New Year, New Me? We'll see.

Happy New Year! Have you made any resolutions for the new year?

Here's my ABC's version of resolutions ideas I have for 2009.

A--Answer my phone when it rings
B--Blog at least 5 times a week
C-- Cook more, eat out less
D--Dress better and get out of my "comfy clothes" rut
E--Exercise, even if I don't feel like it
F--Forgive
G--More girls nite outs!
H--More date nights with my Hubby
I--Increase our savings, pay off debt
J--Just be myself
K--Keep my house cleaner
L--Less junk food
M--Make more time for myself
N--Not dwell on things
O--Organize my craft room
P--Play more with my kids
Q--Quit being negative
R--Read some books, not just magazines
S--Speak my mind more
T--Take more camping trips this year
U--Get rid of the granny undies (ha ha ha)
V--Visit friends & family more
W--Watch my portion sizes
X--New xperiences (cheated! but what begins with x really?)
Y--Yell less
Z--Get more zzzzzzz's (bed earlier!)

New Years Eve plans

New Years Eve is tomorrow night! Can't believe 2008 is coming to an end....seems like it flew by!

The big thing around here is chinese food for dinner on New Years. But that's not happening with us...unless I want my husband to go pick it up and return an hour later! Who am I kidding...it's usually a few hours later! It's crazy with the wait times for your food!

A few years ago, we decided to get KFC. Yes, I know...very healthy! But there's no wait and it's probably one of the three times a year we eat it. So I'm sure that will be our New Year's Eve dinner once again.

Last year, we actually let the kids stay up to watch the ball drop. Not so sure if we'll do it again this year...we'll see how much begging & pleading is done. So here's a poll:

What are your fabulous plans for New Years Eve? (and when you tell me you have a babysitter and you're going out, I'll be so very jealous!)

Applesauce & ketchup

No, we don't eat those together! But we do go through applesauce & ketchup like nothing in any given week. I need to have many jars of these items in my pantry at all times!

Ketchup goes on all the usual stuff: french fries, chicken nuggets, burgers, hot dogs, mac & cheese. But it drowns these things out! My kids love ketchup and go through so much at a sitting. Lucas will even sit and just eat ketchup. Like it's a side being served with dinner.

Applesauce is another meal staple. It comes out with every meal. Every single one. Well, except the ones that require ketchup. We'll go through a half of a big jar at a meal easily. EJ dips his meat in it (chicken, steak, pork chops, ham). Lucas just eats it. Maddie is not a huge applesauce eater though...it's her last resort if she's not liking anything else on the plate. I've brought on this applesauce habit...we had it with every meal when I was little...and now I need it with everything! My husband doesn't get it...because he doesn't eat it at all.

What are the side staples on your dinner table?

Waiting is the hardest part....

Well....last week I had a great wordless Wednesday post all ready to go. It was a picture of Santa holding up a onesie that said "August 1, 2009". At our annual Christmas party the Saturday before, we had told our family that we were expecting baby number four! I was 8 weeks along and feeling good. We were so excited. And the kids were excited.

Then some spotting started.

I called my doctor's office and they sent me in for an ultrasound. All they could see was a empty gestational sac and yolk sac. But no fetal pole (no baby).

Back to the doctors office we went. She said that it could really go either way...my dates/ovulation could be off or I could be miscarrying. We'll schedule another ultrasound for next Tuesday and see.

I'd be more optimistic if it wasn't still spotting and cramping.

So here I sit. Not knowing. Wondering. Anxious. Sad.

Do I really need this?

Since we did the addition on the house, I've been slowly trying to weed out the silly, stupid and un-useful (is that a word?) things that I don't ever use. Yet every year at Christmas, dh finds something to put in my stocking that I soooo do not need.

Last year it was.....um....hell, I don't even remember...wait...I do! It was one of those one touch can opener things. I don't think I ever used it....and possibly returned it.

Want to know what this year's gem was? A tomato slicer. Did you even know they made something like that?

Well they do.

And now I own one.

Next time I have tomatoes to slice oh-so-perfectly, I'll have the right tool for the job.
You're jealous. I know you are.

Music to my ears!

Dh got me an iPod Nano for Christmas (in purple!). I had a mp3 player and it broke after about 6 months of use. It was a sad day because I love having the music so I can workout, take walks and listen to it while I fall asleep. I was very excited to get the iPod and just spent all morning rebuilding my music collection...and used about $30 of my iTunes gift cards adding more!

Ok....got the music back...now what can I use as my excuse as to why I'm not exercising??

Congrats and a present for....

....Andreah! She's the lucky winner of the $25 Quote the Walls gift certificate! Merry Christmas to you! (and I want to see a picture when you put your new quote up!)

Thanks to everyone that entered! Hope to have more giveaways in the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Hope Santa brought you everything you wanted!

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Meals

Keeping with my little Christmas theme this week...what does your Christmas meals consist of?

We usually do a prime rib or roast beef dinner but sadly, the kids haven't really been into that lately. So this year, I'm making a spiral ham. Just as yummy...and one of my 8 yo's favorite! So the menu this year is:

• Spiral Ham
• Mashed Potatoes
• Corn (I want cream style but I'm the only one who eats that)
• Crescent Rolls
• Applesauce
• Dessert: Friendly's Ice Cream roll...yum!

And... I'm think I'm going to try this recipe for breakfast this year: Breakfast Bake.

What about you...what's your favs? =)

Vote for me please!

Tip Junkie is having a Christmas Tree Contest. Please vote for my tree "Jen's Memories" if you feel that it's pretty (I know you do!) Thank you!!!

Holiday Traditions

With Christmas, in THREE days (!), I want to know what some of your traditions are! Here's ours:

• You already know about our Elf on the Shelf tradition...the kids love that!
  
• Every year, our tree gets a family photo ornament put on it as well as a photo ornament of just the kids.
  
• We open pajamas on Christmas eve and wear them to bed that night.
• Dh & I take turns reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to the kids before putting them to bed.
  
• On Christmas morning, we take a picture of all of us in our new jammies, bedhead and all, for Our Christmas Memories Book. (This is my favorite tradition..I love that we'll have a nice record of our Christmases, what we did that year along with a photo. We started it at my son's first Christmas)
  

Just a few of ours...what about you???

Friday Fragments 12.19.08

• Big snowstorm coming this way for us today. Supposed to get 12" of snow! The kids are excited! Too bad I have 3 sleds for Christmas presents! lol
  
• Where the heck is my camera? I can't find it! Hopefully it will appear before the snow does so I can get pictures of the kids!
  
• EJ & Maddie had a singalong at school today. So cute! EJ was all embarrassed I think because he was standing next to his "crush".
  
• Our Christmas party is tomorrow night....I must finish my cleaning today and start getting things set up.
• No idea what to do for dinner tonight...might have dh bring home pizza before the storm starts so we have it here for later. And I'll get a yummy salad!
• When the kids get home, we're going to make paper plate Reindeers.
• Have you entered my giveaway yet?
  

Color me happy!

I came across this paper in Maddie's schoolwork while I was cleaning today:

How cute is that? "I would like to be a rtist" he he. She's in Kindergarten and keeps telling me that she wants to be an artist when she grows up because she's a "GREAT drawer".

I always wanted to do something with art too but didn't because I was too scared to actually major in ART in college. I should have. I wish I had taken courses for graphic design or something to use my artistic skills.

Hopefully, my daughter will follow her dreams...whatever they shall be....and not have any regrets. =)

Wall Quotes & a Giveaway!

When we put our addition on 2 years ago, it meant I could do some decorating. Decorating is not something I'm good at! By some luck, my kitchen pulled together nicely. My bedroom is getting there but my livingroom....not so much! Maybe someday! One of my favorite things in my livingroom though, is my picture wall. I love the quote I have over the pictures: "All because two people fell in love". You can say it: "Awwwwwwwwwww....."
I also have a quote in my kitchen: "For Family & Friends, For health & happiness, For good food & fun, We give Thee thanks" (It's on the top of the wall there)And one over our bed: "Always Kiss Me Goodnight"

oh, and one in the kids bathroom upstairs: "It's a Jungle in Here"

Yes...as you can tell, I LOVE these quotes....and get many, many compliments on them! They are made from vinyl lettering and are pretty easy to put on the wall! You can choose your color, your font and the quote of your choice! There's quite a few places where you can get the lettering but one of my favs is Quote The Walls. Rebecca is great to work with, quick to help you with your ideas and has great prices! (and check out her eparty option!)

And she's also very generous: You can win a $25 Gift Certificate to Quote the Walls! All you have to do is visit her site, take a look around then come back here and let me know how you'd use your $25 if you won! You can gain an extra entry by Twittering or Stumbling this post and leaving an additional comment. Winner will be chosen on Christmas Day...one lucky person will get a gift for herself that day! US Residents only please!

I love these ornaments!

Last week, I got an email from Polkadots & Moonbeams saying their ornaments were half price. There were so cute so I bought one for each of my kids for "their" ornament this year. They came superfast yesterday and they are absolutely adorable! I ordered one for my Goddaughter as well (and had to give it early!) I've ordered personalized plates through here as gifts as well and they were cherished by the recipient! Please check her out next time you're looking for some unique gifts!

Baseball for EJ

Dragonfly for MaddieTrain for Lucas!

PS. Come back tomorrow for another one of my favorite things and a GIVEAWAY! =)

Our Christmas Party

So....we're having our Christmas Party next weekend at 4. Should be fun! We didn't have a party last year because we went to Disney. Santa is making his appearance at 6:30...the kids will love it! And thanks to Friday nights Cookie Exchange...I'll have all sorts of cookies for dessert for everyone!

The menu so far:

• Deli platter
• Chicken wrap platter (BBQ chix, Chix salad & Buffalo Chix)
• Crock pot cheese potatoes
  
• Mac & Cheese for the kids
• A salad coming from SIL
• Sausages, peppers & onions from SIL
• Meatballs from my sister
• Chicken wings from my mom
• Chips & Dip from my dad
• Chicken cacciatore from dh's SIL
• Assorted yummy desserts & apps from other friends & family members

I get all queer and anxious thinking I won't have enough food! Do you have any great crowd friendly recipes to share?

My Christmas Tree

Tip Junkie is having a Christmas Tree Decorating Contest! I wanted to post a picture of our Christmas Tree so I thought this would be a perfect reason to!

I love our Christmas Tree! I use a combo of colored and clear lights. Most of the ornaments on our tree have special meaning: Our First Christmas Together, New Mom & Dad, EJ, Maddie & Lucas' first Christmas, special ornaments from grandparents and lots and lots of photo ornaments! I make or buy an ornament every year that features our family photo. I think it will be great to look back at all the photos when the kids are bigger. Each kid has a "My First Christmas" photo ornament as well. I love that the ornaments give me that fuzzy "hallmark commercial" feeling when I look at them.

Soon, I'm hitting up my mom for some of the ornaments from my childhood that I made. I also hope to get one of her blue & purple glass ornaments that she loves as well!


The only thing I haven't found yet is the "perfect" star. I keep looking and looking but nothing yet!

What's the favorite thing about your Christmas Tree?

A new post? Really?

Sorry blog readers of mine. My blog has been so quiet the past week! I've been in a funk and can't think. I've had some great ideas to blog about. GREAT ideas. But I think of them when I'm drifting off the sleep and then they disappear by morning! I really need to write the ideas down when they come to me! Trust me..they've been good too. Really! I swear!

It's been pretty busy around here with Christmas coming and all. Instead of sitting in front of my computer for hours on end doing my household chores... I've been getting ready for Christmas...shopping, planning a party, planning a cookie exchange (which went great Friday night...thanks for asking!). So my blog is lacking. I promise I'll have some good stuff for you this week. Swear!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday 12.10.08

Christmas is when??

Two weeks from tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Yes, CHRISTMAS EVE! Where does the time go? I'm starting to get in panic mode because I still have gifts to buy but don't know what to get. I have gifts to mail. I need to plan food for our Christmas Party on the 2oth and order it. My head is all over the place this year. UGH!

Are you ready for Christmas?

The Winners!

Thank you to everyone who participated in my Virtual Cookie Exchange! Lots of yummy recipes to try (and thank you for making me fat after I eat them all!)

Congrats to all the winners! You should have received an email from me...if not, please contact me asap!

• A $10 gift certificate to Charmies Online. Congrats Jennifer (48)!
  
• A $25 gift certificate to GoosyGear. Congrats Ashley (34)!
  
• A $20 gift certificate to Ribbon Rain-Bows. Congrats April (29)!
  
• A "Snowman Pin" courtesy of Michigan Egg Connection. Congrats Meg (10)!
• A $20 gift certificate to Kozy Pal Shopping Cart Covers. Congrats April (29)!
• A set of 20 personalized note cards (blue or pink) from Sweet Pea Creations. Congrats Mrs. 4444(20)!
• A custom letter from Santa courtesy of J&L Creations. Congrats BlueViolet(16)!
• A $20 gift certificate to Sassy Sparkle. Congrats Marie (53)!
• A bar of handmade kitchen soap from Sonflower Springs Specialty Shoppe. Congrats Georgie (23)!
• A Christmas Bow from Ginbug Bows. Congrats Tena (46)!
• A $15 gift certificate to You Are Loved Children's Resale shop. Congrats Tanya (8)!
• Some bows from I'm Pretty Boutique. Congrats Proud Mommay (33)!
• A $20 gift certficate to MiniWrappers4You. Congrats McMommy (30)!
• A $10 gift certficate to Just Mix & Bake. Congrats LisaLMG (31)!
• A pair of Swarovski Crystal Christmas earrings from MyMommysBracelets.com. Congrats Evolving Mommy Catherine (56)!
• A Blog Redesign from Where to Start Websites. Congrats Tara (15)!
• A $20 gift certificate to Shaebella. Congrats Anne (1)!
• A $20 gift certificate toward a Hand Stamped Necklace at Bead Creations International. Congrats Dawn (49)!
• A $25 gift certificate to Something 2 Brag About. Congrats Melissa (2)!

Please visit all the sponsors for your holiday shopping! They are all work at home moms and would love your support!

Truffle Recipes

These are the 2 truffle recipes I'm making for my Cookie Exchange next weekend. Thought I'd share them as part of the Virtual Cookie Exchange too. (Please post your recipe and enter for lots of giveaways!)

Simply Sensational Truffles

• 2-1/2 pkg. (20 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
• decorations: chopped PLANTERS COCKTAIL Peanuts, multi-colored sprinkles

MELT 8 chocolate squares. Beat cream cheese with mixer until creamy. Blend in melted chocolate. Refrigerate until firm.

SHAPE into 36 balls. Place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet.

MELT remaining chocolate. Use fork to dip truffles; return to baking sheet. Decorate, then refrigerate 1 hour.

Mocha Truffles

• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1-1/2 teaspoons powdered instant coffee
• 1/2 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips or HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chopped nuts or HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate, grated

1. Combine whipping cream, sugar, butter and instant coffee in small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, just until mixture boils.

2. Remove from heat; immediately add chocolate chips. Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred; add vanilla. Pour into small bowl; refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to set. Cover; refrigerate several hours or overnight to allow mixture to ripen and harden.

3. Shape small amounts of mixture into 1-inch balls, working quickly to prevent melting; roll in nuts or chocolate. Cover; store in refrigerator. Serve cold. About 16 truffles.

Don't forget to enter your recipe in my Virtual Cookie Exchange!

Virtual Cookie Exchange 2008

It's Time for the Virtual Cookie Exchange!



Today's the day! Time for our Virtual Cookie Exchange! Have fun viewing & saving your favorite cookie recipes. We'll have lots of giveaways for you as well! How do you participate? It's easy!

1. Find your favorite cookie or candy recipe.
2. Post it on your blog with a link back to my Virtual Cookie Exchange.
   
3. Add the link to your recipe on Mr. Linky below. (If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your recipe in your comment)
   
4. Leave a comment at the bottom of this post.
   
5. Gain an extra entry by Stumbling this post and leaving another comment.
   
6. Gain an extra entry by Twittering this post and leaving another comment.
7. You have all weekend to participate! Virtual Cookie Exchange runs until 11:59pm December 7!
   

All random prize winners will be drawn from comment entries on Monday, December 8th...so leave a comment! You must have posted a recipe on your blog or in a comment to be eligible for a prize should your name be drawn. US residents only please. Also, make sure I have a way to get in touch with you! All unclaimed prizes will be redrawn on Wednesday, December 10th so check back!





And please....visit our sponsors below! They have some wonderful items for sale that would make great Holiday Gifts!

Giveaways include:

• A $10 gift certificate to Charmies Online.
• A $25 gift certificate to GoosyGear.
• A $20 gift certificate to Ribbon Rain-Bows.
• A "Snowman Pin" courtesy of Michigan Egg Connection.
• A $20 gift certificate to Kozy Pal Shopping Cart Covers.
• A set of 20 personalized note cards (blue or pink) from Sweet Pea Creations.
• A custom letter from Santa courtesy of J&L Creations.
• A $20 gift certificate to Sassy Sparkle.
• A bar of handmade kitchen soap from Sonflower Springs Specialty Shoppe.
• A Christmas Bow from Ginbug Bows.
• A $15 gift certificate to You Are Loved Children's Resale shop.
• Some bows from I'm Pretty Boutique.
• A $20 gift certficate to MiniWrappers4You.
• A $10 gift certficate to Just Mix & Bake.
• A pair of Swarovski Crystal Christmas earrings from MyMommysBracelets.com.
• A Blog Redesign from Where to Start Websites.
• A $20 gift certificate to Shaebella.
• A $20 gift certificate toward a Hand Stamped Necklace at Bead Creations International.
• A $25 gift certificate to Something 2 Brag About.
  

Wordless Wednesday 12.3.08

Random Tuesday Thoughts

1. Holy Crap...I won something! A cool little Pro Wheelie Cycle thing from Amy at Thoughts from The Mrs. Woo hoo! That will be great for my 8 year old!
2. I think I put on like 10 lbs over Thanksgiving. WTH? Everything is so tight...guess I need to do some more exercising!
3. And because of some random act of freakness....I won another contest over at Complete & Utter Chaos! A Mary Kay kit! Woo hoo!
4. I'm going to go use my 40% of coupon at the local Hallmark store to buy Elf on the Shelf for my daughters classroom. She went to school all excited to tell the teacher that she has an elf at her house and she even asked our elf to send a friend to her classroom. Cute!
5. Today's a busy day....my daughter has daisies tonight and then we have to run over to ccd. We're doing a party at the end of it too...the kids will be psyched!
6. Did you know there's no such thing as a brown cat? I read somewhere that it's orange and black fur that gives a brown tint but never brown fur. Hmmm.....
   
7. I'm officially turkey-ed out. I don't even think I'll make soup. I need some beef. lol
   

QT Sunglasses for your Q-T!

Sure, winter may be approaching here in the Northeast but my daughter still wears sunglasses all the time! She was very excited today when she received a new pair of Dolce & Gabbana inspired sunglasses in pink from QT Sunglasses. She's been parading around the house like a little diva all day long! The sunglasses fit her great and aren't too big or too snug. They are oversized too so they provide great protection for her eyes (and are even a UV 400 rating!)
With Christmas coming, sunglasses would be a great stocking stuffer for the kids, hubby or even YOU--how often do you treat yourself?? (ohhh...I so wish I didn't wear glasses so I could buy some for me, darnit!) QT Sunglasses offers a great selection of designer inspired sunglasses for men, women and children! They offer their sunglasses at a great price too...you can purchase a few pairs to keep on hand. You'll also receive fabulous customer service from this work at home mom.

Go ahead and buy yourself friends & family some chic sunglasses....and use code QT09 to save 15% by 12/31/09!