Tag Archives: holidays

Holidays: Real-Life Learning in High Gear

One of the perks of homeschooling is getting to set your own schedule. As a girl, my eyes would take on a special shine this time of year as I would bask in getting to take the whole month of December off from formal studies.

But while we packed away the math and spelling books, my mom knew a little secret that I’ve now discovered walking in her shoes: the learning never stops.

It is a special time to cook – learning measurements, following directions and watching chemistry at work! It is a time to learn project management as you plan for the Christmas meal and pull your kids into the conundrum of figuring out how everything will be ready at approximately the same time. There is crafting and decorating. As family comes together there are fresh character lessons to learn as children interact with elderly relatives, work through conflict with cousins, etc. And as believers, this is a special time to quiet our hearts and enter into the wonder of the incarnation -God coming down to us!

To make the most of this special real-life learning/real-life living, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Slow Down

I can hear the groaning from all you Busy Moms… I know this can be a busy season, but the more we can take time to slow down and simply BE with our children the better. That’s one reason why we shelve the curriculum. I don’t want to miss out on the special moments with my kiddos. And let’s face it – it’s far easier to just do things ourselves sometimes than to slow down and bring our kids into the process. Resist the urge to sacrifice memory building training moments with our children merely for the sake of efficiency. When we are rushed, everyone suffers.

Brain Storm

With all of the *life* that is happening, there are myriads of learning opportunities for our children.

Have older kids? Why don’t you give them a budget and have them plan a Christmas party for their friends. If that doesn’t work, why not assign them Christmas Eve dinner and walk them through planning a menu, making a grocery list, setting an elegant table, etc… Have them help you plan the travel itenerary if you are heading out for the holidays.

With your younger one’s pull them into whatever you are doing. Yes, it slows you WAY down. But they are so eager to help. Cooking and cleaning alongside you not only draws you closer and begins to teach them important life skills, but it also helps hone fine-motor skills, counting and sorting skills as well as developing a strong work ethic.

Pull some special books together to read, learn about Christmas traditions around the world, make a fun craft together than can double as Christmas decor.

The opportunities are endless!

Embrace Spontaneity

As busy as we may get, always remember that we are never too busy to be with our children. Embrace the spontaneous opportunities to serve together, learn together and laugh together. Embrace the opportunity for discussion and pointing our children to the God we love and worship. Slow down and soak up the opportunities that come your way!

What kind of real-life learning opportunities do you experience this time of year?

Budget friendly holiday decorating ideas

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The holiday season is such a beautiful time of year. It’s a time when families come together, and we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We spruce up our homes a bit more than usual, we bake more often, get a bit craftier with the kids, wear festive clothing, and decorate our homes with lights and excitement!

Something about holiday décor is just so inviting and exciting! Isn’t it? I love seeing my children’s reaction to all the festive decorations and excitement!

But, what if you don’t have a huge budget to make your home look and feel festive? Is it possible to make your home feel and look festive for the holidays without draining your bank account?

Here are some very simple (and affordable) ways that you can decorate your home for the holidays without breaking the bank.

Don’t underestimate your local dollar store. I think I have a slight obsession with the dollar store. I know it’s not a popular place for most to turn to, but if you are looking to decorate on a budget – go there first! I have been surprised every time I go and come out of there with some really great decorative items. Everything you see in this picture below is from the dollar store. Best 10$ I’ve ever spent on holiday decorations! I placed it on a large round tray (also picked up at the dollar store a few years earlier)

Get creative with what you already have. Most of us have items stored away in closets that we just don’t seem to have use for throughout the year. Go through those items first, and see what you can do to make them look festive. Is there a random box? Grab some wrapping paper and wrap the box, toss on a bow, and it’s an instant Christmassy decorative accent that you can put anywhere in your home. I have had this hurricane vase for a few years, and it was just too bulky for my personal taste. Last year I wanted to make use of it for something, so I place several ornaments in it, and it was a hit! You can do this with bowls, a regular size vase, or any open container really. This same vase would look really nice filled up with red and white bows, or with candy canes!

Decorate the table. Our table rarely stays clean all day…okay, it never does. But, I still love getting it “set up” for the holidays. I keep it really simple. Something as simple as a table runner, stacked plates, and a hurricane vase with a candle can add an instant holiday touch and feel to any home. If you have a coffee table you can grab one of those tin round cans that cookies come in and fill it up with tree ornaments.

Scented Candles. There is something about scented candles that can instantly set the tone and mood in a room. I’m really big on getting seasonal candles. Candles remind me of a cozy night snuggled under blankets, sipping on my favorite warm beverage.

I would love to hear some ways that you decorate your home for the holidays on a budget!

5 Christmas Picture Books That Will Point Your Kids to Jesus

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I will warn you ahead of time, this post could have been titled, “5 Christmas Picture Books That Will Make Momma Cry.”

Despite those tears that usually mean my son reads the final pages, these books remain one of the most special parts of our Christmas celebration every year. At a time when the focus often drifts to receiving, rather than giving, Santa, instead of Jesus, and filling stockings seems more pressing than filling our hearts, reading these books will help redirect your family back to the reason we celebrate — the birth of a Savior.

{this post contains affiliate links}

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle.

The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg

One dark November night a stranger rides into a small prairie town. Who is he? Why has he come? The townspeople wish he were a doctor, a dressmaker, or a trader. But the children have the greatest wish of all, a deep, quiet, secret wish. Then a young girl named Lucy befriends the newcomer. When he reveals his identity and shares with her the legend of the candy cane, she discovers fulfillment of her wishes and the answer to her town’s dreams. Now will she share what she has learned?

Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Cynthia Rylant

In Appalachia each Christmas, a boy named Frankie waits beside the tracks for the Christmas Train, which will bring presents to the children who live in coal towns and hollows. Year after year, Frankie hopes that one particular gift, a very special gift will be tossed to him from that train. It is this enduring hope that will guide him to the true meaning of the season.

Christmas Oranges by Linda Bethers and Ben Sowards

The only home little Rose has ever known is the orphanage, but Mrs. Hartley cares for all the children as if they were her own. When Mrs. Hartley dies, Rose is sent to a new orphanage, which is as cold and cruel as her previous home was kind.

Gradually Rose makes a few friends, and she learns that every Christmas a generous neighbor donates a box of oranges for the children.

An orange is an unknown luxury for little Rose, and she waits in eager anticipation. But on Christmas morning, Rose is brokenhearted when she learns that there is no orange for her.

However, Christmas is a time of friendship, love, and of miracles . . .

Annika’s Secret Wish by Beverly Lewis

A beautiful book that will become part of a family’s Christmas heritage, Annika’s Secret Wish inspires young and old to freely give and share even long hoped-for gifts. The final page features Swedish Christmas traditions that your family may choose to include in your own holiday celebration.

May this be a season of joy for your family, as you dig in deeper to share the real meaning of Christmas with your children.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:9-12

5 Things to Make with Leftover Turkey

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You know it’s coming. The Turkey Coma is just around the corner! Crispy deliciousness, whether roasted or deep fried, it’s enough to make one giddy with glee at the thought of eating it for days after.

But once the dishes are cleaned and the last bit of pumpkin pie eaten, the question arises: what DO we do with all the turkey leftovers? And while a turkey sandwich or some soup is certainly a good way to use up the remaining bird, there are some more creative, yet simple ideas.

Pesto Sauteed Veggies and Turkey Sandwiches

This is a bit of a switch up on the “traditional” turkey sandwich.

In a frying pan, saute chopped veggies until soft. Add turkey to warm it up.

Mix pesto with mayo and spread on crusty bread (we love to use ciabatta buns from Costco). Top with veggies, turkey and some chopped feta. Broil until the cheese bubbles (but watch closely!).

Turkey Stock

Just like you would make chicken stock, turkey stock is a super healthy way to use up some of your turkey leftovers – including the bones! Just follow these instructions from Kitchen Stewardship and substitute your turkey bones and meat.

Turkey Pot Pie

After making stock, use some of the remaining meat to make a turkey pot pie. Simply convert your favourite recipe and, you guessed it, substitute turkey for the chicken.

Curried Cranberry Walnut Turkey Salad

For a refreshing change, turn your leftover turkey into a light salad. Chop up 4 cups of turkey into pieces, add 1 chopped celery rib, 1 cup of cranberries, 1 cup of toasted and chopped walnuts, 1/2 – 3/4 cup mayo, salt, pepper and curry (to taste). Mix together and serve.

Turkey Pizza or Pizza Pockets

Using your favourite pizza dough recipe, spread with a light barbecue sauce, sliced turkey, onions and green pepper. Top with a blend of cheeses (mozzarella and cheddar) and bake.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

The Hospitality Blues

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What happens when you hear the word hospitality?

Do you feel warm and fuzzy inside? Can you picture yourself curled up on the couch with a hot cup of coffee, laughing with friends in front of a fire?

Or do you panic?

Do you feel the pressure of unreachable expectations? Do you resent the cold weather that means you can’t suggest celebrating Thanksgiving at the park?

This time of year brings natural opportunities to host others in my home. I used to have big dreams of being the hostess with the mostest who threw big shindigs at every opportunity. I gathered ideas for decorating and entertaining. I imagined cooking all day and serving multiple courses to my guests.

I read the magazines. I watched the shows.

When my husband and I had our first home, I looked for opportunities to entertain. I would clean like a madwoman to get my messy house presentable, and then spend all my remaining energy (and money) creating a delicious (and complicated) meal.

When it was over, I was exhausted. Each party required weeks of my time and most of my energy.

And then I had kids. Suddenly, blocking out weeks of time to obsess over a party was not an option.

My hostessing became less frequent and eventually almost non-existent.

My heart longed to have people in my home, but I didn’t think I could.

And then I opened my big mouth (and my trembling heart) and volunteered our home for weekly small group meetings with our church. My husband looked at me with panic in his eyes.

Weekly. That meant every week. Like, every single week. He knew how crazy I got when I was expecting the doorbell to ring.

Four years later, I look back on that what-was-I-thinking moment as one of the best decisions I ever made.

My entire view of hospitality has changed. The relationships my husband and I have made with those in our small group have meant so much to us.

And that’s what it’s about. Relationships.

True hospitality isn’t about impressing people or creating the most gorgeous fall display. It’s not about serving bacon-wrapped shrimp or filet Mignon.

It’s about providing a place to be. A place to sit. A place to relax and let down your guard.

A place where people can be themselves and share their lives with one another.

There have been weeks over the past four years when I have served a meal and there have been weeks when I popped popcorn. There have also been times when friends stopped to pick up pizza because no one had time to cook.

There have been weeks when my sink was full of dishes that wouldn’t fit into the dishwasher because I got off my kitchen-cleaning rhythm over a crazy weekend. There have been times when people had to walk across newspapered floor to get through a half-painted entryway.

And no one minds. We’re all thankful just to be together. To have a place to be.

I rarely host the big events anymore. I prefer to host people.

Tips for Homeschooling Through the Holidays

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I’m not sure when I went from enjoying and anticipating the holidays to gradually tolerating and even dreading them.

It was probably some time after birthing and starting to homeschool eight children, running a home, serving at church and helping my entrepreneurial husband with his multitude of business ideas. I imagine that I am not alone in this lack of enthusiasm. It is easy to get anxious about the holidays when you consider all of the extras that will be added to your already overflowing plate with shopping, cooking, wrapping, and social commitments.

As a busy mom of many, one verse that I memorized, internalized and clung to from the early days is where Jesus said in Matthew 11:30,

“For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Which leaves a harried and overburdened soul with one simple conclusion… I must be carrying someone else’s load!

Tips for Homeschooling Through the Holidays

Pray
I suppose it is more natural in our humanness to look around for cues as to what to do with our families during the holiday season. If everyone else is doing it and appearing to enjoy it, maybe we should do it too. By praying about our family’s holiday celebrations, gift-giving, calendar and school schedule our family has been led to celebrate in lots of different ways. Some years we have continued schooling along with the public school schedule, other years we have taken off from Thanksgiving through the new year. Some years we have entertained, other years we have taken a family get away to the local mountains for some peace and quiet. Although at times we wondered about our decisions, in the end we were always blessed to seek and follow God’s promptings.

Relax
For many of us coming out of the public school system, there is a process of letting go of the school-at-home mentality. It makes us anxious to take a break from formal schooling for four weeks. In our home, we have settled on a small amount of core schooling (mainly math and phonics) during the holidays. We fill the rest of our days with read alouds, service opportunities, baking, crafting, shopping, letter writing and what ever else God lays on our hearts. For example, every year our family makes a calendar for our business clients. The kids help choose the photos, the layout and the captions. We have made homemade gifts and ornaments by searching online for ideas and choosing the ones that would apeal to our friends and families. The kids are busy baking and planning and wrapping – thinking of others and how to be a blessing. Moms who know will tell that building life skills and learning to serve as a family are just as important as academic skills.

Still worried about falling behind? Maybe it will encourage you to remember that the public schools have a lighter load during the holidays as well, often having holiday concerts, class parties, field trips as well as taking two or more weeks off. Don’t underestimate the power of working and playing together to prepare for the holidays. Holiday preparations are some of our children’s’ most memorable experiences of homeschooling.

Reflect
Taking time at the end of the year to reflect on the ups and downs your family has experienced can be a great way to refresh your vision and goals for your family. If you have never taken the time to create a family homeschool mission statement, you may want to do so now. A quick Google search will provide many ideas for simple ways to document your vision for your family.

Traditions
There is great value in fostering family traditions. They provide our kids with a strong sense of family identity, values, and generate wonderful memories.

Rather than have this become one more thing on your plate, consider simple things that you can do that don’t require great time or expense. Is there a special food your family can look forward to? Maybe you watch a classic Christmas movie together as a family each year. One thing our family does every year is to bake mountains of gingerbread cookies and invite the neighborhood kids over for a decorating fest. Easy, inexpensive and, really, who doesn’t like to decorate {and eat} a cookie or two?

Flexibility
Ask any veteran homeschool mom about planning for the holidays and the first thing she will tell you is to remain flexible. Every year is different. Every family is different. There will be illness, financial strains, family struggles, and any number of other variables to get in the way of your idea of a perfect holiday celebration. Don’t let these things trip you up and steal your joy. God uses these struggles to grow you and your children. As your children see you seeking God and finding peace in the storm, they will learn a lesson far more valuable than any traditional school subject.

Don’t let friends, family, your church or even your textbooks dictate how you will celebrate the holidays with your family. Ask God how He wants you to celebrate and let go of the rest.

Tips for Parenting Food Allergic Kids {Holiday Meal Ideas}

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If your kids have food allergies like mine do, you know the frustration of large get togethers that center around food. It’s just hard. Nothing replaces the feeling of being left out, especially when that is part of every holiday memory you have. Thankfully kids get focused on playing, but there is inevitably time at the table, and that’s hard! Other than skipping the mealtime altogether (which my kids don’t want to do when given the choice), we resolve do the best we can. Honestly, it’s a lot of work for me, but it is always worth it when I see my kids’ plates licked clean of their favorite foods.

I thought I’d share how I do our traditional Thanksgiving meal free of the eight major allergens and corn. Keep in mind, it’s not made to be full of gourmet recipes, but alternatives to the main family meal (because we get together with many other people who cook) that are still delicious but simple to do… a way to include everyone without making an entirely different meal.

EveRy food allergy family has different needs, so find what works here and leave the rest. Use your safe something and make something else work. You know food allergy mamas are the queens of modifying! I’ve been unspecific on purpose, because we all have our own spreads, margarines, oils, amounts etc that work for our specific needs. I’m just sharing how we think out of the box. And I have no photos because I can’t wait until next Thursday to take them all so I can share them with you!

Turkey
I get fresh turkey legs or thighs from the butcher at my higher end grocery store, put them in the crock pot with at least 1 cup of broth or water (more if I want to make gravy), and set them to cook on high for a few hours(less than 4 hours for 4 legs) … I just watch to see when it’s done.*
*I buy meat with no ingredient list, which means nothing has been injected into it. The injected solutions are not corn or other allergy friendly.

Gravy
I keep things pretty simple in the kitchen, as you’ll notice as this post goes on. I have no idea how everyone else makes gravy or what they do to complicate it, but I’m the hired gravy-maker now for our family gatherings, and people keep going back for more. I take the broth leftover from the crock pot (fat included), bring it to a boil (high heat) in a skillet. Turn down to medium-low, and add brown rice flour, whisking consistently (though not necessarily non-stop) as it boils. Keep whisking and simmer for 2-3 minutes while it thickens, repeating this step until it’s as thick as you like it. Salt to taste.

Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a tough thing since so many sweet potato casserole recipes our kiddos will see are covered with marshmallows and loaded with sugar, milk and eggs. What I do now is bake sweet potatoes in their peel (poke with a fork, bake at 425 until they’re soft), peel them, place in small casserole dish, mash lightly with a fork, stir in some liquid (safe milk alternative or chicken broth), add margarine (or your safe spread), then top with brown sugar and cinnamon. It’s okay if they’re loaded with sugar… everyone else’s recipes are too!

Dressing… or is it stuffing?
Either way, I got nothin’ for ya’ because we don’t like it, so I’ve never tried to replace it! (Post a comment if you have a recipe to share.)

Mashed Potatoes
We make our mashed potatoes with chicken broth instead of milk, and safe margarine or oil instead of butter. The chicken broth adds so much flavor, we prefer them over those made with milk and butter now!
Or go really easy (no one will tell your mother) and use these instant flakes! Potatoes only!

Something Green
Ummm, do they really have to eat something green? I suppose to be helpful I’ll add that steamed veggies with a holiday-amount of your favorite spread are permissable. My kids love salad, so when I require them to eat something green at a holiday meal (really, never) I give them that, and it’s really easy to make match for every guest who will attend.

Rolls
Sometimes I make safe rolls, depending on how well I’m doing on getting everything else done… usually that’s not very well, so most years the kids have had toast (on their safe bread), warmed and slathered with their margarine (or whatever you prefer) and honey. If I get my act together a few days early, I make the safe dough or rolls and freeze them to easily bake or thaw Thanksgiving morning. (For gluten free “rolls,” I make the same dough I use for bread and bake it in muffin tins.) Cranberry muffins made safely are perfect too.*
*In quick breads or muffins, I use familiar wheat recipes and sub brown rice flour cup for cup with excellent results. And I use 1T flax meal stirred into 3T warm water for each egg I need to substitute. These make for easy allergy free baking and avail a lot of options!

Dessert
I’ll admit, I’ve tried and failed at a number of allergy friendly pie recipes. The dairy-corn-wheat-egg free pumpkin pie was gross and the dairy-corn-wheat-egg free pecan pie (we’re obviously not nut free around here!) was very runny, though still delicious. I’ve settled on a good old modified apple crisp. Smells like fall as it bakes, and can be loaded with doubled topping for extra holiday fun! Oatmeal raisin cookies are my most successful allergy free cookie recipe, and can be pre-made, frozen and then warmed just in time for dessert too!

Allergy Free Apple Crisp

6 medium tart apples, sliced and peeled
2 1/4 cups turbinado, raw or brown sugar
1 1/2 cups brown rice flour
1 1/2 cups oats (gluten free if you need that)
1/3 cup oil (just enough to coat the topping when stirred)
2 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Arrange sliced apples in pan. Mix all other ingredients and sprinkle over apple layer.
Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes, or until topping is lightly browned.

Drinks
This might seem like a silly one, but to a corn allergy child, prepared drink options are severely limited. I make sweet tea beforehand to make sure he has something he loves.

A few other tips:
Feed them a snack before you arrive or before the meal. If they’re not starving, their eyes and stomach will be much more satisfied with what they can have instead of what they can’t have.
Fix their plate for them (before you call them to the table) so they don’t have to walk through the line and see what everyone else might be having.
If dessert isn’t an organized event, don’t feel the need to call them when everyone else comes. Leave them playing and feed them their dessert whenever they come looking.
As silly as it sounds, fun holiday paper plates & cups or beautiful china makes a different meal really exciting too… it takes the focus off the food!
Create “matching” food only for the things they like. One year I went to great effort to make a safe green bean casserole… only to be reminded how much my son hates green beans. Now I just “match” the foods I know my kids love. They have a plate full of their favorite foods, and are very happy to not have to eat broccoli! (I avoid any and all food battles on holidays as a gift to my food-allergy-mama self. I encourage you to do the same!)

Most importantly, don’t encourage (or allow) a “poor me” attitude about their allergies. They are tough, for real, but some people can’t run, or hear, or even swallow. Help your children keep in perspective that there is much they can enjoy as a kiddo with food allergies, and all their favorite foods on Thanksgiving are a great beginning!

Now it’s your turn. Share your suggestions or post links to your allergy free recipes here!

Heidi St. John

Speaking the Truth in Love