New Year's Resolutions

I guess I've never actually carefully considered a resolution and stuck with it. But this year I would like to attempt these things:

• Work more on setting weekly goals, and sticking to them until they are completed. 
• I want to read more with my daughter and help her along with her reading skills and confidence.
• Teach my son patience, oh and potty training should probably be mastered by the end of 2011 too.
• Be a less nagging wife.  This one will actually take some work on my part.  I need to find another approach to getting my husband to do the things I'd like him to.  Maybe a note, or simple text reminder.  But repeating myself several times and yelling hasn't been good for either of us.  And maybe I should be more of a helper to him, rather than feeling like he is here to help me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ps- Not as much of a priority as the things directly considering my family:
 I would also like to make homemade bread often.
 Be a better friend and listener.

A Love and a Hate

First of all I want to share with you a great deal that Amazon has going on right now. 

Farmer's Market Foods Organic Canned Pumpkin, 15-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)

For just...... $10.20

when you sign up for subscribe and save.  My first shipment came today, and I've already ordered a second.  The cans that came today expire in 2013, but I doubt they'll make it that long in this house!

Secondly, I want to share with you how much I DISLIKE this product:  Big Boss Grill.  The texture of the Teflon was uneven in some spots, scratched in another.  and there is a major design flaw that when the plates are snapped into place there is a gap where the batter can drip down into the area that houses the heating element.  Simply using less batter may have been a solution.  But I measured the 1 TBSP. exactly as the recipe book that came with it suggested.  This thing also put off a ton of smoke while I was trying to make donuts in it today.  The donuts came out rubbery, not anything like the delicious prepackaged gas station cake donuts (come on, you know they're tasty!).
So  I called the company and they wont refund my purchase.  But they will send me a new one.  Whaaaaat??  I don't want a new one!  So I'll try returning it to the store next time I'm out running errands 40 minutes away with two kids in tow!  blah!  But let me make this clear, the product itself is a great idea, just needs some tweaking.

Well, Christmas vacation is coming to an end here.  Soon the princess will be back in school and the man of the house will be back at work.  It's been great to have everyone together so much and see so much family! 
Speaking of family, just one more Christmas celebration to go!  Thankfully this one I know what I'm supposed to make, and we're just doing $5 grab bag gifts for the adults.

Count Down

I want to blog about all the emotions I'm feeling right now as we head full force into celebrating Christmas.  But my emotions aren't that of someone who is celebrating Christ, but someone who is feeling overwhelmed by materialism (gifts, what the family should wear, what to serve, what to pack in the car, what dish to share, etc).
My Christmas letter this year, if I end up sending it out, is much different than any other year, and probably way different than any other letter you've ever read.  It's honest.  It's gut wrenching honest.  A little too honest for the general public, to be honest ;-) 
 But I think that's just what this world needs, a little more honesty please.
Can I throw that word in one more time? You bet I can.
I HONESTLY hope you ALL have a very Merry Christmas.  I HONESTLY hope you aren't feeling the same feelings I am right now. I hope you are all enjoying this season and have safe travels and great conversations wherever you are.

Snow, Shopping, Baking

We have MORE SNOW!  Not that we needed it, but it's here and from the sounds of it, the snow has invited it's friend, WIND, to visit too.

 

So that means I'll be here, finishing up some online shopping and tackling more Christmas baking.  My husband is really the master of cookies, but I may give it a try.  Or maybe I'll stick to muffins. Yeah, muffins I can do.  Christmas muffins?  hmmm...

If you haven't checked out Amazon yet, do it now!  There is still time to have most items shipped before Christmas.  I'm also finding great deals to stock up our "gift box". 

The only in store shopping I've done is at the second hand store.  I also had a friend bring over some of her handmade bows for me to look at.  Oh they are just beautiful!  They can be found on Etsy.

Saturday Morning

I'm baking cookies with my husband, who is also my best friend, even though we can't agree on anything most things when it comes to baking.

The kids enjoyed playing in the snow this morning, so now I'm able to enjoy their little tracks in the snow while I stand by the window doing dishes.

This is a good day :-)

I still have so many people to shop for, & what I have bought I haven't wrapped yet.  I told my husband about his Christmas present last night... he mentioned he'd like a pair of gloves, and I just can't keep my big mouth shut.. so now he knows, and I'll be on to trying to find something else for him.

Thank Goodness for online shopping or I wouldn't have anything done!