MySpace, Hi5, Friendster and more

 

The next bloggy event is coming up soon!!!

My 2nd Blogaversary is coming up January 1st!!!

You all are invited to join me for a very "Girly" Bloggy party, the theme will be "My Favorite Things"!!! Check back January 1st for all the details!



Blessings (11) Share a Blessing! Permanent Link



Lover of great books, girly movies, Starbucks and The Discovery Channel. Homeschool mom to 4 little Ninjas. Married for 14 yrs to a Master Ninja.


Visit The Homeschool Lounge

http://homeschoolbar.com


style="border:


Blog Designed by

For ALL Your Graphic Needs