#WorthRevisit: Christmas in July

With Advent fully underway, I have been reminiscing on Christmas pasts, the traditions, the family time and the amazing memories. This time of year is so intriguing. It's a time for forgiveness, love and growing in faith. For my #WorthRevisit this week I am sharing a look into our Christmas in July. This is being shared by Reconciled to You and Theology is a Verb.

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Christmas in July Celebration

Does the hot rainy weather of the summer ever make you miss the cool crisp winter air of Christmas? I LOVE the Christmas season. The music, food, smells, movies and sweaters! It has become tradition in our household to have a Christmas in July Celebration to help us all beat the heat and get into the Christmas spirit!

We started the day out at Mass. It was Little Man's first time altar serving at our new parish. He did amazing and I love how prayerful he looks. Goalie really wants to be an altar server but he is too young and I am afraid that his ADHD will inhibit him from doing altar server duties for awhile. Checkout 5 Tips to Help Your ADHD Child During Mass.

I am linking this at My Sunday Best at A Blog For My Mom.

After Mass, we headed to the pool! It is still summer time and it is hot outside. We have been experiencing rain quite often in the afternoon so we decided to head out early. It was a little too chilly for me to jump in the water but the boys had a great time.

While I prepare our yummy Christmas Feast, the boys will be able to read some Christmas books, color  and learn about Saint Nicholas all while listening to Christmas music. I think that the music is my favorite, honestly I could listen to Christmas music all year long.

Checkout the St. Nicholas Center, they celebrate Christmas in July too.

This year I decided (last minute) to keep our celebration pretty simple. I made a Christmas Pork Roast and Christmas Cookies!

Here are some more classic Christmas foods you can enjoy with a summertime twist for a Christmas in July Celebration! I have done all of these at one time or another but I just did not have time to incorporate them this year.

Smithfield Pecan Praline Spiral Sliced Ham

You can purchase this at any large grocery store chain. It's wrapped in a bright blue colored foil too! What I love about this ham is it is packed with a pecan praline sauce that is more summery and gives the ham amazing flavor.

Christmas Watermelon

Slice your watermelon into medium slices and use christmas cookie cutters to cut the watermelon.

Frozen Hot Chocolate (1 serving)

6 fluid ounces vanilla coffee creamer (I use creamer made with almond milk)
1/2 cup hot cocoa mix (2 packets)
1/2-2 cups ice
whipped cream (optional)
cinnamon sticks (optional)
shaved chocolate (optional)
sprinkles (optional)

Pour Creamer into the blender. Add cocoa mix and ice with the creamer. Blend until ice is crushed and drink is at a slushy consistency. Don't be afraid to add a splash of peppermint extract while you are blending if you like peppermint cocoa. Pour into a mug or glass and garnish with whipped cream, cinnamon sticks and sprinkle with shaved chocolate and/or sprinkles if you wish. Enjoy!

**This can be made into an adult beverage if you add 2 oz of Baileys and/or Peppermint Liquor**

So last minute I did make some frozen hot chocolate! We will end the day with a Christmas Movie Marathon that will include the classics! Polar Express, A Christmas Story, Silent Night and A Christmas Carol. My most favorite Christmas movies are White Christmas and It's A Wonderful Life. I force my hubby to watch them with me quite often.

A Movie Marathon would not be complete without popcorn and frozen hot chocolate for the boys and a nice big glass of wine for me and my husband. Now to be patient... just another 5 months until the real Christmas season begins. I am sharing this at Talk it Up Thursday.

Children's Prayer to Saint Nicholas:

God Our Father we pray,

That through the intercession of St. Nicholas,You will protect our children.Keep them safe from harm,And help them grow,And become worthy of Your sight.

To keep their Faith in You,

And to keep alive their joy,

In Your creation.

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Give them strength,

Amen.

St. Nicholas, pray for us!

Christmas in July Celebration

Does the hot rainy weather of the summer ever make you miss the cool crisp winter air of Christmas? I LOVE the Christmas season. The music, food, smells, movies and sweaters! It has become tradition in our household to have a Christmas in July Celebration to help us all beat the heat and get into the Christmas spirit!

We started the day out at Mass. It was Little Man's first time altar serving at our new parish. He did amazing and I love how prayerful he looks. Goalie really wants to be an altar server but he is too young and I am afraid that his ADHD will inhibit him from doing altar server duties for awhile. Checkout 5 Tips to Help Your ADHD Child During Mass.

I am linking this at My Sunday Best at A Blog For My Mom.

After Mass, we headed to the pool! It is still summer time and it is hot outside. We have been experiencing rain quite often in the afternoon so we decided to head out early. It was a little too chilly for me to jump in the water but the boys had a great time.

While I prepare our yummy Christmas Feast, the boys will be able to read some Christmas books, color  and learn about Saint Nicholas all while listening to Christmas music. I think that the music is my favorite, honestly I could listen to Christmas music all year long.

Checkout the St. Nicholas Center, they celebrate Christmas in July too.

This year I decided (last minute) to keep our celebration pretty simple. I made a Christmas Pork Roast and Christmas Cookies!

Here are some more classic Christmas foods you can enjoy with a summertime twist for a Christmas in July Celebration! I have done all of these at one time or another but I just did not have time to incorporate them this year.

Smithfield Pecan Praline Spiral Sliced Ham

You can purchase this at any large grocery store chain. It's wrapped in a bright blue colored foil too! What I love about this ham is it is packed with a pecan praline sauce that is more summery and gives the ham amazing flavor.

Christmas Watermelon

Slice your watermelon into medium slices and use christmas cookie cutters to cut the watermelon.

Frozen Hot Chocolate (1 serving)

6 fluid ounces vanilla coffee creamer (I use creamer made with almond milk)
1/2 cup hot cocoa mix (2 packets)
1/2-2 cups ice
whipped cream (optional)
cinnamon sticks (optional)
shaved chocolate (optional)
sprinkles (optional)

Pour Creamer into the blender. Add cocoa mix and ice with the creamer. Blend until ice is crushed and drink is at a slushy consistency. Don't be afraid to add a splash of peppermint extract while you are blending if you like peppermint cocoa. Pour into a mug or glass and garnish with whipped cream, cinnamon sticks and sprinkle with shaved chocolate and/or sprinkles if you wish. Enjoy!

**This can be made into an adult beverage if you add 2 oz of Baileys and/or Peppermint Liquor**

So last minute I did make some frozen hot chocolate! We will end the day with a Christmas Movie Marathon that will include the classics! Polar Express, A Christmas Story, Silent Night and A Christmas Carol. My most favorite Christmas movies are White Christmas and It's A Wonderful Life. I force my hubby to watch them with me quite often.

A Movie Marathon would not be complete without popcorn and frozen hot chocolate for the boys and a nice big glass of wine for me and my husband. Now to be patient... just another 5 months until the real Christmas season begins. I am sharing this at Talk it Up Thursday.

Children's Prayer to Saint Nicholas:

God Our Father we pray,

That through the intercession of St. Nicholas,You will protect our children.Keep them safe from harm,And help them grow,And become worthy of Your sight.

To keep their Faith in You,

And to keep alive their joy,

In Your creation.

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Give them strength,

Amen.

St. Nicholas, pray for us!

Menu Plan Monday: 7/25-7/31

It is the last week of July! You know what that means... the summer is cooling down and back to school preparations are heating up! We haven't even begun school shopping yet but we are going to enjoy this last bit of Summer for as long as possible. This week we have several special liturgical feasts and we are celebrating Christmas in July. No link up this week but writing out a weekly menu is one of several ways I keep myself accountable in my diet. If you check out how we celebrate the liturgical year you will see there is always a custom, tradition or play on words for the recipes and crafts we do. Well here is the game plan for the week.

Monday: Feast of Saint James
Breakfast: Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Lunch: Garden Salad
Dinner: Gazpacho Pasta Salad

Tuesday: Feast of Saint Anne
Breakfast: Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

Lunch:Three Bean Salad
Dinner: Chicken Nuggets and Fries (kids) Garden Salad for me!

Wednesday:
Breakfast: Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Lunch: Three Bean Salad
Dinner: Red Beans and Rice

Thursday:
Breakfast: Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Lunch: Three Bean Salad
Dinner: Soup and Salad

Friday: Feast of Saint Martha
Breakfast: Egg, Sausage and Hash brown Casserole

Lunch: Garden Salad
Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Tarragon
*** I will be making a similar version to this recipe but making it a little healthier so it follows my Clean eating diet a little better***

Saturday: 
Breakfast:Leftovers
Lunch: Deli Meat Sandwich
Dinner: Leftovers

Sunday: Christmas in July Celebration
Breakfast: Gingerbread Pancakes
Lunch: Spiral Ham, baked sweet potato and green beans
Dinner: Leftover Spiral Ham, baked sweet potato and green beans

Gazpacho Pasta Salad:

1 lb Rotini Pasta

3 Medium Ripe Tomatoes (diced)

1 Large Cucumber (diced)

1 Green Bell Pepper (minced)

2 Green Onions (chopped)

6 Fl oz Canned Tomato Juice

2 Cloves Garlic (chopped)

1/4 Cup Parsley

3 Tbsp Lime Juice

1 Tsp Tarragon

1 Tsp Basil

1 Tsp Cracked Black Pepper

Bring pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and put aside. Combine the pasta and the rest of the ingredients together and mix well. Chill for at least 2 hours and toss again prior to serving.

***If you wanted to make traditional Gazpacho you would mix all the ingredient together except the pasta and increase the tomato juice to 4 cups. Place ingredients into a food processor and blend until it is a think soup consistency. Chill for 2 hours and serve with croutons***

Gingerbread Pancakes:

2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour

2 Cups Almond Milk (Vanilla)

2 Eggs

1/8 Cup Brown Sugar

1/8 Cup Molasses (Unsulphured)

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

1 Tbsp All Spice

1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract

3 Tsp Ginger

Pinch of salt

Preheat griddle or pan to medium heat. Combine ingredients in a large bowl together and mix well. Ladle batter onto the griddle or pan. Wait for the batter to bubble and flip. Serve with butter and syrup.