Real Heart Prints » Holidays http://www.realheartprints.com Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:41:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Motivate Me Monday- Merry Christmas http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/motivate-me-monday-merry-christmas/ http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/motivate-me-monday-merry-christmas/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000 Mel http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/motivate-me-monday-merry-christmas/

Wow, Christmas is this week; I just can’t believe it’s already here.  Honestly, I feel like Christmas goes throughout the whole month of December.  I guess it’s just the spirit of the holiday.

The last couple weeks have been rather stressful around the Lockcuff house.  I’ve really been struggling with a lot of things, personally, and although I won’t go into detail here, I will say this.  If your family is having a hard time this holiday season, whether financially, physically, or however, don’t give up on the magic of this holiday.  Don’t lose out on the memories that can still be made together.  Even though you may feel like there’s no hope in sight, or maybe you’ve lost touch with the One Who is the reason for this holiday, don’t give up.  Believe me, I’ve been ready to just throw my hands up in the air and totally give up in the last couple of weeks; I’ve even had a few meltdowns.  If you’ve seen a crazy woman crying hysterically in her car, that was probably me.  Dan and I have both been really discouraged.  But from me to you, one mama to another, don’t give up.  Make the most of what you have, and make memories….after all, it’s the memories that will last, not all the hooplah and giftwrap.  Hug your kids, and cover them in kisses.
Merry Christmas!

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

]]> http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/motivate-me-monday-merry-christmas/feed/ 2 Winner of Storia Home Handmade Christmas Banner http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/winner-of-storia-home-handmade-christmas-banner/ http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/winner-of-storia-home-handmade-christmas-banner/#comments Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:08:00 +0000 Mel http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/winner-of-storia-home-handmade-christmas-banner/
It’s time to announce the winner of the Storia Home Handmade Christmas Banner.  The winner will have their choice of either the Ho Ho Ho banner or the Believe banner.  The winner is…..

Congratulations, Leslie!  Thank you to everyone who entered.  Be sure to enter my other giveaway for the Lilyja Lace Silver Ring.  Have A Very Merry Heart Prints Christmas!

]]> http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/winner-of-storia-home-handmade-christmas-banner/feed/ 0 Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours! http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/merry-christmas-from-our-family-to-yours/ http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/merry-christmas-from-our-family-to-yours/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:10:00 +0000 Mel http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/merry-christmas-from-our-family-to-yours/ Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Family Christmas Card Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox Make a Smilebox slideshow

]]> http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/merry-christmas-from-our-family-to-yours/feed/ 0 Friday Funnies- Polar Bears, Penguins, and Tool Belts http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/friday-funnies-polar-bears-penguins-and-tool-belts/ http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/friday-funnies-polar-bears-penguins-and-tool-belts/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000 Mel http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/friday-funnies-polar-bears-penguins-and-tool-belts/

This commercial is a little bit funny, but it’s so cute!:)  It just makes me giggle.  Merry Christmas, and enjoy!:)

This second one just makes me laugh out loud, because I can just see Dan doing something like this and me sitting there on the couch, just staring at him….LOL.


For more Friday Funnies, visit Kim at Homesteaders Heart.

]]> http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/friday-funnies-polar-bears-penguins-and-tool-belts/feed/ 0 Winners of Advent Books http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/winners-of-advent-books/ http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/winners-of-advent-books/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:51:00 +0000 Mel http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/winners-of-advent-books/

We have 2 winners for Jotham’s Journey and Bartholomew’s Passage.  They are:

and

Congratulations!  Thank you all for entering; be sure to enter my other 2 giveaways: one for a Storia Home Handmade Christmas Banner and one for a Lilyja Lace Silver Ring.  Most of all, have A Very Merry Heart Prints Christmas!:)

]]> http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/winners-of-advent-books/feed/ 0 Sentimental Ornaments http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/sentimental-ornaments/ http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/sentimental-ornaments/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000 Mel http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/sentimental-ornaments/

The boys and I set to work on Christmas gifts for the grandparents last week.  We got the idea for the Christmas tree pictures from Jenn’s Advent Box and the ideas for the ornaments from The Fifth Street Palace, as well as Home Grown Hearts.

We made handprint Christmas trees with thumbprint ornaments,


and then we made handprint snowmen on ornaments; I ended up doing the detail work on the snowmen, but that little chubby handprint is just precious.

At first, I wasn’t so sure how our projects were turning out; we had lots of smears, and I had to keep washrags handy to wipe off the ornaments and try again….plus Jacob couldn’t quite get the hang of handprints at first.  I was beginning to wonder how these ladies can make it look so easy.:)  Crafting with kids is just not that easy for me….oh, it’s fun, but halfway through a big project, I sometimes end up wanting to say words Mommies should just not say….LOL (just keepin’ it real here).  But, we ended up having a lot of fun, once we got through the initial practice sessions, and the boys ended up with some really cute, sentimental gifts for the grandparents.  I also used the tag idea to make it even more special.  We were supposed to use clear ornaments, and I wish that we could have, but we were trying to use what we had, plus the ornaments we had gotten at the dollar store.  All in all, though, they still turned out ok.

Some day, those little handprints are going to be big handprints….I just can’t imagine that day, and I don’t really like to think about it.  That’s why these memories are just too precious not to write down.

Merry Christmas!  Get craftin’!:)

Join in with ‘Tis the Season Thursday with The Fifth Street Palace.

]]> http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/sentimental-ornaments/feed/ 1 Christmas Candy Recipe Swap http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/christmas-candy-recipe-swap/ http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/christmas-candy-recipe-swap/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:45:00 +0000 Mel http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/christmas-candy-recipe-swap/

Christmas is well on its way now, with only 10 days left….I wish these 10 days could just drag by slowly because I love this season.  This past weekend, we came home from church, and I just decided to make some candy.  These two recipes I’m sharing are quick, easy recipes that only took me about an hour to make, and that’s with doubling one of them.  So, enjoy, and link up your favorite Christmas candy recipes below!:)

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers- I’ve made these, since I was a teenager.  Yum!

2-3 packs of Ritz-like crackers
Peanut butter
Chocolate Almond Bark
Shortening

Take your crackers, and make sandwiches out of 2 crackers and peanut butter.  Fill up 1-2 cookie sheets with these, however many you want to make.  Then melt your almond bark in a saucepan, adding just a tablespoon or so of shortening (we use butter shortening); the shortening just helps to stretch your chocolate and make it slightly thinner.  Make sure to stir your almond bark, so that it doesn’t scorch.  Once it’s melted, dip your peanut butter cracker sandwiches in the chocolate.  Then chill in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes or so.  Enjoy!
FYI: I used one package of almond bark for both of these recipes, and I still had some left over….
Buckeyes
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 Tbsp. margarine, softened
1 lb. chocolate confectionary coating (like almond bark)
Mix first three ingredients well, and shape into balls.  Place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper.  Chill for 30 minutes or until firm.  Dip balls in chocolate coating, and chill for another 15-30 minutes.  Yield: 2 dozen.

Now, it’s your turn to link up your family’s favorite Christmas candy recipes, using Mr. Linky.  Be sure to link back to Real Heart Prints on your own blog.  Most of all, have A Very Merry Heart Prints Christmas!


]]> http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/christmas-candy-recipe-swap/feed/ 0 Simplifying Your Holidays: Alternate Gift Ideas to Show the True Meaning of Christmas http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/simplifying-your-holidays-alternate-gift-ideas-to-show-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/ http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/simplifying-your-holidays-alternate-gift-ideas-to-show-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000 Mel http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/simplifying-your-holidays-alternate-gift-ideas-to-show-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/

Every year at this time, we hopefully get the opportunity to spend more time with our families, enjoying the spirit of the Christmas season.  Christmas really is about giving.  Remembering the true spirit and meaning of this holiday is just so important.  Jesus gave up his throne in Heaven to come to earth and be born as a baby boy, growing up to be a man Who would one day give His own life for many….to me, that just blazes out the spirit of giving that is so important at not only this time of year, but throughout the year.  Listen to the words of this song, Emmanuel by Tommy Walker Music….(we sang this song in our choir concerts this weekend; this is not us singing….but just listen to the words.)

So, in the spirit of giving, here are some ideas for alternate gift ideas, gifts that might just make a difference in someone else’s life, a life-changing difference.  You could be a blessing to someone this Christmas.

To read more about alternate gift ideas, visit Mel’s post over on MamaBuzz.

]]> http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/simplifying-your-holidays-alternate-gift-ideas-to-show-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/feed/ 0 Things I Love Thursday: Christmas Crafts http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/things-i-love-thursday-christmas-crafts/ http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/things-i-love-thursday-christmas-crafts/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000 Mel http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/things-i-love-thursday-christmas-crafts/
Lately, the boys and I have been celebrating Advent, thanks to the wonders of Jenn’s Advent Idea Box.  We’ve done so many arts and crafts, and we’re set to do much more.  Last night I went to the dollar store and the craft store to get more supplies.  We are stocked up!:)  Anyway, we’ve done a couple of fun things so far that the boys and I just loved.
First we made ice cream cone Christmas trees out of sugar cones, green icing, and little candies or sprinkles.
We used mini M&M’s for ours.  They were so much fun to make….
and even better to snack on afterwards.:)  At least it was bathtime after.:)  Totally worth the mess, though.
Then one night we made popsicle stick snowflakes with popsicle sticks, glitter glue (our Dollar Tree here had huge packs of glitter glue for $1 (just an fyi)), and other little buttons, jewels, and beads that we glued on for decoration.
Daddy even got in on this one with us, using the hot glue gun to glue the popsicle sticks together for our snowflakes, since regular glue just wasn’t cutting it too well.  He also got a little sidetracked and made his name.:)LOL (Guys and popsicle sticks….)
Of course, Jaden thought it was more fun to try to eat the glitter glue this time; he usually does really well with it and loves it, but he was kinda cranky this night anyway.  Still, we had a lot of fun and made quite a few beautiful snowflakes to hang in our windows or wherever else we might want them.

We love Christmas crafts; I have plenty more up my sleeve, and I’ll be sharing some more of our finished products with you over the next couple of weeks.  For more Things I Love Thursday, visit The Diaper Diaries.

]]> http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/things-i-love-thursday-christmas-crafts/feed/ 0 Winner of Let It Snow Mini Banner http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/winner-of-let-it-snow-mini-banner/ http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/winner-of-let-it-snow-mini-banner/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:05:00 +0000 Mel http://www.realheartprints.com/2009/12/winner-of-let-it-snow-mini-banner/
The winner of the Let It Snow Mini Banner handmade by Kim at My Creative Side is….(drumroll please)….

Congratulations, Leslie!  I will be in touch to get all the specifics so we can send you your prize.  Thank you so much to everyone who entered this great giveaway.  Stay tuned over the next couple of days, as I will be posting more Christmas giveaways.  Merry Christmas!

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