We may not have it all together.

This was our Christmas card this year. I started out searching for the "perfect" photo to send out. You know. The one where we are all together in our matching outfits, not a hair out of place, everyone smiling and looking at the camera..."perfect". Here's the truth. We are not perfect and that picture doesn't exist. My pictures of the year consisted of kids in mud, holding frogs, painting projects, ice cream all over faces, fits being thrown, tearful faces, crazy mismatched outfits, silly faces...LOTS of silly faces!!

And do you know what!?? I wouldn't trade ANY of those pictures (or memories) for that ONE "perfect" family picture. Actually, I think this one is perfect...perfect for US!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Corn Chowder

There is something about this cold weather that makes me crave a warm bowl of soup. And THIS is the first soup that usually comes to mind. My mom's Corn Chowder. I hope you like it as much as we do.

Corn Chowder Recipe

1/2 lb bacon
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp dill weed
2 cans whole corn
1 cup water
1 can cream style corn
1 12 o can evaporated milk
6 oz smoked sausage links (also known as little smokies), cut
2 cups diced, peeled potatoes
minced dried onion (optional)

In a large saucepan, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain all but 2T of the drippings. Saute celery and onion in drippings until onion is lightly browned. Add potatoes and water. Cover and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Stir in corn, milk, sausage, dill week, and bacon. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Makes 4-6 servings.

Tradition

Today begins a special countdown at our house. 12 days until Christmas. A gift a day for the next 12 days. 3 piles. 3 styles of wrapping paper. 3 happy kiddos. Courtesy of Grandma!

Thanks, Mom, for starting this wonderful tradition for our family. The kids couldn't wait to pick out the first gift to open this morning!!

My mom started this a few years ago and the kids truly love it. The presents are usually small things that she picks up throughout the year. Sandwich and soup containers for lunch boxes, small stuffed animals, toothbrushes, hot chocolate, small games. When they were preschool age, she went with an art theme providing us with paper, crayons, paints, glue, pipe cleaners, and other things for us to "entertain" them with projects throughout the year. This morning it was Farkle, hot chocolate, and a car...can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!! What are your family traditions at Christmas time?

It's beginning to look like Christmas!

Christmas at Maple Memories...


The tree is up and the stockings are hung. The gold ornaments and white lights against the wood in the entryway are BEAUTIFUL at night!! The outside is fun and festive this year too!!!

One little "helper" thought she needed her picture taken when we were done decorating. I think she was right!

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

1. Gather Supplies. Natural Jute from Hobby Lobby, Candle and Glass Holder from Walmart.

2. Hold jute in place at the bottom with your thumb. 3. Start wrapping it around with your other hand. No glue was used. Just wrapped.
4. When you get as high up as you want, bring the jute back to your starting place and tuck under to secure.

5. Drop into glass. 6. Add smaller candles, ribbon, pumpkins, pinecones, and rocks.

Ahhh...ready for company!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

Swap Table

At Maple Memories, we have a "Swap Table" in the basement. It's a place for you to leave things you won't use anymore and/or pick up something that you can use. Our guests have been so generous by leaving stickers, paper, embellishments, ribbons, cutters, stamps, etc. I often notice a change in the "stuff" so I can tell people are taking and leaving! This makes me happy!!

I wanted to share this story with you. After one guest left, she contacted me to let me know how thankful she was for the table. Money was tight (her weekend was a gift), she had few supplies, and didn't know if she would be able to finish the album she was working on because she was running out of supplies. She was able to find some things from the table and kept on working. She was SO VERY GRATEFUL! Isn't that wonderful!!??

There are no rules for the table. You can leave or take anything. As much or little as you want. You can leave full sheets of stickers or a sheet with only one left. ANYTHING that you think someone else could use. Don't feel guilty for taking...someone wanted you to have it or it wouldn't be there.

Ok, with that said, I need to work on organizing it!!! Any suggestions!?

Peanut Butter Cups

My MIL was kind enough to watch my kids for a few hours last Saturday. When I got home, she had homemade pizza made and a pan of this...

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups!!! MMMMM...I could eat the whole pan!! Seriously, I had to have them take it away after I woofed 3 of them down in no time!! ;) I thought you might enjoy them, so here's the recipe. THANKS, GRANDMA KAREN!!! P.S. I would like to know how you took care of the kids AND managed to make pizza from scratch (yes, even the dough) AND Homemade Peanut Butter Cups AND play AND quilt with them!!??? I hope you went home and took a nap!

PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

Ingredients:

1/3 Box Graham Crackers

2 Sticks Butter

1 Cup Peanut Butter

3 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar

2 Cups Chocolate Chips

Crush graham crackers into crumbs. Mix with butter, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. Dough will be stiff. Press mixture into buttered 9x13 pan. Melt chocolate chips in pan on low heat, stirring to prevent burning. Spread over mixture in pan. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into small squares. (Or big ones so you don't feel guilty for eating so many!)