I don't want no rock to cry out in my place.

I WILL bless the Lord, for HE is worthy!!

And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen.

Saying, Blessed be the King that commeth in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Luke 19:37-40

Chocolate Lasagna

This is an online copycat recipe of Olive Garden's chocolate lasagna that they no longer make. There are a couple of variations you will find but I like this one because it is the easiest. Tip: a cake slicer makes cutting the layers super easy. Mine is from "Wilton" I found it at Walmart in the craft section with all their "Wilton" products. Also: Duncan Hines brand cake mix did not turn out as well the one time I tried it

Chocolate Lasagna

1 18.25 oz box devil food cake mix
1 1/4 c. water
1/3 c. oil
3 eggs

Buttercream Frosting

1 1/2 c butter - softened
4 c. powder sugar
1/4 c. milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

also needed: 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate - cut up in tiny pieces

Preheat oven to 350 deg.
1. Make cake following instructions on box. (Use box ingredients if different from above)
2. Generously grease 2 round cake pans; bake cake and cool completely.
3. Make frosting- whip the soft butter with mixer at high speed. Add two cups of the powdered sugar, mix well, then add remaining powdered sugar. Add 1/4 c. milk & vanilla, then mix on high speed 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
4. Slice through cake making a total of 4 layers.
5. Frost between each later gradually increasing amount of icing as you near the top...after frosting sprinkle each layer with semi-sweet chocolate pieces.

Store in the fridge...set out to room temp before you eat...or pop in the microwave (one slice at a time) just a couple of sec's to take chill off

Snow much Fun!!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! And it has! We have had plenty of snow this year for sled riding, snowman building and any other snow time fun you can think up. One special treat my family likes is snow cream. All you need is:
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
large bowl of snow (about 3 quarts)

Blend milk, sugar and vanilla. Stir in enough snow to make snow cream into an ice cream consistency.

There are many variations for snow cream. For example you can substitute canned cream or whipping cream instead of the milk for a heavier flavor. You could add Nestles Quik or cocoa for a chocolate snowcream. You could add a beaten egg for a nog taste. Eat it plain or add your favorite toppings - you know your family's tastes.

The most important thing is to ALWAYS - ALWAYS make sure the snow is clean. It takes at least one to two hours for snow to clean the pollutants from the air, then use only snow that has fallen after that first cleansing snow. It also goes without saying(but I will anyway), make sure you don't collect the snow where animals have been. Cleanliness first. Stress that with the kids, because this is a treat even the younger ones can make for the whole family.

Here are some pictures of the snow family that me and Bethany made this year.

For Today

Out my window....

the sun is shining, the snow is melting. After a long spell of frigid temperatures this warmer weather is very welcome. I can hear my rooster crowing and there is a flock of black birds in the field. I do believe I am getting a case of spring fever.

I am thinking....

of the blessings and the promises that God has given.

I am thankful for....

two wonderful children that I enjoy spending time with.

From the kitchen....

I am trying a new recipe today of Italian beef sandwiches. I can smell the delicious aroma coming from the crock pot. I hope they taste as good as they smell. While I wait I am sipping on some hot chocolate made in the cocoamotion hot cocoa maker. Truly a genius invention. : )

I am wearing....

my comfy clothes. A pair of gray sweats and a longs sleeve blue t-shirt.

I am creating....

a bedspread/quilt for Dakota's bed. I am unhappy with the one he has on there now. So I am making a denim quilt pieced together with squares cut from old jeans. It will have the "frayed" look. I may even make a few pillow shams to complete the look.

I am going....

nowhere! Yesterday was my day for errands. Our pantry is stocked, our freezer is full. I am a homebody and wouldn't have it any other way.

I am reading....

Christy. My mom got it for me for Christmas. We had watched the series on dvd and now I am getting to enjoy the book as well.

I am hoping....

for a little time to get my scrapbooking thoughts together.

I am hearing...

the ticking sound the wood stove makes when it is turned down on low. It is rather the irritating and I usually have to go adjust the knob so it will quit.

Around the house....

Dakota and Bethany are doing their school work. Our dog Daisy is curled up on the purple pillow sound asleep. I am doing laundry. The chore that never ends.

One of my favorite things....

is cuddling up on the couch with the kids and watching a movie.

A scripture thought....

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Phillipians 4:11

A few plans for the rest of the week....

going to my sisters to celebrate her Birthday. We are going to have a scrapbooking day, pizza, and sweets!

A few tips to.....Live well, Laugh often, Love often....in 2010

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 8 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/Her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends & family will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Check it Out

Hey everyone!!! My son has a blog. http://nocondemnation81.blogspot.com/ Be sure to check it out. He posts everyday and the topics are always from the Word of God. He has some great thoughts, so head on over there and be prepared to be encouraged!!

Advent

Celebrating Advent is a wonderful way to welcome Christmas into your heart and home.

The word Advent means "arrival". Christmas time is a season of preparing for the coming of something......or Someone. It is a time specifically set aside to ready our hearts to receive Christ, the coming King.

As Christmas nears it seems that our days get fuller. Our time is consumed with countless holiday chores, shopping, cooking, entertaining. Before we know it everything begins to run together in a blur. Advent is a way to pause and reflect on the wonderful news that God has given the world a Savior.

An advent wreath is traditionally made of evergreens symbolizing God's eternal love. Four candles - three purple and one pink - are arranged around the wreath. A white candle is placed in the center of the wreath. Each candle represents something and is to be lighted at specific times.

Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Some families gather every night for activities and others just on Sunday. My family gathers every night. We always have a devotion and pray together. Sometimes we sing or make a craft, the possibilities are endless.

Week one - The Candle of Hope. This represents the promise of a Savior. A good passage to read before lighting one purple candle for hope is Isaiah 9:6-7

Week two - The Candle of Peace. This represents the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Micah 5:2 and Luke 2:1-5. Light two purple candles this week for hope and peace.

Week three - The Candle of Joy. This represents the tidings of great joy the angels announced to the shepherds. Luke 2:8-14. Light three purple candles for hope, peace and joy.

Week Four - The Candle of Love. This represents God's love for the world when He gave His only begotten Son. John 3:16 and Luke 2:15-20. Light three purple candles for hope, peace and joy and light the pink candle for love.

Christmas Eve - The White Christmas Candle. This represents Jesus Christ as the Light of the World. Isaiah 9:2 and John 8:12. Light all candles.

So instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. Find a perfect resting place, renew your spirit and transform this year's Christmas celebration into the best ever.

Christmas Traditions

Family traditions are the glue that binds one generation to another. They give kids and parents something to look forward to, as well as something to count on during the hectic holiday season. Here is a collection of some of my families favorite Christmas traditions.

Each year I get Dakota and Bethany a new Christmas ornament. The night we decorate our tree they get to open their ornament gift. They are the first ornaments hung on the tree each year. I try to get something that reflects something in their life. Bethany loves American Girls so for the last few years she has gotten an American Girl ornament. Last year Dakota got a mini guitar ornament and this year I found the cutest duck ornaments made out of metal. I just had to get him five, one to represent each of his 5 pet ducks. When the time comes for my children to move out and start a life of their own I will give them their collection of ornaments so they will have a nice start for their own tree.

We always string popcorn and cranberries for our tree. Our Christmas tree is not complete until we get the last strand on. We string our popcorn while watching a Christmas movie. I do believe that we eat just as much if not more than we string.

On Christmas Eve, my family and my sister's family gather together at mom's for Christmas dinner and presents. We always eat first and then before opening presents we read the Christmas story out of the Bible. This was a tradition that began with my dad. He would sit and we would all listen to him read. He is no longer with us, and my mom now sits in the same chair he did and reads the scriptures to us.

Another tradition that we have is praying on Christmas morning before the kids open their presents. On Christmas morning we gather together for a moment of prayer and thanksgiving before heading to the tree for presents. Jesus is the reason for the season and I want my children to know that it is not the presents, the tinsel, or the tree...but Christ.

Favorite Christmas Movies

For me, the best way to start off the holiday season is by breaking out the Christmas movies. We have quite a collection of them. I thought I would share my favorites. They are in no particular order. I could never pick just one favorite. lol

Miracle on 34th Street

Whether you are watching the 1947 version or the 1994 version, this movie is the only proof you need that Santa really does exist!

Frosty the Snowman

A childhood favorite!!!

Christmas with the Kranks

If you are thinking of skipping Christmas this is the one for you!

A Walton's Homecoming

This is the pilot, the movie that began the series we all love. I will warn you though, there are a few characters that are not the same as the ones in the series.

The Santa Clause

If you are going to watch this one you might as well make it a marathon and watch all the Santa Clause movies with Tim Allen. There are three all together and they are all awesome.



The Christmas Shoes
Grab a box of Kleenex's and enjoy this heartwarming tear jerker!

It's a Wonderful Life

A Classic!!! No holiday is complete without it.

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Even after my kids are gone this is one I will still watch every holiday season!

The Nativity Story
This is a great movie on what Christmas is really all about.

The Polar Express

Love it!

A Smokey Mountain Christmas

You've got to look past the poor acting on this one. The songs are wonderful and the thought of spending Christmas in a cabin in the Smokey Mountains makes it worth the watch!

The Grinch

We always watch the old cartoon version and end with this movie. Jim Carrey is always hilarious!

Elf

This is great! A family favorite. We quote sayings from this movie all season!

Almond Bark Cookies

Me and Bethany made cookies today. Actually, they are not cookies, they are crackers. All you need is a box of round crackers, some peanut butter and almond bark. Put some peanut butter between two crackers, dip it in the melted almond bark, lay on wax paper until the almond bark hardens and you have a yummy treat!!