Making A Gingerbread House

For the past few years we have made a gingerbread house for our neighbors. Usually I find one of the Halloween house kits after Halloween, ditch the orange and black decor, and use the house. No luck this year so I had to make my own. I have a gingerbread house mold from the Pampered Chef that had never been used. My first attempt was using a boxed mix and it didn't turn out hard enough for a stable house (luckily it tasted great!). Next I used the recipe that came with the mold and it turned out perfectly. Go figure. I even had enough left over dough to make gingerbread men the girls decorated (and promptly ate) for themselves. I can't wait to do this again next year!

God Gave Us Two - Book Review

We love God Gave Us Two, by Lisa Tawn Bergren, so, of course we had to get God Gave Us Two when our second daughter was on her way. This time Little Cub is afraid that with the addition of the new baby, she will be forgotten. Mama and Papa assure Little Cub that God's gift of two will be a blessing, even to Little Cub. This is a great book to get a little one ready for the arrival of a sibling. Many of the fears of a child are addressed and Little Cub is comforted. A perfect gift for a child with a new sibling on the way!Children are a gift from God; they are his reward. Psalm 127:3

Last Minute Gift?? Marshmallow Shooters!

I bet you that Lowe's or Home Depot aren't THAT crowded these last few days before Christmas. You could buy materials for these little guys and be home before you could even get a parking spot at Target.

We had a $3 limit for a child's gift exchange and didn't want to get cheap things that parents sneak in the trash the moment the child looks away (What?! Am I the ONLY parent that does that?).

These each cost less than $3 and took less than 5 minutes to make. Shooting marshmallows is super fun for girls and boys (and parents). My girls tried them out and giggled with excitement every time a marshmallow shot across the room. You place the marshmallow in the end and blow through the top. They shoot about 10 to 15 feet and it's FUNNY when you get shot on the noggin with a marshmallow.

I got the plans to make them at The Ultimate Camp Resource.

God Gave Us......You! Two! Christmas!

God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren has been one of my favorite books since our first daughter was born. It took awhile for me to be able to get through it without tears. The story is told from a mother's perspective answering questions from her curious cub. Mama bear explains to her child that she is a special gift from God given to her mama and papa. All questions point back to God's perfect plan of creating this family. My girls enjoy it as much as I do.

Of course we had to get God Gave Us Two when our second daughter was on her way. This time Little Cub is afraid that with the addition of the new baby, she will be forgotten. Mama and Papa assure Little Cub that God's gift of two will be a blessing, even to Little Cub. This is a great book to get a little one ready for the arrival of a sibling. Many of the fears of a child are addressed and Little Cub is comforted. A perfect gift for a child with a new sibling on the way!


Children are a gift from God; they are his reward. Psalm 127:3

God Gave Us Christmas addresses the question, "Is God more important than Santa?". Little Cub and Mama set out on an adventure to see how God gave us Christmas. They talk about Jesus coming to earth as a baby, the all mighty power of God, and how much He loves each one of us. Mama explains how Santa is a reminder of many good things but how Jesus is the best present of all and that GOD gave us Christmas. Our family isn't anti-Santa, so for us this is a good book that touches on a number of topics that your family can expound upon depending on the age of your child.

Last Minute Gift?? Giant Cookie!

Don't you love cookie cakes? I'm not sure why cookie cakes taste so much better than regular cookies but I think they do. I love chewy cookies and I think there's more chewy in a slice of cookie cake. If you like crunchy cookies you may not agree with me.

I made one Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (top) and one regular Chocolate Chip (bottom). While both tasted great (I liked the PB one better because I LOVE peanut butter. Yes, I could marry it.), the peanut butter one looked a lot better. They are really easy to make and I'm giving out a few for Christmas gifts this year

(what PE coach wouldn't want a big cookie?).

I used disposable 13" pizza pans.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

Cookie Cake Recipe

(from Almost Bourdain)

6 TBS butter, softened

1/4 cup smooth peanut butter

1 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips

1 cup flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

Preheat the oven to 180C.
Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.

Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream the butter, peanut butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extracts on medium speed until well combined, about 1 minute.

Increase the mixer speed to high and beat for 15 seconds. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the egg.

Blend on medium speed for 30 seconds.

Add the dry ingredients and combine on low speed until just a few dry streaks remain.
Add the chocolate chips and mix for a few seconds until combined.

Scrape the batter into a greased and lined 10-inch round cake tin (or a 13" disposable pizza tin if giving away - it looks like there isn't enough batter but there is - turns out perfectly).

Press the batter into a smooth and even layer in the pan. Bake until lightly golden and puffy around the edges (the center should still feel quite soft), 18 – 22 minutes (I baked mine for 15 minutes, as it was larger and flatter).

Cool for 10 minutes and then run a paring knife around the edge of the pan to release the cake. Or leave it in the disposable pan if you are giving for a gift!

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake recipe came from Food Network.

This post has also been linked to:

Mouthwatering Monday at Southern Fairytale

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed with Grace

Tuesday at the Table at All the Small Stuff

What's on The Menu Wednesday at Dining With Debbie

Hearth and Soul at A Moderate Life

Recipe Swap at Prairie Story (Thursdays)

Colleen's Fall Recipe Swap at Colleen's Kitchen (Fridays)