Crate Christmas Decoration

This Christmas I just had to paint. It wasn't much but I sure am missing my home decor projects now that I homeschool. (Which is why my blogging has sloooowwwwed down considerably)

I love this crate one of my daughters helped me make.

First, you kinda need a newer Cricut. I tried with my old one and it didn't work. Mind you, there are many more crafty people than I out there so if you can do it - do it!

I bought my crate at Michael's with the 50% off coupon. Love those coupons. =)

Here is the chalk paint I used on my crate. It was my first experience with chalk paint. Not bad. Rather nice indeed.

Then I went in to circuit craft room and purchased for $0.99 the Polar Tree Farms, cut it out of vinyl,  pulled the letters out, (kept the letter inserts- for the 'a' the 'e' the 'p' and the 'o'), stuck my vinyl where I wanted it...and then got a phone call! ahhhh! My daughter stuck the rest on and we started painting in the black. (When I got off the phone I realized that the letters should have been closer together, but hey, I am a busy momma and it still worked)

I used a small sponge brush and a little paint at a time so that it wouldn't run through the vinyl. We took the it off right away and let the paint dry. Next, use a light grit (but not too light) sand paper to run over the letters afterwards to make it look a little worn.

Hope you have fun with your painting journey!

Christmas Mitten Cookies

Hi Everyone,

So, in my attempt to make a special cookie for my cute little 4 year old sunbeam class (I teach them Sunday school at church...they are adorable!) I found these little cute snowmen cookies from Hungry Happenings.

 However, because I am a super busy mom and I didn't have enough time to do this, I improvised to make things easier.

First I ran to the Bulk Barn store and found these peppermint candies

Once home, I crushed them in my Vitamix blender (with the dry container) because I do not own a food processor. (Note- use the baby spoon when filling your cookie)

I made my dough and had to run out...so I stuck it in the fridge and made these cute Wilton mittens and some gingerbread men when I got home. Recipe below...

Sorry to say, this was the reject. I packed up the cookies all prettily and my kids gobbled down the rest before I even thought to take a picture! 

To make the cookies:

Recipe (which came from my friend Pam F and I love it!)

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cup icing sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp almond extract (really makes the cookies taste super yum)

 Mix the first 5 ingredients then blend in the following:

1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 cups of four
1 tsp cream of tartar

Cover and chill for 2-3 hours (I left mine for maybe 1 1/2 hours) Divid in half and roll out. about 1/4" thick.

TIP - roll out on counter sprinkled with icing sugar instead of flour.

Bake at 375' for 7-8 min. Watch them. As your oven gets hotter they may be done sooner. They should be lightly browned.

Now, for the cookies above I baked them for about 5-6 min, put my crushed candy inside the cookie, and popped it back into the oven for up to 3 min. Watch these. You don't want the candy to bubble, only melt.

Put your decorations inside the cookie as soon as they come out of the oven so that the sprinkles, or snowflakes (whichever you use) can stick to the peppermint candy.

Have fun on your cookie journey!

Why a Savior?

#ASaviorIsBorn

If there were no Savior, I would still have heart ache...amongst all other things.

I'm so happy Jesus Christ was born! 

Enjoy this season of remembering Christ at Christmas...

We are Children of God

Well, I have come such a long way in my journey since Brian passed. I have had many spiritual blessings, insight, revelation and gifts bestowed to me. I like the way my life is heading. I love coming closer to my Savior. He is my friend.

I feel as Sheri Dew... in her book Women and the Priesthood,
   
"I love being a Latter-Day Saint woman! I am grateful beyond my ability to express to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. I am grateful for the covenants I've made that bind me to the Lord, and that bind Him to me"

I also feel as she, when she says,
 
"I'm grateful for the direction and spiritual privileges the gospel provides, including direct access to God's power. I am eternally indebted to the Savior for His Atonement, which is filled with healing and mercy and power for all of God's children, and I have felt His healing-including the healing that brings peace of mind - in my life more times than I can remember. I feel blessed to be alive when His gospel in its fulness is on the earth and when the priesthood has been restored. I hang on the teachings of prophets, seers, and revelators. And I love what the gospel has taught me about the exalted position of women in the eyes of the Lord-in other words, what it has taught me about who I am." (italics added)

I agree whole heartedly!

Sheri Dew's Women and the Priesthood

Another book I just recently finished by Sheri was No One Can Take Your Place.

Sheri Dew's No One Can Take Your Place

This too is such a great book. Are you feeling a little lost? Wondering if you matter? Of course you matter! You have been sent here at this time for a specific purpose that only you can fulfill! 

Jesus said, "Ye are gods, and all of you are children of the most High." Psalms 82:6 

I love chapter 2 in Sheri's book Women and the Priesthood! (I have not yet finished the book so I am sure to love many, many more chapters, however...) Often times people not of our faith will criticize why we feel we can become gods. Please keep in mind no one ever said this would happen in this life. You, yes you, can become a god too one day. Look at these simple statements. It really is a simple concept, really, not blasphemous, but honouring our Father in Heaven. Take a look at her quotes:

"When Satan tried to confuse Moses about his identity, saying 'Moses, son of man, worship me," Moses refused, responding: 'I am a son of God.' He knew who he was because the Lord had told him, "Thou art my son;...and I have a work for thee." Moses 1:12-13, 4-6 (emphasis added)

"C.S. Lewis...'The command Be ye perfect is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command...The process will be long and in parts very painful, but that is what we are in for. Nothing less. He meant what he said.'" Lewis, Mere Christianity, 174-75

She quotes Irenaeus, (an early Christian writer), "We have not been made gods from the beginning, but at first merely men, then at length gods."(Her footnotes on this were quite extensive- you'll have to read her book ;)

Here's anther good one from C.S. Lewis, "it is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which...you would be strongly tempted to worship...It is in light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with awe and circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another...There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." C.S.Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses

So, we have a work to do and we can do it. When you pass the veil into the next life and see all your folly, and all your good choices, will you want to be crown with glory from God or not? We don't have to attain perfection in this life. There is no possible way. But, by accepting the Savior's atonement and repenting and growing in truth day by day, that is possible! 

I Am a Child of God

Lyrics

1. 1. I am a child of God,
   And he has sent me here,
   Has given me an earthly home
   With parents kind and dear.
2. 2. I am a child of God,
   And so my needs are great;
   Help me to understand his words
   Before it grows too late.
3. 3. I am a child of God.
   Rich blessings are in store;
   If I but learn to do his will,
   I'll live with him once more.
4. 4. I am a child of God.
   His promises are sure;
   Celestial glory shall be mine
   If I can but endure.
5. Chorus
   Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
   Help me find the way.
   Teach me all that I must do
   To live with him someday.

Good luck with the choices you make in your journey!