Tune in tonight!

What are you doing tonight? You should tune into the facebook live book launch to see Sally Clarkson talk about the #lifegivingtable at 7pm Mountain Time (9pm for us!). There are loads of giveaways too, so tune in! ~Joy

Also, check out her blogpost here for more information!

And the winner is….

Thank you to all who entered the best of coffee giveaway! If you would still like to make a donation, feel free! You’ll have to forgive the less that perfect images taken from my phone ;). But just to show– there were 42 entries…

and number 22 was…

Julie Vito!!! Congrats friend! I am so excited for you!

To everyone else who entered/prayed/participated/donated! Thank you so so much!

Warmly,

Joy

Best of Coffee Basket!

Hey friends! I need YOUR help!

As you well know, a piece of our heart will always be in Scotland. Shaun and I lived in Aberdeen for 3.5 years, two of our children were born there, and it homes many of our wonderful friends with whom we miss so dearly! One of those friends include this family….

Aren’t they just so beautiful?! What’s really beautiful is their heart for sharing Jesus in Scotland– “seeing lives transformed by the power of Jesus – giving the spiritually hungry an encounter with the living God. This ministry is only possible through partnership with you. By giving and praying, you’re serving alongside us in the work.” (Read more about their ministry here).

The Chapins are coming up on 3 years of ministering in Edinburgh! Our family has invested in their work for several years and we’d love to send a special gift of $5K to their ministry in a nation of less than 2% evangelical Christians.

Here’s the info:

All you have to do to is enter your name into a drawing for this basket when you make a donation of $5 for this ministry (see paypal donation button below). For every $5 we will put your name on the list…. so,  $10 we will put your name on twice… $25 five times… and so forth.  ON March 31st we will close the giveaway and then I will do a videotaped recording of the random choosing of one of the entries and will announce it on the blog and contact you through email or facebook.  Each donor will be sending their items your way to enjoy!!! [Note: items can only be shipped to the USA]

You can also get extra entries by sharing on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter after you’ve donated. Just comment on this post and let me know where you shared so I can count them!! (otherwise I won’t know you shared!!)

It’s easy as pie…

*Basket* is not included in collection  *If you’d like to be entered without donating send me an email to joymichelleprice@gmail.com  *Donations made via paypal are not tax deductible… IF you’d rather give a tax deductible gift, please click here. 

So without further ado….

I present my BEST OF COFFEE BASKET!!!

Look at all these goodies!!! Eek! I’m giddy for you just looking at it!

First, check out the Nespresso ($100 value!)… this machine is pretty incredible. Envision yourself waking up from a rough night of slumber (I know nothing of this sleeplessness ;)—so hypothetically speaking) and wanting a refreshing latte, but you can’t get over to your local coffee brewery because you already have too many things on the schedule for the day. Insert Nespresso. Simply fill the resevoir with water, insert a pod of choice (decaf, caffeinated, flavors galore) and press whether you want an espresso or lungo. Within seconds you are enjoying some of the best coffee you’ve ever had. No offense to the Keurig, but it can’t even come close to touching the Nespresso. “Simple to use, the Nespresso Inissia offers an impeccable barista-style coffee every time, thanks to its simple, one-touch operation and patented extraction system which delivers up to 19 bar pressure.”

We were first acquainted with Nespresso in Scotland and soon enjoyed it back in the States as well. It is seriously going to change your life and I can’t wait for you to have one don the counter top of your kitchen. (Note: Inissia color may vary) Read more on this device here.

Next, let me just introduce you to the Breville Milk Frother  (a $120 value!)..

Some sweet friends, Alex and Erin Monasterio (Alex works for Breville, Erin is a precious friend, & their family loves Jesus) and donated this amazing piece of awesome. I know Nespresso technically has their own milk frother, but it ain’t got nothing on this beauty. Imagine yourself on a freeeezing cold snowy day, you want a hot mocha, but you can’t get out to the store to order one. Problem solved! Simply add your dark chocolate morsels into the breville with your choice of milk, set the desired temperature and BAM… foamy chocolatey froth to top your espresso. OR just pour the frothy goodness straight into cups and load on some whip cream for the best hot chocolate you’ve ever had. You can also experiment with other flavors/spices in the frother– a creation opportunity awaits you! Never mind trying to clean this joker on your own, the whole top portion easily slips into your dishwasher (other frothers you have to hand wash) and is easily sparkling for your next coffee moment!

It also comes with two different disc attachments– one for smooth and silky milk, another for rich, thick, creamy milk. Read more on this innovative device here.

Now how could I send you off with a machine and no coffee to sample?! Our good friends Guy and Brandy Spillers (Guy and Shaun have been friends since college– their wonderful family are fellow missions lovers and nespresso lovers too!) have donated not 10 pods, or even 50 pods but 120 pods for you to try out in your new machine! Bestpresso puts out a great sampler package that you are going to really have fun exploring!

And of course, after you make your first foaming latte, you may want to add a hint of flavor with my personal favorite– some handcrafted vanilla syrup.

I made this one myself (see the madagascar vanilla beans just luring in for your mouth watering attention?!). You will receive your own bottle from my sweet sweet friend Margaret (her family also lived in Scotland for several years with their children). I first received a bottle from her when she sent it to me as a christmas present. After I tasted the vanilla she made, I’ll never go back to the other stuff. Since she loves Jesus, Scotland, and [really tasty] vanilla– she said she’d be thrilled to donate a similar store bought version of this goodness to the winner (style/volume will vary from the bottle featured in the blogpost). I can’t wait for you to enjoy some!

And now, the keep cup …

I am quite sure there will be days you just can’t drink your latte at home. And that’s ok because now you have a keep cup. This glass jar is going to make all your friends stop and ask where you were able to land such a practical and stylish cup. The glass frame and fancy cork sleeve combines to allow for a really sleek looking travel mug. “KeepCup is the world’s first barista standard reusable cup, designed for coffee lovers on the move. KeepCup is a practical commuter cup replicating the core form and functions of disposable cups, but adding reusability, recyclability and the opportunity to add your own individual flair. Clever – and environmentally kind.” (winner will receive a large keep cup, color may vary)

And for those times when you CAN drink your latte at home, I thought we would include a lovely anthropologie cup. My little anthropologie tea cup is featured here below, but that won’t do for you! You will need a bigger cup than this to get a rich foamy latte. SO…

YOU will get your OWN anthro cup! Nancy Ray (check out her team at Nancy Ray Photography!) has donated one of these lovely monogrammed cups for you to select which letter you would like to have pictured on your morning cup of joe. (Isn’t that cup gorgeous?!) Nancy and I went to school together, she loves Jesus, coffee, and certainly has an eye for beauty! I’m so excited that you get to share in this special gift from her.

Lastly, there will be days where you are on the move and can’t manage to return home to make a coffee. Insert a $10 whole foods gift card for your on the go needs! I personally suggest purchasing you and a friend a dark chocolate mocha with just a splash of vanilla and frothy whole milk. Or go grab a bag of local coffee (we suggest Back Alley or Counter Culture) with an Escazu sea salt chocolate bar for your dining in pleasure. Some days just need a whole foods ‘pick-me-up’ and now you get to be the recipient of such wonderfulness. 🙂

Let me reiterate how this works:

All you have to do to is enter your name into a drawing for this basket when you make a donation of $5 for this ministry (see paypal donation button below). For every $5 we will put your name on the list…. so,  $10 we will put your name on twice… $25 five times… and so forth. ON March 31st we will close the giveaway and then I will do a videotaped recording of the random choosing of one of the entries and will announce it on the blog and contact you through email or facebook.  Each donor will be sending their items your way to enjoy!!! [Note: items can only be shipped to the USA]

You can also get extra entries by sharing on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter after you’ve donated. Just comment on this post and let me know where you shared so I can count them!! (otherwise I won’t know you shared!!)

It’s easy as pie…

*Basket* is not included in collection  *If you’d like to be entered without donating send me an email to joymichelleprice@gmail.com  *Donations made via paypal are not tax deductible… IF you’d rather give a tax deductible gift, please click here. 

Will check back in with you here in a few weeks!

Warmly,

Joy

Christmas Update 2015

Warmest Greetings,

God has been so faithful, and it is this time of reflecting on his birth which makes us long heavenward for His return. Another year marks another season of blessings which we are happy to report.

Augustine has embarked on his second year of homeschooling and has a deep thirst for understanding the world around him. He is gifted with articulating very detailed observations and sweetly vocalizes these thoughts often times when mom is wearing a new outfit or when dad gets a haircut. With interested siblings in tow, we started a field trip co-op this year and enjoyed visiting places such as the aquarium, an orthopaedic office, a nearby chocolate factory (especially fun for mom!), Durham’s Life and Science Museum, an exclusive human body exhibit as well as fun adventures to tour the fire station, our local city bus route along with hiking trails and frequent library visits. We have relished pouring into their academic interests, but mostly we are honored to walk alongside of their spiritual journey and shape their character to know God in an intimate and passionate relationship. In this discipleship aspect, Audrey Jane has especially grown in friendship and has a strength of investing in quality time with others. We have watched her progress from dependency at home to flourishing with bosom buddies. It is been a sweet treasure to us watching her caring spirit and desire for companionship. Similarly Hugh has burst into a wellspring of verbal communication! He is full of words as well as hugs and kisses in which we have learned that he loves expressing love through physical touch (which we have affectionately named ‘snuggle buggling with Hughie’). Joy had the high privilege of attending a missions trip to Uganda for two weeks this summer in which she spent time loving on precious orphans, teaching music at a local school in a rural village as well as helping lead a small women’s retreat for the orphanage care providers. She is currently carrying our fourth child and we are elated for this forthcoming birth in early June. Shaun has worked diligently on writing a history for our church as well as humbly accepting the call to ordination. The new reverend spends his time teaching both undergraduate courses as well as a four year old and adult sunday school class. As the year comes to a close, we are reminded that our earthly time will also one day cease. We are so grateful to leave meager attempts of God’s glory in our lives and cannot wait for the day where we will meet perfection as displayed in triune Godhead face to face. May his presence bring you great peace and joy in 2016.

All our love,

The Prices

No-Sugar Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

The kids and I decided to have a baking day. I found this recipe and tweaked it to better suit our preferences. I’m not an exact measurement baker [more of a throw it in and hope it turns out…] so the recipe below is *approximate* measurements. However, they were just lovely. More cake-like than dry cookies and I know we will be making them again.

No-Sugar Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

makes roughly 48 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cup(s) flour (I used Lancelot flour from the Grain Mill) 
• 3 teaspoon(s) vietnamese cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 2 teaspoon(s) baking soda
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 cup(s) your favorite nuts (we used peanut butter [make sure the only ingredient is peanuts!])
• 2 cup(s) oats (not instant oatmeal)
• 1 [heaping] cup(s) raisins
• 2 cup(s) applesauce
• 3/4 cup of full fat greek yogurt
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup(s) olive oil
• 3 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup of unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix the dry ingredients in the largest bowl. Mix the wet ingredients in the other bowl. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Blend them well.
3. Spoon the dough for these drop cookies onto lined parchment papered cookie sheets.
4. Bake the dough for 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Allow the cookies to cool before eating them.

Enjoy!

Granola Bar Balls

Granola Bars can be so expensive [not to mention packed with sugar and other unhealthy additives]. This recipe is a great alternative and my family LOVES them! It is packed with protein to quickly alleviate those afternoon/late night hunger cravings. I borrowed this recipe from a friend and changed it to better fit our preferences, feel free to do the same! Enjoy!

2 c pitted dates
1 c almonds, finely chopped in food processor
1 c walnuts, finely chopped in food processor 
1 c unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 c of sunflower seeds
3 c whole oats
1/2 c natural peanut butter
1/2 c honey
1/2 cup of coconut oil

Process dates in food processor (add a little water if too thick). Place in large bowl and combine remaining ingredients until mixed well. Make into balls and eat immediately or freeze for later use. 

*Note, without the coconut oil, the mixture is more sticky and could be made into bars when pressed flat onto a baking sheet.

[photo credit]

Augustine-isms

While putting on an additional pair of socks atop his current pair of socks already on his feet:
“Mom, these socks will make me mighty & strong”

Audrey Jane, 2.5 years old.

before I forget all her jane-isms. I want to post a few of my favorite at present. 

-jane has self-proclaimed her new name as janie or audrey janie. we have no idea where this came from (I was expecting her new name maybe when she went off to college?) except that she loves adding an additional ‘ie’ to most every word. 

-jane will often be found in her princess crown or princess shoes (on both feet!) whilst napping or after we have put her to bed for the evening. 

-she LOVES meat. often times I’ll order a hot dog and augustine will eat the bun, jane will eat the hot dog. same with cheeseburgers. SO convenient! she could easily eat a package of bacon and loves to just snack on luncheon meat. 

-jane is a wonderful helper with Hughie and is so ecstaticly excited whenever he awakes each morning. 

-jane loves to sing ‘old macdonald had a farm’ each night before bed. and every night, she always picks a pig for the animal of choice (relation to love of meat? I don’t know!). 

-she is obsessed with the color pink, and loves most all stereotypical feminine things. 

-i decided on a whim (actually it was after I spent way too much money on diapers and wipes at sams club today) to potty train jane. we’ll see how it goes. 

-she sleeps about 11.5 hours at night an almost an hour nap after lunch. 

-our current focus with jane (we have had a variety of focus points throughout her existence) is wearing one outfit a day, and one pajama a day. oh the drama of these instructions for her! 

-unlike her brother, jane loves to ask ‘why?’ all the time…

-jane is helps a lot around the home, she vacuums, unloads/loads the silverware/kids plates & cups,  helps hang up her clothes in the closet, clean the playroom as well as wiping down the table/doorknobs & other tasks I ask her to do. we love it when she obeys the first time 😉

-a conversation just a minute ago~
me: “Jane, can you bring me my water bottle?”
J: “I’m busy right now!”

(can’t imagine where she heard that one…)

love our only girl. I’m really thankful for the exuberance of life she brings. we are praying for her heart to come to know Christ in an intimate way at an early age. 

Hugh is 9 months!

nine months and full of life. two teeth. sleeping well at night and two naps during the day. crawling all over everywhere and pulling himself up on furniture. eating pureed food and feeding himself soft foods too! IN LOVE with this little man. so much love.

A Babysitting Co-op!

Do you value some dependable time each week away from your children to devote to your marriage, house-cleaning, errands, or time with friends? Our marriages are the next most important relationship outside of Christ. Your investment in your marriage models to your children that you value your spouse. This enables them to experience security and love from a unified front of parents. Are you strapped for cash for such endeavors? I have a solution for you!

A babysitting Co-op! Here are the basic details in an original blogpost I wrote here. You can include two families, three families, or even four families in this type of swap depending on how many children are included between the bunch and what you deem is appropriate for all involved!

Having been involved in several of these type of coops, I thought I might also include some extra details (READ: LOADS OF DETAILS!) that really help one of these systems to flow smoothly. These are some ‘ground rules’ that worked for us you may also want to consider:

-Three hours is a great slot of time. Not too much, not too little.
-Once a week is really ideal, but you can also swap every other week if that is better for each family.
-Generally, a day of week is easier than a weekend for swapping. But to each his own!
-4pm-7pm or 4:30pm-7:30pm is a great time frame. It enables children to be ready for bed by the time their parents pick them up, but not over-tired.
-It is ideal to swap with your neighbors, but if not, try to pick families SUPER local to you.
-Each family brings their own diapers/wipes/dinner/snacks/
juice/sleeping arrangements/clothes for their OWN kids. Ideally, it would be nice if the host could provide a paper towel or a paper plate for the children. Though, sippy cups should be brought by each family. Dishes ARE NOT required to be returned washed 🙂
-You host all the kids at your home once a month (if you need the help of your husband, then plan for that). The other three thursdays (or whichever day you choose!) of the month you get time to yourself or with your husband or really whatever you want to do. (clean, grocery shop, meet a friend, read a book). You can also double date with other families in the co-op! the possibilities are endless!
-For families with smaller children. Please either email the host in advance or write on a notecard instructions that are more specific so that the host is not overwhelmed trying to remember various details for different babies (i.e. Jimmy needs 5oz of milk at 5:30, he will sleep after that, etc).
-If you cannot host the event that you are assigned, please swap with another family and notify everyone else in the swap accordingly.
-if you cannot make the swap in which you are provided a date, please… get over it ;). We will not reschedule the swap for a family that cannot attend being babysat unless two or more families cannot make that particular date night in which the evening is cancelled for everyone.
-Each family is responsible to drop off and pick up their own kids at the location designated each week. It is ok if you drop your children off late to the co-op, but please ensure you are not late to pick them up so as to honor everyone’s time. Please be prepared to have your house ready to accept children five minutes prior to the start of coop, so that each family can utilize the full three hours! (i.e. if your coop swap is from 4:30pm-7:30pm, families can drop off their children at 4:25pm so they are able to leave by 4:30pm)
-Unfortunately, I’m not making the number of kids a factor in our coop swap as far as equal proportion of time per child. Some families may have one kid, other families two kids, and others three or four kids but every family gets the designated three hour slot each week. Obviously, it is best to pick families to join your coop in which all families have roughly the same number of children.
-If you need more time than the three hour slot- feel free to arrange a swap with another family in the co-op (or a babysitter) if you want them to watch your children before/after and notify the hosting family that said person will pick up/drop off your children accordingly.

-Discipline: I think it goes without saying that we are in agreement about honoring the Lord with our children and as well as helping the children we are watching pursue righteousness. I would advise setting up an avenue to talk to other families about their behavior in a non-threatening way. Thus, the questionaire resource: Please answer the following questionnaire each time you host for each child participating in the co-op in order to honestly evaluate each child’s obedience/disobedience as they learn to respect differing authority. For example, if I hosted the co-op one week, I’d send a separate email to family A, family B, and family C at the end of the session and communicate how her children did/did not obey so that their parents can further praise/train their child for the next session. (Questionnaire: _______honored Christ this co-op session through…. _______did not honor Christ this co-op session by…. Other thoughts: ….). Aside from this, I advise avoid spanking other children altogether and use time outs or natural consequences when necessary. Ask other families in the group if ahead of time if they have any concerns with this/further ideas to consider.

-Location: Typically, it is helpful to stay at the host homes for the first rotational schedule. However, once you are in the groove, consider talking to your group about visiting at a nearby park, field, or forest while you are hosting. When we host, we take our double stroller, borrow a double stroller and have a couple of ergo baby carriers and head to the park! The kids are instructed to stay close to us, and parents are notified in advance to pack dinners that can be eaten outside (as well as pack coats or rainboots depending on weather). The children walk back after a fun evening and the three hour time slot FLIES by- fun had by all and your host house stays clean (added bonus!).
-Other house rules
For example, I do not allow my children in the road, and unless an adult is in the road, I’d like this to be upheld for my child. Consider asking if there are any other rules like this you need the group to follow (tv shows you don’t want your children to watch, food they cannot eat if offered, reoccuring misbehavior of your child host needs to know about). I have found it helpful to ask all the children to stay at the host home the entirety of the three hours unless they quickly need to run back to their house to get something else to play with.
-After the one month time frame, we can all either meet together to discuss what you liked/didn’t like or email about such things and decide whether to continue to stop.

The General Set-up: In the past we have separated out the three hour slot for similarly so the children know what to expect at each household. The children seemed to thrive off of order/consistency. So, do not feel pressured to do this, but it is worth considering.
4:30-5:30: Big energy time, play outside, crafts (we have found this to be extremely fun and successful in the past if you want to attempt it!), running, jumping, games (red light/green light; red rover; hide and go seek; etc) get all their energy out!
5:30-6pm: Eat Dinner
6pm-6:15(ish)pm- Clean up host’s home
6:15-7:15 watch movie
7:15-7:30 get on socks/shoes/gather bags to get ready to go back home!

Example Schedule:

Nov 7th- Family A
Nov 14th- Family B
Nov 21ts- Family C
Nov 28th- Family D

OK! whew! You stuck with me! Loads of details, I warned you!! But I do hope that this will bring about an easy way for you to plow into serving your community as well as enjoying some time away from your lovely children.

The end. 🙂