gingerbread tradition

My parents began the tradition of gingerbread making as a means of a competition among families each Christmas. The creative side of me begged to break out of the mundane creativity found in the kit from the grocery store. So we ventured...to the grocery store to purchase all the candy we never normally purchase plus graham crackers and frosting. One son, who hates to break with tradition, fought this crazy idea yet his eyes sparkled with the idea of all this candy while I threw in the "it's not an option" authority card, I wanted this.  

Lest you look at these photos and think I have it all together, on the contrary. For years, every time I hear the word Advent, I sigh thinking of all the "should haves." I so desire to make this time of year a special one, bathed in amazing moments of understanding all that this time holds. Each year I think, this will be the year we get it, our kids get it, the real meaning of Christmas. This will be the year they look back on as being the year they fell in love with the saving work of Jesus and giving rather than receiving. I even have the Ann Voskamp Jesse tree devotional. I've had it printed for a year now, encased in a binder. So, this year I did it, began reading the devotionals, asking the questions of what it would look like to bless others, practically, and after a busy day, began our own tradition of making gingerbread houses or rather a village. A walkable community complete with a public toilet, ice rink, homes, and a work/live unit created by the architect in my husband. The end result was beautiful meaningful conversation about a homeless man we met that day and what we would do about it, Christmas music, laughter, appreciating how each person's talents or cares came out in their creation. Exhausted and happy, I turned out the lights before bed and smiled. So thankful that this big beautiful God is gracious, merciful, loving. That he took my desires and gave us the time and energy to complete it. So thankful that this was or will be the year when we learn something different than what I planned. That in my meager offering lies a God who is full of filling in where I fail. So thankful.

just us

Today it was just us, my son (second born of a set of twins) Hudson and I. All day. In a house full of boys there is little time for quiet. When you take 3 out of the equation you are left with 1 + 1= love. We ventured to a coffee shop for goodies, got the hood fixed on my car, tried our hand at ice skating on our pond, then out for a late lunch together. Our other people were tailgating at the Michigan vs Ohio game but we weren't the ones missing out. Half way through goodies, my son whispers "this is a lot better than the michigan game." I totally agreed. While the list of to-do was going through my mind many times today, I forced myself to stop, really listen, take in this time with son #4 who loves quality time and cuddles. Because all those things running through my mind will never satisfy. Never bring this sense of joy or have such far reaching effect. I realized long ago that the more I spend time with my children the more I like them. So today I am thankful for the blessing of stopping and enjoying just us.

powdered sugar

As the owner of a toxin-free skin care company, it may seem odd, rather ironic to have my first post be about powdered sugar. While I love providing healthy safe things for my people, all of them boys (including husband) to whom food is a love language. I have found over the years that creating good food for them is a way they feel loved. So, with all things, moderation is key. My philosophy is that you can't do everything perfectly healthy but do your best let go of the rest. There are limits; budgets, time, availability, etc. So, the day before thanksgiving as I watched 8 boys (4 mine, 4 sweet cousins) play football in the snow for 2 hours, I made dairy-free fudge (amazing, honest) for them. My sister told me that if you took evaporated cane juice (not-as-refined-sugar sold in a 10 lbs bag at costco) and blended it in a Vita-mix it would make powdered sugar. It works. Have you ever wondered how they get powdered sugar so white, pure white really? This won't be a study on the what and the hows of sugar but this is a less toxic way to provide yummy goodness to your family especially during the time of year when goodies seem to go along with the season. Why is that?