As we say good-bye to 2018 and hello to 2019, take time to reflect on what the past year brought you. Did your family welcome a new family member - whether by birth or marriage? Were you able to take that trip you've been saying for years you wanted to take? Was a broken relationship reconciled? Did you spend less and eat better (this month excluded)?

Taking some time, whether a few minutes or an hour, to think about the events of the last year is cathartic. It also helps you define what matters and what you want to build upon in the upcoming year.

For instance, on a personal note this year we expanded our circle of friends, hosted more gatherings, and made some financial decisions that have afforded us life changes.

Thanks to you all, we had some great successes in this angel business. Over 3k views on just one of our angel pictures, over 1k people coming to our Pinterest page monthly, more word of mouth sales, and more opportunities to spread the message of angels in schools and community events. Life is just better with an angel. Wouldn't you agree?

So as we look back we are encouraged to move forward. To continue the good work that was started and expand upon the ideas flying around in our heads. 2019 is going to be a great year. We are excited for what it has in store for you and for us!

God be with you on this New Year's Eve!

#reflect #newyear #2018 #2019 #moveforward #great #whatmatters #relationships #cathartic #goodbye #hello #angels #lifeisbetterwithanangel

After you've picked all the ham and turkey off, don't throw the bones away. Save the bones to make stock that will become a delicious soup. You can also freeze the stock and put it in ice cube trays to use later. You will be glad you did! Especially on a cold winter night or when someone in the family has the sniffles.

How do you do make stock? I have asked an amazing Executive Chef to give us some tips and this is what he said:

1. Pick off all the meat. You want the bone as "clean" as you can get it. Set aside any picked off meat and save it for the soup. (The meat can be frozen too if you don't plan to immediately make soup.)
2. Put the bones and carcass in a stock pot. Then add (cold) water until the water is at least an inch or two above the bones.
3. If you have any celery, onions, and carrot scraps put them in with the water also. You can also add bay leaves and peppercorns if you wish.
4. Bring water to a boil and then to a rolling simmer. DO NOT let the water continue to boil. 
5. Simmer 45 minutes for turkey and chicken bones. For a ham bone simmer for one hour. While it's simmering the fats and impurities will rise to the top. Skim off fat with a ladle.
6. Get a strainer. Strain broth into another pot. From this stage you can either put the broth in ice cube trays or a freezer safe container. Slightly let cool down before placing in freezer.
7. If you plan to forge ahead and make soup, then add your fave ingredients and enjoy the liquid leftovers!

#warminside #savethebones #liquidleftovers #soupgoodforthesoul #angels #whereisyourangel #angelwatchingoverme #broth #makingbroth

Merry after Christmas! It's the time of year when any elves that landed in your home after Thanksgiving go back to the North Pole for a year. Are you glad it's over?? Interested in giving your kids something more meaningful? Interested in giving your family something that doesn't require too much effort on your part? Interested in no more panicked mornings when you realize, "Oh my gosh we didn't move the Elf last night!!!" 

Let me introduce you to the stress free angel from the Where Is Your Angel?™ series of books. Everyone can touch the angel. In fact, it is encouraged. Everyone can hide the angel. Everyone can engage with the angel as they see fit. We have families who take turns hiding the angel during holidays or special occasions (birthdays, great accomplishments, etc.) And there are families who just have the angel hanging around all the time.

Each purchase of an angel book comes with its own plush angel and over a dozen printable activities. Our Pinterest page is overflowing with angel recipes, angel crafts, angel pictures, and all things angels.

If you are interested, then welcome to fun, welcome to less stress, and welcome your own angel into your home. You'll be soo glad you did!

#whereisyourangel #angelwatchingoverme #books #angels #fun #elf #angelonthemantle #stressless #lifeisbetterwithanangel #peaceloveangels

In keeping with what has become a tradition, here is an angel poem for the season. Enjoy the Christmas with your loved ones and may this poem brighten your holiday!

The Christmas Angels
by: Evangeline B. White

There was more than just one wondrous night,
When angels from heaven to earth took flight.
It was a busier season for a divine reason.
God coming to earth as a baby gave us
Disruption in heaven; created a fuss.
First to Zechariah one of us went.
To tell of a herald who would be sent.
Elizabeth would bear this welcome son.
His name would be John and he'd tell of the One.
Then to Mary Gabriel quickly did go.
Telling her of things she did not know.
The Holy Ghost would put divine seed in her womb.
And the power of the Most High would fill up her room.
Next on the list was Joseph, Mary's soon-to-be groom.
An angel of the Lord spoke into his dream,
This Son had a plan - the world to redeem. 
So Joseph kept Mary as his wife.
No more thoughts of divorce for the rest of his life.
When the time came for the birth of Jesus, God's Son.
We were anxious to tell of what had been done.
We found shepherds in fields doing their thing.
So one of us appeared with the glad tidings.
Then we all appeared and began to sing.
Filling the air with praises that did ring.
Then they became our messengers that day.
Telling of the Savior to all along the way.
The wonder of Christmas continues today.
In hearts that receive its message and pray.

#christmasangels #angels #busy #season #merrychristmas #Jesus #whereisyourangel #kidsbooks #angelsarebetterthanelves

Do your kids believe? Have you stopped believing? Well, doubt no more. The other day I heard this absolutely riveting radio program about St. Nick. You can even listen to the program with your kids. It will make a lifetime believer out of you and will deepen your understanding and appreciation for this man known as St. Nick.

https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=243550&hour=1

In case the link doesn't work, go to Janet Parshall In The Marketplace and look for her Hour 1, December 18, 2018 radio program.
​
​#janetparshall #therealstnick #santaclaus #elvesandangels #angelonthemantle #believe #whereisyourangel

We are surrounded by devices that are presumably making us smarter. They think for us so we don't have to. There are refrigerators that keep an inventory of your items, emails that will finish sentences for you, text apps that will give you options of how to reply and what to say - emojis included, cars that drive themselves, and the list could go on...and on...and on...

Do you feel smarter or more dependent? If something is thinking for you, does that mean you don't have to think as much? Hmm. In exercise they say, "If you don't use it you will lose it." The same goes with most things - our brain and smarts included.

Here's a test to see if your smart devices are making you smarter or at a loss without them. Pick up the phone when you want to text or email and call the person or business instead. Have a conversation that is organic, not prompted by an app. How did that feel? Empowering? Use this little test for anything "smart" you own. Make your own grocery list, use your own senses to back up out of the driveway, turn off the apps that complete your sentences, etc. You'll be smarter for it.

One more thing to leave you with about all these smart devices that have us fixated. The more you have of them the easier it is for you to get hacked. It makes it easier for someone with ill intentions to get into your home (virtually and physically). So be careful out there smart one, be wiser than your devices.

#smartdevices #smart #notsosmart #warning #dependent #disable #areyou
#angelblog #whereisyourangel #angelwatchingoverme #kidsbooks #goodadvice

​Looking for a simple and delicious recipe for the holidays? We have a treat for you! This recipe came to be part by necessity and part because of ease. I needed to make a dessert for a Christmas party. Instead of going through my recipe box, I went to my pantry. There was a box of angel food cake mix and a couple bottles of Kahlua mudslide drink. My freezer had a tub of Cool Whip and a recipe idea was born! It's a 4 ingredient recipe (5 if you count the chocolate shavings) and delights the taste buds.
 
Even though this has Kahlua in it, the amount is so subtle compared to all the other ingredients that my kids ate this as well. There's enough of a taste for the ladies to go “oohh” but not enough to knock the kids out.
 
Since this was going to be one of several desserts at the party, I decided to make mini cupcakes to bring. That way the ladies could get a little bit of everyone's dessert or take more than 1 if they wanted. This recipe made soo much there was enough mix left over for me to put the rest in a bundt cake tin and make a bundt cake for my family too.
 
Mudslide Angelic Dessert
 
1 box angel food cake mix
1 ¼ c. Kahlua mudslide drink divided (Kahlua or Bailey's can be substituted – however if you use straight Kahlua or Bailey's you should reduce the amount of liquor in the recipe)
1 tub Cool Whip
1 tsp. Vanilla
Dark Chocolate shavings (I used 92% cacao but any dark chocolate bar can be used.)
 

1. Preheat oven. Usually 350 degrees and grease muffin tins or cake pan accordingly.
2. Mix cake mix according to directions with the following adjustments. Add vanilla. Reduce amount of water by ¾ c. and use ¾ c. of Kahlua Mudslide drink instead. You can also add some chocolate shavings into the mix if you'd like (¼ c. to ½ c. chocolate shavings would do)
3. Pour mix into tins and/or pan. Bake according to package directions.
4. For the Cool Whip topping, mix 1 tub of Cool Whip with ½ c. of the Kahlua Mudslide drink. If you like, you can add some chocolate shavings into this mix. I put the shavings on top of the cupcakes.
5. Let the cake completely cool. Then add Cool Whip topping mix. Shave the dark chocolate ovefr the cake.
6. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
7. Eat and enjoy!

 
This recipe was very simple and was a hit! Making it into bit size cupcakes is a great idea for any party. Finger foods offer less food waste and the opportunity to sample more items.
 
#kahlua #mudslide #dessert #angelfood #angelrecipe #whereisyourangel #holidayrecipe #christmas #angelbooks #angelwatchingoverme #funtimes #eatandenjoy

Stroll with us down memory lane on this Throwback Thursday. One of our most popular posts had to do with cows. And since this time of year for the last 12+ years cows have been part of my Christmas I thought it appropriate to repost.

So here it is. Our appeal to Chick-fil-a to BRING BACK THE COW CALENDAR as told in rhyme and cow language. Enjoy!!

https://www.whereisyourangel.com/angel-blog/free-stuff-must-stay

#chickfila #holycow #cowlendar #angels #free #spreadtheword #cows #whereisyourangel #angelbooksforkids #throwbackthursday

Whether your angel is with you all year or you bring him out during holidays, we LOVE the pictures you send us. Here are a few pictures of the angel being incorporated instead of the elf this Christmas season. 
 
Keep your pictures coming! We are humbled by your stories and how much your angel means to you.
 
#angelsnotelves #angelonthemantle #angelbook #watchmanangel #angelwatchingoverme #whereisyourangel  #angelsarebetter

Tis the season to be jolly! Are you feeling it? Most find this season to be the season of just being overwhelmed. Here's a tip to keep your sanity and to give you soundness of mind. Some of you will love this and some may not like this at all but I offer it as water in a parched desert.
 
If you get your emails (personal and work) sent to your phone change the setting so that you don't get any emails sent to your phone. I know, I know. Your gasps are heard in my ears. You might think, "How can I do that? I might miss something!" How many of you who have your emails sent to your phone have missed something? I know I have and others have as well. It's easy for things to fall through the cracks when you are looking at such a small screen. 
 
At one point in time all my emails came through on my phone. It beeped or made a sound and I was compelled to answer its beck and call. Do you know that the term beck and call implies subservience? You are its servant and it is your master. You respond immediately to it most times automatically.  
 
Next time you are in a public place look around at how many people are attached to their phones. I'd guarantee that probably 99.9% of those people also have anxiety in unhealthy doses.
 
By default my emails stopped coming through on my phone. It wasn't my choice, my phone just had a glitch and the emails stopped. Shortly after that the epiphany came. Wow, I have control of my time again. Having to check my emails at certain intervals throughout the day from my desktop or lap top became almost a breath of fresh air. It brought "soundness of mind." Think about it, back in the day the world still turned without cell phones. 
 
If someone really needs to get a hold of you they can text or call. 
 
Let me challenge you in this jolly season to press pause on the constant noise. If you can't change or stop all your email accounts from being forwarded to your phone, then change how often you answer its beck and call. How about once an hour or once in the morning and once in the afternoon? Aim for peace a.k.a. soundness of mind. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
 
If you need to get a hold of me, know that I will get back to you...in due time. Peace out.
 
#soundnessofmind #emails #peace #jolly #season #noforwarding #doseofpeace #duetime #angels #booksforkids #whereisyourangel
#angelwatchingoverme