Winter Wonderland!

Down here in Texas...

we don't wake up to

this

very often! :-)

It's like my little winterland secret right now,

until the rest of the family wakes up.

I can't wait to see

the children's faces. :-)

Wow!

Keeping Christmas

It is a good thing to observe Christmas Day.

The mere marking of times and season, when men agree to stop work

and make merry together, is a wise and wholesome custom.

It helps one to feel the supremacy of the common life over the individual life.

It reminds a man to set his own little watch, now and then,

by the great clock of humanity which runs on sun time.

But there is a better thing than the observance of Christmas Day,

and that is keeping Christmas.

Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people,

and to remember what other people have done or you;

to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world;

to put your rights in the back ground, and your duties in the middle distance,

and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground;

to see that your fellowmen are just as real as you are,

and try to look behind their faces to their hearts hungry for joy;

to own that probably the only good reason for your existence

is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life;

to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe,

and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness -

are you willing to do these things even for a day?

Than you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and the desires of little children;

to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old;

to stop asking how much your friends love you,

and ask yourself whether you love them enough;

to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts;

to try to understand what those who live in the same house with you really want,

without waiting for them to tell you;

to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke;

and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you;

to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings,

with the gate open -

are you willing to do these things even for a day?

Than you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world -

stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death -

and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago

is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?

Then you can keep Christmas,

And if you can keep it for a day, why not always?

But you can never keep it alone.

~Henry Van Dyke

"Our hearts grow tender

with childhood memories and love of kindred,

and we are better throughout the year for having,

in spirit, become a child again

at Christmas-time."

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Oh, home spun yarn, are we going to get along???

I am having my doubts... ;-)

Gingerbread Houses :-)

This evening, as the children were decorating

this gingerbread house...

... Mr. H. was decorating

this gingerbread house. :-)

Easy Christmas Decorating Idea

Do you have framed pictures of family around your home? Maybe some in the kitchen where you spend so much time?

For the month of December, replace the ones in the frames with Christmas photos - the children with Santa when they were little, family Christmas card portraits, candids of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning from years past, snapshots of favorite holiday activities and beloved traditions. Gather ones you have, match the sizes up to a frame each will fit in and...ta-da! You have instant Christmas decorations that will warm your heart! Leave the original pictures in the frames and just put the Christmas ones on top, so after Christmas all you have to do is walk around and take out the holiday pictures as you put away your other decorations. Each year you'll have a few new ones to add. Have fun! :-)

More holiday fun can be found at The Inspired Room! :-)

The Lasting Gifts

So many times dear ones will ask

What would you like this day,

And what would bring you Christmas joy

That I might give away?

A question posed a hundred times,

And yet we do forget

The treasures that would mean the most,

The dearest gifts to get.

Expectancy - rich happiness,

Good health that means so much,

Undying faith in God above,

A loved one's tender touch,

A peace of mind - a happy heart,

A confidence serene,

A worthwhile thought to live and grow,

A lovely lasting dream.

These are the gifts - the lasting gifts -

To treasure through the years,

A zest for living each new day,

A smile instead of fears.

What would you like this Christmas Day?

So much we all possess;

Abundantly our God gives all

In lasting happiness.

~ Garnett Schultz

Ideals Christmas

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

4H Swappin'

~Fun at the 4H Christmas Party~

My daughter took these cookies...

...and came home with all these cookies! Yum!

She took this ornament...

(that went home with her sweet friend that shows pigs)

...and she recieved this one!

It changes colors!

Like a snowman disco ball. ;-)

Fun!

"No Sew" Christmas Window Topper

This year, as I was putting up my kitchen Christmas decorations, I decided I needed a red curtain topper for the window above my sink. After looking all over town (in other words I'd looked at Wal-Mart and Target!) I hadn't found a thing. So, I thought I'd see what I could do on my own - without spending too much time, too much money or too much energy. And without sitting down at a sewing machine - which I haven't done in going on 18 years...

My answer - "stitch witchery"!

I used my blue gingham summer valance as a pattern,

and created "seams" with the stitch witchery.

I now present…

...my Christmas kitchen window! Love it!

Total cost - $4.10

fabric $2.81 - 1 1/2 yards fabric @ $1.87/yd
stitch witchery $1.29 - 20 yards Prym Sewing Regular Weight (used about 7 yards)

And no, it's not the camera angle - it really is a bit crooked.

;-)

But, for a first attempt at something I am not very talented at...

I am quite pleased! :-)

Supper Menus
December 8th-13th

Monday
beef pot pie, lettuce and tomato salad
Tuesday
jalapeno chicken enchiladas, refried beans, tortilla chips and guacamole
Wednesday
spaghetti, ceasar salad, garlic bread
Thursday
homemade pizza, lettuce and tomato salad
Friday
game night supper at cousin's house - taking cookies
Saturday
leftovers from family Christmas lunch

You can find more menu planning ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

Christmas Lights at the Park

photo credit -

Mr. H. :-)

“God's gifts
put man's best dreams to shame.”

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“For the wages of sin is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life

in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23 NIV

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 ;-)