Wordless Wednesday - Winter Dreaming

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Keeping Your Teens and Tweens In The Holiday Spirit

Young children anticipate Christmas with wide eyed wonder, but how do you keep your teens excited over the Holidays? The belief in Santa has long passed, but kids are never too old to experience and share the Holiday Spirit. Teenagers naturally break away from the family and assert their independence. Let them use their self-expression and independent nature to add to this year’s celebration.

Engage in Church Events – As busy as you are at home, the church can always use an extra pair of hands during Christmas. Teens, who enjoy the arts or have good organization skills, can help with one of the Church productions. Whether it is helping organize the Christmas potluck, assisting with the kids’ choir concert, or helping making costumes for the nativity play teens can use their talents to engage.

Donate clothes – Teens are still finding out who they are. As a result, they try on different styles and looks while they figure out how to accurately express themselves. One of the most popular gifts for teens is apparel or money they usually use on to enhance their wardrobe. They can use this opportunity to go through their closet and pull out whatever they no longer want or need. Let them pack everything up and donate the rest to charity.

Volunteer – Teenagers have the habit of being self-absorbed, even during the Holidays. Volunteering will help teens take the focus off of themselves and contemplate a greater purpose. There are many charities to choose from. They can work at a soup kitchen, volunteer with a kids group or help at an animal shelter. Making a difference will increase their self-esteem and make them much more positive and thankful.

Put Them in Charge – Include your teens by showing them you appreciate their taste and trust their judgment. Make them completely responsible for a special Christmas project. Let them put together all the Christmas music to play during the festivities or plan the games for the Christmas Eve party. Put them in charge of designing this year’s Christmas card. Whatever you chose they will play an integral role in the celebration.

Help Younger Siblings – Teenagers may not experience the same excitement for Christmas activities that they did when they were younger, but they can enjoy them in a new way. Plan for them to take their younger siblings to the mall and shop for the parent gifts. Teens can also help them make personalized Christmas ornaments or help bake the cookies while the younger ones decorate. This way they can take a lead role in the activities.

Share Story time- Christmas is a time for caring and sharing. Pour two mugs of hot chocolate and have meaningful conversation with your teen. Tell them about a personal childhood Christmas story you never told your teen. Start the conversation then sit back and listen. Ask them about the first Christmas they remember, what they plan to do with their friends during Christmas vacation, and what traditions they would like to continue when they have their own families. It is a great way to build a family bond, share traditions and cultivate the Christmas spirit.

Pacquiao Vs. Marquez This Sunday November 12!

The country is once again excited to watch the Pacquiao vs. Marquez 3 this Sunday, November 12, 2011 Time: 9PM Eastern Time or 6 PM Pacific Time.

We are hoping and praying for Manny Pacquiao's another victory in his boxing rematch with Juan Miguel Marquez. May the pound-for-pound boxer win again, may there be another victory for Manny in this Pacquiao Vs. Marquez 3 bout!

Surely this match will stop time in the Philippines this Sunday, where the streets will be almost bare and the Filipino people will keep their eyes glued to the boxing match on television. And most of you Pinoy netizens would subscribe to Pacquiao Vs. Marquez 3 video live-streaming to watch it. Wah, I sure wish we have cable TV or we could get a pay-per-view offer to watch the Pacquiao Vs. Marquez 3 live telecast. I heard from my hubby and my son that watching Manny Pacquiao's fight live in the ring is filled with cheers and excitement, how I wish I could experience it someday too!

God bless Manny, may you make our country proud again!

Photo Credits: Kirbylovestacos.deviantart.com

Congratulations To The Philippines' Miss World Pageant First Runner-Up!

Our country the Philippines is again cheering for our Miss World Pageant candidate Gwendoline Ruais for winning First Runner-up in the recent Miss World Pageant 2011 in London, UK.

Seems that the Philippines' bets are getting better and better in each international beauty pageant. Gwendoline Ruais now joins the Philippines' representatives like Shamcey Supsup, Venus Raj andCarlene Aguilar in making our country proud!

I also congratulate the Miss World Pageant 2011 winner from Venezuela, Ivian Sarcos, whom I think has a striking resemblance to Desperate Housewives' star Eva Longoria. I am awed as well especially reading her life story as an orphan. A very much deserved congratulations to you too, Miss World!

Amish Recipes - 65 Tried and Tested Recipes

Thanksgiving and Christmas is quite so near and planning meals for the coming holidays are on the way. I'm sharing this traditional 65 Tried and Tested Amish Recipes which hopefully may help you in planning the holiday meals. These recipes are mostly done from scratch, yet you may improvise or alter as needed.

Here are a few ones... Enjoy!

Book Description:

Many of the great breads, cookies and dishes that my grandmother used to make, were actually Amish recipes! I thought everyone should try these great recipes, so I have put together a collection of 65 of my favorite Amish recipes in an easy to use eBook that anyone can afford. Here is what I have included:


Cakes, Bread, and Muffin, Corn Fritter Recipes:
AMISH BREAD STARTER
AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD
AMISH COFFEE CAKE
AMISH LEMON SPONGE
AMISH PUMPKIN BREAD
AMISH MUFFINS
AMISH CORN BREAD
AMISH POPPYSEED BREAD
AMISH YEAST ROLLS
AMISH CORN FRITTERS
FAMOUS AMISH FUNNEL CAKES
AMISH APPLE CAKE
AMISH BLUEBERRY CAKE
AMISH ROLLED OATS CAKE
AMISH SHORTCAKE

Cookies
AMISH SNICKERDOODLES
AMISH PUFF COOKIES
SOFT AMISH CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
DROP AMISH COOKIES
AMISH OATMEAL COOKIES ....Much more..

SOFT AMISH CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
2 lg. eggs
1/2 c. milk
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda (place in the milk)
1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips or butterscotch chips
Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and milk with soda. Mix together
and add baking powder. Gradually add flour and stir well. Stir in chocolate
chips or butterscotch chips. Place on a greased cookie sheet about 1
teaspoon of dough. Bake at 400 degrees until the edge is lightly brown.

* * *

AMISH ROLLED OATS CAKE

1 c. oats
1 1/4 c. boiling water
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
TOPPING (use on warm cake):
5 tbsp. oleo
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. milk
Mix oats and boiling water; let stand 20 minutes. Cream together
shortening, sugar, eggs, vanilla and add cooled oats with dry ingredients.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Boil 7 minutes. Add 1/2 cup coconut
and 1/2 cup nuts.

GET THE EBOOK HERE FOR ALL THE RECIPES INCLUDED