mommyapolis

I always like to bring a little something for the “holiday party host” when invited for some holiday cheer… Here is idea of the day….

This album is available for purchase and/or download … It is MY FAVORITE holiday album of the season. Straight No Chaser also has an album from last year that I love just as much!  We have a friend, Ryan, who sings in this A capella group and we had the opportunity to see them live last month!  They are funny, entertaining and so talented.  I highly recommend them as a stocking stuffer or holiday gift!  To listen for free or for more information visit http://www.sncmusic.com/

HO HO HO…  These Santa’s are super cute and super easy to make!  You could make them on folded construction paper as a holiday card…. You could make them and laminate them as an ornament….   You can make them and hang them on your fridge or door to your garage… What ever you choose, they are simply adorable…

Step 1:  I use Green or Blue construction paper size 9×11, but you choose!

Step 2:  I used a paint brush and painted my little guys hands with white tempera paint which makes them giggle and I just love that sound!

Step 3:  Carefully stamp their hand on the construction paper

Step 4:  Draw and cut out a santa hat from red paper…  Depending on the age of your children you can do this for them or they can do it themselves.  Let them glue it on….

Step 5:  I used cotton balls and let them dip it in the paint to decorate their hats.  If you prefer you could let them glue cotton to the tip of the had and also to the rim.

Step 6:  Draw or glue on eyes, nose, mouth and cheeks.  I used eye stickers, but they could easily cut them out of paper, draw them with markers or even glue on googlies.

ADORABLE…

Another sure sign that the holiday’s are upon us is The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles and their annual “Red Kettle Campaign”.  There are so many amazing organizations out there to donate to and this is just one of them, but I think for children it is one that is easy to participate in.  Every time I take the boys to Target or the grocery store, they see the “Ring-a-ling-ers” (that is what my boys call them) cheerfully ringing their bells no matter the temperature!  Children always seem to have such BIG HEARTS and mine are no exception.  When ever we see the Ring-a-lingers my boys want to put a little money in their kettle.  Of course, being a busy mom, I am often in a rush or don’t have cash.  I feel like this year my boys are old enough to recognize my selfish, lazy ways so I have a plan!

Step 1:  Decide how much you’d be willing to donate to the Salvation Army ($10,$20, $30, $40, $50 etc..)  Depending on the age of your children they may also have their own money they would like to donate.

Step 2:  Go to the bank and get that amount of money in $1.00 bills

Step 3:  Keep the $1.00 bills handy and every time you and your family pass by the Red Kettles give your children a dollar or two to donate.

Step 4:  Talk to your kids about what their money is going towards…  The Salvation Army is a charitable organization that helps care for the poor and homeless…  Talk to them about those who might be less fortunate and how their dollar will help them in all sorts of different ways….

Times are not great right now and I know for many money is tight. Charitable giving is significantly down.  But think of it this way,  there are so many MORE people that will benefit from organizations like the Salvation Army this year and if we are able to donate even the smallest bit, we are not only helping those less fortunate, but we are teaching our children the importance of GIVING…

Today after breakfast I sat down with my boys (4 & 2) and asked them to tell me what they are thankful for.  I got everything from bananas, horses, and toys to family and love.  I jotted their answers down on paper “feathers” and let them use crayons to decorate them.  The cutest part of the entire project was while they were coloring my husband came into the room and my oldest son said “Daddy, what are you thankful for?”  VERY SWEET…

After they were done decorating their feathers, I taped each feather to a bamboo skewer.  My idea was to push the feathers into a pie sized pumpkin that we had leftover from Halloween, but sadly they were a little softer than I liked.  So instead I poked them into a squash (I would have gone out and bought another pumpkin but my thrifty husband suggested the squash)…  I quickly cut out a face, eyes and beak from construction paper and attached them to the bottom of the squash and we have the cutest little Thanksgiving Centerpiece.  It was very easy and very quick.  Older children could write their own words etc.. and even draw and cut out their own faces.

I just love that it got them thinking about being thankful.  On Thanksgiving I hope they will be just as excited to ask our relatives what they are thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This time of year it seems we are hosting breakfasts and brunches just as much as we are hosting dinners…  Here is a quick coffee cake recipe I got years ago from a coworker… It is made with two parts, the cake and the topping,  it’s super easy and super fantastic!  ENJOY…

Cake Ingredients:

1 cup cold water

1 box yellow cake mix

1 package instant butterscotch pudding

1 package instant vanilla pudding

4 eggs

1/2 cup oil

Cake Directions:

Mix all of the above ingredients together and put it in a 9x 13 inch pan (ungreased).  You will be adding the topping to this prior to baking it.

Topping Ingredients:

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped nuts (I use pecans)

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Topping Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and swirl the topping into the batter (which is in the cake pan).

Bake at 350′ for 45 minutes… ENJOY

Do you have co-workers or neighbors you’d like to “thank” this Thanksgiving?   This is an idea that allows you to share your thankfulness on a small budget!  Buy some Thanksgiving themed paper plates and napkins and wrap them up with a cute bow.  Write a card or a note to go along with them saying something like; “I’m so THANKFUL for you!  Use these plates and napkins to allow yourself a little more time with those you hold close this Thanksgiving”  Or “Thanks for being such a great neighbor, enjoy some “extra” time with your family this Thanksgiving…”  You get the idea!

Here is one of many takes on an old favorite… We try many chocolate chip cookie recipes in our house and this is one that is a little different from the norm… We have several other recipes that we love, but this one has oatmeal so it makes me feel like I’m giving my kids a little something healthy with all that sugar, HA… We like it and hope you do too…

Ingredients:

2 Cups Flour

1/2 t salt

1/2 t baking powder

1 t soda

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

2 cups quick oatmeal

2 cups MINI chocolate chips

Directions:

Cream together sugars, butter and shortening.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Gradually add flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until combine.  Add quick oatmeal, and chocolate chips.

Bake at 350′ for 10-15 minutes… ENJOY!  ENJOY!  ENJOY!

This is what I am going to try this weekend… I’ve not made it before so we can try it together!  I got the idea from the woman in line in front of me at Target.  I overheard her tell the cashier that she was making LASAGNA SOUP and I thought, now that sounds fantastic!  I googled it and chose the recipe I thought looked both tasty and easy… I altered it a bit, by adding things I love in lasagna…  Here is what I found:

Lasagna Soup

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground italian sausage
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 (32-ounce) box beef or chicken broth
• 3 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups mini lasagna noodles
• 1 (5-ounce) package grated Parmesan
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

In a large Dutch oven, combine ground beef, sausage onion, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until meat is browned and crumbles. Drain well.

Stir in brown sugar, broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Add noodles, and simmer until noodles are tender. Stir in Parmesan cheese.

Preheat broiler. Ladle soup into 8 to 10 ovenproof bowls. Evenly sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Broil soups, 6-inches from heat, 3 to 4 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbly…  Serve with Garlic Bread and enjoy!

I know it seems crazy to be thinking about holiday cards already, but when you know a few photographers you realize that they have been receiving tons of appointments for family shoots in hopes for the “perfect” picture for these infamous holiday mailings…  If you are looking for the perfect photographer, with the best eye, at a reasonable price, may I recommend Ben Dodds Photography…  I love the photo-journalistic style of his photography because it truly captures the essence of who the client is.   I am also a little bias because he is my husband!  If you’d like to see his work you can find him at http://www.bendodds.com Which brings up an interesting point…  It is very hard to get a great family photo when the daddy of the family is always behind the camera.  For this reason we like to enlist the help of a good photographer friend of ours from Glimpses of Soul Photography.  She and Ben share a similar style and love for the camera!  She has a wonderful eye and has always captured the heart of my family with style.  I would highly recommend either photographer for your holiday photo shoot!