NANNY SUE: Video Interview

For those of you who may not know my Nanny Sue... she truly is ONE OF A KIND! My amazing grandmother has been in a recent battle with cancer. She is a strong and beautiful reflection of Jesus even in the midst of this pain.


The wife of one, (Bart) Dad Brown, and the mother of 15 this beautiful lady has more then 100 people in her immediate family, and I am so thankful to God for allowing me to be a granddaughter to her. I am honored! Truly I can't say enough good about her! She just one of those people you aspire to be like.

During my late high school years I became fascinated with the history and origin of my family. As my life continues I am more intrigued about my family and our roots.  The legacy of love, faith, and passion for God that have been passed down have impacted greatly and I wanted to capture it some how.

Usually I would Scrapbook a special memory, time, or person in my life, and believe me I have done a few pages on my wonderful Nanny Sue, but I wanted to do more! More to preserve this legacy she has left of true selflessness, humility, faith, and joy.  The idea was given to me by the Lord and my family has helped make this possible. Special thank you to my man, Tu, who worked with me on this special treasure! Your the best babe!

To our family! We love you and pray you are blessed by this little treasure to pass on as we preserve the legacy of Christ-like love we see in Nanny Sue. We love you all! Grab some tissue, a family member to hold, and a blanket... it's 1hr and 30mins... but it is sweet, sweet, sweet!

I would encourage any and all of you reading this to do this with your grandparents and parents. Take the time to preserve the legacy of your family! It has been a honor and blessing to create this. It is worth every ounce of time you will spend. I thank the Lord for giving me the idea! To HIM be all glory!

I will write again on more of the details soon.

In the mean time please pray for our family as we endure this difficult time!
Thank you all!

Merry Christmas!

WOW! Can't believe it's CHRISTmas! Hope you are enjoying your time with family celebrating the birth and life of the Savior! It is our prayer that the Lord bless you and your family this CHRISTmas! Take Joy in those little moments this CHRISTmas that make this time of year so wonderful!

For God so LOVED the World that He gave His only SON, that whoever would believe on Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life!

John 3:16

Christmas Breakfast Burritos

Okay so I had to share this last minute Christmas breakfast idea. Breakfast Burritos! Yum! Yum! Yum!
It came from my Sara, who got it from my aunt Joanne. I have taken the basic, added some color, and modified it to be my own. Thanks ladies for the amazing idea! Can't wait to enjoy it tomorrow morning!

~Christmas Morning Egg Burritos~

To start mix 4 eggs and add to a casorle style pan. 

Cut and add spinach (you can also add tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers) to the 2nd layer

Add 1/2 cup each of Monterey and Cheddar Cheese to the 3rd layer 

 Add Salsa as the 4th layer: (you can hold it on half for kids)

Add 1/2 cup each of Monterey and Cheddar Cheese to the Top (you can sprinkle with bacon bits)

Bake in oven for 45 minutes on 350

 scoop into a burrito for a 

CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST BURRITO!

Or slice and serve with toast and oranges!

Whatever you do it will be Yummy! 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Project Reflections

Hey! Hey! Oh my! Here it comes! Christmas is a comin! YEA! I wanted to take a minute to recap on some of the Christmas projects I have Created. If you want to know more then what is posted here click on the RED text and it will take you to the past post. Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy!

This is my "Believe" sign.

Advent Banner

Christmas Banner

Family Wreath

Christmas Ornaments

 CHRISTmas Home Decor

Holiday Scrapbooking and Traditions

Simple Christmas Gifts

Snowball Oreos

Christmas Gift Journals

Thank you for coming by! May the Lord bless your Christmas! 

Guest Post: Kelli from The Inspired Collection

Hello fellow readers and bloggers! My name is Kelli and I am the creator of The Inspired Collection. Today I am so excited to be featured at Joy-N-Jesus, it is such an awesome blog with such a great message! Thanks Jewels  for the opportunity to share a little about myself and The Inspired Collection!

I am a newlywed, and first time home owner, who entered the bloggy world in July of 2011. I decided to start The Inspired Collection to share our journey of creating our new construction home into our own personal oasis, and it has turned into so much more. I love sharing my inspirations, crafts, and have really enjoyed sharing all of our fun and yummy recipes. I have had so much fun connecting with other bloggers and readers and have enjoyed sharing my creations, as well as reading and learning about everyone else's creativity.

(me and the hubs)

I hope that you can find the time today to stop on over and give a shout out to Jewels, as well as check out some of our posts. Here's a sneak peek of what The Inspired Collection has to offer and a button to grab!




<a href="http://theinspiredcollection.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e208/Kassarie/Inspiredbackground-2-3.png" alt="The Inspired Collection" width="150" height="150" /></a> Here is a little Christmas craft that I created over the Thanksgiving break! I decided to dress up our dining room chairs, these red velvet ribbon and pine cone decor really gives it a little pizazz! Check out our christmas chairs!

I recently completed our first gallery wall.You can read more about where I found my inspiration for it, as well as how it was created.

This has been one of my favorite recipes, Dessert Kabobs, a simple and yummy treat!

 

Here is a peak at my very first furniture remodel. I gave this hutch a new life, from drab to fab!

I also enjoy finding new ways to create beautiful gift wrapping, something better than a gift bag! This is something I created for my neighbors 1 year old birthday party! He is such a cutie!

And of course, our kick off post featured Our DIY Wedding. Since our wedding in June we have attended 4 more weddings and I featured all of them and their creativity in each of their own posts.

Thanks for taking the time to read a little bit about me and The Inspired Collection and a special Thanks to Jewels for featuring my blog today! She rocks, doesn't she?!  I know my readers are having a blast meeting her! I hope you guys will stop by my page and check it out! Thanks for getting to know me and The Inspired Collection! 

Warm Christmas Treat

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The countdown is on! I am so excited about Christmas! I am overjoyed and excited to spend time with family and celebrating the Savior's birth! I love being home, around family, and enjoying the simple times with our kidos. 

Recently we treated our kids to a simple and delicious little treat that I must share! 

You and your kidos will love it... and the Man of the house will too! 

This WARM treat is from Trader Joe's, but you can get Chai many places. However, I have 

TWO TIPS  for you...

1. You must by the powder Chai. Liquid Chai has a different taste; good, but nothing compares to this...

2. Mix with Milk... Not water

 it makes it hearty, warm, cozy, and lends to times around the fire.

                            3. I know I said 2, but I can't help recommending a little whip cream on top! I don't know about you, but my kids get such a kick out of whip cream. This is worth adding to your shopping list for Christmas morning or a last minute gift too! You can buy two coffee cups, some chai, and some whip cream, add it to a basket and surprise a friend or family member with a sweet and warm gift! Whatever you do you have got to try it! You will LOVE it! 

Taking joy in the little things! Life is short! Enjoy today! 

Coffee and Conversation Thursday
Transform Thursdays
Delightful Order
Plate is Full
Made you Look Thursdays
Taking Time Out Thursday
Show off your Stuff
Around the Table
Strut your stuff
Crazy Cute Thursdays

• Raising Homemakers

Christmas Card Solution: Updated

Just wanted to show you a quick update on how the Christmas Card banner looks now that we have received a good amount of cards. Our family has so enjoyed being able to see the display of cards this year. Thank you to all of you who have send us some Christmas love with a card! We are lovin them!

Thank you for stopping by! 

Angel Tree

We were blessed to be apart of Angel Tree this year at our church. If you don't know what Angel Tree is,  you can read more about it here. This was such a special time! We had the opportunity to partner with our church to provide a night of fun and gifts for children who's have a parent who is incarcerated. It was such a blessed night and so nice to meet so many sweet families! This is an event the whole family can participate in. I would highly recommend it. You can participate on so many levels... Crafts, gift buying, prayers, cookies and punch, set up, clean up, greeting and more. It is one of those things that you thing your going to serve and be a blessing and you get ministered to and blessed too!

~~~~

Check out how talented they were when it came to decorating their cookies. Such creativity! I was impressed! 

I was humbled and honored to be able to participate! God is so good!

Guest Post: Christina Johnson

Hey there all! I have a special read for you today from Christina Johnson. Christina works remotely for Elliman Prudential.  She is using her journalism major to combine what she loves most, writing and her career.  Her specialties include home decor design and DIY home improvement projects. Enjoy! 

Fun Family Activities for the Cold Winter Months

Article submitted by Christina Johnson

Cold winter weather means families have plenty of opportunities to enjoy time together in the warmth of their home, or can go outside for a wintertime adventure in the snow. However you choose to use your time, the winter offers unique opportunities for you and your family to have fun and enjoy each other's company. Here are a few ideas to help get you started:

Christmas Lights Viewing: Many houses start putting up elaborate Christmas light displays around Thanksgiving. It can be a lot of fun to bundle everyone in the family up in the car with a few travel mugs of hot cocoa and a CD of favorite holiday music and drive through the neighborhoods, looking at lights. Try to see which neighborhood has the best displays; you can ask around among friends for suggested routes, or just make an adventure of driving through new neighborhoods.

Decorate Your House: Decorations bring some light and color to an otherwise drab, gray season. You can choose to decorate your home inside or out, and get every member of the family involved by hanging up decorations, coloring pictures, or even making ornaments. 

Holiday Baking: Homemade baked goods make great gifts and can be a wonderful way to spend a winter afternoon. This is also a great way to start teaching your children how to cook, as even the youngest can participate in some aspect of cooking. Let your children measure and pour ingredients, mix up batters, or decorate cookies and cakes. When you're done, you can gift-wrap your creations and deliver them throughout the neighborhood. Just be sure to save some for yourself!

Volunteer: For many, the holiday season is a time of giving, and that means sharing with those who are less fortunate. Most communities will have holiday volunteer opportunities, either through fundraisers, soup kitchens, family "adoption" programs, or other social activist programs. Check with your church to see if they have any programs going, or search online to see if there is a way for your family to get involved. Volunteering is a great way to help your children appreciate what they have and learn compassion for others.

Enjoy The Winter Weather: If you live in a part of the country that gets snow, enjoy it! Build snowmen and forts with your children, have a snowball fight, or learn how to cross-country ski or toboggan down the hills of your neighborhood. Follow up with a hot mug of tea or hot chocolate afterward. You can even make "snow ice cream" by mixing fresh snow with a little milk and some maple syrup -- yum!

Go Caroling: Singing is a fun group activity for all ages. See if there are any local caroling groups, or put one together yourself with friends and family. You don't have to limit yourself to old classics: Nearly any festive song can be sung on a caroling expedition! Before you go out, make sure everyone is familiar with the words and agree to your song collection.

There are so many fun things to do with your family during the winter. There's no reason to stay cooped up in your house or NYC Condo, when you could take advantage of so many great opportunities to spend quality time with the people who matter most. Do you have any other fun suggestions for winter activities? Tell us about them!

3 Dollar Christmas Decor

Hey! Hey! Only 5 days left! Are you ready? We are getting very excited around here! When I returned from church late last night to kiss my kids the oldest said, while half asleep, "Mommy, we going to have a fun day on the 20 tomorrow!" I laughed and said, "Yes, bubba, we will have a fun day on the 20th tomorrow." He couldn't wait to count another day on the Advent Calender.

Because we are close to christmas I have two things to share! One is this idea for Decorating. It is a 3 dollar decor piece. Yep! 3 bucks! That is it! The vase, red stylophone pebbles, and the plant decor were all purchased at the dollar store. Got to love a good deal; right. So here it is the final product!

 Thanks for comin by! Take JOY in the days leading to Christmas! 

Linking to:
let's see it Wednesdays

What Ya Makin for your Christmas Dinner?

Hey there! I was just curious as to what you are making for Christmas Dinner. I am thinking of doing something different this year as the main course. My sweet friend Sara is doing Prime Rib, which sounds amazing. I am not sure what I will do yet for the main course. Have any suggestions?

However these are the side dishes I will do for sure...

         Sweet Potatoes
         Greens
         Salad
         Deviled Eggs as the app (just cause I love them)

So what you makin? Leave me a comment or a link to your post! Oh, and by the way... My sweet friend Eva and I will soon be hosting a link party! We look forward to having you join us for link parties in the future! 
Thanks for coming by!

Family Update

Hey! hey! I wanted to take a quick minute and give a family update. We have been rejoicing in this time of year and busy as you I am sure. We had a few tough weeks prior to this one with my Man's Doctorate work and work schedule. He worked long hard hours finishing a 30 page paper and a whole portfolio before his two week break. So we have been busy, but now we are ready to relax and enjoy the Christmas season! Here are a few things that have kept us busy and living! Taking in those joys!

~Date Night~

~Hockey Game~

~Work Christmas Dinner~

 ~Decorating for Christmas~

~The kids were SOOOO into this year and it has made it so much fun~

 ~The Three little Amigos~

 ~Hanging their own ornaments~

 ~Naps~ 

 ~Cookie Party and Cookie Making~

~Crafts~

 ~ Back to Bethlehem~

 ~New Sushi~

 ~Gifts from sweet friends~

 ~Silly Fun~

 We are thankful to be able to have these many joys that keep us busy and our life full! Treasure those little Joyful moments in life!