Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.

And the more you spend in blessing,
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing,
Returns to you glad.

~John Greenleaf Whittier

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

Impromptu Family Fun Night :-)

fun chips!

fun games!

fun cookies!

family fun! :-)

The Sweet Smell of Christmas

After my friend Heather mentioned a potpourri she was simmering at her house this morning, I rummaged in the pantry to see if I could create some of my own...

It is definitely smelling like Christmas

in our schoolroom this afternoon! :-)

Christmastime Simmering Potpourri

zest of 1 orange
2 tablespoons red hot cinnamon candies
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

In a small saucepan, combine ingredients with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil and stir until candies are melted. Reduce heat to simmer. Enjoy the sweet smell of Christmas all through the house!

Remember to keep an eye on the potpourri,

and add water as needed.

All Done!

Poncho completed during oral spelling test time this morning!

When wrapping it up for my niece,

I will be sure to include leftover yarn

for plenty of matching hair bows. :-)

At Christmastime

Sing a song of Christmas,

Oh holly, green and red,

Of icy, windy weather

Just right for skate and sled.

Sing a song of Christmas,

Oh candlelight aglow,

Of cookies and plum puddings,

Of freshly fallen snow.

Sing a song of Christmas

As shoppers homeward go,

Of cherry yule logs blazing,

Of stockings in a row.

Sing a song of Christmas,

Star-spangled skies above;

Christmas bells are ringing

Sweet songs of peace and love.

Sing a song of Christmas

May laughter, love, and cheer

Possess our hearts on Christmas day

And through a bright New Year.

~Elizabeth Weaver Winstead

Ideals Christmas

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Christmas Tree" by Albert Chevallier Tayler

Gigglin' at Giggles :-)

This evening, I had the pleasure of attending a delightful Ladies' Christmas party. We enjoyed tasty finger foods, a spirited gift exchange and lots and lots of laughter. Thank you Giggles - you're a wonderful hostess! :-)

And would you look at the cutie I came home with...

Our Favorite Christmas Candy

Chocolate Billionaires
3 dozen

1 (14 ounce) package caramels
3 tablespoons water
1 ½ cups pecan pieces
1 cup crushed crisp rice cereal
1 package chocolate bark

Melt caramels and water in microwave until you can stir easily; stir until smooth. Mix in pecans and cereal. Cover cookie sheets with wax paper. Drop candy by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Put cookie sheets in refrigerator until candy hardens (about 30 minutes). Melt chocolate bark in microwave. Using a fork, dip candy into chocolate bark, turning to coat all sides. Place candy on sheets of wax paper on the counter to harden. Enjoy!

I have been making these for ten years now! It's just not Christmastime at Heritage Schoolhouse without Chocolate Billionaires. :-)

2013 Updated to add that it's now been 15 years of making Chocolate Billionaires for Christmas! Linking up to share with Kelly's Korner Christmas Traditions.

TOO cute!

"festive treat boxes"

from the Martha Stewart Crafts line

with red and white poka dots!

found at Wal-Mart

for same price as little plastic candy tubs

did happy dance in the aisle...

was not ashamed ;-)

December 1st

The first day of December!

It was cold enough this morning
for our first fire in the fireplace!

And, it was the first day of the children's beloved
countdown to Christmas Day calendar!

Happy December First! :-)

Christmas Knitting

a child size poncho for my sweet niece

from The Knit Stitch by Sally Mellville

using my favorite Lion Brand yarn

Wool-Ease Thick & Quick

in "raspberry" :-)

Supper Menus
December 1st-6th

Monday
spaghetti, green salad, garlic toast
Tuesday
sub sandwiches, chips, cookies
Wednesday
chicken and dumplings, green beans, baked apples
Thursday
cheese enchiladas, pinto beans, tortilla chips and guacamole
Friday
out for supper
Saturday
chili dogs, baked beans, fritos

More menu planning ideas can be found at Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura of Organizing Junkie.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Surprise! A follower won...

...a holiday cookie prize!

Because I am thankful for the followers of Heritage Schoolhouse -

I put the fourteen follower names in a hat and drew...

Still Learning!

Still Learning if you would like to accept your prize, please leave your email address in the comments of this post. Congratulations! :-)

Thank you to each sweet follower of Heritage Schoolhouse!
I am thankful for you. :-) Happy Thanksgiving weekend!
Are you shopping or decorating today? I decorate! :-)

Putting away the autumn things...

...to make room for the "fa la la" and the "ho ho ho"! ;-)

Thanksgiving Fun ~Texas Style~

Over the river

and through the woods...

to uncle and aunt's house we go! :-)

for a homestyle feast,

rides on the lawn,

watchin' the Cowboys

and the Aggies,

some serious backyard football ,

a corn toss tournament,

and the best host and hostess you could ever ask for!

We couldn't be more thankful. :-)

from Heritage Schoolhouse :-)

Super Quick Cinnamon Coffee Cake
9 servings

2 1/4 cups baking mix
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
for topping
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons cold butter

Combine mix and sugar. Whisk the egg and milk; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Spread into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. For topping, combine brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over batter. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy!

This is just perfect when you might be... ahem... maybe... you know just a tad too tired to prepare the overnight cinnamon rolls the night before Thanksgiving! ;-)

~A Thanksgiving Breakfast Menu~

sausage balls

super quick cinnamon coffee cake

pumpkin roll

orange juice

hot cocoa

coffee

Love These!

Put them on your kitchen window sill.

They smell delicious! :-)

Pumpkin Roll

Pumpkin Roll

12 servings

¾ cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon all spice, and ½ teaspoon ground cloves)
1 cup pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 375°. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch jelly roll pan or cookie sheet with sides. Mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in pumpkin puree, eggs, and lemon juice. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Spread the mixture evenly. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Lay a damp linen towel on the counter, sprinkle it with confectioner's sugar, and turn the cake onto the towel. Carefully roll the towel up (lengthwise) with the cake in it. Place the cake-in-towel on a cooling rack and let it cool for 20 minutes. To make the icing, blend cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and sugar. When the cake has cooled , unroll it and spread icing onto it. Immediately re-roll (not in the towel this time), and wrap it with plastic wrap. Keep the roll refrigerated or freeze it for up to 2 weeks in aluminum foil. Cut the cake in slices just before serving.

This is my daughter's favorite holiday treat!