Christmas in the Kitchen

This was the first year that I have done this - decorated the tops of the kitchen cabinets for Christmas. I usually have collection of baskets up there, but we have collected a lot of things over the past 4 years of marriage  that I wanted more of it out. I must say I am quite pleased! :D

 

 The "cooking" side of the kitchen (left to right):

"Home Sweet Home - Where something good is always brewing sign" Found that at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago. Not Christmas, but the red worked and I loved it so much! It's sitting on a basket with a huge handle to help hold it up.

Grandmother's vase filled with Christmas ornaments (from Dollar store a few years ago)

Mini Tree (from Hobby Lobby a few years ago)

Random candle

My "W" sign I painted place in front of our wreath that used to be on the front door - I have a new one outside this year!

The apple from my fall mantle sitting on a candle holder in a basket of red flowers

The "prep" side of the kitchen (on the left cabinets):

Basket

Angel of Prayer on a candle holder (she goes with our nativity)

Square vase filled with gold beaded garland (Hobby Lobby a few years ago)

 The "prep" side of the kitchen (on the right cabinets)

Another vase filled with more red flowers and ancient candy canes (Ew. Seriously, I found them in one of the boxes from the attic. Thought to use them here instead of throwing them away.) 

My awesome vase from my Maid of Honor, Christina, filled with Christmas bells

So what do you think of the kitchen cabinets?

Do you decorate the tops of yours throughout the year, just at Christmas, or leave them alone?

Convo with a Tot

{on the way to school, this is how my conversation with Andy went}

Andy: Moon, mama. 

Me: No, baby. The moon isn't out right now. 

Andy: Mama. Moon. 

Me: Honey, the moon isn't out. It is still sleeping.

Andy: Mama! Moon in sky. 

Me: Ok, you're right. I see it! (I don't really...at least not from where I am sitting driving to school)

Andy: No, mama. Moon sky. (I've been figured out...)

The car is now turning in another direction. 

Me: OH! I do see the moon! You were right, honey! Sorry. The moon is in the sky!. It is very pretty! (Just under a full moon)

Andy: It ok, mama. See moon now.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 17

Bible Verse:

God put a special star in the sky. Some Wise Men who studied the stars knew what this meant: A new king had been born. They traveled a long way, following the star of Bethlehem. "We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 

Matthew 2:1-2

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, Help me to be wise and believe in you, just as the Wise Men did. Amen.

Today's Activity:

What gift can you give Jesus?

This coming weekend after Mass, our church will be hold a birthday party for Jesus. I love this idea because it really involved the children of the church much more. Yes, we have many programs for the kids, but I love the extras, too. So, all the kids are invited to come. They are asked to bring a gift for a baby. These gifts will be donated to the local women's clinic. Isn't that a sweet idea? Sometime this week, Andy and Alex (with his big brother's help) will pick out a gift for Baby Jesus.

We have been reading many books about Baby Jesus in the past week, and Andy has become rather concerned about the baby not having any babies (like he has Tusker and Alex has Baby Bunny) or a blanket. How sweet!! It is funny though because that was always my issue when I was little: where is that child's blanket?! I mean, I guess I don't know what the weather in like in Bethlehem, but the desert does get cold at night... So, maybe they will pick out a baby and a blanket... We will see - come back and find out what they chose for Baby Jesus!

image via Pinterest

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

I love in the South for a reason, people. I love the warm weather and enjoying a glass of sweet tea. But it is 47. And, my hands are freezing. Oh, I'm inside the house though...

Friday night, though... It was 10 degrees colder! 37 at the Zoo. I'm shivering just thinking about it. LOL.

Anyway, after our morning adventures with Santa, it was time for lunch and a nap. Once everyone was recharged, we headed back out for more fun!

Starting at the top row:

Alex all bundled up ~ Nutcrackers in the butterfly house

Lots of lights ~ Welcome to the Zoo ~ My favorite misfit, the Polka Dot Elephant

Andy pointing out the lights and all the colors ~ Andy and his Auburn megaphone

Ok, so I have some explaining...

As y'all know (those who keep up with us), we don't really do college football. We are an NFL house. However, when you live in AL, there is no NFL and the first thing people ask you when they meet you is who you root for? And that person always assume you will say either Alabama or Auburn. Well, I was a swimmer so naturally I say "War Eagle" as they have typically had an amazing swim team. Jason says "Roll Tide" just to 

make me crazy...but, maybe he really is a Bama fan. Anyway, Andy LOVES elephants. But he runs around the house/playground screaming "EAGLE"

SO I HAVE NO CLUE! But!!!! The girls at the fan table at the zoo asked him and he said....

EAGLE! Good, boy! LOL

I know, we are silly... Gotta love it! 

Well, after seeing a few more lights, our numbed bodies decided that it was time to go. As we are walking to the car, Andy is VERY sad. But, Jason (all of a sudden) asks him if he wants to get something special. 

WHAT?!

This day has been full of special things, what else could there be?! 

How about warmth in a cup at Dunkin Donuts? YAY!

Hot, huh? The hot chocolate, people! But, yeah, he is!!! :)

Isn't this the coolest tree ever?! 

As Mary says (from Jack's big music show)... 

"Whaaaaat a day!!"

My House Smells Like a Mexican Restaurant

And I LOVE it! I have my Fiesta Chicken cooking away in my crock pot. YUM. The recipe is from The Best Slow Cooker Book Ever, but I changed it up a bit.

Fiesta Chicken

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 cans Campbell's Fiesta Nacho Soup

1/2 can water

1 can Glory brand low-sodium black beans

Mix up the ingredients.

Toss in the chicken. 

Set crock pot on low for 6-7 hours.

Enjoy the smell of your kitchen!

Easy peasy! Now if finding the perfect slow cooker were this easy... I have a 6 quart one, I think. Whatever it is...it is too small. But, I am so dang picky that every one that I have found is not right in some way. Ugh.

Anyhoo! Time to get the laundry out of the dryer and enjoy this quiet house for another hour while the boys sleep :)

Countdown to Christmas - Day 16

Bible Verse:

Jesus said that he is our real bread. We can never be hungry in our deepest inside places when we believe and trust in him. 

John 6:35

Prayer:

Dear God, Thank you for filling me with Jesus' love. Amen.

Today's Activity:

Make some Christmas bread! 

I found some great recipes on Pinterest (shocker, right? lol). But I do have a recipe of my own to share! 

Homemade Bread

Click here for the recipe. Enjoy! :)

I Can Cook Like Paula!

This is a tad bit over due. But, my fabulous parents gave me a super awesome Christmas present! Paula Deen's cookware! YES! WOOT!! Look at the fabulousness of it all!

Hello! Now I can really gourmet it up. I was just pretending before ;)  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this cookware. NOTHING sticks. It heats up so much faster than my old pots and pans. It is just so pretty! I am in the kitchen much more than before. And, I don't dread having to scrub a pan.

It. 

Is. 

Awesome. 

My parents rock! Thank you, Mom and Dad! Jason is loving all the meals that I cook up, too, so a "thanks" from him, as well! :)

By the way, how CUTE is this little pot? Need to melt some butter? Pppssh! I gotta pot for that y'all! :)

Santa Claus!

Jason had Thursday and Friday off this week and it was great! He went with us to take Andrew to school and pick him up. The whole time to school Andrew was a bit confused. He kept saying, "Daddy work?" We told him that it was a special day so he got to stay home with us. He seemed to be alright with that answer, but he was still unsure. 

When it was time to pick him up and we were in the car line (I always try to get 2nd or 3rd in line), I showed Jason which window was his classroom. Andrew was so excited to see that his Daddy was in the car!! Jason was laughing because Andrew was gone for a bit but came back to the window with some friends. LOL Too funny! I love that kid!

When Friday rolled around, it was a super special day - we were taking the boys to see Santa!

We started with breakfast at Cracker Barrel! YUM!! But, again, Andrew knew that it wasn't Saturday and Daddy is normally at work. So this is our convo while getting dressed:

Me: Good morning, monkeys!

Andrew & Alex: Crazy giggles and squeals (reasoning for calling them my monkeys and why they got monkey ornaments this year!)

Me: You guys want to go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast?

Andrew: Mmm-hmm!! (with a big smile)

Me: Daddy is coming, too!

Andrew: Daddy, Cack Barrel?

Me: Yep!

Andrew: No, mama. Daddy work. 

Me: No, Daddy is home again today. 

Andrew: (big smile) Oh! Daddy, mama, Alex, Andy, babies go Cack Barrell!

It goes on. It is too cute. The babies are our "stuffed animal children" AKA Tusker and Baby Bunny. I know...Baby Bunny? Yep! Alex has decided that Pat the Bunny is his baby. Andrew has a larger Pat the Bunny and Alex has a smaller one. Andrew handed it to him one day (both from mom!) and ever since Alex has it with him all the time. Anyway, the babies stayed in the car. I don't need to have a missing baby fiasco...   
After breakfast, Jason and I don't say anything about what is going to happen next. Andrew does ask, though. "Go?" every so often is the question down the highway. We get to Bass Pro Shop and there is a sign with Santa on it. We ask Andrew who that guy is and he says, "SANTA!" He was pretty excited!

This year he sat with him! Last year...I couldn't bring myself to post the pic... But, Andrew would only sit with Santa if I did... So me and my 22-week pregnant self AND a 15 month old sat on Santa's lap... Lindsay was crackin up. I was too, but OMG, REALLY? Anyway, I'm glad that Andrew and Alex sat with him. Alex was pretty happy about the whole thing!

Here is the rest of our fun at Bass Pro:

 Gotta love it! :D 

Crock Pot Week!

I had asked on Facebook a few weeks ago for suggestions on posts. Recipes was the big winner. The two areas were desserts/treats and crock pot recipes. I had posted around Thanksgiving my treat menu. And, now it is time for...

CROCK POT WEEK! 

And, I must say, I am excited that I won't have to really cook dinner this whole week! YAY! All of the main dishes (except breakfasts and lunches) are done in the crock pot. Even the Mixed-Berry Pudding Cake on Wednesday. 

Here are the links to this week's menu plan. The ones I could not find online, I will share with you later this week.

Sunday - Big Easy Meatloaf w/ Potato Wedges

Friday - White Chicken Chili 

Other resources used for this week's menu:

The Best Slow Cooker Cookbook Ever (it was my mom's!)

Creative Slow Cooker Recipes (a Better Homes and Garden magazine)

Do you have a menu plan?  

Wondering where I got my nifty chalkboard graphic? Shabby Blogs!

The Simple Things

Checking out the fish at Bass Pro Shop