For the Soul Sundays

Source: My Three Monsters Blog

Happy Holidays and Linky Party

We hope you had the merriest Christmas and that the new year is filled with happiness. The linky party Bloggers Unidas from last week will be on until January 8th, due to the Holidays and some time off to be with family. You can keep adding and linking up your projects. Thank you so much! I will be posting Christmas pictures soon!

For the Soul Sundays

May we remember the true reason for Christmas and that Christ is the reason for the season. Have a blessed Christmas!

Bloggers Unidas # 5

Hello Friends! I hope you had a great week! A special thanks to our friends that link up, GRACIAS! I also want to thank to those "friend blogs" that participate every week. Thanks for your support.

Patricia's Highlight this week:


Appliqued Pillow by The Seasoned Homemaker. Once again, thanks Leslie! Everything she does is wonderful!

Vivian's Highlight:

Christmas Mantel by Vintage,Paint and More. I think I can feature Cathy in every single party because I adore what she does. Thanks for all the inspiration.

Homemade Marshmallows

Once you make homemade marshmallows you will never buy store bought again unless you are on a hurry. This are so simple and would make great gifts for Christmas for the neighbors or friends. They will disappear fast! And they can last up to a week in a air tight container. I followed the instructions from Happy Food Healthy Life.

The ingredients are:

• 3 1/2 packets of gelatin
• 2 cups of sugar
• 1/2 cup of LIGHT corn syrup
• 1 T of vanilla 
• 1 cups pf water divided in 1/2 cups
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 egg whites
• powder sugar

Directions:

In a bog bowl mix the gelatin and COLD water, set aside. In a saucepan, heat over medium heat the syrup, the sugar, the salt and the other 1/2 cup of water until it comes to a boil, then on low keep cooking for about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, fluff up the egg whites. After the syrup mix is done, pour in the gelatin bowl and with a mixer mix until it becomes white and stiff, it takes about 10 minutes of so. After you are done, add the vanilla and mix. Last, incorporate the egg whites slowly. Dust a 13 x 9 Pyrex pan and incorporate the mix, it will be sticky so you can spray Pam on the spatula to come out easy. Spread evenly and then dust more powder sugar. You can also dust a mixture of cornstarch and sugar with a 2:1 sugar to cornstarch ratio, but I personally prefer the sugar alone. Let set for at least 6 hours. Then you can cut up into shapes using a cookie cutter or you can cut stripes and then little squares, just like regular marshmallows. These are THE fluffiest marshmallows!

Give this a try!

Remember the linky party Bloggers Unidas will start tonight! Everybody is invited to link up!

Yummy Blueberry Pie

Today I will be sharing with you the recipe that gives the BEST pie dough. This is my mother in law's recipe and it is perfect and simple. It yields FOUR pie crusts, or two double crust pies.If you do not need four you can freeze the rest (or make shepherd's pie, chicken pot pie, etc).

Ingredients
For the dough:

• 4 cups of flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 2/3 cups of shortening
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 Tbsp vinegar

I put all the dry ingredients in the food processor and pulse to mix them. Then I add the shortening and pulse in the food processor until it resembles sort of pea sized clumps and "sandy" flour shortening mix. Then I add the egg, and the vinegar and with the food processor on I slowly pour the water until a ball forms. Then I refrigerate it for an hour before rolling. For baking, use the BLIND BAKING method to avoid shrinking of the crust. If you are going to cook the crust with the filling, follow pie's recipe instructions. The blind method consists of putting weight on the dough, I usually use parchment paper and some uncooked beans on top. Cook for 400 degrees for 15 minutes. But most of the time I cook the pie with the filling. In this case, my son's favorite, blueberry pie...and so EASY!

Filling:

• 3/4 sugar
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 4 1/2 cups blueberries, I use fresh

Combine sugar, water, cinnamon and cornstarch. Heat until it thickens. Let cool, and then add the juice and the blueberries. Let cool.

Roll the pastry, put it in a 9 inch pie plate. Put the filling on top. Roll the second pastry to cover the filling, seal the edges. I like to do some kind of design with leftover crust, you can use cookie cutters depending in the occasion. Make cuts on top for steam to escape. Sprinkle with sugar on top (I love this, they look like crystals after it bakes). Bake @ 425 degrees for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for another 20-25 minutes.

Bloggers Unidas #4

Welcome to our weekly linky party and blog hop! Thanks for all that shared their blogs and projects with us!
Now for the features..

Featured blog:

The Scent of Oranges.You will find delicious recipes here, just like this one:

Yummy rice pudding!

Patricia's highlight:


Candelabros Navidenos (Christmas candle holders) by Entre Compras y El Hogar. Really cute Christmas decor ideas!

Vivian's Highlight:

Christmas money tree by Crafty Journal. This blog is amazing! Tons of inspiration.
Now for the party!

An InLinkz Link-up

Simple Wreath

This is an easy and cheap wreath to make. All you need is a pool noodle, duct tape, your glue gun and old books. I got mine at the Goodwill. I made sure that they had that old vintagey look. It is pretty much self explanatory.

First, cut the noodle and make it into a circle, secure with duct tape. You can even cut it in half for TWO wreaths. I get mine at the Dollar Tree.

Get an old book (or phone book!) and rip out the pages.

Fold the pages into 4 or 5 folds, kind of like a paper fan. Fold again in half and glue in the middle. Then glue to wreath, starting with a border. Keep gluing!

I decided to do the back too because I was going to put the wreath against a mirror, but you can do only one side if you like. I hung it on my living room really old mirror with a french script ribbon (from Hobby Lobby, 50% off this week you guys!!) I love it, and I will be making a bunch of these. I am also making one now using coffee filters, I will hang it on my daughter's room. This wreath does not look perfect at all, and I like it that way. Imperfection is beauty, perfection is an illusion!

Sharing at:
Making the World Cuter

For the Soul Sundays

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Bloggers Unidas #3

Welcome to Bloggers Unidas #3! We want to thank everybody for their support. We love making new "blog" friends!
Featured blog this week: The Seasoned Homemaker. Go visit Leslie! She blogs about sewing, gardening, projects and cooking. She is very talented, go check out her awesome blog!

   

There you will even see projects like this AMAZING kitchen transformation:

Wow!

 Patricia's highlight:

Handmade Christmas  @ Vintage, Paint and More. Thanks Cathy! She has a lot of handmade Christmas trees inspiration!

Vivian's highlight:

Doesn't this look so very yummy!
Pumpkin french toast @ The Whole Serving. Celeste has an awesome blog. You will feel inspired to eat healthy. She has a ton of recipes that are yummy and make you feel good!

Thank you guys, you can grab a featured button on the right sidebar ;-)

Now for the parrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtay! Can't wait to see what you've been working on this week. Remember giveaways go too!

An InLinkz Link-up

Advent Calendar

Yesterday I shared with you what we will be doing for this Christmas season as a family. Today I am showing you the "system" to accomplish that. This year we are using a different kind of Advent Calendar. It is so simple (and cheap). All you need is paper bags, twine, thumbtacks, ribbon, glue, and printed numbers and activities.

First, I cut the lunch bags and folded the top, then I punched two holes. I printed these numbers off Pinterest, I don't remember the website. Unfortunately, my printer run out of ink and they turned out pinkish...but they were supposed to be red! Oh well...they still work.

  I glued the numbers to the bag. I decided I wanted to do 6 rows with 4 bags each. I cut the twine and hung the 4 rows using thumbtacks. I originally used the removable plastic hooks but they would fall each time, and then I thought my kids would be pulling off the twine trying to get to the bags, so I needed something stronger than that! I then put the twine on the fold, inserted the ribbon through the holes and tied it up. I knew my kids would be removing those If I had used laundry pins. We untie one each day after dinner.

Pretty simple. Yesterday at Family Home Evening I explained the system to them and they were excited. They have no clue what the activity for the day will be. They take turns untying the bow. Do you use an advent calendar?

Sharing at:
A Bowl Full of Lemons  Time to Sparkle

25 Days of Christmas

Today I'll like to share what we will be doing with our Advent Calendar this year. I created a list of activities to do with the kids for each day starting December 1st until the 25th. It includes activities that are both fun and spiritual and involve learning about the Holiday season. We believe Christmas is about the birth of the Savior. Here is the list. I will be showing you my completed advent calendar very soon.

Dec 1^st Put up the Christmas tree and decorations. What are the symbolism of some of the decorations?

Dec 2^nd Put up the Advent Calendar and read a Christmas book each day until Christmas Eve. Get the Christmas pillow to lay under the tree

Dec 3^rd Drink hot cocoa and have a testimony sharing about Christ
Dec. 4^th Watch some of the life of Christ videos
Dec 5^th Make tree ornaments. Work on a family motto
Dec 6^th Write to Santa. Write thank you notes for a person that has helped you in your life.

Dec 7^th Read the story of the birth of Christ when Mary received the news she was going to be the mother of the Savior. Why is the birth of Christ important?

Dec 8^th Bake cookies. Read the birth of the Savior until the Wise Men came.

Dec 9^th Talk about the Wise men and the star. Make a glow in the dark star to put in the kids bedrooms and talk about what things guides them to follow Christ.

Dec 10^th Make a paper snowflake and learn why they are special. Talk about why we are special like the snowflake.

Dec 11^th Read “The Tale of Three Trees” Why are trees important on Christmas?

Dec 12^th Make homemade marshmallows for hot chocolate, and make some for gifts.

Dec 13^th Make blankets for the Women Shelter. Talk about the gifts the Wise men brought and their importance and decide what gift they are giving the Savior this year.

Dec 14^th Breakfast with Santa @ Nicholas. Who was Saint Nicholas and why does his legacy still live? Why should Christmas be about Christ and not about Saint Nicholas? Watch Joy to the World

Dec 15^th Learn about music and caroling at Christmastime. How does music influence the Spirit? Sing a Christmas Hymn.

Dec 16^th Go ice skating. Decide to do “ARKs” Acts of  random kindness.

Dec 17^th Drive around to look for the Christmas lights in the neighborhood or park.

Dec 18^th Learn about the role of the shepherds on Christmas, eat candy canes.

Dec 19^th Make gingerbread houses. Where was the Savior born?

Dec 20^th Learn about the angels in the Nativity story. Make paper angels for the Christmas tree

Dec 21^st Make a video about what you are grateful for this Christmas season. Why do the scriptures tell us to “live in thanksgiving daily'?

Dec 22^nd Mom's birthday. Decorate cupcakes. Watch a Christmas movie.

Dec 23^rd Family Christmas sing along and perform!

Dec 24^th. Christmas EVE. Decorate cookies for Santa. Read the whole Luke 2 chapter. Perform the Nativity. Read “T'was the Night Before Christmas.”

Dec 25^th Merry Christmas! Say a special family prayer thanking Heavenly Father for the wonderful gift He gave us, His Begotten Son Jesus Christ!

For the Soul Sundays

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Happy Thanksgiving!

In this special time, I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the day with family and friends! Bloggers Unidas will resume next Wednesday evening with the features and party due to the Holiday! Thanks for all that linked up, there are some awesome blogs and projects to be featured. We have bloggers that joined from different countries, I love that! Thank you!
Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias! Happy Thanksgiving!

Mom's Monday Mingle

Mom’s Monday Mingle #80

WELCOME! So glad to have you today linking your blogs up with us for Mom's Monday Mingle.

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RULES:

1. Please FOLLOW each hostess (They are 1-5 in the link up)

Naptime Review-Hostess

Consider Me Inspired-Hostess
Oh My Heartsie Girl! -VIP Host

The Family Fun Spot- Co-host
Nibbles by Nic- Co-host

2. Leave a comment if you are new and want us to return the follow.

3. Grab the button and display it on your sidebar or link it to the post.

4. Have fun and meet new friends!

For The Soul Sundays

Remember the truly meaning of Thanksgiving. It is more than the food and the shopping. It is all about recognizing all the blessings we have without dwelling on the ones we don't. It is a time for good times spent with loved ones. Remember to live in thanksgiving daily. Remember to thank the Savior for what He did for you. He died so you could LIVE. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Bloggers Unidas #2

Welcome to our blog hop/linky party! We want to thank everybody that participated.

It was really hard too select features since you all should be featured! You guys are so talented and have inspiring blogs! However we had to select. Patricia's spotlight blog:

Hogar Mujer is a blog in Spanish in which you will find recipes, tips and  DIY projects. Thanks Adriana, wonderful blog! Go check it out!

Patricia's spotlight project:

Isn't this so cool?! Go visit Connie @ Hill House Homestead

Vivian's spotlight blog:

Christa @ Controlling Craziness . She blogs about cooking, kids, crafts, organizing, cleaning, decorating and more!
Vivian's spotlight project (and recipe):

Book page wreath @ Vintage, Paint and More. Isn't this beautiful!
And also, because I think this is the prettiest dessert I have ever seen, and the name says it all:


Vanilla Malt Cake with Cashews and Salted Caramel by Baking a Moment
Thank you guys, you can grab a featured button!

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Now for the Blog Hop and Link Party:

Mom's Monday Mingle

Mom’s Monday Mingle #79

WELCOME! So glad to have you today linking your blogs up with us for Mom's Monday Mingle.

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RULES:

1. Please FOLLOW each hostess (They are 1-6 in the link up)

Naptime Review-Hostess

Consider Me Inspired-Hostess
My Life as Robin's Wife- VIP-host

DIY's (Do It Yourself)- VIP-host
The Family Fun Spot- Co-host
Luxe...With Kids- Co-host

2. Leave a comment if you are new and want us to return the follow.

3. Grab the button and display it on your sidebar or link it to the post.

4. Have fun and meet new friends!

For the Soul Sundays

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Linky party still on until Wednesday!

Bloggers Unidas #1

For the Soul Sundays

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Oh how I love this! If you are a little bit under the weather, don't worry. Nothing is permanent and everything is temporary, including happiness. Life is like a rolling coaster. Sometimes we are at the top and sometimes we hit rock bottom.There has to be "opposition in all things" for how would we know what happiness feels like if we do not experience sorrow? Sorrow and joy go hand in hand. Sorrow makes us humbler, teachable, and more empathetic with people. Sorrow changes us for the better if we let it do so. And it is also temporary. "This too shall pass" is true, and even though we might still have scars remaining for the rest of our lives, the deep sorrow leaves, and a higher understanding penetrates our hearts. We might still grieve from time to time, but as we let grief do its thing, after we felt it and went through it, we finally reach healing. This is the hope the Gospel brings. Knowing that there is Someone who has felt it all, who has endured it all patiently, and especially, this Person loves me SO as to feel my sorrow for me so I can have it more bearable, makes all the difference. My fear gets replaced with faith, and my bad feelings are replaced with love. If you are experiencing hardships, remember they can only happen because maybe you brought that to yourself, because somebody else brought it to you or because you are being tested. In the first case, remember there is the gift of repentance. There is a scripture that says "even if your sins were as red as scarlet, they can be as white as snow" This is possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He not only atoned for your sins, He also atoned for your afflictions and pain and HE OVERCAME THEM, and so can you. Depending on the degree of sin, for some it might take a little longer to repent, for some others it happens quicker, but it is possible to everyone. For the second case, you are not responsible for some else's actions. If they chose a wrong path, no matter how devastating this is to you, it is still their choice. Do not blame yourself, and pray that things will get better. Pray to have the burden bearable. If you are being tested, remember again that it is TEMPORARY, and after this affliction you might experience true joy, a kind of joy that maybe you never felt before. They joy that comes with understanding, acceptance, faith and love. God is real. The Savior lives, He lives for he was resurrected from the dead. Please do not think He is unapproachable. He is closer than you think, if you just reach Him in praying, in searching the scriptures you will find Him, and above all, you will FEEL HIM. This is my testimony to you on this Sunday... He lives! I testify of this. I have had in my life those three degrees of sorrow. If I have done bad, I have repented and came out new. I have suffered someone else's bad decisions and I have been tried and tried over and over. I have been in dark places before, I have felt the pain, the despair, the sadness, the hopelessness that trials bring. And I have OVERCAME THEM, only relying on the Savior KNOWING He understands...He did not answer my prayers immediately and sometimes God let me endure a little bit before bringing bigger blessings that I did not even thought of. It is kind of a muscle stretch workout for the heart, with more weighs or resistance, the stronger it becomes, and after that is is very healthy, it grows so much that your capacity for loving grew..

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Remember the door is closed and He is always knocking. The doorknob is only on your side. Will you let Him in?

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From My Uruguayan Kitchen: Arroz con Leche

There is nothing that screams more "comfort dessert" for Uruguayans than Arroz con Leche. It is so simple to make and so inexpensive but it is full of flavor. The texture is creamy, the rice cooked to perfection and there is a little taste of lemon zest, cinnamon and cloves. It is not quite as condensed as rice pudding but it is lighter and still rich. There are several methods of preparing it, but this is the one I use. My family likes chocolate chips on top but the best is some whipped cream!
Ingredients:

• 1 cup of long grain white rice
• 1 12 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk, we use fat free
• cinnamon sticks, about 2 or 1 tbsp of cinnamon
• 3 cloves
• 3 cups of  2 % milk
• lemon zest of a whole lemon
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 4 cups of water
• 1 TBSP of brown sugar
• 1/2 cups raisins, optional (my family prefers no raisins, but chocolate chips)
• ground cinnamon for garnish

In a saucepan combine the rice, water, cinnamon (I use ground), lemon zest and cloves. Let sit for 45 minutes. Then turn the heat on and let the rice cook, for about 5 minutes then when it boils turn the heat down and cook for 10 minutes. Beat the egg in a bowl, add milk, stir. After the rice cooks take it out of heat and let cool a little bit. This next step is very important otherwise you will end up with scrambled eggs in your rice: YOU HAVE TO TEMPER THE EGGS. Add a little bit of the warm rice mixture to the egg mixture and stir. Keep adding it until the eggs are warm. After this you can pour this mixture with the rest of the rice in the saucepan and stir. Add sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and sugar and mix well. Cook on medium low heat until it thickens, for about 25 minutes. As the rice cools it will thicken more. You can eat it warm
or cool. Tastes even better the next day!
The three stages: Soak, add milk and eggs, and cook

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Try it and tell me what you think! VERY affordable dessert with ingredients you already have in your pantry. And it serves a crowd!

Sharing at:
The Blogger's Digest  The Jenny Evolution  Real Food Fridays