Free Christmas Family Activity

Visit Mainstreet Bethlehem in Burnet, TX.

Main Street Bethlehem
"This Christmas, visit Bethlehem . . . in Burnet Texas . . . as the ancient city of Christ’s birth comes alive again.
Feel the anticipation of Joseph and Mary approaching the gates, urgency quickening their steps.
Pick your way through transients, peddlers, the crippled, and aged in the town’s fringe. Experience the presence of animals as they affect all aspects of life in that time . . camels, donkeys, sheep, goats, chickens, and doves.
Explore the narrow streets to faint strains of ancient music and savor the smells of fresh goat butter, campfires, and hot bread. Then immerse yourself in the din of the marketplace; the revelers in the tavern, shouted insults to and from the Roman oppressors, merchants, craftspeople, taxpayers, and beggars all seeking money, or position, or revenge.
Search for the inn, only to find it full (as others did long ago). Then follow the trail to the cave where a road-weary couple has moved in with the animals, their place in God’s plan and secular history to be made secure on this night. For the child in their arms was the incarnation of God Himself, come to the world that all who would place their faith in Him might enjoy eternal fellowship in His presence.
Main Street Bethlehem
2010 Dates: December 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 - 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. each evening
Two blocks east of the town square.
Admission is free (donations are accepted). Tour buses are welcome. Free refreshments served at exit. Friday and Sunday night visitors may experience a shorter waiting time than on Saturday night.
As this is an outdoor presentation, it is canceled in rainy weather."

Merry Christmas!

One of our favorite traditions is a family nativity play on Christmas Eve.

What are your favorite traditions?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy your Holiday!

just for fun:

what are you especially thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Turkey Deals Spotted

@ HEB
turkeys for $ .40/lb. (with $10 minimum purchase)

@Randalls
turkeys for $ .33/lb. (with $25 minimum purchase)

Has anyone else seen some good Thanksgiving deals? Leave a comment to share your finds.

How to cook your Pumpkin

No can needed - Prepare your own pumpkin for your favorite seasonal recipes! (smaller pie pumpkins tend to have a better flavor)

1 lb. pared pumpkin = 1 cup mashed cooked pumpkin

8 inch pie ~ 1 1/4 pound, 9 inch pie ~ 2 pounds

to boil:

• Heat pot with 1 inch of water and about 1/2 tsp. salt until boiling.
• Add 1-in. cubed pumpkin. Cover and return to boiling.
• Cook until tender, about 30 min; drain.
• Mash or use a beater until smooth.

to bake:

• Heat oven to 400. Cut pumpkin in half; remove slime and seeds (don't rinse the seeds; save for toasted pumpkin seeds).
• Place cut sides up in a large baking dish (such as a 9x13 casserole); pour water to cover bottom of pan (at least 1/4 in.).
• Cover with foil and bake until tender, about 1 hour. Scoop pumpkin from shells.
• Mash until smooth.

FREE Halloween Paper Doll

My friend is offering a free printable paper doll download on her blog here

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Snack - REPOST

separate out seeds from pulp (do not rinse)

combine:

1 c. seeds

1/4 tsp. Worchestershire Sauce

1 T butter (melted)

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix all ingredients.

Spread out on a cookie sheet (I cover it with foil) and bake for 2 hours at 250, stirring occasionally, until seeds are crispy and golden.

Store in an airtight container when cool. Enjoy!

We're off on vacation!

I'll be back in 3 weeks, but meanwhile I'll put re-post some of my favorites.For now, we're packing books, coloring supplies, books on tape, magnet dolls, lots of snacks for bribes, dollar store prizes, a ball and frisbee for rest stops, and hopefully borrowing a portable DVD player.

Now, just for fun, what are your favorite activities for keeping kids busy on long car trips?

Happy Easter!

He is risen!

Dying Easter Eggs

Hard boil your eggs:
Cover eggs with cold water in a large saucepan. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Remove immediately and run cold water over eggs for about 3 minutes.

Prepare Dye: ( we usually have about 4-6 choices, due to impatient double-dipping most of them end up being mixed by the end!)

- Fill each bowl or cup 1/2 full with boiling water (~ 1 c.)

- add ~ 1 tsp. vinegar

- add 14-20 drops of food coloring (or more to your preference)

- allow to cool slightly

Allow eggs to sit in dye for a few minutes, the longer the more vibrant the color! Have fun!

We like to draw on some of the eggs first with white crayons, before dipping in the color. After your eggs dry, wipe with vegetable oil for a glossy finish. (We usually eat most of ours by this point!)

Happy Valentine's Day

Homemade Christmas Gifts

Each Christmas I try to do some homemade gifts. I have made book bags, aprons, books, puppets, rag dolls, tutus, scrapbooks, and now doll clothes.

My 7 year old daughter really wanted an American Girl doll, which I have no objection to. They are great books and cute dolls. But since they are outrageously expensive ($90 + up), and we do need to buy food, I decided to buy a cheaper 18 in. doll and make some doll clothes for it. This doll was purchased at Michael's with a 40% off coupon (great deal found by my good friend Sunnie). The original price was $16.99, so it cost under $12! I was blessed to get free patterns for the clothes too - thanks Sunnie's mom! The clothes were made out of old clothes I had collected in my rag bag, so I didn't pay anything for fabric. I made these 3 outfits, and she got 2 more complete outfits (with shoes and everything!) from Grandma. My sister also crocheted a shawl and hat for the doll. I think she has played with it every day since Christmas! It does take a lot of time, but I do love home made gifts!

Resolutions Again

Okay, so I have been thinking a lot about goals as I often do this time of year. You all know I am probably not getting any funnier. I think I have come up with a general theme that kind of ties together the important goals I want to work towards.

Simplify my life in 2009 :

media - this will probably mean cutting out a lot of computer time from my life. Posts may be fewer and/or farther between. Especially on this blog. The other one wasn't getting as many posts anyway, it will probably remain constant. and I will have to spend less time READING every one's blogs. Also, less TV vegging in the evenings!

evenings - speaking of evenings. I've decided these are no longer made for lounging around recovering from running around a few minutes behind all day (except, okay, maybe a little lounging around). Instead, they are for preparing for the next day so I can be a few steps ahead during the day and I won't need as much recovery time.
exercise - run faster and for a shorter distance, so it takes up less of my free time (despite my nearly 1200 miles last year, I am pretty slow!). Try to get in a yoga habit.

projects/activities - don't commit to too many service projects or activities that it takes away from my family time.

organization - get rid of the clutter (again!), including furniture that is falling apart and I am never really going to fix (anyone want a fixer-upper dresser?)

peace - schedule regular quiet time for reflection, meditation, and prayer.

New Year's Resolutions

Can you believe its about to be 2009? So its goal and resolution time. Last year it was easy. I had just had a baby and my goal was to lose all the extra baby weight. It may have taken me the WHOLE year, but I think I'm there (or close enough) - YIPPEE! This year I don't need a lot of introspection and reflection. I just think I think I need to learn to be funnier. When I think I'm being funny, most people don't get it; and you know its never funny when you have to explain yourself. Anyone have some pointers for me?!

What goals do you have for the coming year?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve traditions

My favorite holiday tradition is a family Christmas play on Christmas Eve. All the children (and now grandchildren) act it out as my Dad reads from Luke. Then we sing Christmas Carols.

What are your favorite Christmas Eve traditions?

Santa Claus is coming to town

Or isn't he? Does Santa visit your house? Does he bring presents or stuff stockings?

My husband's family did not do Santa at all. My family just got stockings from Santa and a few presents from Mom and Dad. How big a part does Santa play in your family's Christmas?

Happy Halloween!

How are YOU celebrating?