Awsome Backwood Bracelets

I  just love what I see the guys at https://www.facebook.com/BackwoodsBraceletBros make. They have wonderful bracelets, chokers, and the key chains below. Now I don't have any affiliation with these guys but I seen a lot of wonderful creations and just had to share it.

 

"A photo of the Paracord Cross Keychains with the Breast Cancer Ribbon Pin I have made this week in a variety of colors these go for $10.99 with the Ribbon Charm without the Charm they are going for $8.99 let us know if we can help you out, Prices are subject to change! "

 

 

 

Now I think this black and white bracelet is my favorite so far. I just has that awsome classy look that I just so love.

 

 

 

I even asked my boys ages 11 and 14, they said they like some of these too. My oldest likes the blue and black while the youngest digs any reds one. So these are wonderful for both boys and girls. 



Toys for 2012 Christmas year

I've looked at many of the list from the stores. Then I went to my children and asked them what is really hot. They are both boys ages 11 and 14. I took their list and placed the top five items on the list.

http://www.listmyfive.com/2a963ed7/The-Top-Five-Toys-For-2012

Please share with us what your children are interested in this year along with some ages, it will help parents with ideas for their or other children the same age with gift ideas.

Chicken Noodle Soup and Dumplings

Not quite about Christmas but Christmas has me thinking about the cold air and snow that some of us get.  However noodle soup and dumpling is the perfect meal to warm up or to help someone feel better when they have a cold.

http://notecook.com/soup/chicken-noodle-soup-and-dumplings/

I learned to make Chicken Noodle soup and Dumplings from my mother when I was learning to cook. This is not the traditional dumplings that I see most people make. I have heard of this type of dumpling referred to a depression dumpling. When a little extra chicken flavoring is added to the dumpling it is just so wonderful. I still prefer the Ms. Grass brand of soup, thankfully my parents bring it down when they visit from Ohio or else I had to order it online, but amazon does carry it.

WinterFest in Sevierville, TN

I am going to be very sad about missing the winterfest this year. If you get a chance go out tonight and see them. It is from 3 pm to 8 pm. They do this every year.

Here is a picture from their facebook page.

This is a spot where they have decorated tree, crafts for kids, and picture with Santa. Outside the have games, talent show, bounce houses, free food and drinks and many local merchants. And the best part IT IS ALL FREE. Yes Free fun for the whole family. It does get very crowded but this is located close to down town, the library, and one of the school so there is lots of parking. They even have handicap parking at the Sevierville community center, which is right next door to where this is at.

This is done every year at the Municipal complex. It the kick off to turning on all the Christmas lights. They end they festival with fireworks and then everyone can head out and see all the neat Christmas light all over town. The festival is amazing and fun.

If you are like me and are going to miss this year winterfest, just remember they do this each year and plan to attend next years Winterfest. They have a calendar of events listed on their web page to help with planning.

Family Christmas Newsletter

Want to save on stamps and Christmas cards this year. Post your family Christmas newsletter online. Send links to your family and friends or post a link on Facebook.

One free site for posting a holiday newsletter is Squidoo. Here are tips for composing a dynamic family newsletter using Squidoo. http://www.squidoo.com/christmas-newsletter-on-squidoo

You'll still want to send regular Christmas card to great-aunt Millie, but you'll save a bundle by using an online Christmas newsletter for your family and friends who use the Internet.

2012 Spirit of Giving

Wonderful winter snow came early this year to Tennessee. Sadly I couldn’t get out and enjoy the snow, but I highly enjoyed all the picture of the snow. I am hoping we get even more snow this year. Sorry fellow Tennesseans but I still love the snow. The cold doesn’t like my bones, but it is still worth it.

Christmas this year is going to be very different for many families. Every year many children are used to waking up and seeing the abundance that Santa brought. Now Sandy has pulled on the heart strings of us all. I had to shut the TV news off and avoid going to yahoo’s main page right now. It is just too sad. This year is a good year to get the children involved in the spirit of giving.

After all the true meaning of Christmas is love, kindness, family, laughter, cheer, happiness, and the gift of giving. What is the gift of giving? It’s a wonderful feeling that a person gets when they help another person, no matter how little. A simple card can brighten up someone day. A prayer or sending good wishes for someone’s family can help them to heal and bring them joy. While many people are helping out and trying to help out the Red Cross with needed items; we’ll have to work even harder this year to be frugal.

For many, instead of the abundance under the tree, they are going to work on a few main things the kids want. Then, if possible, help out another family who has less. To find a family to help you can contact toys for tots, local churches, department of human service, or the Red Cross. The 211.org site can also help match you up with people/organizations who my need help.

Apple Crumb Cupcakes

Sitting around thinking of finger foods that we can make ahead of time for Christmas day. In our family we like to have snacks and finger food on Christmas day so we can spend the time with the children and playing games or with toys. We often have nice feast so this is one day we like to be focused on family and children instead of food.

Apple Crumb Cupcakes

I want to have an apple crumb cupcakes this year. It an appie pie without the crust and the top crust is just sprinkled on. (Great for those who don't like the crust as much as the filling). An applie pie isn't finger food, but what if they were made in cupcake foil? Now my favorite desert is in perfect serving sizes and can be quickly grapped but ate with a fork. Well not quite finger food, but it'll do.

There are many apple crumb pies recipes on the internet. Pick one, but make without a bottom crust and place into the cubcake foils. I can't wait to have some this year. Keep an eye on those cupcakes. They will cook faster then a large pie.

Christmas, Love or Commercialism

Well black Friday done and over with, we hear lots of horror stories of people getting hurt and acting crazy. With the crazy bills racking up and the stories of the people requesting more expensive gifts. Is Christmas about love or commercialism?

In my opinion Christmas in only commercialism if the families allow to be. Christmas gifts are nice, but it is not the main focus of Christmas. Christmas is about being nice, be kind to everyone you meet, being with friends and family, and remembrance of God and Jesus. Regardless of the a person's religious belief, Christmas is about good.

TV Commercials for black Friday left me in shock. One showed a person reaching into another person's cart for gift. When people see this they think it happens all the time. For some, it may validate that this behavior is acceptable, when it is not.

The cost of Christmas should fit in your budget and be determined by you. If someone wish list doesn't fit in your budget, then pick something else that does. If you just don't have the funds for gifts, then give Christmas by giving time and/or helping. Being with family on Christmas (no matter if it Christmas day or a Christmas party) is the best gift of all.

Many people are loosing the focus on Christmas and missing that Christmas spirit. Christmas spirit is found in love, kindness, and giving. Giving doesn't have to be money.

Don't let commercialism ruin Christmas. Stay within your budget, show love and kindness, and enjoy Christmas.

Christmas Cookie Exchange Party

Cookie Exchange Parties are a wonderful way to get a nice varity of cookies for Christmas. Basically the cookie exchange party works great when you bake five dozen cookies. Then you keep one dozen and get with four friends and swap cookies. You get their yummy cookies and they get yours.

This is also a good time to pull out any craft holiday item you may make and make some extra cash. Some people take kitchen towel and pot holder, sew them together with a button so the towel can be easily hung on the over door and not fall off. Its a win / win situation. An exchange of cookies and a chance to sell your Christmas crafts.

Christmas Food / Food Safety

Thanksgiving is now behind us and we all ready getting ready for Christmas. Some lucky people, Me including this year, already have their Christmas shopping done. Others will be searching and rushing to find the perfect gifts. Although the Thanksgiving feast is behind us, the Christmas feast is yet to come.

The is one thing that is often forgotten as the family brings their favorite food together, food allergies. My mother has a problem eating onion, which can be a real problem. Often she will eat something without seeing the onion and ends us with stomach problem later. Family get together can quickly turning in to an awfully night with tummy troubles or worse yet an allergic reaction.

Family members should speak up if they have allergic reaction. Then the food that contains anything someone is allergic needs to be labeled so they know to stay away from that dish. As a host, it would also be a good idea to check with people and see if they have any food allergies. Benadryl should also be kept on hand in case of a reaction. The person my still need medical help, but the Benadryl will help.

My son is allergic to shellfish. While eating at a buffet, he started turning red and said he didn't feel good. He was eating pizza. I quickly got him Benadryl and a few minutes later he was all better. The pizza had shrimp in it. As time goes his allergic reaction seems to get worse with each oops of shellfish.

While enjoying the Christmas season, I hope everyone will have a wonderful and safe Christmas.