Christmas Joy and Culture Building

We, as women, are in a very unique position in building culture. As keepers of the home, we have the glorious task of shaping and making the people in our care. This takes on special meaning and weight during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

The Advent and Christmas seasons are a time of great anticipation - a time of looking forward to and then celebrating our coming King. We are in the distinct position of putting hands and feet on this. If we are intentional, we can train our people in joy. We can spread joy around like glitter with special activities, treats, and foods. We can give our people a small taste of eternity in the here and now.

We don't do this to gain glory for ourselves - to have beautiful crafts, delicious treats, and charming photos to share on social media. We don't do this as an end to itself, like our annual material overindulgence. We do this because our God is love and His coming is joyous. This is the training ground where we learn to look in anticipation to the coming of the Lord and learn to celebrate His coming.

If we are not careful, we can see these activities, foods, and the like as small and insignificant - not that important. Nothing could be further from the truth! Luke 13:20-21 says that the kingdom of God is like leaven - such a small thing. As anyone who has made bread knows, it takes a tiny bit of yeast to grow great loaves of bread. It is precisely these "little things" that take hold in our souls & the souls of our children that grow and spread, expand God's kingdom and establish culture. We sow these things in faith knowing God will grow our small offerings into big things in our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, our church community, and His kingdom at large.

This won't look the same for every family. Build your culture in your home. Start where you are, being careful not to compare your beginning with someone else's middle. You can certainly use others' ideas as a jumping off point. But, if your family doesn't like gingerbread, don't force it. If they aren't into crafts, find something that brings joy to the family God has given you. If there's a treat you love and they don't, give it up joyfully. Hold all things loosely. There should be an attitude of "get to" not "have to." We are building anticipation and celebration, not dread. If you aren't sure where to start, ask your husband, your family, or other ladies in the community. 

So ladies, this Advent and Christmas season, fill your homes with wonderful scents and tastes. Swell its walls with love and laughter. Spread joy. Grow God's kingdom, looking forward in faith to the growing kingdom God promises to bring about with our tiny offerings of cookies, games, glitter, and colorful packages.

 

Stove top Candied Walnuts

 

Ingredients 

¼ cup white sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon cinnamon 

2 tablespoons vanilla

2 cups walnut halves

2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

• Prepare baking sheet or tray lined with parchment paper. Set aside.
• In a skillet or pot over medium heat, combine brown sugar, white sugar, butter, salt, cinnamon and vanilla. Stir occasionally. It will start turning into a dark syrup once the butter has melted and sugar caramelized. Once the sugar is no longer grainy, reduce heat to low and stir in the walnuts.
• Quickly stir walnuts until evenly coated. Try to separate each walnut while stirring. This is easily done if walnuts are not overcrowded.
• Pour candied walnuts on prepared tray with parchment paper. Quickly separate walnuts before the caramel hardens using two wooden spoons. 
• Allow walnuts to cool completely. Break apart any remaining clumps. Store in an airtight container for up to three weeks.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bites

1 cup oats (uncooked)

1 cup creamy peanut butter

3 scoops vanilla protein powder

2 TBSP honey

4 TBSP mini chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Use a small scoop to scoop out and form into a ball. Enjoy!

Yield 16 bites

Per one bite:

154 calories

12.8g carbs

9.8g fat

6.6g protein

2g fiber

 

Crockpot Freezer Meals

 As be begin the process of doing some home remodeling, I began to realize that I would need to get creative to keep us fed and within our grocery budget (i.e. not eating out).  Not only would I have to come up with meals that could be assembled ahead of time and frozen, but ideally, they would also use the Crockpot in case the kitchen remodel prevented me from using the oven. Due to some dietary restrictions, the recipes below are the ones on which I landed.

The plan is to prep and freeze them in freezer bags, doubling each recipe, so that I will, ideally have enough meals for around a month.

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup from The Family Freezer

Crockpot Balsamic Chicken with Pears and Mushrooms from Once a Month Meals

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Quesadillas from The Family Freezer

Crockpot Barbeque Chicken from Sweet Peas and Saffron

Crockpot Red Pepper Chicken from The Family Freezer

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs from Sweet Peas and Saffron

The Best Dang Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken from Sweet Peas and Saffron

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chicken Curry from Sweet Peas and Saffron

Crockpot Bacon Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables from The Family Freezer

Honey Bourbon Chicken from Mommy's Fabulous Finds

Healing Chicken and Rice Soup from Pinch of Yum

Instant Pot Coconut Tandoori Chicken from Pinch of Yum (includes Crockpot instructions)

Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Tzatziki from Pinch of Yum (Not a Crockpot recipe)

Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs from Creme de la Crumb

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies from Damn Delicious

Easy Crockpot Meatball Stew from Family Fresh Meals

Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs from Lauren Grentman

Enjoy! Jennifer

Perfect Pizza Dough

A couple of notes on this.  I usually double this recipe and it makes two good sized pizzas (I use 13x18 sheet pans).  I've tried with both bread flour and All Purpose.  Because of the extra stretchy gluten in Bread flour, All purpose is easier to stretch out to cover the entire pan. I also sneak in some grated Parmesan cheese from time to time. 

Ingredients

• 2½ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp basil
• ½ tsp oregano
• 2 teaspoons sugar (optional, I no longer use)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil + more for coating
• ¾ cup warm water
• Heaping tablespoon yeast

Instructions

Dough

1. Place flour in mixer bowl.
2. Top with salt, sugar, herbs and yeast.
3. Add water and oil. Should make a soft dough that isn't sticky at all.
4. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic.
5. Cover dough with a light coating of olive oil.
6. Cover mixing bowl and let dough rise until at least doubled - a couple of hours. It's okay if it goes longer.

Preheat

1. Preheat the oven to 475°.

Rolling the Dough

1. Gently put the dough on a lightly floured surface.
2. Next stretch, and toss your dough to fit your pan. 

Topping

1. Place dough on pan.
2. Spread with sauce of choice.
3. Top with meats, vegetables, and cheese.

Bake

1. Turn oven temperature to 450°
2. Bake for 8-15 minutes.
3. Cut and serve

November Christmas Prep

     Every year, I try my best to be ready for Christmas long before it arrives. If I don't, I'm a frazzled mess and no one can really enjoy the holiday season. I truly believe that November is the month to prepare for Christmas and December is the month to enjoy Christmas. We take the entire month of December off of school and kill our bucket list. We bake cookies. We make gifts. We watch all of the holiday movies. It's wonderful.
     That said, I have to have a list or nothing gets done. I found a really great one on Pinterest, but when I went to look for it last year, it was gone. I was on the verge of panic when I talked myself down and decided to make a list of my own. That's what I'm sharing today. I hope it helps facilitate a restful and memorable Christmas season for you and your family.

November 1-7
Set Christmas Budget
Update Christmas card list
Choose cookies and treats to make
Make Christmas gift list
Make a Random Acts of Kindness list
Buy Advent candles
Purge toys
Buy 5 gifts

November 8-14
Buy stamps
Take a pantry and freezer inventory
Stock the liquor cabinet
Deep clean bedrooms
Buy Advent calendar or trinkets
Buy 5 gifts
Take Christmas card picture
Restock wrapping supplies

November 15-21
Print cards
Address envelopes
Buy stocking stuffers
Deep clean bathrooms and kitchen
Buy 5 gifts
Buy treat and gift containers
Make Holiday Bucket List

November 22-28
Buy baking supplies
Buy a gingerbread house kit
Put up the Christmas tree
Make and freeze cookie dough
Deep clean living and dining rooms
Mail cards
Make ornament for exchange
Buy 5 gifts

November 29-December 5
Wrap gifts
Decorate house and yard
Finish gift shopping
Search holiday playlists

December 6-January 2
Enjoy your family and friends
Drink lots of hot chocolate
Watch all of the best movies
Bake cookies
Laugh a lot
Make gifts
Listen to only holiday music
Bless others
Relax

Cream cheese and jam strudel

I just realized that I blog for me. I blog all of those recipes that I make or modify that can't be found elsewhere. I write them here so that when I want make them again, I can find them all in one place. Otherwise, I'd totally forget that they exsist.
Case in point, I'd forgotten that I made crock pot bread until I jumped back on today to share this recipe and saw that I'd made it when my stove gave up the ghost. Someday, I hope to have my full faculties back. Today is not that day.
I love strudel. Crispy on the outside, sweet filling on the inside. I do not love the amount of time and effort that goes into a really good one, so I've come up with a cheater recipe. It is seriously one of the easiest things I've ever baked. It doesn't hurt that it looks totally impressive and tastes delicious.
The secrets are frozen puff pastry and jarred jam. Add in some sweetened cream cheese and you feel like a pastry chef.
So, here is all you need:
1 frozen puff pastry (thawed according to directions)
4oz cream cheese, softened
2 TBSP sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 TBSP jam (I used seedless blackberry, but any flavor works)

You see how I snagged the first piece before my kids even knew it was out of the oven?

Preheat the oven to 375°. Place the thawed pastry on a piece of parchment paper large enough to fit a jelly roll pan. Using a rolling pin or flat-sided glass, roll it out to about 12"x16". Gently lift the parchment and pastry onto a jelly roll pan. Slice each side into one inch wide strips, leaving the center third for the filling.

Mix the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Spread down the middle of the pastry. Top this with the jam, spreading until smooth.

Criss cross the strips, alternating sides. Seal up the ends by crimping them together. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

We especially enjoy this while warm, topped with homemade whipped cream.

This is one of those goodies that can come together in about 30 minutes. It's great for busy weeknight desserts, unexpected visitors, or lazy Saturday morning breakfasts.

Enjoy!