The Twelve Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser
Enjoy!
Blessings
Friday, December 12, 2014
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By:
Anita
Thursday, December 11, 2014
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By:
Anita
Happy Holidays?!?
It’s only two weeks until Christmas! and I confess the panic is beginning to set in.
Yes, the Christmas music is playing in the background. Sure the tree is up. And the halls? Well the halls are decked as best as one can with old decorations. The Christmas baking has been started, I’ve even watched my share of the Christmas classics and yet…
“It seems like I’ve lost my holiday spirit.”
Christmas can bring so many thoughts of expectations ~ decorations, family and friends, presents, food, energy… Why is it that we put ourselves under such a great deal of pressure through unrealistic expectations, comparisons with others and a need to prove ourselves?
I know it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. And while I’m not quite up to Grinch status yet, I’m definitely not feeling holly or jolly about the upcoming festivities.
Confession: sometimes I have a bad attitude at the holidays {please tell me I’m not the only one}.
I want peace on earth but then I wind up feeling tempted to run over people with my shopping cart when they’re rude.
I want to spread cheer but then I get PMS and just want to spread chocolate on every surface I can find.
I want to shine brightly like the lights on a Christmas tree but then I get too busy and just want to say “lights out” so I can get some sleep.
I used to feel guilty about this quite a bit. What kind of person was I if I got all grumpy at the most wonderful time of year?
Each year the commercial side of Christmas seems to push the birth of Christ aside and yet, none of these things are what the Christmas season is really about. The truth is that Christmas isn’t about the holiday hoopla anyway. The music and the gifts and the decorations are nice, sure. But the reason for the season? It’s Jesus. Just Jesus. And Just Jesus? IS ENOUGH.
Surely our focus should be on the birth of this baby who would change the world, the greatest gift God could give us ~ something to really be grateful for. We need to reset our focus right where it is meant to be: on Jesus. The Messiah. The One who started it all, the One who gave it all.
Blessings
Yes, the Christmas music is playing in the background. Sure the tree is up. And the halls? Well the halls are decked as best as one can with old decorations. The Christmas baking has been started, I’ve even watched my share of the Christmas classics and yet…
“It seems like I’ve lost my holiday spirit.”
Christmas can bring so many thoughts of expectations ~ decorations, family and friends, presents, food, energy… Why is it that we put ourselves under such a great deal of pressure through unrealistic expectations, comparisons with others and a need to prove ourselves?
I know it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. And while I’m not quite up to Grinch status yet, I’m definitely not feeling holly or jolly about the upcoming festivities.
Confession: sometimes I have a bad attitude at the holidays {please tell me I’m not the only one}.
I want peace on earth but then I wind up feeling tempted to run over people with my shopping cart when they’re rude.
I want to spread cheer but then I get PMS and just want to spread chocolate on every surface I can find.
I want to shine brightly like the lights on a Christmas tree but then I get too busy and just want to say “lights out” so I can get some sleep.
I used to feel guilty about this quite a bit. What kind of person was I if I got all grumpy at the most wonderful time of year?
Each year the commercial side of Christmas seems to push the birth of Christ aside and yet, none of these things are what the Christmas season is really about. The truth is that Christmas isn’t about the holiday hoopla anyway. The music and the gifts and the decorations are nice, sure. But the reason for the season? It’s Jesus. Just Jesus. And Just Jesus? IS ENOUGH.
Blessings
Monday, December 8, 2014
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By:
Anita
mhmm monday
Nothing says Christmas quite like red & green. So when Krystle gave her dad his most favourite Christmas time dessert, I knew I needed to get my baking pants on and make him some more ~ because I knew those squares would simply not last until Christmas. So with Christmas music playing on the radio, I knew I could get started with this recipe from this website.
Christmas Magic Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 {14 oz} Can Of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup Holiday or regular chocolate chips (divided into 1/2 cup portions)
1 cup chopped nuts (I prefer walnuts)
1 cup Holiday or regular M&M's (divided into 1/2 cup portions)
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut
Directions:
Place 13" x 9" pan, with butter, in the oven and turn the oven on to 350° F. Butter can melt in pan while preheating. {Keep an eye on it, checking every few minutes and pulling out of the oven when butter is melted.}
When butter is melted, remove pan from oven and carefully sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs over the melted butter. Press in lightly with fork or back of spoon.
Pour sweetened condensed milk over the crumb layer.
Sprinkle 1/2 of the chocolate chips, 1/2 of the M&M's & the nuts over the sweetened condensed milk layer. Sprinkle coconut on top, followed by remaining chocolate chips & M&M's.
Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven. Allow bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.
Enjoy!
Blessings
Christmas Magic Cookie Bars
1/2 cup butter
1 {14 oz} Can Of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup Holiday or regular chocolate chips (divided into 1/2 cup portions)
1 cup chopped nuts (I prefer walnuts)
1 cup Holiday or regular M&M's (divided into 1/2 cup portions)
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut
Directions:
Place 13" x 9" pan, with butter, in the oven and turn the oven on to 350° F. Butter can melt in pan while preheating. {Keep an eye on it, checking every few minutes and pulling out of the oven when butter is melted.}
When butter is melted, remove pan from oven and carefully sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs over the melted butter. Press in lightly with fork or back of spoon.
Pour sweetened condensed milk over the crumb layer.
Sprinkle 1/2 of the chocolate chips, 1/2 of the M&M's & the nuts over the sweetened condensed milk layer. Sprinkle coconut on top, followed by remaining chocolate chips & M&M's.
Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven. Allow bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.
Enjoy!
Blessings
Saturday, December 6, 2014
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By:
Anita
Beautiful Thing ~ week # 49
Good friendship begins when you least expect it. I’ve written about my struggles with finding friends here, here, here and here.
True friends are a gift from God. They love us, laugh with us, comfort us and encourage us and in September of 2013, the value of friendship came to fruition when I gathered up the courage to walk over, say hello to Heather and invite her to tea.
Most of us aren’t looking for just any friend. We are looking that special person with whom we can pour out our hearts. A safe place where confidences are held carefully. Friendship is unconditional loyalty and love. A bond of steadfastness and acceptance that allows us to be who we are, fully, without fear that love will be withdrawn.
And we shared that. Totally. 100%. Instantly.
However, by the following June, I found myself struggling again when God called them elsewhere. I knew there would be a purpose in it, and looking back I can totally see God’s hand involved in all that has happened since they moved away and have since returned to the area.
We met for tea this week and we instantly re-connected as if she never left. I am so excited to renew our friendship.
What was your beautiful thing this week?
Blessings
True friends are a gift from God. They love us, laugh with us, comfort us and encourage us and in September of 2013, the value of friendship came to fruition when I gathered up the courage to walk over, say hello to Heather and invite her to tea.
However, by the following June, I found myself struggling again when God called them elsewhere. I knew there would be a purpose in it, and looking back I can totally see God’s hand involved in all that has happened since they moved away and have since returned to the area.
We met for tea this week and we instantly re-connected as if she never left. I am so excited to renew our friendship.
Blessings
Friday, December 5, 2014
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By:
Anita
Still being intentional...
It’s almost the end of my year of being intentional. This is an area that the Lord has been teaching me and refining me and I am definitely still “in progress”. A very practical way to achieve this was through my use of words. Why, when, and how I used my words ... and how my tone is just as important as my choice of words.
I'm a words girl. I place great value in not only the spoken, but also in the written word as well. I love how words can be beautifully strung together in a way that move us to think deeper.
But I’m a slow writer. Painfully slow. The words don't come easily for me. I think a lot. I mean ALOT.
I want my voice to be true, my words sincere. So I try not to rush the process. I take my time, often only discovering what I truly think or feel as I'm writing it out. This “free therapy” is neither quick nor painless, but it’s {usually} oh-so-worth-it.
Backspace is my closest friend, since I seldom get it right the first time. I edit, chop, change, add, remove, abandon, start over... I rarely end up where I thought I would when I started.
Write.
Delete.
Repeat.
But using my words to talk? Now, that’s a whole other story. I gotta be honest here: I hate that talking lacks the luxury of time and backspace.
When I feel uncomfortable, or want to say something important or meaningful, or attempt to share something vulnerable, I can never find words ~ the right words ~ quickly enough. I pause at great length. I hesitate. I sit silently. I get awkward. I mean like really awkward. My mind trips over itself, trying and failing to find the best words to say what I mean.
I want my words to be fitting to the situation and to the person I am talking with. So what should I do? How can I speak words of life, joy, peace, and love in my day-to-day life? How can I be better prepared for the times when I am unaware that the temptation to speak otherwise is just one slip of the tongue away? How might my family & friends be recipients of grace through my words?
I want to get better at using my words ~ written or spoken. I want to be more aware of my thoughts, and less afraid of my own voice. I want to speak and write with honesty, live an authentic life, and to be intentional.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 {New Living Translation {NLT}}
Blessings
I'm a words girl. I place great value in not only the spoken, but also in the written word as well. I love how words can be beautifully strung together in a way that move us to think deeper.
But I’m a slow writer. Painfully slow. The words don't come easily for me. I think a lot. I mean ALOT.
I want my voice to be true, my words sincere. So I try not to rush the process. I take my time, often only discovering what I truly think or feel as I'm writing it out. This “free therapy” is neither quick nor painless, but it’s {usually} oh-so-worth-it.
Backspace is my closest friend, since I seldom get it right the first time. I edit, chop, change, add, remove, abandon, start over... I rarely end up where I thought I would when I started.
Write.
Delete.
Repeat.
But using my words to talk? Now, that’s a whole other story. I gotta be honest here: I hate that talking lacks the luxury of time and backspace.
I want my words to be fitting to the situation and to the person I am talking with. So what should I do? How can I speak words of life, joy, peace, and love in my day-to-day life? How can I be better prepared for the times when I am unaware that the temptation to speak otherwise is just one slip of the tongue away? How might my family & friends be recipients of grace through my words?
I want to get better at using my words ~ written or spoken. I want to be more aware of my thoughts, and less afraid of my own voice. I want to speak and write with honesty, live an authentic life, and to be intentional.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 {New Living Translation {NLT}}
Blessings
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
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By:
Anita
Letter "B"
Yesterday was busy
Banana Bread Baking,
Bookwork Balancing and
Beatles music Blaring...
despite the fact it was Monday, it was a beautiful day!
Blessings
Banana Bread Baking,
Bookwork Balancing and
Beatles music Blaring...
despite the fact it was Monday, it was a beautiful day!
Blessings
Monday, December 1, 2014
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By:
Anita
mhmm monday
How do you make homemade banana bread even better? Kraft Canada tells you to add in some chocolate and make a Chocolate-Marbled Banana Bread. Try it - you'll love it!
Chocolate Marbled Banana Bread
Ingredients:
1 egg
1/2 cup Miracle Whip Original Spread
1-1/3 cups mashed fully ripe bananas (about 3)
1-1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
4 oz.Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
Directions:
Heat oven to 350ºF.
Beat egg, Miracle Whip and bananas in large bowl with whisk until
blended. Mix all remaining ingredients except chocolate in medium bowl. Add to banana mixture; stir just until moistened.
Pour half the batter into medium bowl; stir in chocolate. Spoon batters alternately into 8x4-inch loaf pan sprayed with cooking spray; swirl gently with knife.
Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 5 min. or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool bread in pan 10 min.; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely.
Enjoy!
Blessings
Chocolate Marbled Banana Bread
1 egg
1/2 cup Miracle Whip Original Spread
1-1/3 cups mashed fully ripe bananas (about 3)
1-1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
4 oz.Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
Directions:
Heat oven to 350ºF.
Beat egg, Miracle Whip and bananas in large bowl with whisk until
blended. Mix all remaining ingredients except chocolate in medium bowl. Add to banana mixture; stir just until moistened.
Pour half the batter into medium bowl; stir in chocolate. Spoon batters alternately into 8x4-inch loaf pan sprayed with cooking spray; swirl gently with knife.
Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 5 min. or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool bread in pan 10 min.; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely.
Enjoy!
Blessings
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