Cinnamon Clay Recipe

This recipe makes a sweet smelling dough that can be made into ornaments or package decorations.

This project is rated EASY to do.

What you need:
1 1/2 cups ground cinnamon
1/3 cup Applesauce
1/3 cup white School glue (like Elmer's)
1 medium sized bowl
Flat surface for kneading
wax paper
rolling pin
cookie cutters-various types
knife
straw
Non-stick cooling rack
ribbon
puffy paints; optional


1. Mix cinnamon, applesauce, and glue together in a bowl.
2. Remove from the bowl and knead the mixture until it turns into a firm clay.
3. Let sit for about 30 minutes.
4. Clay is best used at room temperature. You may need to dust your rolling pin,
hands, or working surface with cinnamon, or use wax paper as a working
surface.
5. Roll out clay with a rolling pin to approximately 1/8 of an inch thick.
6. Use cutters to cut out desired shapes (we like gingerbread men).
7. If you are going to hang your shape, use a straw to cut out a hole near the top of
the shape.
8. Place shapes on a non stick cooling rack or wax paper. You will need to keep an
eye on them and turn them over occasionally so that they dry evenly and flat.
9. Dry shapes for approximately 5 days!!!
10. When dry you may put a ribbon through the hole for hanging on the tree or
adding to a package.
11. You may add puffy paint to decorate your shapes, if you wish.

Don't forget about the "Christmas Cookie Swap"...see Tuesday's post!!{for invitation}

{Christmas Cookie Swap}; Photos of Mattie & {FREE} things to do!!

Caught Mattie on the telephone the other day!!! Isn't she a little young for this??

And...she was standing in her playpen!!!!!!!!!!! {Just Kidding}....

{FREE} things to do:

December 9th{Saturday}

*Donelson Presbyterian Church, 2305 Lebanon Road, is having a live Nativity 6:30pm-8:00pm., with live animals, music, singing of Christmas carols and refreshments. Rain date is December 10th. #883-3248

December 17th-18th{Sunday & Monday}

*Live Drive-Through Nativity, with about 50 people and assorted animals, 6:30pm-8:30pm., at Hamilton United Methodist Church at 3105 Hamilton Church Road, at the corner of Murfreesboro Road. #361-7210

I was remembering things I did as a {younger} girl during Christmas..and a few things came to mind..one of them was when I went to a Live Nativity with my Grandma P., so I Googled Live Nativity Nashville Tennessee & wa-la! They still do these things!! I am going to take the children to see one..they have never been.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO CALL & MAKE SURE OF TIMES..I GOT THIS FROM MISS CHEAP ON THE INTERNET...
_________________________________

You are invited to a "{Christmas} Cookie Swap"

Take a break from the holiday rush
& share the Christmas spirit
with old and new friends.
Come & enjoy an appetizer, coffee and egg nog
& sample all those delicious cookies!
I look forward to seeing you........& your cookies, of course!!

Date: Friday, December 15th, 2006
Time: 7:00 - ?
Place: My House!!
R.S.V.P. (by leaving a comment; e-mail or call me if you already have my phone number){A.S.A.P. or by December 8th}

Hosted By: Jill Gross-LaFaye

Rules:
Bring {2} dozen cookies.
Bring a copy of your recipe.
Bring an empty container.
*Make cookies at least 2-3 days in advance..the biggest reason for no-shows is that they didn’t have time to bake their cookies.

*Prize will be given for the most {unique} cookie recipe. By majority vote.

More {stuff} to give away...

The items on Sunday's post are {still available}.

Update: The nesting boxes found a home @ Renee's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! {and} she doesn't need either of the Christmas trees. So Denise now has next choice on them....

Here is some more items; I have found in the "Christmas" closet:

I know..I know..this is not Christmas stuff..but it got stuffed in there somehow..& I don't need it.
They are resin wall plaques.



Santa Snow...I am not sure why I even purchased this stuff?


Mr. & Mrs. Snowman/resin.

Brand new..never used..I just checked them & they DO work.

Hmmm.. wonder why this was stuffed in the Christmas closet? Hee Hee

Anyone have a New Year's Resolution to {work out}? Well here ya go!

It's beginning to look a lot like {Christmas}...

The children & I put the Christmas tree up! No ornaments yet..but we are working on it. Trae has his train already set up {this is his job..he is very picky about who touches his train track} around the Christmas tree. We are in the process of cleaning the Christmas closet {out}! I will post some things that I want to get rid of {with photos}..let me know if you want an item..I will hold it & we can meet at Scrap It!

So far this is what I have found that I no longer need:

*6 ft. Blue Douglas Fir (cheapy from Wal-Mart)
*6 1/2 ft. White Monroe Pine (cheapy from Wal-Mart)

*Christmas throw pillow..posted above

*Nesting boxes..posted above

*Partylite tealight house..posted above

*Merry Christmas resin banner..posted above

Renee..has first pick on the tree's for the store. I need to call her to let her know that I am in the process of putting Christmas decor out. O.K. I spoke with Renee..she needs to ask D: they are not sure if there is enough room for a tree at the store..so ya'll be thinking about if you need an extra tree or not ?

Thanksgiving Menu:

{Breakfast}:
*Country Breakfast Casserole, recipe from The Shupe House/Bed & Breakfast
6 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. salt
2 c. milk
1 lb. sausage, cooked & drained
10 slices bread torn into 1 inch pieces
1 c. medium cheddar cheese grated
2 bunches green onions, chopped
Mix eggs, salt & milk together. Spray 8 x 11 pan with no stick spray. Layer bread, meat, cheese then onion & repeat. Pour egg and milk mixture over dish until all bread is covered. Refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.
*Coffee


{Lunch}:
*Roasted Turkey..from The Honeybaked Ham Company
*Mashed Potatoes with gravy
*Stuffing with Hot Italian Sausage
*Cranberry Sauce
*Mexican Deviled Eggs
8 hard cooked eggs
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. salsa
2 green onions, finely chopped (white part only)
1 tablespoon sour cream
salt to taste
Slice the eggs in half lengthwise. In a small bowl, mash the yolks well. Stir in cheese, mayonnaise, salsa, onions, sour cream & salt. Evenly fill the whites. Chill.
*Green Bean Casserole
*Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Asparagus
*Sister Schubert's Yeast Rolls
*Peanut Butter Pie..{Hollye Cross's recipe}!
*Soda Pop

Our Thanksgiving traditions:
*The Alabama LaFaye's come to visit for a few days..
*we all go watch a movie at the movie theatre..
*we look at Christmas lights off of Hwy. 109 in Lebanon..awesome display!! a must see!!
*This year..I am going to have everyone write down what they are thankful for {on little note cards}..so that I can use them on my {Thanksgiving 2006} layout.

_____________________________________________________

Oh..guess what happend this morning?!? Our microwave decided to die on us. Yep..2 days before Thanksgiving! I didn't realize that I have had this microwave for over 8 years until I thought about it today..it has had a long life and it has been good to us. So today we purchased a new one..I then realized how God has blessed us {financially} to be able to just go and purchase a new one without worrying about how we are going to pay for it. For this I am THANKFUL!

What are some of your Thanksgiving traditions??? What are you thankful for???

Our visit with {my} Papa..

...on Sunday, November 19th. Everyone this is {my} Papa...my grandfather. I have always called him Papa. He turned 80 in August. The children just adore him. We went to Ryan's to eat {in Florence, Alabama} that is where he likes to eat. So we drove from {here} to Waynesboro, Tennessee..then to Florence, Alabama to have lunch..it is amazing the things you do for your grandparents! While I was visiting I found some of my grandma's recipes that I remember her making quite often. I now have copies of: {Mama's} Chocolate Pie..this is the same chocolate she uses to serve over hot biscuits (this was grandma's mother's recipe..my great grandma/Leona..we called her Ma-Maw), Salty Ketchup(this is a chow-chow for beans..but much yummier), M&M cookies, Vanilla Ice Cream, Tea Cakes(both recipes from grandma & Ma-Maw..) I plan on scrapbooking these {somehow}..just so they are recorded somewhere safe & not in my crazy recipe drawer in the kitchen. {Any suggestions..for a layout}?

I just asked Izabelle what was on her face(below)??!!??.. She said {Papa} told me that I could get an icecream sandwich from the freezer..so I guess she is saving some for later on her mouth..silly goose!

Labor Of Love Reunion..November 5th

My friend Amber{in-the-middle} just e-mailed me this picture of our little group that hung out together at the Labor Of Love classes. Me with Baby Mattie, Amber with Baby Julius & Iran with Baby{Kam Kam}, short for Kameron..I can't remember how to spell it correctly. I think our Mattie is a lot chunkier than Amber & Tiffany's babies..Don't ya think??{Too many beans & taters} Hee Hee
We made great friendships in this class...Love ya..Amber & Tiffany{she took this pic..Kam Kam's momma}!!!!

Mattie Elizabeth @ 3 months

Already ready for night, night. I can't tell you how much she likes her thumb..it is a daily thing now, since she found it on the 6th of this month. She started {trying} to hold her bottle yesterday..she did it again today. Her hair is thining out..boo hoo! She is pulling herself up {like a sit-up} in her bouncy chairs! She rubs her little eyes & plays with her hair when she gets sleepy. She is already wearing size 2 panties. She squeals when she is excited..she talks & talks & talks all day long.

There goes that thumb again!

She is studying my P.J.'s..there is a silhouette of a lady walking her dog on them..and she really is trying hard to touch it. Silly girl!

My (2) girls in there {purple P.J.'s}.

Look what my sweet hubby hung for me today on his day off!..My lantern that I got from my candle party I had in October...it is very pretty..I have already been burning a candle in it {Roasted Chestnuts}. We put it in between the livingroom & diningroom..where the 2 rooms split.

and.. he hung my sconces that I also got from the candle party. There is one on each side of my piano picture in the livingroom. {I still need to put some votive cups on the plates so that I can burn my votives..I am going to check at the Dollar General for some clear glass ones}. I got to shop for $82.00 worth of free product!! Yippeee!!!

Thanks everyone for your candle orders!!!!!!!

Meet the Doodlers!

Trae, Izabelle & Mattie received another package from the Goody Fairy today. They all got clothes..(and there was even some clothes for a friend of Izabelle's)..school folders, stickers & these really cool markers that made a black outline around what ever it is that you draw or write..all by itself! They "doodled" & listened to Christmas music for almost 2 hours! After that..I guess they were in the Christmas spirit..so..they watched "Elf" & "The Polar Express". Thanks again..Great Aunt Cherry! We love you & appreciate all that you do!

John 3:16

I finished this layout Saturday evening..this is the picture of Izabelle, the day she excepted Christ. I have the Bible verse John 3:16 on the layout & also {Let my heart become a home for You to dwell}
(I heard this from the song that plays on Sherri VonL's blog..great song..Izabelle & I listen to it often!)
Izabelle Taylor Gross, Age 9

Inside the file folder I have the blog entry for that day(11/5/06) and all the responses from: Aunt Cher Bear, Grandma LaFaye, Aunt Tina, Chelle, Tiffany, Ann & Denise. This will be something to cherish when she is an adult.

Whew..angry Miss Mattie. Not really, she is hungry and I just had to get a quick pic with this cute little hat given to her from Aunt Cherry, The Goody Fairy! Izabelle & I knew we were pushing our luck with her.

JUST BECAUSE....

..I appreciate you. Rich said to me as he handed me 12 pink long stem roses wrapped in tissue paper as he walked through the door tonight(11/11/06). I completely melted..wouldn't you? I believe I will keep him forever & ever! (Big smile)

Random pictures & another layout!

See the little monkey hanging from the tree? Her name is Izabelle.

This picture was taken at Two Rivers Park yesterday..It was 79 degrees yesterday..strange weather we are havin' huh??
Mattie Elizabeth's 12 week pic(11/8/06)..Aunt Cherry this is the outfit I was trying to describe to you..do you remember it?
My husband..layout..I had another little crop last night until 1am..I produced this..Rich really thought it was very nice..I left it on the kitchen counter last night so he could see it this morning before he left for work.

Guess Who ?????

found their thumb? Did you say Mattie, well then you are correct! This is Rich's worst nightmare..because we still deal with Izabelle sucking hers at the age of (9). This drives Rich crazy! Mattie found her thumb on Monday, November 6th..Rich came in that evening from work and Mattie was still awake..but laying in her playpen..he heard this loud sucking noise..and he looked at me..like what in the world is she doing..I looked at him and said.."Your daughter found her thumb today". He pretty much just buried his face in his hands. She has really been enjoying her thumb every since then..she gets angry when she can't get it in her mouth correctly. She is so funny!

You all have already seen these pictures..but now they are on a scrapbook page!
(top) Today..we selected a pumpkin to carve.
(bottom) Family..happy memories.

Oh! What a wonderful day!!!

We were late for church this morning..but we got there! We had special music (solo) today..the song was "Beulah Land". This is such a beautiful song..it was one of my Grandma Pulley's favorites..I couldn't control the tears today while it was being sang.

At the end of service..when Mr. Jim Carr (our Pastor/Chuck Groover was out of town) began the invitation hymn "Just As I Am" and asked whomever would like to come forward to move memsbership..take Jesus as their Savior..etc. Well our little Izabelle..wanted to go up..I went with her..she accepted Jesus into her heart. It was so sweet. I am so thankful for my precious children..I am truly blessed.

I know my Grandma was there today..watching & smiling with the Lord..and I know that they are both so proud of Izabelle.

BEULAH LAND
(click on the link to hear the song)

I'm kind of homesick for a country
to which I've never seen before
No sad goodbyes will there be spoken
and time won't matter anymore

Beulah Land I'm longing for you,
and some day on thee I'll stand
There my home shall be eternal,
In Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land.

I'm looking now across the river,
to where my faiths 'gonna end in sight
There's just a few more days to labor,
then I will take my heavenly flight.

Beulah Land I'm longing for you,
and some day on thee I'll stand
There my home shall be eternal,
In Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land.

In Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land.



Also today Rich and I attended the Labor of Love Reunion..Rich won the award of: (See below)... too funny!..Also my friend Amber & I won the award for the longest hospital stay..we both had c-section's.


I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Fall layout

I had my own little crop Thursday night in my scrap room..only (1) person attended..me (Hee Hee) I stayed up until midnight and got another layout finished..yippee!

Teacup Exchange

This evening I attended my first Teacup Exchange. It was held at our church..Victory Baptist Church.
1st..we all were given little mock teabags that read on one side: The Women's Ministry..Victory Baptist Church.. Presents.."Seasons of Your Life" Speaker: Betty McGlaughn
The other side had a spot for you to fill in your Name, Address, Phone # & E-mail.
"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1

2nd..we all had a wonderful dinner..chicken casserole with broccoli & cheese on a bed of rice, salad, roll, tea & dessert..I had the Blueberry Pie!

3rd..we had door prizes!

4th..we all drew a number out of a bowl..I drew #18. There was (2) of each number..after everyone drew a number..we had to search for the person that had our match. I met a new friend: Julie Haley. We swapped tea cups..this is the one (below) I received from her. She is my new prayer partner..the idea is to think of eachother when we use the teacup that we were each given.

Our speaker was absolutely wonderful..she is a survivor of breast cancer..such a sweet, sweet lady. I am so thankful that this Teacup Exchange was planned for a Thursday evening..otherwise I would not have been able to attend..(Rich has Thursday's off & he watched the children for me tonight.)

Happy November!!!

Friends & Family..you should appreciate these pictures..because..it took me 2 hours to get them uploaded to Blogger..I guess they are having issues again..I know it isn't me.

I wanted to post some pictures of last night..trick or treating..but..oh well! I saw 2 of the best costumes last night..I wanted to take pictures of them, but I had Mattie in my arms. There was a little girl (like 4/5) dressed as Dorothy..and a young girl (like 11/12) dressed as Harry Potter.


This picture of Mattie was taken yesterday morning(10.31.06)..she is 11 weeks today(11.1.06)..Wow!! She is wearing another sweet little outfit from her Great Aunt Cherry aka: The Goody Fairy!

Izabelle & Mattie (10.31.06)


Izabelle & Mattie (10.31.06)


Picture of Izabelle..right before we went to church Sunday afternoon (10.29.06) for trunk or treat! She had lots of fun!!


Mattie holding Izabelle's trunk or treat candy..She is probably wishing she could sink her little gums into it!! Hee Hee


Another pic before trunk or treat! (by the pond)..I love taking pictures there.