Thursday, November 13, 2008

Haven: Fun

Began my day at the table again, with a yummy mug of my favorite chai tea! Thanks to my swap buddy, Elise!
Jeremiah 33:11, "...the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying,

"Give thanks to the Lord Almighty,
for the Lord is good;
His love endures forever."
Went to get the little ladies up and they were still sound asleep! So, I enjoyed a little snuggle time with Samuel while nursing, changing him - and we played together a few mintues before the girls got up!

Normal morning routine: breakfast, reading, dishwasher and dishdrainer emptied. Dressed and ready to go to the grocery store. I decided to skip the park as it was very misty and looking like rain and we needed a few things for tomorrow and the weekend.

Off to the store - my cute little shoppers:

When we got home, Samuel took a short nap while the girls played in the rainy day trunk. They made something artistic - but had the most fun playing in the lid of the trunk and pretending to sleep in there!

After that, a tea party and Charlotte's Web - thanks for the fun goodies Elise! After we ate, I painted their fingernails and toenails! And, while they finished their movie - I folded the remaining two loads of laundry and put them away! Yeah!

I will admit by this point being very ready for nap/quiet time! Sometimes I think having fun is more work for Mama than her regular work! I am happy for the opportunity to help them have fun and create happy memories, I was just tired!

Rachel went down while Emily and Samuel played together and I started mixing up a quadruple batch of brownies! I usually don't use mix, but they were on a good sale and it seemed like the smart choice during a busy week! These are for the Giving part of my day tomorrow.

Next, Samuel and Emily went down and I did Satin Hands on my hands and feet! Fabulous! I popped in Christmas Child and painted my fingernails and toenails! Then, Samuel got up - apparently refusing to take a nap - sigh.

I worked on this post a bit and then something crafty:

Yes, I have a tutorial planned for sharing how to make these and there will be some for sale next week at The Rusty Robin sale.

We read a book, looked at the mail, played outside - a relaxing hour!

I came in and frosted the brownies:

After dinner, we enjoyed the Pumpkin Pie Popsicles. I had some leftover pumpkin from making pumpkin bread the other morning and it worked out great to use the remainder in this recipe!

I am guessing - but I think it was a bit less than 1 c. pumpkin puree. The original recipe calls for butternut squash - since I had the pumpkin, I opted for that.

Put pumpkin in a mixing bowl and add 1/2 c. pure maple syrup (I used homemade syrup); 2/3 c. light cream (I used leftover evaporated milk) and 1/2 - 3/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice. Blend together and spoon into molds - freeze.

I thought these were very tasty - but my girls were not as impressed as I thought they would be. If you try them - let me know what you thought!

Just because: I love Christmas movies! Do you have a favorite? I'd love to discover some new ones!!

28 comments:

The Nilsen's Journey said...

I just bought one that had a Christmas special of The Wind at my back & Avonlee (spelling?) which are good wholesome old fashioned shows. My husband even watched with me!

Anonymous said...

Christmas movie: "The Shop Around the Corner" with Jimmy Stewart!

Trish said...

If you haven't seen The Nativity, which was released a couple of years ago, you should definitely rent it. I never, ever go to the movies (I'd rather go out with friends/hubby and have coffee and visit! You can't talk during a movie!) but I went with a dear friend to see this one in the theater. It's a wonderful movie to keep us in the true Spirit of Christmas.

Jenny's Vegcafe said...

I love Elf and the 1938 version of "A Christmas Carol."

Anonymous said...

the soundtrack to the movie "the nativity" is excellent. i know you asked for movies, but it's fantastic if you are in the christmas-music listening spirit as well.

noahandlylasmommi said...

Sounds like a great day :) I was at school so didnt get much done except vaccuming upstairs and some laundry. I am off to study now :)
P.S. Charlie Brown Christmas is always fun!

Anonymous said...

Your day was so productive! Love all that you have accomplished. Our week started out out-of-town with a full-day field trip to the Zoo and it seems we've been recovering and in our routine since. So I have not been on the program with this - I had hoped. Yet I didn't discover intime to plan out. One thing I have learned a lot I can do.

basketlover93 said...

I HAVE to watch, The Christmas Box, It's a Wonderful Life, and the Little House on the Prairie movie, evry Christmas. These are must see's for me.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Basketlover about the Little House on the Prairie movie. Ma gets sweet potatoes and is over the moon about it.

ALso, I love "Miracle on 34th Street" with the young Natalie Wood.

Unknown said...

Hi Monica! Sounds like your had a fun day...YES!!!! WE CONQUERED THE MOUNT EVEREST OF LAUNDRY, huh!? Praise the Lord! :)

Laine said...

Glad you had such a wonderful day! You really are SO productive, I don't know how you do it all. We'll just call you Wonder Woman. =0)

As for Christmas movies...It's a Wonderful Life is an all time favorite. Also the old cartoon Grinch is a tradition around here. =)

glenna marshall said...

Definitely not new one, but I love, love "Christmas in Connecticut." This old classic is one of my favorites!

glenna marshall said...

One more thing: I was reading through your archives and found what an "Anne" fan you are. Ironically, I watched both "Anne of Green Gables" and "Anne of Avonlea" THIS week (I watch them about twice a year), and I'll probably pop in the continuing story this weekend if I have time (although I was really disappointed in it...I didn't like the story line. Not very Anne-ish to me!)
Anyway...these movies are my guilty pleasures. That's a time period I would have liked to live in.

Unknown said...

"Preachers Wife" is my all-time favorite (it has great music too!). I also love "It's a Wonderful Life" :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like one amazing very fun filled and busy day. I agree with a lot of work for fun sometimes. I always have these amazing projects and memories that I want to create but getting it together and doing, cleaning is sometimes one of those extra's. Thanks so much for doing this all.

You gave me something in blog land just a little encouragement. I plan to carryo this on for next week because I of some major kid sickness and my Dr visits I wasn'a able to fully do this and I really want to.

Your brownies look amazing!!

Good job, mama!

Bay said...

How cute are the girls in the suitcase? My favorite Christmas movie is Elf! My whole family gets such a kick out of it, especially my mom. :)

ko said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this post! :) You are so INSPIRING! Thanks for using your GIFTS! The way you share God's love with your FAMILY makes my heart smile!!!
Kyley
OH and I WANT TO SEE THAT MOVIE!

Anonymous said...

I enjoy The Christmas Shoes. I'm so glad I'm not the only one already listening to Christmas music and watching movies! :-)

asnipofgoodness said...

oh, It's a Wonderful life, for sure, the best!!!!!

Anonymous said...

What fun! :) Thanks for sharing these photos of your day together!

As for Christmas movies, I'm sure you've seen more than we have! Our annual favorites are It's A Wonderful Life and White Christmas. Other movies we like that include Christmas celebrations are Little Women and While You Were Sleeping. I haven't seen the Little House Christmas in years, but would like to. I think one of the best children's Christmas specials ever made is Charlie Brown's Christmas. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is good, too!

Love you lots, Mom

Linda said...

I love just about any version of 'a christmas carol' that doesn't put too much emphasis on the 'scaryness' of the ghosts...

The nativity story is VERY beautiful (I especially love how they portrayed Joseph!)

And I really, really, really enjoyed the movie 'Elf'.. I think it's from last year? It's about a human who has been raised by elves on the northpole, but when he's grown he realises he doesn't really belong and goes looking out for his real father in new york. It's a LOT of fun and suitable for everyone in the family ;)

greetings from the netherlands!

Sarah DeSalvo said...

I found your blog through Joy's (Joy in the journey/ stay at home missionary.) We are with the same mission, serving in different parts of the same country. She is an inspiration to me, and if she recommends you, I very much look forward to reading more of your posts! Blessings to you!

Jennilee said...

One of my favorites is Three Days. Makes me cry and feel joyful at the same time. And of course, Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas!

Bridgett said...

Looks like a fun & productive day. I absolutely love reading Jesus' birth & listening to christmas music. I do really like The Nativity Story. On Christmas Eve we go out & look @ lights, come home & everyone gets hot chocolate & we watch a christmas movie.

Tracey said...

I love the idea of a rainy day trunk!!! All that food looks great!!!

Anonymous said...

"Christmas Story"---yes, I know it runs 24 hours on some stations at Christmas---but I just love the simplicity of the times it reflects. Another one is "Family Man" set at Christmas time, but not really a traditional Christmas movie. I love how Nicholas Cage's character learns what is truly important in life. I also love "The Homecoming" which kicked off the series "The Walton's".

Tamara said...

We always enjoy It's A Wonderful Life and White Christmas, but our recent fave is Elf...it just cracks us up. We quote it all year. "Smiling is my favorite."

fixedonHIM said...

We love "The Christmas Shoes" and the sequel "The Christmas Blessing". We just recently saw "The Christmas Card" and I look forward to seeing "The Nativity" this year. The girls love to watch "The Little Drummer Boy" and for now..."The Polar Express".