The Best Gifts for Kids- Please Tell Me Your Favorites!

Even thought Black Friday is over, I still have Christmas shopping to do!

Sometimes I have an "issue" with gifts. I just hate spending money on things that just get scattered all over or ignored :(. On the other hand, I am so thrilled when someone really loves and appreciates a gift I've given.

I know that giving is a valuable to the soul.  But, so is my hard earned money!!!!! I want to use it wisely.


So, I ask... what are the gifts you've given to your children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, or friends that have lasted and provided exceptional fun and durability?

Here are the gifts  my children  and I recommend. The things that have endured the test of time at our house....

1. Perler Beads:  Kids of all ages love Perler Beads. They keep all of my kiddos occupied for hours. They're especially fun to make with  THIS idea book.  I hot glue glue magnets on back of their creations and stick them on the fridge. They make fun Christmas ornaments, jewelry, stick ons for homemade cards, thank you gifts, and more.


2.  Sculpey Clay: We've spent hours and hours making little creations, toys, jewelry, ornaments, and hair pins, and key chains with sculpey clay. Look HERE and HERE for some of our ideas and tutorials with this great stuff. This is a fun activity to do with kids, or to let them knock themselves out. Though they'll need supervision and help baking. Age 4 is minimum, but even teenagers love this stuff!


3. Big Paper Roll: For $4.99 at IKea, all kinds of fun and creativity will abound! They last forever and kids love these. Especially after watching Ramona and Beezus :).


4. Friendship Bracelet Thread: I bought my kids this at Walmart for $3.97, and have been blown away by how much they've used it. We also have the fancy bracelet maker kit, but this kit with a few safety pins have provided even more fun than the expensive and fancy stuff.

5. Art Supplies: markers, crayons, paper, pastels, chalk, colored pencils, glue, watercolors, clay, yarn... just plain fun for any age, any gender.


6. Rainbow Loom: Yep, I'm on this bandwagon! My daughter received this for her 9th birthday, and she's become an total expert. So fun, and a great way for kids to learn creativity. Love it!

If the kid you're buying for already has a rainbow loom, they can always use extra bands!! (Inexpensive, and useful gift).


7. Huge White Board and Markers: Grandma and Grandpa gave this to my kids a few years ago, and it's been one of the biggest hits at our house. So many uses-- from homework to decorations to just keeping them occupied.


8. American Girl Dolls and Books: I know, I know... they are so expensive :(. However, there are some toys that are just made with such unmatched quality- these are one. I love learning with my daughter as we read the books, and I love watching her still play and sleep with dolls. The great thing about these dolls, is they're still cool for older girls. Kit's Kitteredge has lived at our house for 4 years, and she's still part of our daily life.
Clothes and accessories can be of cheaper quality, but I think these dolls really are worth it!

9. Keyboard: he great thing about keyboards, even very inexpensive ones, is that they have automatic songs, and variety in the keys. I can't remember a time when my kids didn't love to turn on the keyboard and dance, or use it as background music for a play they made up. They love to learn little jingles on it, and it's really come in handy to have music in our home.


10. Bey Blades: My 6 year old has LOVED playing with these. We've had them for over a year, and they're still a favorite toy... which is a miracle for him since he's sooo fickle with what he likes. They're inexpensive and keep boys entertained!


11. Tinker Toys: I know these are totally old school, but my grandparents gave my kids their old set, and wow, what a winner!!! When the kiddos are bored, I pull these out, and oh the creations they make!


12. Legos: Need I say more?

13. Mousetrap: For some reason this is a super popular game at our house. I often catch my older two kids up past bed time with this game :).


14. Clue: Another oldie but goodie. Definitely stands the test of time!


15. Reach for the Stars: When I was in college, a friend of mine told me that his aunt made up this game. I bought it, and played it with college friends.. though it is made for children (to help them build self esteem). We laughed until we cried while we played. So.Much.Fun. Now, when my kids choose a game to play with any adults, it's this one. It's just a small game made by my friend's aunt, but AWESOME!!!


16. Box of Dress-ups: The adorable picture above is by No Business Like Sew Business.
 I wish my dress up box was as cute!! I just have a big wooden box filled with hats, wigs, old Halloween costumes and lots of accessories. My kids have played with these more than almost anything!

17. Play Kitchen: The beautiful kitchen here is made by Ana White. Again, ours is not that pretty, but has been used constantly. I just wish I had the time and talent to make hers!  Every child needs a play kitchen.

18. Mailbox: This is a staple in our playroom. When my grandma had to leave her home to go to assisted living, she gave away all her stuff (such a sad day). When I asked my daughter if there was anything she really wanted from Grandma's house, she strongly requested the  play mailbox. I told her that someone else may have wanted it too. My daughter prayed for the mailbox, was so thankful when she got it. Kids of all ages have fun with it.

19. Cash Register: When my oldest children were little, my grandma was insistent that I get them a cash register. I remember playing with hers all the time, and now my children play with the one she bought for them. Comes in handy in so many games. A playroom is definitely not complete without one.

20. Homemade Quilt: Photo credits for this one go to Now and Then Quilts Etsy Shop.
This one isn't a toy, but I've seen from experience that these last the test of time. My aunt made me a "quillow" (a quilt that turns into a pillow) when I was 16. I loved it, and took it everywhere... and still do!! Now, 20 years later, my kids still use it all the time... and so do I! A perfect gift.

I would love to know what are the best gifts at your house?
XO,
Nancy

A Sure Way to Increase Your Happiness Level

Last week I kept having moments that brought out my insecurities.  I found myself thinking things like, "you just are NOT as cool as you used to be!" and "you're pretty much going to just be mediocre your whole life, so get used to it." I started believing those thoughts and felt slightly depressed.

I know that I'm not alone in this. Sometimes there are little seasons when our insecurities, negative self talk or basing our worth on what we think others think of us just seem to ruin our peace and happiness.

Sometimes certain people just seem to bring hurt or annoyance to our lives.

Do you have someone in your life that seems to bring out the worst in you?  Or several people who  put you in a bad mood or annoy you like crazy?  You wish that you could just love them and feel total goodness towards them, but irritation always results in your associations with those particular people.

They seriously inhibit your ability to feel happiness... or so you think.

I've  tried many times to overcome the way  I feel about these people in my life  I've mentally attempted to feel ease, peace, and happiness with them. No lasting success was apparent  until one day I stumbled upon an idea that changed me...

A lesson from Native American Sacred Clowns.
(From Happy This Year by Will Bowen)

Sacred Clowns are called Heyoka by the Lakota Indians, the Zuni tribe calls them Mudheads, the Hopi call them Hano, Apache Indians have titled them Libaye, and the Cheyenne say they are Contraries:

Heyoka

the Zuni tribe calls them

Mudheads

Hopi

Hano

Apache

Libaye

Cheyenne

Contraries

The purpose of a Sacred Clown is to irritate, annoy, and mess with the members of the tribe. Most importantly however, their role is truly considered sacred and divine.

The Native Americans believe that in the beginning there was chaos, and that chaos is mandatory for people to thrive and survive.  Sacred Clowns are expected to bring forth chaos or irritation, and because of this, people in their tribe become stronger and more emotionally stable.

Each summer, there is a sacred Sun Dance festival  deep in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Tribal dancers honor their ancestors as they perform for 4 days in the scorching heat while fasting (no food or water). On the third day, when the dancers are obviously bone-weary and dehydrated, the Sacred Clowns come. They whoop,  holler, wreak havoc, and strive to distract the dancers.

An outsider would assume that these Sacred Clowns are evil, and should just leave. Right?

 Hmmm...

One year, Sacred Clowns didn't attend the festival. It would seem logical that the dancers would perform better, but the opposite happened. The worst year ever resulted for the dancers, and they were actually hospitalized because of heat exhaustion.

Truly, the adversity that the Sacred Clowns bring to the festival helps the dancers fight for who they are, and accomplish what they were meant to do.

Sacred Clowns are brought out in the Native American culture to help people understand their own true selves.
Sacred Clowns poke fun at the people, often speaking opposite of the truth. They try to mirror problems directly or inversely of those they are sent to irritate. Then, the people find within themselves the parts of their soul that need healing.


One sacred clown observed that "white people"sit around complaining at how other people and life circumstances annoy them. Yet, the Native Americans sit around the campfire at night and talk about the way the sacred clowns taught them something about themselves that day.

So, how did this change me?   I can now look at those who annoy me, or even those who really hurt or bother me as if they are a Sacred Clown or a teacher sent from God.

When we see others as divine teachers rather than irritants, everything changes. It helps us gaze into our own souls to view what part of us may need to heal, forgive, or be strengthened by divine power. Seeing people as sacred teachers rather than people who bother us is ennobling to the soul.

Here is one example, I'm a bit hesitant and embarrassed to share. It's a minor one, and it may appear silly, but it's a sacred clown to me:
In the last few months I've discovered Instagram. I like it tons better than Facebook, perhaps because I like pictures and think they are a delightful way to keep in touch.  I tapped into different circles of my friends who are also on instagram. I've enjoyed it a lot, and it's a lot faster and easier for me to keep in touch than any other social media source. If I follow someone, I hope that they follow me back. Just kind of a two way friendship thing, right?

So, I hit " follow" on a few friends that I've had for over 10 years.  They were  private accounts that I had to "request".  We have lots of mutual instagram friends, and so I see the comments they make to others often. What appears to me is that they didn't accept me as a  "friend", nor did they follow me. I  let this upset me. I started to feel bad and rejected.

Then I remembered the Sacred Clowns.

I pondered how I could view these people divine teachers that are revealing to me something about myself rather than as people set out to make me feel rejected. What are they teaching me about my spirit, and how can I keep my resolve and confidence because of this experience?

The answer came to me as I looked inside myself.  I saw that I have an insecurity that cares deeply about what other people think, and want to be accepted by people (and I'm even waaaay past my teenage years). It showed me that a place in me needs healing.

Obviously, I need to work on  knowing that I'm of great worth... even if no one else acknowledges that fact. It helped me realize how important it is to be secure in the fact that God loves me, and that I love me. I concluded that perhaps I need to love myself a little more. Not in a conceited way, but to be secure with who I am, regardless of how anyone else responds to me.

 That experience taught me to make sure to be generous in making others feel important- even in little ways. Times of rejection often teach us best to be inclusive and kind.


Remembering Sacred Clowns can turn those hurtful, negative, and annoying experienced into sacred ones. I'm not saying that they will suddenly take away hurt or pain, but truly they are a tool to peace and happiness.


Next time you encounter those people who drive you crazy, annoy you, or who bring you pain... remember the Sacred Clowns. 
I've found that the best way to make this work is not just to think about it, but to write about these things:

1. Who is your Sacred Clown and why?
2. What have those people taught you about yourself?
3. What divine message are they giving you?
3. How are you going to heal the parts of your soul that need healing?
    Forgiveness? Prayer? Connecting with God? Building confidence?
  It's what you DO with this information from yourself that makes the difference.


When you feel insecure, hurt, irritated, or annoyed... remember to bring in those Sacred Clowns :)! It will increase your degree of peace and happiness.

XO,
Nancy

In Lieu of Plain Pumpkin Pie... 25 Scrumptious Pumpkin Desserts

I've confessed before that I don't like pumpkin pie. I try it every year just HOPING things in my taste buds will change. Maybe one day I'll taste my perfect pumpkin pie recipe... at least I hope so.

I LOVE everything else about Thanksgiving... the turkey, stuffing, cranberries, jello, and especially pies. I love pumpkin desserts, and those made with sweet potatoes. This post is dedicated to fellow Thanksgiving, pumpkin lovers who need an alternative to traditional pumpkin pie. Or other kindred spirits who just love desserts....

White Chocolate Sweet Potato Cake with Macadamia Nuts

Pumpkin Pie Bars by Somewhat Simple

Mini Pumpkin Pie Cookies by The Sweet Adventures of a Sugarbelle

Cinnamon Roll Pumpkin Vanilla Sheet Cake by Picky Palate

Pumpkin Pie Cookie Cups by This Gal Cooks

Pumpkin Pie Snicker Doodle bars by Lovin' from the Oven 

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Crumb Bars by Brown Eyed Baker

Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake by Tablespoon

Pumpkin Ginger Pizookies by Our Best Bites

Layered Pumpkin Pie Toffee Cheesecake by Our Best Bites

Pumpkin Cram Cheese Bars by Taste of Home

Mini Sweet Potato Pies by Cooking with Jax

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust Via King Arthur

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake by Paula Deen

Pumpkin Cream Pie by The Pioneer Woman

Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Pie by Martha Stewart

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pillow Popovers by Willow Baking

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Dulce de Leche by Martha Stewart

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls by the Smitten Kitchen

Turtle Pumpkin Ice Cream Cake by A Spicy Perspective

Starbucks Clone Pumpkin Scones by Iowa Girl Eats 

Pumpkin Cake Roll by Southern About

Pumpkin Cheesecake Snicker Doodle by The Recipe Critic

Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

New York Times Oreo Pumpkin Pie by Something Swanky 

Happy Thanksgiving Prep!

XO,

Nancy

P.S.
As I find amazing pumpkin desserts, I'm adding to my list:

Pumpkin Torte from Taste of Home

The Truth, Heart, and New Dierection of Potlucks on the Porch

It's a novel, but please read :)!

The Dreamy Bloggy Beginning

Right after my twins were born in 2010, I discovered the world of blogging. I knew about family blogs, but I had NO idea what creative wealth and inspiration existed in the blogoshphere! During the long hours while feeding those two babies, I read craft blogs, sewing blogs,cooking blogs and all other sorts {yeah, I know, I "should" have been looking into their eyes, singing, and teaching them the ABC's}.

I became so inspired and felt that I was already a part of the blog world world without even writing one word or posting one picture on ANY blog. I even dreamed about blogs, and I'll admit some of my favorite bloggers were literally my friends in those dreams.  I was THAT into it. Sometimes I could't sleep because I was so excited to start a blog. Yeah, I really am a nerd, I know :)! 

As soon as I got a handle on life, my sister and I started a blog... it didn't fly. Then a few months later, we rounded some of our greatest friends together and started Potlucks on the Porch. We started it because we wanted to share ideas, and  found out that bloggers can earn money. We worked hard, and even for a short time we did have a little money coming.

Our discovery, however, was that making money on a blog is hard!. We also found that simply writing a blog post takes more work than we EVER imagined! Some of us also felt that the blog just didn't fit with our life and family. Blogging takes passion or it just doesn't happen, and certainly, not everyone is cut out to be a blogger. 

We went from a post almost every day of the week when we started, to barely one post a week now :). Ya, realized that we couldn't just snap our fingers and have a blog post published. Oh the time and mental effort...!

So, what happened to our blogging team? Jenn and Maren decided that blogging was not for them... truly, life is too short to do something you don't love if it's not bringing benefits you need or want.  Lauralee is pregnant, and Jan just had a baby. They stopped blogging for a while, and they may come back. As for me... call it passion or foot stomping determination... I'm still here, and here are the reasons.

But First, a Little More History...

My little family moved from Utah county to Las Vegas in June. Moving ALWAYS tires me out. It takes a while for me to get going again with anything afterwards. Also, I'll admit that truly my first reason to join the blog world was because it inspired and lit me up inside. My second reason, however, was that I noticed that my favorite bloggers did it as a business. I thought that it sounded really great to be a stay at home mom, and earn a little extra cash through blogging! 

At the time we started Potlucks on the Porch, my family desperately needed some money. My husband and I have had major financial crashes in our married life. His business  didn't take off the way we hoped and planned, and after years of thinking it would, it never did. I know that we weren't the only ones, and other people who've gone through it know how rough and desperate those times are. 

Thankfully though, he changed his path and started nursing school just after my twins were born. Even though it was SUCH a roller coaster of a time with 4 kids under the age of 5,  my husband in school, and being dirt poor... I am so grateful.  He finished school and the hellish testing period, then landed a great job here in Las Vegas.  I never thought that an RN could earn the money he does. Again, he's and RN, so obviously it's not like millions or anything, but it's an income that meets our needs. We can pay all of our bills, we have enough to save, and we even have a little bit to spend on some fun extras.  It's a huge blessing.

He'll be really embarrassed when he know I put this picture on here :)!

Thanks to the blessing of having enough, I don't have to stress out about working. I don't have to turn this blog into a money making business. So, right now, I'm not!!! One day though, once all my kids are in school I might focus on turning it into a business again, who knows?

I do know that I really enjoy blogging. It definitely is a passion for me.   I do want to keep it up. However, I don't want it to be my "other child", or even my job. as it was this past year.

I'll admit, I felt exhilaration when some of my posts went around Pinterest.  I loved it when bloggers I  admire gave me some attention.  I realize that this blog is just one of the millions of small blogs in the blogosphere, and it felt good to get recognition from Six Sisters' Stuff and featured by Tater Tots and Jello. It's like when the most popular kid in high school gives you some attention... feels good. But, that's not what matters to me.

Getting Closer

Now for the heart of it all...  When I was a child my mom had to work. I remember just craving being around her. I missed her so much. She often needed extra naps to make up for the sleep she missed, and I would sit outside her door and just wait for her to wake up.

She drove me on my paper route, and even though I hated throwing and smelling those newspapers, I relished the time I had with her. It was more precious to me than I realized.

When I was 16 years old, she passed away in a car accident. Obviously my world was crushed, and I've never stopped missing her. It was the lack of having a mom at home that made me understand how important moms are.

 One thing I knew for sure at that time was that I wanted to be a full time stay at home mom if it was at all possible.  I know that it's not possible for every woman. Some women need work to keep sane, others need it to support their families. I'm not making judgments on anyone. This was just the path I chose when I understood what was of the most importance to me, and what I felt God wanted for me.

I am very thankful that after some serious financial troubles, we're at the point that I know my husband can provide. That makes a huge difference for me in regards to this blog.  Right now I won't be entering in all kinds of link parties, stressing about what people want me to post about, or even caring about all the stats... because I'm not focusing on making money.

Finally

My focus for this blog is things that "light me up".  I want to honor my heritage and my posterity. That's what matters most to me. I come from a line of amazing men and women who taught me so much. I want to pass their wisdom, and gems that I've gained along the way to my children, and to anyone that may benefit.

I've had so many questions during the 9 years that I've been a mom. Times when I wished so much that I could just call my mom or grandma and ask for a recipe or what to do in certain situations. I wished that I had a record of things they made for me, and activities they did with me.

I hope that one day my children will have access to those kind of things, and I feel like this blog is a tool for that.

I always wish for REAL gems that teach me how to be a mom, a wife, and just a great woman (including practical, beautiful, and spiritual). That's the stuff I'll include here.  Not that I'm an expert, I learn as I go.  I'm a very religious person, but didn't want this blog to be too religious because I want people of all faiths to relate here. I hope people of all faiths feel welcome here. I also want to share ways that help my family live our faith better.

 My major in college was family science, and I learned great things about family life. I may include some of my insights in those areas too too. My career was teaching LDS seminary to High school kids in the Church Educational System. It was a joy, and I want to include more about those most important things to me.

I do know that a mom needs something that's her own.  Time to sharpen her own saw. I feel like this blog did that for me this past year, we'll see what happens now. I still LOVE tutorials, craft, and recipes and will include them. I also have dreams of writing books, starting my own non-profit organization, and traveling the world. I'm planting the seeds of those dreams here.

So.... there's the truth and the heart of the current status of Potlucks on the Porch :)! Stay tuned, and we'll see where it goes from here.

XOXO,
Nancy

P.S. The layout of the blog will eventually change, such as pictures and logos, but it may be a while :).

What I learned From Staples and a Flat Head Screw Driver

Several weeks ago, I reupholstered some kitchen chairs {HERE}.  Before a project, I often don't estimate correctly how long it will actually take, and how tedious and hard it might be. When it comes to brains and skill, this was not a difficult project. The steps are simple. It's the actual doing and finishing that takes endurance, muscles, and serious patience.

Next time I reupholster, I will realize that taking out staples will definitely be my least favorite part of the project. I still have some battle wounds from that flat head screw driver.  The worst of all was going around those blasted corners!  I just wanted to rip the old fabric up, but it wouldn't come.

Every time I tried to get the old fabric free from those corner staples, I would get stuck. At the beginning of the project, I said a few naughty words as I attacked the staples with that screw driver. The only thing that resulted was a stab in the hand, and anger at the staples.  I tried so hard to get even ONE staple out from those corners. No luck.

After I calmed down, I realized that if I stuck that flat head screw driver into a few staples, I could get a little part of one to budge slightly. If I worked on it for a while, it would budge a little more. Eventually I could get one staple out.  I'd repeat the process on the next staple. Within a few minutes, I could pull the staples out pretty quickly. Then, I would reach my little goal of a fabric free corner- wahoo!!! Of course, I went on to the next corner, and I repeated the process over again.

As I pulled out staples, I had a looooong time to think. My big goal was to reupholster those chairs, but there were a bunch of mini steps to get to that point. The huge block to achieving this goal were the stinkin' corners on the chairs. I thought about things in life that I want to accomplish. Sometimes we expect things to just happen. Or to happen with no effort or without difficulty. That's not the design of life. Worthwhile goals take lots of mini goals and also time, and patience.

When we've worked hard, things should go our way! Unfortunately {Or maybe fortunately}, they don't always.  Just like the stubborn staples held on to that fabric on the the corners of the chairs, there are times in life when we just seem stuck, no matter how hard we try.

It's when I was stuck on these chairs that I learned the real lesson, and it's often the same way in real life.  Even when our desired result doesn't happen WHEN we want it to, there is ALWAYS something that we can do, no matter how small. Then we find a little more that we can do. Eventually, as we metaphorically pull out those little tough staples of life, one by one, we'll solve our problems. We'll meet our goals.

Things aren't always seamless, and problems aren't always easily solved. Often, goals are not reached, and problems are not solved at once. The design of life is not to just breeze through. It takes time, work, and one small thing at a time.

XO,
Nancy

Wickedly Good Chocolate Cake

It is no secret that I love chocolate like crazy. Chocolate and I are not strangers at all, we meet up most days, ant this cake is my favorite form of chocolate. Seriously, it's so good it's wicked :)!

Make the cake:

1 devil's food cake mix

1 5.9 oz. package instant chocolate pudding mix

1 Cup Sour Cream

1 Cup Vegetable Oil

4 eggs, beaten

1/2 Cup water

1.5 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Grease 2 -8 inch round pans

Mix all ingredients except chocolate chips

Add chocolate chips after other ingredients are mixed

Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes.

Cool for 1 hour or more

Make Ganache:

2Tb corn syrup

6 oz. heavy cream

12 oz. dark chocolate, chopped

1/2 tsp.  vanilla extract

On top of double boiler combine corn syrup, chocolate and heavy cream. 

Remove, and add vanilla. Let cool completely.

Make Chocolate Buttercream:

1 Cup Shortening

3-4 T. Milk

1/2 tsp. clear vanilla extract

1 lb. powdered sugar

1/4 - 1/2 C. cocoa

mix until smooth. Spread between layers of cake.

** you can also buy wilton decorator icing and add cocoa instead of making this**

THEN:

Pour ganache over top and let it drip down the sides.

Add fruit, nuts, pieces of candy bar or even

chocolate curls.

Recipe adapted from Make it and Love it

Now, go indulge!

Nancy