Menu Plan Monday - December 21

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday. This is CHRISTmas week and we have had to plan three meals in order to celebrate Christmas with our family. The two sons who have moved out can't be here on Christmas Day, but will be here the next. At least we get a day to celebrate together. Wishing each of my blogger friends a very blessed Christmas!

Monday

Sloppy Jo

Potato Chips (yuck)

Applesauce

Tuesday

Oven-fried Chicken

Rice Pilaf

Wednesday

Chicken Fried Steaks

Smashed Potatoes & Gravy

Green Beans

CHRISTmas Eve

BBQ Meatballs

Cheeseball & Crackers

Tiny Pizzas

Seven Layer Salad

Cookies & Candies

CHRISTmas Day

Roast Turkey

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Baked Squash

Green Beans

Saturday

Baked Ham

Left-over Turkey

Mashed Potatoes

Creamed Corn

Cinnamon Swirl Loaf

Blueberry Pie (GF)

Cookies

Sunday

Left-overs

Book Review: The Carols of Christmas by Andrew Grant

The Carols of Christmas: A Celebration of the Surprising Stories Behind your Favorite Holiday Songs is written by Andrew Grant and published by Nelson Books.

I am not a huge fan of the hype surrounding Christmas, meaning I detest all of the commercialism that Christmas has become. I do, however, love to listen to and sing Christmas carols, especially the very old ones. I had heard that those carols of Christmas Past are rich with history and meaning. After reading through The Carols of Christmas, I wholeheartedly agree.

This interesting book contains history and information concerning 21 of the best loved Christmas carols. Some of them are more well known than others, for instance, #21 - Jingle Bells versus The Holly and the Ivy. Each carol in the book is published (with the sheet music) at the end of its particular chapter.

I learned loads about these great songs. My favorite carol of all-time is O Holy Night. I come from a very French family background, so to learn that my favorite Christmas carol originated with the French was surprising but thrilling.

The way this book is organized is good. Grant's research and extra information he provides the reader is wonderful. I even like his writing style very much.

The only thing I don't really care for is the look of the book (the cover art is very nice, however). It reminds me of a small textbook somehow. But don't let that deter you from reading it. The content more than makes up for that. Be sure to read the introduction as well as the epilogue. Both are filled with additional information that you will want to see.

*I received The Carols of Christmas: A Celebration of the Surprising Stories Behind your Favorite Holiday Songs in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Book Review - My Christmas Stocking by Crystal Bowman

My Christmas Stocking is written by Crystal Bowman and is illustrated by Claudine Gevry. It is published by Zonderkidz.

In this lovely board book in the shape of a Christmas stocking, the truth of God's love for His children is beautifully expressed. While children are sleeping on Christmas Eve, stockings are filled with lots of goodies and surprises. It goes on to explain how the tradition was started with Saint Nicholas. It also explains how much Saint Nicholas loved Jesus and how much he wanted others to know that Jesus loved them enough to come down from Heaven to save them.

I love how simply and how beautifully this story is told. Preschool children will love the size and shape while parents and grandparents will love the truth of the message inside the thick, cardboard pages: God loves each of us. It's a simple truth, but a very relevant one.

*I received a copy of My Christmas Stocking in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Book Review - The First Christmas Night by Keith Christopher

Do I ever have a beautiful Christmas picture book for you to read to your little ones! The First Christmas Night is written by Keith Christopher and is illustrated by Christine Kornacki (The Sparkle Box) and is published by Ideals Children's Books.

Keith Christopher might not be a name you know very well, but he is actually an award winning composer and lyricist as well as an author. His music has even been performed at the National Christmas Tree lighting. It is not surprising, then, to read a book he has written and find yourself almost singing the words as you go.

The First Christmas Night is written as a poem and, if it reminds you of T'was the Night Before Christmas, it has done what it is supposed to. In fact, the poetry is modeled after the Clement Clarke Moore classic. However, this beautiful book is not at all about reindeer and Santa Claus. Rather, it is the true story of Jesus' birth in a manger to his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph.

Children will love all 32 pages of the story and those reading it to them will love the lyrical prose and the beauty of God's greatness as He brought His Son, our Savior, into the world some 2,000 years ago. This story of God's grace and redemption is as relevant today as it was on that first night. We need to be sure we tell our children what the first Christmas is all about. It is not about presents, trees, elves, and the like. It is about a beautiful baby boy - fully God and fully man - born in a lowly stable in Bethlehem so that sinners like you and I can live with Him eternally one day.

At the back of the book is a plus for parents and grandparents as they seek to teach their little ones about Christ and Christmas. Scripture taken from Luke and Matthew will enhance your family devotion time during the Christmas season.

I loved reading The First Christmas Night. I think you will too.

Book Review - The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie

The Sparkle Box is written by Jill Hardie and is illustrated by Christine Kornacki. It is published by Ideals Publications.

In this book, Sam is a little boy who is eager to have Christmas come. He is excited about the presents, the parties, and the mysterious sparkle box on the family's mantle. What is it and, more importantly, is in it? As the family participates in all sorts of holiday activities, they also participate in "good deeds". They help the homeless, feed the hungry, and donate clothing to the less fortunate. On Christmas morning, as he opens the sparkle box, Sam learns just how much those deeds mean to Jesus.

I found this story to be endearing. The pictures are beautiful but the story itself is beautiful. What better gifts can we give than love and comfort to others?

Author Jill Hardie says that the idea for The Sparkle Box came straight from her own Christmas traditions. She wanted to teach her children that giving is a gift too - in and of itself. She goes on to say, "The Sparkle Box reminds us that we are all connected, and we all have the power to make a difference."

The Sparkle Box is a book with a kit. At the back of the book is a sparkle box that you and your child can make together - and fill together. I love it.

*I received a copy of The Sparkle Box in exchange for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are my own.*