Joy to the world...

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:8-11 

Thank you to my friends (real-life and online) who have read, interacted and commented on The Useful Box in 2011. Thanks also to my online friends from Life on a Hill. I pray for all of you to have a restful, joyous and reflective Christmas, and a lovely new year.

I will be taking some time out from blogging for the next couple of weeks. I look forward to hanging out with you here again next year.

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Wordless Wednesday gets Christmas-y

Paper Plate Christmas Wreaths:

Christmas Painting:

Advent Calendar/ Cardboard roll nativity:

Joining Aussie Wordless Wednesday

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I'm not "generation-ist" but...

Image Credit

According to this article, which I saw linked on a friend's Facebook page yesterday, the most annoying words or phrases in the English language are:

• whatever (38% of those surveyed)
• like (20%)
• you know (19%)
• just sayin' (11%)
• seriously (7%)

Poor Generation Y. If they were to take the advice of the survey group (presumably made-up of Baby Boomers and Gen X-ers), they would cut their vocabulary in half. Just sayin'. 

What words or phrases make you cringe? 

(I believe I sneak into the Generation X category, and miss the Generation Ys by a solid 11 months or so).

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Christmas Craftiness (for mummy)

As one friend suggested, last November/ December I think I was experiencing the crafty version of "nesting" prior to the birth of Miss 1. Last year I made a significant percentage of our Christmas presents including some button fridge magnets, fabric covered noticeboards and fabric book covers. These are all fairly easy projects. As long as you have some nice looking fabric, even the most amateur sew-er/ craft-er can make these look effective.

I had big plans this year to make most of our Christmas presents. Unfortunately, not being pregnant this time around, the crafting instinct hasn't quite kicked in. I still haven't used the sewing machine that is poised on my desk.

Here are a couple of simple ideas I have managed to follow-through with:

1) Salt-dough Christmas decorations

These seem to be all the rage this year. Lisa shared the recipe for salt-dough on Life on a Hill awhile ago. We made a couple of batches of decorations to give as presents for the ladies who look after the kids during Wednesday Bible study. (I finished them with a poly-urethene gloss varnish to help them last longer)

I kept some of the rejects (the ones with big cracks or the "puffy" ones). I love the way they look on this small branch.

2) Hand Print Christmas Trees

This is what they were supposed to look like:

By the time we had all our hand prints on paper, they did not resemble a tree AT ALL. I decided to cut the hand prints out in the shape of a tree and glue on to some Christmas paper. The result:

These will make nice presents for our grandmothers/ kids' great-grandmothers.


3) Christmas Biscuits

I posted our favourite Christmas biscuit recipe last week. We had no lemon juice when making the second 2 batches, so I substituted with orange juice for the glaze icing. Obviously a little sweeter, but still yummy.

We added our family Christmas card on the front and gave these to our neighbours and a few other people who have cared for our kids at church etc throughout the year. (I made the card using www.picnik.com for free and had each card printed for the cost of a normal photo - this was after discovering it would cost $1.40+ per card to make cards through www.snapfish.com. Snapfish have beautiful cards, but I couldn't justify paying that much!)

Have you been getting crafty this Christmas? Do you have actual crafty skills?

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Men and women are different: who knew?

Today was my first day back at work.

Thank you to all my lovely real-life and blog friends who emailed or texted or Facebooked me to wish me all the best. Really wasn't expecting that!

I am in a very blessed position at the moment. My return to part-time work (Thursday/ Friday) has coincided with my school-teacher husband being on holidays. This means that our kids can spend 5 or so weeks getting used to not having mummy around, before they also have to get used to their new daycare centre. (They will start there in late January).

This morning as I was leaving for work, I got to thinking about how me leaving for work is completely different to when my husband leaves for work.

When Matt goes to work, his morning is all about going to work. Sure, he has a quick play with the kids, or might get their breakfast out, but his main focus is on having a shower, getting dressed, having breakfast, brushing his teeth, getting into the car and leaving.

It was so different for me to go to work. I spent the morning trying to do (or give instructions for my husband to do) all my normal jobs - unloading the dishwasher, getting the kids' breakfast, feeding Miss 1. I left Matt with a long (verbal) list of how I do things (with the implication that he should do them the same way!) I spent my car trip wondering whether I would come home to total chaos and disorder. I sort of expected that the washing would not be hung, the dirty dishes would be all over the kitchen, the nappies would not be changed. Don't get me wrong. Matt is a great help around the house. He is completely capable of doing everything that I would do on an average day (except the breastfeeding, and maybe some of the cooking). (He probably doesn't have quite the level of intolerance to mess and dirt that I have).

I spent part of my day feeling (wrongfully) resentful. Why should it be so easy for Matt to go to work, and so hard for me to leave? And, then it occurred to me. I am experiencing the reality of how God has created us. As a general rule, God has created men with the inclination to outside work, and women are more inclined to the home. This is not to say that men shouldn't do any work at home, or that women shouldn't go out to work. It is not to say that women can't or don't enjoy work or that men don't enjoy spending time at home. 

But I think Matt and I are fairly typical in this: His main area of responsibility is as a provider for our family. My income is supplementary. My main area of responsibility is at home. When Matt does stuff around the house, it is sort of like being a casual in a shop as opposed to being the store manager. He is happy to help out, but doesn't feel the same sense of responsibility as I do about staying on top of the washing or keeping the kitchen clean.

As it turns out, I underestimated my husband. I came home to three (fairly) happy kids and dinner nearly ready to serve. (I did leave instructions about what to cook!) And, I had a pretty good first day back at work too.

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Happy Birthday Miss 1

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When is a stick not a stick?

When it is:

... an umbrella

... or a horse

... or a broom

... or a walking stick

... or a snake

... or a hose

... or a river...

I love watching my kids get creative. 

I am willing to allow a (small) level of risk to let creativity happen.  Some might disagree. 21st century health and safety regulators might prefer that I get rid of the stick and send my kids inside to watch Baby Einstein DVDs.

But then there would be no creativity to observe.

Do you let your children take risks for the sake of learning?

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Favourite Christmas Biscuits (and menu plan 12th - 18th December)

I thought I'd share our favourite Christmas biscuit recipe. The biscuits are quite nice on their own, but the lemon glaze icing adds something special (and tangy)... I hope you enjoy them.

 

Christmas cookies (with lemon glaze icing)

Ingredients:

250g cold butter
2 cups plain flour
3/4 cup caster sugar
1 egg
2 tbs lemon juice
1/2 cup icing sugar

Method:

Blend butter and flour in a food processor until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs
Add caster sugar
Add egg and mix well
Knead dough
Divide mixture in half, flatten into discs and refrigerate 30 minutes

After 30 minutes, knead again, roll onto floured surface and roll to 5 mm thick.
Cut shapes from the dough.
Bake in moderate oven (180 degrees Celsius) for 8-10 minutes
Cool

Make lemon icing by combining icing sugar and lemon juice
Ice biscuits, set for 1 hour.

It is a busy week. I'm going back to work on Thursday and Friday this week, and I'm out to dinner on Tuesday. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday call for easy, dad-friendly meals this week...

Monday: Lamb and mushroom pie (using leftover roast lamb)

Tuesday: Tuna fettuccine (I'm out to dinner with play-group mums)

Wednesday: Chicken and vegetable rissoles, potato and salad (carryover from last week)

Thursday: Fried rice

Friday: BBQ sausages in bread rolls with salad

Saturday: Out for dinner

Sunday: Out for family Christmas afternoon tea, light dinner

What are you cooking/ eating this week?

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What about he?

There is no doubt that with the arrival of children, a woman's life goes through a lot of change. A new mum will often leave or reduce her time in the work-force. She will crave sleep more than anything else in the world. She will rarely go out of the house after 5pm... Add more children to the mix and it only gets worse.

Sometimes we forget about just how many changes a new dad goes through. Sometimes in all the mother's groups and breastfeeding support groups and programs for post-natal depression etc, dads are sort of left behind.

Maybe in years gone by, a dad's life didn't change all that much. It was under 2 generations ago that dads didn't even enter the labour ward. Perhaps in those days dads just continued about their business, going to work, coming home to find dinner on the table, going out with their friends... But, dads these days cannot get away with this lack of involvement. I don't know a single friend who did not have her baby's father with her during her labour. We share stories of how wonderful our husbands are when they change nappies, cook dinner, vacuum floors, clean toilets. But on the other hand we groan about the husbands who leave their dirty socks on the floor, who don't notice the crumbs on the table, who only change 1 nappy to every 10 that we mothers change.

There has been a recurring theme in some of my conversations with friends lately. We have started noticing how hard it is for our husbands. Once upon a time, our husbands lived with their mothers (and fathers). They were often cleaned-up after. They were cooked for. They slept when they wanted to sleep and even slept in on weekends. Once upon a time our husbands went to school, or uni. They may have had a low-responsibility part-time job. They didn't supervise people or take responsibility for others at work. They weren't in charge of million dollar accounts, or schools, or churches, or businesses. Once upon a time, they didn't have mortgages. They didn't have bills that demanded to be paid month after month. They didn't have one, or two, or three, or four, or more people relying on them to provide them with shelter and clothing and food. They could spend their money on entertainment, or brand-label clothes, or a ridiculous car, or a hobby. They could see their friends often and enjoy deeper levels of male friendship. They could exercise whenever they felt the need. They could play team sport(s). They could train every night if they wanted to do so. They could be heavily involved at church. They could lead youth group, and Bible study and Sunday school. They could be at church every night.

But suddenly, our men wake up with a wife, 3 kids, a dog, a mortgage and a responsible job. It is a hard feeling - the heavy weight  of responsibility on their shoulders. Sometimes I think women forget how hard it is for our husbands. Work is hard, time management is hard, friendships are hard, parenting is hard, marriage can be hard...

I am so thankful for my husband and all the responsibility on his shoulders.  Too often I take him for granted. But, I'm also thankful that there is one with stronger and broader shoulders still.

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They said it better... #10 Advent Calendars

I have officially over-committed myself this week, and am already behind with our advent calendar (not to mention with housework, Christmas present making/ shopping etc etc). 

My husband often reminds me not to turn enjoyable things into a burden. So, I refuse to become a slave to our advent calendar! Instead, I'm showing myself some grace. We can always catch-up, and even if we don't, whatever we do manage to do will help our kids to focus on Jesus this season. (Note: this applies to you too!)

Even if you haven't started an advent calendar, you might want to try some of the ideas below (without becoming a slave to the "perfect" calendar). Someone wrote on Facebook recently that a 25 day countdown is over-rated, especially for those with little kids. You could always do a 12 day, or 10 day countdown. Here are some lovely advent ideas online. (Thanks for those who sent me these links):

Cara sent me this link with lots of advent calendar ideas.
Allison has some more ideas for the wonderfully crafty among you 
And, here is another cute idea that Allison's family are using this year. Can't wait to see how they go with it.
Erin is using a book/crafty advent calendar. It is similar-but-different to ours.
Here is Deb's calendar over at Home Life Simplified. This one involves sewing.
And, Debbie at Aspiring Mum, had a really simple advent calendar idea.
Finally, some of my Facebook friends posted these pictures of their calendars:

By Katrina

By Leah

For those who might be feeling overwhelmed by it all, I enjoyed and could relate to this post on "advent fatigue"

How is your advent going this year?

Last day to vote for your favourite blogs in Circle of Moms Top 25 Aussie Mummy Blogs. I'd love you to click on the link below, scroll down and vote for The Useful Box.

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Christmas Cooking: Neapolitan Ice-cream Cake (and menu plan 5-11 December)

I was in charge of making a dessert for our first family Christmas gathering last Friday. I chose the Neapolitan Ice-Cream Cake from the Family Circle Christmas magazine. It looks impressive. Family Circle promote it as being "so easy". It is easy, but it is time-consuming. Each ice-cream flavour needs to be melted separately, mixed with other ingredients and re-frozen in layers. But, the end result is delicious. (PS. It is also expensive. It cost me over $30 for all the ingredients, so it really is a special occasion cake)

 

Neapolitan Ice-Cream Cake

Ingredients:

4L Neapolitan Icecream

1 cup maltesers, cut in half

1/2 cup almonds, chopped

100g honeycomb, chopped

1/2 cup pistachios, chopped

1 and 1/2 cups frozen raspberries, chopped

1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Extra maltesers, almonds, honeycomb, pistachios, frozen raspberries and mini marshmallows for decorating.

Method:

Line a 22cm spring-form tin with baking paper, extending above the edge of the tin by 2cm.

Use a knife to separate the ice-cream flavours.

Put the chocolate ice-cream in a large bowl and set aside for 10 minutes. Return vanilla and strawberry ice-cream to freezer

Use a large spoon to mix maltesers and almonds into chocolate ice-cream until well combined

Smooth into prepared tin and smooth surface. Freeze for at least 30 minutes

Meanwhile, transfer vanilla ice cream to bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes and return strawberry ice-cream to freezer

Fold honeycomb and pistachios until well combined. Spoon onto frozen chocolate layer and return to freezer for 30 minutes

Meanwhile put strawberry ice-cream in bowl. Fold raspberries and marshmallows into ice-cream. Spoon onto frozen chocolate layer and smooth surface.

Freeze overnight

When ready to serve, remove from pan. Remove paper. Decorate the top with extra raspberries, maltesers, nuts, honeycomb and marshmallows.

This week we are eating:
Monday: Pumpkin, chicken and ricotta pasta bake
Tuesday: Dinner out (with husband's workmates). Leftovers for kids.
Wednesday: Roast lamb and vegetables
Thursday: Leftover Pie and salad
Friday: Spaghetti Bolognaise
Saturday: Homemade Pizzas
                 Berry cheesecake (dessert night)
Sunday: Chicken and vegetable rissoles, potato and salad
Baking: Honey joys, Chocolate roll 

What is on your menu this week?





Only a couple more days for the Circle of Moms Top 25 Aussie Mummy Bloggers. To vote for "The Useful Box", click the link below, scroll down to find the Useful Box, then click on the thumbs up. Thanks.

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