Releasing the Resolution Grip

We often start the new year off with a list of goals and resolutions, that are usually lost within the busyness of life by January 27th.  Good intentions, but often unrealistic.

This year, rather than making a list of goals and plans, I decided to chose one word.  

Just one word.  

Purposeful.

I can apply that word to so many areas of my life.  

I can remember one word so much better than a list of do's and don'ts.

Purposeful in my parenting.  Purposeful in my walk with Christ.  Purposeful in my eating habits.  Purposeful in how I spend my time.

See!  It's so much easier!

Some of the runners-up were:

Aware

Diligent

Joyful

Content

I challenge you, on this Eve of a fresh new start, to put away the long list of self promises and unattainable goals.  

Release the grip of guilt that often comes with New Year's resolutions.  

The start of a new year should bring freedom, not guilt.  So choose a word that fits YOU.

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Because I'm a dork, I just have to show off the snow we accumulated the day after Christmas.

This is a BIG deal 'round here.  We don't get a winter wonderland very often; and for this winter lovin' girl, I'm as happy as a polar bear!

Happy New Year dear friend!

Thanks for being a part of my 2010!

P.S.  I'd love to hear what word you might choose!

Festive and Fun

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.  

Merry and bright.

Filled with wonder. 

My boys on Christmas Eve celebrating my FIL's birthday

Our kids are still at that magical age.  Their excitement is contagious.  Their honest gratitude is beautiful.  Their wonder is a delight.  And they don't need a nap in the middle of Christmas to function.  Perfecto!

In my happy place: capturing our memories (with an ancient video camera that still uses tapes)  :)

This was a fun gift to give my girls:  Turbie Twists, hair accessories, and a fancy hairdryer.
No more borrowing my hairdryer, yay!

We usually do Christmas Eve with my in-laws, Christmas morning with just us, then my parents come over for brunch.  We head over to their house for the rest of the day and usually have an early dinner.  This year my dad (who NEVER cooks) made Christmas dinner.  We were all very impressed with his chili.  He even used a Rachel Ray recipe!

The best part of the day was a video phone conversation with my brother who is currently deployed.  It was such a sweet time for my kids (and the grown ups) to get to "see" him.  Christmas just isn't the same when a loved one is so far away.

This is what Reeses Cups for breakfast looks like:

For the first time since the 1940's our area had ...

a white Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a wonderful day filled 

with JOY, BEAUTY, and PEACE.

As our family celebrates the greatest

GIFT

God's own son, Jesus, we hope

you have had a year filled with his 

grace and love.

Spicy Pretzels

 I love an easy recipe.  When my friend Leslie gives me a recipe I KNOW it is going to be good.  I was not disappointed with this one.  So simple and good!

1 pkg. dry ranch dressing

1 cup canola oil*

2-3 Tbs. crushed red pepper**

16 oz bag pretzels

Mix all ingredients in a gallon zip bag.  Turn to coat.  Let sit for at least 30 minutes.  Enjoy!
No baking.  No mess.  Just delish.

*Canola is a must.  Don't just use vegetable oil
**I added 2 1/2 Tbs. and it wasn't too spicy.  I could even go for 3-4 Tbs, but I have to keep it kid friendly around here. 


I'm linking up with Tasty Tuesdays

A Sweet Day

Today was our first official day of Christmas break.   

Glory, hallelujah, amen and amen.

We decided to celebrate with a little shugah...

 1. Baking little treasures doesn't have to be tedious:  make a box of brownies and pour into mini muffin tins.  While they are still hot add a piece of Reeses cup or half of an Andes peppermint.  I love easy.  And chocolate.  And peppermint.

 2. The giant tub of pretzels at Target called my name because I knew I had some white chocolate bark at home to dress them up a little.

 3. Speaking of dressing, this is how I dressed my oreos for winter.  ;)

4. Have you tried the Spicy Mochas at Caribou Coffee?  Sweet with a spicy back kick.  Delish!

5. Speaking of a kick, I discovered a new recipe with a kick this week.  Pretzels being the main ingredient.  I promise to share the recipe.  Don't you like all of my segues today?  (I totally had to spell check segue).

6. Spending time with my kiddos in the kitchen sure beats trying to figure out 6th grade math!

Hope you had a SWEET day!

Sunday Rest

Come, let us adore Him!

Infant babe, sent to save the world.

Personalized Garland

 Otherwise titled: When you have nothing better to do

I noticed a really neat garland at a local church on Saturday.  "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords" was typed on brown craft paper.  I couldn't find craft paper on a roll, so I got a little creative.  Besides, I didn't trust my hand, so I needed to be able to trace some letters.

Supplies:

~ a roll of cash register/adding machine paper
~ scissors
~ sharpie pen
~a cute font

I chose Zapfino font because I thought it looked Christmasy without being too formal.  Just print out your words and then use the pen to trace the words.
It's SO easy!

 If you have neat handwriting, a steady hand, and no one to interrupt you, then you don't even have to do the tracing step.  Play around with the fonts and the words you choose. I think using your family name would be pretty, too!

As with most crafts, about half way through you will be cursing me {or getting high off the Sharpie odor}, but stick with it.   You will feel so crafty when it's done.

For a 9' tree, I did 4 separate strips because when it gets too long, it starts to get tangled and tears easily.  I started off using the red marker, but the black showed up a little better.  Once I finished, I realized that it would be pretty using the alternating colors.  There's always next year!

*I'm linking up with this Christmas Tree Party.  and this Show and Share day