- Fun birthday parties for the kids
- Mr. Man turned 50 and we had great fun putting together a "birthday book" for him
- My sister turned 50 and we had great fun putting together a gift of 50 things for her
- Mr. Man and I celebrated 10 years of marriage by getting away for the weekend
- My mom and sister came to visit
- Spent time with some awesome family members throughout the year
- Found out a niece on my side of the family is expecting her first child
- Found out a niece on Mr. Man's side of the family is expecting her first child
- Rejoiced in the birth of a baby to another niece and nephew
- Reconnected with great people
- Made new friends
- Hosted several events at our home
- Watched our kids growing up into amazing little people
- Staying connected with wonderful people
- and many, many more! Too many to name here. We are truly blessed.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Reflections
I have been sitting here wondering what to write since it has been such a long time since I have really posted anything and I starting remembering the happenings of 2010.
Friday Recipe - Loaded Breakfast Potato
I'm sure we've all had a loaded baked potato, with sour cream and cheese or maybe chili and cheese or even one of my favorites, broccoli cheese soup! But here is a little twist on that. It doesn't happen often in my house, but occasionally I will make too many baked potatoes for dinner leaving us with one or two stranded baked potatoes. The next morning I like to take that baked potato, warm it up in the microwave, then cut it in half and smash it a little. Top it with a little butter, one scrambled egg, some cheese, crumbled bacon bits, and a little salsa. This is so yummy!
Loaded Breakfast Potato (makes 1 serving)
INGREDIENTS:
1 baked potato
slab of butter (as much or little as you like)
1 slice of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 egg, scrambled
sprinkling of cheese
spoonful of salsa
sour cream
Warm up baked potato in microwave. Cut it in half lengthwise. Smash out the potato a little bit. Top with a butter. Top with egg and bacon. Then add cheese and finally top it off with a little salsa and sour cream if you desire. Eat up and enjoy!
Loaded Breakfast Potato (makes 1 serving)
INGREDIENTS:
1 baked potato
slab of butter (as much or little as you like)
1 slice of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 egg, scrambled
sprinkling of cheese
spoonful of salsa
sour cream
Warm up baked potato in microwave. Cut it in half lengthwise. Smash out the potato a little bit. Top with a butter. Top with egg and bacon. Then add cheese and finally top it off with a little salsa and sour cream if you desire. Eat up and enjoy!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Friday Recipe - Hot cocoa
What could be better than a little cup of hot cocoa on Christmas Eve. This year, we are planning to get in our PJ's, watch a Christmas movie (my vote is for Polar Express) and sip some hot cocoa!
This recipe has become a new family favorite in my house. I found the recipe here and we love it! I also mixed some up to give as gifts this year to neighbors, teachers, co-workers, etc. **I really like how she decorated the little bags to give her cocoa as gifts. I wasn't that creative though!
Hot Cocoa
INGREDIENTS:
2 c powdered sugar
1 c Hershey's cocoa
2 1/2 c powdered milk (processed to a fine powder)
1 tsp salt
1 Tbls flour
Mix everything together and store in an air-tight container. To serve, put 1/3 of the mixture in a cup and fill with hot water. Stir and enjoy!
To give this as a gift, I measured out 1/3 measurements into a Ziploc baggie. I put enough in each bag so the receiver could make 3-4 cups from each bag. I then made up some little tags on the computer and attached it to the bag that said "To serve: Put 1/3 cup of cocoa into a cup. Fill the cup with hot water. Stir and enjoy!"
This recipe has become a new family favorite in my house. I found the recipe here and we love it! I also mixed some up to give as gifts this year to neighbors, teachers, co-workers, etc. **I really like how she decorated the little bags to give her cocoa as gifts. I wasn't that creative though!
Hot Cocoa
INGREDIENTS:
2 c powdered sugar
1 c Hershey's cocoa
2 1/2 c powdered milk (processed to a fine powder)
1 tsp salt
1 Tbls flour
Mix everything together and store in an air-tight container. To serve, put 1/3 of the mixture in a cup and fill with hot water. Stir and enjoy!
To give this as a gift, I measured out 1/3 measurements into a Ziploc baggie. I put enough in each bag so the receiver could make 3-4 cups from each bag. I then made up some little tags on the computer and attached it to the bag that said "To serve: Put 1/3 cup of cocoa into a cup. Fill the cup with hot water. Stir and enjoy!"
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday Recipe - Chocolate Peanut Clusters
These are so easy and one of my favorite holiday treats. It makes quite a bit so these are good to give as gifts to neighbors, co-workers or teachers.
Chocolate Peanut Clusters
INGREDIENTS:
1 package (1 lb 8 oz) chocolate almond bark
1 package (11.5 oz) semi sweet chocolate chips
1 package (11.5 oz) milk chocolate chips
3 containers (12 oz each) Spanish peanuts
Melt chocolate almond bark in microwave according to package directions. Add in chocolate chips and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring well after each 30 seconds, until chips are fully melted. Stir in peanuts and mix well. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let sit until hardened. Store in an airtight container.
Chocolate Peanut Clusters
INGREDIENTS:
1 package (1 lb 8 oz) chocolate almond bark
1 package (11.5 oz) semi sweet chocolate chips
1 package (11.5 oz) milk chocolate chips
3 containers (12 oz each) Spanish peanuts
Melt chocolate almond bark in microwave according to package directions. Add in chocolate chips and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring well after each 30 seconds, until chips are fully melted. Stir in peanuts and mix well. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let sit until hardened. Store in an airtight container.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Our weekend in review
Saturday we went to a Candy Cane festival at a local candy factory. We had so much fun. They had hay rides, train rides, games, caroling, food and of course after the factory tour you got to shop in the candy store! We won tons of candy canes at the games and we shopped for more candy after that. This place makes Mitchell Sweets..... a homemade melt-in-your-mouth marshmallow wrapped in caramel. MMM MMMMM MMMMM goooood! I only bought one... I should've bought ten! (My butt wouldn't appreciate that I suppose!)
After that we went home and worked on Christmas present wrapping. Then I headed out to the grocery store and some present shopping.
Spirit made them dinner since Mr. Man and I weren't hungry. He decided on chicken noodle soup (from a can) and peaches (from a can). Had I not been there he wouldn't have added the water to the soup and would've tried to microwave it in the can, but other than that he did it by himself. While he "made" dinner, Lady Bug made pink lemonade for them to drink.
After that we popped popcorn and watched some Christmas movies.Good times, good memory-making!
Sunday the kids went to an ornament exchange party after church and they also got to make gingerbread houses. They had SO much fun doing this! Lady Bug got a broken ornament and was disappointed, but handled it well. She didn't make a big stink, she just smiled and set it down. I could tell she was disappointed though. One of the mom's there gave her an ornament, she said she had an extra one so she let Lady Bug have it.
Over all a good weekend! I love our family time together!
After that we went home and worked on Christmas present wrapping. Then I headed out to the grocery store and some present shopping.
Spirit made them dinner since Mr. Man and I weren't hungry. He decided on chicken noodle soup (from a can) and peaches (from a can). Had I not been there he wouldn't have added the water to the soup and would've tried to microwave it in the can, but other than that he did it by himself. While he "made" dinner, Lady Bug made pink lemonade for them to drink.
After that we popped popcorn and watched some Christmas movies.Good times, good memory-making!
Sunday the kids went to an ornament exchange party after church and they also got to make gingerbread houses. They had SO much fun doing this! Lady Bug got a broken ornament and was disappointed, but handled it well. She didn't make a big stink, she just smiled and set it down. I could tell she was disappointed though. One of the mom's there gave her an ornament, she said she had an extra one so she let Lady Bug have it.
Over all a good weekend! I love our family time together!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday Recipe - Green Mint Bark
This recipe is from Taste of Home. It is very easy to make and very festive for this time of year!
Original from Taste of Home - December/January 2010
1 pkg (10-12 oz) white baking chips
12 oz green candy coating disks (I actually melted down some white almond bark and added in green food coloring)
1 tsp peppermint extract
2-3 crushed candy canes
Line a 13 x 9 baking sheet with foil; set aside. In a microwave, melt chips; starting at 30 second intervals and stir after each then continue at 30 second intervals until smooth. Spread into prepared baking sheet. Set aside to harden, you can place this in the refrigerator for a few minutes until it hardens.
In a microwave, melt green candy coating disks; starting at 30 second intervals and stir after each then continue at 30 second intervals until smooth. Stir in extract. Spread over white layer; sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
Chill for 10 minutes or until firm. Break into pieces. Store in an air tight container.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
New tradition
Although last year Mr. Man started his shopping earlier than normal, we still ended up (because of financial reasons) busting butt at the last minute to get everyone a gift (some of which was for our very own children!) Last year I read somewhere that a woman gives her kids four gifts each:
Another "tradition" that my friend told me about was how she buys a different wrapping paper for each person in the house. She wraps presents in one kind per person and doesn't label the packages, this way the kids have no idea whose is whose under the tree until Christmas morning! I was going to try that, but that didn't pan out so maybe next year I will do that!
- Something they want
- Something they need
- Something to wear
- Something to read
Another "tradition" that my friend told me about was how she buys a different wrapping paper for each person in the house. She wraps presents in one kind per person and doesn't label the packages, this way the kids have no idea whose is whose under the tree until Christmas morning! I was going to try that, but that didn't pan out so maybe next year I will do that!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
UPDATE**
Lefty's award was for "Exceptional Attitude".....
I am proud of him, he is a good boy and has great character. He can be my difficult one at home though and sometimes I wonder if the teachers get all of his good stuff! I know this isn't true, but there are times I have to wonder.
I am proud of him, he is a good boy and has great character. He can be my difficult one at home though and sometimes I wonder if the teachers get all of his good stuff! I know this isn't true, but there are times I have to wonder.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Phew...
I picked up the kids from school Friday and both boys immediately hand me notes from the teacher. I read Lefty's first and his says that he is getting an award on Tuesday (it doesn't say what the award is for) and Spirit's says he has been argumentative, refusing to do assignments and back talking.
This is where I say parenting stinks. How can be so excited for one and so irritated at the other. *sigh*
So, I say nothing about either note and shove them in my purse. When Mr. Man gets home from work I show him both notes. He had the same reaction I did.
Lefty is slightly concerned about his note and keeps asking what it was about. We finally tell him he is getting an award on Tuesday and we talk to him about how proud we are of him.
Just before bed on Friday we have a little talk with Spirit about the note and he says "I have no idea what she is talking about." Mr. Man and I, in unison, say "I do! You've been like that at home all week!" He hangs his head. Mr. Man says he isn't quite prepared to hand out a punishment (which we will later discover may have been the best idea!) and lets Spirit know that he better have a perfect attitude all day Saturday. Mr. Man had to work and I was having a baking day with some friends so Spirit was informed there better not be ANY issues Saturday. There wasn't. He was an angel. If I said I needed his help, there was no eye-rolling, no stomping, no attitude. If he asked for something and I said "no." he let it go at no. It was a very pleasant day.
Sunday was a busy day and we were gone all.day.long. But, again, the attitude was excellent with Spirit. But, we had to address the letter. So Sunday night we sat him down. Mr. Man asked him to just tell us exactly what was going on, being completely honest with us no matter what the answer. Spirit said off the bat "well, I was bad. I didn't think I was as bad as she said though. I was having a bad week and I think she was stressed out." **I need to insert here that the teacher, Ms. L, is a student teacher. This year there is the regular teacher, Mr. S, and TWO student teachers. Last week Mr. S was substituting in another class and the other student teacher was out sick so that left Ms. L alone so chances are she was a tad bit stressed.** So as we talked more with Spirit about why his week was bad and what we do going forward it was all a very good conversation. Letting it rest over the weekend was a good idea, he got to spend time reflecting on it and we got time to calm down a bit. We talked to him for probably 30-45 minutes and he really opened up about stuff that has been bothering him and we had no idea. We were able to help him work through some of it (or at least I think we were).
I made Spirit write Ms. L an apology letter and I wrote her a letter as well. I didn't tell Spirit what to write, but I read his letter before he left for school. He only wrote 3 lines, but it said "I am sorry for being bad last week. I will try hard to be good today. I'm sorry for being rude." I thought that was all pretty good and I was satisfied with it. I am anxious to see how today goes.
Other than all that we had a great weekend and my baking day was successful!
This is where I say parenting stinks. How can be so excited for one and so irritated at the other. *sigh*
So, I say nothing about either note and shove them in my purse. When Mr. Man gets home from work I show him both notes. He had the same reaction I did.
Lefty is slightly concerned about his note and keeps asking what it was about. We finally tell him he is getting an award on Tuesday and we talk to him about how proud we are of him.
Just before bed on Friday we have a little talk with Spirit about the note and he says "I have no idea what she is talking about." Mr. Man and I, in unison, say "I do! You've been like that at home all week!" He hangs his head. Mr. Man says he isn't quite prepared to hand out a punishment (which we will later discover may have been the best idea!) and lets Spirit know that he better have a perfect attitude all day Saturday. Mr. Man had to work and I was having a baking day with some friends so Spirit was informed there better not be ANY issues Saturday. There wasn't. He was an angel. If I said I needed his help, there was no eye-rolling, no stomping, no attitude. If he asked for something and I said "no." he let it go at no. It was a very pleasant day.
Sunday was a busy day and we were gone all.day.long. But, again, the attitude was excellent with Spirit. But, we had to address the letter. So Sunday night we sat him down. Mr. Man asked him to just tell us exactly what was going on, being completely honest with us no matter what the answer. Spirit said off the bat "well, I was bad. I didn't think I was as bad as she said though. I was having a bad week and I think she was stressed out." **I need to insert here that the teacher, Ms. L, is a student teacher. This year there is the regular teacher, Mr. S, and TWO student teachers. Last week Mr. S was substituting in another class and the other student teacher was out sick so that left Ms. L alone so chances are she was a tad bit stressed.** So as we talked more with Spirit about why his week was bad and what we do going forward it was all a very good conversation. Letting it rest over the weekend was a good idea, he got to spend time reflecting on it and we got time to calm down a bit. We talked to him for probably 30-45 minutes and he really opened up about stuff that has been bothering him and we had no idea. We were able to help him work through some of it (or at least I think we were).
I made Spirit write Ms. L an apology letter and I wrote her a letter as well. I didn't tell Spirit what to write, but I read his letter before he left for school. He only wrote 3 lines, but it said "I am sorry for being bad last week. I will try hard to be good today. I'm sorry for being rude." I thought that was all pretty good and I was satisfied with it. I am anxious to see how today goes.
Other than all that we had a great weekend and my baking day was successful!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Friday Recipe - Easy Peasy Cream Filled Cookies
This is a true love in my house! I make a batch of these little boogers up and they are gone in a day or so! My friend actually posted this recipe on Facebook several months ago and as soon as I saw it I knew I needed to try it!
Easy Peasy Cream Filled Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
1 box Devil's Food Cake mix
1 small package of instant chocolate pudding
1 container of white frosting
Follow the directions for the cake mix EXCEPT add in only 3/4 c water. Mix well. Add in pudding mix and stir until well blended.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. They will flatten out like cookies. Try to make them all the same size so they will be uniform when you fill them with frosting.
Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Let cool completely on the parchment paper.
*NOTE: It is better to over cook these than to under cook!
After these have cooled completely, take one and put frosting on the underside of it (use as much or as little as you would like) and then top with another cookie. Repeat until you have all the cookies loaded up with frosting.
You can also add a little food coloring to the frosting for holidays (orange for the Fall, red and green for Christmas, etc.)
Easy Peasy Cream Filled Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
1 box Devil's Food Cake mix
1 small package of instant chocolate pudding
1 container of white frosting
Follow the directions for the cake mix EXCEPT add in only 3/4 c water. Mix well. Add in pudding mix and stir until well blended.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. They will flatten out like cookies. Try to make them all the same size so they will be uniform when you fill them with frosting.
Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Let cool completely on the parchment paper.
*NOTE: It is better to over cook these than to under cook!
After these have cooled completely, take one and put frosting on the underside of it (use as much or as little as you would like) and then top with another cookie. Repeat until you have all the cookies loaded up with frosting.
You can also add a little food coloring to the frosting for holidays (orange for the Fall, red and green for Christmas, etc.)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The first of December
So I find myself sitting here wanting to write about something and I really have nothing I can share. Sure, I have some stories swirling in my head, but none are blog-worthy.
I can't believe it is December One! WOW! Time flies I guess, whether you want it to or not! I started working on Christmas cards and decided to do a Christmas letter, which I haven't done in a while. Now to be sure to get them addressed and mailed off in time!
The kids are anxious for winter break and all the good that comes along with that (like opening presents!) so they have 2 weeks of school before the break and they are counting down the days.
I have said it before, but Lefty is a very good gift-giver. He apparently has been listening to what his brother and sister wanted for Christmas and so last Friday he asked me to take him shopping, even though I didn't feel great I did take him to one store. He knew exactly what he was getting so we were in and out fairly quickly. He did a great job picking stuff out and also spent wisely! Spirit, on the other hand, hasn't mentioned shopping for anyone except himself. *sigh* We are working on that. As I typed that I realized he has mentioned MY gift... he knows what he wants to make me for Christmas! We started working on our handmade gifts too and they are coming out nicely.
Spirit has a choir concert next week that he is quite nervous about. He gives a concert to the school during school hours and then again for parents that night. He said he is afraid because of all the "millions of people" that will be there. I don't think it will be that many so he should be better off than he is expecting!
Ok, so this may not be blog-worthy and my sister will probably kill me, but I have laughed all day about this. I was talking to my sis on the phone last night and she says "Oh, hold on, I need to order my Starbucks" as I am listening I hear "Welcome to Starbucks. What can we make for you today?" and my sister says "HI! this is Stephanie" and the woman through the speaker says "Hi Stephanie, see you at the window!" -- Are you kidding me? Can you say ADDICT? I am still laughing. SO funny and SO my sister!
Hope you having a great day and a great week! Happy December!
I can't believe it is December One! WOW! Time flies I guess, whether you want it to or not! I started working on Christmas cards and decided to do a Christmas letter, which I haven't done in a while. Now to be sure to get them addressed and mailed off in time!
The kids are anxious for winter break and all the good that comes along with that (like opening presents!) so they have 2 weeks of school before the break and they are counting down the days.
I have said it before, but Lefty is a very good gift-giver. He apparently has been listening to what his brother and sister wanted for Christmas and so last Friday he asked me to take him shopping, even though I didn't feel great I did take him to one store. He knew exactly what he was getting so we were in and out fairly quickly. He did a great job picking stuff out and also spent wisely! Spirit, on the other hand, hasn't mentioned shopping for anyone except himself. *sigh* We are working on that. As I typed that I realized he has mentioned MY gift... he knows what he wants to make me for Christmas! We started working on our handmade gifts too and they are coming out nicely.
Spirit has a choir concert next week that he is quite nervous about. He gives a concert to the school during school hours and then again for parents that night. He said he is afraid because of all the "millions of people" that will be there. I don't think it will be that many so he should be better off than he is expecting!
Ok, so this may not be blog-worthy and my sister will probably kill me, but I have laughed all day about this. I was talking to my sis on the phone last night and she says "Oh, hold on, I need to order my Starbucks" as I am listening I hear "Welcome to Starbucks. What can we make for you today?" and my sister says "HI! this is Stephanie" and the woman through the speaker says "Hi Stephanie, see you at the window!" -- Are you kidding me? Can you say ADDICT? I am still laughing. SO funny and SO my sister!
Hope you having a great day and a great week! Happy December!
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