Everything Christmas: Book Review

Everything Christmas: Celebrate the Joy of the Advent Season with the Best of

Christmas Past and Present

I was excited to receive this delightful book from Water Brook Press. I love Christmas time! Even more than that, I love the time I am able to spend with my family making memories that will last a lifetime. This book is packed with ideas!

From the back of the book:

Christmas is a time of celebration and wonder, a time to embrace longstanding traditions and establish new ones. It’s a time for meals filled with memories and heartwarming stories shared around the fireplace. It’s a time for worship, reflection, and remembrance of God’s greatest gift.

Everything Christmas is divided into 24 sections beginning with December 1 and ending with December 24. Because of this, it can be used as an advent calendar if you wish. Each day is filled with old-fashioned stories, Scripture verses, quotes, jokes, poems, Christmas carols, recipes, trivia,and more! In addition to all the wonderful stories and tidbits are a number of sections about how  countries around the world celebrate Christmas.

This book could be used at breakfast or dinner time around the table, at bedtime, during family worship, or even during homeschool time. There is something for everyone in this little book!

I did want to mention that “Father Christmas” and “Santa Claus” are mentioned in a few places in the book, but these little sections could easily be skipped if that offends you.

And of course one of my favorites is always the recipes. I was delighted to find a recipe for Christmas Snowballs – a cookie my own mother made for use every Christmas and that I now make for my own family. The recipe is found on page 199 of Everything Christmas:

Christmas Snowballs

4 sticks butter, melted

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups finely chopped pecans

6 tbsp. confectioner’s sugar

4 cups all purpose flour

Confectioner’s sugar (to roll cookies in after baked)

Preheat oven to 325 F degrees.

Mix first five ingredients well. Form into 1 inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 20 minutes until cookies turn lightly brown. Remove from oven; cool for 5 minutes. Roll each cookie in confectioner’s sugar.

When cool, roll again until well coated. If cookies break up while rolling in sugar, cool for another 5 minutes. Makes about 100 cookies.

I received this book from WaterBrook Press in exchange for doing this review. I am glad I did!

Make a Dollhouse… Out of a Drawer

For that little girl in your life… what could be better than a homemade, totally cute dollhouse? When I saw this little gem:

I instantly fell in love! It reminds me of another dollhouse – much larger that I saw a few years ago over at Turkey Feathers.  What a wholesome activity for little girls! Be sure to Check out NiceGirl Notes for the tutorial!

Homemade Checkers Game Board

In a day and age when most children are bombarded with electronic games, why not give your child a gift that will stand the test of time? This homemade checkers board game is so sweet! You could definitely change the colors if you want to make one for your boy! Be sure to visit Little Miss Momma to check out the tutorial!

The Children’s Table

One of my favorite traditions for Thanksgiving is the Children’s Table. It’s a table decorated just for the youngest members of the family – say 10 years old and under. In our house, Thanksgiving Dinner takes place around three or four o’clock in the afternoon. Needless to say, if the kids are not occupied with activities, waiting for dinner to be ready can be a challenge!

At the children’s table, I like to provide activities, decorations, and more just for the kids! Here are some ideas you might like to use:

1. Cover the table with brown paper (such as paper grocery bags cut up or packing paper) and provide crayons for the kids to decorate their “tablecloth.”
2. Have the children make the center piece, place cards, and napkin rings. Then, they can help set their table and make it pretty!
3. Provide Thanksgiving coloring sheets and crayons or markers.
4. Offer easy to assemble crafts such as Pilgrims hats and Bonnets or Native American Headdresses.
5. Have the children decorate place mats that you print. Cut them out and glue to orange or brown construction paper. Then decorate the table with them.
6. Make fun turkeys for kids to take home after dinner is over.
7. Don’t forget to provide some fun desserts for the kids, too!

Make this Thanksgiving a day the kids won’t forget!

Coffee Filter Trees for Fall

One of things I love the most about Autumn is the colors! This craft embodies the colors of fall perfectly and looks incredibly easy! In the tutorial Nadja used liquid watercolors, but think you could get the same effect with regular water colors on a damp coffee filter, or by using colored markers and spraying lightly with water to bleed the colors.

This Autumn Tree would be lovely decorating your buffet for Thanksgiving! You could even use it as a “Thankful Tree” on Thanksgiving. Just cut out paper leaves or even squares of autumn colored paper and provide pend and clothes pins. Have family and friends write what they are thankful for on the paper and then pin them to the tree. Be sure to check out the tutorial for this beautiful project over at Path O’ Dirt Farm.

Spool Pumpkin Craft

This is a sweet and simple idea. I think you could use these little pumpkins at each place setting on your thanksgiving table – maybe take home favors or even use them as place cards. You could do these with your children as part of your homeschool, too!

These little pumpkins are frugal, too! Check out the tutorial over at I Can Teach My Child.

Design Your Own Recipe Card and Tin

This Christmas, why not give a gift that will keep on giving… for generations? Print your favorite recipes on pretty recipe cards that you design yourself, add the collection to a fun tin, and share with your family and friends! The best past is, once the cards are created, you can print as many as you need! Check out the tute on My Computer is my Canvas!

After making the recipe cards, you can put them in a pretty tin you altered yourself.

Handmade Bag Doorstop

I found this tutorial for a “humble doorstop” that would make a lovely gift! I love the burlap fabric in conjunction with the pretty floral fabric – and the ribbon – too sweet! You’ll have to check out the tutorial over at Shabby Art Boutique.

A Year of Family Worship: The Bible Story

The Bible Story Books.

You have probably seen those blue hardback Bible Story books in the doctor’s office, dentist office, or hospital. I remember my mother reading stories from them while we sat for what seemed like hours in the waiting room at the doctors office when I was a little girl. We didn’t own a set of our own back then. Well, now I have a set of my own. In fact, in our house, we have several sets and even recently purchased a set for each of our children. We found used sets on ebay.

I highly recommend you purchase a set for your own home, if you have not already! The books authored by Arthur Maxwell, are written in a classic story like fashion. The illustrations are charming. But the most important thing about these books, would have to be that they teach you the Bible! They are perfect for children and parents alike! If you are a mom, like me, who didn’t grow up with a solid knowledge of the Bible and the stories, this 10 volume set is perfect! You will learn so much from just reading the stories.

From The Bible Story Book Website:

Imagine for a moment your family sitting down together for a regular Bible story at bedtime. That’s better than some silly—or disturbing—television program, isn’t it? And it’s a wonderful influence for good…

Each short, five-minute chapter in The Bible Story can help give your children the strength to stand up to the temptations they face. Each story can help build a foundation of values upon which your children can establish happy and successful lives.

• Easy to read and understand
• 411 stories in 10 volumes
• 1,200 color illustrations
• Stories are true to the Bible

You should visit their website, and learn more. And if you can’t afford the price of new books, get some used ones! They are usually in excellent condition! These books will be a welcome addition to your Family Worship time.

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Each Wednesday, we will add a new post for A Year of Family Worship and you can do the same. Share your goals, experiences, and ideas for family worship with the rest of us!

If you don’t have a blog, you can add your comments in the comment section! You can read about A Year of Family Worship here. And you can see the 52 Weeks of Family Worship here.

• You can grab a button for A Year of Family Worship to add to your own blog here.

If you do not have a blog… you can either post your ideas here in the comments or even join our Proverbs 31 Sisters Network and get a free blog that way!

Rejoice! For He is Risen!

As Easter or (as I prefer to call it) Resurrection Day approaches, I thought it would be fun to share some great resources with you that you can use this Spring to celebrate all that He has done for us.

Read the Easter Story

¹In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

²And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

³His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

⁴And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

⁵And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

⁶He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

⁷And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

⁸And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

⁹And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

¹⁰Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

¹¹Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

¹²And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

¹³Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

¹⁴And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

¹⁵So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

¹⁷And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

¹⁸And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28, King James Version)

A Year of Family Worship

• Memory Verse: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6
• Resurrection Cookies
• Resurrection Eggs

In the Kitchen

• Easter Menu – 2012
• Resurrection Rolls
• Parmesan  Popovers
• Lemon Pie Bars
• Lemon Snowball Cookies
• Lemon Chess Pie
• Easter Recipes
• Passover Recipes
• Bunny Cupcakes
• Jelly Bean Carrots
• Sheep Cake

In the Garden

• Free Milkweed Seeds – Help the Monarch Butterflies
• Free Seed Exchange
• How to Make a Newspaper Pot – video

Everyday Crafts

• Easter Handprint Lilies
• Easter Sheep Eggs
• Lamb Place Card Holder
• Lamb Pin

Home Education

• Easter Lapbook
• Clouds Art Show
• Watercolor Lilypads Lesson
• Easter Math Drills
• Make Your Own Easter Worksheets
• Easter Resources for Teachers

Nature Study

• Birdcall Memory Game
• Spring Nature Walk Worksheet
• Table Top Garden Worksheet
• Journey North

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