I usually focus my Christmas in July posts on topics that will help us plan early so we won’t have a chaotic Christmas season. This year I’m focusing on a slightly different topic. One thing I love about Christmas is the “Christmas spirit” that often surrounds us during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We tend to be more … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive Year Round
holidays
Easy Handprint Bouquet Craft for Young Kids
I recently came across the idea of using a child’s handprint to make “flowers” for a bouquet. This seemed both cute and simple, so I decided to help my daughters make a variation of it to send to their grandmothers for Mother’s Day. Here’s how we made each bouquet. Supplies Construction paper in various colors Crayons and … [Read more...] about Easy Handprint Bouquet Craft for Young Kids
Why It’s Important to Read About the Crucifixion
I’ve never been particularly fond of the Crucifixion accounts in the Gospels. I feel sad when I read them. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable when I read them. Why couldn’t the apostles have focused a bit more on the Resurrection and a bit less on Jesus’ suffering-filled death? As Easter approaches, I’ve been thinking about why it’s … [Read more...] about Why It’s Important to Read About the Crucifixion
Christ-Focused Easter Traditions
For many individuals, the term “Easter” conjures up images of candy-filled eggs, gift baskets, and an anthropomorphic bunny. These cultural traditions often overshadow the fact that Easter is a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. There is a lot of debate about the origins of these Easter traditions. Some historians cite evidence … [Read more...] about Christ-Focused Easter Traditions
How to Have a Hospitality-Ready Home
This last summer, when I was 36 weeks pregnant, our AC stopped working. It was June and we live in southeast Texas, so you can imagine how hot it was in our house! I’ll never forget how two gracious friends invited us to stay with them until technicians were able to fix our AC. They had no warning, but these friends welcomed us into their … [Read more...] about How to Have a Hospitality-Ready Home
Printable Candy Heart Encouragement Notes
As I noted in my last post, husbands benefit greatly from words of encouragement. It is great to speak these to our husbands, but it’s also nice to put them in notes that we can stick in their lunchboxes, tape to their steering wheels, or leave on their pillows. Because Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to … [Read more...] about Printable Candy Heart Encouragement Notes
8 Ways to Decorate Front Windows for Christmas
Though I love decorating for Christmas, I have no motivation to get up on a ladder and hang Christmas lights on the house. My husband lacks this motivation, as well, and we’re uninterested in having any bulky decorations out in our yard. As you might guess, this means that thus far our homes have lacked exterior Christmas decorations. I’d … [Read more...] about 8 Ways to Decorate Front Windows for Christmas
Festive Christmas Cookie Bars
One by one I’m trying the cookies on my Christmas Cookie Bucket List. I tried the Neapolitan Bars last year, but I thought they took too much work for the flavor that resulted. I really like the appearance of a tricolored cookie bar, though, so I’ve made over the recipe so the bars are easy to make and have a tasty flavor. Ingredients 2 … [Read more...] about Festive Christmas Cookie Bars
