Christmas Tablescape Dinner 2017

What Christmas Means to Me

Christmas means something a little different to everyone. This was the thought behind the theme for our Ladies Christmas Tablescape dinner this year. I LOVE the progression of what Christmas means to the ladies as they age. The youngest table hostesses had festive tables, those who have lost husbands had tables filled with bitter sweet memories, and others used keepsake treasures for their centerpiece.

We all know that Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

We all know that the birth of our Savior is central to our Celebration of Christmas. 

It is nice to recognize the other things that make this time of year so special. Those are the memories we share with the people we love: laughter with friends, treasured decorations, travels, and family recipes. None of these are the "Reason for the Season," but together they do embody the heart of Christmas...

Love

It's the love we have for those God has given us that makes Christmastime so special and that love is displayed best by God Himself...

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV)

I am excited to share the following pictures from this wonderful evening with you. 

Women from all walks of life, of all ages and backgrounds were together laughing and enjoying themselves. We had over 80 women attend the dinner, ranging in age from 10 years to almost 90 years. 

What a blessing it is to have such a diverse group of women in my life. 

Finally, Our guest speaker was Jay Tea Leggett from the Center for Pregnancy Choices. 

She expressed the need for volunteers at the center as she explained to our ladies what services the center offers. Several ladies showed interest in becoming volunteers. 

We will be collecting diapers, wipes, baby lotion, etc. at the Christmas Eve Service and will deliver those items to the center in Pearl shortly after Christmas.

My heart is full.

Much love and BIG hugs!

K

Wednesday's Weekly Recipes - Christmas 2017

With Christmas comes baking (or stopping at the bakery) so what better time to share recipes?

I confess, I am a Pinterest junkie and I LOVE to try all the fancy things that people post on their Recipe boards. I don't always have TIME for these kitchen adventures and am learning that sometimes it just isn't worth the stress to do homemade. HOWEVER, when I DO have time, I love to bake. Over the next few weeks I'll share some of my favorite recipes.

Let's start with something super easy. This is my absolute favorite thing to make for parties. 

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Crescent  Poppers

1 package Cream Cheese (8oz) softened

4 oz diced jalapenos ( you can add more or less to taste)

1 Tablespoon Sugar

1 can Refrigerated Crescent Rolls

Makes 32 crescent Poppers (I usually make 2 batches...they go fast!)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Add Cream Cheese, Jalapenos and sugar to mixing bowl and ... mix

Sometimes I use a mixer, sometimes not. Up to you.

Once everything is blended together, I taste to see if I want more kick.

If you want more, just add more peppers and mix again.

Set mixture aside (Don't put it in the fridge. It's easier to spread at room temperature)

Open can of Crescent rolls and separate into 2 rectangles. Pinch the seams together.

Spread 1/2 the cream cheese mixture over one of the rectangles (I use the back of a spoon for this).

Once you've spread the cream cheese, roll the crescent starting with the LONG side. (like a pinwheel log)

Once it's rolled up, get a really sharp knife and cut it in half.

Cut those 2 in half

Cut those 4 in half

Now you have 8, right?

Cut those in half.

You should have 16 .

Now do the same to the other rectangle of Crescent Rolls.

Once you get them all cut, you can refrigerate and cook later if you are making these ahead of time.

When you are ready to cook them (oven preheated to 375), place them on a cookie sheet sprayed with Pam and bake for 13 minutes or so...might want to watch them since all ovens are different. When they are golden brown, take them out.

They are sooo good right out of the oven!

Enjoy!

Much love and Big Hugs!

K

Tuesday's tips and tricks - Christmas Edition - Week 1

Oh my GOODNESS! Is it December already???

I am totally not ready for Christmas and all the craziness that goes along with the Christmas season!

In an attempt to defend against Holiday Overload which can lead to extra anxiety and depression (which I definitely do NOT need), I am making a conscious effort to NOT get overloaded. Thought I would share my tips and tricks for surviving the holidays.

Week 1

USE YOUR CALENDAR!

I have a propensity to over-book myself. I love Christmas and all the things we do during December, so my immediate answer to most any invitation is "YES!!!!" I am TRYING to make a habit of saying "Let me check my calendar." This will help me keep my schedule doable. That being said...

I've already stretched myself too thin and it is only December 5!

Saturday was our Ladies Christmas Table Scape dinner. (pictures and post to follow on Thursday of this week) Sunday was church, I'm on the Praise team rotation this month, requiring practice Sunday morning and afternoon. We had a Chili and Soup Fellowship Sunday night.

Last night was my youngest's band concert.
Tonight we are attending a Christmas party.
Tomorrow is Church.
I have horse therapy scheduled for Saturday and am chaperoning a bonfire that night.
Then Church all day Sunday again.

This brings me to my second tip...

BE REALISTIC ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO!

For my friend Christie, the schedule above is no problem. She has 4 children and manages them flawlessly. I, on the other hand, am lucky to get to work with matching shoes most days! Christie can handle this week's schedule without breaking a sweat. Me...not so much. It seriously pushes my limit. My chest is tight and my heart is racing just thinking about it. The thing that is saving me from a panic attack is my calendar...where I can SEE that Thursday and Friday nights are clear.

My point is simply this...be realistic about what you need in terms of social interaction and time alone. If you need alone time like I do, be SURE to schedule that,  which segues nicely to tip number 3...

SCHEDULE EVERYTHING!!

A calendar, if used properly, will not only keep you from being over-booked, but will also insure that you have time to care for yourself. Perry told me to schedule EVERYTHING and this has proven more valuable that I thought possible. While you are marking out time for parades, parties, dinners, and concerts, be SURE to also mark time on your calendar for...

• house cleaning (i know...YUCK! but better to have time to do it than to have someone show up with Christmas Cookies and see a week's worth of laundry piled on the couch!)
  
• REST - oh my goodness, sweetheart...schedule some "me time" - Merry Christmas to ME!!! Schedule time for a nap, reading a book, watching a movie in bed...whatever is relaxing to you. Take time to just REST.
  
• baking - if you like to bake, that is...if not... just buy it...not worth stressing over!
  
• cooking - (see note on baking)
  
• visiting with friends - with all the traveling we do in December, it is so nice to have a stress free evening or afternoon with the people we do life with day in and day out. 

STOP GUILTING YOURSELF!!!!

Yes, your kiddo would LOVE for you to make those amazing Santa cupcakes she saw on Pinterest for her class party, but if it requires you to miss 4 of your 6 hours of sleep...not worth it. Go buy some cupcakes and call it a day. 

STOP STRESSING YOURSELF!!!

Let's face it. Some women can pull out all the stops, be the perfect hostess or guest and make it look completely effortless, but we ALL know that one woman who is present at EVERY event, is the BEST at everything from decorating to baking, whose kiddos are always dressed all matchy matchy and NEVER have chocolate on their faces, who ALWAYS brings the most beautifully wrapped gifts...and is a total sleep deprived, stressed out jerk.

Don't be that girl honey. No one likes to be around that girl.

• Use your calendar.
• Be realistic about what you can do.
• Schedule EVERYTHING (including rest)
• Stop guilting yourself.
• Stress less...ENJOY MORE!

Much love and BIG BIG hugs!!!!!!!

K