I have been the worst blogger lately! We have been taking turns being sick around here, but are doing well now and enjoying the season! We hope you are too!
I wanted to share the details of a Christmas party I helped plan for our ward's Relief Society. In case anyone needed any Christmas party ideas (a few of you have asked), and as an excuse to share the recipe we used. :)
It was themed 'Angels Among Us' and was about how small acts of service make a big impact on the lives of others and help us to become more like Christ. It was simple and lovely. We got the original idea here on Sugardoodle.
Those of us in charge served dinner to the ladies. It was a nice change from the typical potluck-style. Our centerpieces were divine, I really wish I had gotten a picture of them! Oh, and dinner was delish! We served this Parmesan Baked Chicken along with baked potatoes, salad, rolls and cheesecake. Yummers!
Parmesan Baked Chicken
2.5 lbs. chicken, cut into nice size portions 4 slices bread (the cheap stuff works best) 3/4 c parmesan cheese (not fresh) 1/8 c parsley flakes 1 t salt 1 t garlic salt 1/8 t pepper 1/2 c butter (or less) Mayonnaise
Blend the bread in the blender, then mix with cheese, parsley flakes, and seasoning. Dip chicken breast in mayonnaise, then roll in crumb mixture until coated. Place in pan. Drizzle butter on top. Cover with foil and bake 1-1/2 hours. Uncover and bake 15-20 minutes more or until slightly crispy. Bake time may be a little less, depending on the pan and oven.
After dinner, we showed this video:
For a few weeks before the party, we had passed around papers during Sunday School asking people to share anonymous stories about how someone from the ward had done an act of service for them and how that impacted their life.
Then we read the stories that had been shared anonymously. My very favorite part of the stories was that the acts of service were truly sooo simple! The littlest things like scooting over to make room for someone to sit by another person, being understanding when someone couldn't make it to something because their child was ill, not being in a rush to get home after church so they could visit and become better friends.... I don't remember everything, but honestly almost every story was about such simple acts of kindness! It really is the little things!
Two teenage sisters in our ward sang a duet of O Holy Night. They really sounded like angels singing! And the 2nd verse went perfectly with our theme!
Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother And in His Name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Everyone was given an angel favor with a quote:
"When we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.” ― Jeffrey R. Holland
This party was just one more thing that has brought the Christmas spirit to this bursting heart of mine! Usually when I think of someone who is having a hard time, I wish there were something I could to help, but think there isn't so I do nothing. But that night truly did teach me to stop thinking and feeling that way. Now if anyone ever comes to mind, I try to do something -- anything. I hope I don't forget this little lesson, because as I look back and think of the things that have helped me the most, many of them were small and simple kindnesses by others. There is always something we can do.
I'll end with this video because it's a song about angels, but mostly because Chloe loves it. She seriously goes bazurko when she hears it! Totally makes me giggle :)
Seriously, where does the time go?! Thankfully, I've been preparing for Christmas for a few months, so I'm not stressed that the season is upon us, but I just truly can't believe it.
Sweet Chloe is still having a pretty rough time, but I do think we're starting to make a turn for the better. We still haven't gotten any word about the EEG (no news is good news?), but she finally, inexplicably, started sleeping again last week. Then two days later, she got Croup, and since then we've added double ear infection, strep, and eye infection to the list. Sweet girl, she's still pretty happy most of the time -- as long as Mom is holding her, that is. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, just updating the world as to why I haven't been blogging! I know we are so blessed and that she truly is relatively healthy, and I'm SO grateful for that! Anyway, here are some pictures since the last time I posted.
Chloe in some super cute fall-ish outfits. No smiles, though, little stinker!
Thanksgiving was a delight. We went to my mom's house and ate far too much pie with the one's we love! I just adore these two...
My cousin, Marianne, with Chloe. I promise you Chloe was giving a million dollar smile until the second I clicked the shutter!
Ah football and a tryptophan-induced nap with Daddy. What's better than that!?....
Sweet girl getting nebulizer treatments during the days of Croup:
And last, but not least, a sneak peek of our Christmas card. This isn't the picture we're using, but this is Chloe's little outfit. I just love this precious child.
