Our Train Track

A couple Christmas' ago Shaun found a wooden train track with the table at a very good price (he is a great bargain shopper!). Since then we have gotten additional wooden tracks pieces for kids each Christmas. The tracks that Tyler wants to build are getting bigger and no longer fit on just the table.

Here is a track we built the other day. They never last for long because we build them when the boys are asleep and they are usually demolished not long after they get up. But because we have to rebuild them so often they are getting better each time.

The picture is a bit blurry because I took it with my phone, but you can still see it pretty well.

My Peppermint Bark Recipe

A couple years ago I tried peppermint bark for the first time. I've found that you can not find it in the stores very cheap. As I ate these yummy pieces of candy, I figured this could not be something hard to make.

Sure enough - I was able to figure out an easy way to make it. (I was very proud of myself as my hubby is usually the one to figure things like this out. He is a great cook!)

I make this every year now and I always get tons of compliments and everyone thinks I must have slaved over it. They can't believe how easy it is to do. My 6 year old daughter helped me to make it this year.

Here is my recipe:

3 bags of white chocolate chips (just pick your favorite brand or what is on sale)
1 box of candy canes (the cheaper ones are best because they are usually more brittle and easier to crush)
Food coloring (red & green)


If you want a stronger peppermint taste you can use a couple drops of peppermint flavoring as well. I started out doing this but have realized that it is not actually necessary.

I start by unwrapping and breaking up the candy canes. I then crush most of them in a coffee bean grinder. You can also use a food processor or even a blender. If you don't have this to use, you can put them in a ziploc bag and then between a couple pieces of wax paper and then crush them with a rolling pin. Be careful though because sometimes the broken pieces will poke through the bag. I've found using the grinder or food processor tends to turn them to a peppermint powder which mixes very well with the chocolate and is probably why the flavoring is not needed. It is all dependent upon your preferences though. I tend to keep a few larger pieces out of the grinder so there is some crunchy bigger pieces in mine.

I then dump the bags of chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and heat it on HIGH for a minute at a time, stirring it between the minutes. Note, the chocolate chips will not appear to be melted if you do not stir them. Therefore make sure you stir it up periodically to get the chips to melt evenly and to avoid burning them. It will take about 5 - 6 minutes total to melt the chips so they have a smooth consistency.

Pour in your crushed candy canes and mix well.

Lay waxed paper in a cookie sheet and pour the chocolate unto the waxed paper. Smooth out the chocolate evenly on the sheet.

Drop two to three drops of green and red food coloring on the chocolate. Use a fork to swirl the food coloring into the chocolate. This is just to give it color and make it a bit more festive.

Put the cookie sheet in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. Once the chocolate hardens you can either break it up into pieces or cut it with a knife.

Enjoy!!!

Halloween and Christians

So, here is the question. As a Christian do I celebrate Halloween? As I've gotten older and understood the origins behind this holiday, it has lost its appeal to me. In fact, I would really rather have nothing to do with it any longer, it kind of leaves a yucky feeling in my stomach.

However, my children are very young and it is hard to explain these reasons to them. I still might try, however my husband (not a Believer) does not see any issues with the holiday and does not understand where I am coming from regarding the holiday.

So at this time I've decided I'll participate in this holiday. However, based on my children's ages I'm going to start to share my misgivings with them. I don't believe it is as innocent as many believe. I also do not allow scary costumes.

One thing I have found is ways to point even this holiday to God. Here are some of ideas I've found. If you know of more, please leave a comment!

The Pumpkin Gospel

Here is another version (which I prefer) that I was emailed.

Being a Christian is just like a pumpkin! Let me try to explain,
I brought this pumpkin here to help me illustrate what I mean.
(Proceed to carve the pumpkin.)

First, God picks you from the pumpkin patch and brings you in from the field. The Bible says He selects us out of the world. We are in the world, but no longer of the world.He then washes all the "dirt" off the outside that we received from being around all the other pumpkins. All the outside influences of our former life must be cleaned up. Old things are passed away and all things are become new.

Then, He carefully removes all the "yucky stuff" called "sin" out from the inside.
Look at this! Yuk! Sin will not have such internal power. He then changes us from the inside out by the Power of His Word. That's why it is important to go the church and learn about God's Word.

He carefully removes all those seeds of doubt, hate, greed, and fear. He replaces them with the seeds of faith, hope and love. After Jesus is invited inside, you begin to experience the changing power of God's love in your life.

Then He carves a new smiling face. Our countenance is changed by the power of His presence in our life. We then become so grateful. It can even show on our face!

Now we are going to light this candle inside. Look! This pumpkin now reflects the light from inside out. So too, when Jesus, who is called the Son of Light, lives inside of us, He shines through our life for all to see. We can let His light reflect through us to reveal His presence. "Let your light so shine before men that they may be able to see your good works and glorify your Father, who is in heaven."

So you see, we Christians are really like this pumpkin! We will never be the same with Jesus inside of us. We can say like this jack-o-lantern, "Thy presence, my light!"