My Joys...

Just popping in real quick

to say Hello!

This blogging thing is getting harder and harder for me to do.

I'm not sure how much I'll get on, but you may see me more

on Instagram and Facebook these days.

Somedays, to actually sit physically at the computer, is really hard!

I have this thing called squirrel disorder and I have

 been easily distracted by many things all at once!

Watch out, it is contagious!!

Any who, with December now here, I am oh so busy,

which I'm sure you are all too!

But I am so grateful to be busy...

Yes, busy can be so overrated, but non the less I am grateful.

The Joys of the Christmas season are wonderful.

I've been blessed with many great things.

I've had many gatherings all ready with friends and family.

Lots of sweet treats made to share.

Many days of laughter and cheer.

Watched a few sappy Christmas movies.

Watched several funny Christmas movies.

Wrapped many gifts.

Reading and enjoying the day with my boys!

Going here and going there.

I am so thankful for all these Joys!

And my biggest Joy of all is the love of Jesus Christ 

and all that this holiday season stands for!

After all, Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

I hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas 

and a Happy New Year!

Thank you so much for reading my blog,

it still means the world to me!

Hugs,

AMY

A Fragile Gift...

With Christmas almost here,  I wanted to share

a precious story I read in my Daily Bread devotional.

It's very fitting for the season we are in.

Enjoy!

************

When we give a fragile gift, we make sure it is marked

on the box that contains it.

The word FRAGILE is written 

with big letters because

we don't want anyone to 

damage what is inside.

God's gift to us came in the most fragile package:

A BABY.

Sometimes we imagine Christmas day

as a beautiful scene on a postcard, 

but any mother can tell you it wasn't so. 

Mary was tired, probably insecure.

It was her first child, 

and He was born in the most

unsanitary conditions.

She "wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, 

and laid Him in a manger, 

because there was no room for

them in the inn."

A baby needs constant care.  

Babies cry, eat, sleep

and depend on their caregivers.

They cannot make decisions.

In Mary's day, infant mortality was high,

and mothers often died in childbirth.

Why did God choose such a fragile 

way to send His Son to earth?

Because Jesus had to be like us 

in order to save us.

God's greatest gift came in the fragile

body of a baby, but God

took the risk because He loves us.

Wow...Just Wow!

The more I read this the more the tears flow!

Let us be thankful this Christmas season 

for such an amazing gift,

Jesus...

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

Blessings to you and yours....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Baking...

Tis the Season to be baking...

fa.. la.. la.. la.. la.. la!

I have all ready had one baking day with friends

and I'll be doing another baking day 

with my mom this week.

Whew...that's a  lot of cookies!

(Smiles)

Every year I make cookie platters

 for my hubby's work

my Father in Law's crew, my Aunt's office 

and a few of our friends.

I love to bake and give!!

Believe it or not, I really don't 

eat a lot of what I bake.

I might eat my fair share at times 

but I don't eat a lot of my goodies!

Sugar cookie cut outs are our most favorite!!

So I have have to make a double 

batch when I bake!

What are your most favorite 

cookies you bake this time of year?

I do a huge variety...

Almond Blossoms

Scotcharoo's

Cocoa Drops

Butter Brickle Bars

Snickerdoodles

Peppermint Shortbread

Cranberry Orange Shortbread

Ranger Cookies

Sugar Cookies

Fudge

Cashew Brittle

More Fudge

Just to name a few... HaHa!

I made chocolate covered cherries 

last year for the first time

and they were really yummy!

These are my father in laws favorite!

Click on the link below if you'd like 

to give them a try.

Chocolate Covered Cherries Recipe

And by the end of the holiday baking season

you will feel like this...

Thanks so much for stopping by...

May you all be blessed with Christmas Cheer!!

Hugs & Blessings To You,

Christmas Blessings...

Well, it's official...

We are now in the second week of December!

Can you believe it?

I'm telling you, hold on to your hats and enjoy the ride,

I thinks Christmas is going to be here rather quickly!

I am taking this month a bit slower, 

so I don't miss out on 

any of the holiday excitement.

I've been decorating here and there

and by the time you read this, 

our tree will be up and decorated!

My hubby is going to be hanging lights

 on our covered porch this year

along with putting out the family of reindeer!

We are all so excited, for we haven't put up

outdoor lights since my oldest was little.

How are things going for all of you?

I thought I would share a beautiful

 poem with you,

It's so fitting for the season we are in.

*********

The Blessings of Sharing

Only what we give away

Enriches us from day to day,

For not in getting but in giving

Is found the lasting joy of living,

For no one ever had a part

In sharing treasures of the heart

Who did not feel the impact of

The magic mystery of God's love.

Love alone can make us kind

And give us joy and peace of mind,

So live with joy unselfishly,

And you'll be blessed abundantly.

By: Helen Steiner Rice

Have a JOYOUS week!

Hugs & Blessings To You,

O Holy Night...

O holy night...

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till he appeared and the soul felt it's worth

The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder brinks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees...

O hear the angel voices

O night divine

O night when Christ was born

O night divine

O night, O night divine

O Holy Night...

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

and a safe New Year!

And just remember what the true meaning of Christmas really is...

Our Savior is Born!

He is alive!

Rejoice!!

Blessings and Hugs,

Have a Very Merry Christmas...

Christmas Cheer Is Here!

So many things to do and it seems as

 though there is very little time to get 

everything finished.

My sister in law and her family will be here

 to celebrate with us this year.

What a joyous time

 this should be.

Yay!!!

We are hoping to get some snow, 

so we can go sledding while everyone is here.

Keep your fingers crossed!

I have been baking for days and will be sending 

many platters of goodies for my family to share.

Cold weather has set in,

fire is blazing,

hot coffee is brewing

and goodies are very tempting...

I  will admit, I have sampled at least 1 cookie each time 

I have walked into the kitchen.

Good thing you don't have a clue

 how many I have really had!!

Hee-Hee! 

I have gifts to wrap...

and Christmas parties to attend.

And I'm thanking God for giving me

 strength to get things done.

I believe after all this I might need 

to hibernate for a while!

(A much needed nap)

Yes, this is my Christmas Cheer!

May God give you all that you wish for 

this Christmas Season!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now for at least one holiday cookie to share:

Easy Chocolate Peppermint Bark

1 sleeve of Graham Crackers, broken in fourths

1 bag of chocolate chips

1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil or Shortening

2 Candy Canes, crushed

Melt your chocolate chips with your 

coconut oil or shortening

 in a small saucepan.

Take each piece of graham cracker and dip into 

melted chocolate until completely covered.

Place the dipped graham crackers onto

 a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

Sprinkle crushed candy cane onto the tops of the 

chocolate dipped graham cracker.

Place in fridge until chocolate has hardened.

Store in a fancy tin.

(I store mine in the fridge)

Easy Peasy!

I hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas!

Don't forget:

 Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Blessing and Hugs,

Christmas Blessings

 

May God Bless you all on this Christmas Day and Always!

 

 

A Favorite Recipe

 

Take a cup of kindness,

mix it with love,

Add a lot of patience

and faith in God above,

Sprinkle very generously

with joy and thanks and cheer

And you'll have lots of Angel Food

to feast on all the year!

By:

Helen Steiner Rice

 

 

 

And always remember to

 

 

 

Blessings to you All,

 



Molasses Gingerbread

Good Afternoon Sweet Friends!

 

I have been doing a little more baking and thought

I would share this yummy recipe with you all.

 

Just in case you wanted to bake one more sweet delight for Christmas.

 

 

I hope you are all having a Wonderful Christmas Season

and have gotten all your shopping and decorating complete.

 

I am ready and waiting for the Joys of Christmas Morning!

 

 

Now for the recipe.....

 

Molasses Gingerbread

 

4 c. flour (I used 2c. each of oatmeal flour and whole wheat flour)

1 1/2c. brown sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 1//4 tsp. cloves

1 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ginger

2 eggs

2 c. milk

1 c. molasses

2 tbsp. coconut oil

1/4 c. chopped walnuts for the top

 

In a large bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients.  Mix well. 

 Add in the wet ingredients and stir till combined.  The batter will be thin.

 Pour into 2 greased loaf pans.

Sprinkle on chopped walnuts and or oatmeal if desired.

 

Bake at 325 for 65 minutes.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from your loaf pans.

 

Once you open up the oven door you get the most

 heavenly smell of molasses and ginger!!

 

Can you smell it?

Where is that darn "Smell" button?

Just take it from me, it makes your whole house smell delicious!



 

 

May your day be filled with all the Joys of the Season!

 

In God's Grace,

Amy

 

 



A Little Less Sweet, Please!

Tis the Season....

For making cookies and sweet things!

 

 

For any body that is watching their "sweet tooth" this holiday season

these cookies are for you!

 

 

For each cookie they only have 4 grams of sugar!!

 

I was just telling my mom in law, Roxy that you can either

have 3 Oreos for 32 grams or you can have 8 of these cookies!

She chose these......

 

Good choice!

 

 

Now, for the recipe......

 

 

"Melties"



 

2 1/4 c. flour (I used half wheat, half white)

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 c. coconut oil

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. sugar, for dipping (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

In a large bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar until creamy.

Add in the egg, coconut oil and vanilla.

Gradually beat in the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt.

 Occasionally scrape the bowl with a spatula.

 

Place the remaining 2 tsp. sugar on to a plate. 

With your hands, shape the dough into small balls, about the size of a quarter. 

 Dip each cookie ball into the sugar and then place on a cookie sheet.  Now use a glass or the bottom of a measuring cup to flatten each cookie ball.

Bake for about 10 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.

 

Now for an extra treat you can place one chocolate chip

onto the center of each cookie, once it's taken out of the oven.

 

And viola.... you have a cookie that won't spoil the "sweet tooth"!

 



 

And, if you don't have this cookie cookbook, you should.

 

It will break down what's in each cookie and then you

can decide how much "Sweet" you want in each bite.

 

 

Now I know some of you don't want to watch how much sweets

you are eating this time of year, so you can wait until the

 first of January to check out these recipes!

"Smiles"

 

Happy Baking Everyone!

 

Blessings,

 

 



Merry Christmas!!

 

 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!

 

Let's not forget the true meaning of Christmas this year

 and take a moment and praise our Lord and Savior

because without him we would have nothing.

 

 

May the God of hope fill you

with all Joy and Peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with Hope

by the Power of the Holy Spirit!

 

Romans 15:13

 

Many Blessings,

Amy

 



The Legend of the Candy Cane

I was sitting here earlier thinking what I could do a post on today and I kept getting this nudge to do something on a candy cane, so I started looking up the meaning of the word candy cane and I found this and thought it was exactly what we all need this time of year.

Many years ago a candy maker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian Faith.  He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, the ministry and the death of Jesus.

He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. The white symbolized the virgin birth and the sinless life of Jesus.

He made the candy hard to symbolize that Jesus is the solid rock and the foundation of the church.  The firmness also represents the promises of God.

The candy maker made the candy in the form of a J to represent the name of Jesus who came to earth as our Savior.  He thought it could also represent the staff of Jesus, the Good Sheperd. 

The candy maker then added red stripes.  He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed.  The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could be forgiven and have the promise of eternal life.

I hope that you all remember the true meaning of Christmas this year and all the years to come.

JESUS is the reason for all the SEASONS!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Amy