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One day last week was National Play a Card Game Day. I was going to write this post then, but my new granddaughter was born and that post just didn't happen. But, since playing games is a big deal in our family, and because we had already come up with a bunch of our favorites to share with you, I thought I would go ahead and do that post today for Friday Faves #46! We came up with a bunch of card games that we really enjoy. Some are old favorites and speak for themselves in the collage above. Others are unconventional, but still use cards. Most of our choices have their own specialty card decks. So, here we go!
![]() Last year, Tyler and Jessica received Dutch Blitz as a Christmas gift and I have loved it ever since. It is fast paced and so much fun! Because I am a grandmother, I am not as fast at it and Madalynn and Jessica always beat me. But, I am getting better! I love it anyway. I guess I am a glutton for punishment. I just noticed that there is an expansion pack for it that I will have to check out! ![]() Skip-Bo is a classic and one of Lindsey's favorites. Dutch Blitz is similar to Skip-Bo. In both games the object is to be the first to get rid of your pile of 10 cards. I think you would call Skip-Bo just a little more civilized because you take turns!
There you have it! Besides Hearts, Rummy, Uno and Spot IT, those are some great games that we would recommend to game playing families like we are.
If you have missed our other posts about games that we love, I am linking to them below! Have a fun weekend, and let us know of any games that you love that we have missed talking about or trying. We love to try new games!
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Raise your hand if you love fruit cake!
Hmmm, I didn't think so. I once heard a joke that there has actually only been one fruit cake ever made and it keeps being re-gifted year after year. All of that gummy candied fruit inside a sweet bread sometimes soaked in rum? I. just. can't. But, I do really enjoy a good sweet loaf of bread. Today is Date-Nut Bread Day! Who knew? And while I don't think I have actually ever eaten Date Nut Bread, this day has inspired today's Merry Friday Fave #45!
What is your favorite flavor of sweet loaf bread?
Sweet loaves of bread are so great to give as gifts to friends during the holidays. They stir up pretty quickly, they make the house smell good and warm it up. You can give a loaf or make mini loaves or give slices on a tray of goodies, so sweet bread is very versatile. Not to mention all of the delicious flavors and ingredients you can make.
Madalynn says that she really likes Cinnamon Raisin Bread. Either of the recipes above can have raisins added to them and it would be awesome! The Cinnamon rolls are made with sprouted wheat. We turned the loaf into French Toast because I love French Toast.
So, skip the fruit cake and try one of these recipes. Your family will thank you. Any of them would be great gifts. Perfect for those last minute remembrances! Merry Christmas from our homes to yours! We will talk to you next Tuesday! Helen
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Hello Friday Faves Fans! We have hit Friday Fave #44! Did you know that tomorrow is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day? What a great day! Of course, we are celebrating this day by beginning with this question:
What is your favorite thing to dip in chocolate?
The first thing I thought of was, "My finger!" Then I asked my husband and he said, "Well, I don't know, my finger?" Great minds think alike.
My girls were much more creative right off the bat. The first thing Maddy said was pretzels. I had to agree right away! That chocolate sweet taste mixed with the salty pretzel is just so good. This time of year, you've got to add the sprinkles, and maybe a layer or caramel under the chocolate? Just a thought.
Alicia also said that she loves chocolate dipped pretzels and then said she loves candies like Mounds that are coconut dipped in chocolate! Alicia is also the one who dipped Oreos in chocolate for us. Those are super good! Who can forget her 2 year old's Halloween reindeer? It is a delicious blend of pretzel and Oreo! What could be better?
Lindsey loves fruit dipped in chocolate. I am also a fan of a big chocolate dipped strawberry. And don't forget the banana peanut butter dipped chocolates I blogged about on this post.
Speaking of peanut butter, Ritz Crackers spread with peanut butter and then dipped in chocolate are so good as well.
I guess we are giving you a couple more than 5 ideas because I can't talk about dipping chocolates with mentioning my family's favorite dipped chocolates that I make on occasion. I am going to repost the recipe below. You can read about how I used them on Easter here.
I know that a lot of people like to just melt their chocolate in the microwave, but I always use a double boiler. I don't have to worry about having to remelt as it cools because I can keep it over the warm water and it stays perfectly creamy. My old set of cookware came with a double boiler, but my new set didn't. I kept my old one. I really like it because it also has a steamer option which is really nice for vegetables. If you don't have one, they are a super great tool to have in the kitchen. There are a few choices available on Amazon. You could get one in time to dip chocolates for the holidays!
Here is a double boiler and steamer set for a great price!
So, What do you love to dip in chocolate? Have fun deciding and let us know!
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Have you ever wondered where your favorite Christmas traditions come from? The history and reasoning behind various traditions is fascinating and I believe that they are the things that give this holiday its depth of meaning to so many people. Here at 3 Winks Design, our religious beliefs are at the center of our holiday traditions. As my children were growing up, I tried to teach them that everything that we did to celebrate the holiday, from Santa to candy canes to gifts and to Christmas trees, all pointed to the main reason we were celebrating. That reason is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. So, today, for this 43rd Friday Fave, we are going to share our favorite traditions and their history AND how they point towards Jesus Christ.
Christmas Stockings: Alicia chose Christmas Stockings as one of her most favorite traditions. When I was a little girl, we used some of my dad's old socks as our stockings. Then, when I was married, my mom crocheted stockings for my husband and I and then some for my children as they came along. I think my younger sister actually crocheted Alicia's stocking. Now, Alicia is crocheting stockings for her own family.
The tradition of the Christmas Stocking reaches way back to the time of a rich bishop named Saint Nicholas who lived in the 4th century in an area near Turkey. He was known for the kind generous deeds he did for the less fortunate. One story tells of how he dropped gold down one family's chimney into the young girls' socks. This led to the tradition of hanging socks by the fireplace for St. Nick to put gifts in them. The stories of his gifts to the poor are of course what points this tradition to the Savior. True acts of love and kindness are given at Christmas, reminding us of the love and kindness He has shown to us. In our family, the gifts in the stockings are usually small things, along with candy, nuts and fruit. There is always an orange and an apple down in the toe of the stocking! If you aren't quite up to crocheting or sewing or knitting stockings at this point for your family, Minted has some beautiful personalized stockings that are sure to become keepsakes. For example, I love these two.
The Christmas Tree: I chose the Christmas tree as one of my favorite traditions. I love decorating it with the ornaments that we have collected over the years. I love seeing it lit up at night with all of the other lights turned off.
My husband and I lived in Germany when we were first married. I remember the truck that came to the village where we lived. It was loaded with trees. We were able to choose a tree right off of the truck. It was fresh and fragrant. The first person to bring a Christmas Tree into a house, in the way we know it today, may have been Martin Luther in the 16th century. A story is told that, one night before Christmas, he was walking through the forest and looked up to see the stars shining through the tree branches. It was so beautiful, that he went home and told his children that it reminded him of Jesus, who left the stars of heaven to come to earth at Christmas. Another story from Germany goes like this, " Once on a cold Christmas Eve night, a forester and his family were in their cottage gathered round the fire to keep warm. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. When the forester opened the door, he found a poor little boy standing on the door step, lost and alone. The forester welcomed him into his house and the family fed and washed him and put him to bed in the youngest sons own bed (he had to share with his brother that night!). The next morning, Christmas Morning, the family were woken up by a choir of angels, and the poor little boy had turned into Jesus, the Christ Child. The Christ Child went into the front garden of the cottage and broke a branch off a Fir tree and gave it to the family as a present to say thank you for looking after him. So ever since them, people have remembered that night by bringing a Christmas Tree into their homes!" (Source) When we lived in Germany, I actually saw some of the older native Germans' trees with real candles on them! It was beautiful, but dangerous! I am thankful for modern lights! I have been told that Christmas tree needles and branches point towards Heaven, which is another symbol of the true meaning of Christmas. I grew up with real trees from the tree lot and for years, that is what we did for our children as well. But, about 10 years ago we broke down and got an artificial tree. It is about time to get a new one as this one is starting to wear out. Target has quite a selection to choose from, as well as ornaments and lights, etc.
Christmas Carols: Madalynn has chosen Christmas Carols as her fave! In our house, the tree and carols go hand in hand. You can read about how we gather together to "sing to the tree" on this post.
From before the middle ages, Christmas Carols were written to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. St. Francis of Assisi is often credited with incorporating Christmas Carols into religious services. Feeling the Spirit of Christmas is so easy when carols are playing. When we gather together as a family to sing together, not only are we singing praises, even when we sing the fun songs about Santa, there is just so much love and fun in the room, you can almost tangibly feel it! Our family loves the old favorites and some newer versions as well. One of the best CDs that my girls and I love is a collection of Amy Grant singing Christmas carols! Emmanuel and Oh Little Town of Bethlehem are two of her arrangements that we love to belt out! Epiphany: It is always great to have the holiday last a little longer. Lindsey came back from her mission to France with a great tradition that is observed in many countries, but not as much in America. It is known as Epiphany, or 3 Kings Day. When we read the story of the Birth of Christ in the Bible, we realize that the Wise Men didn't get to Bethlehem on the night of his birth. They came to find him much later. Thus, the symbolism of Epiphany. Traditionally, in France, a King Cake is made and a little toy or favor is hidden inside of it. Lindsey wrote about it on this post a couple of years ago! (Our blog has evolved quite a bit since then!) Lindsey was given a tiny doll (or feve) from a sweet lady in France that she uses to put in her King Cake. One child in the family decides who gets what piece of cake. The cake is slices so that there is one extra slice, just in case some poor person comes needing food. Whoever gets the little toy in their slice, gets to be the King (or Queen) for the day. If you weren't lucky enough to go to France and have someone give you a little feve, Dollar Tree or Oriental Trading may be good places to check out.
Of course, these are just a few of our favorite traditions. We could go on and on. If you would like to read about more of them, you can check out this post from the past. What are your favorite traditions? We would love to hear all about them!
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Creators of Hot Cocoa Bombs! (copyrighted)
Author
Helen Reynolds: Mother of six children , grandmother to eleven! I love to cook, craft and create things and I especially love doing that with my family, So, when my lawyer daughter, Lindsey, my artist daughter, Madalynn, and I came up with the idea of Hot Cocoa Bombs, this blog was born. Then, one more daughter, with her technical and science skills, plus creativity has joined in to round us out! Read more about us here! Archives
June 2024
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