Faith and Finger Food ~ Cranberry Meatballs

Wow! I have really been enjoying the great articles from my mom lately---how about you? Not only has it been great to take a couple weeks off from writing, but I'm feeling so blessed to learn from the wisdom she's brought to her guest posts. She's a huge part of why we are all enjoying a successful blog here at Hope In Every Season. If you missed my mom's recent posts, check out Bonding With Your Spouse, Finding Peace in Busy Times, and Uncle John's Fudge.

Welcome to The {Not Just} Homemaking Party! Many people have contacted me saying they don't think their posts are relevant to homemaking, but this link up is for everyone! So, share your stuff---we wanna see it! My mom, Christy, is sharing again today---a great recipe and a special gift!

My daughter gave me a special kitchen set for Christmas to match my turquoise mixer. It is a pretty kitchen towel, crock, spoon holder and salt and pepper shakers. The verse on the crock reads, "Giving heart, prayerful spirit, trusting soul...You are a woman of faith!"

This boost of confidence in my faith sent me straight to the kitchen recently to make a fun finger food for my game night date with my husband. I pulled out some items which I had on hand and set out like a warrior in battle!

I served these delicious meatballs with crackers and my husband loved them. The next day, I served the remaining meatballs over rice for dinner.

I used venison burger and made the meatballs a little large, but I have never been known to have patience in rolling all those little balls. Thank you, Sarah, for giving me faith, and now I need a coffee mug that reads, "Woman of patience!" Turquoise, of course!

Cranberry Meatballs

Mix together by hand:

2 lb. venison burger (or ground beef)

1/2 c. chopped sweet onion

dash of salt and pepper

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

2 beaten eggs

1/2 c. cracker crumbs 

Form into balls and place in hot crockpot that has been sprayed with oil.

Heat together in saucepan:

1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce

2 TB. apple cider vinegar

1 c. ketchup

1/2 c. water

2 TB. brown sugar

dash salt

1 TB. chili powder

1 TB. cumin
Whisk in 1 can jelled cranberry sauce. 

Pour sauce over meatballs and turn crockpot to low. Cook for 5 hours and serve with crackers or over rice.

Linking with:
Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays 
Wake Up Wednesday
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Inspire Me Wednesday @ MamaBuzz
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants 
Wednesday Link up at Adorned from Above
Wow Us Wednesdays
Mom's Library (more than books)

Bonding with Your Spouse in the New Year

Please welcome my Mom, Christy, as my guest writer for today as she talks about a fun tradition she and her husband enjoy.

Do you have a tradition with your spouse? A game, a pet name, a special date spot, or something you share together---just the two of you?

I have been married to Bruce for twenty years. We love to play darts and have been keeping track of our wins every year since we were married. It is a fun way to bond and come together after a busy day.

Each New Years Eve we play our last games of the year and tally up our scores. We talk about how we have improved and share tips (no pun intended) and advice. 

I believe having something in common to share keeps a marriage strong. It could be a special hook of pinkie fingers or a secret code word. These private moments can keep your relationship thriving while separating you as a couple from the world. This says, We Are One---as God intended. In my mind, the three darts represent me, Bruce and God in our marriage. "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." ~Ecc. 4:12

It is not too late to start your own tradition. Happy New Year and may love keep you together.

Linking with:
Sunday Showcase Party@Under the Table and Dreaming 
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
One More Time
Link It Or Lump It
The Chicken Chick Blog Hop
Weekend Bloggy Reading
Sunday Funday
Bouquet of Talent
Submarine Sunday
It's Party Time
Creativity Unleashed
Sunday Showcase
Silver Pennies
Snickerdoodle Sunday
Sunday Linkup at ARWB
The Art of Homemaking
Good Morning Mondays
Inspiration Monday @ Your Homebased Mom
Motivate Me Monday 
Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom 
Living Proverbs 31
Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy 
Masterpiece Monday @ BoogieBoard Cottage 
A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success 
Monday Funday @ C.R.A.F.T. 
Marriage Monday
Making Your Home Sing Monday
Salt & Light

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and Welcome to the Homemaking Party! It's been a year full of family, food, and fun! Here are some of our highlights. Make sure to link up at the end. I want to see what you've been up to, too!

We started off the year with a Kindness Party hosted by Avalon. This was our first introduction to Frozen, having never seen the movie. Ahhhh...those were the days!

Later in the spring, I hosted my first Spring Spoolie Swap! Lots of creativity there---maybe we should do it again!

This summer, I hosted a Mad Hatter Tea with a beautiful cake decorated by my husband. I want to do that again too!

In August, I introduced my literature blog, Belle's Library.

Then, in the fall, we made a trip to the one-room schoolhouse.

Now winter is on us and the new year has come and we're looking forward to lots of fun and blessings in 2015! What might your new year have in store?