Woodwater Farmhouse

One of the homeschooling groups we belong to decided to have a Holiday Potluck dinner in conjunction with a Holiday Bazaar (for lack of a better word), really a place where those of us who had homebased businesses, or young entrepreneurs could sell their items at a table. The idea came to me for Molly and Zachary to sell the soaps they have been making for the holidays (originally to give as gifts). I brought the idea up to the children to see what their thoughts were and they were on board. I asked them what we should do with the money raised from the sale of their soaps. They replied with "lets donate it." (Molly's exact words were "lets give it to the people who live on the sidewalks".) I thought it was a great idea. We had taken two days to make about 100 soaps. Tonight was the holiday gathering at a local indoor gym. It was not well attended at all, which was disappointing since the children worked so hard on their soaps and packaging them. I made them a

One of the homeschooling groups we belong to decided to have a Holiday Potluck dinner in conjunction with a Holiday Bazaar (for lack of a better word), really a place where those of us who had homebased businesses, or young entrepreneurs could sell their items at a table. The idea came to me for Molly and Zachary to sell the soaps they have been making for the holidays (originally to give as gifts). I brought the idea up to the children to see what their thoughts were and they were on board. I asked them what we should do with the money raised from the sale of their soaps. They replied with "lets donate it." (Molly's exact words were "lets give it to the people who live on the sidewalks".) I thought it was a great idea. We had taken two days to make about 100 soaps. Tonight was the holiday gathering at a local indoor gym. It was not well attended at all, which was disappointing since the children worked so hard on their soaps and packaging them. I made them a

Thanksgiving is behind us...looking forward to the advent and Christmas season. Wanted to share the list of things that the kids put on the Thanksgiving Giving Tree this year. So cute: Molly - age 3 1/2 yr olds - crayons, markers, grandma, daddy, my sister, my brothers, tape, placemats, mommy, friends next door, her friend Ben, candy, paper...and the list goes on like that... Zachary - age 6 1/2 - daddy, mommy, grandma, Jesus and God, his friend Mike, the girls next door, Legos, the fact that we are not Pilgrims (kids had it rough back then), daddy's job...and the list goes on. We had fun with this putting a new leave on each day with each child's Thankful things. On to our advent tree now, starting tomorrow! I made this one last year with all the pockets.

Thanksgiving is behind us...looking forward to the advent and Christmas season. Wanted to share the list of things that the kids put on the Thanksgiving Giving Tree this year. So cute: Molly - age 3 1/2 yr olds - crayons, markers, grandma, daddy, my sister, my brothers, tape, placemats, mommy, friends next door, her friend Ben, candy, paper...and the list goes on like that... Zachary - age 6 1/2 - daddy, mommy, grandma, Jesus and God, his friend Mike, the girls next door, Legos, the fact that we are not Pilgrims (kids had it rough back then), daddy's job...and the list goes on. We had fun with this putting a new leave on each day with each child's Thankful things. On to our advent tree now, starting tomorrow! I made this one last year with all the pockets.

With Thanksgiving behind us, it was time to start our holiday gatherings. We went to NJ today to be with my cousins and their families for our annual Christmas Brunch. We exchange small gifts with the kids and eat till we can't move...lol...this year the hubby and I decided to mix things up a little. I had an idea! (1 of a few per month...lol) We wanted the children to understand the joys and feelings of giving to others this time of year. We all do the Toys for Tots and other donations, however this was a little different. When we were all done opening the gifts (the kiddies), I handed each of the two families (cousins) a typed letter and an envelope that was sealed. I asked them to gather together as families and I asked 1 of the children in each family read the letter aloud to the family. Here is what the 1st letter said: Dear Kristen & Amanda: This is your Family Giving Challenge (FGC for short), should you choose to accept it we would be so happy. If you choose not t

With Thanksgiving behind us, it was time to start our holiday gatherings. We went to NJ today to be with my cousins and their families for our annual Christmas Brunch. We exchange small gifts with the kids and eat till we can't move...lol...this year the hubby and I decided to mix things up a little. I had an idea! (1 of a few per month...lol) We wanted the children to understand the joys and feelings of giving to others this time of year. We all do the Toys for Tots and other donations, however this was a little different. When we were all done opening the gifts (the kiddies), I handed each of the two families (cousins) a typed letter and an envelope that was sealed. I asked them to gather together as families and I asked 1 of the children in each family read the letter aloud to the family. Here is what the 1st letter said: Dear Kristen & Amanda: This is your Family Giving Challenge (FGC for short), should you choose to accept it we would be so happy. If you choose not t

Yesterday was such a blessing. It was my hubby, myself, my three young children and my mother. I worked in the kitchen all day to make a great dinner....the table was set nicely, the food was hot and ready to be eaten. My son, Zachary, made placecards for everyone at the table. When I was putting them around, I noticed the last one on the pile of cards said "Jesus". I asked him where to put this one and he showed me. He told me that Jesus is always at our table. I held back the tears and was so proud of him. Also during dinner he sang a few tunes, I am A Friend of Gods and a song he made up about Jesus. He is such a great little boy. I am so proud and happy with his walk with the Lord.

Yesterday was such a blessing. It was my hubby, myself, my three young children and my mother. I worked in the kitchen all day to make a great dinner....the table was set nicely, the food was hot and ready to be eaten. My son, Zachary, made placecards for everyone at the table. When I was putting them around, I noticed the last one on the pile of cards said "Jesus". I asked him where to put this one and he showed me. He told me that Jesus is always at our table. I held back the tears and was so proud of him. Also during dinner he sang a few tunes, I am A Friend of Gods and a song he made up about Jesus. He is such a great little boy. I am so proud and happy with his walk with the Lord.

I wanted to wish everyone out there in blogger land a very Happy Thanksgiving. I have food prep today to do, a house to clean and a septic back up problem...so we will be busy busy busy - Enjoy the time with family and friends. Don't forget to give back this holiday season! The Bible says: Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

I wanted to wish everyone out there in blogger land a very Happy Thanksgiving. I have food prep today to do, a house to clean and a septic back up problem...so we will be busy busy busy - Enjoy the time with family and friends. Don't forget to give back this holiday season! The Bible says: Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

At the Relevant Conference that I attended this Fall, Dayspring (great company) had a Hospitality Lounge for us gals to gather in, fellowship in and look at their fablous merchandise! One of the items they were "giving away" was FREE 50 Greeting Cards (Photo ones). I signed right up! So this year I decided to make Thanksgiving Cards to send out. I had a great picture of the girls (zachary did not want to be in it) and thought it would be a nice surprize for family and friends to receive it! When I made my card, clicked order, I received an email back letting me know that the picture I used was a little too "pixelly". It did not appear that way on my screen, but I was grateful to them for pointing this out as the cards would not have looked nice. They said I could send them another picture, they would insert and print. I was thrilled that they offered to do the "leg work" for me and it was such breath of fresh air to find a company willing to help out

At the Relevant Conference that I attended this Fall, Dayspring (great company) had a Hospitality Lounge for us gals to gather in, fellowship in and look at their fablous merchandise! One of the items they were "giving away" was FREE 50 Greeting Cards (Photo ones). I signed right up! So this year I decided to make Thanksgiving Cards to send out. I had a great picture of the girls (zachary did not want to be in it) and thought it would be a nice surprize for family and friends to receive it! When I made my card, clicked order, I received an email back letting me know that the picture I used was a little too "pixelly". It did not appear that way on my screen, but I was grateful to them for pointing this out as the cards would not have looked nice. They said I could send them another picture, they would insert and print. I was thrilled that they offered to do the "leg work" for me and it was such breath of fresh air to find a company willing to help out

Even though it's the Thanksgiving week, we are schooling a little each day to keep them fresh! Today, besides a few Thanksgiving themed worksheets, we started our Christmas gifts for friends and family. If you are familiar with our soap making fun (See Halloween soaps ) then you will love our Christmas soap making! We used a clear glycerin this time and some different colors. I also had an idea to add some cupcake sprinkles to the large Christmas Trees to make it look like ornaments. We packaged them up and tied with ribbon. I just have to make labels. Our Supplies Getting prepared After melting the soap, we are adding coloring and scent. Pouring the mixture into the molds (these are snowmen, so we made them blue) Waited 30 mins so then can set and then popped them out. (we used ice cube molds) Cute huh! Of course there are a few pink trees (per Molly, we MUST have something pink in the batch!) I love them, whatcha think?