The Holidays in Review – Part 2

After school got out the rest of the Holiday was full of mostly family and baking. My idea of a great time! Before Christmas my parents (and Oscar) came down from Oklahoma and Weston, Danielle, and her brother Marcel came down from Dallas. I was busy baking cookies, my usual Holiday gift to my family, as well as trying some new recipes like BBQ Scramble and my own version of Ranch flavored Oyster Crackers. (Look out for the recipe soon!)

On Christmas day we had a full house with the addition of my oldest brother’s family and friends Bob and Nancy.

Christmas morning a strong storm rolled through the area and just as we were about to put our standing rib roast in the oven our power went out! Luckily my parents house has a built in generator that powers most of the kitchen and the living room so we weren’t totally in the dark, but it does not power the oven. So, we moved over to plan B and in a combined effort Danielle, Marcel, and my dad got the grill up and running. Note that the poor thing hadn’t been used in a few years, so this was no easy feat, but on a happier note it is now nice and clean and ready to use so I might be grilling more often!

The roast turned out great and pretty much the rest of the meal I was able to be cooked on the stove, and in one of the two working outlets I plugged in my toaster over to bake rolls in small batches. Our lack of power made Christmas dinner a little more adventurous and may have started a new grilling tradition!

After dinner we ventured outside to get a group picture, but during the hour we had been inside eating the temperature seemed to have dropped at least ten degrees and chilly wind had developed. Can you tell we’re all a little cold?

Right after New Years my Uncle Bill and Ms. Betty came over for a visit too! It was great to see them, it had been too long. He brought us cream cheese filled donuts from a local shop in Lafayette and a big bag full of Satsumas from his backyard tree that were delicious. Just the picture of these donuts is making my mouth water.

I hope you had a chance spend time with the ones you love this past month. Purposing to spend more time with my friends and family is definitely one of my goals for the new year.

Gifts That Give Back!

We have so much to be thankful for during this holiday season. Really, we are blessed all of the time, it just seems to come to the forefront of our minds during the holidays. I’m not saying our lives are perfect, I know mine’s not, but the fact that I have a computer to write this and share with you shows just a smidgen of my blessed life.

So, this holiday season lets give back and share our blessing with others! Here are some great gift ideas I’ve found that are not only beautiful gifts, but also give back to great organizations and people in need around the world.

Amazima: Handcrafted jewelry made with love from Uganda

When you buy one of these necklaces you employ an Ugandan woman, feed children, and receive a beautiful piece of jewelry. I personally love the royal blue necklaces, they’re such a beautiful color.

FashionABLE: Creating sustainable business for women in Africa

These lovely scarves help women to become self sufficient and a part of their regions developing economy. This purple and blue scarf is beautiful, and there are many more colors and designs from which to choose.

Divine Chocolates

Divine Chocolate, based in Ghana, is the first farmer-owned chocolate company in the world. They serve as a stark contrast to the slavery and injustice that dominate most of the world’s chocolate production. They have a such a wide range of delicious chocolates, what a great holiday gift!

These sites have more gift ideas that give back.

• Gifts that Give
• Trade as One

Just feel like donating to a great cause? Here are some more links to organizations working to help others.

• Living Water International
• Heifer International
• World Vision

There are many more organizations working to help people around the world live happier and healthier lives. Do you have a great gift option that gives back? I’d love to hear about it!

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