Newest Addition

Today we welcomed 3 new additions to our family- a hen and 2 chicks. The boys were so excited about the chicks. Kaleb's is the brown one and he has named it Francesco. Joel's is the yellow one and he has named it Lightning. Bethany gets the hen, which Kaleb has named Beautiful Princess 2.

After an initial razzling by our 3 other hens, they seemed to have settled in ok. The pen is now chick proof after an initial scare and daring escape- I prayed so hard when I couldn't find one of them who had escaped into the neighbour's yard and under their shed- I had terrible fears that it was going to be the shortest welcome to our family ever!

We are hoping that these new additions stir up the old hens, 2 of which have gone mad clucky and stopped laying eggs. One egg a day from 3 chickens really isn't the most economical odds. And once the new hen stops brooding and the chicks grow up hopefully I will have a nice supply of eggs again!

Dalby in the Alpha News!

I was thrilled to receive the latest Alpha News Newsletter that features an article I wrote about the Alpha Course we held earlier in the year. It is really exciting to put our little group's experiences on the radar of the Australian Alpha Community.

(I will scan the article and post it later...)

3 sleeps until Christmas!

Today I am sharing with you the sweet little things I have been making/baking this week. Most of the recipes were made in the Thermomix and I did use as many organic ingredients as I could.

4 Ingredients Oreo Truffles

I made these truffles as a gift for a friend's birthday. As I am having a break from chocolate at the moment I didn't get to sample them but I am told by very reliable sources that they are amazing. Plus the birthday girl loved them so that is really all that matters.

Donna Hay Peanut Butter & Almond Cookies

These beautiful biscuits were made for a friend who just loves Peanut Butter. They were super easy and really yummy. I wrapped them up as soon as I could so that I wouldn't eat them all. They were well received and hard to resist by the person I made them for.

Honey & Nut Cluster Muesli

After seeing this muesli by a fellow blogger I just had to make it. At the moment it is in our cupboard but it may also be gifts if needed. You can see the recipe for this at Lacey's Blog: http://www.afruitfullifeblog.com/2011/12/christmas-muesli.html

Donna Hay Gingerbread People

When Joel saw me making biscuits he asked for gingerbread people. I obliged. The boys had fun decorating and eating them.

Donna Hay Caramel Shortbread

When I saw this delicate biscuits in the latest Donna Hay magazine I knew that I would need to make them for Jas, which I did. They were super yummy- like a soft caramel tart in a biscuit. Oh yum. The only thing is that they go soft pretty quickly so need to be eaten or refrigerated. Jas didn't mind.

Donna Hay Choc Chip Shortbread

I simply added choc chips to the basic shortbread recipe for these biscuits that are mainly for the kids. They don't all look this good as some of them were a bit overcooked. Never the less they still get eaten.

Donna Hay Shortbread Jam Fingers

Now these shortbread looked so lovely in the magazine that I just had to make them. Sadly mine look nothing like the ones in the magazine (as you can see in the photo), despite the many hours spent making them. I have kept them for the kids to eat but they really are my baking disappointment for the week. But all things considered it could be much, much worse.

We did also make Chocolate Balls that have all been eaten and that I didn't get the chance to take a photo of. You'll have to trust me when I say they looked and tasted divine- some rolled in coconut, the others in cocoa. We plan on making another batch tomorrow using wheatbix instead of milk arrowroot biscuits.
Would you like any of the recipes? Just let me know via email at jasandshellwieden@bigpond.com, otherwise I will add them to the blog at a later time.

4 sleeps until Christmas!

I have just taken the last of my Donna Hay inspired shortbread out of the oven. It looks nothing like the picture in the magazine so I hope it takes ok. I am sure the kids/Jas will enjoy eating it none the less.

Speaking of food, today I thought I would share my favourite christmas foods that conjure up wonderful christmas memories.

Food One: Fresh Ham off the Bone, Jarlzberg Cheese and Crossiants

The Brown Family breakfast on Christmas morning is always these yummy items. Yum. I know of a couple of other familes who also enjoy this as their Christmas morning ritual.

Food Two: Dad's (Greg) Roast Pork with Mum's (Alison's) veggies- especially the cauliflower in white sauce

My dad cooks the most amazing pork roast on his webber bbq. It is torture sitting around waiting for it to cook, smelling all of the yummy pork cooking and the crackling cooking. And a roast wouldn't be complete without mum's array of veggies.

Food Three: Aunty Arlene's Plum Pudding

I can't remember the last time that I actually ate Aunty Arlene's pudding but I remember it being the best pudding when we used to share Christmas Day with the Brown Family. My Nana Daisy also makes a nice plum pudding.

Food Four: Aunty Dale's Triffle

Oh yum... yum... yum... This is the best triffle ever! Layers of sponge and custard and jelly and cream and banana. Oh, I can taste it already. I got the recipe last year but still don't think anything will ever compare to the real thing. Boxing Day at Troy's Road here we come!

Food Five: Nana Brennan's Shortbread made by Lynny

Christmas Day just isn't complete without some of this amazing shortbread. It is so good in fact that my sister in law has said she won't be coming from Mackay for Christmas unless there is shortbread.

He made a way in a Manger

Bel Morrison sang this amazing Christmas song at our Carols on Sunday night and I was so excited to find it on youtube that I thought I should share it with you.

5 sleeps until Christmas!

Well, it is 2pm here and I have finally got the chance to sit down. It has been a morning/day in the kitchen today making cakes, shortbread biscuits and gingerbread men. Kaleb would like to make chocoalte balls so we will do that a bit later. For now though it is time for lunch, for the kids to sleep or have quiet time and for me to share with you my favourite activites of Christmas.

Activity One: Going to the local Carols by Candlelight

There is something so special about spending a night under the stars singing christmas carols by candlelight. Dalby had theirs on Sunday night under the arena at the showgrounds so there was little need for candles but most people still bought them and enjoyed the festivities of the night. The boys weren't as fussed about the carols as they were about the free cars jumping castle and playing in the sand under the arena.

Our Carols by Candlelight was run by the local churches with guest artist Bel Morrison. The gospel message was shared loud and clear throughout the night as we sang carols and songs. There was a rustic nativity scene and beautiful sand sculpture of 2 hands holding a heart. And no santa.

Activity Two-: Watching the Carols in the Domain on TV

We love sitting down as a family and watching the carols. We often tape them so we can watch them again- and so the kids can see them as they are on fairly late.

Activity Three: Christmas Shopping

Now, I know it is madness and crazy and frustrating and makes you want to pull your hair out, but it wouldn't be christmas without it. And having worked in retail in Grand Central I know just how crazy it can get. I try to avoid it now- I am a little bit of a quite country town kinda person now, but most years it just cannot be avoided.

Activity Four: Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day Church

There is a certain thrill in the air at Christmas church services, and it is the one time of the year you get to sing carols and enjoy christmas cake at church. The church is always beautifully decorated and it is just the best place to be. I remember going to 11.30pm church one Christmas Eve with my nana at St Jame's Church in Toowoomba. That was an awesome way to see in Christmas.

Activity Five: Baking/ Cooking

Christmas just wouldn't be christmas without all of those yummy goodies that make it the day of overeating that it is. Shortbread, rumballs, cakes, deserts, roasts... all of those yummy things. I try to do a little each day, other people do it all in one day. I guess it depends on how much time you have, how many things you plan on making, and how much space you have in your kitchen.

The one thing I can suggest about christmas baking is stick to what you know and with what works. Many a tear has been shed over something that didn't work after spending all that time and energy on it. There is nothing wrong with a new recipe at Christmas if your family play guinea pig though :)

6 sleeps until Christmas!

I have just got home from my 4th physio appointment for my tennis elbow- I am not sure why I made the appointment for 8am on a Monday morning- but now that we are all up and about I thought that I would share with you my favourite Christmas Music.

CD One: Chris Tomlin- Glory in the Highest

Chris Tomlin is an amazing musician and worship leader. This album features all the classic christmas songs done in Chris Tomlin style, plus a few of his own. I got this on sale from Koorong for $5.95 and it is my favourite Christmas album yet.

CD Two: Michael Buble

Who can resist the sweet and smooth sound of Michael Buble. He has released a Christmas album this year which I do not have but I do have an earlier CD with Christmas songs on it.

CD Three: Jewel

This CD has taken pride of place in my collection for a long time and I still enjoy it. Jewel has a sweet yet earthy voice that is very easy to listen to.

CD Four: Hillsong

This album is a mixture of traditional and modern Christmas songs. I love the packaging- it looks like a vinyl record case, and the CD's look like a record. This is a 2 CD set that I got from Koorong.

CD Five: Colin Buchanan

This 2 CD set from Colin Buchanan is a must have addition to your music collection for your children. Though it isn't too childish that adults won't enjoy listening. Done in typical Colin style, with a mix of music and seriousness, this is a great enchanced cd that also has a colouring in book that you can print from the disk.

Unlike movies, music is an essential part of my life and is an essential part of Christmas for me. I love listening to and singing Christmas Carols and you will find a Christmas CD or too in the car and easily accessible in the house. I love Carols by Candelight and watching the Carols by Candlelight on TV.



7 sleeps until christmas!

Being that it is only 7 sleeps until Christmas, the Christmas anxiousness has started to set in.

"Am I ready for Christmas?"
"What should I be baking/ making for Christmas Day/ Boxing Day?"
"Have we bought enough gifts?"
"Will people like the gifts we give them?"
"Have I done everything I need to?"

The simple answer to those questions is I think so and I certainly hope so.

I read somewhere the other day that Christmas is one of the very few compulsory events in the world today. And I guess in many ways it is compulsory. At the same time though, it is a time of year when we all apply our own ideas to making Christmas what it is for our families.

So I thought I would share with you, over the next 7 days, the things that make Christmas Christmas to me/us!

Today I will share with you my favourite Christmas movies.

Movie 1: Love Actually

I love this movie but at the same time it is not a movie that I can watch without feeling compromised so it is a movie that no longer resides in our collection. Even just looking at the picture brings back those fuzzy feelings that this movie gives. Aaaahhhh....

Movie 2: Santa Claus- The Movie

I remember watching this movie most Christmas Eve's as a child. I searched high and low and got myself a copy. I haven't watched it in a long while, mostly because the movie revolves around Santa, and seeing as though we do not do Santa, it makes watching the movie a little more difficult and a little pointless. Even so, I love it and it brings back many childhood Christmas memories.

Movie 3: 4 Holidays

Saw this movie for the first time when it was on television the other week. Very funny. The kind of family you hope you are never part of. It makes me appreciate how wonderful our Christmas's are and how blessed we are with our families.

Movie 4: Veggie Tales

These are gorgeous movies that we love to watch with the kids. I love that you can watch these movies and get a laugh while still honouring God and upholding everything that is real and true at Christmas.

Movie 5: The Polar Express

This magnificently animated movie has so many wonderful moments- my favourite is the Hot Chocolate scene in the cart. It isn't a movie we own, but the kids enjoyed watching bits of it when it was on television. Again, it does feature Santa so be ready it watch it with your kids to explain it to them. The heart of the story makes it worth watching.

Of course there are many, many more Christmas movies. These are just the ones that make it on my list. Although, as you can see, they are not movies that I have to watch as part of any Christmas routine or ritual. And the funny thing is that we only own one of them!

PS When I say we don't do Santa I mean that we are teaching our children that every good and perfect gift comes from God, and that he gives us everything we can ever want or need. The gifts that we give at Christmas are a symbol of His love in our lives and our love for others. It is getting more difficult now that Kaleb is older and can see the Christmas-Santa logic, and as those around him at school talk about Santa. Despite this we know it is fruitful to teach them only the true meaning of Christmas. They certainly do not go without and have just as many presents to open now as if Santa did come. Knowing this does explain the dumb look the boys give when people ask about Santa and if they are ready for Santa to come... So my apologies if you have received one of those looks :)

Donna Hay Magazine Subscription...

5995 flybuys points collected

only 105 to go til I earn myself a 12 month Donna Hay Magazine Subscription!

But hey, who's counting...????

Baking Catch Up

These are some of the things that we have been consuming baking over the holidays:

Lemon Sponge as seen on Alive & Cooking

Nana Brennan's Shortbread

Lemon Coconut Slice

The baking we have done but not taken photos of in time :)

- Holly Cupcakes

- Chocolate Cupcakes

- Strawberry Jam Drops

- Apricot Jam Drops

-Choc Chip Biscuits

Happy Birthday Grandad!

Today was Grandad's birthday so we headed to Toowoomba to spend the day with him. Kaleb was super keen for a party where there were party games (playing freeze to Steve Grace's latest CD was top of the list) and of course party bags. Grandad, however, was up for something a little less... energetic!

We had a lovely lunch with Nana & Grandad, Adam, Tracey & Kayla, Grandma & Grandad Brown and Nana & Grandad Tucker. We even had yummy cake and candles!

Kayla, Grandad, Joel & Kaleb

Blowing out the candles

Bethany and Uncle Adam

Keep Calm...

The beautiful family that we bought our house from dropped in last night with a house warming present for us. Chels knew how much I had fallen in love with the 'Keep Calm' slogan after I saw it in a Donna Hay magazine and ordered this especially from America.

It takes special place on our wall and is a constant reminder of our beautiful friends and the amazing house journey we took with them this year.

Holiday Project

With 7 weeks of school holidays upon us, and 3 little people to amuse, I set Kaleb the holiday project of making all of his Toy Story Lego that he can then display on the shelves in the toy room. So far, so good.

Along the way his creativity has set in and we have had some of his own creations too.

I love lego- as frustrating as it is when you are trying to find the smallest, least obvious piece to complete the project- it is the best gift you can give, and it really just keeps on giving.

Robot

Dragon Skier

Chatting with Kaleb

(Kaleb had the most amazing chat with me in the car today and I wanted to share some of his thoughts with you- mostly so I can remember them- but I hope you enjoy them too)

K: ... so if Dad was on his own for Christmas, with no one to give presents to, then he would die, but that would be ok because we have Jesus, and because we have Jesus we go to heaven. But if we didn't have Jesus then we would go to hell, and hell is a serious consequence. Hell is like jail...

K:... so would we have to pay one million and eleven to the police to get out of jail?...

K:... so mums and dads are like God when they give us the biggest present, because he gave us the biggest present. Jesus is like the biggest present...

K... why do man live forevermore because of Christmas day?
Me: Because at Christmas we celebrate Jesus' birth, and because of Jesus we have life forevermore in heaven with God.
K: why do people go to hell?
Me: Because they don't know God and don't live according to his ways.
K: How long will they go to hell?
Me: Forever, they will spend all of eternity apart from God. It's like infinity.
K: So he gave us everlasting life?
Me: Yes, that's right

K: which is your favourite food shop?
Me: Umm...
K: Like coles?
Me: Oh yeah, definetly Coles.
K: Yeah, coles is the best. They have the best store managers.
Me: Yeah, daddy works very hard and is very good at his job.
K: like as smart as a grade 12 teacher?
Me: Well, I don't know about that, but dad is definetly great at his job.
K: Yeah, he is the awesomess store manager ever!
Me: Yeah, he sure is!

Kaleb, you are amazing! I am so thankful for these wonderful, mind stretching chats with you!

Bethany is on the move!

Miss B has started making her way around the place- mostly backwards and unconventionally- but getting her around none the less. It will be no time before she crawls as she is getting the whole hands and knees thing.

School Awards Night

Thursday 1st December 2011

The end of the school year has come- wow- I know. Kaleb is finished grade one and is most definetly ready for grade 2. The school year ends with Awards night. Kaleb was in the junior primary choir and sang 'Lord I lift your name on high'. Great work K!