DAY#24 - Chocolate Filled Advent Calendar

DAY#24 - SQUIRREL

Advent is the season that begins the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus but it is also a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ. 
Every Sunday during Advent my family would have a private worship time where we would light the advent wreath, sing Christmas hymns and read from the Bible.  These memories from my "Advent Family Worship Time" are some of my most precious and life changing experiences.
Part of these advent festivities was the daily opening of the "advent calendar".  In the 1970's my German grandparents always made sure that I had a chocolate filled advent calendar.  This calendar always showcased a beautiful nativity scene on the front.  I have always strived to carry on this tradition by providing my nieces with a similar advent calendar.  However, in recent years I have been disappointed by the lack of quality in these modern advent calendars which feature Santa, Rudolf or a snowman.  Until last year - I found the exact same German calendar  that my grandparents used to buy for me in a store near my home.  This calendar even featured the exact same nativity picture that appeared on my 1970's calendar! (I know that it is the same picture because when I was a child I used to spend hours drawing portions of this nativity scene during my creative free time).

Since this calendar is so precious to me I decided that we should open it together!
Each day - look at the top picture and try to find the number that we will be opening. 
Today is December twenty-fourth and this is the last spot to open..........I'm opening #24 (which is in the third row)................
It's a SQUIRREL

"Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.  Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.  You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.  How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!  People take refuge in the shadow of your wings"
Psalm 36:5-7


DAY#1 - GIFT BOX

DAY#2 - HEART
DAY#3 - DRUM
DAY#4 - TRAIN
DAY#5 - LAMB
DAY#6 - TEDDY BEAR
DAY#7 - WREATH
DAY#8 - ORNAMENT
DAY#9 - FLOWER
DAY#10 - SNOWMAN
DAY#11 - HOUSE
DAY#12 - SANTA
DAY#13 - TREE
DAY#14 - LANTERN
DAY#15 - STAR
DAY#16 - BOWLING PINS
DAY#17 - SLEIGH
DAY#18 - MUSHROOM
DAY#19 - MOON
DAY#20 - BELL
DAY#21 - ANGEL
DAY#22 - CANDLE
DAY#23 - BOOT

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DAY#23 - Chocolate Filled Advent Calendar

DAY#23 - BOOT

Advent is the season that begins the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus but it is also a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ. 
Every Sunday during Advent my family would have a private worship time where we would light the advent wreath, sing Christmas hymns and read from the Bible.  These memories from my "Advent Family Worship Time" are some of my most precious and life changing experiences.
Part of these advent festivities was the daily opening of the "advent calendar".  In the 1970's my German grandparents always made sure that I had a chocolate filled advent calendar.  This calendar always showcased a beautiful nativity scene on the front.  I have always strived to carry on this tradition by providing my nieces with a similar advent calendar.  However, in recent years I have been disappointed by the lack of quality in these modern advent calendars which feature Santa, Rudolf or a snowman.  Until last year - I found the exact same German calendar  that my grandparents used to buy for me in a store near my home.  This calendar even featured the exact same nativity picture that appeared on my 1970's calendar! (I know that it is the same picture because when I was a child I used to spend hours drawing portions of this nativity scene during my creative free time).

Since this calendar is so precious to me I decided that we should open it together!
Each day - look at the top picture and try to find the number that we will be opening. 
Today is December twenty-third..........I'm opening #23 (which is in the second row)................
It's a BOOT

"and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace"
Ephesians 6:15


DAY#1 - GIFT BOX

DAY#2 - HEART
DAY#3 - DRUM
DAY#4 - TRAIN
DAY#5 - LAMB
DAY#6 - TEDDY BEAR
DAY#7 - WREATH
DAY#8 - ORNAMENT
DAY#9 - FLOWER
DAY#10 - SNOWMAN
DAY#11 - HOUSE
DAY#12 - SANTA
DAY#13 - TREE
DAY#14 - LANTERN
DAY#15 - STAR
DAY#16 - BOWLING PINS
DAY#17 - SLEIGH
DAY#18 - MUSHROOM
DAY#19 - MOON
DAY#20 - BELL
DAY#21 - ANGEL
DAY#22 - CANDLE

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Swirled Mocha Almond Biscotti RECIPE

Swirled Mocha Almond Biscotti

I have loved biscotti for many years, however my husband does not see the appeal.  He thinks that a cookie that must be dunked is just a stale cookie and that is so far from the truth.  Biscotti are edible without having to be dunked but dunking is what makes this Italian favorite unique and special.

I have shared some of my favorite biscotti creations in:
My Cookie Creation Countdown ebook 


Today, however, you do not have to buy my ebook for this delicious "twist" on biscotti - it's swirled with almond dough and mocha dough!

Printable Recipe

Almond dough

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter (softened)

1 teaspoon almond extract

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 cups ground almonds

1 1/2 cups flour

a dash of salt

Mocha dough

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter (softened)

1 tablespoon instant coffee granules (dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water)

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 cups flour

a dash of salt

extra flour for kneading and rolling

Begin by making the almond dough - in a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy and the sugar has been dissolved.  Add the eggs and almond extract and beat just until combined.  With a wooden spoon stir in the remaining ingredients.  On a lightly floured surface knead until smooth (see picture below - the dough will still be a little sticky).  Set aside and move onto making the mocha dough.  In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy and the sugar has been dissolved.  Add the eggs and coffee and beat just until combined.  With a wooden spoon stir in the remaining ingredients.  On a lightly floured surface knead until smooth (again - see picture below).

Cut each dough into 2 halves (so you will have 4 dough chunks total: 2 almond & 2 mocha).
On a lightly floured surface roll out one of the almond halves (set aside) and then roll out one of the mocha halves (see collage below).  Score one side of each rolled out half ("scoring" means lightly cutting lines in all directions with a dull knife or fork  - see second picture in the collage below.  Scoring will make both types of dough stick together almost like Velcro).  Place both scored sides together (see third picture below).  Begin rolling the double dough (see fourth picture below) and score the dough as you roll so that it will bake stuck together.  Continue rolling & scoring until it resembles a log (see fifth picture below).  For the second log I put the mocha layer down first and the almond on top.  Repeat the above steps for this second log.  Place the dough logs on a parchment lined cookie sheet & just slightly flatten the logs.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 to 35 minutes (it all depends on the type of oven that you use) - bake until the outer layer is golden & the middle is fully baked (you might need to cut one in half if you have never made these before to make sure that they are fully baked- see sixth picture below) - do NOT overbake - it is a dense dough but you will need to be able to cut them into biscotti slices.



Remove from the oven and cool for about 5 minutes.  Now begin slicing each log (see picture below) - slice at a diagonal and the pieces will be larger and more oblong.



Once you have finished slicing - return the sliced pieces to the parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Turn the oven down to 325 degrees and bake for 7 minutes.  Remove from the oven & turn each biscotti over and bake for 7 minutes on that side.



Allow the biscotti to cool completely before dipping one end in melted chocolate (see picture above)




I put the freshly chocolate dipped biscotti in the freezer for about 5 to 10 minutes to harden the chocolate.  Then, store your biscotti cookies in an airtight container in a cool dry place (I usually put mine in the garage - Michigan winters make my garage a perfect temperature for storing cookies).



Serve with a "dunking" beverage like coffee, hot chocolate or milk & ENJOY!



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Pin Junkie Pin Party #197
Home Matters Linky Party
Turn It Up Tuesday
LouLou Girls
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Cynthia from "ShorelineDesigned"
Handmade one-of-a-kind jewelry & beads made from beautiful beach stones from the Great Lakes Shoreline.
Travel along the shoreline with Cynthia
(click HERE to view her blog)

(Please click on the ad above to view her shop)

DAY#22 - Chocolate Filled Advent Calendar

DAY#22 - CANDLE

Advent is the season that begins the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus but it is also a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ. 
Every Sunday during Advent my family would have a private worship time where we would light the advent wreath, sing Christmas hymns and read from the Bible.  These memories from my "Advent Family Worship Time" are some of my most precious and life changing experiences.
Part of these advent festivities was the daily opening of the "advent calendar".  In the 1970's my German grandparents always made sure that I had a chocolate filled advent calendar.  This calendar always showcased a beautiful nativity scene on the front.  I have always strived to carry on this tradition by providing my nieces with a similar advent calendar.  However, in recent years I have been disappointed by the lack of quality in these modern advent calendars which feature Santa, Rudolf or a snowman.  Until last year - I found the exact same German calendar  that my grandparents used to buy for me in a store near my home.  This calendar even featured the exact same nativity picture that appeared on my 1970's calendar! (I know that it is the same picture because when I was a child I used to spend hours drawing portions of this nativity scene during my creative free time).

Since this calendar is so precious to me I decided that we should open it together!
Each day - look at the top picture and try to find the number that we will be opening. 
Today is December twenty-second..........I'm opening #22 (which is in the second row)................
It's a CANDLE

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven"
Matthew 5:16


DAY#1 - GIFT BOX

DAY#2 - HEART
DAY#3 - DRUM
DAY#4 - TRAIN
DAY#5 - LAMB
DAY#6 - TEDDY BEAR
DAY#7 - WREATH
DAY#8 - ORNAMENT
DAY#9 - FLOWER
DAY#10 - SNOWMAN
DAY#11 - HOUSE
DAY#12 - SANTA
DAY#13 - TREE
DAY#14 - LANTERN
DAY#15 - STAR
DAY#16 - BOWLING PINS
DAY#17 - SLEIGH
DAY#18 - MUSHROOM
DAY#19 - MOON
DAY#20 - BELL
DAY#21 - ANGEL

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Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report #45

#45 - Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report

If you were following this blog in 2015 then you will be familiar with my "365 Days of Being Thankful" challenge.  I have missed reporting on my thankfulness since I finished my challenge last year, so I decided to at least give a weekly Thankfulness Report & include a Growth Report also.  Growth in our Christian walk, growth in the garden & growth on this blog.  Finally, I am also including a "Posts From the Past" feature - ENJOY!


This week I have been thankful for my dear cousins and a joyful afternoon having coffee.  I am especially thankful that my Heavenly Father sent his only Son Jesus Christ to earth so that we might have eternal life.




"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.' When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2: 8-20
Four years ago I was going through many very familiar and treasured Christmas hymn - this one is one of my favorites (of which I have many) - please enjoy!
Read: The First Noel


The garden is covered in snow but garden 2017 planning is underway.

- Here are my Follower stats:

GFC (Google Friends Connect) - 2,272
Bloglovin - 4,232
Twitter - 6,484

Pinterest - 5,751
Google+ - 2,304
Facebook - 4,435
Linky Followers - 108
Networked Blog - 1,232
Activate - 574
That's a grand total of 27,392 followers in some form or another (that's up 13 from last week!).

(click on the title to view the entire post)
Four years ago I shared with you a funny memory about New Years Eve 1992:
The Great Pickle Walk of 1992







This week is FAMILY feature week - click HERE to LINK UP & you might just be featured next month!


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Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!

I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year!  Either write it down in a diary OR share with us on a blog.  If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.

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DAY#21 - Chocolate Filled Advent Calendar

DAY#21 - ANGEL

Advent is the season that begins the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus but it is also a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ. 
Every Sunday during Advent my family would have a private worship time where we would light the advent wreath, sing Christmas hymns and read from the Bible.  These memories from my "Advent Family Worship Time" are some of my most precious and life changing experiences.
Part of these advent festivities was the daily opening of the "advent calendar".  In the 1970's my German grandparents always made sure that I had a chocolate filled advent calendar.  This calendar always showcased a beautiful nativity scene on the front.  I have always strived to carry on this tradition by providing my nieces with a similar advent calendar.  However, in recent years I have been disappointed by the lack of quality in these modern advent calendars which feature Santa, Rudolf or a snowman.  Until last year - I found the exact same German calendar  that my grandparents used to buy for me in a store near my home.  This calendar even featured the exact same nativity picture that appeared on my 1970's calendar! (I know that it is the same picture because when I was a child I used to spend hours drawing portions of this nativity scene during my creative free time).

Since this calendar is so precious to me I decided that we should open it together!
Each day - look at the top picture and try to find the number that we will be opening. 
Today is December twenty-first..........I'm opening #21 (which is in the third row)................
It's an ANGEL

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;  he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you;  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.' "
Luke 2:8-14


DAY#1 - GIFT BOX

DAY#2 - HEART
DAY#3 - DRUM
DAY#4 - TRAIN
DAY#5 - LAMB
DAY#6 - TEDDY BEAR
DAY#7 - WREATH
DAY#8 - ORNAMENT
DAY#9 - FLOWER
DAY#10 - SNOWMAN
DAY#11 - HOUSE
DAY#12 - SANTA
DAY#13 - TREE
DAY#14 - LANTERN
DAY#15 - STAR
DAY#16 - BOWLING PINS
DAY#17 - SLEIGH
DAY#18 - MUSHROOM
DAY#19 - MOON
DAY#20 - BELL

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Sparkle & Shine because "You're the STAR" blog hop is live!  Link up today!

Click HERE to share your amazing posts

DAY#20 - Chocolate Filled Advent Calendar

DAY#20 - BELL

Advent is the season that begins the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus but it is also a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ. 
Every Sunday during Advent my family would have a private worship time where we would light the advent wreath, sing Christmas hymns and read from the Bible.  These memories from my "Advent Family Worship Time" are some of my most precious and life changing experiences.
Part of these advent festivities was the daily opening of the "advent calendar".  In the 1970's my German grandparents always made sure that I had a chocolate filled advent calendar.  This calendar always showcased a beautiful nativity scene on the front.  I have always strived to carry on this tradition by providing my nieces with a similar advent calendar.  However, in recent years I have been disappointed by the lack of quality in these modern advent calendars which feature Santa, Rudolf or a snowman.  Until last year - I found the exact same German calendar  that my grandparents used to buy for me in a store near my home.  This calendar even featured the exact same nativity picture that appeared on my 1970's calendar! (I know that it is the same picture because when I was a child I used to spend hours drawing portions of this nativity scene during my creative free time).

Since this calendar is so precious to me I decided that we should open it together!
Each day - look at the top picture and try to find the number that we will be opening. 
Today is December twentieth..........I'm opening #20 (which is in the third row)................
It's a BELL

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music."
Psalm 98:4



Since todays Advent treat is a "BELL" - I thought it was appropriate to share these two beautiful Christmas songs about Bells Ringing:


A special thanks to "Christmas Time TV" for sharing this on YouTube


A special thanks to "Megan Smith" for sharing this on YouTube

DAY#1 - GIFT BOX

DAY#2 - HEART
DAY#3 - DRUM
DAY#4 - TRAIN
DAY#5 - LAMB
DAY#6 - TEDDY BEAR
DAY#7 - WREATH
DAY#8 - ORNAMENT
DAY#9 - FLOWER
DAY#10 - SNOWMAN
DAY#11 - HOUSE
DAY#12 - SANTA
DAY#13 - TREE
DAY#14 - LANTERN
DAY#15 - STAR
DAY#16 - BOWLING PINS
DAY#17 - SLEIGH
DAY#18 - MUSHROOM
DAY#19 - MOON

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Linked to:
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Tuesdays with a Twist

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