Our Colorado Christmas vacation in slideshow
View slide show by clicking “Read More” below…
Read more
Archive for December, 2009
Campaign Christmas dinner at Martinellis in Salina
We had a blast with some of our campaign team last night. Thank you Martinellis! I especially want to thank our wonderful waitress, Skyler, and the Manager, Tony, for making it such a memorable night ..oh and for not kicking us out because we were so loud! Austin and Colm gave out some histerical awards that kept us all laughing.
Advent by candlelight dinner for women in Beloit
Over 270 women gathered On December 13th to hear a talk to inspire Christian women to help keep Christ in our hearts and families this Christmas. I was graciously invited to sit with Kathy Zigler and her daughter Heather. It was a gorgeous evening and I wanted to share this beautiful selection, read by Maria Niewald, who organized the event ( and did a fabulous job I might add!)
I Corinthians 13- a Christmas Version
By an unknown authorIf I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love, I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.
Here are some pictures of my evening in Beloit as well as some of my children getting ready for Christmas, including Anselm, breaking the “unbreakable” ornaments and the boys writing their Santa letters.
My Mom’s play-dough recipe
… and you all wondered how my mom kept all ten of us brothers and sisters happy on cold rainy days.
I have great memories of the smell and feel of freshly made warm play-dough. I made it for my Paddy and Frankie today and gave them plenty of cookie cutters to make pretend Christmas cookies. Won’t Santa be surprised when he bites in to one of these salty treats!
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup salt
2 Tablespoons Cream of Tartar
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon cooking oil
you can add food coloring to this if you want to (although i never do because it can get messy.)
add all the ingredients together and stir over medium heat. It looks wet and clumpy but when it starts to paste together, turn it on a table and knead it. Divide into balls for each child and enjoy the peace and quiet for 30 minutes while they play peacefully…maybe write about it in your blog!
