A Quiet Christmas

Our Christmas tree stands in the corner of the room without decoration.

I was going to post a picture of it but the camera is dead, left uncharged on the desk, also not ready for Christmas.

No twinkling lights adorn the outside of our home.

Only a handful of my favorite Christmas decorations are sprinkled about the house.

I still don't know what I'm going to fix for Christmas dinner. I'm not in the mood for ham or turkey so I decided on beef tenderloin. Until I went to the store and saw a 5lb beef tenderloin was $77. No thank you. Moving on. I'm now thinking pork or pot roast. If I don't decide then I'll pull a chicken out of the freezer.

Until yesterday morning I had not bought a single Christmas present.

And what I bought yesterday wasn't much. I didn't come home with armloads of bags. I didn't experience a shopper's high. But I also didn't experience the next day buyer's remorse.

And I find I like it this way. I think I've finally found that place in my heart. A place I've been striving toward for about 3 years now. Where Christmas is about CHRISTmas, not presents or things.

Some of this change is due to screaming tight finances. Some of it is due to taking things easy while savoring the life growing inside me. (I'll be 16 weeks on Christmas day!) And some of it is the fruition of 3 years hard work. It's not easy trying to change a lifetime of Christmas commercialism that has been wired into our brains by the media, brands and our own good fortune.

It's easy to be givers when we all "have". A large part of America have been "havers" since the 80's. It's so fun and easy to give when you have. So we did the big gifts and big parties (which there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with!) And it was fun. The problem lies in that most Americans are now teetering on the brink of being "have nots" and we suddenly feel inferior because we cannot give like we used to. Because before, the emphasis was on the giving, not praise to God for his Son and the generosity of Him giving us the ability to give at that time.

I am so thankful my family, immediate and extended, understand the true meaning of Christmas. My family is who ingrained in me, fighting against the worldly commercialized view of Christmas, that Christ is what Christmas is about. We gather together, enjoy each other's company and praise His name. In the long run on earth and eternity

The tree doesn't matter.

The pictures don't matter.

The lights and decorations don't matter.

The presents don't matter.

And as much as it pains this pregnant woman to say, what you have for Christmas dinner doesn't matter.

What matters it that you're focused on Him. Let's praise Him for what we do have, a savior for eternity and one another's company.

It's been a calm, enjoyable, quiet Christmas season here in my heart. Even with the kids running around, the pets knocking over the tree and family visiting by the truckload. I wish the same for you. May you have a quiet Christmas season in your heart. May our hearts rest in His peace this weekend.

Merry Christmas!

Link Up Your Christmas Posts!

I hope you've had fun hopping around visiting the participants of the 5 Days of Christmas series. There were so many topics covered and we had a blast sharing with you!

A Slob Comes Clean - Getting Your Home Company Ready
Feels Like Home - Christmas Traditions
Somewhat Crunchy - Christmas with Dairy Allergies
Spell Outloud - Children's Books
Mama's Learning Corner - Children's Crafts
Many Little Blessings - Edible Gifts
Sunflower Schoolhouse - Decorations
An Oregon Cottage - Christmas Cookies
Catholic Icing - Wishing Jesus Happy Birthday
The Traveling Praters - Traveling
The Homeschool Classroom - Gifts Kids Can Make
Mama's Laundry Talk - Laundry Gifts

Now it's your turn - we want to hear from you! Share your Christmas survival tips, recipes, crafts, favorite reads, whatever knowledge you'd like to share. I need some fresh Christmas ideas to get my creativity pumping! And please don't forget to link back to at leas one of the host blogs so others know where to join in the fun!!

Dairy Free Hot Cocoa

Nothing screams Christmas louder to me than a steaming mug of hot cocoa. I love to cuddle up in front of a twinkling tree and sip away.

What a tragedy it was when I realized almost all hot cocoa mixes have dairy - and those that didn't have dairy tasted awful when made with water. Blech! So I had to get creative and concoct my own version - a tasty dairy free version - of hot cocoa.

Dairy Free Hot Cocoa
2 1/2 cups Plain Almond Milk or Soy Milk
1 1/2 cups Rice Milk
1/8 cup (2 Tablespoons) Cocoa Powder
1/2 cup (2 Tablespoons) Chocolate Syrup
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon instant decaf coffee
1/2 cup sugar
mini marshmallows to garnish (optional)

In a heavy sauce pan - or if you're lazy like me you'll use a cocomotion because it does the stirring and heating for you - combine all ingredients over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture is well combined and the sugar is completely dissolved. Pour into mugs, add mini marshmallows if you like and enjoy!

I have so enjoyed sharing my dairy free tips for the 5 Days of Christmas series. I hope you've learned some things that will help you on your dairy free journey. And I also hope you've enjoyed the extremely varied and fun posts of my bloggy friends below.

Tomorrow is your day to share whatever Christmas tips you have to share! Whether it's a great gift, a craft to do with your kids, a recipe, we want to hear about it!! Come back tomorrow for the big 5 Days of Christmas Link Up!!

A Slob Comes Clean - Getting Your Home Company Ready
Feels Like Home - Christmas Traditions
Somewhat Crunchy - Christmas with Dairy Allergies
Spell Outloud - Children's Books
Mama's Learning Corner - Children's Crafts
Many Little Blessings - Edible Gifts
Sunflower Schoolhouse - Decorations
An Oregon Cottage - Christmas Cookies
Catholic Icing - Wishing Jesus Happy Birthday
The Traveling Praters - Traveling
The Homeschool Classroom - Gifts Kids Can Make
Mama's Laundry Talk - Laundry Gifts

Easy Dairy Free Bread and Rolls

What's better than piping hot bread straight from the oven?

For years I was intimidated by bread making. I assumed it was a very difficult and tedious process. But I found out it doesn't have to be!

This recipe is for simple white bread, a great accompaniment to any meal. It's so easy to make! I mix it up in the morning, punch it down and put it in bread pans around noon then pop it in the over 45 minutes before dinner. Simple!



Easy White Bread or Rolls
1/4 cup sugar or honey
1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 egg slightly beaten
1/3 cup non dairy butter substitute, melted
4-6 cups all purpose flour

Combine the sugar, yeast and warm water in a large mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to sit until the yeast is foamy and bubbly, about 5-10 minutes. Add the egg and melted butter then combine gently. Add 4 cups of flour and mix until you get a sticky batter. Slowly add the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, kneading as you go, until you get a smooth elastic ball of dough. Take care not to overwork the dough or it will get tough. Grease the bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Allow it to rest and rise until it has doubled in size, about 3-4 hours. Once the dough has risen, punch it down, divide it in half and place each half in a greased bread pan.

If you would like to make rolls, at this point you divide the dough in half again and again until you have 24 equally sized dough balls. Place these in two greased 9 x 13 pans.

Loosely cover the dough with greased wax paper or plastic wrap and allow to rest until once again double in size. Bake in a 350°: oven for 45 -55 minutes or until nicely browned.

Then devour it with honey!

If you missed it be sure to check out Monday's Tips For a Smooth Dairy Free Christmas, Tuesday's Great Dairy Free Products for Cooking and Wednesday's Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie!

And be sure to stop by these other great blogs participating in 5 Days of Christmas! So many great topics are being covered!!



A Slob Comes Clean - Getting Your Home Company Ready
Feels Like Home - Christmas Traditions
Somewhat Crunchy - Christmas with Dairy Allergies
Spell Outloud - Children's Books
Mama's Learning Corner - Children's Crafts
Many Little Blessings - Edible Gifts
Sunflower Schoolhouse - Decorations
An Oregon Cottage - Christmas Cookies
Catholic Icing - Wishing Jesus Happy Birthday
The Traveling Praters - Traveling
The Homeschool Classroom - Gifts Kids Can Make
Mama's Laundry Talk - Laundry Gifts