Classical Homemaking

Friday, January 10, 2014

Disney FROZEN Party -- All About Kindness #FrozenFun #shop #cbias

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One of the best ways to promote good behavior is to make a special memory while teaching an important lesson. This morning, my daughter, Avalon, and I put on a Kindness Party featuring a few Disney FROZEN toys and an important lesson from the movie.

Last night, Avalon and I headed to Walmart, and, on the way, we planned out a fun blessing party that she could put on for her siblings. Our family is really looking forward to seeing the Disney FROZEN movie when it comes out on DVD this spring, so we decided to use that theme for the party.

We knew that we wanted to incorporate gift-giving into our party, so Avalon picked out a Toddler Anna doll for herself and a Baby Anna doll for her two year old sister, Kynthia. She also found a FROZEN puzzle for three year old Liam.

There were a few other cute FROZEN items in the aisle, including dress up clothes and an Olaf toy.

After our shopping trip, we stopped off at the Subway at Walmart. It's so convenient to have one of our favorite restaurants located inside one of our favorite stores! I had heard that Subway was featuring FROZEN merchandise in their Fresh Fit Kids Meal earlier this month, but they were all sold out when we got there. Still, Avalon got a delicious and nutritious meal made up of a roast beef sandwich, apples, and chocolate milk. Neither of us could resist the Raspberry Cheesecake cookies so we bought a couple of them, as well.

After a good night's sleep, Avalon woke up bright and early and got dressed in her favorite outfit. She came in my room to tell me she was ready to wrap the gifts she'd bought her brother and sister. She decided to wrap hers as well.

After we wrapped the gifts, we headed out to the dining room to set the table pretty for the party. We'd picked out purple and blue for the party colors since they matched the colors we saw on the FROZEN toy packages.

Next, it was time to put the cake out! Avalon picked out carrot cake the night before because she liked the little frosting carrots on the top. It was a perfect choice as they look just like Olaf's carrot nose!

We printed some FROZEN color pages from the Random House website. They have several fun games and color pages featuring the FROZEN characters. It's a legitimate place to get printables for lots of your favorite movies and books.

After the table was set, it was time to call everyone in. All the brothers and sisters gathered around the table and Avalon welcomed them, explaining why she was putting on the party.

She told her siblings how we had talked about the FROZEN movie and the important lessons it teaches about putting others first and loving others. In our home, we look to the Bible for instructions for living. The Bible also teaches us to love others and put them first, as well as to treat one another with kindness. Avalon shared a verse that she learned, "Be kind to each other" from Ephesians 4:32, and all the kids said it with her. We all talked a little more about the importance of putting others first---then it was time to put that thinking into action.

Avalon started by sharing her FROZEN gifts with the two younger kids. Liam was thrilled with his puzzle and Kynthia adored her new Anna baby doll. Of course, Avalon knew what was in her present, but it was fun to unwrap it just the same. She made sure to tell us that she was going last since she had just learned to put others first!

Then, during cake time, I noticed Elisha feeding Brenna her cake. I thought it was pretty sweet that he helped her enjoy hers before he ate his.

When the girls were ready to work on their puzzles and color pages, Selah got her crayon box out and said they all could share. That was a thoughtful thing for her to do!

While the girls were coloring at one end of the table, Cainan and Elisha helped Liam put together his new puzzle. In fact, these boys helped Liam put it together several times today! Nothing like a little patience practice, right?!

Our Kindness Party turned out better than we'd planned and I was so thankful to have these fun FROZEN themed toys and activities to bless my kids with. Have you seen FROZEN the movie? I can't wait!

Linking with:
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays
Encourage One Another @ Deep Roots at Home
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Home @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Inspire Me Wednesday @ MamaBuzz
What's Working Wednesday @ NextGen Homeschool
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Wednesday Link up at Adorned from Above
Home Link Up at Raising Arrows
Homemaking Party @ Hope In Every Season
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Thriving Thursday @ Serving Joyfully
Homeacre Hop
Think Tank Thursday @ Saving4Six
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Create It Thursday
Open House @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Inspiration Friday @ Dear Creatives
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Family Fun Friday @ Happy and Blessed Home
Fit & Frugal Family Friday
Faithful Fridays

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

BBQ Ribs for the Homemaking Party

A few nights ago, I made these wonderfully tender BBQ ribs. Everyone LOVED them--so, I'm sharing the recipe with you!

BBQ Ribs

fresh beef or pork ribs (appropriate amount for your family)
1/4 c. liquid smoke
1-2 TB. cumin
1-2 TB. seasoning salt
salt & pepper
1 bottle bbq sauce (I like Sweet Baby Rays); size will depend on how many ribs you're cookin'!

Boil ribs in a large pot of water on a roiling boil for 3 hours. Make sure to check them now and then to add more water. After 2 hours, add liquid smoke and seasonings. After 3 hours, place ribs in a greased baking pan and pour bbq sauce over top. Bake at 350º for about 30 minutes. Yum!

Thanks for stopping by the Homemaking Party! I'd love for you to share the party with your Facebook or Google+ friends!

Linking with:
Homemaking Party @ Hope In Every Season
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Thriving Thursday @ Serving Joyfully
Homeacre Hop
Think Tank Thursday @ Saving4Six
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Create It Thursday
Open House @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Make Bake Create @ Hope In Every Season
Tasty Treats @Simply Helping Him
Winsome Wednesday @ My Daily Walk in His Grace
Whole-Hearted Home Wednesdays
Encourage One Another @ Deep Roots at Home
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers
Home @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Inspire Me Wednesday @ MamaBuzz
What's Working Wednesday @ NextGen Homeschool
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Wednesday Link up at Adorned from Above
Home Link Up at Raising Arrows

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Chicken Taco Casserole: Make Bake Create Party #39

A couple weeks ago, I was playing around and came up with a super yummy and super easy recipe for Chicken Taco Casserole. It comes together in minutes, cooks in minutes, and is a warm, tummy-filling recipe for these freezing evenings!

Awhile back, some of us were chatting on my Facebook page and I asked if anyone had ideas for shredding chicken. It's always been one of my very least favorite kitchen chores. Fellow Make Bake Create host, Vanessa, suggested using the paddle blade on my KitchenAid mixer! What?! But yeah, check out that lovely shredded chicken! It just took a couple minutes in my mixer. I just stuck all the cooked chicken pieces into my mixer bowl and turned that baby on---Wonderful! A whole new world has opened up to our family!

This Chicken Taco Casserole recipe is so super easy---and versatile too! You can make it as written and have a delicious casserole dinner, or you can skip the chips and use it to fill tortillas instead. It would even make a great hot dip!

Chicken Taco Casserole

5 boneless, skinless, chicken breast halves---cooked and shredded
1/4 c. taco seasoning (make your own with my easy instructions!)
13.5 oz. can Cream of Chicken Soup
13.5 oz. can Cream of Mushroom Soup
20-24 oz. salsa
3 c. white or Colby Jack cheese, grated
11 oz. bag corn tortilla chips, crushed in bag

Crush the chips in the bag and spread over the bottom of an oiled 13x9 casserole dish. Mix the chicken, taco seasoning, soups, and salsa together and spread over top evenly. Sprinkle cheese on top, cover with foil, and bake 30 minutes at 350º. If you'd like, fresh cilantro would be an excellent garnish on this.