But one of my favorite activities is trimming the Christmas tree with my family.

Our Tree Trimming always starts with finding the perfect tree. And yes it has to be a real tree. I know there are many beautiful fake trees now, but for us, cutting down our Christmas tree is the first step in making our Christmas special.

Walking through the woods with my family searching high and low until we all agree that we have found the ONE!

When you look at my tree, you may say, “Well that’s a scrawny tree.”, or “All you use is an old metal bucket to sit the tree in.”, and in reality it’s true. But see, to my family, it isn’t how tall the tree is, it’s not how full the tree is, it isn’t even about how straight the tree is, all that matters when searching for the perfect tree is finding the one that best applies to our life.

My family loves 1900 farmhouse and primitive décor. We have a saying around our house, “The more its falling apart, the better we like it.” Our tree symbolizes our love for things of the past, a life of simplicity and slower pace. On our tree, you will not find shiny, sparkly or new, but instead you will find, simple, charming and rustic. From the 1900 replica candle lights, to the fresh strung cranberries, homemade ornaments of fabric and burlap, tin Christmas trees and grapevine reindeer’s hanging on the branches, you will feel the “days gone by” from just looking at the tree.

I for one enjoy remembering the reason of the season. Not the overcrowded shopping malls, or the huge lines waiting for the “big” sale, but the reason why we celebrate Christmas, The Birth of Christ. Instead of rushing and shopping and spending, I prefer to use this time to reflect on the many blessings in my life over the past year, taking my family to watch Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Christmas Parades, Ice Skating in Town Squares, spending the day making Homemade Christmas Gifts and Goodies and finishing up the wrapping in simple brown paper with bows made of yarn.

So as our tree represents a life of simplicity, love and peace for my family, I encourage you, as you celebrate the Christmas Season, to reflect on what your tree means to you and your loved ones.

The post A Visit from Christmas Past appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.

I still remember when my local McDonald’s was built.  It was the 80’s, a time of childhood innocence and never ending memories of sleepovers, rolling down hills in the grass, swimming in the lake, spending hours outside on the swing set, and staring at the stars forever at night.

For my small town, getting a McDonald’s was like Disneyland.  My husband remembers Ronald McDonald at the opening performing magic shows, buying the Ronald and Friends boxes of cookies and collecting every Happy Meal toy as possible.  In fact, my husband still may have one or two of his, (or a whole box full).  And the highlight of our Christmas Parade wasn’t Santa, but Ronald McDonald!

My husband just happens to keep his box of Happy Meal toys in the house, individually bagged in groups with the dates!  The picture above is the McDonald’s Food from 1987.  And what is really neat about the food toys, is that they turn into transformers, as shown in the picture below.

McDonald’s bring back so many sweet childhood memories for me and my husband, that when we started a family we knew McDonald’s had to be a part of that.  So the tradition continued of Happy Meals and Ice Cream Cones.  It was a sad, sad day for us when our children were no longer little enough for Happy Meals, but had graduated up to big meals and when begging for ice cream cones, became begging for frappe’s.

But as always, McDonald’s is able to accommodate all of our needs, especially now with the new Chef Crafted Sandwiches.  My family was thrilled to have new choices of such deluxe sandwiches on the menu.  You can choose from Maple Bacon Dijon (everything is better with bacon, right?), Pico Guacamole, (for when you are craving a little Hispanic Culture), and Buffalo Bacon, (wings flavor in a sandwich, um yes!)

*These are options geared in my McDonald’s area.  Of course they may vary by location.

But what I found so fascinating about the new sandwiches, is that you have options when ordering.  I didn’t realize that my decision wasn’t over when I decided on which sandwich style to try.  First, I got to choose whether I wanted Beef, Grilled or Crispy Chicken.  Next I had bun options!  My choices were Artisan Roll and Sesame Seed Bun.  I couldn’t decide, they all sounded so good. And then last I choose the flavor.  My husband was in AWE!  He was so excited about the options.  Needless to say, they didn’t disappoint!

He chose the Pico Guacamole Burger with the Artisan Bun.  It smelled delish, and he said it tasted even better!  One thing he did mention though, is that the guatamole was a tad spicy and with chapped lips it burned a little!  Of course he loves spicy so no harm done!  He also commented about the amazing flavor that the sandwich had.

And as you can tell, he enjoyed it very much!

There is no need any longer to try to decide where to go eat a nice lunch or dinner when you can get the same great tasting sandwich, which a value price at McDonald’s.  My children can get their frappe’s to go with their sandwiches, and I can leave knowing that not only did I spend a fraction of what I would have at some places, but my family found a way to carry on our McDonald’s tradition as we enter the next phase of our life.  And I can tell this is going to be a big hit with my family!

Would you like to win a year’s worth of McDonald’s Sandwiches?  Enter here.  And just for entering the contest, you will receive a coupon for a free fry and drink!

Here’s to making memories last a lifetime!  Enjoy!

The post Chef Crafted Sandwiches….Just when you thought McDonald’s couldn’t get any better. appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.

It would really be frustrating to raise egg-laying chickens, and at the end of the day, you don’t even get at least one nutritious. So before you decide to go for roasted chicken as your second business option, there are actually some things you can do to help your hens lay more eggs and recoup the most from your investment.

Factors that Affect Production
Before we get to the different tips for better egg-laying, you need to understand there are several factors that affect your hens’ productivity. These include genetics, age, daylight hours, nutrition, and stress.

Genetics – Some hybrids are just great layers. These are the California White, Production Red, Production Grey, and others. As for heritage breeds, your best choice would be the Rhode Island Red or the White Leghorn.

Age – A hen is usually most productive between six and 18 months. At around one to two-years-old, the hen will go through molting, where it loses a lot of its feathers. And to grow new feathers, it will need more protein, which greatly affects her production. Thus, you have to expect very little numbers of eggs at that time. Once the hen is back in shape, she will start laying larger, but fewer eggs. And as she grows older, the number of eggs will again decrease.

Daylight Hours – Naturally, hens lay eggs during the summer and spring when days are longer. Their instincts say that these are the days to best raise their young. Nonetheless, you can still try to mimic the longer days on other seasons by setting up a timed light that turns on for 14 to 15 hours per day.

In addition, some breeds can produce well in cold seasons. So if you live in an area that has a generally cold climate, be mindful of the breed you choose. Also, make sure to collect eggs as often as possible because these might freeze and crack during winter.

Nutrition – Of course, your hens will not lay eggs if they are not healthy. Therefore, you need to feed them with the right food according to their life stage or age and make sure that the products you choose are of excellent quality.

Stress – Always keep in mind that happy hens lay more eggs. People tend to be less productive when they are under stress, unhappy, or depressed. Just like humans, hens will not be productive when they are always under stress. A concrete example of a stressful situation is when they are constantly being chased by your dog.

With all these factors in mind, we proceed with the tips that help your hens lay more eggs:
#1 – Quality Food
As a responsible poultry owner, it is your duty to give them the best you can afford. But this does not mean that you go all out and give them everything you can think of. As long as you make sure they are getting some quality feed and that they are fed on time, then it would be fine.

Good food is not only for vital to help them lay eggs. It also needed to keep them healthy and stress-free. When choosing a chicken feed, it should at least the essential elements, such as carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. If in doubt, you can give them a premium laying pellet or mash, supplemented with occasional vegetables, fruits and other treats.

But, take note that treats should be minimized for laying hens because it makes them gain fat tissues in their abdomen. Aside from being unhealthy for the hens, these will also significantly lower the number of eggs they produce.

Furthermore, make sure that your hens are supplemented with calcium. Egg-laying chickens require a lot of calcium intake. So, aside from providing them with high-quality feeds, you might also want to give them crushed oyster shells.

If your hens are receiving quality feeds and are supplemented with calcium, yet still produce thin-shelled eggs or low in number, you can add vitamin D3 in their diet. This is great for better calcium absorption.

#2 – Fresh and Clean Water
Water is as essential as their food. Provide your hens with a constant supply of water because this helps them stay productive and healthy. Also, make sure you provide them with a fresh, clean water every now and then. Hens will not consume dirty water, and if they could not find a clean source, they will go thirsty and possibly become dehydrated.

#3 – Clean and Secure Coop
Build your hens a nice coop and make sure it stays clean and dry. Avoid the formation of mud in the pens by regularly eliminating litters in the coop and raking up droppings. By doing this, you will not just minimize the possibility of chickens bringing mud and feces into their coop or nest boxes, you will also keep the coop clean and prevent it from smelling bad. This will help keep the eggs clean as well.

Also, make sure that your chickens are not overcrowded by providing adequate nesting boxes at a ratio of at least one box to four chickens. Finally, keep the coops safe from other animals. If hens are constantly in fear, they will not be very productive.

#4 – Regular Inspections
Inspect your chickens regularly for possible health problems, because any condition can greatly affect their productivity. Check every body part as much as possible – wings, feet, bills, head, body, womb, etc. Always be very observant. If a chicken has acquired a fracture, an infected wood, or seems to lack energy, then visit your avian veterinarian immediately. When you do regular inspections, you can identify problems earlier and the proper treatment will be rendered as soon as possible.

Another thing to inspect is parasites. One of the major nuisances is the mites. If you see tiny, reddish-brown crawling insects in your chicken’s head or body, better treat them and their coops. Ivermectin is one of the common remedies for body mites, while the food-grade Diatomaceous Earth is used for the coops.

#5 – Stress-Free Living
When your hens are happy, their productivity will boost. There are several ways to a stress-free living for your chickens. As mentioned earlier, one way is to keep other animals from their pens or coops. Another is to let them roam in your yard. However, if you are concerned with safety, then you can build a secure pen where they can at least stay loose and “graze” on your yard. You may also let them loose just before dark, but be sure to let them in at night.

If you are having trouble with the number of eggs your hens are producing, don’t give up right away. Try the simple tips above. Hopefully, these will help you rip the fruits of your labor. Good luck!

The post Help Hens Lay More Eggs appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.

It is insane how fast our children grow up. It seems like just last week I was showcasing my daughter’s finger painting masterpieces on the fridge, and now she is an independent 14 year old and as I look at her I see her as the masterpiece.

But Art and Craft time is still one of the few past times that we still enjoy having together. I cherish this time because I know that even this time will become less and less frequent over the next few years. I am trying to hold on to it as long as possible.

Because of that I have to be flexible and take time to enjoy not only projects I like, but find projects that interest her as well. When I come across the IDO3D Art Kit, I thought that looks like a really cool project for us to do together. Something fun and creative but not stressful to the point where we both the leave the project frustrated at each other.

I ordered the IDO3D Art Kit on Amazon and received my package within 2 days. Perfect opportunity for us to do during our Thanksgiving Holiday downtime.
First thing we did was open the package, remove all the contents and each read over the instructions so we both had a clear idea of how the projects worked. Everything you need is included in the kit, 5 drawing paint pens, 5 pen tips, a plastic tracing mat,tracing book and drying flashlight. You will need 3 Triple A batteries for the drying flashlight.

After that came the fun part deciding which craft to create. My daughter chose the Hipster Glasses. Perfect choice for her.
If you’ve never worked with a 3D creation it can certainly be difficult to grasp the concept of how to create art to 3 dimensional. The guide sheet was perfect and showed us exactly how to “draw” with the paint pens.
Once you’ve “drawn” your creation with the painting pens you need to use the included flashlight to dry your paint. It doesn’t take long to dry if you have traced the designs with a thin coat of the paint. But my daughter chose to trace the glasses with a thin coat then fill in the frames of the glasses with a thicker coat to make the project sturdier. Let the paint on your creation completely dry before you peel it up or it will still be sticky.

This kit is for ages 8 and up. Since my daughter is 14, she really didn’t have any trouble creating the designs, but younger children will probably need to be assisted squeezing the paint tubes and maybe even holding the flashlight over the design.

Please have realistic expectations and understand that this is a toy and that your projects are not going to look like 3D professional creations, but it is still a fun project to do

.
Overall I give IDO3D Art Kit a Thumbs Up!

The post Making Memories with IDO3D Art Kit & Review appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.

The post Happy Halloween & Sweet Potato Milkshake appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.

Well, September is here and that means I can now officially be in Fall mode since its this month, right?

Well, I hope you agree with me because I have been practicing my “Fall Y’all” around the homestead lately and I must say, I have loved every minute of it!

The nights have been cool and the morning air so crisp, that it automatically put me in baking mode!  I decided to make my “famous”, well around my house anyway, Spiced Pumpkin Banana Nut Bread!

This recipe is my absolute favoritest, that’s my new word , bread recipe to make.  I am a lover of all banana nut breads, but I always thought they could use just a little something extra. That’s when I decided a little pumpkin spice could make everything alright!  See what I did there hehe!!!!

But yes, that’s exactly what happened. The pumpkin spice gave the bread just the right spice flavor to create so many wonderful Autumn tastes in my mouth!

Pumpkin Spice Banana Nut Bread

What you need:

2 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour

2 cups of Sugar

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 eggs

1 stick of Butter

2 teaspoon of Pumpkin Spice

1 teaspoon of Cinnamon

1/2 cup Chopped Nuts (your choice)

4-5 Over Ripe Bananas

What you do:

1) In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients.

2) Melt your butter and pour in dry ingredients.

3) Next add your over ripe bananas and smash into mixture until all ingredients are combined together. ( I usually use my hands for this process)

4) Add your nuts to the mixture. ( save a 1/8 cup for the top)

5) Butter your baking loaf pan and pour your mixture into it and add your remaining nuts.

6) Bake at 350 degrees for appx 45 minutes until golden brown.

I then decided I needed to practice my “Fall Y’all” hosting skills, so I invited some great friends over for dinner. I decided a Blackberry Pie fresh from the oven should definitely be the hot topic on the menu! (Blackberry Pie Filling recipe coming soon)

Add a little whipped cream and a drizzle of homemade blackberry syrup and I would say we had a winner. And yes, it was yummy if you didn’t quite figure that out!

But I couldn’t let that be the end of my Pre Fall Y’all Practice, so I decided since I was hosting dinner, my table should fit the part.

A mustard floral table runner, accommodated by an old yellow coke crate, adored with a variety of pumpkins, sunflowers, berry twigs and burlap created the perfect centerpiece for all my upcoming “Fall Y’all” dinners.

And don’t forget to add Fall themed dinnerware to complete the look!

Come back soon for more “Fall Y’all updates and life on the homestead!

And Happy Pre-Fall Y’all!!

The post Pumpkin Spice Banana Nut Bread & Pre-Fall Y’all Decor appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.

I had the great honor of sharing another one of my creations with Petit Jean Meats using Petit Jean Hickory Smoked Bacon.

Waffle Breakfast Casserole w/Sweet Maple Bacon Syrup is a  sweet, yet savory and is perfect for breakfast or brunch.

“I find that if I prepare food from my heart, that makes my family enjoy meal time together even more. That is why I put so much time and effort in creating the perfect creations for my family to enjoy.”

And could there be anything more mouth-watering than a mason jar of Homemade Sweet Maple Bacon Syrup? Who doesn’t love their bacon drenched in sweet maple syrup?

Hop on over to Petit Jean Meats  and grab my recipe for Waffle Breakfast Casserole w/Sweet Maple Bacon Syrup

I hope you enjoy!

Waffle Breakfast Casserole w/Sweet Maple Bacon Syrup

The post Waffle Breakfast Casserole w/Sweet Maple Bacon Syrup Post for Petit Jean Meats appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.

According to my calender, summer is upon us!

I decided we should celebrate with a summery recipe featuring fresh, light flavors, so I chose my Classic Chicken Salad!

Perfect salad choice for a picnic with your special person, brown-bag lunch for a work or school day, formal luncheon, ladies tea or light dinner.

Or how about your next family function?  Make a bowl, grab a bag of crossiants and you will have the highlight of the meal!

Yummy, Delish and so simple to throw together when your in a pinch.

If you prefer not to use can chicken, cook 4 chicken breats ahead of time.

Classic Chicken Salad

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

2 cans of 12-13 oz pre-cooked chicken

1/2 cup sliced almonds (or nut of your choice)  

1/2 cup grapes sliced 

1/2 cup apples diced

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

What you do:

1) In a medium size bowl, add your mayo, salt, pepper, and lemon juice and stir together.
2) Open and drain your chicken and pour in the bowl of mayo mix.
3) Next shred chicken up with a fork and mix together.
4) Add your almonds, apples and grapes and lightly toss into chicken mixture.
5) Serve right away or store in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy!

You can put it on top of a green salad, eat it on crackers, or make a sandwich on your favorite bread.

The post Classic Chicken Salad appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.

Summertime is here and that makes me think of sun, surf and sand!

I may not be able to lay in the sand with a drink that has a tiny umbrella in it, but I can create my own island paradise at home.

My husband loves anything that consists of Pineapple, Coconut and has the name Pina Colada in the title, so it’s no surprise that he loves my Pina-Pineapple Hawaiian Delight Pie!

Pina-Pineapple Hawaiian Delight Pie is a tropical fruit pie that really takes a matter of minutes to put together. This recipe is everything you’ve been looking for in a tropical pie; it’s easy, creamy, fruity, and SO delicious!

Just an all-around Perfect Summertime Treat!

Your go-to dessert when you are dreaming of white, sandy beaches and warm, inviting sunsets!

Pina-Pineapple Hawaiian Delight Pie

Serves 4-6

What you need:

14 ounces  (1 can) Coconut Milk

1/4 cup Powered Sugar

14 ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk

8 ounce can of Crushed Pineapple 

1 Graham Cracker or Prepared Shortbread Crust

1/2 Shredded Coconut

10 Maraschino Cherries (Optional)

What you do:

1) Chill the coconut milk and then whip together with the powered sugar until light and fluffy.

2) Stir in sweetened condensed milk, crushed pinapple and 1/4 cup of shredded coconut , mixing thoroughly.

3) Pour mixture into crust of your choice.

3) Smooth mixture and sprinkle coconut on top then add your cherries. (optional)

4) Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

5) Enjoy a slice of paradise!

 

The post Pina-Pineapple Hawaiian Delight Pie appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.

Does there ever become a time in our lives when we can finally say, “I have all the room I need.”?

I don’t believe that will ever be a phrase that comes out of my mouth.

Our house has no entry hall, no coat closet and no mudroom.

When you walk through the carport door, you enter right into the family room.  When you enter the front door of the house, you walk smack dab into the dining room.  There is no room for a coat hanger much else anything else.

We do have a back door but it connects to our bedroom.  The plan was we wanted to build a patio outside that door for family time and bbq’s, but here we are 12 years later and no patio.  I guess that’s just part of the game of life.

The back door has not been used more than a dozen times over the past 12 years until recently.

Earlier this year we decided to add rabbits, chickens and turkeys to our little homestead.  The best place to make the pens for the animals was in the back of the house which is closet to my backdoor.  Which means that now the backdoor is used a dozen times a day.

I really don’t have a problem with us using the back door to take care of the animals except that in a matter of days my clean little entry area to my bedroom become over crowded with chicken poop covered muck boots, jackets, and everything in between.

I decided something had to be done after I tripped over a pair of boots for the hundreth time.  It was either get that entry way organized or break my leg.

After I went over my options I thought, “Why not make a mudroom?”.  It was the perfect solution to get my entryway organized.

Of course my husband had other opinions.  He thought the area was too small, it would become more junked up and we would live with clutter in the doorway of our bedroom, but just like always, I knew better (:

So I set my plan in motion and made it happen!

I decided to buy a cube seat so not only would we have storage but we would have a place to sit down to but on our boots.

I added a couple chicken wire baskets to hold loose items such as flashlights, gloves and egg baskets.  Next I found 2 old pieces of barn wood, added metal hooks to them and hung them on the wall.  The last touch was adding a rug to wipe our boots on as we come in the door.

I think my makeshift mudroom came together very nicely.

Utilizing every square inch in your home is the perfect solution for finding extra space.

The post Makeshift Mudroom: Utilizing every square inch of your home appeared first on GraceandGravy with a side of life!.