Christmas Cheer

To all of my blog pals:

Merry Christmas!

You make my day!

It's All Merry CHRISTmas Good!

I WON! & Operation Christmas Child

I'm excited to tell you that I won this book entitled Touching Wonder, Recapturing the Awe of Christmas, by John Blase, and a lb. of coffee. (My husband broke into the coffee before I could take a pic!)

John's wife, Meredith, has a wonderful blog called Life at 7000 feet. John and Meredith and their 3 kids are also fellow Coloradoans.

This quote is from Meredith about his book: "John has taken several of the characters in the Nativity story--Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, Zachariah, and more-- and told the story of Jesus' birth from their perspective. You can read the first chapter here."

I've been waiting to begin reading this book until December 1st, because I'd like to do this with Grace as an advent devotional. And I only have two more days!

Thanks John and Meredith. My husband loved the coffee, and I know I'm going to love your book!

This is Grace and her Operation Christmas Child box ready to be dropped off. (If you're not familiar with OCC, it is a off-shoot of Samaritan's Purse. They distribute thousands of shoe boxes to many different countries in time for Christmas.) Grace was excited to be a part of this. She started saving some of her money back in September. For every dollar she contributed we matched it. It was so enjoyable watching her as she began buying items for a little girl (age 4-9) and putting together this box. She filled it with quite a variety of toys and necessities. She included her picture and address with the hope that she might possibly begin a pen-pal relationship.

I love it when our kiddo's begin looking beyond themselves and seeing those in need around them.

The church we've been attending was also the drop off point for the boxes. Last Sunday they announced that over 1200 boxes went out! Exciting!

It's All Love To Give Good!

Reva's Home & Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy to let you know that Reva came home yesterday. So glad that she's home in time for Thanksgiving. YAY!
And speaking of...
I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. We have so much to be grateful for.
Chels, if you're reading this WE LOVE YOU and MISS YOU!
God bless!

It's All Happy TG Good!

Christmas Gift Idea

Since Christmas is no longer 'around the corner' but right at the door step, I thought I'd share a fun gift that's super easy and involves two of my favorite things--chocolate chips AND cookie dough. YUMMY! (You can use your favorite cookie dough of choice.)

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Yule Log

Make up a batch and separate in half. Sprinkle flour on your surface and shape each half into a log approximately 10-12 inches long (you might have to add a little more flour).

Wrap each log in two layers of clear or colored plastic wrap and freeze.

When it's time to deliver, wrap each frozen log in festive tissue paper and tie ends with ribbon. (Since two logs equals one batch of cookies, I give two as one gift.)

Print out a label that says:

Chocolate Chip Cookie 'Yule' Log

Maybe 'yule' like them now,

Maybe 'yule' like them later!

{Don't forget adding the slice & bake instructions.}

Wouldn't it be nice to have some quick slice & bake cookies for when unexpected friends drop by?

And with such an abundance of delicious baked goods and sweets everywhere you turn during the holidays, it's also a nice treat just to save for later, say, when a cookie dough craving strikes the night of a blizzard! (Seriously! Been there done that!)

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It's All Yummy Yule Logs Good!

Grace's Costume

First of all, I want to thank the Lord and all of you who prayed for Chelsie's knee. She was in horrible pain, and Doc said she had a torn Miniscus. A couple days later she said it wasn't hurting anymore. She even worked two 8-hour days in a row with no pain!

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For this first semester of Grace's homeschool year (3rd grade), we are centering her work around the books "Felicity, An American Girl" which is set in colonial times. It has been a fun and very interesting historical study. So it came as no surprise that she wanted to dress in the colonial period for Halloween.

Since I don't wield a needle and thread very well beyond the basics--hems & buttons--I started looking for something at the thrift stores that maybe my sister could alter. Instead, while we were pet-sitting, Reva made this cute dress complete with reversible cap and reversible pouch purse! Thank you, Reva!

This was Grace's first year to go 'trick or treating'. She went with her cousins, Mariah, Ethan and Evan. And of course they all scored with big bags of candy.

Halloween afternoon my sister, Grace and I drove over to Sunny's hometown (pop. 1200) for their annual Christmas Bazaar. Grace wanted to show her Gramies her new dress.

Reva stayed home and handed out candy dressed as a clown!

Grace with Reva, Amber (my niece)

and her kiddos, Mariah, Ethan and Evan.

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It's All Good!

A-Camping We Did Go

These pics are of our annual 4th of July campout at Foose Creek near Salida, CO. Most of us get to spend at least 3 days, and depending on what day the 4th falls on each year, sometimes more. My immediate family this year included my dad and 3 brothers along with their kiddos. My dad's wife, Judy, has 2 grown daughters who come and, this year, Reva's husband's son and girlfriend were able to come. A cousin came up for a couple of days as well. Then there are others who come up just for the day. I believe we had 38 people in all. Fun, fun! (Feel free to click on any pics to enlarge.)

My youngest, Grace,

in the freezing water

A high mountain spring
a couple miles' walk
up the mountain

Foose Creek

Chelsie & Grace

My girls with their cousin

All but one of the cousins

My niece.

Isn't this the coolest picture?

Reva's husband, Rick--a man

not afraid to take on a pink chair!

Grace 'bellying up to the bar'

conveniently using

Bentley the Great Dane's back

The newlyweds

my brother and wife of a year

Rick's Dad and sisters up for the day

Chels being silly in the creek

Father and son sharing

a bonding moment--gutting fish!

Youngest brother and his

daughter heading for...

the creek!

My Dad--well I'll be darned,

he was there a minute ago!

Rick recovering from one of

many water cannon attacks!

Brother (& former Marine) attacking the kids...

"Ya, I thought so!"

Brother and wife of 29 years

A boy in his element

Blackberry Cobbler in the dutch oven

with coals on top

Big cousin taking little Birthday cousin

for a dunk while waiting on the Cobbler

Gotta focus on the Cobbler

and not the unappetizing view

surrounding it!

Bentley thinks he's a lap dog!

"Come & get it!"

Can you tell who's from Phoenix?!

The End!

For you, Keetha!

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It's All Lovin' Being w/ Family Good!