I'm posting this to enter a giveaway to win an Amelia Bedelia book/cd! Check out CFO and enter to win.

Wii Haze Days

This was the scene for a large portion of Christmas Day at my house. Sometimes it was a different kid (or grownup). Sometimes they were standing, jumping, or whirling around. But, the video game haze has hit us!


In this particular scene, Mr. Snippity was racing Leia at Mario Kart.
Mr. Snippity and I have really enjoyed the Wii Sports Boxing. I've KO'd him too many times to count! He's getting better, though, so I might just have to practice a little bit to keep him in his place.

Tasty Thursday three days late 12/28

I don't really know what to call these snacks. I got the recipe from An American Housewife.



Mine do not look anything like hers. Maybe I didn't wait long enough before smashing the m&m's on them. They still tasted really good, and none were left to have to bring home after the family function. I think I may have to make this for church fellowship sometime really soon.

I know this was late, but it was Christmas, people! There will be more regarding that soon!

Prayers for a friend

My friend smartbutnotwise's mom died this afternoon. I want to let her know I love her and I am praying for her. I've already talked to her today, and will again tomorrow, I wanted to put it here as well for any others that might want to lift up prayers for her as well.

Tasty Thursday

Peanut Butter Fudge!

This was my first attempt at a family fudge recipe (from my uncle) on Monday night. He does not use precise measurements, so that always makes it harder. I am an *exact* recipe kind of person. But, all in all, it turned out quite well. Next time, I will make a few minor adjustments to make it just a little better.

By the way, this plate is empty now. (And I barely ate any!)

So the tree is up!

Mr. Snippity decided he'd had enough of messing with the original tree. The cats kept climbing it, and tipped it over once. The plastic stand part was broken, and the tree would have to lean back a bit against the wall. Luckily, it had not yet been decorated. So, on Sunday after church, he went shopping. When I got home from visiting my Granny, it was done. I now have a 4 foot tree with fiber optic lights and regular lights on top of my entertainment center. I think it looks kind of weird. I don't think a photo could even do it justice.

Put it this way. It involved cutting holes in the top of the entertainment center. I was told that I could cover the hole with a decorative item after the tree comes down. ??? I never loved that cabinet anyway...it is a hand me down from the inlaws. Maybe I can work on getting a new one in the new year! I will say that the cats haven't messed with the tree yet.

One more item

checked off the list. From LL Bean for the oldest:

It fills a need, not just a want, and that is the best kind of gift. Plus, it was on sale cheaper than the regular one that I was going to buy!

It's Thursday...what should I cook?

I am at a loss for baking ideas today. I was thinking maybe a cheesecake...but then I think I'd probably eat it all up! Suggest something good, and I'll see if I can try it before the night is over.

The oldest has a band concert tonight, and that is always, well, let's call it interesting.

I finally got started on my shopping yesterday. I bought an outfit for the oldest. Great bargain, too. At regular price it would have been about $55. I bought it for $15 (on sale and $10 store coupon). I helped my Granny pick gifts for two of my children. She got pretty good deals as well. I have made a list for the rest, just have to find time to get out and shop a bit more. I am still considering ideas for those two family units I have to figure out. I am going to look into movie passes for the one family, as they have teenagers. The other, older couple I still am debating. As many of you pointed out, making stuff is awesome, and I like to do it. I will try to be a little more crafty with their gift. As a matter of fact, I have 6 other gifts to make that I am excited about. I won't spoil the surprise by posting it here...just know that if you have a little girl that I usually gift, I am making the gift this year! Now, I just have to go get the supplies!!! I still have time...

The project I was stressing over a few posts back has been graded. I got an A. I also finished out both my classes with A's. Yay me. At least it is finished!

Back to self & what to get?

I feel so much more like my normal self today! I'm sure my family is very relieved, I know I am. So, now...I've got to get some shopping done before Christmas passes me by! We've decided to get 3 gifts for each of our children. Of course, Santa will bring a surprise in addition to that. One might get a really nice dictionary (insert eveil chuckle here :), but I am lost as for the rest of it. Especially my Dad & stepmother. Argh. I also need to some up with a plan for some of Mr. Snippity's extended family that we aren't really close to (but exchange gifts with). Last time we made a family movie night gift that included a DVD, popcorn and snacks for the family with teenage boys, and a soup collection for an older couple (matching bowls, filled with soup starter packets & some other goodies). Any good ideas out there that don't cost a fortune? Besides a gift card? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Oops...got carried away... Thanks!

I lost it...

Oh Man, did I lose my temper. It was bad. Like most any mom, I've had tons to do, and never enough time to do it all. It has been piling up recently. Tonight I was particularly stressed, as I had a final project to finish for one of my college classes. I was already just not dealing well. It just so happens that the 12 year old had been being belligerent most of the evening (because first I told her to do her homework, then we made her look up words in the paper dictionary instead of the online source). That caused more discontent with other members of the household. Then dinner kept getting held up, because the chicken just wasn't cooking fast enough...and then when I finally did get plates ready, the son complained about having to taste something he didn't like. That was it. My mouth got started, and it didn't stop. I feel so terrible now, oh, it almost makes me sick. I didn't call anybody names, or even say 'bad' words. But my total selfishness really came out. I think I made certain members of my family feel like they weren't good enough, even though they really had been trying very hard. And now I can never get that back, even though I really didn't mean it the way it came out. I've apologized, but it still doesn't feel right. This stinks.

Ready for the bake sale...

I thought you might like to see the finished product of yesterday's tasty thursday post!


A butter cookie trio and apple cinnamon muffins to be sold at the PTA bake sale.
Late last night at 10 pm when I was still trying to finish baking these, and 4 dozen cupcakes for another function, I told my husband to remind me next year to just give them an extra $$$ donation!

Money saving...and who can't use that?

I posted waaaaaaaaay back in September about something new I tried. I forgot to follow up and let you know how it worked. I was reminded by a post on moneysavingmommies recently and thought I'd tell all about it.
I've been making my own laundry soap ever since then. This is how I do it:

Step1 Grate bar of soap into a large pot(I used an old one, now dedicated to soap). Cover soap with water, and heat on stove(medium heat) while stirring until the soap is dissolved.

Step2 Using large bucket ( I repurposed a washed, empty cat litter bucket) carefully add the hot soapy water.

Step 3 Add 1 cup washing soda and one cup borax to the bucket. Stir carefully, it is hot!

Step 4 Add enough water to nearly fill your large bucket. Stir.

Step5 Let the mixture sit overnight

Step6 Stir again the next day. Your laundry soap is ready! Use about 1 cup per load, depending on dirty-ness!

I got the idea from reading about this in some random blog. (no clue now what it was) I was like "do people really do that?" and "does this work?" I looked it up online, and there were a billion slightly different ways to do it. I picked one way, and made it my own. I have found that this is a great idea for my family. I have one child with eczema, so I can use a soap that doesn't irritate her. Before this, I was using the All small and mighty. I loved the All, but I felt like I was constantly bringing home bottle after bottle of soap for lots of $$$$$, and then throwing the empties away. I do a lot of laundry...a lot!!! This makes me feel less wasteful! I've bought ingredients for this one time so far, and spent about what I would have on two bottles of commercial soap. Those bottles might have lasted a month...but now I am into month three on just my second batch, with plenty of stuff left to make more. Plus, this stuff was fun to make. The kids were intrigued, and I was able to use it to talk with them about liquid vs. solid, why things melt, etc...So far, my clothes are just as clean...and still as wrinkly, because I never get to fold them straight from the dryer (I just cannot bring myself to line dry yet), unless my Granny comes to visit!

Tasty Thursday 12-4-08

Spritz Cookies

I just finished taking this practice batch of yummy, buttery goodies out of the oven, and they sit on the rack to cool. I used to have a cookie press, but I have no clue where it is. I begged around to all my friends to find a cookie press...and I got a good one! I was indefinately loaned one of the Pampered Chef presses. I like it a lot. I even used their cookie dough recipe, included in the package.(And it is yummy...I've sampled!) I sprinkled these wreaths and trees with green sugar, and I am going to find a recipe for some icing to make bows and ornaments with.

Next, I get to make the 'for real' batches to bag and send to the school bake sale.
At least this year, I am sending them on the correct week. Last year, I was stressed out, and sent my cookies a week early. I'm told they were sold to the teachers and staff...and still helped the PTA at least. Only this year, I have 2 children in school and one grade brings muffins and the other brings cookies. I'll be making muffins after the cookies!

An ornament

I made some simple ornaments to hang on my front porch this year. I started with plastic shatterproof ornaments I bought after Christmas last year. I have red and silver. I threaded a piece of red wire-edged ribbon through each loop on the ornaments, and hot glued it closed. I used a small plastic ring at the other end, and did the same thing. On the red ornaments, I used silver ribbon.


We will hang 7 or 8 across our porch ...hopefully soon. Simple, and hopefully fun!

One bag..that's it.

I got on a kick today. I fixed a toy that was broken, and sewed patches on the Jedi boy's vest for church. (The hot glue I originally used wasn't holding anymore). So, I think I am on a roll at getting things done. I pull down the attic steps and an icy cold blast hit me. I grabbed one bag of outside decorations and ran back down. I'll have to wait until I can bundle up, or send Mr. Snippity up there instead!!! It is almost time to get Cinderella from her bus stop as well, so I gave up on being productive. :)

Wow...how did I miss 3 days?

I thought I had posted more recently than Thursday. I guess those posts were all in my head! Too bad I don't remember what I wrote! Ok...so I missed a Tasty Thursday or two. I hear your cries of disappointment. I will be back on track for that this week...pinky promise! I used that phrase with my 12 year old over the weekend, and she looked at me like I had grown a second head or something. I can't imagine that she thinks I am weird. When I was 12, did I do that to my mom? Probably...we don't have to remember all that stuff just now.

Happy December to you all! We are on the Christmas countdown here, but I haven't even gotten any of my decorations out yet. I did buy one new thing at the Home Depot yesterday. It is still in the box. I am a bit concerned about a rambunctious (but sweet) boy, and a very inquisitive baby girl that hang out with me during the day. Between the kids and the cats, I will be busy rescuing decorations all month long! I think that means we should start putting up the outside decor first!