Winter Activities!

Hey Everyone! It's ~O~ here! It's been snowing like crazy for the past few days! Even though this has been the "long awaited snow" I'm ready to say good-bye to it! I wanted to blog about my favorite winter activities!

So my #1 favorite activity is snow skiing! I have been a few times and it is definitely a fun and challenging activity! So, the first time I want, I was 6 and I lost my first tooth! I was very proud! Haha! So, advice....to start, I started on what they call the "Bunny Slope!" It is by far, the easiest slope, which is good since I'm not a big dare devil! Then, with some encouragement and help from some friends....I moved onto the "Intermediate slope!" I rent my ski gear from the ski lodge! Anyways you will need:

1. Warm clothes!!!! I wore like.....3-4 shirts, 2 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of pants, ski bibs and a coat!
2. Ski Boots
3. Ski's

My 2nd favorite snow activity is sledding! We normally sled down our backyard hill! It's so much fun! I sled with my sister and sometimes my dog tags along! After we get to the bottom of the hill, dad pulls us up on the four wheeler!





And lastly, I enjoy making snow cream! Here's a recipe!!

1 gallon of snow

1 cup of white sugar

1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

2 cups of milk


Hope you all have a very blessed week! Enjoy the recipe!
~O~

Hello there!

~C~

Hi there! It seems like a long time since I have posted anything! I'm sorry this is a few days late, our area got a lot of snow. I hope each of you had a merry Christmas and happy new year! It is a very busy time of the year for my family and I! ~O~ talked to you last week about good T.V recommendations... Today I will be giving you a recipe for blueberry and lemon scones. I do a lot of baking and this is something I recently made and really enjoyed!

2 Cups all-purpose flour
1/2 Cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 Cup cold butter
Zest and juice of one lemon
3/4-1 cup heavy cream
1 Cups blueberries (toss them in extra flour)
1 tsp vanilla

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add butter to bowl cutting it into the flour until the largest clump of butter is the size of a pea and flour resembles course meal. Add zest and juice of lemon. Stir in 3/4 cup heavy cream. Press dough together in-between your palms, if it doesn't just stick together add more cream. Add vanilla extract and fold in blueberries.

Pour dough onto lightly floured pastry board. Pat dough into a large round disc about 1 inch thick. Cut dough into equal sized wedges and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake scones for 20 -25 minutes or until lightly golden.

Hope you enjoy this recipe!!
~C~

Good TV Show Recomendations

Happy 2016 Everyone! It's ~O~ here! Last year was a very adventurous, fun, exciting, blessed and sweet year! Can't wait to see what this year holds! Today, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite TV shows! And, I'm the type of person that likes recommendations for good and wholesome TV shows because today....there are very few of them!


So, the first TV Show is, "Fixer Upper!" Chip and Joanna Gaines are a "dynamic duo" that fix up older homes into their clients dream home! They are so talented but most importantly they share a family bond like no other and love Jesus!  They live in Texas with their 4 sweet children! Here's a preview of "Fixer Upper!"

 

One of my other favorite shows is, "Bringing Up Bates!" It features Gil and Kelly Jo Bates, who have chosen to trust God with the number of children they would have....the Lord blessed them with 19 beautiful and healthy children! They reside in Tennessee with their children.  Here is a quick introduction to their show!

Another favorite is, "The Willis Clan!" They are a musical bunch with 12 talented and sweet kids! Toby and Brenda Willis (Dad and Mom) really placed the love of music into their kids at a very young age.  Today, they inspire to share the love of music with many people! They travel performing beautiful music and just being together as a family! Here's their audition on "America's Got Talent!"



Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to read our blog each week!

Blessings, ~O~

January Monthly Post

Happy New Year Everyone! Thank you to all the people that have viewed our blog the past year! We are so thankfully for everyone! We have decided to start with our monthly post this month! Hope you all enjoy!

 

 

Chapter 4~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Walking into the salon) 

 

Taylor: “Oh my! This is such a nice place!”

 

Vivian: “Yes, It is! I’ll go tell the ladies we are ready.”

 

Taylor: “Ok!”

 

Vivian: “Hi, Clark for two.”

 

Lady: “Clark for two?? I don’t see it are you sure it was here?”

 

Vivian: “Yes Ma’am!”

 

Lady: “Let me get one of the other ladies maybe that talked to you.”

 

Taylor: ”Thank you so much!”

 

Lady: ”Hi! What was the name you reserved under?”

 

Jessa: ”Clark for two!”

 

Lady: ”Hummmmmmm…I see a Clark party of eight, but no party for two!”

 

Taylor: ”Oh, okay! Do you have an opening for two?”

 

Lady: ”Yes we do! Someone just canceled! Would you like to get in that spot?”

 

Vivian: ”Yes Ma’am! That would be great!”

 

(While getting nails done)

 

Taylor: "So do you want to go shopping afterward?"

 

Vivian: "That would be awesome!! David and the kids are going to stay at his parents’ house for dinner. They said Andrew is welcome to stay!" 

 

Taylor: "Oh! Ok! Are you sure?"

 

Vivian: "Yes! Positive!" 

 

Taylor: "Ok! I'll call text him real quick."

 

Lady (Doing their nails) : "What color would you like Ma’am?"

 

Taylor: "Coral please." 

 

Lady: "And for you Ma'am?"

 

Vivian: "Coral as well please."

 

Taylor: "Andrew said he would have dinner with them."

 

Vivian: "Great! So for dinner we could fix something at my house."

 

Taylor: "Sounds good to me!!"

Displaying Duggar FanFiction.docx.

Happy December Everyone!

A big Happy December to everyone! December is such a busy month for everyone...especially for  my family and I! That's why i've gotten a bit behind on my blog posting! I'm so thankful for an understanding and sweet blog partner! I wanted to blog today about what the "True Meaning" of Christmas is!

First of all, in the business of the December "joys", such as picking out the perfect Christmas tree, decorating your house, buying Christmas gifts, planning family reunions or anything else that you do in December, we sometimes forget about what's most important, Jesus! I'm speaking to myself here....

Many people see December 25 as a day to open presents and get a bunch of stuff. I too enjoy the excitement of giving and receiving gifts! Last year, I remember being happier giving a gift than receiving a gift....I am a TERRIBLE person at waiting to give gifts! The bible says in Acts 20:35, "And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Every Christmas Eve, my parents let my sister and I open one present, its generally a fun family game! On Christmas morning, my sister and I head down to our living room and gather together with my parents and my dad reads the Christmas story. After that, we each open 3 gifts; 1 thing we want, 1 thing we need and 1 thing we read! The reason my family chooses to do 3 gifts is because Jesus received 3 gifts from the wise men. 

Can't wait for Christmas!

~C~

Hi everyone! Who is excited for Christmas???? I know I am!!

We have several Christmas traditions. I mean SEVERAL!! We go to our first Christmas celebration the very first weekend of December, then we have our annual "Cookie Baking Day" I love to bake! Then we have a pajama party type thing for several of my friends and their Mom's, Then we got to some of my family member's house for about a week and spend Christmas with them their.

But our Christmas Eve tradition has been going on since way, way before I was born! All of my family goes to my great-grandparents house on Christmas Eve and spend basically all day there!

In January we go to my grandmother and grandfather's house. Since we have so much going on in December  that is the only time we can do it.

SO who's excited for Christmas?!?!

Thanksgiving Traditions

~C~

Hi! Happy December! :) So sorry this is out a day late! I've been crazy busy!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I did! Thanksgiving around my house is usually pretty busy! On Thanksgiving we go to my grandparents house and EAT, go on a walk and play dominoes. Oh and clean up the kitchen! Haha! I love Thanksgiving! Not only for the food but for spending time together as family, friends and remembering all the things we have to be thankful for.We usually decorate our house for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving but we did it a little earlier this year.On the Saturday after Thanksgiving we go to my other grandparents house and eat again!  Next it's Christmas!! Then New Year's! I love pumpkin things so I love pumpkin pie, pumpkin chi, pumpkin bars, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies and so on. But I love Thanksgiving and can't wait until Christmas!
Even though this is a week after Thanksgiving we can always be Thankful! Sorry this is so short!

If you haven't already have a great time decorating for Christmas!!
~C~

November Monthly Post!

Sorry this is out a couple days late but with Thanksgiving we were really busy and weren't able to post on Wednesday.

Here is chapter three of our story! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3~

Taylor: ”This is going to be so fun, Vivian! It’s super special because we get to do it together!

Vivian: ”I know! I’ve not gone out with you on a Sister’s outing in a LONG time!”

Taylor: ”I know it feels like forever! The place we’re going will be doing our nails, hair and will be giving us massages! I can’t wait!”

Vivian: ”Wow!! I’m looking forward to the massage part!”

Taylor: ”I’m looking forward to getting my nails done!”

Vivian: ”Here we are….The Market Place! I remember when David and I had our first date here quite a few years ago!”

(During Lunch)

Taylor: ”Vivian, is that your phone ringing?”

Vivian: ”Yes! Thanks for letting me know!”

(On the phone with David)

Vivian:”Hey Sweetheart!”

David:”Hey Vivian!! How is your day out with Taylor going?”

Vivian: ”Its going great! We’re eating lunch at the Market Place! I remember when we had our first date here!”

David: ”Oh! That’s my favorite restaurant! Especially since that’s where we had our first date! Honey, I wanted to let you know that I wrecked on the way to meet Andrew and the kids…I’m fine though! I just broke my arm, the doctor said it wasn’t a bad break! I only have to wear the cast for 4 weeks.

Vivian: ”Oh David… Do you need me to come home and help you?”

David: ”No…I’m fine! You and Taylor enjoy your day! Don’t worry about me!”

Vivian: ”Okay! We will be praying for you! Call us if you need anything!”

David: ”Thanks Babe! Love you!”

Vivian: ”Love you too!”

David: ”Bye!!”

(Finishing Up Lunch)

Taylor: ”What did David say?”

Vivian: “He said that he had a minor wreck on the way to meet Andrew and the kids…he broke an arm but he is doing okay! The doctor said that the brake wasn't bad and that he only has to wear a cast for 4 weeks.”

Taylor:” Oh my! Do you need to go and take home?”

Vivian: “No, he said for me to have a fabulous with you! He will call us if he needs anything and besides Andrew is with him.”

Taylor: “Ok! Well, I’m done how about you?”

Vivian: “ Yep! Me too!”

(On the way to the salon)

Taylor: “So what color are you going to paint your nails? I am so excited about having this day with you!!”

Vivian: “Me too! I’m not sure maybe a coral or mint green…What about you?”

Taylor: I was thinking coral as well! Wouldn’t it be fun to have matching nails?”

Vivian: “Totally!”

Operation Christmas Child

Hey Everyone! Its ~O~ here! This week I wanted to blog about what Operation Christmas Child means to me!

So, every year in November, my church packs many shoeboxes full of toys, candy, notebooks, crayons and much more! It blesses my heart to know that children, who have never received their own "personal" things, finally receive things that meet their need....and wants!

I always try to find the BIGGEST boxes so I can cram as much stuff as possible in that shoebox! I tend to pack for older girls because i know that many people are drawn towards packing boxes for smaller children. (Please don't get me wrong....little kids enjoy and need shoeboxes too!:) I love going shopping at my local Dollar Store and finding just the right things that i think would impact a child's life!


Things that i pack are:
Toothbrush, toothpaste, notebooks, pencils, pencil sharpeners, coloring books, crayons, hair accessories(hairbrush, hair ties, combs), hard candies, mild soap, socks, gloves, stuffed animals and anything else that you think a needy child would enjoy!


One of the things on my bucket list is, delivering shoeboxes one day! That would bless my heart so much! Just to see the excitement on their faces would be worth more than anything!

I close with a few sweet messages from a few blessed children that have received a shoebox and a quick video! 

Timur: 

"When the local Christians came into the orphanage with the shoeboxes, I thought, What is that? I’d never received a gift. My birthday was a normal day. We didn’t celebrate Christmas. They started passing out shoeboxes and we were so excited! I started ripping open my box and then my eyes grew wide. The first thing I saw was toothpaste. I saw the word Crest and thought it said Christ so I thought, Oh! Christian toothpaste! I was so excited I ran around the orphanage saying, “Christian toothpaste! Christian toothpaste!”

Ted: 

"I was an orphan in the former Soviet Union when I received my shoebox. We had to share everything at the orphanage, including towels. When I got a washcloth in my box I actually thought it was my own personal towel!It was very special because I was the only one who could use it. It was my own personal thing—something that I didn’t have before—so it was one of my favorite gifts."

Nanor: 

"I will never forget the day that I received my shoebox. I still remember every gift in it. I’ve kept the box to this day. It was so lovely. The cardboard shoebox was beautifully and meticulously wrapped in green wrapping paper that had little children on it opening gifts by a Christmas tree. Then I opened it! The most exciting gifts were a Barbie doll and a stationery kit. I loved Barbies—and then I got a real one! She was so beautiful."

Video

Hope you enjoy! 

~O~

Handmade Gifts

~C~ 

Hi Everybody! I hope you are having a good day!

Today I am going to be talking about one of my biggest hobbies... Knitting! I love to knit! in the spring,summer,fall,winter whatever I love it!

With Christmas just around the corner I have a lot of knitting to do! I make blankets, scarves, boot cuffs, hats and I'm learning some new things to make as well! I might put up some patterns for some things later on but right now I am super busy so it will be a few weeks.

People LOVE handmade gifts! The person who gives it to them actually had to take the time to make it and had them in mind. Don't get me wrong we all love store bought gifts too but there is something about the sense of accomplishment that comes when you have made something to give.

For example: My great-grandmother loves blankets! I made her a blanket last year for Christmas... She LOVES that thing! She tells me it feels as if I'm giving her a big hug everyday.  Not only is it extremely special for me to see my great-grandmother to love and use something that I put so much time, thought and effort into but special to her to think that someone hand made it for her.

So this Christmas if you can't think of what to get somebody make them something. You might say "I don't have time" Grab a some paper and make them a nice card. It will mean a lot to them!


Until next time!
~C~

(I'll post a knitting pattern next time)