Easy Advent Calendar

With just a click here or there on the internet, we are introduced to so many fabulous ideas to inspire creativity from sites like Pinterest and other random crafty blogs.  This year, with the help of my GREAT 8-year-old, behind-the-scenes motivator, I wanted to make an easy, yet attractive advent calendar we could use for years. My girlie wrote a count-down-to-Christmas list.  Just about every day in December had an activity assigned to it.  We just needed a great way to display her ideas.

I found the following idea from Simple Mom.  We made some changes and created our own variation of the advent calendar.

Begin with an empty frame.  We happened to have one just stashed away awaiting a good use.  It already matched our decor.

Attach ribbon to the back.  At first I tried a glue dot, but it wasn't heavy enough to hold the tags.  I then tried tape.  Fail.  Lastly I pulled out the big guns and used Gorilla Glue.  The ribbons are now secure.

Our ribbons were about 2.5" apart

I found K & Company Brenda Walton specialty paper at JoAnne's.  In the paper pad it had a couple sheets that had numbers 1-25 on it plus some other holiday/Christmas designs.

I purchased paper tags measuring approximately 5.25" X 2.5" and placed a number and the activity on each tag.  Next, position the tags.  We used two colors; white and manila tags.  It wasn't part of the original plan, but as crafts go, the craft store only had one tag pack left of each.  Turns out, I like the look.  We added a couple more events in between the numbered dates.We then clipped them to the ribbon using red metal binder clips found at Staples.

Positioning the tags

Each year we can adjust the activities as desired.  It's a fun project, that was quick to complete and adds Christmas cheer to our living room.

Lunch is Served: French Dip Sandwiches Cafeteria Style

I have to be honest, there are some life experiences kids miss out on when homeschooling. 

Years ago, when our kids were "wishing" they could go to public school I asked them why they would want to make to that decision.  I soon found out their curiosity concerning public school had nothing to do with academics or education.  It didn't even have anything to do with meeting or hanging out with other kids.  The response I received when questioning why they would want to do a short stint at public school was, "I wish we had recess and could ride a bus." 

Hmmm...Not what I expected, but thankfully we could easily solve this dilemma. 

They didn't realize the play time they had regularly accounted for a "recess."  When I would whisk them outside to run around to get the energy out, or take them for a bike ride, that was our recess.  And when we were walking down the road on our way to pick blackberries, that was our recess.  One day while on our way to town, we drove slowly past the local elementary school.  We viewed kids hanging on the chain link fence  forlornly watching us drive by.  I think that solved our recess issue. 

Next, we had to tackle the bus ride.  We went downtown and caught the transit bus.  We rode around the town watching people get on and off.  We were thoroughly soaking in the bus ride experience.  On another stimulating occasion, we had the opportunity to ride the bus while on the field trip to Disney World.  After these exciting adventures, I think the mystery and fascination of bus riding was a thing of the past. 

One additional experience I think homeschool kids miss out on is waiting for lunch in the cafeteria line.  I'm not referring to the cafeteria experience of today, but the lunch line from days gone by.  I was not a "buyer" growing up.  My mom made lunches for us daily and we were known as "bringers."  Even before we had all this research, I'm sure my mom knew making a homemade lunch was the best, most nutritious option for us.  On the rarest of occasions my mom would give us money for lunch.  I remember getting the tray (in 5th grade) and waiting for the lunch ladies to put a dollop of this and a dollop of that in each space.  Like I said, I may have bought lunch a handful of times in my whole public school lifetime, but I remember watching other kids with their trays.

So, to ensure there are no missed life experiences, we have the lunch trays here at home.  Some days we pull them out and go "Cafeteria Style."  I like them because I think they look incredibly cool and they remind me to provide a balanced meal for the kids.  With the multiple spaces to fill, I make sure we have protein, carbohydrates, vegetables, fruit, drink and of course a little treat.  If you're looking for trays, you can find the old Texas Ware style on ebay or Pottery Barn has offered some cute ones too.  I'm sure there are many options available.

I have to share this fabulous, easy, time-saving recipe for French Dip Sandwiches.  I found this recipe in Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly by Phyllis Pellman Good.  The recipe was from Loretta Weisz of Auburn, Washington.

If you're eating gluten-free or paleo, just enjoy the meat without the bread.  It is delicious!

French Dip Sandwiches

Ingredients:

2-3 pound top round roast, trimmed
3 cups water
1 cup soy sauce (you can go with the wheat free soy sauce)
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1-2 bay leaf
5 whole peppercorns

Sandwich rolls

Place roast in slow cooker/crock pot.  Add water, soy sauce, and seasonings.

Cover.  Cook on high for 5-6 hours.

Remove meat from broth.  Thinly slice or shred.  Keep warm.

Strain broth and skim off fat.  Pour broth into small cups for dipping.

Butter rolls and brown slightly.

Serve beef on rolls.

Sandwich Ready

Side of homemade potato salad

Lunch ready to be served

Enjoy!  Cafeteria Style

Summer Staycation- Check Out Old Town Orange

Over the last couple years, since moving to Southern California, I've had a couple friends recommend I check out Old Town Orange.  I was told there were a lot of quaint antique stores and a laid back atmosphere.  During my parents' recent visit, we discovered on a staycation outing how right they were.

Driving up to what feels like an old town Main Street with a round-a-bout in the center, I was taken by the cute coffee shops, cafes, and people strolling down the streets.  This round-a-bout is known as Plaza Park and it is situated in the center of the downtown historic Plaza District.

What appears to be a Main Street is actually Glassell  Street, named after Andrew Glassell who founded the area along with fellow attorney, Alfred Chapman.  This is where the city of Orange began.

Old Town Orange was staked out by Andrew Glassell's brother Capt. William Glassell and is a perfect square mile divided into four perfect quarter-square sections.  This area is known as the "Antique Capital of California."  If you're into antiques this is the place to be!  Our daughter REALLY wants an old rotary dial phone, but I cannot bring myself to pay $40-$70 for an old phone.  One day we'll find one.

Many buildings in the downtown area are on the National Register of Historic Places.  Orange County's oldest operating bank and soda fountain can be found in Orange.  I found it interesting that when other Orange County towns were demolishing the historic homes in the 1960's to make way for sprawling housing developments, Orange decided to preserve them. 

Orange also happens to be the home of Chapman University.  Coincidentally, my mom attended and received degrees from Chapman through extensions in a couple different states.  How fun to drive by her Alma Mater that she'd never seen.  I can't believe I missed the photo op though.  Sorry Mom.  Next time we'll take photos of you in front of your university.

One shop I loved was Heavenly Hostess.  It was filled with great gifts and fancy aprons to make the homemaker feel like the Heavenly Hostess.  Gone are the days of June Cleaver, but that doesn't mean a gal can't look cute while cooking.

I was window shopping

It's really hard for my cute dad to take a serious photo.

Of course there are the coffee shops and cafes I mentioned.  There are two Starbuck's downtown, but I especially liked the name of this one.

Thank you historic Old Town Orange for a GREAT afternoon!

More Inspiration- TOMS Shoes & Sunglasses

Last night we were blessed to attend a recorded taping of a Focus on the Family Feet on the Ground Event.  Brandon Heath started the night off with his awesome heartfelt music.  While he was singing "Give Me Your Eyes," I was reminded of a service class I taught at our local homeschool co-op.  This song was one of our theme songs for the class.  We prayed that we would have the eyes of Jesus to see the needs around us and to respond to those needs.  As a class we saw kids giving sacrificially, working to serve others, and then paying blessings forward to others.

Following the singing, we heard from Amon Kasambala, the CEO of Focus on the Family Africa.  Focus on the Family Africa has been so instrumental in African countries in helping care for the orphans, family education and community service. The mission is "Nurturing and Protecting Families in Africa through Outreach and Trustworthy Resources."  


Lastly, Jim Daly from Focus interviewed TOMS founder, Blake Mycoskie.  Here's a clip on the history of TOMS.

Blake shared his inspiration in starting TOMS, one of his many entrepreneurial efforts, and the success he has experienced.  He shared about his faith in Christ and his heart to reach others in a self-sustaining business.  To date, TOMS has given away over a million shoes worldwide!  Amazing!  Jim shared the verse from Luke 12:48 "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  Blake is living out this verse and his giving is an inspiration to us all.

I love the faces in the following short TOMS clip!  Such precious children.

A few weeks ago TOMS launched their next One For One product.  Watch this touching video:

All of us, has the capacity to give to others.  Today is a great day to look at ways we can serve.  Ask God to give you eyes to see a need.  Listen.  Be creative. Maybe it's a smile. Maybe it's making a meal for a neighbor who just had a baby. Perhaps it's opening up your home to an orphan. Or, maybe it's buying a pair of TOMS shoes or sunglasses so that one can be given away.  Whatever you choose to do, I'm sure through your sacrifice, it will be blessed.

Happy Giving!!