Being time productive

As you would all know when you have young children you feel like your chasing your tail all the time. There is always so much to do and it feels never ending.

I have a very demanding little two year old and so I am constantly looking for ways to keep her amused so that I can get some things done.

To get the washing done I get her to pass me the pegs but if I'm in a big hurry I turn the outside tap on to a drizzle, give her a little watering can and she waters the plants while I hang the clothes.



Just today she needed a shower and didn't want to get out so I scrubbed the outside of the shower and cleaned the toilet while she had a play.....this is a job I had been struggling to find the time for. It's not something I can do with her clinging to my leg. But this way I got a clean baby and a clean bathroom.

Do you have any time productive tips to share?

More christmas goodies

 

Chocolate mudcake christmas puddings 

 

 

These were quite simple. I saw these done with fruit cake....which would be delicious! I have children that don't like fruit cake so we used the idea to make something the kids would enjoy.

 

We just cooked a chocolate mudcake and crumbled it after it had coled a little. I mixed some hot chocolate ganash through and we rolled them into bite size balls. We chilled them in the fridge and then finished them off with the melted white chocolate topping.

 

You can use m&m's and cut up mint leaf lollies for the decoration but we had already coloured fondant left over from Jada's birthday cake, so we used it instead.

 

 

These would be a really special gift or are perfect for that extra special something to take to a christmas party.

 

Enjoy!!!!



Cinnamon Muffins with crumble topping

These are so scrumptious!

We had a baking day yesterday to try out some new recipes. These muffins smelt amazing cooking and were so delicious with our cup of tea after all the hard work.





I am finding so many recipes at the moment that I want to try out. So if you are after cooking inspiration 'watch this space'

The link for this recipe.....
The recipe

Simple christmas cookies

I love christmas so much, it is my favourite time of the year. I love doing christmas craft and christmas baking with the kids, I love decorating the house, buying gifts, christmas music and movies and wrapping presents with beautiful bows. (I don't like the weight that I gain though)



 













Today the kids and I baked the simple but yummy christmas cookies. They are just basic sugar cookies from Martha Sewart's website. This is a fantastic recipe that you can mix up quick with not alot of ingredients and you can freeze the dough and use it later.



We used royal icing because I wanted an icing that would set so that I could fill the cookie jar but you can use any type of icing to make the sprinkles stick.

Check out Martha Stewarts delicious sugar cookies

Please share if you have a baking favourite!!!!

Making Christ the center of Christmas

Idea #4

Make the effort to get to carols by candle light this year.

 



I have to admit I haven't been too fussed on getting to one for quite some time. Sometimes it all just feels too much with all of the end of year things to get to and all the people that want to catch up before christmas.

This year I am being a bit more picky about what we go to and how many people we catch up with......not because I don't love these things and these beautiful people in my life, but because I need to prioritise this year if I'm going to make Christ the center of christmas.



"Oh no, not boring carols again", you might be thinking.

Why not look up the meaning behind one or two of the traditional carols, who wrote it and where their inspiration came from. This might help to appreciated the beauty and depth of these incredible songs. And just read over the words....they are beautiful.

And let's face it....there really is an incredible atmosphere at these events that leave you feeling so good inside. And the kids love the night out!

Go with a group of friends, it makes it so much more fun.

Just don't forget the mozzie repellant!

Keeping Christ the center of Christmas

Idea #3

Bless somebody! Just remember Jesus was the ultimate gift and blessing for us, so let's try to pass this on to others.



• Take the children to visit a nursing home to give the lonely residents a christmas gift or card
• Buy a gift for someone in your church that you think might not have anyone to buy for them at christmas (a single parent, someone in financial diffuclty etc.). Ask a church leader to give it to them if you wish to stay anonymous.
• Buy a gift for the Kmart wishing tree
• Bake some nice christmas cookies and visit someone that is lonely. Nice fresh cookies to share over a cup of tea



You really don't have to spend a fortune to give a gift or be a blessing. I have found some beautiful home made gift ideas (beautiful not corny).

Imagine receing a tin of these....Mmmmm!

 

Beautiful Gift idea

 

Making Christ the center this Christmas - Idea #2

Keeping the true meaning of Christmas alive in your home....

Idea #2

Display a nativity scene. If you are like us and don't own one, then you can make one. We will be making a couple of different beautiful nativity's to have on view in our home. I will post photo's over the coming weeks as we complete each project.

I think involving the children with some activities like this helps them to focus on the true meaning and spirit of christmas as well.

Check out this link which has a very simple yet affective nativity scene that children can help make.

http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/craft-stick-and-clay-pot-childrens.html

Check out this link