Brussel sprouts w/ balsamic maple drizzle

Yum, yum, yum. Do you have a taste for Brussel Sprouts? It's one of those love/hate foods. There isn't an in between.

While watching food network most of my Christmas break, I watched as Ina Garten prepared a roasted brussel sprout dish. She drizzled a balsamic vinager after she remove them from roasting. 

I was looking for a green veggie for our Christmas dinner and decided to try her recipe. 

I cut the Sprouts in half tossed them in EVOO, kosher salt & cracked pepper. Put them into a 400 degree oven. Tossed every 15 minutes for approx 45/50 minutes. 

I wanted a little sweeter balsamic flavor, so I mixed pure maple syrup and balsamic vinager together to make for a thicker drizzle. 

If you are a lover of these little green sprouts, this is a must try!

Excuse the blurry photos, I was snapping them with my cell phone as I was trying to prepare them.

Chocolate Rolo Ritzy Goodness

I can remember back to Christmas when my granny Polly was alive. She was hands down the absolute best cook/baker to ever walk this earth. There wasn't anything that she made except "Oyster Stew" that I didn't like.

I can remember all the days leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas she would spend countless hours in the kitchen ensuring all of her family was fed with the utmost love.

My papa loved when she would make the simple peanut butter and ritz crackers dipped in chocolate. This year, I decided to put a little extra spin on her deliciousness. I added a rolo to the center of the cracker instead of peanut butter.

I preheated the oven to 300 degrees and placed a rolo on each ritz cracker. After 3-4 minutes in the oven I took them out and topped the rolo with another cracker then dipped them in chocolate. Delish!

Enjoy!

FCN Volunteers Make a Difference Day - Advil@ Relief

FCN volunteers on Make a Difference Day at Naval Station Mayport

Make a Difference Day is the largest volunteering day of the year.

For more than 20 years, Gannett's USA WEEKEND Magazine has mobilized millions of people across the country for this national day of volunteering.

Saturday dozens of First Coast News employees teamed up to impact lives of those who live and work on Naval Station Mayport. To read more of their story and efforts visit the FCN website.

Image Credit

This is such a precious cause and I want to thank all the volunteers that give their time and efforts! Its truly a blessing to see this happening in our community!

If you want to see how other folks are doing their part to volunteer actively, I urge you to check out the Advil® Relief in Action program. The campaign honors and supports people who don’t let pain get in the way of helping others. Advil® is also donating to Habitat for Humanity and Wounded Warrior Project® for every bottle sold. Advil® is helping volunteers get the relief they need, and get back to giving back. If you want to share your own story of active volunteerism, post a photo on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and tag it with #ReliefinAction. I am participating in a sponsored campaign hosted by Advil®.

I received compensation for this post. While all opinions stated are my own, I make no claims about Advil® as a product or its effectiveness.

Joy to the Children: Advil@ Relief

Joy to the children is a special cause for local children in my town to have a better Christmas. There are so many families that are struggling to meet their needs day to day and I'm sure the holidays only bring a little added stress.

This program was put into place to help out a little and give them something special at Christmas. For the sake of disclosing the individuals, I have only added discrete photos.

About

Joyfully offering a fun-filled, loving Christmas Day Celebration to economically disadvantaged children of Nassau County since 1994. Interested in Volunteering: www.joytothechildren.org/volunteers Wanting to Donate...Our website now has a DONATE button

Company Overview

Joy to the Children, Inc. is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that provides a Christmas Day celebration for Nassau County's economically disadvantaged children and their families.

Interested in Volunteering: http://joytothechildren.org/volunteers

Wanting to Donate...P.O. Box 16404, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035-3124 & our website now has a DONATE button:http://joytothechildren.org/

Description

Joy to the Children, Inc. is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that provides a Christmas Day celebration for Nassau County's economically disadvantaged children and their families.

~~~

They called themselves “orphans” only because these adults were spending Christmas away from their families. But the Amelia Island “orphans” put their loneliness to good use by helping children who might not experience the joy of Christmas absorb that wonderful feeling. In 1994, a group of adult friends gathered for Christmas and formulated a plan to share the joy of the holiday season with the underprivileged children of Nassau County and Joy to the Children began!

The endeavor started with 36 children and over the years has served over 3000 children and their families. On Christmas morning 2009, 165 happy children and their families had a sumptuous feast and the children received toys, bedding, clothing, hygiene items, books, school supplies, and various other gifts. None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our community including businesses and individuals like you. Monetary donations, new toy donations, and the gift of time and effort of the volunteers make this event possible year after year.

Joy’s families are selected through various organizations such as Sutton Place, Micah’s Place, the elementary schools of Nassau County and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Lists of different agencies are cross referenced to ensure that assistance is going to benefit as many families as possible.

Joy is a completely volunteer organization and no one is paid for the time spent throughout the year and on Christmas Day. The day is for all of us to share the spirit of the holiday and to experience the joy of giving.

~~~

If you can give of your time or money, please contact us info@joytothechildren.org

General Information

Volunteer http://joytothechildren.org/volunteers

Donations can be made on website
or Sent to:
P.O. Box 16404
Fernandina Beach, FL 32035-3124

This is such a precious cause and I want to thank all the volunteers that give their time and efforts! Its truly a blessing to see this happening in our community!

If you want to see how other folks are doing their part to volunteer actively, I urge you to check out the Advil® Relief in Action program. The campaign honors and supports people who don’t let pain get in the way of helping others. Advil® is also donating to Habitat for Humanity and Wounded Warrior Project® for every bottle sold. Advil® is helping volunteers get the relief they need, and get back to giving back. If you want to share your own story of active volunteerism, post a photo on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and tag it with #ReliefinAction. I am participating in a sponsored campaign hosted by Advil®.

I received compensation for this post. While all opinions stated are my own, I make no claims about Advil® as a product or its effectiveness.

Merry CHRISTmas

Merry Christmas from my home to yours! May your day be filled laughter, love and with rustling of paper. Don't forget JESUS is the Reason for the Season!

Isaiah 9:6

King James Version (KJV)

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:11-14

King James Version (KJV)

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Merry Christmas from Hickory Trail!

Toys for Tots: Advil® Relief

Toys for Tots is a wonderful program that many organizations had started contributing to. It helps the less fortunate children have a nice Christmas. Our nation is so rich and it's very touching that so many are willing to help with this program. My husband is a retired Marine and I can remember attending several Marine Corps Ball events and bringing a toy for the tot drop box. I not only thank them for willingly risking their lives for my freedom daily, but to add to it, they are out there to make some kids Christmas a little more special.

Below is a little history on the Toys for Tots Program.

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program
MISSION: The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. 

GOAL: The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

 OBJECTIVES: The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

 ACTIVITIES: The principal Toys for Tots activity which takes place each year is the collection and distribution of toys in the communities in which a Marine Corps Reserve Unit is located. In communities without a Reserve Unit, the campaign can be conducted by a Marine Corps League Detachment or group of men and women, generally veteran Marines, authorized by Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to conduct a local Toys for Tots campaign. Local Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinators conduct an array of activities throughout the year, which include golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and other voluntary events designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots, and concurrently generate toys and monetary donations. You can also visit their site if you would like more information.

Image Credit

Image Credit

If you want to see how other folks are doing their part to volunteer actively, I urge you to check out the Advil® Relief in Action program. The campaign honors and supports people who don’t let pain get in the way of helping others. Advil® is also donating to Habitat for Humanity and Wounded Warrior Project® for every bottle sold. Advil® is helping volunteers get the relief they need, and get back to giving back. If you want to share your own story of active volunteerism, post a photo on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and tag it with #ReliefinAction. I am participating in a sponsored campaign hosted by Advil®.

I received compensation for this post. While all opinions stated are my own, I make no claims about Advil® as a product or its effectiveness.

At Home on Hickory Trail Christmas Home Tour 2013

I'm so excited for this time of year. I love all the festive decorations that make my home feel so cozy! I love that the feeling in the air is a sweet spirit, and more than anything I love that my Saviour, Jesus Christ was born to save me from my sins. He was truly "Born to Die"

So, sit back grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy this tour of homes!

Cherry water is so festive! I added sugar cookie sprinkles to the outside of the mug to give it a little extra touch!

Merry Christmas from my home to yours! Remember, Jesus is the Reason for the Season! I'll be partying at The Nester's!

Operation Christmas Child: Advil® Relief

Operation Christmas ChildWhat a great way to share the gospel to those whom will most likely never be able to know just what our Saviour Jesus Christ did on the cross at Calvary for each and everyone of us. Our church participates each year in this wonderful cause. If you are not familiar with Operation Christmas Child, check out their website. Also, I have included a brief description of their mission.About Us

The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) gives a clear picture of God’s desire for us to help those in desperate need wherever we find them. After describing how the Samaritan rescued a hurting man whom others had passed by, Jesus told His hearers, “Go and do likewise.” For over 40 years, Samaritan’s Purse has done our utmost to follow Christ’s command by going to the aid of the world’s poor, sick, and suffering. We are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. This, in turn, earns us a hearing for the Gospel, the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

As our teams work in crisis areas of the world, people often ask, “Why did you come?” The answer is always the same: “We have come to help you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our ministry is all about Jesus—first, last, and always. As the Apostle Paul said, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5, NIV).

MISSION STATEMENT
Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here are a few pictures of the boxes being put together this year. My family put together (4). I wish I would have taken more pictures, but I'm sure you will see how neat the cause is. Not only are sweet boys and girls getting some Christmas gifts, they are getting the BEST gift there is too offer. The Gospel of Jesus Christ! A chance for Salvation!

You can also visit their blog for more information!

If you want to see how other folks are doing their part to volunteer actively, I urge you to check out the Advil® Relief in Action program. The campaign honors and supports people who don’t let pain get in the way of helping others. Advil® is also donating to Habitat for Humanity and Wounded Warrior Project® for every bottle sold. Advil® is helping volunteers get the relief they need, and get back to giving back. If you want to share your own story of active volunteerism, post a photo on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and tag it with #ReliefinAction.

I am participating in a sponsored campaign hosted by Advil®. I received compensation for this post. While all opinions stated are my own, I make no claims about Advil® as a product or its effectiveness.

Christmas Mantel 2013

Merry Christmas! Doesn't it just seem like yesterday we were packing up our Christmas decor and getting ready for spring? Time once again, had slipped right by us!

This year I decided again to keep my mantel simple and clean. If you missed last year's mantel you can read about it here.

I had to throw in my Santa boot snack bowls. Not sure what I'm going to do with them yet. I think I'm going to plant a little boxwood in one and leave snacks in the other.

I threw in a few faux pomegranates to add a little color.

I purchased these JOY letters at Target after Christmas last year. They were all different colors, I didn't care for them, so I opted to paint them "cherry red".

before

after

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and remember, Jesus IS the Reason for the Season! Check me out at these parties! DIY Showoff

Don't forget to check out Jennifer Rizzo's Holiday Home linky Party!