Little Things like Marshmallows and Clothespins

Little things have made me smile this Christmas season.

First is our little Christmas tree. Keith and I love it, but Paige and Leah weren't happy that we didn't put up our big tree. The other thing that made me happy were these little clothespins that I found and then covered in scrapbooking paper to make them more Christmasy. I'm hanging our Christmas cards from a jute string along our bannister. I really like seeing them there in the foyer.

Then lastly, these little marshmallows are my other little treat this year. I found a recipe for homemade marshmallows. I added some crushed peppermint candy to the mix. Here is a peek in the bag at my little marshmallows. I didn't cut them very exact as you can see. They are tied and tagged and ready to go to our neighbors house to top off a mug of hot chocolate.

I've been meditating on this scripture this Christmas. I pray it blesses you too.

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights as sons. Galatians 4:4,5

Merry Christmas from our house to yours,

I pray you enjoy the little blessings of life and know the big love that God has for you.

The World at Your Feet

Last night Leah's school hosted Geography Night for 100 5th and 6th graders who signed up to take a walk across Asia. The school brought in this huge National Geographic floor map of Asia. We went to 8 different regions of the map and learned so much. All I could think of was my blogger friends. We had an overview of Mongolia and I thought of Daja. Then The Philippines ~ Hi Charity.

Here are a few snapshots from the night:



Students from the High School's Council of International Affairs were the host of each station and shared information on the culture, religion, forms of government and demographics of different countries in Asia.



This is for you Charity:

This is for you Uncle Ron:

It was a fun way to learn and really be hands on or "feet" on and experience Geography in a different way. From what I understand National Geographic has 3 of these maps....Asia, Africa and The United States. But I think the best way to learn Geography is to start blogging!

Neighbor Steve's Man Christmas

Christmas decorations at our house this year:

(click on picture - it helps)

Christmas at Neighbor Steve's House:

Neighbor Steve was serious about decorating for Christmas this year. Last Saturday his Christmas man dream came true. He backed this big, bad green monster into his driveway.

Steve's brother-in-law and niece prepare to put up lights:

Neighbor Steve (who is afraid of heights, but not heavy machinery) coaches from the ground:

Paige takes a turn on the lift:

A bird's eye view from the treetops:

After an entire day of ups and downs in his big green lift, Steve and his wife cooked a scrumptious pot of gumbo and had the neighbors over.

It's the beginning of a

Merry Christmas!

(We even got snow flurries in Houston today!)

Keen on Quinoa and Finally Forty

I just discovered Quinoa (keen-wah) recently. It is easy to make and very good. It has many health benefits as it is high in protein and other nutrients. It is not a grain; it is a seed. We eat it at least once a week. YAY, my girls will even eat it. Have you had it before? Here's the scoop on it:

I buy it out of the bulk bins at the grocery store. You can also find it boxed in the rice section of the store.

I usually buy about a scoop plus a little more at a time. Before you cook it, rinse it thru a fine strainer. Then add it to your pot of water. If you are using a cup of dry quinoa then put 1 1/2 cups of water in the pot. Toss in some salt. I also add a bouillon cube for flavor. You can add mushrooms, spinach or whatever you like to this too. Bring to a boil, lower heat low and place the lid on and let it absorb the water. It is done when you see a white little rim form around each seed.

This is what it looks like when its cooked.

It makes a great side dish.
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My other favorite side dish: Sweet potato fries. I just cut up sweet potatoes or yams in to fries. Toss with olive oil and then sprinkle with chili powder. Lay out in a single layer on a pan and bake. I have a convection oven so at the end I turn on convection roast to get them a little crispy. They are sooooo good.

Finally, I share this:

My friend Karen is FINALLY FORTY! I flew to Birmingham, Alabama last weekend to attend her birthday party and celebrate. Our other friend Janet surprised us by flying in from Virginia. Trust me when I say SURPRISED! Karen and I were sitting at her kitchen table in our pajamas drinking coffee and eating bagels (and bacon) when the phone rang. It was Janet. She was at the Birmingham airport. We jumped in the car still in our pajamas and drove to get Janet at the airport. These are two of my dearest friends. We met over ten years ago when we lived in the same neighborhood in Birmingham. I'm blessed to have them in my life.

Joy, Karen & Janet

Happy Birthday Karen!

Coupon Clipping is Back In Style Article

If you are visiting my blog after reading the article from The Houston Chronicle and Ultimate Woodlands

Welcome!

I'll give you a quick tour of my blog so you can go straight to the post you came here to read.

If you are looking for ABC's of Couponing go click here.



If you are looking for the recipe for homemade laundry detergent click here.



If you are looking for the post on how to save money on your electric bill click here.



Other money saving ideas can be found at each of those links.



Feel free to take a look around.



If you come here often and wonder what is going on. Well, go read this article about my couponing efforts.



If you have a money-saving idea. Write it in the comments.