December 17-19

Happy Dec. 17th Time for a little more magic…

Reindeer Food: Santa and his reindeer always find the ones who believe...but this is a nice way to entertain the deer while Santa is eating his cookies and spending time inside...You may do this a day or two before Christmas Eve so the Reindeer to spot the food when they go out for pre-eve workouts.

1 box Original Shredded Wheat (Large Squares no frosting) I've tried the others and they like this best!

1 t. magic glitter any color (It turns magical when you pour it slowly in the bag...)(substitute sugar for glitter if you don't have any, it also sparkles in the moon light)

Place ingredients in a large plastic baggy and smash with a spoon to break up the shredded wheat. Then scrunch with your hands to mix all together. If you don't remember, Santa is sending elves to watch all through Christmas time to make sure kids are nice, not naughty.

Guaranteed to sparkle in the night and get reindeer to notice your house, then eat while Santa is inside. They don't need too much because then they would get too full of tummy's to fly...

Don’t want the kids to eat anymore Candy Canes? Here is an idea…
Candy stand: Secure 5-so candy canes together with a rubber band or colorful string.(You can doll it up with a cute ribbon too.) Even out the bends of the candy canes, those will be the legs to stand your stand up with. What to use it for:

1. Place a Christmas Scripture in it and change it everyday

2. Put a count down in it so the family knows how many more days until.....grandma comes, Santa comes, school is out.....

3. Place them next to your kids beds with a love note in it

4. Pick cute clever parts to songs that make you smile and place them in them around your home for decoration, like "...laughing all the way..."

5. Do a Christmas scavenger hunt with them throughout your house and at the end have a treat, or a movie, or something to do as a family

6. Leave them around on desks at work with your Christmas Card in it.

7. Okay, eat them....Scripture: "In His days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is His name whereby He shall be called The Lord our Righteousness. " Jer. 23:5Carol: The First Noel

Happy December 18
My favorite…the gift of warmth
Carol: Mary's Lullaby (Children's Hymn #44-45)
The magical gift of warmth: As you observe your children tonight as they are busy playing video games, or watching TV, or talking on their cell phones, or studying; Or your husband as he is tired on the couch...Or yourself as you have just had a busy day. Just quietly go put some towels or light blankets in the dryer. After they are really nice and warm, (about 15 minutes), take them out and walk around your home and start wrapping your kids or your husband or yourself up in nice soft warm dryer towels or blankets. When they ask "Hey what is this for....?" "Just tell them, "Just because... Or it is because it feels good, and I love you." Or to yourself, just because you deserve it! That is it! A nice gift you can give your children or your husband or yourself is the gift of.........warm and cozy.

DRESS UP YOUR HOT CHOCOLATE

Here are a few tips for adding some extra pizzazz to your favorite hot chocolate recipe:

Richer Flavor: For a richer, more decadent beverage, use whole milk instead of water--regardless of what the recipe calls for. If you want an extra rich drink, add a teaspoon of sweet butter to the bottom of each cup before you pour in the drink.

Garnishes: Marshmallows are great, but why not use whipped cream as a blank canvas to create a truly whimsical drink? Try topping whipped cream with chocolate shavings from your favorite candy bar. Or use colored sprinkles to reflect the occasion--red and green for Christmas, pink and red for Valentine's Day or rainbow sprinkles for birthdays. Or sprinkle chocolate, butterscotch or peanut butter morsels on top. Also, consider candy stick stirrers such as peppermint, butterscotch or raspberry for a hint of extra flavor. Or just dollop with a big scoop of icecream…yum!

Cup Rimmers:Give a touch of sophistication to your hot chocolate by adding a rim of flavor to your cups. Try crushing peppermint candies in a food processor or using colored sugars for a sparkling effect. You can also create your own custom-flavored chocolate powders. Just place the mixture in a large soup bowl. Moisten the cup rim with a wedge of orange and dip it in the mixture (about 3/8 inches deep) until it is evenly coated. Carefully pour the hot chocolate or cocoa so you don't drip on the rim.

You can also buy cookie straws at Walmart. Try the oreo ones, they are divine! Be careful that your hot chocolate is not too hot for sipping!

Happy December 19 A good day for a quiet activity…
Scripture: Helaman 14:1-7

And now it came to pass that Samuel, the Lamanite, did prophesy a great many more things which cannot be written. And behold he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign: for five years more cometh, and behold then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. There fore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; ...And behold there shall be a new star, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you...And it shall come to pass that ye shall all be amazed, and wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth.

Song: Samuel tells of the Baby Jesus: Children's song book hymn 36

The gift of yummy smells:

Did you know that smells can trigger long ago memories? Even what you cook and how you present it makes a memory for your child.

Pomander ornaments:

Supplies: Med. sized apples or oranges

Box of cloves

Ground cinnamon

Press the stems of the cloves in the fruit until covered (or with patterns.) (It helps to make holes with a bamboo skewer before you stick the cloves in)Place the fruit in a plastice bag with a small amount of ground cinnamon and shake gently until it is well covered. Fruit will be dry in about a week, but its spicy aroma will last and last! Decorate it with a festive ribbon and hang on your tree or give to a friend. (*Leave one in your car…it smells so good!)

Cinnamon Ornaments: A simple no cook smelly-good trick is to place glue on a cut out cardboard shape, or styrofoam ball, or any type of paper cutout that is thicker. (Not typing paper) Mix is a bowl 2 t. cinnamon, and 2 t sugar. Sprinkle the mixture over the glue and let it dry. Not place several of these in your tree, around your house to have a wiff of cinnamon.

Gingerbread men: You can let these harden and they smell great! Use your favorite recipe or look one up on line. Use more spices than what the recipe calls for, if you are not going to eat them…