Operation Christmas Child

The We love participating in Operation Christmas Child each year and blessing children in the name of Jesus. This year I crocheted 50 barrettes to put in the boxes the ladies group I am a part of is putting together. We will be having a box packing party with our kids, which should be a great time. I have been picking up other items throughout the year to add as well. A great time to pick up things are at after Christmas sales and during back to school time. Here is the link for more information on this amazing international program. Operation Christmas Child

Below are the boxes my family put together on our own last year. The boys 10-14 category is the category that receives the least amount of boxes so I encourage you to pack a box for this group. These boys are probably out in the work force already or at the very least has a big responsibility around the home and neighborhood. I packed tools that may help them with those responsibilities and possibly to even help them earn income. However they are still boys who want to have fun so I also packed some toys and fun items for when they are able to play.

Because the boxes are clear I used bandannas as a liner, so that they still had that element of surprise. I also hot glued strips of scrapbook paper to the tops so that even though they were not wrapped presents, they still had that Christmas touch.

In the plastic soapbox you see in the girl's shoe box below underneath the crayons I took a stack of colored paper and cut it to fit the soapbox.

Crock Pot Creamy Chicken

This is a family favorite and is so super easy to make. Unfortunately I do not know the original source. I got it from a friend on facebook many years ago and have been making it ever since. The recipe calls for it to be served over pasta but we are a rice loving family and serve it over rice instead. For the creamed soup, I use Pacific Natural Foods Organic Cream of Chicken Soup, I order it in bulk on Amazon.

Ingredients
--1 can cream-of-something soup

--1/2 cup chicken broth
--frozen chicken pieces - enough to feed four adults (I use 4 chick. Breasts)
--packet of Italian salad dressing mix (I make my own).
--2 cloves minced garlic
--block of cream cheese (to add later)
--cooked noodles or rice (I use two cups uncooked rice in my rice cooker)

The Directions.

Put everything except for the cream cheese into the crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and begins to shred. Shred the chicken with two large forks, and mix in the block of cream cheese. Switch the crock to high and cook for another 30 minutes, or until the cream cheese is fully melted.

Serve over pasta or rice