Ending the year with a full heart

*contented sigh*

Right now I feel a bit like Santa...you know the part in Night Before Christmas where it talks about his round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly??

Yeah..that sounds about right. 

But mine would be a bowl full of ice cream...
and ham.
and peanut butter M&M's.
and rolls.
and Christmas crack.
and cinnamon rolls.
and cookies.
and milk.
and Christmas candies.
and...well, we'll just stop right there.  

But this afternoon...my tummy is not the only thing that feels full.  

My heart does too...

Full of joy.  
Full of gratitude.

And at a time when I would typically be sentimental (with the end of the year, Christmas being over, etc.) I feel satisfied.  Like someone who leans back in his chair during a big family meal and just relishes the moment. 

Nothing fills the soul like time celebrating Jesus, time with our families, time with friends, and time with my Love.   

My Favorite [Christmas] Things - Food Edition

Today I'm sharing one of our newest favorite Christmas goodies - what I've affectionately named Christmas Crack. :)  Our recipe is modified from one Ryan found in the Illinois Electric Co-Op newsletter/magazine (called White Chocolate Party Mix).  

Hope you enjoy a healthy addiction (as we have!) to some Christmas Crack ;)  

Christmas Crack
7 Cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
1 bag holiday M&M's (we combined half a bag of plain and half a bag of peanut butter)
2/3 of a 15 oz bag of mini pretzels.  
1 - 16 oz jar of honey-roasted peanuts
1 - 20 oz package of almond bark (we used vanilla flavored) or 20 oz white chocolate chips 
3 Tbsp vegetable oil

Grab your Honey Nut Chex (I didn't know such a thing existed!) and measure out 7 cups.  Add the M&M's, pretzels, and peanuts in a bowl with the Chex.  

Microwave the almond bark with the oil in 1-minute increments until smooth.  Pour over the dry mixture and stir until coated...

Once coated, pour out onto a long strip of wax paper to let dry.  

Once dry, break into pieces and savor! :)

  

My favorite [Christmas] Things - Round 1

Maria had her favorite things in the Sound of Music - Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens...lovely and simple pleasures. 

And on a much larger (and commercial) scale  - 
Every year Oprah releases her "Favorite Things" list.  This year her list has included soap sets, an elliptical, sweaters, jewelry, and Michael Kors studded high top shoes, among other things.  

This year, I thought I'd share a few of my "favorite things" related to Christmastime.  

Today, I want to share with you an Advent Bible reading list that I have found helps me reflect on Christ as well as the way God orchestrated His entrance into our world as a remedy for our sinful situation.    

This reading list is for 25 days...the days leading up to and including Christmas.  I stumbled upon the full list (which is for 4 whole weeks) a few years ago, but for the likes of me, I can't remember where.  So I want to be clear - this does not originate with me.  But I simply want to pass along a good thing. EnJOY!

1. Isaiah 40:1-11
2. Isaiah 52:7-10
3. Genesis 3:8-15
4. Genesis 15:1-6
5. Deuteronomy 18:15-19
6. Psalm 89:1-4
7. Isaiah 11:1-10
8. Zechariah 6:12-13
9. Micah 5:2-4
10. Malachi 3:1-6
11. John 1:1-8
12. John 1:9-18
13. Mark 1:1-3
14. Luke 1:5-13
15. Luke 1:14-17
16. Luke 1:18-25
17. Luke 1:39-45
18. Luke 1:46-56
19. Luke 1:57-66
20. Luke 1:67-80
21. Isaiah 7:10-14
22. Luke 1:26-35
23. Isaiah 9:2-7
24. Matthew 1:18-25
25. Luke 2:1-20