My New Year's Resolutions

I {usually} love the anticipation of a new year starting. There are so many unknowns of what that year will hold. However, I already know that at the beginning of 2010 my hubby will be going on his own adventure with the Army...so it is hard to get excited about a year without the love of your life. I know that there will still be adventures out there for me & the boys.

Each year I try to make at least one resolution. I am not one to set out with weight or eating healthy goals. I love baking & goodies too much {check out the baking posts}!! This year I wanted to improve something that I have been trying to be better at, but always fall short.

The first is to be better with family birthdays. Whether I send out a card, make a phone call, or a blog post...I would like to acknowledge birthdays. I love birthdays & feel like they should be a HUGE deal. I usually do really well at the beginning, but a few months in I fall short. This year I am broadening my way of reaching out for birthdays {blogging}.

My second is to keep a daily journal. I plan on getting a daily planner & jotting down a few thoughts or activities from the day. If the boys do or say something funny...write it down. I want to be able to look back at all of the memories. I scrapbook, but am WAY behind. I hope that this will be a yearly thing. Every day is a gift & I want to remember how we used that gift.

What are you resolving to do for 2010?

Merry Christmas

We finally got hubby home after being trapped in Philadelphia for a few extra days. It finally is starting to feel like Christmas & I guess that it should because we are only an hour away from CHRISTMAS EVE...Ahhhhhhh! I have spent most of the month keeping busy & now I am wondering where it went. This week has been spent enjoying family!

I hope that everyone has an amazing Christmas! Please remember the meaning. It is fun to open presents & eat the goodies, but remember that this is CHRISTmas! I am so grateful for our Savior & his birth. I pray that we can remember him always!

Teacher Gift

I almost forgot that I have to get teacher gifts done. Preston only has Preschool this week...so I had to get busy. I really am trying to simplify Christmas this year. Last night, I made some yummy homemade oreos & then the light bulb came on. I had seen some cute tins at Walmart a while back. The tins run about $2.50, but they had some plastic containers too. I also bought some ribbon to decorate it with & some tissue paper ($1.00). Here is what I used:

{The recipe for the homemade oreos is the post below.}


Put some tissue paper in the bottom of your tin & then fill it with cookies.


Then, I covered the cookies with another piece of tissue paper. I had some cute mini candy canes that I put on the top.


I centered the lid & then started tying the ribbon onto the handle. I added a cute homemade tag & there it is.

Homemade Oreos

It seems like everyone is making Homemade Oreos right now. I have been in the mood for them for awhile, but haven't had a chance to make them! I finally got a minute after the kids were in bed. They are super easy. There are a lot of recipes out there for Homemade Oreos {mostly the frosting changes}, but this is my favorite. I can't remember where I found it, but I have used it for years.



Oreos

2 boxes devils food cake mix
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil

Mix all together until there are no lumps. Drop by spoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 6-8 minutes. They should start to crack on the top. Put a spoonful of your favorite icing on one and top with another cookie.


Butter Cream Frosting

1/3 C butter, softened
4 C powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
1/4 C milk
a dash of salt

Mix all ingredients to spreading consistency. Add sugar or milk to desired consistency. Add food coloring if you want to. Decorate as you wish.

Store the cookies covered. I find that the cookie softens a bit after the frosting. This time I made red, green, & white frosting.

On Vacation...

Well, I thought that I should let you know...I AM ON VACATION! I will be back to posting again on Monday, but we have been playing in Vegas for about a week. We are having a great time showing the boys the lights & excitement out here. Have a great week & I will be back in just a bit!

Block Ornaments

I'm back...life has been a bit crazy. I doubt that it will settle down much. But that is part of the charm of Christmas. I love the hustle & bustle.

The other day I saw a very cute idea to make an ornament with block. Here is the link from HOW DOES SHE. Here are the supplies that you need:



♥ small blocks {I found mine at the a thrift store a while back, but you could just cut wood down} any where from 1.5-2 inches.
♥ mod podge
♥ pictures {I just printed out some wallets}
♥ scrapbook paper
♥ paint {& paint brush}
♥ ribbon or string
♥ metal eyes {from the hardware section}
♥ sandpaper {optional}

My blocks were already painted, but if yours are not...paint them. I just peeled the vinyl off of my blocks.

I trimmed my pictures & paper to the size of the blocks. I cut mine a little over so that I could trim it down with sandpaper. Then, mod podge the pictures to the block. Do the same with the paper.



Then I sanded the edges. Place a thin layer of mod podge over the block to seal & protect the pictures & the paper.

After the mod podge is dry...twist in the "eye".

Thread with a ribbon {or string} & TADA..you have a cute personalized ornament. I also put the year on the bottom of the ornament.





I am keeping one for our family & then giving the rest away {shh...don't tell}. I think that I will make a new one each year.