My goal, this Christmas holiday season, is to focus on the simple, memory making activities that are short on expense, and long on memory making.  Sometimes it just takes a little perspective to just see how well off  we are.   Remember to slow down, enjoy the season, take lots of pictures and enjoy the memories.

Here are some fun and frugal activities to consider this holiday season:

1. Read one Christmas, holiday, or winter-themed book each day for the week leading up to Christmas. You could wrap the books up, in tissue and have one child unwrap one book per day starting around December 17th. The same books can be re-wrapped from year to year. This tradition can be expanded by borrowing library books or purchasing Christmas books at thrift stores.

Our favorite Christmas stories are

• The Night Before Christmas
• The Legend of the Candy Cane
• The Story of Holly & Ivy
• The Real 12 Days of Christmas- The story behind the Song and
• A Little House Christmas Volume 11 which contains the Christmas stories from the original books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
• My favorite Little House Picture Books with wintery and Christmas Themes are Christmas in the Big Woods, Sugar Snow, and Winter Days in the Big Woods. I think any of these books are available in the library.

2. Celebrating the season of Advent keeps us focused on the most important reasons we celebrate Christmas. A Family Advent presents guided heartfelt and thought-provoking devotionals with fun facts, journeys back in time, activities, and much more.

And until December 31, you can download a copy of A Family Advent absolutely FREE.

3. Attend a Christmas Cantata, Parades of Lights, or Christmas Eve Service in your community. Check your local paper for details. Then drive around the neighborhoods to view Christmas lights and well decorated homes on your way home. In our area, the addresses of the best lit homes are organized by neighborhoods and listed in the newspaper. When you get home have hot chocolate and home made cookies.

4. Have a family slumber party or movie marathon in the family room or living room. Pull out sleeping bags. blankets, afghans, pillows. Turn out the lights except for Christmas lights or candles. Enjoy popcorn or a snack with a Bible story, book or Christmas movie. Our favorite Christmas movies are:

• The Nativity Story
• Christmas with the Kranks
• The Christmas Story.

5.  With small children you can make a paper chain with colored construction paper to count the days until Christmas. Alternate green and red construction paper. Take a link off the chain each night before bed time.  Here are some other great links to making your own economical and beautiful ornaments:

• Cinnamon Ornaments
• Citrus and Star Ornaments
• Christmas Card Garland
• Cookie Cutter Ornaments
• Christmas Card Ornaments

6. Set up a card table or coffee table to do a jigsaw puzzle together during the holidays. Work at it every now and then with family, relatives or neighbors until it’s done. Do a different puzzle every year. Inexpensive puzzles can be found in thrift stores.

7. Bake rolled out old fashioned sugar cookies cut into Christmas shapes and decorate. My children, now older, still enjoy making sugar cookies together every year without my help. OR make candy. Our favorites are fudge, peanut brittle, and toffee. OR make a Gingerbread House. Kits are inexpensive in craft stores. I usually buy one in the after Christmas sales for the next year.

8. Cut your own Christmas tree. In Colorado you can buy a permit to go to a designated place in the forest to cut a tree for $8.00. My children absolutely insist on having a real, live tree preferably one they cut themselves with Dad every year. The oldest is now 23!

9. Hold a Holiday Open House or invite some friends or family over for dinner. My favorite company recipe is Beef Burgundy. Your event can be simple and casual. Have everyone bring a dish or appetizer to share. Enjoy the company and tell about favorite family traditions or memories.

10.Make package opening time special by allowing only one gift to be opened at a time. Start by having the children give out their gifts first.

BONUS IDEA: Make a special Christmas breakfast with homemade Pecan Sticky Cinnamon Rolls. You won’t even need to get up early to do it. All the Christmas breakfast recipes and stress free instructions are complimentary.

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I spent today clearing my bookshelves of items I no longer need.  Now that Mary is set to graduate in May, I am no longer a homeschool mom after 23 year of home educating.

I’m cleaning my bookshelves, and offering books at steal of a deal prices. Most of the following items are still brand new, unless otherwise indicated.  I have indicated the suggested retail price if I know it.

Bargain Books

Paypal Payment Only to urbanhome@tds.net Paypal accepts all credit cards without having an account.

Shipping will be as follows:

$3.00 for one book OR five or more books.

$3.50 for two books.

$4.00 for three books

$4.50 for four books

All sales will be final.

All Orders will receive a Free copy of Breakfast for Busy Moms or A Beginner’s Guide to Baking Bread

(spiral bound) by Marilyn Moll while supplies last.

First Come. First Served.

Vision Forum Products

A HOME SCHOOL VISION OF VICTORY Audio by Doug Phillips. Brand New Shrink Wrapped.  ($19.95 new)  Closeout – $5.00.

HOW TO EVALUATE A SUITOR Biblical wisdom for Fathers, Mothers, Eligible Daughters, and Would-Be Grooms by Doug Phillips.  2 Discs.  Brand New Shrink Wrapped.  ($12.00 new)  Closeout – $6.00.

SUFFER THE CHILDREN – The Blessing of ‘Imperfect” Children by Kevin Swanson. Brand New Shrink Wrapped.  (New $19.95).  Closeout $5.00.

Hope Chest Legacy

THE BUTTON JAR Book and The Button Jar Craft Kit by Rebekah Wilson. Lucie learns about the history of the button jar and createds her very own button jar with a simple cross stitch.  Brand New  ($29.95)  Closeout – $12.

LUCIE’S SNOWFLAKES KIT – Includes all the items necessary to complete one bread cloth or tea cloth.  Brand New.  (New $12.95)  Closeout $5.00.

LUCIE’S BIRTHDAY KIT – Includes all the items necessary to complete one lavender sachet.  (New $12.95)  Closeout – $5.00.

SUNFLOWER NEEDLECASE KIT – Kit contains all items needed to complete the project.  Shrink Wrapped.  (New $5.95)  Closeout – $3.00.

THE RUNNING ROOTER KIT – Kit contains all items necessary to coplete one pot holder. (New $12.95)  Closeout – $5.00

HOMESTEAD BLESSING DVD’S- These DVD’s are all Like New Condition

THE ART OF BREAD MAKING – HOMESTEAD BLESSING DVD with the West Ladies.  (New $19.95)  – Closeout – $10.00

THE ART OF COOKING – HOMEStEAD BLESSING DVD with the West Ladies.  (New $19.95)  – Closeout – $10.00.

THE ART OF HERBS – HOMESTEAD BLESSING DVD with the West Ladies.  (New $19.95)  – Closeout – $10.00

THE ART OF GARDENING – HOMESTEAD BLESSING DVD with the West Ladies.  (New $19.95)  – Closeout – $10.00

THE ART OF CANDLE MAKING – HOMESTEAD BLESSING DVD with the West Ladies.  (New $19.95)  – Closeout – $10.00

THE ART OF SOAP MAKING – HOMESTEAD BLESSING DVD with the West Ladies.  (New $19.95)  – Closeout – $10.00

THE ART OF QUILTING – HOMESTEAD BLESSING DVD with the West Ladies.  (New $19.95)  – Closeout – $10.00

THE ART OF SEWING – HOMESTEAD BLESSING DVD with the West Ladies.  (New $19.95)  – Closeout – $10.00.

LAMPLIGHTER BOOKS-Rare Collector’s Series

THE LAMPLIGHTER by Maria S. Cummins.  Hardcover.  New.  Closeout – $10.00.

THE LITTLE LAMB –  BY Christoph von Schmid. Hardcover.  New.  Closeout – $10.00.

THE BASKET OF FLOWERS – A Tale for the young. Hardcover.  New.  Closeout – $10.00.

THE WHITE DOVE by Christoph von Schmid. Hardcover.  New.  Closeout – $10.00.

HOMESCHOOL INTEREST

Good Condition.  (New $75.00) – Closeout $30.00.

EASY WRITING – LEVEL ONE AND TWO  In one volume by Wanda C Phillips. For Upper Elementary. Good Condition – Unused Workbook.  (New $25.00)  Closeout – $10.00

THE SAT AND COLLEGE PREPARATION COURSE FOR THE CHIRSTIAN STUDENT by James P Stobaugh. Good Condition – some writing in book.  (new $30.00)  Closeout $10.00.

WORDLY WISE 3000 – Sysematic Sequential Vocabulary Development – BOOK 6 and answer key.  New Condition.  (New $13.00)  Closeout $5.00

WORDLY WISE 3000 – Sysematic Sequential Vocabulary Development – BOOK 6 Test Booklet – New Condition – (new $8.95)  Closeout – $5.00.

WORDLY WISE Book 5 – by Kenneth Hodkinson.  With Teacher’s Key.

New condition.  (New 12.00)  Closeout – $6.00.

CRITICAL THINKING – BOOK ONE TEACHER’S MANUAL. Like new.  Closeout $3.00.

VOCABULARY:  LATIN I BY FRODE JENSEN Good Condition. (no writing in book) $3.00.

MAN IN DEMAND –STUDENT TRAINING MANUAL AND TEACHER’S BOOK (2 VOLUMES) by Wayne and Emily Hunter.  New condition.  Closeout – $5.00.

THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S BOOK OF MUSIC by Keith Spence.  New $14.95.  Good Condition.  $4.00.

CHRISTIAN WOMEN

THE HELP MEET’S JOURNEY – A Yearly Companion Journal for Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl. New Condition.  (New $14.95)  Closeout- $5.00.

HEARTH AND HOME Recipes for Life by Karey Swan.  Used.Condition.  (New $25.00).  Closeout – $10.00.

THE MOM WALK Keeping in Step with God’s Heart for Motherhood by Sally Clarkson.  New condition. (New $12.00)  Closeout – $6.00.

DEVOTIONS FOR HOMESCHOOL MOMS by Jackie Wellwood. Used condition.  New $12.00.  Closeout – $3.00.

EMILIE’S CREATIVE HOME ORGANIZER by Emilie Barnes.  New condition.  ($12.00 new)  Closeout – $5.00

To do or not to do, that is the question!  To get a real tree or an artificial tree was the choice Mary and I wrestled with over the Black Friday week-end.  My late husband, Duane, insisted we decorate for the holidays with a REAL Christmas tree each year.

So one of our favorite family traditions, was Duane’s willingness to take the children into the mountains, hike around in the snow until the “perfect” Charlie Brown tree was spotted, sawed down, dragged out of the woods and brought home.  After Duane was gone, my son Stephen and Mary took over the Christmas tree tradition.

However, this is the first year Mary and I had to figure out how to get a Christmas tree ourselves and without Stephen’s help and the use of our beat-up, trusty old truck.  So we settled on scouting out the Black Friday bargain priced artificial pre-lit tree choices despite the feeling we were betraying tradition.

Mary found her ideal tree at twice the cost of our budget.  I found the best option that fit within our budget constraints was a much shorter tree than we had grown accustomed to.

I’m not going to lie, as my children say, I really wanted the “big tree” the closest thing to our real, tall, Charlie Brown tree of year’s past.

Yet, I also felt desperately committed  to reconciling myself to live within our means and obtain a tree that I could actually lift the box by myself.  DECISIONS!  Little did I think this decision would create such an agonizing conflict within me that nearly caused me to turn around and march out of the store empty handed.

I have learned in the last few years, that after the loss of a loved one, life is not the same and I need to adjust to a “new normal”.  This is much easier said than done.

My dear patient daughter Mary, graciously allowed me to discuss the pros and cons of the tree options even though her choice was clearly the opposite to my inclination.  And what mother doesn’t want to please her children?

Finally I placed the budget pleasing choice into the buggy and trudged to the check out lane still not convinced I had made the best decision.  Surprisingly this tree’s cost came to within six cents of my most optimistic expectation including the tax and barely fit into our car.

As Mary and I together slid the cumbersome box into the already loaded van for our long trip home, I marveled at God’s goodness to provide the right tree, and the right price, at the right time.

As we got in the car, peace and gratefulness encircled my heart as I realized God had enabled us together to wrestle through one more “new normal”.  God is so faithful and I praise him for that.

Perhaps your family is facing much bigger and more agonizing decisions this holiday season.  Let me encourage you to hold on to his precious promises of faithfulness.  Friend, you can count on Him.

“For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness is to all generations.”  Psalm 100:5

Front Cover of my Book of Wisdom

Ed Note:

The following article is written by my daughter Laura Coble, a young mom expecting her second baby in March.  You can read her blog at The Coble Column.

As a Grandmother, I  think it would be great to get started with a book of Wisdom to pass on to my grandchildren from Gramma.

Life Manual

The other day I was reading about how a mom wished that there was some kind of “life” manual that could be handed down from mother to daughter, through the generations.  In it would be favorite recipes, budgeting tips, medicinal remedies, child training recommendations and so on.  I know for myself I have often wished that I had a manual for life.  It seems there ought to be some kind of Book of Wisdom filled with practical advice, such as, “when your child does x, implement y“.

I like to think that back in the “good ole’ days” when families weren’t so spread out, knowledge and wisdom about life skills was handed down both verbally and through personal experience.  During family get-togethers, probably at least a dozen people held “baby Susie” and at least a great-grandmother, grandmother, aunt, and aunt-twice-removed gave the new mother, and any young girls present, advice on soothing a fussy baby.

At first this could sound like a nightmare, we all know about mother-in-law jokes, and probably many of us have such a mother-in-law, or mother, or aunt-twice-removed who likes to give unwanted advice.  But my point is that people long ago, when generations of a family all lived in the same town, probably didn’t go running out to Barnes and Noble for a self-help book on child training, they had the knowledge and wisdom of the ages passed down to them already.

Create Your Own Book of Trials, Errors, and Lessons Learned

So when this woman was wishing for a book that held all the life lessons learned by her ancestors, I thought, why not?  Why not create such a book that I could pass onto my children some day, and Lord willing, they will continue to add to and then pass onto their kids.  Thus the “Big Book of Trials, Errors, and Lessons Learned” was inspired.

You could make such a book as simple or elegant as you want.  I just bought a three-ring binder at Wal-Mart, scrapbooked a cover page, and then inserted dividers.  I broke the book down into six categories, marriage, family, kids, household, finances, and faith, with two extra tabs for future categories.

My plan and hope is when Brandon or I, or both of us, learn something in any of these categories, we will quickly jot down a note about it.  The note doesn’t have to be a whole essay, just a couple of sentences on what we learned.  For example, under kids I’d like to write down some of the things I’ve learned about helping Job sleep through the night, under household I’d like to put some tips for organizing that I’ve learned lately, and under marriage, well I could definitely put a lot down for that category (not because I’m so smart but because there is so much I’ve had to learn!)

Hopefully Brandon and I can be faithful to fill out short little notes in our book so that one day this book will be a valuable tool of insight for our children and even children’s children.

MarilynMoll.com is back! I am very excited about re-connecting with you my faithful friends, readers and customers!  After passing the baton from The Urban Homemaker to the Marsh family in April, my passion for homemaking remains but with a new twist!

My Mission

My mission at marilynmoll.com will to continue to fill this blog page with fresh, relevant information, tips, recipes, food-for-thought, and resources for homemakers of all ages and in all seasons of life and occasionally with a more eternal perspective and use of scriptures.

Although I have experienced many changes and many losses in the last three and half years, I have come to accept that change is inevitable.  I like this quote:

There is no growth without change.

There is no change without loss.

There is no loss without grief.

There is no grief without pain.

Family Updates

Since passing the baton to the Marsh Family, I have spent many weeks taking care of my aging parents and getting them moved to assisted living in Florida.  The highlight of my summer has been connecting with oldest daughter Laura, one-year-old grandson Job, and son-in-law Brandon while they spend their summer on the Western slope of Colorado.

Laura is now expecting a new baby in March 2012.

Son Stephen is now commanding a platoon at Ft Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.

Youngest daughter Mary just began her busy senior year of high school and I now have a part time job a personal care provider.

“Like” my Facebook Page

One thing hasn’t changed – my passion for homemaking in all seasons of life, so that is what we will talk about here.  Please tell your friends and “like” my new facebook page.

I’m excited because I have lots of new recipes and resources to tell you about. 

Next week’s Kick off will include some valuable Give-Aways which will include an American Harvest dehydrator, Norwex Superior Mop, and other goodies.

Lastly, if you would like to correspond with me, I’d love to hear from you.  Email me at marilyn@marilynmollsnorwex.com.

Give Away:  Magnet Ball and Ultra Power Plus Combo – $64.98 Retail Value

The Magnet Ball softens hard water without the use of any chemicals or other consumable products.  Softened water will enable you to cut the amount of detergent needed by 50% in your washing machine or your dishwasher.  The magnet ball will eliminate mineral deposit build up on appliances, clothes, and dishes.  If you use this in your dishwasher it eliminates the need for a rinse agent.  This product has a five year warranty.  I’m on year three with my magnet ball and it does fantastically in my dishwasher.

Ultra Power Plus is filler free and unscented and will not leave any residue in your clothing.  It has superior stain removing properties, whitens whites, brightens colored fabrics, cuts through grease.  Since this detergent is ultra concentrated you only use 1 tsp of detergent for a front  loader or 1 Tbsp for a top loading washer.  Use it with the Magnet ball in a top loading washer and you can cut the amount of detergent needed some more.  You will get at least 140 loads at a cost of about 15 cents per load in a top loader and 3 times as many loads in a Front Loader.

I also use Ultra Power Plus as my stain remover by dissolving 1 Tbsp in 1/2 Cup of  water and spraying it on stains before laundering.

Here is how to participate in future Urban Homemaker Contests.

This contest will end Monday March 7, 2011 and the winner announced on March 8.

There are up to five ways to enter the contest!

You get one contest entry for each of the following steps you take and you post that you did it in  the comments section of this blog page below:

1.  Post this article to your Facebook page and tell me you did so in the comments section below.

2.  Post this article to your Twitter page and tell me you did so in the comments section below.

3.  Sign up for receiving The Urban Homemaker blog posts by email above, and tell me you did so below in the comments.

4.  Mention this contest in your blog posting and link back to this page and post your blog link in the comments section below.

5.  Sign up to receive The Urban Homemaker Enewsletter, and tell me you did so below in the comments.

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Last Day for Old WonderMill Prices – $239.95 today, $259.95 tomorrow – February 15, 2011

Last day for Old Wondermill Junior price – $199.95 through February 14, 2011 – $219.95 starting February 15, 2011 -Includes free shipping, new auger, clamp, stainless steel burrs – the complete package!

This recipe is courtesy of Cooking Traditional Foods, the longest running menu mailer based on the work of Weston A Price.

This pudding recipe comes out thick and rich.  It’s great as a cake filling or in a custard cup.  You can change out the extract for different flavors.  When my kids want pudding, this is the recipe I use.

4 egg yolks

1 Tbs cornstarch

1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk

½ cup chocolate chips

1 tsp peppermint extract

In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and chocolate over medium heat until the chocolate is completely dissolved. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat, and cool briefly.

Whisk ¼ cup of the chocolate mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Whisk in the remaining milk in a slow stream. Return to the saucepan and heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Do not boil.

Remove from the heat and cool, whisking regularly to avoid a skin forming on top and keep the fat incorporated, until only slightly warm. Stir in the peppermint extract. Chill thoroughly in the fridge before serving, or use as a cream filling for cakes, cupcakes or the like.

If your family likes sweeter desserts, you can stir in plain or chocolate flavored stevia with the peppermint extract. Unsweetened chocolate and a little rapadura or your favorite chocolate bar can be substituted for the chocolate chips. Orange, vanilla or another extract that would match chocolate can be used in place of the peppermint.

Kerry Ann Foster is the owner of Cooking Traditional Foods Menu Mailer

Penny Pinchin’ Mama e-book, Jill Cooper, who raised two teenagers alone while making only $500 per month, shares practical hints and strategies she used to make the most out of every dollar. The regular price is $12.95 and this week only it is 50% off or $6.48.

Read the Class Details and Save $20 with Coupon Code Below

Celebrating 20 Years in Business:

With a Friday Freebie, last Day to Save on Real Food & Nutrition Class, and Bosch Universal Plus and Nutrimill:

Sheri Graham,  has offered to share her ebook Bountiful Breakfasts with us for this week only.  It has great recipes for muffins, breakfast breads, waffles, and more.  Many recipes are scaled to larger families or for stocking the freezer.  There are some very nice pictures to get you inspired.  Check it out while it is free.

Sheri is a homeschool mom of five and has many practical, and wonderful resources to share at her website Graham Family Ministries. Check it out.

FYI:  Sheri Graham and I co-authored  the ebook entitled: 12 Week Holiday Holiday Planner for Christian Families.

Real Food and Nutrition ecourse Registration Ends Today

Learn about Real Food and what the FDA and the Food Pyramid don’t tell you!

Save $20.00 on class registration by using coupon code UH20OFF.

Kristen Michaelis’ class Real Food and Nutrition is designed for those aged 12 and up  who desire to understand what the Real Food and Sustainable Living movement is all about.  In the 10 week ecourse you will:

• Read first-hand accounts from inside the Real Food Revolution,

• Watch video footage of the leading thinkers behind the sustainable food movement,

• Engage the course materials in a critical, thoughtful way

• Participate in an online community learning experience.

• Do experiments at the grocery store, in your kitchen, and (if possible) local farms.

• Watch informative yet entertaining videos

Bosch Universal Plus and Nutrimill prices go up on Monday February 7, 2011.  Invest Now and SAVE!

Bosch Universal Plus - Now $359.99 through February 6, 2011.  After Sunday it goes to $429.99!

Nutrimill – Now $239.99 through February 6, 2011.  After Sunday it goes up to $259.99

Related Help:

Steps to the Best Bread by Marilyn Moll

Baking Bread Step by Step Demonstration

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Kitchen Cabinet Installation is Completed

Ed Note: I’ll confess up front, I’m not always diligent about keeping up with the dishes and there are only two of us living here right now.  But I so love a tidy kitchen, especially my beautiful remodeled kitchen with its beautiful cabinets and count tops.  I assure you, my kitchen now has a lived in look but this picture is a good reminder of what I need to aspire to daily.

Dirty Dishes Cause Debt! by Jill Cooper (guest post)
www.livingonadime.com

The other day I was asked one of the most common questions that people ask me: “Where do I start if I want to get out of debt?” After telling me of her huge credit card debt and how they eat out almost every night, the lady took a deep breath and said, “How do I save on laundry detergent and cleaning supplies?” Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees.

Even though saving money on cleaning supplies does help and should be part of your plan, that usually isn’t where the biggest problem with the debt lies. This woman never once thought to ask me how to stop eating out so much. Most people don’t want to face the real causes of their debt because their biggest problems are the things they like the most. Going out to eat is one of the top five causes of debt.

Get those dirty dishes out of the sink!!

We go out to eat because we can’t face a dirty kitchen. Keeping your kitchen empty of dirty dishes is the key to saving money. This is probably the #1 way to start getting out of debt. Most people are so overwhelmed with piled counter tops and dirty dishes that they would rather go out to eat than face a dirty kitchen.

Do the dishes after every meal and keep hot soapy water in the sink while you are baking or cooking. Clean as you go. If your sink is empty and the dishes are washed, your kitchen always looks good. This helps you save money because you have the time and space to cook.

To get in and out of the kitchen quickly, try these easy steps:

1. Put all dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Fill the sink with hot soapy water and put the hand washables in it to soak.
2. Wipe off counter tops and tables with hot soapy water. (This way, if you have unexpected company, at least your table and counters will be clean.)
3. Sweep the floor and shake throw rugs if needed.
4. Wash the dishes that have been soaking.
5. Wipe down the faucets and dry with a towel. (Be sure to wipe any sticky appliances, too.)
6. Put out a clean dish rag and towel.
7. Take out the trash.

These simple steps can help you start climbing your way out of debt. You will be amazed how much better you will feel just having the kitchen clean.

Right now the smart folks at Living on a Dime are having their New Year’s Ebook Extravaganza.  13 ebooks for $13.00. Check it out.

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• Mary and I made the first half of our Colorado to Klamath Falls, OR trip with few incidents and cooperative weather on Tuesday. Wasn’t sure I’d get a boarding pass in Phoenix, but God came through. Nearly lost my purse (and all my money) in the process but all is well there too. Better to see my daughter, son-in-law and grandson than I could have imagined.
• The drive from Reno to Klamath Falls was LONG.  Why did we ever fly into Reno?  Long story, too long to tell.

• Grandson, Job, has doubled his birth weight or more and ready for some new clothes!  Weston A Price.org says chubby babies are healthy, so Job qualifies as VERY healthy.  Laura is exclusively breast feeding him.  He has his four month doctor visit on Monday.

• With a ready smile at all times, He is an easy, happy, contented, huggable baby to brighten our family celebration.

• This is my first – 3 generation- Christmas celebration in many, many years.

• Discovered an easy, economical, and fun way to do stocking stuffers. Check out the bulk food aisle with dried fruit, nut mixes, candies, and chocolates. The Thunderbird Grocery here in Klamath Falls is locally owned, amazing!

• Today is our cinnamon roll and pie making day plus lunch out with Laura’s friend and onto church for the candle light service later.

• Going to try a new tradition this year – a new pair of PJ’s for everyone on Christmas eve. I know many of you have already do this, post how you make it special or a surprise.

• Forgot the camera card for the camera. UGH! Where is my brain?

• Read aloud: Life with Father, a very old classic with a grumpy Father who is definitely the “head” of his family. Some good laughs and old-fashioned values. Takes place in NYC in the late 1800’s.

• Watched Mrs. Doubtfire with Robin Sally Field. Can’t believe it was filmed before Mary was born in the earlier 1990’s.   Some good family values with many odd twists and turns.
• December 31, 2010 is the last day to get a MultiPure Stainless Steel Countertop Unit with $200 off coupon.

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