Wednesday in the Word

Today isn't really a study in the Word but rather some good ole, down home encouragement (good news, though! Glenda is coming BACK...after Christmas...yeehawwww!). :)

On the heels of concentrating on the things for which we have to be THANKFUL, maybe you're starting to feel like you need a paper bag into which you would promptly hyperventilate if you could take a break from cleaning up from Thanksgiving, Christmas decorating, getting Christmas cards ready, Christmas shopping, preparing for holiday parties, maintaining the routine day to day...you catch my drift. Yes, we all know (and I'm in no way minimizing) we need to take a deep breath and concentrate on the meaning of Christmas...Jesus' birth...but he wasn't just born. He came to bring us JOY! We can experience and have that joy even when we're starting to feel like mom of the year (not), ho hum, lonely, under appreciated and, yes, in our menial tasks.

I love this poem by Ruth Bell Graham.

For all these smallnesses, I thank You, Lord:

small children
and small needs;
small meals to cook
small talk to heed,
and a small book
from which to read
small stories;
small hurts to heal,
small disappointments, too,
as real
as ours;
small glories to discover
in bugs,
pebbles,
flowers.

When day is through
my mind is small,
my strength is gone;
and as I gather
each dear one
I pray, “Bless each
for Jesus’ sake—
such angels sleeping,
imps awake!”
What wears me out
are little things:
angels minus
shining wings.
Forgive me, Lord,
if I have whined—
it takes so much
to keep them shined;
yet each small rub
has its reward,
for they have blessed me.

Thank you,
Lord.

A couple of weeks ago my mom and I saw Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman. When SCC talked to the moms of the crowd and shared his appreciation from a male, son, husband, father point of view, I knew I had to share it with YOU. Be encouraged today as you have already raised or are in the process of raising one heartbeat at a time. You can do it! He will give you what you need...including JOY! God bless you, my sisters.

You are my God...have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.--Psalm 86:3-4

Train Up Tuesday: Numbering the Days

So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
- Psalm 90:12

It's a verse that I normally would think of when a loved one passes or the considering Christ's return, but last week, it came to mind as I began "numbering" days until Christmas, putting together activities and gifts for my boys as we teach them the importance of the Advent season. I had already considered the significance of the Anticipation and Preparation aspects, as you may remember from last year, but I got re-convicted about it. I was so eager to make the "countdown experience" memorable, which it should be, but a still, quiet voice asked, "Are you putting this much effort into the REAL countdown everyday?"

Ouch.

No, I don't think I am. At least, I'm not literally (or for that matter figuratively) making a list of whom I can share the Light of Christ daily. Am I even acting cognisant of the imminence of Christ's return most days? Could someone tell in the way I'm leading my children or in my daily interactions with others (at the moment, I don't get to experience adult interaction outside my home most days)? What do I do as a S.A.H.M. to "redeem the time" when most days I AM staying at home? Who can I help or minister to daily, in addition to my immediate family, and how can I make that work?

It's something to consider this holiday season. What an appropriate time to consider it. Use the Advent Season as a teachable moment...not only to consider the "countdown until we open presents", but as a time to number our days every day.

For more ideas on Advent, I've really been inspired by Impress Your Kids.

What are you learning or teaching during this season? What are some of your favorite activities? How are you "redeeming the time", as a mom?

Redeem the days!
Ashlie

Stay at Home Saturday: Just a lil humor

Hope ya'll had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Are you still feasting on the delicious leftovers? Since you probably don't feel like cooking today and are getting in Christmas decorating mode, perhaps you would enjoy a little humor for the day.

Background: It is our family tradition to take a road trip to the mountains the weekend after Thanksgiving and cut down a Christmas tree from a local tree farm. I was feeling a little nostalgic this morning and read the past few years of tree trips in review on my personal blog. I knew I had to share this entry from four years ago with you~even if you're not from the South. Enjoy and be sure to take some time for a little humor today. :)

You know you're in the South (and maybe even a redneck) when...

...you're on your way to get a Christmas tree, stop to eat at Cracker Barrel, go to the car to feed your baby, the battery runs out b/c you've been listening to the radio without the car running and the person that saves the day with her jumper cables is Dot, the waitress, with four (not three) whole stars on her apron....

...you're on your way to get a Christmas tree, are stopped by the town Christmas parade and the highlight of the whole parade is the riding lawn mowers...

...and the yellow El Camino with a reindog in the back.

...you're on your way to get a Christmas tree, reach your destination and this is the first thing you see when you pull in the drive...

...followed by this greeting as you begin the scenic hike through the meadow on a cool, crisp afternoon in search of THE perfect frasier fir to adorn the perfect place in your home....


Yes, we really did encounter all of the above today on our way....you guessed it....to get a Christmas tree! Gotta LOVE the South!

Free-for-all Friday: Christmas Card Creativity

It's the time for Christmas Cards. I know you love receiving the variety as well as spreading the love with your own. If you haven't done yours yet, I have some tips for you!

Over the years I have found a couple of ways to cut down on the cost of Christmas cards. Through the year, I always look at the clearance section in Target in the invitation section. For the last 2 years I have found boxes of 50 blank invitations with response cards for under $10. Each box includes 50 blank decorated card stock cards with lined envelopes. Also in this box is 50 response cards. I take advantage of photo deals from online photography houses. This year I got 50 prints for $5 which included shipping. My box of cards was $6.50. I start with the 50 large invitations, and when I run out, I will get smaller photos and use the response cards. They make the cutest cards!

Another idea is to use your scrap booking stamps and get card stock in the wedding invitation section at craft stores. You can get a box of 100 flat cards with envelopes for $10 and most craft stores have 50% coupons that will make them $5. You can let your kids go crazy with your Christmas stamps then take your glue gun and put photos on top. You will have a very custom card at the cost of close to $5.

Ribbon can make the card! Our craft store has ribbon for .99. I have used a couple of these with the white card stock. Put the card stock in your printer with a bible verse and Merry Christmas and you have yet another card for a very low cost. Add free pictures to these and I promise you will love the outcome.

Please post any other fun ideas your family has used in the past to spice up this activity of Christmas.

Savings Tip ~ For friends and family that live close make an afternoon of hand delivering your cards, save on cost and increase your quality time with family and friends during this holiday!

Have fun!
Imogene

Thrifty Thursday:: Step 1 Collect Coupons

When I started using coupons in October 2008 I was completely overwhelmed. I wanted the big savings, but I didn't know where to start. After much prayer, 2 years of experience, and teaching many coupon workshops I can confidently say IT WORKS! I've created 5 easy steps to get you started. I will share these steps over the next two weeks.

Step 1: Collect Coupons

The primary source for coupons is the Sunday Newspaper:

• Buy at least two papers. This way, when something hits its lowest price, you can buy more than one. Thus, creating a stockpile.


• There are three possible coupon "inserts" in the Sunday paper. Red Plum (RP), Smart Source (SS), and Proctor & Gamble (P&G).


• The paper may not have inserts on a holiday weekend. You can look at the Sunday Coupon Preview each week for a list of inserts.


• Some coupons are regional so there is a chance the coupon will vary. There's nothing you can do about it. It simply means when you can't find a coupon, or your coupon is a different amount, you're not going crazy. Understand some regions got it, and some didn't. Isn't it a relief. No crazies here.


• Opps, it's Monday and you forgot the Sunday newspaper. No problem. Click here for the solution.

Internet Printable (IP):

• When you print your very first coupon you may be asked to download coupon printer software. This is not a big deal. It simply limits two coupons per computer. 2 for your laptop, 2 for your desktop, etc. Again, this is not a big deal.


• Hit the back button to print the second coupon.


• Some IP's require you to register at their site. Be sure to set up a separate email account for coupon offers. This way your personal email won't have a bunch of deals.

Other Coupon Sources:

• Blinkies, Tear Pad, and Products- Look for coupons while you shop.


• Catalina ("Cats")- Cash register coupons that print at select stores


• Contact Manufacture for home mailers- Great for specialty items (organic, baby, etc).


• Magazines- Pay attention as you flip through your favorite magazine! One specifically marketed for coupon users is AllYou. You can buy this at WalMart or get a subscription.

Don't miss out on BIG $avings! Take one baby step at a time. Before you know it you'll be a savvy shopper! Start with Step 1 today.

Coming up:

Step 2: Organize Coupons
Step 3: Budget
Step 4: Plan Your Trip & Shop
Step 5: Plan Your Meals

Wednesday in the Word: Cookies, Ms. St. John?

Thanksgiving Countdown...1 day!!!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and many of you will be hitting the sales beginning at midnight lasting through the weekend. This is a great story from Catherine that gives us a fresh perspective to put our mission mindedness aside and pay close attention that our words and actions exhibit love.

Everyone has mother-in-law stories – mine happen to be ones that have taught me to be a better person. Shopping with my mother in law is an experience in itself – the first time we graced the mall together I was amazed that she seemed to know EVERYONE. So many employees in so many stores…surely she’s a shopaholic? It took me about 3 mall visits to figure out the secret and it wasn’t due to endless shopping.

I have in the past, been the type of shopper to view the store employee as someone there to serve me – I am the customer. I am always right. I am providing them job security by shopping there. It was about me. I buy something, perhaps smile and walk out the door and that was it. Me. Me. Me.

But there’s more to a retail experience than that and it was due to mother-in-law observations that have caused me to look at a purchase a bit differently. It’s walking past a cosmetic counter that she stops to check on a lady’s family member. It’s stopping by her favorite clothing stores to check on an employee’s well being. Or simply, genuinely asking someone how they are as she’s handing them her debit card and then telling them she hoped they had a great day, that the remaining hours of them working passed quickly and (where appropriate) that she’d be praying for them. People are transformed by her kindness.

My favorite story is this: It was a very very special occasion and she needed a pair of new pumps. Not normally one to shop in St. John, she went in and fell in love with a pair and made the purchase. After getting them home and comparing them to her outfit and doing a quick fashion runway action on the carpet, it was evident the shoes weren’t right. Within the next few days she went back to return them. The sales woman was NOT pleased. She was curt, rude and absolutely crushed my mother in law with her berating behavior. At this point, I would have reminded the woman of her place and perhaps even placed a call to her manager. I can’t stand being talked down to.

My mother in law left the store and went home and made a massive batch of chocolate chip cookies and marched them right back to the lady in St. John. She told her that she was sorry she appeared to be having a bad day and wanted to brighten it by baking her cookies. After all but picking herself up off the floor, the dumbfounded sales woman accepted the cookies and thanked her. To this day (after several years), when she sees her walking past the store, the sales woman will come out, say hello and see how my mother in law is doing. A complete kindness makeover.

I’ve adopted these practices over the years and while I haven’t made St. John cookies for anyone (yet), I do check on my Chocolatier at Godiva as he’s giving me my free truffle each month, as he initially seemed annoyed that I didn’t buy anything. Now he tells me about the cold he caught from his kids. I make sure to give a smile and let the clerks know I appreciate their help. I wish them a Merry Christmas. I take more time than I used to and come away from the harried shopping experience with a better feeling than before.

We’re entering a season of gift buying and giving and many of the clerks are working extended holiday hours because they need their jobs. I’m sure they would rather be in bed than greeting me at Best Buy on Black Friday….or slicing salami and cheese samples at Hickory Farms at 9pm on a weeknight. Take a little extra care with your purchases and clerk interactions this year – see it as a ministry mission rather than just a checklist for toys, clothes and barbeque grill sets. Trust me, the effort will be worth your while.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,

Catherine

Imagining what Ms. St. John may have felt upon receiving her undeserved gift of love could be an example of the surprise David articulated about receiving our Father's love. I love the visual in this passage from the Message along with Catherine's reminder that we are vessels to display that same love which is mighty to save.

But me he caught—reached all the way
from sky to sea; he pulled me out
Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos,
the void in which I was drowning.
They hit me when I was down,
but God stuck by me.
He stood me up on a wide-open field;
I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!
2 Samuel 17-20

Trian Up Tuesday: Lunch with Charlie Brown

If you've been following a while, you may remember my fondness for Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. Last year, Glenda (one of our RWAV contributors) commented that she looked forward to watching the movie with her granddaughter and eating the treats shown in the movie. That inspired me for this year!

So...I arranged a play-date for my boys and their cousins....at my mom's house (hey, it's much easier to do these things when you don't have to clean a play room before and after the event ;-). We watched Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving (why, yes, I do own the video) and as they watched, I began plating their treats - popcorn (which happened to be crunch n' munch because the new Jiffy Pop won't work on glass top stoves :( ), pretzels, jelly beans (and m&ms and skittles...for those who can't chew the jelly beans), toast, and ice cream. Oddly enough, the moment I served the last scoop of ice cream, the scene where the Peanuts gang prays before their "meal" began playing. "Divine" timing? Perhaps ;-)


They had a GREAT time! We also dressed them up in Native American inspired apparel and let them run around outside to play in the leaves...to get the sugar high out of their system (right before naps, too!) ;-)


Even though it has already aired on network television, you should still be able to pull it up on hulu.com (I checked earlier on Monday and it was there). So, if you're looking for a fun activity to do (that is easy to pull together...did I mention I have a 7 week old and 2 other boys ages 5 and 2 1/2?!), this is a winner.

Also, if you are looking for an opportunity to share the truth about Thanksgiving, be sure to check out a couple of last year's posts: Lessons from the Mayflower and 5 Kernels of Corn. I plan to continue our new tradition of the 5 Kernels and share the poem featured on Raising Real Men when we do.

What fun things are you doing with your family this holiday?

-Ashlie

Turkey Cupcakes

Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away, and I wanted to share some fun turkey cupcakes we made last year. As you look at the photos, keep in mind that by "we" I mean my (then) 2-year-old daughter, two of my nieces and me. (My sister-in-law had already baked the cupcakes, which was a huge help.) Anyway, these are so easy and fun to do--a great after-dinner activity and treat for Thanksgiving!

In researching what candy we needed to have on hand to decorate the cupcakes, I came across several versions of them (or something similar) on this here Internet, and they are so easy! Feel free to improvise with various candy treats for your turkeys' eyes, beaks and feathers.


Ingredients and supplies. The Coke is optional for some--but for me it is a must--LOL! It was hard not to eat all the candy accessories.


One of our finished turkeys. Gobble! Gobble!


On some of the beaks, we used broken pieces of candy corn. That seemed to work better than using the whole piece. Happy Thanksgiving!

Marvelous Monday: Getting Ready for Christmas Decorating

Thanksgiving Countdown...3 days!!!

Happy Monday!

Did ya'll take your turkey out to thaw yesterday?!?! If you need help getting focused for Turkey Day, you can click here.

I will be doing a couple of posts over the next couple of weeks on fun and cheap ideas for decorating your house for the holidays. I know you want to focus on Thanksgiving first but wanted to get you started since many of you may already be decorating or will be this coming weekend.

First, as you look in any home decor magazines or Christmas catalogues and find fun ideas, tear out the page(s) and try to copy. I love doing this especially with trying to decide how I want my mantel to look. You can do this from door designs to table settings and you will be so surprised at how you can create these designs with similar things you already have in your house. Once I get my decor on I will make sure to post pictures.


Greenery ~Make sure when you go and buy your tree you tell them that you want the extra limbs from the bottom. I was surprised to see that these around my house on the mantel and stair cases will last the entire month with not drying out too much. What a surprise and it was free! If you use a fake tree you can also ask for others leftovers and it will bring that fresh smell into your house.

You can also use these limbs to make swags for your front door. All you do is gather the branch part of the limbs and tie with a bow and you are done. If you decide you like this you can make them to go through out your house as well. I may make and additional trip to a hardware store and ask for the others that have been discarded and they are more than happy to give them to me.

Left Over Decorations ~Make sure to go through your old decorations that you may not be using and repurpose the items through your house. A couple of years ago I started with new balls and only use three colors. This may change this year, but I took my multi colored balls and put them in my sways and on top of my cabinets with old garland I used at my old house that I can not use here on the front. Great big glass jars or vases can be filled with these and placed around the house. I even let my three year old decorate our old wreath from our front door with ornaments that he picked out and put on the door to his room last year. This really made him feel included.

Happy Decorating!

Love,
Imogene

~pictures are from Pottery Barn

Stay at Home Saturday: Planning your Turkey Day

Thanksgiving Countdown...5 days!!!

I know most of your minds are fixated on the busy upcoming week and being ready for spending Thanksgiving with your family and friends but indulge me for a minute.

I just have to say that I love blogging (even though it's been more of a challenge time wise with my two new babies). I also love girlfriends. One of my favorite things about blogging is meeting and getting to know people in a fashion that may happen under normal circumstances.

For example, I've gotten to know a wonderfully sweet friend largely through blogging. We did have some mutual friends. I did meet her at a birthday party. I did see her every Sunday in the choir at church and every day at preschool but on the instances that we would speak, it basically included a quick smile and a how do ya do? It was through reading her writing style and point of view on her blog (and commenting-GASP!) that I realized she might be one of my soul sistahs. :) I've enjoyed getting to know her, sharing emails, you know...taking the how do ya dos to the next level (no, I promise I'm not in 8th grade).

Why am I telling you all of this? Because you are going to benefit, too! This friend's name is Catherine (aka Musing Foodie) and she is going to share some in the future here on the Roof (stay tuned for Wednesday in the Word this week)! Catherine has a great blog, Musing Foodie, where she has been doing a 4 part Turkey Day planning series and she said we can share it with you today. For detail, you can visit Musing Foodie but we will give you a summary to make sure you have your "i"s dotted and "t"s crossed for your Turkey Day.

Part 1-Make master list including guests, menu and who is bringing what. List all ingredients needed for dishes you are making. Go to your cabinets and match your food list with serving dishes so you aren't at a loss at the last minute. See post for a typical Musing Foodie Menu.

Part 2-Set table in formal dining room with placecards. Decide which dishes to make ahead of time aiming to make them on Tuesday so the flavors can "get happy." See post for dishes NOT to prepare ahead. Remember planning for appetizers are key to buy time for last minute prep on THE day. See post for great stuffing recipe.

Part 3-How to cook a turkey and recipe for the best turkey ever (don't be intimidated)! Oh, and a mashed potato recipe for good measure...

Part 4- Shedule summary:

• Pull turkey out of freezer on Sunday to thaw (be sure place in pan).
• Make side dishes and appetizers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Make turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy on Thursday.

Also included in Part 4 is a gravy recipe and a little diddy on desserts.

We're sure you will want to pay a visit to Musing Foodie to get to know Catherine firsthand. We also know her helpful Turkey Day hints will save you a lot of trial and error. Now, do us a favor~if you mosy over there, puhleeeeassssse comment, show her some love, tell her we sent you. Bloggers can use encouragement from time to time, too, ya know?

Happy Saturday. Love ya'll!

Hannah

...and the winners are....

We've drawn our three Giveaway winners! There were 191 entries total and we chose our winners using random.org. Are you ready?!?!

Drum roll....

The winner of the Roof with a View pink Savvy Cents Wallet and first Starbucks Card is:

Entry #45-Happy Four's CAROLINE GROSSMAN!!!!!!

Congratulations, Caroline. You truly deserve this giveaway because you have been such a loyal reader and commenter. You are proof that there is blog reward in commenting. :)We love you and thank you for being YOU! We will send you and email but Melinda will be sending you your wallet and we will send your Starbucks card. Enjoy!

The winner of the second Starbucks card is:
Entry #98-ppreachers wife!

The winner of the third Starbucks card is:
Entry #63-Mammamoiselle!!!

Congratulations to both of you! We will be emailing you to see where to send your gift cards. We hope you enjoy!

Thank you to all of you who commented and entered. Stay tuned for another giveaway soon.

Free-for-all Friday: Thanksgiving Decoration and FUN

Thanksgiving Countdown....6 days!

We've touched on some pumpkin recipes here and a potential Thanksgiving centerpiece here (added note: you could surround your Thankful tree w/ pumpkins, indian corn, gourds, acorns, beautiful leaves from your yard). We've let our tastebuds bring back some old memories with a family recipe here.

You probably aren't dying to add more to your already lengthy to do list but what else?Let's keep it sweet and simple.

You may want to add these simply decorative placecards to greet your Thanksgiving guests to their seats. All you need is leaves from outside (pine cones optional) and a paint pen or Sharpie.

(found here)

Now, how about some entertainment and/or an icebreaker!?!? Some of you are going to roll your eyes and think I'm crazy (maybe I am) but TRUST ME that these entertainment ideas will lighten the Turkey Day air (even if there may be some family feuders in the room) and bring out the fun in even the stiffest neck of the group. It doesn't take much additional planning and will create a fun memory for all! Are you ready for this? Take a deep breath and just let yourself loosen up a bit.

First, a little craft never hurt anybody. Here's a fun craft we've done for kids and adults alike~trace your hand on a banner and decorate it to make your very own turkey. Then, each person must name their turkey. Here is our 2008 family of turkeys.

See...everybody's still smiling and actually having fun!
OK-the entertainment portion is my FAV. How bout a little game of...drum roll...Pin the Tailfeathers on Tomissa (the girl version of Tom) Turkey?!?!? I'll add that this is especially powerful to the tune of Cheetah Girls "Shake Your Tail Feathers." You never know...things might even get a little rowdy. It's OK! Rowdy=FUN!

It's OK if you're not an artist. The concept is pretty simple.

Don't forget to blindfold the pinner and spin them around. Seeeeeee...once again, everyone is smiling and even having fun! This would be my Daddy mischieviously (mis)guiding my mom to pin her tailfeather after he had fun relentlessly spinning her (seeeee...it's fun for all ages)!

You're not too old for such fun. Let your hair down and have some fun making different memories with your families. I encourage you to think out of the box. Let us know what you come up with! Happy Thanksgiving!

Love ya'll!

Hannah

Thrifty Thursday ~ Coupon Kit Giveaway!

I, Richelle, am hosting my first every giveaway on The Carolina Clipper and I wanted to share it with my Roof With A View girls! Start the New Year out right with this oh so fab Coupon Kit. Whether you're an experienced couponer or just getting started, the Coupon Kit will give you everything you need to get organized!

Kit includes:

• Clipboard- to hold your shopping list


• Large File Folder- to file your coupon inserts


• Small Expandable Folder- to file those cut coupons that you didn't use

One winner will be chosen on Monday, November 22 and be notified via email. Click here to enter.

PLUS, over the next five weeks "Thrifty Thursday" will feature a new series Getting Started: 5 Easy Steps to becoming a Savvy Shopper. We're going to get you ready to $ave BIG in the New Year. Don't miss out!

Train Up Tuesday: Tasty Traditions

Hello, sisters! It's been awhile for me. Mostly because I've been busy introducing the newest brother to our family (yep, I'm a mom of 3 boys now). I love him SOOooo much. Seriously, I could just eat him up or serve him as my little butterball for Thanksgiving dinner ;-)

Speaking of food (isn't someone always these days?), I thought I'd share a recipe that has become part of our family tradition for Thanksgiving. The holiday has shifted in recent years, as grandparents have passed on and the location and immediate participating family of this celebration has taken on changes. Also, there have been a couple of marriages in recent years which means new in-laws and thus new recipes have been "brought to the table" (pun TOTALLY intended!)...which also means new favorites are part of our "tradition".

Isn't it amazing how food or an aroma can just take you somewhere or to another time? For me, I remember my Grandmother's flat biscuits (which I'm STILL trying to find a way to make....no one knows her recipe), home-made chex mix, divinity fudge, cheese straws, french onion dip, sugar cookies, among many other things...but the finger foods were always a favorite for us grandkids. I think food is important to family because it helps tie our minds and hearts to favorite memories and times together. It also becomes part of our family "story" and "history" that we talk about for many years. It often shapes what we prefer to have at our celebrations just to remember someone or to remember "when". Talk to your children about your favorite food memories growing up. Ask them about theirs. Get them to help you while making the favorite dishes so they can pass it down one day, too.

Now, with our more recent family gatherings at my Mom's, we girls (my sis, my sis-in-law, and myself) have our own dishes that are "must haves" that will maybe be part of our family "stories". I'll share one with you (which happens to be my hubby's fave). I also like it because it doesn't use a lot of dishes or utensils in the prep. Literally, I used the baking/serving dish, a cereal bowl for mixing, and a fork.

Pineapple casserole

1 15oz. can pineapple tidbits
3 tbsp. flour
1 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
½ stick butter or margarine
½ cup sugar
1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

Drain pineapple and place in bottom of a 9”x9” casserole dish.


Mix cheese, sugar & flour (in the cereal bowl); sprinkle over pineapple.



Crush the crackers in the sleeve (it CAN be done).


Melt the butter in the bowl and mix the crackers with the butter.


Sprinkle butter-covered crackers over the casserole.


Bake 20 minutes at 350°.

This dish is so good. You can serve it as a side, but my honey says it's good enough to be dessert ;-)

So what are your favorite food items for the holidays? What "takes you back"? If you have blogged a recipe or have a link to a favorite, please post in the comments!

Much love,
Ashlie

Mahvelous Monday: Thankful Tree

Please join us over the next few days as we prepare our hearts and homes to share Thanksgiving. It's the Thanksgiving Countdown....11 days!

Richelle (Carolina Clipper) shared this idea last Thanksgiving and it's a great Thanksgiving idea to implement again. You could even do it every night at dinner from now until Thanksgiving to have your tree REAL full! How fun. Carolina Clipper says:

This is a Thanksgiving tradition that we started a few years ago. It was the way we announced our pregnancy with our second son. It's always special to look back over the years and read what we were thankful for. Here are the details:

Cut as many leaves out of autumn-colored papers as you have guests. Ask each person to write down what they are thankful for, and place them on the tree or in a basket or bowl on the dinner table. If you have one of those little wrought iron trees that you can set on your Thanksgiving table, this will make a beautiful centerpiece. Tie little ribbons through a hole in the top of each leaf, so they can be hung on your "Thankful Tree." Take turns reading them as you enjoy dessert, then collage them into a Thanksgiving album as an after dinner activity.

Wouldn't it be neat to make a scrapbook to add the leaves each year and be able to look at them in years to come?! What a special way to remember what the Lord has done in our families from year to year.

P.S. Don't forget to enter our Savvy giveway and tell your friends about it. Our drawing is Friday so don't miss out.

P.S.S. One of our Roof w/ a View women put up her tree on Saturday. You heard right. She sure did! Has anyone else?

Savory Smackerels (Thanksgiving Style!)

With fall and the cooler weather, the baking bug has bit this mama! I've tried some great new recipes lately and also enjoyed some tried and true staple recipes. In honor of punkin season, today's theme will be centered around some rockin pumpkin/sweet potato recipes. Here's a quick compilation of a few you may want to put to use for your upcoming long Thanksgiving weekend. Feel free to share some of your favorites with us so we can spread the wealth!

Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Old Bay Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Preheat over to 450 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss 3 mediums sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds total), scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces, with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning. Bake until potatoes are deep golden brown on all sides, about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Pumpkin and Oatmeal Cookies

Best D Pumpkin Dessert Period

Best Sweet Tater Casserole Ever

Ingredients:
1 can (40 oz.) sweet potatoes, drained
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. margarine, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
Topping:
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. margarine, melted

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease shallow 1 1/2-quart casserole. In bowl, mash sweet potatoes; stir in granulated sugar, margarine, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and eggs. Spoon into prepared casserole. Mix topping ingredients; sprinkle on potato mixture. Bake 30 minutes. Serves 6.

Dave's Down w/ OCC

Karen shared some great tips to pack an Operation Christmas Child shoebox here. We announced our Savvy giveway yesterday and Dave Ramsey was mentioned.

Question: What do the two have in common?
Answer: Dave's down w/ OCC!



Need a fun weekend activity? Pack your shoeboxes together as a family. Shoebox collection week is quickly approaching (Nov. 15-22). If you need a place to drop off your boxes, you can search drop off locations by zip code here.

TGIF!
Hannah

Savvy Giveaway (2 in 1)!

Ya'll just aren't going to believe this!

Awhile ago, our Carolina Clipper introduced us to the Debt Free Wallet on a Thrifty Thursday.

You can meet Melinda, the brilliant mompreneur who designed this coooool wallet, and learn more about her fabulous product by watching this news clip.Upstate Woman's Invention Helps Frugal Consumers. - Video - WYFF Greenville

The awareness of couponing and the desire to do so seems to be on the rise in light of our economy. Operating on the cash system (or envelope system) also seems to be something more and more families are embracing. I loved my initial envelope system but also quickly found the envelopes tattered and torn. I know several of our Roof With a View women are PROUD members of the SavvyCents wallet carrying club and they should be! This wallet really is an affordable, fashionable, practical answer that I think Dave Ramsey himself should expand his product line to offer (how's that for an endorsement?)! "Savvy Cents for the Fashionably Frugal" sums up Melinda's mission perfectly!

Here's the very best part about this whole post! Melinda wants to give away one of her Savvy Cents wallets here on Roof with A View...and it's not just any wallet...it's a Roof with a View PINK patent leather wallet!!!!!!!!!!!

Does it get any better than that? !?!? Now, here's where this giveaway is two-fold. You can't have a wallet without something in it. We realize we are a little (OK...a lot) late on announcing the winner of this giveaway. Sorry we got a little distracted. Why didn't ya'll speak up!?!?Soooooo....whoever wins this wallet will ALSO win the card from a place called Starbucks to put inside it. PLUS, we'll still draw two other winners for the remaing two cards.

All I have to say is ya'll better get to reading some RWAV posts and start commenting (2 entries), facebook statusing (2 entries), facebook liking (5 entries), tweeting (2 entries), twitter following (2 entries), and blogging (5 entries) b/c you definitely want all the chances you can get to win this giveaway! Just let us know how you're spreading the giveaway love in our comment section and we'll keep entering you. The winner(s) will be announced next Friday at 5 pm (mark our words and hold us to it). Good luck!

Note: Since we are announcing this on Veterans Day and ya'll are being a little shy about giving the military spouses props where props are due...if you write a little note to the earlier post from today to thank and encourage the military spouses, you will get TWENTY extra entries to this giveway. There. That'll teach ya to quit yer lurkin and to speak out loud and proud. Let there be a lesson in that. :)

Thank you, Melinda, for this FABULOUS giveaway!

Honoring our Veterans (and their wives)

Today our country honors its servicemen and women both past and present. Roof with a View would like to also honor their wives. At the end of this post, please use our comment section to leave a note of appreciation and encouragment to our sisters that have also sacrificed so much.

Some of you have spouses serving our country so we can have the privilege of freedom. Others of you may have even lost your spouses as they served our country in the name of freedom. Today, as our country honors your spouses and those that have served, we want to take a minute to honor YOU! I can't imagine...

...saying goodbye to your spouse indefinitely.
...cheerfully holding down the fort alone in their absence.
...celebrating your children's milestones without them.
...hearing all of the political negativity about our soldiers being overseas knowing THAT's what your spouse is wholeheartedly doing.

...being strong for your children when you aren't feeling so strong.
...holidays apart from them.
...the emotional roller coaster.
...not having them there to relieve you when you need a break.
...keeping from being consumed with fear and worry for their safety and well being.
...rounding up your household alone to go to church alone.
...the transition of being the leader of your home in their absence and returning to the submissive, supportive helpmate upon their return.
....being sensitive and attuned to the emotional and physical consequences of what they have encountered during their service.
....the list could go on and on.

You may say, "I'm used to it. I know nothing different." But I say you are also sacrificing for our country and we honor you. God bless you.

Ladies of Roof with a View, please join me in praying for your fellow women in these roles and please remember to use the comments to leave a note of thanks and encouragement to them!

HOT: IPad Giveaway!

You may remember our friends at Chit Chat Baby from our Mommy Marketing Moment here and the discount code they've extended to the ladies on the Roof here.

These same friends would like you to know that they've started another online venture, GiveItAwayToday.com. Rob of CCB and GIAT wanted to share this with you:

GiveItAwayToday.com is a website/facebook page/twitter page dedicated to giving away a ton of stuff! Simple as that! We partner with manufacturers and retailers that want to sponsor a giveaway and we give something to one of our fans, followers, or email subscribers.

Our sponsors get free advertising and our followers get free stuff!
Our website is launching in the next few days, but we've already seen a great response on facebook and just started promoting our twitter page. We hope to eventually have tens of thousands of fans that we can give awesome things away to. The more popular we get, the more leverage we'll have to get more and more stuff to give away!!

As with all of my companies, this company is based on Christian principles. If we can start turning a profit, I'd love to be able to give back and donate money to several charities i believe in. All in Christ's name!

Ladies of the Roof, you may wanna start riding this wave today b/c they just reached 5000 fans on Facebook and are giving away an Apple IPad!!! You gotta be in it to win it so enter here now! Be sure to tell them Roof with a View sent you.

Love ya'll!
Hannah

Marvelous Monday: Date night!

Since the holidays are here, those wallets may be feeling a little bit of a tighter pinch as you budget expenses for the next couple of months. No need to be forlorn b/c date night with your husband doesn't need to be eliminated! In fact, it can be a FUN and inexpensive priority without being a financial burden. Angela posted this great idea over a year ago and it's soooooo good that it's worth a fresh reminder.

Let me set the scene for you:

Paul picks me up at the house at 5:30. 1st highlight of the evening - there was an element of surprise. I got dressed up for him and we weren't both just in our bathroom getting ready together at the same time.

I got in the car..."Well, where are we going?"

He pulled out "The Great Date Experiment" and told me to read #1 on the first page.

It said to pick a place to go for an appetizer. Then, after that we had to choose an inexpensive place for dinner. (Paul took me to a quirky, fun, taco place in Atlanta where I had my first ever FISH TACO!) At dinner, he pulled out the papers again and we were to ask each other questions like.."When did you KNOW I was the ONE?" 2nd highlight - we had a tool! We didn't talk about our kids, jobs, house, or to-do list. We just talked about us. I really felt like we were on a DATE date. I remember when he prayed for our food that night at dinner, he held my hand and rubbed over the top of my hand with his thumb. That's something he did 12 years ago when we dated. And that night, I got that tingly feeling all over again!

After dinner we went to Target - still following the instructions - and were to pick out a very inexpensive gift for each other. We had 10 minutes and were to meet each other back at the front of the store with our gifts. I got Paul a cycling magazine and he got me a battery operated solar light! We laughed out loud in Target about that one. It's in my back yard though, and every time I see it, I think about our fun time together. 3rd highlight - gifts!!! That's my love language, so it was perfect!

Next up on our agenda we had to take pictures of us (as a couple) on our phone and change our phone wallpaper to US! 4th highlight - being in downtown, taking pictures, having that picture on my phone to remind me of a great date!

There are 6 dates in The Great Date Experiment. We are on date #3. They have inexpensive date ideas and you can download the dates for FREE! Click here to download your first date. Oh, and let me encourage you to watch the video introduction on the site. It's funny. Come on, get going!

Next week, I'm gonna share more about how to pray for God to "bring back that lovin' feeling". If you've lost it. Begin to pray now, "Lord, help my heart to melt when I see or touch my husband." I dare you.

Love, Angela

Stay at Home Saturday: Saving Pennies

Happy Saturday, ya'll. Hope you are enjoying this chilly weather. Brrrrr. With the even colder weather approaching, you are probably going to need some snowy day money. We hope you enjoy this household tip from our very own Dolly!

Ever heard the saying, "A penny saved is a penny earned?" A few years back, I received this big old jug for Christmas.

My mom's intentions were for me to use it for spare change. I would put money in there from time to time but over the last year or so, I got more serious about picking up found pennies and being more intentional about putting my spare change in the jar. As you can see, my little boy has fun finding things in our bathroom to put in the jar but we are trying to teach him to only put coins in. So, the other night after dumping the jar to get out my husbands toothbrush, I decided to count it all up and see how much we have so far. Our grand total of what doesn't look like much was $354.79!!! This got me excited and gave me a goal to keep bending down to pick up those pennies that people tend to ignore.

Have your pennies added up to be more than you thought? We'd love to hear!


Love,
Dolly

Operation Christmas Child: Shoe Boxes on a Shoestring

Collection week for Operation Christmas Child--the children's shoe box outreach of Samaritan's Purse--is fast approaching. In fact, National Collection week for 2010 is November 15-22--so right now is prime time to get going on your shoe box preparations. 

If you aren't familiar with the ministry, it is a wonderful, hands-on project through which participants fill shoe boxes with small toys, school supplies and hygiene items. Samaritan's Purse collects and distributes these gift-filled shoe boxes--along with a Gospel storybook--to children in need around the world. It is a wonderful ministry and is a great tool for teaching children about giving to others, geography, and the love of Christ.

***Here's a step-by-step guide on how to pack a shoe box: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/

Operation Christmas Child is a family tradition for us. Here's my daughter Kate during her first Christmas season with our 2007 OCC shoe boxes. I like to take a photo like this every year. This will be Kate's fourth Operation Christmas Child season.

Participating in Operation Christmas Child doesn't have to break the bank. I wanted to share some ideas for filling OCC shoe boxes on a budget.

I like to get as much for my money as possible. Who doesn't, right? So when it comes to buying stuff for my Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes, I want my proverbial dollar to stretch as far as it can. As previously mentioned ... more shoe-box stuff equals more filled shoe boxes equals more children reached with a shoe-box gift and the Gospel message.

Look at all those boxes!
Kate and I visited the Atlanta-area OCC processing center a few years ago.

Let's talk strategies for acquiring shoe-box items on the cheap--not cheap shoe-box items, mind you, as we want goooooooood stuff for the kids. ;o) Here are a few of my tips for OCC shoe-box shopping:

• Collect items all year long. I shop sales and clearance racks all the time. I'm instinctively drawn to them. (Don't pretend you don't know a good Target end-cap when you see one!) I typically start my shoe-box shopping with the after-Christmas sales. No, I am not kidding. Christmas clearance is one of the best times of the year to score some major bargains. If you wait until later on in January, you can even catch stuff at 90 percent off! No joke! Anyway, shopping 12 months of the year allows you to wait for the true bargains and to stock up on good shoe-box items when you find them. (I do have a challenge when it comes to storage, but that's another story.)
  
• Speaking of Target, don't forget the Dollar Spot. You can find great shoe-box stuff there. Every six weeks or so, that stuff changes out. You can actually find Web sites that will post when the stuff is getting clearanced. But if you pay attention, you'll figure out the cycles. So the stuff will first get marked down to 50 percent off ... and then 75 percent off! But it does not last long--you've got to know exactly when to hit it. And each Target is different--get to know your Target and whether stuff will be around for the 75 percent markdown. If not, I'd go ahead and buy at 50 percent. But there is a Target close to me that usually still has a ton of good stuff at 75. I've been known to be there on a Thursday morning to load up a shopping cart with 25-cent items for shoe boxes. What a deal! Do I get some looks? Of course. But usually when I tell people what it's for, they understand. (Not that I really care what they think, but it doesn't hurt to spread the word ...)
• Three words: BACK TO SCHOOL! Now is the time to hit those back-to-school sales for all the school and art supplies that are perfect for shoe boxes. You can get Crayola crayons for 20 cents a box (for a 24-count!)--not to mention composition books (have to be careful on size here, depending on the size of your shoe box), pencils, pens, pencil sharpeners, notepads, etc., etc., for a few cents each! There are some AWESOME deals this time of year, and I like to really stock up for shoe box season. Also ... don't forget those BTS tax-free weekends!
• I kind of touched on this with the mention of Christmas clearance ... but be sure to shop the holiday markdowns after the holidays. Valentine's Day and Easter clearance sections usually have some stuff perfect for OCC. I've seen this stuff go for 75 and 90 percent off. Again, you have to be there on the right day, but it is easily found at 50 percent off the day after the holiday. Oh yeah--after-Halloween clearance is a fantastic time to buy your hard candy, too!
• When you find an awesome clearance section (as in 75 and 90 percent off of stuff that's perfect for shoe boxes), make an offer. Ask a manager if he or she would be willing to make a deal if you'll buy all of it or a large quantity. Be sure to explain what you are buying it for, too.
• Garage sales, consignment sales and thrift stores. Yes, these are places you'll find mostly used items (only new items for OCC boxes, please). But occasionally you can find brand-new, still-in-the-package shoe-box goodies for pennies on the dollar.
• Kids' Meals. If you have kids--or even if you don't--save the toys that come in kids' meals. They're great filler for your boxes. I've been known to order children's meals for myself (sometimes it's just the right amount)--and I am sure to get the toy so I can put it in a shoe box. I have a nice collection for this year's boxes already.
  
• Cereal boxes. It doesn't seem like cereal boxes have as many cool treasures in them as they used to, but sometimes you can find a gem in the bottom of one that is a great OCC item.
  
• Look for stuff in unlikely places. Always be on the lookout for shoe-box stuff. Some of the best bargains I've come across for OCC have been at Office Depot (when you hit at the right time, the deals can be amazing!), Michael's, CVS, LifeWay Christian Stores, and even Gymboree! Take Gymboree, for example. The hair accessories, hats, and socks--and even stuffed animals from the layette line--will sometimes be marked down to 99 cents (during the Red Balloon sale). And if you happen to have a coupon for 20 percent off, you can get this stuff for 80 cents. This is a great bargain--and on nice items, too.
• Save your soap. This is one for those of you who travel a lot, like I used to. When you stay in a hotel, keep your unused hotel soap. Don't be shy--ask for a few extra from the front desk. One time, when my sister and I were working on filling a bunch of boxes, I went to a few hotels and told them what we were doing. One gave be a whole bag full of little soaps.
• Let people know. Spread the word about OCC. Let your family and friends know you're collecting stuff and plan on filling shoe boxes. They can save stuff for you and be on the lookout for deals as well. It seems almost every time I visit my homeland (Tennessee), my sister or Mom or someone is giving me a bag of stuff for shoe boxes.

I'm sure there are more ideas for filling shoe boxes on a shoestring, but this is a good start. What are your tips? Please share!

P.S. Again, for more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/

Happy Tuesday~Adoption and Super HOT deals!

So it's Tuesday and this post definitely isn't a Training up Tuesday. For that, I refer you to Karen's video on celebrating adoption-a topic which I would love for her to share more candidly with you. I love her story and know it would speak to so many of you. Many of you may also have her own story to share in the celebration of adoption.

In the meantime, I know the ladies of the Roof loooooove some deals and I just ran across a couple that you may not want to miss with Christmas fast on our heels. I don't usually watch the Today Show but my mom called me first thing this morning to share some super HOT deals.

If you are a Today show faithful, you're probably familiar with Jill's Steals and Deals. A couple of today's steals and deals which happen to be available for 24 hours (until Wed. morning) are this suhweeeet coat which is normally $75 and marked down to $15! Be sure to see the size chart b/c I think it runs on the small side.

This cashmere sweater from Talbots that is normally $119 and marked down to 24.95 only w/ the Today show coupon code.

...and check out this hot 14 K gold cuff bracelet that is normally $60 and marked down to $12. What a great gift!


Just go through the Today show link and they'll give you alllll the details. Let us know what you score!

One Less: Celebrate Adoption