Advent Conspiracy

So I'm going to go there with today's post.  I'm talking about religion.  Actually, it's more about my church and some of the awesome things they do and promote.

We've been attending our church for almost a year now.  We had been at other churches and moved around every so often.  We never found something that really fit both of us.  In January of this year, we visited The Crossing and have been going ever since.  One of the things they promote during the Christmas season is Advent Conspiracy.  There are 4 main themes: 

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Worship Fully

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Spend Less

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Give More

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Love All  

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Even for those of you reading this who are not Christian the last 3 themes apply to everyone.  Try spending less money this Christmas but give more of your time to the people around you.  In this economy who can't benefit from spending less money.  Instead give your time to your friends, your family, volunteering somewhere important to you, etc.  Finally, love all by donating to those in need whether it be your time or your money.  

I know this Christmas I'm trying to put more thought into the gifts I am giving my family and friends by giving them relational gifts or gifts that will build and strengthen our relationships.  The example our pastor gave at church was about a 20 something son giving his dad a pound of coffee.  Doesn't sound like much until you read what the note attached to the coffee said.  His dad was only to drink that coffee with his son and he was to tell his son stories about his life when he was younger.  Now that is a gift that I think any dad would like to get from their son or daughter.  

Stacey Yacula Studio

Images: Stacey Yacula Studio

Can I tell you just how much I love this artist?  She does amazing work.  Her ornaments are adorable and her little snowmen are so detailed and have such great personality.  I want every single one of her snowmen living on my mantel to enjoy all winter long.  Actually, I want one of everything in her store.  I might have to settle for one of her ornaments for the time being but I'll keep dreaming.

Thankful

I have so many things to be thankful for in my life.  

I'm thankful for the cold rainy day we're having in STL so that Ava and I could bake our cream cheese pumpkin muffins and snuggle with good books.  After her nap we're watching her newest obsession, Wall*E.  She loves that little robot.  I thankful for having a wonderful husband who puts up with my incredible moodiness lately.  Love you!  I thankful for getting to experience having Ava as my daughter.  I'm thankful God is blessing us with a son in February.  

The list goes on and on.  Let's just say I'm thankful.  Especially for the little moments like seeing Ava's eyes light up on the carousel for the first time.  She got to ride the one she wanted too...a dragon!

Have a great Thanksgiving with your families.  I'll be back again on Monday hopefully full of turkey and well rested!

Recipe: Herb Biscuits

Sometimes when planning a large menu like Thanksgiving, I forget to plan for things.  It happens.  This year it was the bread.  I would love to make rolls from scratch but this year I totally forgot so I'm going with plan B.  I don't even know if you can call this a recipe but I'm going with it.  I like these because they look fancy with very little work.

Herb Biscuits

1 can refrigerated biscuits (I prefer the Grands Buttermilk Flaky biscuits)

6 Tbsp.  melted butter

1 1/2 tsp. parsley or dill or whatever dried herbs suit your fancy

Dash of garlic powder

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl combine melted butter, herbs and garlic powder.
3. Cut each biscuit into 4 equal pieces and toss into the butter mixture.
4. After all biscuit pieces are thoroughly coated, place 3 pieces in each section of a muffin tin.  
5. Bake at 350 for 14-17 minutes.

Serve these right out of the oven and there's no need for butter since they're already drenched in it.  Each little muffin biscuit pulls apart into 3 little sections that are so so yummy.  Not to mention that it looks like you spent a long time whipping them up.  Enjoy!

The Gift of Reading

Being a self professed book junkie has been passed along to Ava.  We read at least 15 books a day and that's on a low day.  Last Christmas season I saw this idea on someone's blog and decided to do something similar for Ava this Christmas.  I wish I could remember whose blog I borrowed this from to give them credit but I didn't write it down.

On December 1st when Ella the Elf comes to stay at our house until Christmas, she will not show up empty handed.  She will bring with her a basket full of wrapped books. Each night before Ava goes to bed she will get to pick a book to unwrap and read together.  Now I realize that most normal people don't have 25 Christmas books at home but being a former 2nd and 4th grade teacher and ordering Scholastic books a lot means that I have just enough.  If you wanted to do this on a smaller scale with library books it wouldn't cost you a thing other than the wrapping paper.  My plan is to do this every year with the same books.  I don't think the kiddos will get sick of the books because they only come out once a year.  What better gift to give your kids than getting excited about reading.

On a side note, I'm making Ella the Elf this year for Ava.  I will be sure to post some pics of the little darling when I've finished making her.  Fingers crossed she turns out cute.  In my head she's adorable but we'll see how it translates from my head into fabric and felt!

Beautiful Books

Image Source: Anthropologie

Penguin does a great job of making their books attractive.  Their classics are beautiful and now they have a line of children's classics that are just as stunning.  It's hard to resist buying the set for my little one to enjoy down the road.  Who am I kidding?  They'd be for me to enjoy, the kid's 2 right now!

Anthropologie has them now.  Gotta love that store!

Adult Stocking Stuffer

A few years ago I gave my brother one of these as part of his Christmas present.  I know they are totally inappropriate but too funny not to buy.  Especially for my brother.  How can you not smile at a pooping reindeer?  They poop cola flavored jelly beans.  C'mon, that's funny!  While checking out at Joann Fabric the other day, they had a stack of them at the register.  I think they were $3.99.  I'm sure you could think of someone who would get a kick out of these.  I can think of several.  What does that say about my friends and family?? Hmmmmmm.