Countdown to Christmas – Day 14

Today for our Advent Activity, we decorated the living room! Okay, that’s not what it said on our ornament, but that’s what we had time for. We were going to have a family game night, but other things needed to be taken care of, like our poor naked Christmas tree.

I got Tim to take Nate to the store, since he needed to go anyway and having an 18-month-old around is not helpful when decorating with glass ornaments.

Kahlen and I had a lovely time. I even showed her how to use the camera (not the nice one)

Stole Borrowed an idea from a friend. Got the plastic balls at Target in the dollar section, swell.

(Kahlen took this one too)

I must go de-crumb the living room now, we’re still battling a mouse issue here :(

~S

Daily Photo – December 14th

Kahlen helping to decorate. ~S

Tasty Tuesday – Cranberry Cinnamon Bars

Welcome to another week of Tasty Tuesday here at The Young'ns!
There’s a recipe index under the food tab above if you’re ever looking for a recipe I’ve already blogged.
Every Monday, I plan on trying a new recipe. If it goes well, that’s what I’ll be posting on Tasty Tuesday. If not, I’ll post a tried and true (i.e. something I don’t have to think about too hard) ;)

I made these a few weeks ago to rave reviews. If you’ve ever made magic cookie bars from the back of a can of sweetened condensed milk, these are very similar, but with a nice holiday-ish twist.

Cranberry Cinnamon Chip Bars
Recipe by Our Best Bites

{Ingredients}

• 1/2 C (1 stick) real butter, melted
• 1 1/2 C graham cracker crumbs
• 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 1/4 C shredded coconut
• 1 C cinnamon chips
• 1 C white chocolate chips
• 1/2 C chopped pecans
• 1/2 C dried cranberries

{Directions}

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Pour butter into a 9x13" pan and spread with spatula to cover the entire bottom of pan.  Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over butter and spread into an even layer.  Press down gently with fingertips. 
• Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over graham cracker crumbs.  Continue with the remaining ingredients: cinnamon chips, white chips, pecans, and cranberries, sprinkling each in an even layer.  Press down gently with fingertips over entire pan.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and slightly golden on top.  Let cool completely before cutting.
• Be sure to share, and definitely don’t eat them for breakfast or you could. I did, yummy!

~S

Linking up at

Menu Plan Monday – December 13th

  
I have a recipe index, just for recipes that I’ve blogged about. You can find it by going to the food tab above.

I’ve had a plan for the last few weeks, just haven’t gotten around to posting it. December has been a little crazy!!

Here's the plan for this week:
Mix-it up Monday (something new) ~ Pizza for Mystery Shop, hooray for free food! 
Taco Tuesday (Mexican or Oriental) ~ Rice & Peas with Fauxtisserie Chicken
Wow Wednesday (Date night or something like restaurant food) ~ Date Night – hopefully out to either Texas Roadhouse or On The Border for a mystery shop
Simple Thursday (Crockpot or less than 30 min prep)~ Cheesy Hamburger Soup
Favorite Friday (A family favorite) ~ Taco Soup 
Lazy Saturday (leftover buffet) ~ Leftovers
Saucy Sunday (Italian) ~ No Fuss Potato Soup

Come visit me for Tasty Tuesday for some more deliciousness.
So, what are you having for dinner this week?
Link up at Menu Plan Monday over at I'm an Organizing Junkie or leave me a comment!
~S

C0untdown to Christmas – Day 13

Today for our Advent Activity we read a story that my MIL got for us two years ago. It’s a  pretty good story, slightly bent toward my in-law’s particular faith, but nothing I disagree with. 

It’s starts with Santa Claus overhearing a conversation that two women are having. They say that it’s his fault that Christ is being pushed out of Christmas. This makes him sad, and questioning his role. He goes to the church he visits every year after he drops off his toys, but sits in the very back row. He’s then visited by God who reminds him of all the good things he has done for Him, briefly outlining the life of St. Nicholas. It ends with Santa kneeling before the nativity scene.

It also came with a figurine, which we bring out every year. This year, it’s up on top of the stereo.

I guess at my in-laws’ house back in the day, they had one of these too, and my sister-in-law colored it with a sharpie. Which is why it will stay up high for now ;)

At our house, Santa Claus fills the stockings on Christmas Eve. How do you handle the question of Santa at your house?

~S

Daily Photo – December 13th

At the tree lot

~S

Countdown to Christmas – Day 12

Almost didn’t make it today! We decided sort of last minute to invite my in-laws over for dinner, so there was a small flurry of activity to get ready for that. After they got here, I decided we could do our craft anyway. Then I couldn’t find the beads for the project and realized I had left them at my mom’s :( I improvised.

So here’s our version of beaded pipe cleaner candy canes: Nana decided to make one too :)

We also got our tree today, it’s up but not decorated

Aw, isn’t it cute? It’s a little shorty this year. Last year we had a huge one and hubby wasn’t really a fan. He does like that it will be so much easier to clean up after because of the new floors though. Hopefully we’ll get to decorating tomorrow!

~S