Hope you have a

Yes, today is the LAST day of the entire year. Wierd huh? Tomorrow it will be 2008 and we'll have to start remembering not to write 2007. I don't know if my brain can handle that. Sigh. Anyway...with the new year comes New Years Resolutions. I usually don't get too into that whole thing but thought that maybe I should give it a go this year. Heaven knows there's lots of things I should try harder at doing!

1. I REALLY am going to get fit this year. I tell myself this every year. EVERY year! And it never happens. I'm not looking to lose weight or to be a size smaller or whatever. Just less flab and more muscle. FIT. Toned. So I could put back on my bikini and not feel like I'm oozing out of it. (Not that I would EVER wear it in public after having Mackenzee! Sorry Jaysen!) Yes...I will be fit!

2. I am going to attempt to be more patient this year. Patience is not one of those qualities that I possess. I can't wait for ANYTHING! Seriuosly...it's bad. This one will actually be harder to accomplish than #1 up there. But, it's probably more important. I'm sure my children will appreciate it. :0)

3. Less OCD! To realize that there are some things that even I can't control or fix.

That's all. I think those are all HUGE! If I attempt to work on anything else, I don't think ANYTHING will get done. :0)

So, I want to know what you all are resolving to do! Share! I'm sure I'm 100% more pathetic than the rest of you, but make me feel better. Let me know that none of you are perfect either! :0)

I hope all of you have a fun night of partying! Me...I'll be in bed by 10...as usual. :0)

A new favorite!!!

I ate lunch at a new spot here in town and thought I should share. It's called Zulu Bagels and they have some YUMMY bagel sandwiches. I love bagel sammies and have gone to Molly's Bagel Bakery for years. The only problem is that I have to actually get OUT of my car to get one. Sigh. Nothing like taking a 2 year old into a place like that. Zulu bagels has a drive through window around the back. I went in my pajamas. Literally. And let me tell you...such a good sandwich. Asiago cheese bagel, turkey, oodles of veggies and veggie cream cheese. Oh my gosh! It's a brand new restaurant...brand new building.....on Washington Street between Filer and Falls. Go try it and tell me what you think!

not quite sure

what this is all about...
I got this gi-normous catalog in the mail today. My name was actually on it. I'm a little clueless here. A Prom Catalog? How would I be connected to this? I actually sat here and racked my brain as to how this company would think that I would need one of their catalogs....NOTHING! I got nothing. Sure, I'm with the PTA, but for the elementary. They don't DO proms. My sisters' last name is Stumpf....but how would they know that? I've never even helped organize a prom...well, unless you count my junior year of high school. But that was a LONG time ago.
Sigh.
So, if any of you are in need of some great prom ideas....I've got a catalog for you!

I Am Legend

Jaysen and I went with my dad to see this movie tonight. For those of you who aren't on the up and up with this movie it's about a scientist who is immune to the effects of a manmade drug. Those not immune have either died or turned into the "Dark Seekers". Similar to vampires, but they are NOT vampires. Anyway...he's attempting to find a cure so that he can bring humanity back.
I went to see this movie out of pure curiosity. I knew it was going to be scary, but my curiosity must have gotten the best of me. I HATE scary movies. I have an overactive imagination. This was not a blood and guts movie, but VERY suspenseful. Honestly, it was a really good movie. Very fast paced, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. There were parts that actually made me want to cry....and then parts that gave you a little chuckle. But mostly....you were just insanely tense. Waiting for something to jump out on the screen. The majority of the movie was acted by only Will Smith and his dog, Sam. Will did an excellent job keeping the flow of the movie going, and the banter with his dog was great.
So, if you can handle a suspenseful, slightly scary movie...I would suggest this one. No, it's not one that will be purchased and put into the Burnham collection. BUT, I am glad that I went to see it. Curiousity taken care of. Though I do want to get the book and read it. I'm sure there were things left out or things that they were not able to portray in the movie that were important. I'll let you know when I'm done! ;0)

Must have been on the nice list....

Because I was spoiled rotten this year for Christmas. I got two of my wish list items, plus other things I couldn't have even wished for!

Santa brought me an iPod (yes, it's true...I didn't have one. Jaysen did, but not me) and now I can take my entire iTunes collection (1500 songs) with me wherever I go. I told Santa not to buy one for me as they are not one of those "needed" items. But, Santa must have thought that I was REALLY good and gave me one anyway. The stinker! He also brought me a new Cricut cartridge (the Mickey font) and I can't wait to be able to use it!

The picture is of me and my Grams...she put on a huge Christmas Eve program (as she does every year) and had me narrate it. The program included caroling, which is what we are doing in this picture. It's one of my favorites from this year. :0) My Grams got us a Grain Mill to grind wheat. I'm excited to try it out. I may just have to go get myself a bread machine here soon. Either that or a REAL bread pan. The one I have has seen better days. ;0)

My sister-in-law Holly got me the pasta machine I was wanting! I'm so excited to whip it out and make some yummy pastas!

And my mom got all of her daughters a beautiful necklace. I'll have to post a picture. Oh! And she made these amazing purses. Out of placemats! I'll post a picture of that one too! They are definitely on my "to do" list. I want to make oodles of them! Seriously! I'm thinking one in every color.

If I didn't post about the gift you gave, it wasn't because I wasn't grateful or that I didn't love it! We were truly spoiled this year and received far more than what was expected. I actually have some Christmas cash burning a hole in my pocket that I need to go spend. I'm thinking I'll be able to go and get the angel for my nativity with it! YAY!

Jaysen got the Guitar Hero game for our new Wii and we've already broke it in. I totally rock...and he's not too shabby himself. ;0) We're thinking we need to get a second guitar so that we can battle each other. Won't that be a fun family home evening? :0)

So, I am dying to know what all of YOU received! Fill me in! I hope you all got a few wish list items as well! For those of you that I "know", you have all been really NICE to me! So, if was up to me you'd all make that list! Can't wait to hear what you got!

For those of you who didn't know...

...tonight is the BSU bowl game. It's on ESPN at 6:00 pm and they are playing East Carolina. Jaysen is already primed and ready for the big game. Unfortunately it's not as big of a Bowl Game as last year...but it is at least ONE MORE game he gets to watch until next season. Our entire evening is being planned around this game. Today is the actual date of Landon's bday, and we are going over to my moms house. So, we have to have FHE, presents, and dinner all before kickoff at 6:00. No DVR to pause live tv at my parents house. So, he's stuck. ;0)

So sad isn't it?

Just in case...

...you were interested in the Chocolate Nativity Molds I used in my Christmas baking you can find a set of your own here. I ordered a new one for myself since I had stolen this one from my mom a few years back, and a new one for my mom since the one I stole is now cracked and useless. ;0) I have only used white chocolate when I've made it.....it's prettier ;0)

While you're there, you can check out this fun idea, or even these hilarious cookie cutters. Enjoy!

It's A Record Breaker! Sorry Elvis!

That's right people...I told you it was a GOOD...no GREAT CD! Look what was just posted on Yahoo! News....

Holiday sales might be depressing, but it's no blue Christmas for Josh Groban. He just broke a chart record Elvis set back when Eisenhower was President.
Josh Groban's Noël claimed an unprecedented fourth straight week at number one, a feat never before accomplished by a holiday album. Elvis Presley set the previous record, three weeks, half a century ago with 1957's Elvis' Christmas Album.
For the week ended Sunday, Noël topped the chart and rewrote the record books by selling an incredible 669,000 copies, according to the latest Nielsen SoundScan numbers.
Groban, whose single "I'll Be Home for Christmas" topped the AC charts this week as well, has sold nearly 2.8 million copies of Noël in its 10-week run. That puts Noël in the lead as the year's bestselling album, and if the trend holds, it'll become the first holiday album to top year-end sales in the SoundScan era.

He just keeps getting better and better doesn't he? Love him.....he can serenade me any day. Watch out Jaysen!

Done!

No picture to post here. Too much craziness going on at Landon's class party to take a picture. ;0) We played Santa, Santa Where's Your Sleigh?, Pin the Star on the Christmas Tree, and Snowball Toss. It was crazy! But, thankfully.....

IT'S DONE!

Can I just tell you how elated I am about this? Once again, I am checking something off of my to-do list. It's getting shorter, thankfully. Tonight is Landon's Christmas piano recital, I've got a party to plan for Monday, a rainbow jello salad to make for Monday night, one Christmas present to finish up and wrap...and I think I might be done with everything that I'M supposed to take care of. The other stuff we're doing in between all of this, I thankfully don't have a dang thing to worry about.

OH! By the way....if any of you are looking for a great deal on a Christmas tree....check out Michaels. They have awesome prelit trees there that cost almost 1/4 of the original cost. I was thrilled. I told all of you that I was going to get one so that I didn't have to string lights anymore. I didn't even have to wait until after Christmas though. So thrilled. Though Jaysen now tells me that we'll just have two trees. One for the basement and one for upstairs. Sigh. I think he might have to take care of the basement one then. Do they make BSU ornaments?

Movie Mania

Holy cow! There are so many good looking movies out right now I want to spend a day at the theater so that I can watch them all. My bum might end up sore...but hey...

I have heard so much about August Rush. Several of my family members have gone to see it and said it was WONDERFUL. So, it's one of those at the top of my list.

Then there is Enchanted. This one just looks super cute. My sister in law, Holly, took her kids to see a few weeks ago and said it was such a good movie, and even her 6 year old son liked it. Landon laughs every time he sees the commercial because the guy gets run over by some bicycles. Boys....sigh. ;0)

I Am Legend looks to be an interesting flick. Great reviews...Will Smith...though I'm not sure about the "creatures" in the film. This is one that Jaysen wants to see too, so I'm sure it will be the one that we actually get to go to. ;0)

Landon is dying to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. I remember Alvin from back in the good old days. I watched the Saturday morning cartoon religiously. It was good stuff! My sister, Melanie, took her kids to see this one last week and said it was really cute. So, maybe over Christmas break we'll get to this one.

And though I know this one has been out for a while, I'd still like to squeeze in Dan in Real Life. It looks cute, but also like you'd get a great laugh out of it.

Quite the list huh? And guess what? I probably won't make it to any of them. Pre-Mackenzee we went out to movies ALL the time. But now...by the time you pay for a babysitter, movie tickets, popcorn and a soda...you're out $40. For a movie. So, it better be a pretty dang good movie right? Besides this fact, we are just lame and don't go out anymore. So, these movies will probably not get viewed until Netflix puts them in our mailbox. They are already on my "saved" list. Just in case.....

Super Cute!

So, I found this idea on another blog I look at and decided they might be fun to use for prizes at Landon's class party tomorrow. They turned out soooo super cute. Don't you think?

It's Rudolph if you didn't catch on. I think they're pretty self explanatory...but.....here's how ya do it.

Wrap a Hershey bar in kraft paper. Glue on google eyes, pompom nose and pipe cleaner antlers. Tie a ribbon around it for a bow and tah dah!

I just finished them. Why on earth did I decided this would be a great idea to do the DAY BEFORE his class party? Because I'm insane. I've decided this just now. I'm not even finished getting the stuff for the games together, but hey! Let's make 24 Rudolph candy bars....why not? I think I need help. And a muscle relaxer.

I'm going to bed now.

Enough already!

So, I've decided I'm just going to let myself go until after Christmas. So much good food, so little time. I can't control myself any longer! I've tried to be good. If I knew naughty food was on the menu at the place I was going...I would eat super light all day long. But honestly...it's getting old.

So, I asked Jaysen if he'd still love me if I let myself go....he assured me that as long as I wasn't TOO big....he'd be ok. (doesn't that make you feel warm and fuzzy? sheesh!) He realized I was slightly joking, so he being such a witty one, bantered back. It's what I love about him! I can't help it!

I'm going for it! I'll let you know how it goes. Sure, I'll be upset after the fact. But don't we all start our New Years diets soon anyway? I'll Tae Bo my way back into shape. ;0)

Twilight Movie

These are your main characters people....

Edward the Vampire and Isabella Swan. What do you think? Do you think they represent the characters well? Edward is played by Robert Pattinson who played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter. Isabella is played by Kristen Stewart who was in Zathura and Panic Room.

The movie comes out a year from now. December 12, 2008. Can you wait that long? I'm truly hoping they do the book justice. Though the Harry Potter films are good, they don't even come close to comparing with the books. I've got my fingers crossed.

And will they come out with the new book already? I NEED to know what happens next. ;0)

Open House!

Hello all! I am over at my mom's house right now helping her out with her Christmas Open House. If you've read my blog before...you know that she is a Consultant for Suzanne Products. Which is food, jewelry, beauty products, and more! The food is delicious, I make the dips frequently, and I own several pieces of jewelry (which means they are affordable!) and I have fallen in love with the Night Serum as it is making my laugh lines smaller. (I haven't been enjoying this aging process!)

Anyway...her open house is at HER house today from noon until 6:00 pm as well as tomorrow from noon until 6:00 pm. Though I will only be here today. ;0) Me and Kenzee will be hanging out for a while. There are lots of great gift ideas here and gift baskets already made up.

To get to my moms house, follow Addison west (towards Filer) and take a left at 2600 E. mile. Go down two miles and take a right. You'll go down about a 1/4 of a mile and there is a little cul de sac to your left. Her house is the second house on the right. Call my cell phone if you need better directions.

OR if you want to order something but can't come, you can go to my mom's website www.suzanne24.com/srobinson and order directly from there. Though you won't see my happy face or be able to come and eat all this yummy food we've made with the products...or try on the jewelry....you get the idea. ;0)

My craft!

Alicia loves me! She took a picture of what I made for the craft swap and sent it to me so that I could share it with you! Thank you so much Alicia!

OCD

On another blog that I go to often, I believe I have found a soul sister. She posted about her OCD complex. (Not for real!) But about the things that HAVE to be JUST SO. It was like reading about myself. ;0) So, I thought perhaps I should post as she did so that maybe you will understand why I do some of the things that I do. I'm not really crazy....I just can't help it! My grandma gets me....we've decided I get this from her. ;0)

1. Bins....tupperware containers....I have a lot of these. The containers must be see through. My children have a set for each of their bedrooms. The toys can't be mixed. Dress up clothes in one, Littly Tykes characters in another....army guys in one, legos in another...you get the idea. They have a proper place. Put them in the proper bin.
2. When I load the dishwasher....the silverware have to go in their proper slots. Forks cannot go in the spoon slot. Just because. It's the way it has to be.
3. I must sleep with three pillows. Two for my head (one horizontal, one vertical) and one between my knees. I haven't been able to break that habit since I had Mackenzee two years ago. 4. Being late is not an option. We must be five minutes early AT LEAST. That way nobody will have to wait on us. Time and clocks...big obsession.
5. I hate it when people spell words wrong. Lyke thay deedn't gow tu skool er sumfing. I know that's really bad of me. The occasional mistake...I can look past. It could have just been a typo. I do it at times in my own writing. Though I hate it when I catch myself doing it. But seriously...they have spell check for a reason. Use it!
6. Going with #5....when people write and don't use the correct there, their, they're OR its, it's, its'...stuff like that. I realize this is petty. But my 6th grade English teacher ground this stuff into my brain permanently...so I notice it.
7. Pictures for scrapbooking can only be cut into squares. I have been able to slide in a few circles here and there if it fits the layout, but it is really hard for me. I'm trying! But I just can't do it. And not only square....but straight up and down. Crooked pictures on my page...wow. Again...I've been able to do a page here or there where I've been able to stretch my wings and get "crazy"...but it is TRULY hard. I can't help it!
8. My check register must have all the little boxes checked off within three days. If not, I stress. If I have written you a check...please cash it quickly. I have literally called my mom and told her to get to the bank NOW.
9. My movies must be alphabetized. The clothes in my closet must be hung up in rainbow order....except for my dresses and skirts. Those are lined up in order of length.

I could seriously go on....but you are all probably scared of me now. But perhaps you will understand me a little better when I say something. You won't get caught off guard. You will just be able to shake your head at me like the rest of my family does.
Now, I used to be this way with my house. With EVERYTHING for that matter....but since having Mackenzee...I've just had to let go of a few things. I would seriously be in the looney bin otherwise. But I can assure you that I am close to being there now as my house has been in permanent clutter mode since we moved in. I am so ready for my basement to be done! We should be done in March! Hallelujah! Then things can really get organized around here!

Let's Swap!

Disclaimer: I have attempted to re-align this post six times now. And apparently, Blogger has a mind of its own today because it just crams everything back together.....so, I'm sorry.

For girls night last night I hosted a Craft Exchange. I have wanted to post for over a week what I made for it, but didn't want to ruin the surprise for the other ladies coming. And then, I completely forgot to take a picture....so you don't get to see what I made.

BUT! You can see all the GREAT stuff that I got from my friends!

Tana made these YUMMY spanish cookies. I forget what she calle them, but they are kind of like a shortbread cookie, cut into a diamond shape, and then completely covered in cinnamon and sugar. They practically melt in your mouth.

Holly went INSANE and crocheted a scarf for each of us. So impressed by that! She is an expert in my book! She said it only took her an hour for each one! An hour! That's it! Anyway, she made three different colors so we could choose which one we liked. They are sooooo soft.

Amy made cute little 5x5 accordian albums for each of us. I knew about this one, because I ran into her at Michaels when she was picking out the paper for them. I got to hand select my paper. Isn't it cute? Mackenzee's pictures will go so cute in it!

Montay got crafty too and made this adorable snow sign with wood blocks. It's perfect as I decorate with snowmen at my house. So, I was super excited to see what she had done. I had no idea she was a toll painter. The things we learn at girls night!

Michelle's was adorable. This is just a little round glass bowl with a styrofoam ball on top. She decorated all of it up with blue felt and buttons and tah dah! The most adorable candy dish I have ever seen! The nose is literally a little wooden carrot.










And last but not least....
Alicia made homemade tree ornaments,

sewed a little cloth tree, and attached the story of the three trees to it all. If you haven't read the story...you really should. A really great Christmas story.


My craft was a coffee can sized tin that I decorated up with snowflake wrapping paper and a 3" snowflake ribbon with a little wooden snowflake charm tied on with white fibers. I filled the inside with soap snowballs. They turned out really cute. Wish I had remembered to take a picture!


Anyway...we had so much fun chatting and eating and swapping. I just love my girls night girls! You all make me laugh. Thanks so much for sharing your talents and yourselves with me!

When Christmas Come To Town

I watched the Polar Express last night on ABC Family and just had to share warm fuzzies with you. I think this movie has to be my absolute favorite Christmas movie. Great music...great meaning...Good message. And this song is one that gets me every time.
Once again...Merry Christmas!

I've been busy...

working on this project for Jaysen's mom. She got busy and gutted out her basement several months ago, cleaning out all of her children's stuff, trying to make it useable for the grandkids. She even painted the walls. I was impressed. On Thanksgiving, she told me of her great idea for decor in the basement. She had purchased 5 frames and wanted each family to make a collage of their family to fill their own frame. Does that make sense? Anyway...she had already purchased some paper and stickers with themes of the things her grandkids liked to do (like sports, music, horses, dancing, etc.). She gave me the innards of my frame on Thanksgiving so that I could get going on it. I barely got to it today. Where it's a long frame, I've been trying to figure out exactly how to fill it. My brain doesn't work in "collage mode". I do straight up and down. ;0) I can't help it. And, I knew Rita wanted to showcase her grandkids talents and interests in the frame. But, I think I made it all

work out.

The length of the frame perfectly fit three 12x12 papers, and the width was 11 1/2 inches. So, I figured I would just make three scrapbook pages. I know how to do that. Easy enough right?

Each of my kids got their own page with this years photo and then I shrunk down and cropped three "activity" photos of each kid as well. For Landon, golfing, piano, and soccer. Kenzee was harder because she doesn't "do" stuff. But I found a cute cheesy grin picture, one of her and Toby as she is obsessed with animals, and then a picture of us at tumbling class. The only problem was figuring out what to do on the third page. But, after taking these cute pics of the kids and their grandparents, it was a pretty easy decision.

The only hard part for me was that I was truly limited in how I embellished the page, because unlike a scrapbook page, this has to go behind glass to fit into the frame. So, they are a little bland compared to my usual...but I think they'll work great. Not that I usually get much more elaborate than this :0)

Think she'll like it? I'm hoping so. Also hoping that it doesn't get destroyed by my children before she even gets to see it!

Anyway...I thought I'd share this as I was thinking it would make a wonderful grandma/mom Christmas present. So, for those of you that are still stressing on what to give...this was so easy! The frames are 40% off at Michaels right now. I think they end up being about $20 or so. The scrapbook stuff...we all have! So, it would be rather inexpensive as well!

Happy crafting!

Christmas baking

It's a yearly tradition at my house. One big day of making Christmas goodies to share with friends and family. This year I was alone, sadly. Every other year I've had my little sister doing it with me. There have been years where others have participated as well, but she was always there. So, it was sad to not have her here to do this with me. She moved this last summer up to Nampa. I did call her as I was working on the goodies to find that she was doing the same thing! Making Christmas goodies...by herself. Apparently we were still on the same page. :)

This year I went with the super easy. Without the extra hands to help (Landon wasn't even here to help!) I tried to find things I could make that wouldn't take days to finish. Actually, every year I try to find something new and different that I haven't made before. It's fun finding the new recipes and ideas. I've made homemade Twix bars using Christmas cookie cutters, Nutter Butter Santas, Eggnog Truffles....you get the idea. But EVERY year we make pb cups and pb Ritz sandwich crackers dipped in chocolate. It's just what we do. But, those take some serious time. Making the pb Ritz sandwiches and then dipping....and the cups take a bit too. A dollup of chocolate, dollup of pb, final dollup of chocolate. Sigh. Needless to say, this year was truly a sad year in the goodie department. I did come up with some really great ideas with the help of the internet :0) so I thought I'd share!

These were truly easy. Just unwrap some caramels, dip them in chocolate and sprinkle with your desired topping. I used whatever I had in my cupboard. Nuts, sprinkles, coconut, pb chips...you get the idea. Whatever tastes good in a candy bar with caramel...go for it! Even crushed pretzels would go great on it. Or, if you've got the time and patience...you could wait for the chocolate to dry and use a colored frosting and make cool designs on the top. Swirls, zig zags, stuff like that.

These did take a little more time as the dough has to refrigerate for an hour, and then with the cutting out of the shapes, and several trays of cookies to bake.....you get the idea. I'm not a cookie baker, but these did go really quick. I used mini cookie cutters, so these are bite sized, which means I could bake 20 cookies per sheet, 10 minutes per batch...it wasn't too bad. After baking, I dipped half of them in colored chocolate and sprinkled the chocolate with the same color of sugar sprinkles. My daughter ate three all at once. Apparently that means they are good. OH! And they are gingerbread cookies. Not sugar cookies.

This one was the easiest by far. I have made peppermint bark in the past. But this one is my favorite so far...just melt chocolate in your double boiler, spread on parchment paper on a cookie sheet to desired thickness, and then sprinkle with those yummy Andes peppermint chips. The chips actually have itty bitty pieces of candy cane in them. So, there's still a small amount of crunch, but you still get tons of peppermint flavor. The only thing I would change is maybe using semisweet chips for the bark part instead of milk chocolate. I'm a dark chocolate girl. I would eat it up!

And, this is something that I try to make every year. My mom got these chocolate molds FOREVER ago. I don't know how long ago...but they've been around for a while. I borrowed them from her several years back, and have just kept using them. It's a full Nativity. I definitely use white chocolate as you wouldn't get the same effect using brown. I made four sets yesterday. They aren't quite done as I need to shave the excess off of the sides. I've just got the pieces laid out on parchment paper right now as you can see. But just look at the pieces! The molds actually have the mold for the stable as well, but I usually don't make that part, as I put all of the pieces in a cellophane bag and wrap it with a pretty ribbon. These I give out to those I visit teach, or those who Jaysen home teaches. I think what I love so much about these, is that my mom has a Nativity set she made out of porcelain a LONG time ago that she puts out every Christmas that is identical to these chocolate pieces. I was lucky enough to find an identical set of the porcelain Nativity this year at the CSI craft fair. It's truly beautiful. Unfortunately, it's not displayed this year for fear that Mackenzee will break the fragile pieces. But, my mom will have hers out...as always.

A New Age Has Begun

That's the tag line for this one. Just read on my Yahoo! home page that the next installment of the Narnia series will be out next May. Though I did read the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I haven't ever read this one. Sad, I know. For those of you like me, you can read about the plotline here.

Once again, it seems there will be another epic battle between good and evil. I did enjoy the movie version of the first book, so I assume I will end up seeing this one as well. I guess I better get a copy of the book so that I can brush up on my Narnia!

My Christmas Wishlist

is pretty specific this year. Last year if you would have asked me, I wouldn't have been able to give you a single idea. But this year I was prepared! ;0)

(These are in random order here. One is not wanted more than the other!)


I have been wanting a pasta maker for a while now. It's one of those "luxury" items, so I've never splurged. But isn't Christmas the time when you can unexpectedly get the items you normally wouldn't be able to? This machine has two other attachments, making it possible to make three different types of pasta. I wouldn't say that I was dying to make my own ravioli, but to make my own fresh noodles...yeah. Good stuff. Flavored pastas...can you imagine how yummy?

I am also in need of a bread machine. Mine died a couple of years ago and again...I just haven't gone and gotten another one.

There's just something about the smell of fresh homemade bread.

(You're hungry for a slice now aren't you?) It's just so yummy. And our home has been missing out on this. Sad, isn't it?

Cricut cartridges! I have fallen in love with my machine. OK, so not

literally, but I am loving having it around. Even with just the cartridge that comes with the machine, you can do SO many things. Letters, shapes, phrases...all with the push of a button. Check out my slideshow of the scrapbook pages I posted a while back and you'll see all the different things I did with my cricut in just a few days. This cartridge is one that I don't have that looks like I would enjoy. I'm more of a font cartridge girl, though I do use the shapes on my George cartridge. Now, if I only had more time to use the dang thing!

And last but not least....I need these two items to finish my Willow Tree Nativity set. The angel

with her beautiful stand so that she can look down over baby Jesus. The final touch

to complete my favorite Christmas decoration for my home.





Hopefully I've been good enough this year so that Santa will leave me one of these items on my wishlist. I can't admit to being perfect...so hopefully Santa will look past my "woops!" moments and fill my stocking. ;0) What's on your wishlist?

Christmas countdown....

Copying from another blog I read.....my family is going to complete an activity based Christmas advent calendar. To continue to get us in the spirit of Christmas. So, here are 24 Christmas based activities that our family can do to help spread the joy of the season till Christmas.


1. watch: how the grinch stole christmas (check)
2. drive around to see neighborhood lights (check)
3. make paper snowflakes (check)
4. make a paper chain for a Christmas countdown
5. make a present to leave for santa
6. read a christmas story
7. make cookies & treats for friends
8. take kid shopping so they can get a present for each other
9. donate our Christmas Jar (see Christmas jar post)
10. Watch: Nightmare before Christmas
11. make gingerbread houses
12. 12 days of Christmas for a friend ;0)
13. Host a Christmas craft exchange!
14. make hot chocolate floats
15. visit Santa at the Lynwood
16. make Christmas cupcakes!
17. Sign up to purchase gifts for a needy child
18. Watch: Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas
19. Check out Grandpa's display
20. 24 hour Josh Groban Christmas song marathon! (This one is my favorite!)
21. Watch: ELF
22. Go to a Christmas party!
23. Flannel board story of Jesus' birth!
24. Christmas talent show at Grandma's

Feel free to come and participate with us! We'd love to have you come!

A Very Brady Christmas

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Very Brady Christmas

For you, it's all about sharing times with family. Even if you all get a bit cheesy at times.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

To: Landon's Teacher

I found this cute idea in a Simple Scrapbooks magazine and thought I'd share it with you. It's a keepsake box for your childs' teacher.

materials:

5½ x 3½ x 5½ wooden box (or any wooden box with a hinged lid)

coordinating patterned papers (those shown are FoofaLa)

acrylic paint to match papers

rub-ons

letter rub-ons

ribbon

chalk

pencils

project by Elizabeth Dillow, Mountain House, CA

Instructions

1. Open the lid of the wooden box, and paint the edges of the lid and box. Let dry.

2. Measure the inside of the lid and the interior sides of the box; then cut patterned paper to fit. Adhere in place. (Elizabeth used a Xyron machine to cover her paper with adhesive. With cardstock, try something stronger, like PVA or Yes! Glue.)

3. Measure the exterior sides of the lid and the box; then cut patterned paper to fit. Adhere in place.

4. Embellish the lid of your box using theme rub-ons, letter rub-ons, and other appropriate accents. (Elizabeth used a box with a faux chalkboard top, adding two short pencils and a piece of chalk tied up with a ribbon.)

No guarantees that Mrs. Grubbs will be getting one this year. But it's the thought that counts right?

I love this one....

Last year, I went back to work for about two seconds. Ok, it was more like 6 months. Not because we needed the money. It was because I thought I needed it for sanity. Turns out, adding a job into the mix just created more INsanity. So, I'm back home now. But, the extra cash flow was super nice. Of course, it was only about $500 per month because I was only working part time and still had to pay for a babysitter, but still....
And, it was the holidays for the first two months of it! I have wanted this Willow Tree nativity for a long time. It is absolutely gorgeous. But, it does cost a few pennies, so I have never been able to go for it. I bought the main pieces before I started working last year thinking I would just

buy one set per year until the whole set was complete. (It comes in at least 5 boxes, which you have to buy seperately) And so Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, a donkey and a couple sheep sat on my table for a while. And honestly, they are truly beautiful all on their own. But I wasn't satisfied. So, I bought all the other sets except for the Creche (Stable) when I started working. I couldn't help myself! My mom was a dear and bought the Creche for me for Christmas last year to complete my set.

At least I thought it was complete until I took the pieces out of their boxes yesterday. I need an angel! There is no angel! So, I think I might have to trek down to Crowleys and buy myself a little angel on a stand. They do have one that matches the Creche. I remembered that. So, off I must go!

Anyway....this is my favorite Christmas decoration. The true meaning of Christmas. And cause for a great discussion about it at the dinner table last night. The creator of these pieces did such a beautiful job. The pieces are so simple, which is exactly the type of circumstances that He was born into. Nothing fancy, just simple.
Merry Christmas!

What is your dessert IQ?

I found this link while browsing for new recipes on foodnetwork.com and had a little fun with my dessert iq. I got 8 out of 10 right. Do you think you can beat it?

Craft of the Week!

It's Christmastime! You probably already knew that though. We all have those people that we don't know what to get for Christmas. And gift cards, or i-Tunes cards are very popular right now. I realize they sell gift card holders (I have purchased some really cute ones!), but where most of us a pretty crafty people....why not make our own? I found this really cute idea at giftmakermagazine.com and thought...cute, fun, homemade.....you can't go wrong! They look pretty simple too! Now, I'm not a sewer on my scrapbook projects...so I would just use a really strong adhesive on the edges to glue to sides together and then ink and distress like crazy! (Because that's what I do) So, have fun with this one and let me know how it turns out!

Christmas Jars

Needing some help getting into the TRUE spirit of Christmas? Or maybe you are looking for a new tradition to start in your family? READ THIS BOOK! My grandma gave me this book a week ago, and though it is a short read...I just barely got to reading it on Saturday. I finished it up last night with some serious warm fuzzies. My grandma also gave me a jar to go with my book...so we've got some serious work to do here! I'm excited to get Landon involved though. To help him understand what Christmas is really all about. Not what we GET, but what we can give with our hearts. ;0)

Merry Christmas!

Hairspray

Okay...so I saw this movie over the Thanksgiving holiday and honestly...I wasn't that impressed. I love musicals....if they have catchy songs with catchy lyrics. Moulin Rouge comes to mind. (One of my favorites) Anyway...I probably could have gotten past this but I was appalled at the use of all of the little inuendos that were thrown into the movie. I have seen the original, though it has seriously been some years. So I don't remember if these inuendos were in the first movie or if they were added in just for us now, but nonetheless....half of them weren't even necessary. Their singing songs and in the middle of it throw in, "Looks like you could use a stiff one!" I realize the movie is called Hairspray...which makes hair stiff....but you get what I'm pointing out here right? It's not necessary. The movie could have just been a warm fuzzy movie about the changing times then with integration, and about not conforming to people's ideas of the "right" way to look. I'm assuming that was the message they were trying to get across. ;0)

It wasn't horrible....but I did find myself disappointed. I do love the last song they sing in the movie..."You Can't Stop the Beat". It's catchy. ;0)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving! Eat lots of yummy food! I know I will! I hear there's a Prime Rib waiting for me! I know...not your conventional Turkey Day dinner...though there will be turkey there as well. Jaysen's mom is going all out this year I guess. I'll let you know just how many calories I consumed later! ;0) I'm just kidding. I don't want to know. There's no counting today! Today is a free day! So, stuff yourselves silly. ;0)

Let It Snow?

We got our first "official" snow last night. It wasn't much, but snow did fall from the sky and it's frozen to my car as we speak. (Still not able to park in the garage due to the hoardes of unopened boxes in there.)
Honestly, I'm not a big fan of snow. I know we need it for the moisture and all. But if God could just let it strategically fall onto the fields for the farmers and even up on the mountains...that would be perfect! Not on the roads please! I hate driving in the snow. It's miserable. I drive like an old lady with white knuckles on the steering wheel. It's not my driving I'm concerned about...it's all the other lunatics out there in their SUVs who think that because their car is massive and they have 4 wheel drive that they can still drive fast. Now, don't get me wrong....we own an SUV. We're just not lunatics. ;0) 4 wheel drive does not creat a protective bubble around your vehicle. And what's worse, the bigger the SUV seems to get, the crazier the driver seems to be. (No offense mom....you are not one of these I am speaking about!) So, they drive fast, crash into another car.....and because they are driving their massive cars they crush those they crash into. Their SUV retains minimal damage, but those of us driving safely....have to go without our cars because we were ran over by a Hummer. Sigh.
On the bright side here....the kids were truly excited about the snowfall last night and were hoping for more so that they could build a snowman today. So, they were highly disappointed this morning to see that there was nothing out there for them. I think if I was actually able to pick up each individual piece of snow on the grass in my backyard I could make ONE snowball. And not a very big one. ;0)
So, do you think we'll have a white Christmas? At the rate we're going it's not very likely. And though I complain...it's honestly not Christmas without snow. Big fluffy white snow. After Christmas it can all melt....

Addictions

65%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Oakland Dating

See...it's not as bad as you might think! ;0) I have way worse addictions than this one!

I'm Trying.

To be healthy that is...

Of course, it is the week of Thanksgiving and I can guarantee you that I will have gained several pounds by the time this week is over. BUT! I do try to pick healthy things on a normal day to day basis to eat. Although I do usually end up blowing it with my after dinner sweets. Sigh. A girl can only give up so much!

Anyway...found this cereal


and LOVE it! It's called Oat Flakes & Wild Blueberry Clusters. It's one of Kashi's Heart to Heart cereals. And not that I have high cholesterol or blood pressure or anything of that sort...but it never hurts to eat a little whole grain now and then! ;0) And blueberries...I just love. And...did you know that blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity? Antioxidants can help protect the body against the aging process. So, it tastes yummy and helps me have that youthful glow. ;0) You can't go wrong with this one!

Why Blog?

I'm sure some of you think I'm crazy. Three blogs? Does she have no life? Shouldn't she be doing something better with her time?
And the answers are as follows...my life is very busy. Not for things pertaining specifically to me, but to my kids and hubby and church, etc. I'm always busy. Sometimes a little bit too much.
And sure, I could be doing the dishes instead of blogging. Or vacuuming. That would be responsible.
The thing is...blogging is something that I get to do for ME. I get to speak and have people....well at least a couple of you!....listen! Even if all I'm talking about it dumb stuff. The random things that pop into my head. Kids don't get that, and Jaysen sure doesn't want to hear me blather on about some of these things, just like I get bored listening to him talk about golf. ;0)
So, I blog! I get to tell you all about the cute things my kids did today. Or if I'm annoyed about something. Or about my new favorite song. Or even about this new recipe I found that is too yummy not to pass on. It's like having a little chit chat with friends, except that I get to do it in my pajamas drinking hot chocolate. What could be better?
The best part is when you....my friends and family....leave me little comments to let me know what you think. It's like an actual conversation. We've shared a moment. ;0) So, if you're not leaving me comments...what's wrong with you? Do you not have anything to say to me? LOL
So, there you have it. This is why I blog. For sanity. For sanity in my world of soccer, gymnastics, piano lessons, Primary and PTA.
The End.

Curl Up With A Good Book

So, I thought I'd pass on some good reading for all you book lovers out there! I LOVE to read. If I have found a good book, I will stay up till the wee hours of the night reading it. I won't be able to put it down. And I love how books can do that to you. How they pull you into the story so much you feel like you truly know the characters. You get to feel what they feel. It's truly amazing. Only the good authors can do that. Here are a few that I have stayed up till the wee hours of the night for....

~Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer

~The Kingdom and the Crown Series by Gerlad N. Lund

~Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

~Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares

~In The Garden Series by Nora Roberts

~The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Notice that most of these are done in a series. They can't contain the story into just one novel. I love that. I don't love having to wait for the next installment though. I like my stories to start and end...not be left hanging wide open. Sigh. Patience is not one of my better qualities. Oh well. And I know you're probably thinking, "Sisterhood the Traveling Pants?" The movie seriously did not give the books justice and it only covered book 1. They actually came out with #4 not too long ago and though I purchased the book, I have not had time to read it yet. I got into the Stephanie Meyer books instead and haven't gotten back to the Pants yet. The Pants book are just warm and fuzzy girls growing up trying to figure themselves out books. I cried. yep. I did. Warm. Fuzzy. Good stuff. And the Garden Series is a nice change from the norm as well. Three books done in a series, but each one is done from a different persons perspective. No, you don't go back and relive the same events from another characters eyes. It is a continuation of the same story, just from another persons perspective. And, if you like the whole fantasy type aspect of the Stephanie Meyer books, you'll like these too because it's a ghost story. ;0) The Thirteenth Tale starts out kind of slow, but don't let it trick you. Such a good story! It's kind of a mystery, but not really. ;0) And the Kingdom Series is one that everyone needs to read. It is the story of the life of a family living in the time of Jesus and their experiences with him. Obviously not true to life, but the main parts of the Bible describing the miracles of Jesus and his resurrection are depicted in such a way that it makes it quite a bit more personal for you. It also helps you to understand what the times were like and their ways of life and why it was so hard for the believers then. I bawled in each book. How could you not?

Anyway...as you can see I don't have a specific author that I stick to, nor do I stick to a specific genre. If it's a good book....I'll read it! Let me know if you've read any of these or if I've missed some on my list of good reads!