Christmas – Page 3 – The Bless Your Heart Blog

Tree Time

Before we left for Denver, a certain little girl pleaded to put up the Christmas tree. She was quite convincing, so despite the extra work, we did just that!

Daddy has no problem setting the tree up…

But he’s not a fan of “fluffing” the branches…

Our house doesn’t have just a ton of open space, so our tall skinny tree fits perfectly!

DSCF0814 — Seeing this everyday makes me smile.

I’m kind of a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas; I like traditional colors and ornaments that mean something or were passed down or tell a story.

Our tree is full of Wrex and I’s ornaments from when we were younger, along with ones for the kids and ones we got when we were first married, etc. I LOVE the rich history that is hanging on that tree!

My favorite ornament of Wrexy's...a little hereford calf! — My favorite ornament of Wrexy’s – a little Hereford calf!

We went a little more woodsy this year and added this tree branch garland. We made this for a friend’s wedding this summer and re-used it as part of our Christmas decor.

We collected branches and then Wrex cut them into disks, drilled holes and then threaded twine through them. I really like how rustic and organic they look.

garland — We might be seeing this at MOPS meeting soon…

I’ve never owned a tree skirt. I always end up finding something fun (fake snow, felt, etc.) and making due. This year, I grabbed a couple of burlap feed sacks from the stash I have that is still BEGGING to be made into curtains. (I’ll get to that…in all of my spare time, ya know. HA!) I wrapped them around the base and voila! Cute enough for me!

I love this time of year and all that it represents. Let us not forget that if we make it about anything other than Jesus the Christ, then it is not Christmas. He IS the reason we celebrate and decorate and give and feast! Merry Christmas, friends!

Keep an eye out for a full living room tour this week!

Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum

This video is making it’s way across the web and may I just say – AH-MAY-ZING. Those cats are talented! Gifted! Anointed! It’s incredible. Goosegump inducing awesomeness. Watch it, would ya?

The lyrics of this old favorite caught me and flat jostled me upon hearing them; moved me in a way they never have before.

This little drummer boy is heading out to see the King; the King of Kings, in fact. He sees those around him gathering up the finest gifts they can find for this new born babe. But he? He has no gift. He has nothing to give that is worthy of this royalty.

I am a poor boy, too – pa rum pum pum pum

I have no gift to bring – pa rum pum pum pum

That’s fit to give the King – pa rum pum pum pum

I kind of chuckled because I feel his pain. I get that – we are in the same boat, my drumming friend. There is so much I want to do and so much I want to give and so much I want to give towards, but it’s hard right now. In this season of ThanksGIVING, I want to open my hands wide and pour out blessing after blessing after blessing to honor Him but I find myself short. What can I give? What can I bestow that would honor the King in a way He deserves? Even if I was a millionaire, what could I lavish Him with that would be worthy enough? What could I heap upon Him that would beat in line with His heart?

Shall I play for you – pa rum pum pum pum –

on my drum?

I played my drum for Him – pa rum pum pum pum

I played my best for Him – pa rum pum pum pum

In those moments, the Lord spoke to me and showed me how I can give gifts to Him using what I do have; gifts that are worthy of a King, gifts that would still truly honor Him.

Speak kindly to your husband and your kids. (This season of life can get crazy. Boundary testing and sleep training and diaper changing and shoe tieing all on top of the holidays – don’t let it rule you. These people are your biggest blessing; let your words make them know that.)

Be patient with them. (No one is going to do things exactly as you would do them. Your husband trusts this home to you and is willing to help when needed, so show him some grace. Your kids are only little once. They’re still learning how to do things and how not to do things. Show them some grace.)

Enjoy them. (My second best gift to you is under your roof. Take delight in them. Their differences, their similarities, their quirks and their ticks. Press into those hugs and be quick to make memories.)

Spend quality time with them. (Time is ticking by, isn’t it? Let the dishes rot in the sink. Let the floors be covered in crumbs. Let the laundry go and resort to mismatched clothes. Play more dress up. Play more farm. Play more games. Read more books. Leave a legacy of the fear of the Lord, not a legacy of cleanliness.)

Spend quality time with Me. (Oh! I have much to show and teach you. About you. About Me. I long to be with you even more than you long to be with your family. Hard to fathom, yes? But it’s true. Keep carving out chunks for me and I promise to keep meeting you like I did today, too.)

Tell them what I’ve done for you. (I’ve saved you from so much and am saving you still! I don’t want mediocrity for you. I don’t want survival for you. I want life and life abundantly for you!)

These are gifts that will definitely delight Me.

Then He smiled at me – pa rum pum pum pum

Me and my drum – pa rum pum pum pum

Six simple gifts that will genuinely bless His heart and bring honor to His name. Isn’t that my goal after all? I have much to be thankful for, much to sing His praises about…and much to give in return. Happy Thanksgiving, friends! May your heart beat in line with the King of Kings and may you lift up thanks to Him today.

Pa rum pum pum pum…

A Penchant for Pretty Packages

I love giving gifts, I love wrapping gifts, I love watching little eyes light up at the sight of something pretty… I mean, who doesn’t like to tear into something thoughtfully and beautifully wrapped? Every year I do a different theme of sorts and these are some lovely inspirations I’ve had on my Pinterest boards as of late…

Burlap and jingle bells - it just says Christmas doesn't it?! — Burlap and jingle bells – it just says Christmas doesn’t it?!

Craft paper, flannel and deer. This may be my fave... — Craft paper, flannel and deer. This may be my fave…

Who doesn't love a good word search? — Who doesn’t love a good word search?

Love this chalkboard type idea... — Love this chalkboard type idea…

For the kids - how cute is this?! — For the kids – how cute is this?!

Fresh evergreen - yes. — Fresh evergreen – yes.

Newspapers and magazines - repurpose and recycle! — Newspapers and magazines – repurpose and recycle!

Toddler scribbles into bows (or wrapping paper)...love this idea! — Toddler scribbles into bows (or wrapping paper)…love this idea!

Quite possibly the perfect package?! Lots of things I love... — Quite possibly the perfect package?! Lots of things I love…

I haven’t landed on exactly what I’m doing this year, as I haven’t bought a SINGLE.GIFT….yet. Hopefully soon?! Then I can get wrapping!

That’s My Girl

I had gotten a few Christmas things out of storage this week for a MOPS event we had downtown, one of which was a little, rustic Christmas tree. I have a set of two and the smallest one wound up in the house, thanks to Sawyer. This girl LOVES “decker-ing” (decorating) and she loves Christmas – where EVER does she get those passions from?! Ahem. Needless to say, this little tree has provided lots of entertainment.

Last night, we plugged it and she went to town decker-ing it.

She decided to make the little tree, little brother’s tree and had the idea to use his toys to adorn the branches. Genius.

I particularly love the pacifier…

Daddy even helped her make a star for the top…because every good tree has to have a star on top. Just ask her; she’ll tell ya.

She was quite proud of the finished product, as was I!

She’s the sweetest little thing, that girl. People keep asking her what she wants for Christmas and all she keeps saying is, “All of us family together!” That’s my girl…

DIY: Red Hot Applesauce Jello

In the midst of all this sickness, this yummy goodness sounded tasty to me yesterday so I ventured off the couch and made a quick batch.

The first time I ever had this was at Wrex’s family’s house for Christmas one year and I fell in LOVE. It’s like Christmas in a bowl! We have perfected the recipe and its consistency over the years so here is the official recipe.

Red Hot Applesauce Jello – Makes 12+ servings

2 cups water
1 cup Red Hots (you can use Cinnamon Imperials if you can’t find Red Hots. They work….they’re just sugarier, where as the Red Hots add some spice!)
1 packet Knox Gelatin
6 ounces Raspberry Jello
1 large jar of applesauce (5-6 cups)

1.) Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a large pot.

2.) Add in 1 cup of Red Hots and boil and stir until dissolved.

3.) Slowly add in 1 packet of Knox gelatin to dissolved Red Hot mixture. Make sure to remove any clumps that may not get dissolved well. They don’t taste good. 🙂

This will help the recipe not be so soupy.

4.) Mix in 6 ounce of raspberry Jello until dissolved.

Wrex’s mom says you can use any red Jello, but we prefer raspberry.

5.) Remove from heat and then add jar of applesauce and mix well.

You can use either original or unsweetened.

6.) Pour mixture into a serving bowl and place in freezer for about 2 hours. After 2 hours, place in refrigerator. Don’t forget about this lovely stuff in the freezer; if it does freeze, the ice crystals later melt and it gets soupy and not as good.

There's a LOT of volume here so it really needs freezer time to set it. — There’s a LOT of volume here so it really needs freezer time to set it.

7.) Try not to eat the whole bowl in one sitting.

Seriously, this stuff is delish. I have a certain pregnant bestie that loves this stuff. And? I love her so much that when she came to see Wryder the weekend after he was born AND told us she was pregnant herself, I made some in my 5 day postpartum stupor. She MUST be loved. Haha

Enjoy! Let me know how you change it up and what you thought!