New Year's Activity & Recipe

In case you're still thinking of a family or party activity to do tonite or the first part of the New Year, here's one we've done often and enjoy:

Turn on exactly 12 lights in the house, and line up 12 unlit votives on the fireplace mantel or on a table.  Print out the 12 questions below and take turns asking and answering them.  As you answer January, turn out a light, light a votive.  Then do February, and so on, symbolizing the end of a year and the beginning of another.

At the end of the activity, the house will be dark except for the 12 votives burning to light the way for 2015.  Then pray together, giving thanks for a grand new year.

• January is about new beginnings. What’s something new you’d like to try in 2015?
• February includes sweets! In a candy box of chocolates, what is your favorite piece?
• March winds bring a change of season.  What is your favorite season and why?
• April is the month of Easter.  Who can we pray for, to receive new life, with you?
• May is when the flowers bloom.   What’s your favorite flower?
• June begins our summer months.  What’s your favorite memory from last  summer?
• July we celebrate Independence Day.  What freedom are you most thankful for?
• August is the hottest time of the year.  Where’s the coolest spot you like to hang out and rest?
• September is when school is in full swing.  What’ s your favorite memory from elementary school?
• October is Halloween!  Pumpkin pie, candy corn, or caramel apples?  Which is your favorite?
• November we give thanks.  Ask everyone to thank the Lord for something from 2014.
• December is Christmas.  What can you give Jesus this coming year?

And....here's our brunch we had, with a recipe for the chicken bacon bites!

Cut 1lb chicken breasts into one inch cubes.  Cut bacon slices into thirds and wrap each cube of chicken securing with toothpick.  Mix in a bowl 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar and 2 T chili powder, then dredge each bite in the mixture.

Coat a big cooking sheet with a rack on top (i used my cookie cooling racks) with nonstick cooking spray, place the wraps on the rack (so the sugar can drip onto sheet), and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes until bacon is crisp.

These are great appetizers!