Having a servents heart this holiday season!

I wrote this last year at the Christmas but I still feel the same way, this year! I thought it was worth a re-post!

I head a lady complaining the other day, while I was waiting in a long line. (Of course!) She was moaning about everything that she had left to do for Christmas. As I listened to her run down her list, I could truly sympathise.

"I have to address 150 Christmas cards, wrap all my gifts, bake about a thousand cookies and finish getting stocking stuffers" The woman she was talking to could relate. She started naming off all the things that she had to do along with a comment about how she doesn't enjoy the holidays all that much.

I think we all can relate in a way. There is no doubt about it. The holidays are a busy time.
As I recalled the conversation (as I was wrapping a gift) I began to wonder. Is this what the holidays are all about? How much pressure do we put on ourselves?

Then I actually felt guilty for enjoying all those things that woman was complaining about! I love baking cookies. The kids enjoy having goodies to snack on and it makes this time of year special. The hard work I put into each baked treat is appreciated by my friends and family. Its not just flour, sugar and butter. Its my love given to my loved ones.

I also will admit to really enjoy wrapping gifts. I wait until my kids are asleep and then I put on a chick flick (White Christmas anyone?) Cocoa, a snack and turn the fireplace on. I savor this time. I get to wrap each gift in fun, beautiful or funky paper and then make it pretty with ribbon, bows or ornaments. I like to think that when the person receives the gift, they will feel a little more special! (Or at least be able to tell how special I think they are!)

It didn't always used to be like this.. I am afraid that I used to be just like that woman in line. Everything about the holidays was just another thing on my list to be checked off. But is that all there is? The holidays are just a series of things to get done, accomplished and then we can sleep tight at night?

What if we actually slowed down and -gasp- enjoyed the tedious "jobs" that go along with the holidays. You see I believe that its all about having a servants heart. I am leaning this more each day.

I am far from where I need to be.

If we look at these tasks as something that gives joy and pleasure to others the job is suddenly not a "job" but a gift. That time I put into sending a special note in their card or baking that extra batch of cookies is my gift of love.

I could say the same about not doing anything. I have cut out the things that really don't matter at all in order to .. well do nothing with my hubbie and kids. Then those other things that have to be done can be enjoyed rather than endured.

This season is all about the Creators wonderful gift to us.... his Son. If he gave me this gift begrudgingly, would I appreciate it as much? Would I cherish it knowing that it really didn't want to be given?

The truth is that it although it was at the biggest cost, it was joyfully given in love. That is how much I was loved. WOW. Shouldn't I have the same attitude of giving in this Holiday season?

Hopefully I can maintain this attitude throughout Christmas.. but check in on Christmas eve at 2:00am. :)

Works for me Wednesday- the great clean out

So its Thursday....I was busy doing the WFMW on Wednesday so its a little late :)

Every year I look at my pile of presents to wrap and then my eyes just automatically wonder to the overflowing toy boxes and bins.

A couple years ago, I decided that enough was enough. The kids and I spend a couple days every December going through their toys. They actually love it because they thing they are playing all day, but they have some tough decisions to make.

I tell them that they have to choose quite a few toys to give to a little girl or boy that doesn't have many toys to play with. I try to explain the importance of giving or donating and how it helps people who have needs greater than ours.

Its hard for them but I am hoping that it starts them on the path of giving and service and putting other before themselves.

It also makes room for the new stuff- which totally works for this mama!

We watch for the donation truck and we talk about how when they sell these things, the money will help people who need things.

They are way to young to serve in a shelter or ministry along those lines so this is their holiday sacrifice. ......Because that is what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown :)

For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

Sure! I'll make cookies- a great deal!

It seems like the calls are coming more abundantly.

The preschool teacher wants to know if we can all bring in cookies. ( Along with the church, ladies meetings, neighbors gifts...you get the idea!)

I love baking and often do it from scratch because I enjoy it. If you do not enjoy it however, its not much of a blessing. :) ((Or if like me, you are overwhelmed with cookie request.))

The thought of making homemade sugar, butter or cream cheese cutouts makes me tired.

That is why I am sharing this great deal with my girlfriends.

This week at Kroger Krusteaz Cookie Mix is on sale for $1.29. There are several coupons in the paper for $1 off per box. When I went to purchase the cookie mix I noticed that on the sugar cookie mix there are peelies for $.55 off which doubles at Kroger. Making the Sugar Cookie mix $.19 a box!!!!

I tried it out at home and the cookies are delicious. :)

My holidays just got more jolly ......

Menu Plan Monday- 1 meat, 3 meals!

I am baking a whole chicken this week. Not only did I get it on sale and its delicious, it also provides enough chicken for 3 meals!! I can also freeze some of the soup for later on in the winter when I don't feel like cooking. I hope y'all have a yummy week!!!

Monday: Roasted chicken, roasted baby carrots, broccoli

Tuesday: Ravioli Lasagna, spinach salad, garlic bread

Wednesday: Leftovers- if its not movin, you can eat it....but mama is NOT cookin!

Thursday: Chicken Noodle soup in bread bowls

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Stuffed cheeseburgers, baked fries, peas

Sunday: Chicken Alfredo with sun dried tomato and spinach, mixed veggies, rolls

Works for me Wednesday: Making your Christmas gifts!

I feel like Christmas is more about being together than buying the most expensive gift. My favorite gifts, often are the ones that are homemade :) I love receiving something that someone has put their heart into so I thought I would share one of my favorites!

I tried making my on cocoa and loved it! I found mason jars at Odd Lots and after filling the jars with my homemade cocoa, I topped them with some material and a ribbon. (You can even fill the top of the jar with mini marshmallows!) Its easy and will mean so much to those you give it to!

3 cups nonfat dry milk

2 cups powdered sugar

1 ½ cups Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1 ½ cups white chocolate chips

¼ tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Working in two batches, pulse ingredients in food processor until chocolate chips are finely ground. Store in an airtight container for three months, longer in refrigerator or freezer. Stir 1/3 cup of mix into 1 cup of hot milk. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows.

Original recipe found here.

Leftover Turkey Recipe #2- Turkey Tortalinni

This is not an official recipe since I made it up but it is delicious and the kidlets love it!

Refrigerated Tortellini

Leftover chunked Turkey

1 red bell and yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced

Olive oil

pesto sauce

I take the refrigerated or frozen cheese filled tortellini and cook as directed. I then saute some thinly sliced red and yellow bell peppers in olive oil until tender crisp. In the last few minutes throw in as many chunks of turkey until warmed through.

Add to the cooked tortellini and toss in the pesto sauce of your choice. (As much as you would like.)

Enjoy!

Leftover Turkey Recipe #1- Turkey and rice bake

I am always searching for leftover turkey recipes that will fool my family into thinking they are not eating leftover turkey. No small feat.

I like this recipes because it flavorful and I can freeze half for another day....further stretching the turkey eating! :)

Turkey and Rice Bake

6 slices bacon
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup sliced onion
2 cups cooked rice
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach or broccoli, cooked and drained
2 tablespoons chopped pimiento
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
turkey slices, 6 to 8 large slices or enough sliced turkey for 6 people
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon melted butter

Cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels then crumble. In 2 tablespoons of the drippings in the same skillet, cook onion and celery until just tender. Combine the rice, bacon, onion, celery, spinach, pimiento, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Combine the soup and sour cream then stir half of it into the rice and vegetable mixture. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 11x7-inch baking dish. Arrange turkey slices over rice and vegetable mixture. Spoon remaining soup and sour cream mixture over turkey. Toss bread crumbs with butter and sprinkle around edge of casserole. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until hot and browned around the edge.Serves 6.

Recipe taken from Southern Food. You can find the original post here.

No Menu Plan Monday- Turkey WEEK!!

So because of Turkey week I am not going to be posting Menu Plan Monday.

Instead, I will be posting several recipes that use leftover turkey. (All kid friendly!!!)

I have really been thinking of all the things I have that I have to be thankful for.....how blessed we are!!

Pregnancy is...well pregnancy is weird.... Morning Sickeness!

I am currently baking my third child. I will tell you that this is a child we have prayed for and God has richly blessed us with one more!

However.....that does not change the weirdness of pregnancy. I would like to talk about some of the 1st trimester weirdness. (You know because now that I am out of all that ickyness, I can laugh about it!)

Morning sickness-

Yeah. Right.

Whoever the genius was that came up with this term, never experienced the lovely condition. I WISH I was only sick in the morning. That would have been lovely.

Instead, I was sick every minute and every hour of the day. I would even get up in the middle of the night to get sick. Morning sickness my foot.

But I'm not bitter...no sirree bob!!

Speaking of my favorite condition, many who have never been pregnant compare morning sickness to having the stomach flu. WRONG!!! Its hard to describe to someone who has never been blessed with child but it goes something like this.

The minute you get done getting sick, or if your like me, in the middle of it...your thinking about what you can eat next. Weird. I told ya! Never in my life of having the stomach flu have I been thinking about food. Yet, there I was hugging the toilet for all I was worth, trying not pee my pants. (A present from my first two...weak bladder) thinking about what I could eat when I was done.

One of my girlfriends told me that the only time she didn't feel sick, was when she was eating. She laughed and confessed that she just kept eating all the time. I say "whatever works for you sister! No judgement here!"

Then you have to deal with the ramifications of what you ate before you got really sick and never...ever...wanting to eat that again. If you are really a sickie like me, you start to run out of things that even sound halfway edible.

I got to the point where I was the anti-Atkins diet. I did all starches...all the time. Potatoes were my friends along with tortilla chips, peppermint ice cream and crackers and bread. (I am not sure but this could be why I gained 5 lbs in my first trimester even though I couldn't stop getting sick)

My thing that I really couldn't stand was the advice.(( Usually, I am polite and gentle with my unwanted advice but the morning sickness made me this beast of a woman. )) If I was told to try Ginger, ginger ale, peppermint tea, sea bands, pressure points, eating a cracker before getting out of bed or any other form of loving advice I was going to lose it!!! I wanted to throw my hands in the air and scream "I have tried it all!!! If I thought standing on my head naked would make me feel better...I WOULD DO IT !!!!"

Anywho, it always amazes me how easily we forget these things after they have passed. I am sitting here eating a sub as I type this and its delicious! Foods just taste better when you are pregnant, don't they? I guess that is our reward for getting through morning sickness!!

Next week: Insomnia.

Works for me Wednesday: Keeping the house clean

So this is a kind of generic WFMW but it does really work for me and my sanity so I thought I would share!

I clean my house on Saturday mornings and it really works for me. The hubs usually takes the kiddos for me or they watch toons, I get the house cleaned and I start the week with a fresh clean house.

Its about Monday night when I realize the house doesn't feel so clean anymore. I give a heavy sigh.

I then started a new routine that really keeps my life so much easier.

I go through Wednesday morning and wipe out the sinks and kitchen with a cloth very quickly. I also get my little cordless sweeper and sweep any major crumbs or granola and the hardwood floors. It takes 30 minutes but it keeps the house looking nice all week long which helps me stay relaxed.

And that works for everyone that lives in this house!

For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

Free Baby slings...check this out!

Since I am currently baking #3, I am always looking for great deals on baby things. I caught this by sheer luck and thought I would pass on the savings to you!

If you go here, you can order a baby sling of your choice totally for free!!! All you pay is S&H...which ends up being around $11. Just enter TURKEY into the "limited time promo code" box.

I just ordered one and am so excited !!!

Menu Plan Monday: Back to the basics.

This week is rather boring I am afraid. I am getting ready for my son's Thanksgiving party and it has me going to all my old standbys for supper. (Who has time to be creative this week!) I am trying a new meatloaf recipe so I have included the link! Also, I will be posting leftover turkey recipes throughout the next two weeks so check back! Happy Eating y'all!

Monday: Beef stroganoff, mashed potatoes, green beans

Tuesday: Homemade chicken noodle soup, fresh bread

Wednesday: Taco bake, Spanish rice

Thursday: Leftover buffet- if its in the fridge, you can eat it...but mama is not cookin!

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Brown sugar meatloaf, scalloped cheddar potatoes, broccoli, rolls

Sunday: Potato cheddar ham soup in bread bowls

A new favorite recipe that is easy and delicious!!

My family tried this recipe that I adapted from a recipe from Campbell's soup. I changed a few things to suit our own family but let me tell you.....my family kept going back for more and more!! So here it is. (I think its perfect for college football games!) I will include the original link to the Campbell's recipe below. Enjoy!!!

4 sub buns

1 Can Campbells french Onion soup

1 lb sliced deli thin roast beef

1 TBS Worcestershire sauce

4 slices provolone cheese

Heat oven to 400

Heat the soup and Worcestershire in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil. Add the beef and heat through, stirring occasionally.

Divide the beef evenly among the rolls. Top the beef with the cheese slices and place the sandwiches onto a baking sheet.

Bake for 3 minutes or until the sandwiches are toasted and the cheese is melted.

Spoon the soup mixture into little cups to dip the sandwiches in!

Check out the original recipe here!

Works for me Wednesday: Using happy meal toys for some good!

I will be the first to confess that many a happy meal has crossed this thresh hold. I will also tell you that many happy meal toys don't see the light of day due to lack of interest or I simply don't want to add to the toy pile. (I am the meanest mama God ever made :) )

We keep the toys, packaged so nicely in their little plastic bags, and save them. We then gather them all up around Thanksgiving time and take them to our neighbors church who packs Christmas boxes for children overseas.

The toys fit perfectly and it may be the only toy they receive this Christmas. I also hope it teaches the kids to think of others rather than themselves.

And that totally works for everyone!

For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!