Joyfully Thriving

Simplify Life at Home

Unique Nativity Sets

Looking for unique nativity sets to remind you of the reason we celebrate Christmas? Here are some beautiful nativity sets for adults as well as some unique nativity sets for children. I have always loved nativity sets. I especially love unique nativity sets of the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph and Jesus). Yes, there were many there to celebrate Jesus' birth but I love the reminder of those first moments as depicted in nativities. My love of nativities goes back to a gift my parents received one Christmas. A member at church (my Dad is a pastor), gave them a Jim Shore quilted nativity. Yes, … Read More...

Holiday Gift Card Promotions

If you want to save money or earn a little extra, check out all the holiday gift card promotions. Buying gift cards with promotions is a great way to stretch your money a bit further! Gift cards a very popular gift option. I don't know about you, but I love getting gift cards as gifts, and giving them too. My family and I are spread out across the United States so it is easier (and cheaper with postage costs!) to mail gift cards instead of physical gifts. Most of the time, I buy gift cards through our school Scrip program. They sell gift cards and we earn a percentage back towards our … Read More...

Christmas Bucket List for Kids

Are you ready for easy Christmas fun with your kids? Print this free Christmas bucket list and let your kids make their own Christmas to do list! My 6 year old son, Nathan, began working on his Christmas list early this year. No, not the list of the presents he wanted, but rather the list of all the things he wanted to do this Christmas. That is a list that I love! On his list this year? Look at the Christmas lights, bake gingerbread cookies, watch Rudolph and listen to Christmas music. Nathan can write his own list now that he is in 1st grade. The early childhood teacher in me loves his … Read More...

Ranch Oyster Crackers

Looking for an easy snack recipe? Try making these tasty ranch oyster crackers. With only 5 ingredients, it's an easy recipe your family will love! Easy recipes are my favorite. Easy recipes with 5 ingredients or less are really my favorites. This ranch oyster cracker recipe is as easy as they come. My mom used to make these at Christmas time for us to snack on. I don't know why we only made them around the holidays because they are a tasty snack that can be enjoyed all year long! We got this recipe from a church member friend years ago in Michigan. I know there are similar recipes … Read More...

Best Mother Goose Rhymes Books for Children

Want to build a Mother Goose book collection for your child? If you are looking for the best Mother Goose rhymes books for children, these are some of the best collections around. You and your child will love reading and learning the nursery rhymes together! As a former early childhood educator and a mom of 4 little ones, I have a strong appreciation for Mother Goose. I remember being surprised as a new teacher when one of the units in my first Kindergarten reading curriculum was based around nursery rhymes. I was only surprised until I realized how much early literacy is taught through … Read More...

Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

This easy homemade spaghetti sauce recipe is simple and delicious. It costs less than store bought spaghetti sauce and freezes well too! Growing up, my Mom always made homemade spaghetti sauce for our spaghetti. I might have taken it for granted back then. She'd make a big pot with lots of hamburger. We'd eat some for dinner and Mom would package the leftovers in various Tupperware containers for the freezer. To this day, I still remember all her containers filled with sauce and taped on labels in the upright freezer in the garage. My kids love to eat pasta. So do I! For a long time, I … Read More...

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