Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping

One item we have taken to making every year to either sell at our stop-and-shop or to give away as gifts is Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping.  It is super easy to make so the kids can get involved.  It involves two ingredients.....

1 1/4 cups chocolate chips. (I use milk free chips from Trader Joes that sells for $2 per 16 oz bag.)
1/2 cup coconut oil. (This year I purchased a 16 oz jar that sold for $6 at Trader Joes.)

You take these two items and melt them down.. in the microwave or on the stove.  And then you put them in pretty jars.   This year I went to Ace Hardware to purchase the ole' standby.. Ball Canning Jars.  (They sell them year round there and cost around $1 per jar in packs of 12.)

I figured out the economics and it is approximately $3 per 8 oz jar to make.   You can add a pretty ribbon, a fancier jar if you wish.  Attach a little tag that tells how to store and use.  "Store in fridge, melt in microwave, pour on ice cream and watch it harden."

You really MUST use coconut oil.  It is everywhere now days.  Otherwise you will have a gooey sauce that may be tasty if you use a good oil but it won't harden.

This is a wonderful little present you can give to others, or enjoy yourselves and is so easy to get almost any child involved in making.




 

Christmas Cards

People seem to love them or hate them.  I love them.  They are sent from this house about once every three years and this is the year.  Why do I wait??? Yesterday, as I was putting together our card, I realized that it was an exceptional opportunity to review what has gone well in the year.  Sometimes... it is a little difficult to come up with a thankful heart.  But a year in pictures reminds you of all that is good.  Here are the four pictures that made the cut and a bit of an explanation.

Last year we had the incredible opportunity to fly in a plane with an organization called Wings and Dreams.  It is through Oakland County Parks and Rec and the GENEROUS pilots who donate their time and their planes to give rides to special needs children.  As you can see from Andrew's face, it was a thrill.

Andrew has two favorite buddies and they have fabulous fun on their trampoline in the backyard. I'm still trying to talk the husband into one of these.  But then I would be the one on the trampoline.  (I do have a fun picture of me on this very trampoline but you have to be one of my favorite people to see that picture!)

Andrew also learned to ride a bike this year!  There is an organization called I Can Shine and they have a week INTENSIVE bike training class.  It is genius really.  I highly recommend this program.  It was sponsored here through the Friendship Circle but they are a national organization run out of Ball State (where David Letterman went..)  Andrew can now ride fairly independently on a large road, (he runs off a bit on sidewalks) but needs a push to get started and at the beginning needed a runner.   Andrew is here pictured with his buddy Tony who is a teen who has been helping with Andrew for a number of years.   He is a real blessing to our family and Andrew considers him as a friend that comes to play.  It was a hot August day where I asked him to help me with Andrew and run behind the bike...

Finally, we have Andrew's new waterproof cochlear implant.. the Neptune.  I will admit that he doesn't love it, and he won't wear it, except to hear in the water.  He also won't wear it with the handy dandy clip they have .. he likes his 'listener holder' that is hand made by Aunt Nancy.  The ninja headband is to hold on the headpiece.  But he can HEAR IN THE WATER!!!  #Awesome!  After the new year I am going to try and work on getting him transition to the Neptune on a more regular basis.

As I was doing the card, and this blog post, I realized there were many more incredible days in a year that overall does not seem outstanding so there will be a 'part duex' where you can see more of the highlight reel.

Another thing I do with the Christmas cards I receive is to pray over the people that they are from.  So send me a card and get an extra prayer :)  I am not 100% effective on doing this for every card but it gives me focus on others the way it should be for this season.

I am doing these blogs as part of an advent series to focus on Him.  Click on the button below to see what others are writing.

Jesse Tree

For the past several years we have done a Jesse Tree.  It can be simple, or elaborate.  Basically it is an 'advent calendar' and each day you read part of The Story starting with Genesis and ending with the birth of our Savior.

As you can see in the picture from a past post we have kept it very simple.

We have also purchased paper ornaments from CBD but I like the free ones from One Thousand Gifts better.  It also comes with a booklet that you can print off with lovely graphics.  For years I have been looking for gorgeous real ornaments but have yet to run across any.  If you do, let me know.

Although most people start on December 1 with this activity.. it is not too late.

I am blogging his as part of a blog-athon called 40 days of seeking Him.  There are other bloggers that have posted so head on over and check it out.  And keep our friends at A House Upon The Rock in your prayers as they were evacuated because of wildfires earlier this week.  As she said in her post.. God has other plans for her this Christmas season that those originally on 'the list.'  Keep that in mind during this season.. what does God have in mind for you to see?

Cruising the Neighborhood

Traditional traditions don't always work for us.   We have to find our own memories, different fun things to do to make it the holidays significant.  I am going to try blogging often during this month on activities that we do to enjoy the season.

Last night we went searching for lights.  For those that are local (metro Detroit) I thought I'd list out a few places that I have heard of in the area that have 'over the top' decorations.

Here is one that we visited last night that is on Troy St.  It is off Big Beaver and East of Livernois.

One that we visit ever year is in Royal Oak on the corner of Washington and 12 Mile.  Here is a video online that I found of this house.  I think they have a facebook page as well but did not find it.




There is another we haven't seen yet called the Wesner Christmas House.  Here is their facebook page.

And yet another that my sister in law told me about...maybe Siri can help you find it.... is off Utica Rd, near Dodge park.  The street is Irval.

I am doing this as part of a blog group called seeking Him.  What does this have to do with seeking Him?  I think it is about how you make your memories, thinking outside the box, and letting Him in the driver seat.  I hope to find Him more during this season as we work our way toward His birth no matter how we celebrate.