Kids in the Holiday Kitchen
Kids in the Holiday Kitchen: Making, Baking, Giving
The holidays are a time when everyone just wants to create. Weather it be crafts, gifts or yummy treats to eat- the time that we get to spend together is so much better spent when we get our hands sticky, right!? Kids (and even adults) of all ages will find some eye-catching pictures in Kids in the Holiday Kitchen, pictures that will reel them right in to want to make the recipes/crafts. From the Stuffed French Toast (on page 14), the Sugarplum Lollies (p. 36) to the crafts of Stellar (felted) Stockings (p. 81) and the Let There Be Light (colourful beeswax candle) (p. 88) there is more than enough so that everyone in the family will find a "must make".
These projects are made to be kid friendly and most kids preschool age and older could do a portion of the work with a parent helper. Older kids could do them completely by themselves. It is a way that children can take ownership of making their gifts for their teachers, aunts or that special friend that needs a little encouragement. It is never to early to encourage giving and Kids in the Holiday Kitchen encourages a season of giving all year round, even from the littlest hands. This books gets two thumbs way up from me. I am leaving you with a recipe from the book that would be perfect for your New Year's celebrations!! Yum.
New Year's Nuggets
Chocolate-Caramel Popcorn, from Kids in the Holiday Kitchen (p. 45)
You'll Need:
1/2 Cup Dried Yellow Popcorn
Scant 1/4 Cup Water
3 Tablespoons Canola Oil (optional)
1/4 teaspoon orange extract (optional)
1 Cup Sugar
8 Ounces Milk Chocolate
1/2 Cup Light Corn Syrup
What to do:
1. Pop the popcorn.
2. Line several cookie sheets with parchment paper.
3. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and water. Heat over medium-high heat until golden brown, and 5 minutes. Stir gently, add the orange extract, if using, stir again. Add some of the popcorn and coat it with the caramel. use a wooden utensil to help coat the corn. Place the coated kernels on the parchment paper to cool. Repeat.
4. When cool, break up the clumps of caramel corn, keeping the corn clumps on the parchment.
5. Heat the chocolate over low heat in the top of a double boiler, or in a metal bowl over a saucepan filled with 1 inch of hot water (creating your own double boiler). Heat the chocolate until it's smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Make sure the chocolate doesn't burn.
6. Fill a ladle with the melted chocolate and lightly drizzle over the caramel corn. Let the chocolate caramel corn cool for 30 to 45 minutes. To make gifts, put small batches in cellophane bags; otherwise, wrap in parchment paper and keep in a Tupperware container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Makes 4 Cups
Watch Chronicle Book's Kids in the Holiday Kitchen book trailer:
Title: Kids in the Holiday Kitchen
ISBN: 9780811861397
Subtitle: Making, Baking, Giving
Author: Jessica Strand & Tammy Massman-Johnson
Photographer: James Baigrie
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Subject:Holiday - Christmas, Crafts for Children, Handicraft, Recipes
Publication Date: November 2008
Pages: 95
I am an affiliate of TOMS SHOES and Powell’s Books and I do receive a percentage of the sales of any item you buy using my links. Thank you!
A Homemade Recipe for Natural Shampoo
At our house we are all different- as far as hair that is. I have dreadlocks, my husband has thick curly hair, Oliver has really fine kid hair and Jackson has thick blond hair.So finding a shampoo that would work for us all didn't even seem to be an option so I just stopped thinking about it. Then one day I decided that I wanted to make my own for dreadlocks, because dreadlock specialty soap is stinkin' spendy! Brad wanted to try it too, and then the boys- by mistake I have brought us all together under one uniting shampoo!
I looked around for a bit and found some good ideas on natural hair care here, and was excited to see that she was using tons of other ideas that I already loved-such as the coconut oil, I just can't get enough of that stuff!!
After a bit of browsing, I came up with this recipe and it works for all of us. Since we are trying to simplify one shampoo for us all is a good step to take. Before this we used the Burt's Bees tear free for the boys, no-residue dreadlock shampoo for me, and Brad used an anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner. We've eliminated all of those (well the boys are still finishing up their last bottle of Burt's) and now just have this nifty spray bottle thingy. We all love the lather that comes out of this green bottle, and knowing what is in our products makes life even better.
It works so well for Brad and I, it isn't anti-dandruff and (as I predicted) he hasn't had a problem with dandruff in the last 3 months since our switch-over.
A Homemade Recipe for Natural Shampoo
1/4 Cup Water
3/4 Cup Lavender Doctor Bronner's Multi-Purpose Soap
4 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
1 teaspoon of Glycerin
6 Drops Tea Tree Oil
6 Drops Lavender Oil
6 Drops Ylang Ylang Oil
Combine all in a bowl or Pyrex measuring container (I use the one with the spout for easy pouring). Stir together and then pour into your spray bottle. These can be purchased anywhere. I got this one at Bi-Mart. You are done, now go wash your hair!
This recipe can be tweaked to meet your needs, it will leave your hair with more of its natural oils in it as it is not a commercial shampoo meant to strip all oils out of your hair- however if you find it just too much leave out the glycerin the next time around.
Also check out my Homemade Bath Salts Recipes!
If you make this recipe, or have your own-please share! I'd love to hear from you.
I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas
There are so many things about Christmas that are fabulous, with spending time with the family, and eating good food at the top. However Christmas can be a very wasteful holiday- if we aren't keeping an eye out that is. What to do about that? I've got a book for you! I'm Dreaming of A Green Christmas has some very practical solutions to go and green up your Christmas. I'm Dreaming of A Green Christmas includes solutions for green holiday home decor, how to save energy, delightful new recipes, homemade craft ideas (to keep or to gift), pretty green wrapping options, and all the info you need to enable your own family to celebrate a green Christmas in style not giving up any of the glam (unless you really do still like tinsel).
Green looks better, local/organic tastes better so it is all around the best choice. If you are a green fanatic already, or just need the ideas and tips to get you there, I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas is your book! There are so many ideas that would work perfect year-round as well.
I love the VS. sections in this book, one of them being The Party Line On Cloth vs. Paper Napkins, you shouldn't have to think to hard to know that it would be greener to launder your napkins rather than throw them away. I really don't like cloth napkins, or I haven't in the past. I just didn't feel like they got my hands really wiped off at all. However it was because the napkin fabric used was more for decoration rather than to clean your hands. A stout cotton fabric would do the trick for sure. I am on a mission now to make myself some good napkins that we could use, maybe even with personalised embroidery for each family member (Lets see how ambitious I am feeling when I actually get to making them though!). I'll get back to you on that.
There is a recipe in I'm Dreaming of A Green Christmas that I just HAVE to share. I'll leave you with it:
Chai Hot Cocoa With Whipped Cream
For the Chai Hot Cocoa:
3 Cups Milk
1 Cup water
3 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
2 Tablespoons Sugar (optional, sugar to taste)
2 Cinnamon Sticks
5 Cardamom Pods
1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
Pinch Cayenne Pepper
Pinch Ground Cloves
2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
4 Ounces of Bittersweet Chocolate
For The Whipped Cream:
2 Cups Heavy Cream
2 Tablespoons Sugar
1+1/2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
To Make The Chai Hot Cocoa:
1. Combine the milk, water, cocoa powder, sugar (if using), cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, ginger, cayenne, cloves, and vanilla in a large saucepan. Heat over medium heat until scalding. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes, then strain into a bowl or pitcher.
2. Transfer the milk back to the sauce-pan and heat over medium-high heat to scalding. Add the chocolate and stir for 5 minutes, just until chocolate is melted.
3. Strain again and pour into 4 mugs. Top with a dollop of whipped cream.
To Make the Whipped Cream:
1. Place a mixing bowl and the beaters of an electric mixer in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 15 minutes.
2. Pour the cream, sugar, vanilla and salt into the chilled bowl and whip on high speed until soft peaks form.
I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas Book Deets:
Title: I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas
ISBN:9780811867672
Subtitle:Gifts, Decorations, and Recipes That Use Less and Mean More
Author: Anna Getty
Photographer: Ron Hamad
Publisher:Chronicle Books
Subjects: Seasonal
Entertaining - General
Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah
Handicraft
Pages: 180
Publication Date: September 2009
I am an affiliate of TOMS SHOES and Powell’s Books and I do receive a percentage of the sales of any item you buy using my links. Thank you!
I Heart TOMS SHOES and You Should Too.
It started a couple of months ago. When I really debated back and forth weather to put an add up for anything on my blog. Then Recently I have put up adds for two different companies that I love Powell's Books (which you have heard my gush over time and time again) and now TOMS SHOES. I heart TOMS, really heart the company the mission and the practical side of the "one for one" slogan. That means that for every pair of shoes that I buy (or you buy) here, one pair is donated to a child in a nation where they are not able to afford shoes. Wearing shoes is not a requirement as much as food or water, however shoes really do help with disease.
Watch the following video and see what you think, I think they are fab and I (someday soon) hope to get my own pair. However, not yet because I currently have shoes that work and fit and we are trying to be mindful by not purchasing clothing items unless our other ones are worn out. I will resist that urge to scrape my feet and speed up the process. Anyway, watch the clip, Toms- a great gift for that special person on your list.
Head on over and check out the TOMS SHOES website, there are so many spectacular shoes there, all different and all amazing. For me to want to clutter up my site with adds, the company has to be killer, this one is- no question.
I am an affiliate of TOMS SHOES and Powell’s Books and I do receive a percentage of the sales of any item you buy using my links. Thank you!
Ecoholic
Ecoholic: Your Guide to the Most Environmentally Friendly Information, Products, and Services
by Adria Vasil
371 Pages
Non-Fiction
Reference: Sustainable living, Home economics, Environmental awareness
W. W. Norton & Company
April 2009
I was looking for a book that told me if putting toilet paper in the trash or in the toilet was better/worse, if it is better to have a this chemical or that one in my coffee, and then Ecoholic was plunked into my hands! It is a complete guide to how to best take care of yourself, your home, your children and your planet all at the same time. Living sustainably can be very complicated, as it seems like the professionals are all on conflicting sides. Paper or plastic? Oh, wait-none! Because of the confusion it is easy to want to check out and just keep doing as you are doing, I get that and that is exactly what I did. Still I was curious, what effect does it really have if we all convert to the fluorescent bulbs, when they do last longer but contaminate the landfills with mercury? Those kinds of questions and a BILLION more will be answered in this book.
As for the kids, and health and being environmentally friendly- how could that ever work?? We want it and we want it now, and then our kids pick that up faster than this years Christmas toy. Ecoholic is excellent at providing answers for all of your questions of what is safe for everyone involved.
The table of contents includes: Bathroom Confidential, What Not To Wear, Green's Anatomy, Food for Thought, No Kidding Around, Homeward Bound, Home Improvement, Outer Space, I Get Around, It's All Fun and Games, You work Hard For Your Money (So You Better Green It Right), Big Issues. In each of these chapters Adria Vasil goes to great detail in giving you the skinny on the big picture.
I really enjoyed this book, well maybe enjoyed isn't the right term. I appreciate it. It really has brought me to a much better understanding of what I should watch for in the products I buy, what I should eat and what I should wash my hair with. I have made some big changes after reading Ecoholic. We now all use homemade or organic soaps and shampoos. Almost all of our food is organic. We think about what we buy and how it affects our planet. This isn't just a good book, it is one of those you can keep in your library and bust out for a stellar explanation of the way things are. Put it on your Christmas list, everyone should have a copy.
I am a Powell’s affiliate and I do receive a percentage of the sales of any book you buy using my links. Thank you!
Jesse Tree for Advent!!
We've celebrated the Christmas season with an advent Jesse tree for the last 3 years. Each year it gets better! This is my post from the first year we did it in, I am sharing again in case you are interested in doing it too. Here is a link to all my ornaments in my Flickr album: Jesse Tree Ornaments
As Christians, Christmas should be a huge celebration. Not in the commercial way of buying as many presents as we can for as many as we can...but in meaningful celebrations with our families and in our hearts. Our joy at celebrating Christ's birth should be infectious. I love this season, I start listening to Christmas music in early November- and most of the time I can't quit until late January. It is a time meant for families to gather around and share of the most amazing miracle of all time: when God come to earth in the form of a baby- a human. God stripped Himself of all his power to be like us, thus tipping the scale in our favour. Without this amazing birth, we would still be lost, still offering the sacrifices of animals that could never cover our sins.
The meaning of Jesse Tree is from the verses in the bible in 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and then Isaiah 11:1-10. The following section of the verse speaks of the Christ coming to the world by way of Jesse, and his descendants- thus the "Tree of Jesse".
1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
3 His delight is in the fear of the LORD,
And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,
Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,
And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,
And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,
And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
10 “ And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,
Who shall stand as a banner to the people;
For the Gentiles shall seek Him,
And His resting place shall be glorious.” -Isaiah 11:1-5 +10
The Jesse Tree is intended to guide you through the 29 days that lead up to Christmas as a journey towards a deeper understanding of all that took place leading up to the birth of Christ through the Old Testament and then into the beginning of the New Testament. Each evening before bed we do the scripture reading for that day and then the boys take turns getting to hang the specified ornament on the tree. They beg for it to be "time for the Jesse Tree" and love it when it is their turn to hang the ornament. We did it last year for the first time and I learned so much. It deepens my faith in Christ each time. Going through the scripture of all the ancestors that lead up to Christ and seeing all the prophesies fulfilled to the letter really build our faith. We look forward to doing it every year as a tradition of the true meaning of Christmas with our family.
Table of Scripture Readings and Ornaments for The Jesse Tree
Click on the links to get to the ornament that I made to represent the symbol. That way, you can get an idea of what to make for your Jesse Tree Advent Celebration. Or if you want to see all of my ornaments go to my Jesse Tree Flickr album.
(I grabbed this table from The Voice it was the most detailed that I have found )
Table of Scripture Readings for the Story
| Date | Persons | Events/Themes | Scripture | Symbols |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Sunday |
Introduction of the Jesse Tree | 1 Sam 16:1-13 Isa 11:1-10 |
The Tree | |
| Mon Wk 1 |
God | Creation | Gen 1:1-2:3 | Dove |
| Tues Wk 1 |
Adam and Eve | The First Sin | Gen 2:4-3:24 | Tree with Fruit or Apple |
| Wed Wk 1 |
Noah | The Flood | Gen 6:11-22, 7:17-8:12, 20-9:17 | Rainbow or Ark |
| Thur Wk 1 |
Abraham | The Promise | Gen 12:1-7, 15:1-6 | Field of Stars |
| Friday Wk 1 |
Isaac | Offering of Isaac | Gen 22:1-19 | Ram |
| Sat Wk 1 |
Jacob | Assurance of the Promise |
Gen 27:41-28:22 | Ladder |
| Second Sunday |
Joseph | God's Providence | Gen 37, 39:1-50:21 | Sack of Grain or Coat |
| Mon Wk 2 |
Moses | God's Leadership | Exod 2:1-4:20 | Burning Bush |
| Tues Wk 2 |
Israelites | Passover and Exodus |
Exod 12:1-14:31 | Lamb |
| Wed Wk 2 |
God | Giving the Torah at Sinai |
Exod 19:1-20:20 | Tablets of the Torah |
| Thur Wk 2 |
Joshua | The Fall of Jericho | Josh 1:1-11, 6:1-20 | Ram's Horn Trumpet |
| Fri Wk 2 |
Gideon | Unlikely Heroes | Judg 2:6-23, 6:1-6, 11-8:28 | Clay Water Pitcher |
| Sat Wk 2 |
Samuel | The Beginning of the Kingdom |
1 Sam 3:1-21, 7:1-8:22, 9:15-10:9 | Crown |
| Third Sunday |
David | A Shepherd for the People |
1 Sam 16:1-23-17:58, 2 Sam 5:1-5, 7:1-17 |
Shepherd's Crook or Harp |
| Mon Wk 3 |
Elijah | The Threat of False Gods |
1 Kng 17:1-16, 18:17-46 | Stone Altar |
| Tues Wk 3 |
Hezekiah | Faithfulness and Deliverance | 2 Kng 18:1-19:19, 32-37 | An Empty Tent |
| Wed Wk 3 |
Isaiah | The Call to Holiness | Isa 1:10-20, 6:1-13, 8:11-9:7 | Fire Tongs with Hot Coal |
| Thur Wk 3 |
Jeremiah | The Exile | Jer 1:4-10, 2:4-13, 7:1-15, 8:22-9:1-11 | Tears |
| Fri Wk 3 |
Habakkuk | Waiting | Hab 1:1-2:1, 3:16-19 | Stone Watchtower |
| Sat Wk 3 |
Nehemiah | Return and Rebuilding |
Neh 1:1-2:8, 6:15-16, 13:10-22 | City Wall |
| Fourth Sunday |
John the Baptist | Repentance | Luke 1:57-80, 3:1-207:18-30 | Scallop Shell |
| Mon Wk 4 |
Mary | The Hope for a Future |
Luke 1:26-38 | White Lily |
| Tues Wk 4 |
Elizabeth | Joy | Luke 1:39-56 | Mother and Child |
| Wed Wk 4 |
Zechariah | Anticipation | Luke 1:57-80 | Pencil and Tablet |
| Thurs Wk 4 |
Joseph | Trust | Matt 1:19-25 | Carpenter's Square or Hammer |
| Fri Wk 4 |
Magi | Worship | Matt 2:1-12 | Star or Candle |
| Dec 24 |
Jesus | Birth of the Messiah | Luke 2:1-20 | Manger |
| Dec 25 |
Christ | The Son of God | John 1:1-18 | Chi-Rho Symbol |
Just so you know, this is our third year with the Jesse Tree tradition, and I still have 5 ornaments left to make! Be easy on yourself, the ornaments are great for the kids and to remember- but not mandatory for a good devotional time with the family around the tree. I did some the first year, another bunch of ornaments the second year.
What Christmas traditions are you doing with your family? Did your family do any with you when you were young that you are continuing?
Gathering Together: Family & Friends
Spending time with family and friends is a special treat, especially when it involves a farm, copious amounts of food, cheerful banter, and a good sized wood stove to keep the temperature nice nice and cozy. First we talk, get acquainted and re-acquainted (depending on the situation) later we chow down and when finally the most reluctant of quitters push their chairs away from the table we head on out for a walk to explore the green farm trails and pastures. Family and friends, there is nothing quite like a day spent with them, nothing.
What are your family gatherings like? Do you have a favourite dish made in steadfast tradition by that certain relative?
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I (adoringly) HEART—>
