About Little Things

Big brother, he has the sparliest eyes ever sparkled :)

I'm just a simple girl, really. I don't need a Coach handbag or a pedicure a week or even a Mom's night out once a month (though that last one sounds tempting) to put a smile on my face and contentment in my heart. Neither am I one of those gals who is bursting at the seams to go shopping or on a trip every weekend.....makes me tired just thinking about it.

A new nephew, arriving just in time to usher out the old year:). Who needs fireworks?

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate appreciation (can I say that?) and if anyone wants to buy me a Coach for my birthday(it's on the 17th) just knock yo lil' self out!! But, if we're not careful, we get this idea that unless the people we are important to in life make a big show, then we haven't been appropriately recognized. I've been there...wondering when am I ever going to be taken on that cruise or wake up and find someone has hired me a maid for the day. Wow that last one sounds nice. But you know what? That kind of thinking is breeding ground for discontentment. And a discontented woman is like the proverbial drip, drip, drip, to the nerves of her family.

Nieces & Daughters, playing dress-up in their great-grandmother (Nanny's) hats, purses, and gloves.

As I look back on 2011, it's not extravagant family vacations or expensive date nights that highlight my memories, but the little, rich moments of meaning that just about took my breath away. I think they are special because they were unexpected, little pops of color in the midst of ordinary days. The mason jars of "weeds" that continually decorates my kitchen sink windowsill, the "Here, sit down, you look like you need a back rub" from my husband, the email from a friend who read this little blog and found encouragement here (who woulda thunk). An overheard conversation, between big brother and littlest sister, offering comfort and love to each other in the middle of a sick, dark night. The, "You're the best cooker EVER, Mom." Oh, my. What blessings surround me!

Last year was not the year I dropped 60 pounds or earned an award for my blog or won a million dollars.But it was full of a hundred, a thousand little things that fill up more space in my heart than any one of those bigger things ever could. So, thank you, 2011 for your gifts. I sure do appreciate them :).

Teacher's Gifts {Reindeer Feed}

Good morning and Happy Sunday to you! "This is the day that the Lord hath made, and I will rejoice and be GLAD in it!" Due to the unavailability of a church building (our new church building is yet to be completed), the church we attend has only evening services on Sunday evening. It has been different, but we have adjusted. Thus, I have a little time to blog this morning!

Is your season merry and busy yet? The business will pick up for us this week. We have one Christmas party tonight, after church, and two parties tomorrow. Grace's GEMS (God Expects My Service) club, and Elijah's Cub Scout  parties are both tomorrow...ugh...does anyone have any extra energy to spare?  I am still working on getting all the party food, teacher's gifts, and friend gifts completed. Grace's GEMS club requires for her to make a homemade gift for her Big Sister, and I wanted to be able to do something for the kids' teachers. So...where to go for inspiration, but Pinterest?

Yes, I am actually using some of those hundreds of ideas I have pinned to my boards on this amazing but addictive site. Well, maybe not hundreds, yet, but getting close to it. 

Years ago, someone brought some Reindeer Feed to the clinic I worked at, and I ate so much as to about get sick! It was delicious! I have looked for the recipe, in vain, since then, and finally find it this year. {I pinned it to Pinterest, if you are interested}. So I made up a batch of it yesterday, and packaged it an original, festive way....inspired by....yep, you guessed it....a pin from Pinterest. Gracie and I stayed up last night working on it together. What a lovely time of mother/daughter fellowship it was!

Here is how they turned out:

The one on the right is for Elijah's Cub Scout master, and Elijah would not hear of putting a bow, even if it is made of twine, on a man's package!

Did you think I was going to leave you hanging without the recipe? Here you go, enough for one batch:

Reindeer Feed






2 1/4 c. Cheerios
3 1/4 c. Rice Chex
1 1/2 c. pretzels
3/4 c. M&M’s
3/4 c. peanuts

Stir gently with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
In the microwave melt one bag of white chocolate chips according to package directions.  Let cool slightly and then mix into bowl a couple of spoonfuls at a time.  As soon as everything is well mixed, dump mix onto your cookie sheet and spread out evenly.

Watch for little (and big) hands snitching your stash, it's sooo good to much on! :) 
As for the packing, well, that will have to be a different post. Little ones are up and needing Mommy's attention. Have a great day!

Christmas Art (Card) Interpretation

My budding little artist, Elijah, has been creating some pretty spiffy Christmas scene art here lately, and I told him if he drew a really good one we might use it for our Christmas card this year. I found this laying around this morning, and I chuckle every time I look at it. The thing is...I'm a little puzzled...Santa Clause is riding a camel...and the Christmas lights and stockings are hanging from a cross....a mailbox??....and apparently there is a reward for Santa Clause?

So I thought it might be interesting to get your take, your interpretation, that is, on this odd, but undeniably creative, depiction of Christmas. Any guesses?