Holiday Gift Guide

World Vision - End of Year Giving

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Isn't that amazing? To think that our little pittance can make that kind of a difference to a family, a community and a country - one cow at a time!

There are just a few days left to 2011 and I want to challenge you to 2 things:

1) Sit down with your spouse and your family to consider if you can afford to share $25, $50, $100 - or even $1000 to help a family in need.

2) Commit to set aside a jar - it can be quart size, gallon size - even a pickle jar to fill up with coins or dollars & encourage your children to put their change in it too. Save up the pennies you find on the street, the money in the couch - even the money found in pockets when you do the laundry. At the end of the year, take that jar and sit down with your children to go through the "Wish Book" from World Vision. (Learn More)

Your $25 can provide:

* $150 Worth of School Supplies for USA * Clean Water Fund

* $125 Worth of Food and Aid for Africa or Job Training for Girls and Women

Your $50 can provide:

* Africa Food Aid * Hope for Sexually Exploited Girls

World Vision Child Care Ministries Fund * Provide $385 Worth of Clothing

Your $100 can provide:

* 15 Fruit Trees * New Mother and Baby Kit

* 4 Ducks and 1 Goat * 6 Chickens * Help for Children with Disabilities

Give a gift that's too big for a box and a bow!

2011 tax deadline:

Donate before midnight EST (9 p.m. PST) on Dec. 31, 2011.

Win one of these darling little goats - they are an example of the little goats you can donate to a family and are a wonderful reminder to your children of how they are helping another family. At the same time, I am also donating a set of 2 books from Lee and Low Publishing so you can learn about the culture of some of the countries served through World Vision. You can read my review here. I'll add those pics here in about an hour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Rachel Hauck

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Merry Christmas from all of us at Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoyed these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you missed a few posts, I hope you'll be able go back through and read them on this blog over the next few days. If you'd like to keep up with Pearl Girls and our new book project, Mother of Pearl, coming this spring, just click this link and sign up for our newsletter (lower left sidebar).

Also, just a reminder that today is the last day for the pearl necklace and earrings giveaway! Enter now by filling out this {form}. The winner will on 1/1 at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Jesus -- The Reason For the Season
By: Rachel Hauck

Through the narrow scope of 2000 years, Mary, the mother of Jesus, appears to be one lucky woman. Chosen by God to give birth to His son, the Savior of the world? All right, Mary, way to go.

“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you,” Gabriel said. Luke 1:28

How many of us would like a declaration like that? Highly favored. The Lord is with you. But Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

The angel told her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35. Mary’s seems confident and resolved when she responds, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Luke 1:38.

She’d just been told the Holy Spirit will come upon her, that God’s power will overshadow her, that she’d become with child even though she wasn’t married, and she said, “I’m the Lord’s servant. Let your words be true.”

I find this amazing! A young woman. Ancient Bethlehem. Unwed mother. They stoned women for such things in her day. But Mary believed in God. And submitted to His will. He gave her the Holy Spirit – the same Holy Spirit given to us. If He gave her confidence, He will give us confidence. Even though, like Mary, our situation seems impossible.

Listen to Mary’s song later on in the first chapter of Luke.

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me Holy is his name…” Luke 1:46, 48

Conceiving a child out of wedlock, by Divine intervention. Not a girl’s every day existence. Yet she had a Yes in her heart to God. She rejoiced. She boldly said, “Generations will remember me!”

How we struggle to trust God with our children. Our finances. Our emotional well-being. We worry. We fret. And wonder why we have no peace.

Christmas is the season where words like joy, peace and love are bantered around like Christmas candy. Let’s not take them as just words, but as truth. Let’s be like Mary and embrace God’s favor on our lives. Boldly declare "He’s done great things for me!”

Out of the grit of our own souls, we can reach His heart, and feel Him reaching for ours. No matter the pain of our past, present or future, God is there for us. He is able. Best of all, He is willing. “My soul glorifies the Lord this Christmas!”

***

Rachel Hauck is an award winning, best selling author who believes God has done great things for her. She lives in Central Florida with her husband and ornery pets. Her next release is Love Lifted Me with multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans, January 2012. Then in April, look for The Wedding Dress. www.rachelhauck.com.

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Robin Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND just for fun ... there's also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 - 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

The Panhandler's Breath
By Robin Dance

He slipped in sideways between the closing elevator doors, as if he were late to a meeting; he pressed the "5" without looking. Instead of suit and tie, though, baggy pants and faded navy hung on his tall, slim frame...and his stealth entry stiffened the hairs on the back of my neck.

I had noticed him a few seconds earlier, just after we had parted a sea of clamorous teens. He was smiling, grandfatherly, standing maybe 30 feet away where the electric shuttle picks up.

I had no idea he had been watching us, studying us, predator patiently awaiting his next prey.

The four of us were sealed in a four- by six-foot metal tomb. Tomb -- that thought really scampered across my mind. I wondered if he had a knife in his pocket. I wanted to protect my son. Fight or flight pumped adrenaline but there was no where to run.

Extreme and ridiculous, these thoughts - and more - flashed through my mind. The Stranger began speaking.

"Yessir, I see you're a family man with your wife and your son here..." and he nodded in my and my son’s direction.

"...you see I'm homeless and all I've got..." and on queue, he reached into his left pocket and pulled out two old pennies blackened with age. Two cents to his name?! It was all too contrived, too practiced, and I didn't believe a word he was saying.

It was then I smelled it ~ the small space lent itself to that ~ and I doubted my doubt.

His breath.

It wasn't the scent of alcohol. His eyes weren't red, his voice didn't waver; his wizened face matched his graying hair.

His breath was morning's, zoo breath, the pet name I'd given to the scent inhaled when kissing my children awake when they were little.

He needed to brush his teeth. I wondered how long it had been since he brushed his teeth.

The elevator door opened and I handed him my leftover pizza as my son and I brushed past him. My husband handed him a bill and the Stranger thanked and God blessed him.

The elevator door closed behind us. Conflicted, I was relieved.

We got in the car and blurted first reaction--

"I didn't believe a word he said."

"That made me nervous."

"I wonder if he'll really eat the pizza."

In the quiet, we were left to our own thoughts, contemplating the right thing to do. At the end of the day, this is what I decided: It doesn't matter whether or not his story is true; for an old man to resort to begging, he has to be desperate. The money my husband gave him will never be missed. It was a reminder we've been entrusted with much and given much. Materially, yes, but more so spiritually. Loved, chosen, forgiven, redeemed, graced, lavished--every spiritual blessing. E v e r y.

There's a part of me that wishes I would have been brave enough to ask the man his story, made sure he knew he was loved...and bought him a tooth brush.

Later, it occurred to me he could have been an angel. Doesn’t that mean generosity, kindness and hospitality is always the right response? Then it's not about you or the stranger or the circumstance, it's about a simple, God-glorifying response.

Had we entertained an angel unaware? We'll never know.

But it wouldn't be the first time the Breath of Heaven smelled like a zoo.

***

In a decades-old, scandalous affair with her husband, Robin also confesses mad crushes on her three teens. As Southern as sugar-shocked tea, she’s a recovering people pleaser who advocates talking to strangers. A memoirist, Compassion International Blogger, and Maker-upper of words, Robin writes for her own site, PENSIEVE, and also for (in)courage by DaySpring (a subsidiary of Hallmark) and Simple Mom. She loves to get to know readers through their blog comments and on Twitter and Pinterest. www.pensieve.me

Rich, Decadent Chocolate ~ the perfect treat

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:45:00 +0000

Do you know someone who loves a rich tasting chocolate drink? You? Hmmmm ~ you're a person after my own heart.

Mayesa Chocolate is indulgent, rich, decadent but still a healthy alternative to soda's, energy drinks and many of the coffees and shakes available. Mayesa is made from hemp protein rice, and select spices - without any kind of dairy! It's packed full of nutrients and immunity boosting antioxidants. It suppresses hunger, increases clarity, energizes and replenishes your stamina throughout the day.

Mayesa is based off the original chocolate drink created by the Mayan's hundreds of years ago. Mostly Mayan & Aztec nobility used it but it was also used for medicinal, religious and cultural reasons. They roasted and ground the beans from the Theobroma cacao tree and combined it with aromatic flowers, vanilla and wild honey to make a bitter, spicy drink that could be drunk hot or cold. Eventually this drink made it's way back to Spain where sugar was added to sweeten it and eventually a way to mass produce it enabled everyone to enjoy a more affordable drink.

My thoughts:
I was really excited to find a drink that was dairy free and nutritional also. I liked the idea of having a drink that I could throw in my purse and take to work. I didn't particularly care for the drink cold - I found it a little too bitter for me - but I can see how someone who enjoys bitter foods (ie - coffee) will really like this drink. I'll have to try it warm and maybe I should try adding a little honey or something to sweeten it up for me.

I did a giveaway earlier in December and the winner (Laura Wheeler) won a set of the chocolate - there is the original and also a mint version of the drink. These would be fun to add to a teens or adults Christmas stocking, as a Secret Santa gift or just because. I have a feeling we'll be seeing people on the go enjoying these drinks all the time. =D

Mayesa Supports Kiva

Mayesa is now available online as well as in some stores. Click here to see if your store carries it. I'm sure you can also request it to be stocked in your favorite shop.

More Information & Coupons, new products, etc:
http://www.mayesa.com/shop/

Facebook

Twitter

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Debora M.Coty

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

***

Inside Out Christmas
by Debora M. Coty

My veterinarian friend, Dr. Katie, tells the story about the December when a woman brought a very sick black lab into her clinic. The dog was only ten months old, so she was really just a big puppy, but she’d been vomiting incessantly and her worried owner didn’t know what was wrong.

“Why don’t you go on home?” Dr. Katie told the owner. “I’ll need to run tests for about four hours. We’ll give you a call when we’re finished.”

Dr. Katie’s assistant took x-rays and hung them on the light panel for Dr. Katie to examine. Hmm. Something looked a little peculiar. Dr. Katie called her assistant over.

“Is it just me, or does that look like a … a camel to you?” she asked incredulously.

“Matter of fact, it does,” replied the astute assistant. “And look, there’s an angel here, a shepherd there, and down there in the colon, it’s Baby Jesus!”

At that moment the phone rang. It was the dog’s distraught owner. “I can’t believe this! I just got home and glanced at the coffee table where I put my manger scene yesterday. There’s nothing there but an empty stable!”

As I thought about this quite literal technique for internalizing the true meaning of Christmas, it occurred to me that sometimes I have the opposite problem. With all the bustling busyness, my inner joy in celebration of my savior’s birth never really makes it to the outside.

Oh, I have plenty of glittery, festive evidences of the holiday in decorations, baking galore, and gifts under my tree. But those things are for show. They’re merely the pretty wrappings, not the gift itself.

Can people really see the core-deep joy that radiates within me when I think of the true gift that Papa God sent the world in his son, Jesus? Is my immeasurable gratitude for eternal life evident as I dash through this hectic season?

I’m afraid all too often, the answer is no.

I’m just too preoccupied to allow my outside to reflect my inside so that nonbelievers recognize that I rejoice because of the hope that is within me. My joy is obscured by the mounds of clutter. Gratefulness is sucked out of my soul by the vacuum called urgency.

“But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.” (Psalm 68:3, NLT).

This verse has become my prayer this Christmas season – that I would make the time to give priority to rejoicing, being glad in God’s presence, and letting my inner joy show for those who may be silently desperate to know the giver of true joy.

Yep, there’s a better way to internalize the gift of Christmas than the black lab technique. We can lodge the Little Lord Jesus in our hearts rather than our colons.

***

Debora M. Coty is a humorist, inspirational speaker, and award-winning author of twelve books, including Too Blessed to be Stressed, and coming in March, More Beauty, Less Beast: Transforming Your Inner Ogre. Debora would love to swap Christmas hugs with you at www.DeboraCoty.com.

Holiday Baking - Cookies Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:32:00 +0000

Have you entered yet? There is only 3 more days for the 12 Pearls of Christmas event on Holiday Traditions! You can enter daily - just be sure to stop by everyday after 6 am and read that day's post & click on the link to enter.

Last Minute Holiday Baking... Are you done yet?
Thanks to Julie's Eats & Treats I have a NEW Salted Nut Roll recipe. Julie's version is made up using a yellow cake mix and it tastes and holds together so much better. I even had compliments at our Family Christmas Party last Saturday. I hope Julie doesn't mind but I'm going to share her recipe here (with a few tips added in) so I don't lose it in the future - but she get's the credit for this little bar of yumminess!

Salted Nut Rolls

from the Kitchen of Julie's Eats & Treats

1/2 stick of margarine, melted

1 box of yellow cake mix (w/ pudding is fine)

1 egg

Mix together and pour into a 9x13 greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes (be sure to NOT burn the crust!).

Pour almost all of the bag of Mini Marshmallows over the HOT crust and return to the oven - be sure to turn OFF the oven first. Let marshmallows puff up in the oven for 2-3 minutes only. If you do it longer they get over hot and too chewy.

Topping - Melt in a saucepan & mix together completely:

1 stick of butter

1 bag peanut butter chips

1/2 c corn syrup (the clear kind)

1 tsp vanilla

Melt completely and then stir in:

2 cups rice krispies

2 cups of salted peanuts (note be sure to by shelled, salted peanuts - WITHOUT the little brown papery stuff on them - it's a REAL hassle to remove those!)

Pour the topping over the cooled marshmallow & crust and spread out. Put in the fridge and let set up. I didn't have any problem cutting these up the next day - just let it sit out at room temperature and then cut it with a knife or I use a metal spatula. Cut into about 1" pieces - they won't last long and freeze great if you want to make them up in advance of the holidays. =D

Yum Yum!

The other recipe I'm making tomorrow is Taste Of Home's Nutty Orange Snowballs. I haven't made these yet - but I bought the ingredients tonight so now I have to make them. LOL. Saturday is another family get together so these and the Salted Nut Rolls is for that group. The only ingredient I couldn't find at Walmart or HyVee was the finely chopped hazelnuts - so I'm planning on using pecans. Hopefully it'll work - but then I've never had hazelnuts so I guess I'll never know. =D

Nutty Orange Snowballs

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, divided

1 teas grated orange peel

1/2 teas orange extract

1/2 teas Spice Islands pure vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1/4 teas salt

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

1/2 cup finely chopped hazelnuts

In a large bowl, cream butter and 3/4 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in orange peel and extracts. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in nuts.

Shape into 3/4 inch balls. Place 1" apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake @ 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Place remaining powdered sugar in a large resealable plastic bag. Add cookies, a few at a time, and shake to coat. Store in an air tight container.

3 dozen cookies

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Tracey Eyster

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

***

Simple or Sparkle?
by Tracey Eyster

It’s a simple ornament made of thin cheap metal and it looks quite out of place on our CHRISTmas tree. But each year I lovingly and safely nestle it amongst its expensive and sparkly peers, without a care as to how unglamorous it appears.

Many of our CHRISTmas ornaments have a story and an uncanny way of welling up emotion in me, but this certain one causes an intense stir.

You see the ornament is engraved with the name of my grandmother, Sara, and was given to me by my mother, who ordered it from Hospice, after Grandmama’s death. Yes, the months leading up to her death carry memories of a frail and failing grandmama, but that ornament carries my thoughts to sweet CHRISTmas memories of the past.

CHRISTmas Eve dinners in her home, laughing, singing, gathering and celebrating a year filled with blessings as we remembered the birth of our Savior. CHRISTmas mornings, she was always there participating with glee, in our raucous CHRISTmas happiness. Her gifts were always bank envelopes gently tucked into the pine needles of our CHRISTmas tree, fresh cut from the property she grew up on.

All memories of my Grandmama make my heart swell. You see she was my Jesus with skin on. She lived her life full of joy, serving others and approached life selflessly with an attitude of, “What can I do for you?”

Just months before she left us, even as the Alzheimer’s was robbing her mind she shared her love of Jesus with a sweet little old lady friend, who came to know the Lord – a divine appointment. The very next day that little old lady silently slipped away to meet in person the One Sara introduced her to just the day before.

At the time I wept, realizing that regardless of our own frailties and failings, God can still use those of us who are willing to do His work and are well practiced at hearing His voice...no matter our lack of sparkle in comparison to others.

A simple life lived for Him, a simple ornament in memory of Sara...a simple truth for you to ponder.

***

Tracey Eyster wife, mom, relationship gatherer and Creator/Editor of FamilyLife’s MomLife Today is a media savvy mom making a difference where moms are, on-line. Through speaking, writing and video interviews Tracey is passionate about encouraging, equipping and advising moms on every facet of momlife. Her first book, Be The Mom will be released August 2012. You can connect with Tracey at www.momlifetoday.com, her personal site www.traceyster.com or www.twitter/momblog.com.

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Susan May Warren

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

***

Enjoy the Ride!
Susan May Warren

We sit poised on the top of a cliff, a near drop off before us, that falls to a rushing river. In the middle, a bridge of snow and ice hints at our destination. My husband guns the snowmobile engine. “Ready?”

Ready? For a face plant into a tree, maybe reconstructive surgery? To feel my stomach ripped from my body as we plummet down the mountain? Let’s do it!

We live on five acres of woods in northern Minnesota that butts up to a national forest. Hence, our backyard is about a hundred thousand acres. Aside from harboring deer, lynx, fox, cougar and bear, it also makes excellent snowmobile terrain. And not long ago, Mrs. Claus gave her Santa a snowmobile for two.

I love snowmobiling. Flying over the snow, catching air over drifts. I love to drive, to be at the helm of the beast as I weave around trees and over hill and dale, my husband sitting behind me. I also love riding behind my husband as he drives, feeling those powerful arms as he’s muscling the snowmobile into the wilds. We follow unknown trails, driven by a Magellan spirit, hoping that we have enough gas to get us back to civilization. I love hanging on, simply trusting him, knowing that wherever he’s taking me, he’s going first.

But there are times, when I see where he’s taking me, and I just have to bury my head in his back. Like straight down a cliff.

However, my heart cheers, despite the terror as we gun it down the hill, over the river, up the opposite side. And, if we hadn’t let ourselves go, we would have never discovered the beauty of a winter river, a hidden jewel buried deep in the forest. Nor the exhilaration of facing the challenge together.

Further on, we find an enchanted forest of towering white pine. Catch a view of Lake Superior, discover an old cabin in the woods.

It occurs to me that snowmobiling is much like my spiritual life. Occasionally, I drive, and it’s me setting our course, weaving through the trees, getting us hopelessly lost. But when God takes the “wheel” and I hang on, trusting Him for the speed and destination, I see the scenery. I trust him to keep me safe. I trust him to bring me home, where there is an eternal supply of hot chocolate.

As Christmas season becomes more hectic, what if I let God drive? Maybe everything doesn’t have to be perfect, and maybe I don’t have to control every tradition, every holiday nuance. What if I just held on for the ride?

I’ll bet I’ll still get there, and I might even enjoy the scenery along the way.

How have you let go, and “enjoyed” the scenery of this hectic, exhilarating Christmas season?

Merry Christmas!

***

Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of thirty novels with Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill and Summerside Press. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award. A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

A menagerie of ideas...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:31:00 +0000

Menagerie.... Isn't that a great word? Menagerie means a "varied mixture" or it can mean "rare finds". I've been linking up my post on Seasoned Roasts & other recipes and found a couple of great linkies where people link up their handmade items - it can be gifts, craft ideas, recipes ~ it's a rare collection of a variety of FUN things!

Personalized Ornaments ~ use paper and other found items to create an ornament that matches your personality or the giftee's uniqueness. These are really easy to make and just take a little time and money to create, unless you already have the mirror, photo, glitter and glue.

My thoughts: We've all heard of altered books - wouldn't it be neat to combine the paper with pictures, rubbings, beads, eyelets, buttons, etc? Needs some ideas? Click here, here and here to start.

Christmas or Easter Basket Idea: Why not make Koolaid Playdo in bright, fruity smelling colors? It's 100% non-toxic & edible (altho it won't taste good) and so so soft! Your kids will love it & it's the only thing good from Koolaid! Click Here for recipe

Ode to Inspiration has the neatest idea! Why not start a snowball "fight" with your friends & family? She made up "snowball (or Mexican Wedding Cakes) balls" and put them in a bucket with a tag that say's "You've been snowballed"! ~ Think May Day and hang a cone or bucket on your neighbor's doorknob with a "tag your it" on the inside/back of the tag.

Some other ideas I loved & want to explore:

Make Your Own Shampoo Soap

Love the idea of the shampoo soap - but I think it would be expensive and a LOT of work to make. Wonder if I could buy a bar or two to try - or maybe she'd send me one to review on my GivingNSharing blog????

I found these ideas on these linkies:
1) Anything Goes (Tuesdays) and 2) Homemade Projects (Tip Junkie)

Here's my post that I linked up on both: Seasoned Roast & other recipes

Awesome Giveaways ~ Don't miss out on:

WIN 2 Cookbooks @ Holiday Traditions, 12/21, US:
http://holidaygiftsandmore.blogspot.com/2011/11/wordless-wednesday-well-almost.html

$50 Paypal Giveaway, 1/1, US/CA
http://familyliteracy2.blogspot.com/2011/12/50-paypal-giveaway-for-facebook-sign-up.html

$50 in FREE Usborne Books - You're choice of books! 12/31, US
http://familyliteracy2.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-titles-are-coming-january-1.html

WIN a HP Mini Netbook! 1/1, US
http://givingnsharing.blogspot.com/2011/12/mini-notebook-giveaway-rafflecopter.html

12 Pearls of Christmas

Win a $450 necklace/earrings set

Read TODAY's entry to find out how to enter!

This is wonderful! Tina 'the book lady'

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Tricia Goyer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND just for fun ... there's also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 - 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Family Traditions: A Glimpse into Christmas Future
by Tricia Goyer

Have you ever thought about family traditions? As I helped my 1-year-old place ornaments on the Christmas tree this year I imagined her doing the same thing with her children—and maybe even grandchildren—one day. Traditions are beliefs and customs handed down through generations. By sharing meaningful moments with your kids you're sending yourself into the future. How amazing is that?

Sharing family traditions cause us to slow down from the busy, adult world for a while. We ignore the laundry to set out the nativity set with our kids. We set aside time in our schedules to drive around and look at Christmas lights.

Holiday traditions aren't only fun, they also help strength family bonds. Through traditions kids trust in the security of family unit. They think, “This is our family and this is what I do.” Of course, the most important thing to share isn't just what we do ... but why. Why do we put out a nativity? To remind us the real meaning of the season—Jesus coming to earth. What do the Christmas lights represent displayed on homes and on trees? They represent the Light of the World, Jesus.

Using traditions to bond our families and share our faith isn't new. I love these two Scriptures that talk about that very thing.

Exodus 12:25 says, “When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony.”

Psalm 78:4 says, “We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.”

What are you're traditions? Here are a few of ours:

Baking a Birthday cake for Jesus
Buying a new ornament every year for each child
Acting out the Christmas story (with props!)
Praying together before opening presents

What are your traditions? Write a list and appreciate them in a new way this year. Then ask, “If I could add one new tradition this holiday season, what would it be?” I'd love to hear what you choose! It also makes me smile to think of your children's grandchildren doing the same.

***

Tricia Goyer is a CBA best-selling author and the winner of two American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Awards (Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights). She co-wrote 3:16 Teen Edition with Max Lucado and contributed to the Women of Faith Study Bible. Also a noted marriage and parenting writer, she lives with her husband and children in Arkansas. www.triciagoyer.com

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND just for fun ... there's also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 - 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Let The Baby Grow Up This Christmas
By Shellie Tomlinson

When I was a little girl, Christmas seemed to take forever to make its way back to our little house on the end of a dirt road called Bull Run in northeast Louisiana. We kids started counting down the days before the leaves ever began turning. Sure, the adults said it came once a year but I wasn't so sure. Once Santa Claus left our humble abode it seemed like light years before he found his way back to the Delta.

That was a child's perspective. I imagine it hasn't changed all that much for today's kids. On the other hand, I'm operating under a completely different time frame these days. It seems like it was just yesterday when I pulled the boxes down from the attic and began pulling out the nativity scene, the miniature lights, and the keepsake ornaments. And now, just that fast-- Christmas Day is right around the corner. Soon the tree will be striped naked and the piled up presents will all be distributed. After a few more day it'll be hard to remember who got what from whom, and once again, I'll start packing all the decorations away for another year.

I was thinking about how bare and cold the house always looks after the holidays when I realized that, sadly, this scene would play itself out in many hearts as well. A lot of people will have had expectations that weren't filled and many of those same souls will be left with hurts that don't seem to heal. Unless this year is remarkably different from past seasons, my bet is, the New Year will bring magazines full of articles on combating depression and the talk shows will have experts on offering ways to fill the long days ahead and cure the winter blues.

I'm no expert, dear readers, but I'd like to offer you a suggestion that will go far beyond the creature comforts of a nice warm bath or a delicious bowl of hot soup. Your heart doesn't have to be bare and naked after the holidays. Do you want to know the real secret? It's simple, really. Don't pack up Christ with Christmas! As beautiful and special as the Christmas story is, it's only a part of heaven's miracle. The Christ child grew into a man and the man became a Savior.

This year, may we be determined to let the babe from Bethlehem live on in our hearts. If we'll allow Him to become the Messiah He was born to be, the joy of Christmas can be ours all year long.

***

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is an author, speaker, and radio host from Louisiana. Her latest release Sue Ellen's Girl Ain't Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy was endorsed by Jeff Foxworthy as "laugh out loud funny!" You can find Shellie's weekly southern features, podcasts, video chats and more at http://www.allthingssouthern.com/ Make sure to get by the blog and read about the Super Christmas Giveaway Shellie is hosting for her readers and secure your chance to win a Mort Kunstler print valued between $700 and $1400. www.allthingssouthern.com

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Deborah Raney

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND just for fun ... there's also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 - 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

The Snowflake Party
By Deborah Raney

The first snow of winter hasn’t fallen yet, but in our kitchen tonight we’re doing a pretty good imitation. The whole family is circled around the huge old oak table. The snip, snip, snip of scissors is background music as tiny scraps of white paper float down, making our floor look like a giant brownie sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Tonight has turned out to be the night for our annual Snowflake Party, a tradition that began when our children were toddlers. There has never been a date blocked out in red on our calendar, but one day we wake up and the brisk autumn air has turned bitter cold. Naked tree branches trace their stark calligraphy on a dull grey sky and we need a taste of the joyful promises of Christmas and snow. It’s the perfect time for a party.

On such a day, one of the kids will fly in the back door, fresh home from school, and declare “Hey, Mom! Tonight would be a good night for the Snowflake Party!” First we round up every pair of scissors in the house. This is one time when sharing is not a virtue. While the kids search for scissors, I cut white paper into squares and fold them caddy-corner multiple times. The resulting triangles are artfully arranged in a basket, awaiting the beginning of the party.

Later, while the supper dishes dry on the counter, I recruit a volunteer to help me stir up a big pot of hot cocoa. For the next hour it will warm on the back burner, tantalizing us with its aroma.

Now the fun begins with careful cutting and snipping, shaping plain white paper into intricate works of art. Each snowflake we create seems as unique and spectacular as the genuine variety created by God himself. As each masterpiece is unfolded, collective oohs and aahs go up.

When the last dregs of our creative juices are drained, Dad oversees the vacuum patrol while I pour cocoa into generous mugs. We spread our handiwork on the floor around us and sit, quietly admiring our work while we dunk marshmallows and sip rich chocolate.

With empty mugs piled up in the sink, it’s time for the judging to begin. There will be awards for ‘prettiest’, ‘most unusual’, and as many other categories as we need for everyone to be a winner. Dad is the judge because he studied art in college. He also usually wins one of the top prizes––because he studied art in college.

Snowflakes deemed runners-up might be pasted in scrapbooks or hung on the refrigerator. A few even “melt” into the trash that very night. But the winners are taped proudly to the picture windows in the living room for passersby to enjoy while they long for the day when genuine snowflakes will color the world clean and white.

Our oldest daughter went away to college last September. She called just after Thanksgiving to tell me that her dorm window was covered with snowflakes. No, not the real thing, but the ones she remembers from her childhood––paper ones that she spent an entire evening cutting and snipping while sipping hot cocoa.

That’s the neat thing about traditions: They go with us no matter how far from home we travel.

***

DEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Her books have since won the RITA Award, ACFW Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Silver Angel, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. After All, third in her Hanover Falls Novels series will release next spring from Howard/Simon & Schuster. Deb and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy small-town life in Kansas. Their four children are grown now and having snowflake parties with their own children––and they all live much too far away. Visit Deb on the web at www.deborahraney.com.

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Elizabeth Musser

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas

Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND just for fun ... there's also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 - 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Why I Decorate for Christmas
By Elizabeth Goldsmith Musser

An old cassette tape of Christmas carols—received in a package twenty years ago when we had first arrived in France as missionaries—fills our den with delightful piano music as I place one more ornament on the already over-laden Christmas tree. This one is a little white wooden rabbit with pink ears that move back and forth. It actually doesn’t look much like a Christmas ornament, but I bought it for our baby Andrew when my husband Paul was in seminary, and I was working for less than minimum wage in the library. This ornament was literally all I could afford.

As I hang it on the tree today, I get goose bumps and then a rush of warmth. And that’s why I decorate for Christmas. Not to impress but to remember. I remember those lean, lean years, and God’s faithful provision for us.

There are the cross-stitched ornaments I made our first year in Montpellier—for the boys (for by now we had two sons) and Paul and me. How I ever had time to do that, I don’t know. I remember our puny little tree—the kind they sold in France back then—in a pot so that it could be replanted later. We perched that tiny tree on a small table out of baby Christopher’s reach. I guess I watered it too much, because about halfway through December, it started smelling and then stinking, and it rotted there on Christmas Day!

I smile with these memories.

I look at the other ornaments on the tree. Many were purchased—one for each boy—when we attended conferences around Europe, and that makes me smile too. Getting to travel on a missionary’s budget to exotic places! There are the waxed red bear and red baby carriage from Wales, the brightly painted clay sun and moon from Portugal, the blue and white porcelain windmill and wooden shoes from Holland, the hand-blown glass Snoopys sitting on gondolas from Venice, and the delicately decorated eggs from Prague.

Other ornaments include the little pinkish shiny ball ornament with Paul’s name written in glitter—I think he made it when he was about six , and the little red velvet bows, bought at Michael’s after Christmas one year for a dollar. They bring a unifying theme to the tree. I say this, smiling, because our tree is, and has always been throughout the years, a hodge-podge of our life. And I like it that way. I don’t think I could ever have a ‘theme’ tree. Mine is a ‘memory’ tree.

The music plays softly in the background and I smile through tears, remembering God’s incredible faithfulness to call and keep us here in France for so many years. Heart-breakingly hard years, overwhelmingly joyful years—the same years, the same amazing God, our keeper.

Before we left for the mission field, I memorized Psalm 121 in English and in French, and over the years I have held on tight to those last beautiful words of the psalm: The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever. (NASB)

Of course He will. He is God with us.

We decorate to remember Christmases past, our lives, our legacy, and mostly, for those of us who have embraced Christ, we decorate to honor and praise Him for coming to us—Emmanuel! We make our homes ready to receive the Christ Child, with soft music and candles burning and the sweet flickering of angel wings on an over-laden evergreen.

***

ELIZABETH GOLDSMITH MUSSER, an Atlanta native and the bestselling author of The Swan House, is a novelist who writes what she calls ‘entertainment with a soul.’ For over twenty years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions work with International Teams. They presently live near Lyon, France. The Mussers have two sons and a daughter-in-law. The Sweetest Thing (Bethany House, 2011) is Elizabeth’s eighth novel. To learn more about Elizabeth and her books, and to find discussion questions as well as photos of sites mentioned in the stories, please visit www.elizabethmusser.com and her Facebook Fan Page. www.elizabethmusser.com

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Sandy Ralya

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:36:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Babbie Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND just for fun ... there's also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 - 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Where is Comfort and Joy Found?
By Sandy Ralya

The year 2006 ushered unwelcome emotions into my life. My husband was unhappy in his job, two of my grown children were making poor choices, my mother-in-law was showing signs of Alzheimer’s, extended-family issues were surfacing, and I was writing a book. Things only got worse. Much worse.

Early in 2007, I was asked to represent the mentoring ministry for wives I founded, Beautiful Womanhood, and lead a women’s conference in Uganda, Africa. My husband wasn’t sure if traveling to Africa was a good idea, so we committed it to prayer. While we were listening for an answer, I sensed God asking me to fast from spending, except for groceries, for thirty days. Sometimes you know that you’ve heard God’s voice because you’d never have come up with those words on your own. This was one of those times. I’d never heard of a fast from spending. Tom needed no convincing that a fast from spending came directly from the mouth of God. He still gets excited just thinking about it!

During the fast, it became clear I had used spending as a way to gain a comfort fix. When I was spending money, I felt carefree and lighthearted. Instead of dwelling on the unpleasantness in my life, I was thinking of my purchases and how they would bring me pleasure. Not until I stopped spending did I realize how short-lived the fix really was. During the fast, when I felt the urge to spend—to anesthetize my pain—I pictured myself running into the arms of Jesus, the Great Comforter. Oh, what comfort I received!

One night, I told good friends my experience of gaining comfort through the power of the Holy Spirit rather than money. I exclaimed that I had never felt so comforted. One friend then told us about a dream he’d had shortly after hearing about the invitation from Uganda. After the dream, he had awoken and recorded the following thoughts:

“. . . this is for Sandy. Christ’s redemption of women is beautiful. Beautiful Womanhood is a result of redemptive wholeness. The visuals the ministry uses on the books, etc., are like a piece of beautifully veneered furniture. There is something going on with the ministry to the brokenness of abused women. In Uganda, there are hurting, abused women, and something is connecting their need and Beautiful Womanhood. Though there is nothing wrong with veneer, it is only the topping—the covering, and without good structure it is shallow and will not hold up. It is time to add a new depth to the ministry.”

Then these verses came to my friend’s mind:

All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NL

When my friend was finished sharing, everyone in the room broke down in tears, praising God for His work in my life. I’d learned to listen and God had spoken. I’d obeyed, and He’d acted. When He acted, I was changed.

Needless to say, I packed my bags and experienced some of the best days of my life in Uganda—offering God’s comfort to His troubled women.

***

Sandy and her husband Tom have been married since 1980 and live near Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have three adult children and a growing number of grandchildren. When not writing and speaking, Sandy enjoys shopping at yard sales for vintage clothing, cooking, travelling, and drinking really good coffee (black is best) with her husband. For more information, contact Sandy at sandy@beautifulwomanhood.com. Subscribe to Sandy’s blog at www.beautifulwomanhood.com/blog. Find Sandy on Facebook at Beautiful Womanhood. Follow Sandy on Twitter @MentoringWives.

Holiday Desserts ~ Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:36:00 +0000

I think part of the magic of the holidays are Desserts. We spend hours planning our treats, baking cookies, preparing "In a Jar" gifts and then we eat them all up in just a few days. So, when someone has Celiac or is sensitive to dairy, eggs, soy or any other number of foods it can ruin a holiday if they can't resist just one teeny tiny little piece of pumpkin pie or a Santa shaped sugar cookie.

The Ice Dream Cookbook
by Chef Rachel Albert-Matesz
ISBN: 9780964126725
280 pages, 80 recipes
Order $25 Paperback

Chef Rachel Albert-Matesz "The Healthy Cooking Coach" came to the rescue of the thousands of people who don't tolerate dairy, casein or gluten when she released The Ice Dream Cookbook. She created a book full of Dairy Free Ice Cream Alternatives - YUM!

The recipes in The Ice Dream Cookbook are made from coconut milk paired with wheat and gluten free, naturally sweetened cookies, compotes and sauces. Not only does she give suggestions on buying and using herbal sweeteners, healthy fats and oils, easy-to-use ice cream makers, and other kitchen items. The directions are clear & detailed and Chef Rachel makes them easy to follow and succeed. Countless hours and people have tried each recipe and they have tweaked them until each recipe is as delicious as "real" ice cream.

Here are few of the 80+ recipes found in this cookbook:
* Hot Fudge Sauce
* Mango Sauce
* Carob Sauce
* Raspberry Sauce
* Lemon Cookie Crumble Ice Dream
* Green Tea Ice Dream
* Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Dream
* Vanilla Brownie Crumble Ice Dream
* Vanilla Fudge Ripple Ice Dream
* Dark Chocolate-Dipped Date Nut Truffles
* Chocolate Chip Cookies
* Pumpkin & Gingerbread Spice Cookies
* Baked Blueberry Peach Compote
* Graham Crackers

Purchase The Ice Dream Cookbook @ The Garden of Eating

Giveaway

Chef Rachel is joining in with the Culinary Treats giveaway this weekend. Click here to enter and you might just WIN a copy of The Ice Dream Cookbook to keep or give to a friend who has food sensitivities (just tell them you get the first bowl of Ice Dream!).

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Sibella Giorello

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND just for fun ... there's also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 - 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Advent
By Sibella Giorello

Consider the bride's walk down the aisle. We all know where that woman in the white is going but somehow waiting for her to arrive at the altar is an essential part of the ceremony. In fact, the waiting is so essential that even cheapskate Vegas chapels include wedding marches.

Why?

Because the wait adds meaning to the moment.

At Christmas time, we tend to forget this essential truth about anticipation. We're lost to shopping malls and checklists, rushing toward December 25th so quickly that we forget the quiet joy of the month's other 24 days -- and then we wonder why we feel so empty on the 26th, amid ribbons and wrapping paper and our best intentions.

Because the wait adds meaning to the moment.

And that is why Advent is so important to Christmas.

I'm as guilty as the next harried person. This Advent was particularly tricky because just six hours before it started, I was still trying to finish a 110,000-word novel that was written over the course of the year -- written while homeschooling my kids, keeping my hubby happy, and generally making sure the house didn't fall down around us.

It's an understatement to say my free time is limited. But waiting adds meaning, and Advent is crucial to Christmas, so I've devised several Advent traditions that are simple, powerful and easy to keep even amid the seasonal rush.

When my kids outgrew the simple Advent calendars around age 7, I stole an idea from my writer friend Shelly Ngo (as T.S. Eliot said, "Mediocre writers borrow. Great writers steal." Indulge me.)

Here's how it goes: Find 24 great Christmas books, wrap them individually and place then under the tree. On the first day of Advent, take turns picking which book to open. When we did this, we would cuddle under a blanket and read aloud -- oh, the wonder, the magic! We savored "The Polar Express," howled with "How Murray Saved Christmas," and fell silent at the end of "The Tale of The Three Trees" (note: some of the picture books I chose were not explicitly about Christmas but they always echoed the message that Jesus came to earth to save us from ourselves and to love us beyond our wildest imagination. In that category, Angela Hunt's retelling of The Three Trees definitely hits the Yuletide bull's eye).

This Advent tradition lasted for about five years. It gave us rich daily discussions about the season's real meaning, without being religious or legalistic, and it increased family couch time. But like the lift-the-flap calendars, my kids outgrew the picture books.

Because the wait adds meaning, and Advent is crucial, I prayed for another way to celebrate anticipation of Christmas. By the grace of God, last year I found an enormous Advent calendar on clearance at Pottery Barn. Made of burlap, it has large pockets big enough to hold some serious bounty.

But my husband and I didn't want the kids focusing only on the materialist stuff for Advent -- we already fight that on Christmas day. We decided to fill the daily pockets with simple necessities and small gift cards. We also printed out the nativity story from Luke 2:1-21 in a large-sized font and cut each verse out. From Day 1 to Day 21, there is one verse to read aloud. The kids memorize it, then get to open their present (again, on alternating days for each person). Then we tape the verse to the wall in order. By Day 22, all the verses are on the wall, in order, and the kids now try to recite the entire nativity story from memory. That's not as difficult as it sounds because they've been memorizing one verse each day. Still, the entire recitation -- verbatim -- usually requires Day 23 and Day 24. Whoever does memorize the entire thing -- without mistakes -- earns a bonus gift of $25.

Does that sounds extravagant?

It is.

Because we want our kids to understand that God came down and humbled himself and taught us about love right before He suffered and died on behalf of the undeserving -- which is every one of us.

"That's" extravagant.

And in the waiting, we find even more meaning.

***

Sibella Giorello writes the Raleigh Harmon mystery series which won the Christy Award with its first book "The Stones Cry Out" She lives in Washington state with her husband and children, and often wishes there were 36 hours in a day.

Pearls of Christmas ~ Suzanne Woods Fisher

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:55:00 +0000

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND just for fun ... there's also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 - 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

A Christmas of Kindness
By Suzanne Woods Fisher

"You can give without loving, but you can¹t love without giving." Amish proverb

I do it every year.

I plan for a simpler, less stressful Christmas season and, every year, by Christmas EveŠ I'm exhausted! After our delicious and very-time-consuming-to-make traditional Swedish meal to honor my husband¹s relatives (think: Vikings), it's time to head to church. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but the last few Christmas Eve's, I have sent my husband and kids head off without me. The pull to spend an hour of quiet in the house feels as strong as a magnet.

It's odd. My children are young adults now. Wouldn't you think that Christmas would be simpler? Instead, it's just the opposite. Jugging schedules to share the grandbaby with the in-laws, trying to include our elderly parents at the best time of day for them, dancing carefully around recently divorced family members whose children are impacted by the shards of broken relationships.

The thing is: you can simplify your to-do list, but you can't really simplify people. We are just a complicated bunch.

Here's where I borrow a lesson about simplicity from the Amish. It's easy to get distracted with the buggies and the bonnets and the beards, but there's so much more to learn from these gentle people if you're willing to look a little deeper.

Yes, they live with less "stuff" and that does make for a simpler, less cluttered life. But it's the reason behind it that is so compelling to me: they seek to create margin in their life. Not just empty space‹but space that is available to nourish family, community, and faith. Their Christmas is far less elaborate than yours or mine, but what they do fill it with is Šoh so right.

Christmas comes quietly on an Amish farmhouse. There is no outward sign of the holiday as we know it: no bright decorations, no big tree in the living room corner. A few modest gifts are waiting for children at their breakfast place settings, covered by a dishtowel. Waiting first for Dad to read the story of Christ's birth from the book of Luke. Waiting until after a special breakfast has been enjoyed. Waiting until Mom and Dad give the signal that the time has come for gifts.

Later, if Christmas doesn't fall on a Sunday, extended family and friends will gather for another big meal. If time and weather permits, the late afternoon will be filled with ice skating or sledding. And more food! Always, always an abundance of good food. Faith, family, and community. That is the focus of an Amish Christmas.

And it's also how the story begins for A Lancaster County Christmas, as a young family prepares for Christmas. A winter storm blows a non-Amish couple, Jaime and C.J. Fitzpatrick, off-course and into the Riehl farmhouse. An unlikely and tentative friendship develops, until the one thing Mattie and Sol hold most dear disappears and thenŠ. Ah, but you¹ll just have to read the story to find out what happens next. Without giving anything away, I will say that I want to create a Mattie-inspired margin this Christmas season. Mattie knew inconveniences and interruptions that come in the form of people (big ones and little ones!) are ordained by God. And blessed by God.

Creating margin probably means that I won't get Christmas cards out until the end of January, and my house won't be uber-decorated. After all, something has to give. But it will mean I make time for a leisurely visit with my dad at his Alzheimer's facility. And time to volunteer in the church nursery for a holiday-crowded event. And time to invite a new neighbor over for coffee. Hopefully, it will mean that my energy won't get diverted by a frantic, self-imposed agenda. Only by God's agenda‹the essence of true simplicity.

And that includes taking time to worship Christ's coming at the Christmas Eve service. You can hold me accountable! This year, I will be there.

***

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, The Search, and The Keeper, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Christy Award nominee and is the host of an internet radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California. www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

Cookbooks, Couponing DVD's & Gadgets Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:35:00 +0000

This week I will be focusing on Cookbooks & Gadgets that make great gifts. You will find reviews on Holiday Traditions and also on GivingNSharing & hopefully a giveaway that will include books & DVD's from both blogs. =D.

Cookbooks are great to give to so many people. They fit with kids, adults, experienced cooks & those that hate to cook. You can give a cookbook, wrap it in an apron, kitchen towels or put it in a gift basket. OR you can give it with a gift card to a grocery store. Wouldn't that be a great gift?

Usually MEN are the hardest to shop for (IMO) but when it comes to cookbooks I find it pretty easy to find one. All you need to know is: 1) Does he LIKE to cook. No? 2) Does he like SPORTS? Yes?

If he's a sports MANiac then look into cookbooks like:

or or

Most men enjoy Grilling & Steven Raichlen & Bob Sloan have 3 great cookbooks that are perfect for Home & On the Tailgate of your truck! Personally I suggest a copy of the cookbook, new grilling tools and maybe either a big bag of charcoal or a tank of gas for a gas grill. I've heard that there are hard-core guys who grill in blizzards but for those that don't (or us ladies who have to much to do to stand in the middle of a snow storm) I included the Indoor Grilling book.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas:

Check out ANY of the tools by OXO - they're hardy, have a great warranty and are easy to grip.

Corn Cob Holders - great for little hands & big hands. The prongs slide in easily and are large. Comes as a set of 8 and have strong, stainless steel pins w/ soft, oversized, non-slip handles. $10.99

Set of 4 Grilling Tools - Set includes the turner, tongs, silicone basting brush and a hook. Made of durable stainless steel with beech wood grips. All have an extended length for safety and the tongs lock closed for convenient storage.

One other thing you might consider for your Guy this Christmas (or Father's Day) is a gift set packed with salsas or Grilling sauces. Salsa's don't have to be limited to chips - you can also use them as sauces to bake in or in place of your canned tomatoes in a pot of soup. Be sure to check out either of these two brands: DL Jardines - Salsa's & Grilling Sauces Mild to HOT (Check out their Peach Salsa & Salsa Bobo's). Like it REALLY HOT? Try Ass-Kickin' Salsas & Sauces!

Introducing the 12 Pearls of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 3rd Annual Pearl Girls™

12 Pearls of Christmas blogging series!

We've gathered several of today's most beloved authors to share their Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along beginning tomorrow (Wednesday the 14th) through Christmas day as Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Rachel Hauck, Sandy Ralya, Sibella Giorello, Susan May Warren and more, share their heartfelt stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.

If you'd like to share the 12 Pearls of Christmas with your blog readers too, just email Christen and she'll send you the series.

AND of course there is a giveaway! Beginning tomorrow you and all your friends can enter to win a PEARL NECKLACE and EARRINGS valued at $450! The winner will be announced on New Year's Day! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

***

Just a quick note before the series begins on the 14th ...

As I write this, I imagine that we are sitting at my kitchen table and chatting over a cup of coffee while familiar Christmas carols celebrate the Season. My twelve year old Chihuahua, Pongo, barks for a pinch of pound cake while my Shih Tzu, Lilly, patiently sits by the chair and waits for a crumb to fall.

My name is not Martha Stewart, and I will never receive a neighborhood beautification award. Just look at my front stoop. Yes, my never-had-time-to-carve-the-pumpkin-that-now-suffers-from-frostbite slouches next to the front door which is decorated with a Christmas wreath. I plan to roll this large orange ornament to the garbage pile tomorrow. For now, however, I will pretend that my front stoop is a contemplative modern art exhibit capturing the essence of contrast.

Actually, I love the concept of juxtaposition – placing things together that don’t seem to belong together, yet somehow ultimately make sense being paired. A personal example for me this season is the phrase: “comfort and joy.” Having just completed my manuscript for New Hope Publishers about the aftermath of grief, I fully understand the contrast of those two words. How can comfort bring joy? How can one find joy in loss?

Perhaps, dear reader, you have experienced loss this year – loss of a loved one, loss of friendship, loss of health, loss of financial security, loss of trust, loss of love, or loss of direction. Even with the best intent, words of encouragement shared by others can somehow seem insufficient to address an inconsolable loss. A spoken word cannot fully restore joy to a broken heart; however the Word can. And that’s the bottom line message of Christmas! God gave us the most amazing gift: His Son - the Word of God, the Holy Comforter.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

You are not alone this Christmas, dear friend. Juxtaposed to the unexpected grit in life is the gift of God’s grace wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This year I purposely placed a pearl in the Nativity scene as a metaphoric reminder. When we place our grit into the hands of the Lord, His grace transforms our pain into a pearl.

“Joy to the world!”

Thank you so very much for sharing the JOY of the Season with us this year.

God Bless,
Margaret
@mcsweeny

***

Margaret McSweeney lives with her husband, David and two teenage daughters in the Chicago suburbs. She is the founder and director of Pearl Girls. For more information please visit www.pearlgirls.info. Margaret is fast at work on several fiction manuscripts. Her book Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace was written to help fund the Pearl Girl Charities. She is also the host of weekly radio show, Kitchen Chat. Connect with Margaret on Facebook or Twitter.

A special offer for my readers.... 2 Days only!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:01:00 +0000

Last week Jules Gluten Free shared their Holiday Baking ebook with us and this week as a special treat she is running a special just for Holiday Traditions readers! Now, you are welcome to share this announcement with any of your readers on Facebook, Stumble, Twitter, etc - just click on the link at the bottom of this post.

If you have a friend or family member with Gluten Sensitivities - this is a great present for them. You could even go in with another family member or friend and share the expense. It's a great way for them to try a new product or two - especially the flour and the oats!

The perfect pack for the Beginning Baker:

Regularly $88 - Now $58 ($30 savings!)

5-lb bag of Jules' All Purpose Flour
Cookie Mix
Gluten-free Oats
Graham Mix
Bread Mix
Nearly Normal Cooking for Gluten Free Eating e-Book
Cookie Mix e-Book
Free Shipping and Handling on your Entire Order!

Here's the Deal: Save $30!

Customer must put Beginners Baker's Pack Plus into the shopping cart.

At check out, enter coupon code: holiday2011

Valid dates: 12/12/11 - 12/13/11 Eastern Standard Time

Cannot be combined with any other coupon.

Would you like an example of what you could make with this package of goodies? How about:

Allergen-Friendly Sugar Cut-Out Cookies

from: http://blog.julesglutenfree.com/

1/2 cup shortening (Earth Balance® Shortening Sticks)

1 cup granulated cane sugar (Wholesome Sweeteners) or palm sugar (see note above)

1 egg or egg substitute (e.g. Ener-G Egg®Replacer or whisk together: 1 Tbs. milk powder or DariFree Milk Powder + 1 Tbs. cornstarch + 2 Tbs. warm water)

1/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract, gluten-free

Food coloring (optional)

1/4 cups Jules Gluten FreeTM All Purpose Flour

2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Gluten-free sprinkles or colored sugar (optional)

Cream shortening and sugar until very fluffy. Add egg (or egg replacer), vanilla extract, milk, and food coloring, beating until integrated. Add the dry ingredients last, mixing until evenly blended. Form the dough into a ball and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate or freeze until cold and no longer sticky, at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375ºF (static) or 350ºF (convection).

Lightly flour the rolling surface, rolling pin and cookie cutters with Jules Gluten FreeTM All Purpose Flour. Roll the dough to approximately 1/8-inch thickness and cut shapes, re-rolling dough to utilize all the dough.

Place cut-out cookies onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles, if desired. Bake approximately 8–10 minutes, but remove before they begin to brown at the edges. When baked and cooled, frost with Easy Cookie Icing, if desired.

Yields: 2 dozen cookies, depending on size.

*This recipe and over 149 more, also available in my new cookbook, Free for All Cooking: 150 Easy Gluten-Free, Allergy-Friendly Recipes the Whole Family Can Enjoy!

Penzey's Spices ~ Cocoa Snowflakes

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:37:00 +0000

Cocoa Snowflakes ~ Mmmm Good!

This last week I went to Penzey's Spices to get fresh spices to make up Soups in a Jar for a gift and spent a little time looking around. They had one of those little recipe card pads put up in the Baking area for Cocoa Snowflakes and I grabbed one. The only thing I had to purchase to make them up is the Cocoa (I used Dutch Processed instead of the Natural Cocoa the recipe calls for) and the powdered sugar. (What am I going to do with a whole bag of powdered sugar? It's going to last me years!)

Anyway, here is one of the 2 Christmas Cookie recipes I'm going to make up this year:

Dutch Chocolate-Cocoa Snowflakes
These were so easy to make. I made these in 2 steps. I used the White-Whole Wheat flour and didn't sift the flour as I don't have a sifter. I would think sifting it would make the cookie lighter.

Dry Ingredients: Sift Together & set aside:
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Liquids:

Melt 5 Tablespoons butter/margarine on low. Add 1/4 cup (or 6 Tab) of cocoa powder. Stir together. Remove from heat and add 1 cup sugar, put in a large bowl. Stir in 1 Tab Extra Strength Pure Vanilla (I didn't have this and used 2 tsp of regular strength) Add 2 extra large eggs - 1 at a time and mix thoroughly after each. (Before you add the vanilla & eggs you will have a thick paste and it thins up quite a bit after adding the vanilla & egg. )

Combine everything:

Add the chocolate to the dry ingredients (or you can get out another bowl if you'd like per the directions LOL) and mix everything together. It will thicken up after being in the fridge for a while. I used chopped pecans - but you can use almonds, walnuts - whatever your little heart desires.

This makes about 30 cookies. I haven't tried to freeze them - I'm sure it would freeze fine since you can freeze the Russian TeaBalls. It's a very similar recipe. After baking these will be very soft on the top - let them set up and be sure not to burn the bottoms.

(Note: I purchased a small bottle (1/4 cup) of the Dutch Processed Cocoa and I think next time I'll get the 1/2 cup size instead. 1 recipe takes about 1/4 cup of the cocoa.)

Get The Recipe:
I've added the recipe to my ZipList and all you need to do is add the recipe to your recipe box (it's FREE) or use your smart phone and scan this QR code to add it to your recipe box. Use ZipList to create your grocery list - you can either print it out or access it on your smart phone.

Cocoa Snowflakes (a Penzey's Spices recipe)Click here for recipe

12 Days of Giveaways Galore ~ Libre Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:13:00 +0000

Our sponsor for the 12 Days of Giveaways Galore this year is Libre Tea.

Libre Tea has specially designed glasses for loose leaf tea drinkers.The Libre glass is a combination of glass on the inside and a durable polycarbonate exterior so it's as easy to use "on the go" as it is at home. You just fill the bottom
part of the glass with hot water and then add the tea to the 2nd 'lid' which is where the filter is and then put the top part on. Then just flip it up side down and brew your tea. After a few minutes flip it back up, remove the tea filter and enjoy. (Full Instructions)

Each filter section is made of BPA Polycarbonate and stainless steel for a health & eco friendly option to paper or plastic cups and each glass or mug comes with an extra seal in the box and you can purchase another filter & lid online for $5.95 CAD.

Libre Tea provides a couple of different sizes of glasses and also a Travel Mug. They fit great in a purse, backpack and also in your car cup holders - although I found I needed to watch the glasses in the car as they aren't as big around as most car cups are. The glasses come in a 9 oz and a 14 oz size and the mug is about 8 or 9 oz. With two layers of glass & poly the tea stays hot for up to 1 hour and the exterior is cool to the touch which is great for holding your glassware. The mug has an easy to hold handle.

Libre Tea is a great gift for those 'On The Go' people!

Buy It:
You can purchase the 9 oz Glass for $24.00, the 14 oz Glass for $32.50 and the Travel Mug w/ Handle for $32.50. Just click on the size you want to order to go to that page.

Win It:
Libre Tea is giving one of my readers their very own 9 oz tea glass. I know you will love it as much as I do!

Click HERE to see the other bloggers & their giveaways (scroll down)
(Note: the 1st photo is courtesy of The 49^th Café in Ladysmith, BC)

Jules Gluten Free ~ a Freebie!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:20:00 +0000

Each year people with food allergies & sensitivities head into the holidays knowing there is so much they can't enjoy. Can you imagine not being able to eat the Turkey because the seasonings may have Gluten cross-contamination? Or a table full of snacks & treats that you can't have because they are full of flour and other gluten containing ingredients.

Jules Gluten Free has your bases covered! Last year they offered a Thanksgiving eBook that you could use when planning your menu for the holidays. It came in so handy for preparing for guests who have various food sensitivites - it helped to know what was safe and where you needed to make substitutions.

This year Jules is offering the Holiday eBook to Holiday Traditions readers FREE! All you need to do is add it to your shopping cart and use the coupon code happy2011 when you check out.

You can bake confidently with 14 yummy recipes safe for most people with gluten sensitivities like Celiac. You'll get recipes like:

Cinnamon Sticky Rolls (w/ step-by-step instructions)
Cranberry-Orange Bread
Challah
Spiced Chai Teacakes
Gingerbread House (w/ house building instructions)
Sugar Cookies
Christmas Rum Cake
and more...

Be sure to stay tuned NEXT WEEK for another special offer from Jules Gluten Free just for Holiday Traditions readers! In the mean time, order your FREE eBook (a $9.99 value) and start making your list (hint, hint) for ingredients you'll need. Also, be sure to check out the other eBooks - they would make a great Christmas, Hanukkah or Birthday gift!

Click Here to Order

(Scroll Down)

Code to USE: happy2011

Note:
Jules Gluten Free is now sharing Daily Deals - Click Here for Todays!

A FUN Giveaway for all Hobbits, Wizards & Elves....

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:17:00 +0000

The Lord of the Rings Secret Safe Book by Secret Safe Books (an Etsy Shop)

I have a FUN Giveaway for you by Secret Safe Books! I was offered the opportunity to giveaway one of my Favorite Books which is also a Secret Safe to keep your valuables safe. Yep, it's The Lord of the Rings.

Each of the safes are created from a book and the interior is carved using a scroll saw, it's hardcover and covered with cloth in black with a embossed script of the One Ring in metallic orange surrounding the Eye of Sauron. The title/author is in silver on the spine. There are original dark gray endpapers lining the interior and the hollow part is lined with the Map of Mordor. The pages of the book are secured with book binding glue and it's completed with magnets that snap shut.

The interior hollow portion is 4 5/16 W x 6 7/16 L x 1 1/4 deep - big enough to hold jewelry, your spare keys, passports, extra money and more!

Some of the books have flasks which make them the perfect gift for the guy in your life who likes a little sip or two and some of them are empty so you can fill it with something special to you or him. There are even a couple that have cute hearts in the middle which would make them perfect for a wedding gift.

The Secret Safe Books are great gifts for guys (and girls) of all ages, those HARD TO BUY for people, and anyone who is a FAN of great literature, books & reading.

John is offering one of my readers The Lord of the Rings Secret Safe Book. Please be sure to follow ME on G+ (Click Here) to enter. Thanks!

What's for Breakfast Christmas Morning?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

Do you do anything special for breakfast on special days? Birthdays? Mothers Day? Christmas or Easter?

When I was growing up Mom used to make homemade Cinnamon Rolls with pecans on top. Their still my all time favorite breakfast treat. But unless you have a family or an event to take them to - you don't want a dozen or two of those sitting around. (I'd eat them all - what about you?)

King Arthur Flour has several mixes that are perfect for small families (of 2 or 3) or slightly larger families of 4-6 people. They sent me a box of their Pumpkin Spiced Pancake Mix (LUV Pancakes!) to review and WOW is all I can say.

The instructions to make these pancakes give you a couple of options - you can make a 1/2 box at a time and that's what I did. You could also make up the whole box which makes approximately 11 servings (maybe if you made up dollar size pancakes & each person had 2).

I made the first batch up using my muffin tin to make Pancakes to Go. I wasn't so impressed with that recipe as it just didn't fulfill my need for pancakes & syrup. I used a recipe I found on Spark People where you mix up the batter and add sausage or bacon and bake it in a muffin pan. It was OK - I'm sure the reason I didn't care for it was because I didn't use the recipe that was originally used but tried it with a mix. (?)

About a month later I used the other 1/2 of the box to make up regular pancakes using the recipe on the box. Oh WOW - now that was good! Just by adding 2 eggs, butter and milk I filled my craving for pancakes! The pancakes are perfectly seasoned with cinnamon, molasses and pumpkin. I really wish I would of used the whole box on this instead of making up the first recipe. The box mix definitely doesn't need to be doctored. There is also a recipe for waffles on the box & I'll make those up next time.

Great Gift Basket or Hostess Gift!

Why not give a box of pancake mix & a jar of

King Arthur Maple Syrup to a friend this year?

King Arthur offered me a box of the Pumpkin Spice Pancake Mix to sample and write my review. No money exchanged hands and I wasn't required to write a positive review. Thanks King Arthur!