This year’s Christmas was jam-packed.  As has been our habit for the past several years, we did gifts just with our kids on Christmas Eve morning. We had a leisurely day of gifts, video games, and playing with new goodies.  Then in the evening we went to my mom’s and dad’s to celebrate with...
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While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch...
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This time of year in the grocery store I’m often tempted by eggnog, but it’s so darned expensive! Here’s an easy way to make your own. Prep time: 10 minutes, plus time for chilling Makes: 1/2 gallon 1 3-ounce package instant French vanilla pudding mix 1/2 gallon milk (2% or whole is best) 1/2...
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Peppermint Bark Here’s a recipe so ridiculously easy that it’s barely a recipe.  But, boy, is it yummy!  I love the way the vanilla bark mellows out the mints, and the mints add a breezy freshness to the vanilla bark. Preparation time: 10 minutes 2 cups mints 2  20-ounce packages of vanilla bark Melt the vanilla bark in a...
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21 kids. 4 moms. 1 fellowship hall. 2 kinds of pretzels. 3 batches of royal icing. 8 boxes of graham crackers. several hundred pieces of candy. Christmas bliss. (Click on pictures to enlarge)
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You can also: See a video of my kids trying out Tom’s Toothpaste, and get a chance to win a $100 VISA gift card Win a copy of FAMILY FEASTS ————– Yesterday after spending most of the day running errands and visiting a friend, the kids and I got together for a short but productive goodie party.  In...
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After bundling everyone out the door with my husband to go to Christmas program practice, I sit in an unusually quiet house.   I’m not even sure I want music, the quiet feels so welcome.  The Christmas tree gleams.  The fire flickers. Snow falls outside.  If I direct my eyes toward the Christmas decor and...
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…buying an article of clothing, getting it home, sitting down to wrap it, and then discovering the ink-filled anti-theft device is still firmly attached. Arg.
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Here’s a bit of our Christmas. You can click on any of the pictures to make them bigger. We had a wonderful two days. This is one Christmas we’ll never forget!
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–Scurrying around with John after the kids are in bed the night before Christmas Eve, getting ready for our Christmas Eve morning celebration –Hearing the kids starting to chatter in the morning. –Reading the Christmas story with everyone gathered around. (Yes, even when I know darned well the kids are staring at the gifts!) –Sitting, sipping my...
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