Journal of Thanks

Continually counting HIS gifts and seeking to give thanks for ALL THINGS ~ joining in with the "Gratitude Community" once again this Monday. Please consider joining with us...even in a private journal ~ You will not regret it...in fact, you may become addicted!

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:18

66. A piano-playing hockey enthusiast ~ Fraser

67. Christmas welcome!

68. Raindrops on evergreen...HIS handiwork!

69. A precious Grandpa and Emma moment!

70. Hidden talents...ability to play even while wearing mittens! :)

71. A creative girl...umbrellas are for playing with in bed apparently!

72. Gift ready to give...

73. Rare opportunities!

74. Skating equipment

75. Christmas photos of years gone by...

76 & 77. Christmas cards to write and a little girl who wants to give...

78. Central heating when the need arises! :)

79. Wood supply

80. Crackling fire when the night is cold

81. Festive yumminess...

82 to 100!

Children laughing as they play
Christmas lights
Loving husband
Hand-me-down clothes
A full tummy
Extended family
Parents who love the Lord
The Lord Jesus Christ ~ The reason for everything!
Things to donate ~ Overabundance of provisions...may we be truly thankful!
Warm home
Clothes to wear
"Old Betsy" ~ Faithful family van
Church family
Husband who studies the Scriptures and leads the family in Truth
Singing our little girl to sleep
Christmas carols sung by little voices
Christmas carols played by little hands
Second-Hand Hockey equipment
Arms, legs, eyes, ears, hands, etc that all do as they are supposed to

Many Blessings,
Camille

Unto Us a CHILD is Born!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace."


Isaiah 9:6

Caramel Corn

This is one of those things I make every year to give away to special people. 
Those little clear cello bags are perfect for filling and tying with a pretty ribbon. 
I have yet to meet someone who doesn't (secretly or otherwise) want some of this!
Is it healthy ~ NO!! BUT...is it yummy?? Oh dear me! 
I dare you to make some and not keep just a little for yourself. :)

Caramel Corn

**From "Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook" ~ Tenth edition

8 cups popped popcorn (about 1/2 cup unpopped)

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup butter

3 Tbsp golden corn syrup

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp vanilla

Remove all unpopped kernels from the popped corn. 

Place popcorn in a large buttered stainless steel bowl.

In a medium sized heavy saucepan combine the brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. 

Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot (do not allow it to touch the bottom of the pan,

but make sure it is immersed in the liquid). 

Cook and stir over medium heat until the thermometer reads 255* F. 

This will take about 4 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. 

DO NOT FORGET this step or it will not turn out!! (I speak from experience). 

Pour over popcorn and stir gently to coat.

Bake in 300 degree oven for 15 minutes ~ stir and return to oven for 5 more minutes. 

Turn popcorn out onto large pieces of foil and cool completely. 

Break into clusters and store tightly covered.

Makes about 9 cups.

**I usually add 1 1/2 cups of cashews to this...

it makes it extra special and gift worthy! 

You would add the nuts to the popcorn before the caramel mixture is mixed in.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Many Blessings, Camille

Gift Baskets

You will never go wrong with a gift basket...put together with love!

All you need are some lovely little personalized gifts for a special person
and some clear cello bags to dress them up a bit...add some berry clusters,
pretty ribbon and cello wrap for the finishing touch!

Get creative...the possibilites are endless!

Whatever you choose to do it will surely be a blessing to the one you've put it together for.

 Everyone loves a personalized basket of goodies...specially assembled just for them.

Have fun!  Merry Christmas!
With Love, Camille

A Rare Treat!

This was a first for our children ~ skating in the great outdoors! It is a rare thing for there to be enough outdoor ice to skate on...but it did happen in our area last week.

My husband dropped everything so that he could take the children and ENJOY! What a wonderful spot they found ~ and what great fun they had!

Gratitude...

Continually counting HIS gifts and seeking to give thanks for ALL THINGS ~ joining in with the "Gratitude Community" this Monday. Feel free to join us...even in a private journal ~ You will not regret it...in fact, you may become addicted!

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:18

45. Experiencing wonder...through the eyes of the children

46. Two hockey players...Austin and Calvin

47. Low key hockey league that doesn't put undue pressure on the boys...it's for fun, after all!

48. Budding Architect

49. Drafting board and supplies ~ gifts from God

50. Quiet reading hour!

51. A boy that asked with shining eyes if he could read!

52. Wonderful novels that stretch the imagination and expand the horizons...

53. Sisterly love...a sister to grow up with ~

Camille on the left and Janine on the right...vintage photo! :)

54. Christ came to bring lasting peace...eternal peace...such blessings!

55. Reminders of what they were...Summer 2002

56 - 59. Austin, Calvin, Fraser, and Emma

60. Evidence...

61. Sentimental decorations...

62. Memories...

63. Budding pianist

64. Blonde hair reflecting sunlight...

65. Another of my hockey players...Fraser!

Many Blessings, Camille

The Jesse Tree

Something I have just been learning about is The Jesse Tree. It is a lovely way to celebrate the advent season in a Christ centered way.

My friend Linda has put together an article on her blog which explains and provides links to help us all know how to implement this wonderful idea into our families. This is the link to her article. The picture you see to the left is of Linda's Jesse Tree in her home ~ isn't it pretty?

Considering that the advent season is half way through, we will be continuing with what we are currently doing in our devotional times. BUT ~ I have printed off the PDF that Linda provided and plan to add it into our Christmas traditions next year. If you are not already celebrating advent specifically, you might want to just jump right in and pick it up from today's date. Whatever you do...don't forget to teach your children the REAL meaning of Christmas!

You may also want to refer back to this article and this one which I previously posted this Christmas ~ May the Lord help us all as we seek to celebrate the REAL Reason for this blessed Season!

Favourite Picture Books

These books were written by a friend (who I've known most of my life) and they really are the BEST children's picture books ~ REALLY!! They are witty, interesting, engaging and have surprise endings...what more could you ask for?


They are lots of fun to read and read and read again...which is, of course, what you do with books like these. You will not be tempted to give them away like so many other children's books you might have acquired over the years...these are gems!


If there are little people on your list this Christmas I can tell you that they (and their parents) will not be disappointed to find these under the tree! Click on the titles of the books below to find out where you can purchase them.

"Storm is Coming!"

"What's That Awful Smell?"

If you are interested in learning a little more about my friend Heather ~ click here to get to her website.

**Heather did not put me up to this...in fact...she doesn't know I've done it!
I am in no way reimbursed for this opinion ~ it is completely unsolicited.

Gift in a Jar

Carrie at "Farming on Faith" posted a recipe for "Holiday Muffin Mix in a Jar" and they are yummy! I made them for our family to try them out (a few times)...the mix is now "home kitchen tested" and ready to be gifted to someone special!

Here is another link to inspire you with other "gifts in a jar" ideas. I have not tried any of these recipes yet...maybe you will discover a favourite there! I would just recommend that you do a "trial run" to make sure the recipe works before you give it as a gift. :)

Merry Christmas!

Blessings,

Camille

Whipped Shortbread

These were a staple Christmas treat in our home in my growing up years. They are so light and literally melt in your mouth ~ Thanks Mom for the recipe...I make them every year!

Cookies cooling on the rack...tempting us all!

Mixing and mixing and mixing...faithful appliance! :)

Cut maraschino cherries ready to decorate...


Cookies ready for the baking...

Whipped Shortbread

1 lb Butter (at room temperature) ~ 1 lb = 2 cups
1/2 cup Corn Starch
1 cup Icing Sugar (Powdered Sugar)
3 cups Flour

Beat all ingredients together (add dry ingredients in slowly) until batter takes on the consistency of heavy whipped cream. Although, my mixer was labouring to do the job, so I divided it up into smaller batches to get it light enough.

Drop by teaspoonfuls (is that a word?) onto ungreased cookie sheets and garnish with red and green cherries. (They would be fine without...but certainly more festive with!)

Bake at 325* F for 20-25 minutes ~ Until lightly golden on the bottom.

Remove to cooling rack ~ This is a very fragile cookie...so handle with care while they are hot. On a positive note...they freeze very well! I let my family have a taste and off to the freezer they went...or there would be none left for Christmas!!

ENJOY!!

Advent in the Christian Home

Long ago we wondered if it was appropriate to 

celebrate advent in our home.

Was it a wise thing to embark upon?
Was it in any way superstitious or ungodly? 
I suppose it could be any or all of those things...
depending on how it is implemented.

In our home we seek to remember in a special way at 
Christmastime the wonderful provision of God to us as lost men ~ 
God's provision of The Saviour Who would save His people from their sins. 
We go beyond the manger to see the CROSS.

Jesus Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost.
The Bible tells us that all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags. 
We are incapable of doing good without the Lord Jesus Christ! 
He is our Righteousness...purchased with His blood 
that we might be made right with God.

If you are unsure of your own Salvation...
please read this article and prayerfully consider all that it says. 
May God graciously reveal the Truth to your heart.

Every family is unique and Advent celebrations can take on a variety of forms ~ 
But, the focus must be on the Lord Jesus Christ ~
After all...He is the reason for the celebration!

Many Blessings,
Camille

Chocolate Crinkles

The finished cookies cooling on a rack...

Rolled in icing sugar and ready to pop into the oven!

A view from inside the oven...nearly done!

Chocolate Crinkles

~ From "Betty Crocker's Best of Baking" ~ 1997

2 cups granulated Sugar
1/2 cup Oil (I use olive)
4 oz unsweetened Chocolate squares ~ melted and cooled
2 tsp Vanilla
4 Eggs
2 cups Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
Powdered Sugar ~ For rolling

Mix granulated sugar, oil, chocolate and vanilla together. Mix in eggs ~ one at a time. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and place in fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in powdered sugar. Arrange balls two inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350* F for 10 to 12 minutes...until almost no indentation remains when lightly touched in the middle. They should not be overcooked as they become tough.

ENJOY!!

Gift in a Mug

Do you have a Sunday School teacher on your list? How about a music teacher? A sports coach or art instructor? Even a school teacher? (Although ~ I happen to know that the last thing they really need is another mug) ~ But here goes anyway...they will love whatever it is you put into it!

Get yourself a cute mug

Now find something yummy

Add in a pretty ornament

(if the recipient will be a guy, you might want to find something more masculine)...

Line the mug with some printed or plain tissue paper and fill with your items...

Set the mug onto some clear cello wrap (found in the wrapping paper area of your store) and make sure you have enough to gather up into a nice bunch before you cut.

Tie with a pretty ribbon and you are done!