Sunday was St Nicholas day and this year we started our 'service project' as a family. The past few years we have done donations to the food bank, since Ariel was too young to really do much, but this year we wanted to get her involved. So on Saturday afternoon we baked several batches of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
Then after church, we went over to the local firehouse to deliver them. We wanted to thank them for the service they give to our town. The young fireman that answered the door stood speechless... very taken back and with a smile said hold on. He came back with several other firemen and Ken offered our appreciation for their hard work and thanked them. It was such an amazing experience, and how honestly touched they were over something so simple as some cookies. They then surprised us and wanted to show the kids the fire truck.
While the one fireman showed Ken and Ariel the truck, I explained to the others how it was St Nicholas day and how we are teaching our children about giving back to their community. The firemen thanked us again as we headed back to our car, telling Ariel she was an honorary VIP member of the station. She then told us how she wants to be a firefighter when she grows up. Hee.
I look forward to us doing things like this every year as our kids grow. Perhaps this has you thinking of doing it too with your family... go for it! Doesn't take much to spread joy.
Afterwards we dropped the kids with Dad and Rita. Ken and I had a movie date and I was soooo excited. We went to see New Moon, and although its by no means 'deep', haha, its a fun, light film. Dad and Rita had us stay for soup and salad for dinner, and we finally rolled home in time for bed.
Monday was school for Ariel, and I got to hear her practicing some Christmas songs in class. I can't wait for the last day of school before the break when they perform them for us. She told me her favorite is 'We wish you a merry Christmas'. Too cute.
That night I spent the evening finishing up the mountain of cards we are sending out... my hand was pretty sore afterwards, oof. We got them to the mail box this morning, and so that means in a few days I can post our annual Christmas card picture. Until then, enjoy a picture of the kids in their gymbo jammies.
The rest of the week is slowly filling up with projects and more baking. I am hoping to take the kids on Thursday to see our fav radio station personalities at the 'food bank fill up' they are doing this week. We are going to go buy some baby food to take and Ariel said she wants to take them some treats too, so we made some 'reindeer crunch' (or Christmas crack as it is also known as) this morning. Here is the recipe if you want to try it out too... but I warn you, its addictive. Haha.
1 sleeve saltine crackers
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 package chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, and line a 10" x 15" cookie sheet with foil. Spray with Pam. Cover the cookie sheet with a single layer of crackers (Ariel was able to do this part)
In a pot, bring butter and brown sugar to a boil for 3 minutes, stirring with a whisk. Pour over the saltines, and try to spread it as evenly as possible with spatula.
place in the oven and bake for 5 minutes. When you remove it, allow to cool about 3 min, or until you can see the crackers distinctly, which will have shifted while baking. Push them back into order with a knife.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the toffee and let sit for about 5 minutes to melt. Once melted spread chocolate evenly. Sprinkle on pecans (I added almonds too) and press lightly into the chocolate. Put in fridge to cool and harden. Then break into pieces and put in a container. Enjoy...sooooooo good.
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 package chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, and line a 10" x 15" cookie sheet with foil. Spray with Pam. Cover the cookie sheet with a single layer of crackers (Ariel was able to do this part)
In a pot, bring butter and brown sugar to a boil for 3 minutes, stirring with a whisk. Pour over the saltines, and try to spread it as evenly as possible with spatula.
place in the oven and bake for 5 minutes. When you remove it, allow to cool about 3 min, or until you can see the crackers distinctly, which will have shifted while baking. Push them back into order with a knife.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the toffee and let sit for about 5 minutes to melt. Once melted spread chocolate evenly. Sprinkle on pecans (I added almonds too) and press lightly into the chocolate. Put in fridge to cool and harden. Then break into pieces and put in a container. Enjoy...sooooooo good.
3 comments:
I think you should sell the rights of the photo to the company that makes those chocolate chips. Its pretty awesome!
Wow, what a great way of giving back to the community! I'm sure those firefighters were very appreciative of your gesture . . . and the cookies! Jay, you constantly impress me with how caring and generous you are, and how you are able to instill those values in your children!!
So great you did that for the firefighters! Wonderful! Love the pic of the kids in their jammies-so cute! Off to make some crack lol!
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