I mean, who couldn't use $100? Except for maybe Bill Gates? And even then, don't they say that the rich guys are always the ones that would look at $100 as if it were gold? Its often the frugality that makes a rich guy rich.
Who's they?
(Look at me. Four lines into a post and I've completely lost the point.)
The point is that Big Mama is giving away $100 on her blog. I think its sponsored by Hershey Kisses ... but you can read about it here to learn more.
I get an extra entry for blogging about it. And I actually tried to sit down and do the math to figure out whether or not an extra entry would outweigh all the competing entries that I might get from someone else that reads my blog clicking over to enter.
Then I remembered that no one reads my blog or plays my games and I knew I was safe.
Go. Click. Have fun.
If you win, you're totally splitting that $100 with me.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Since Last We Spoke ...
I have gone hither to yonder general store, over the river and through the woods, whilst using all manner of green and red finery to embolden my home for the holidays and bolster my Christmas spirit.
Whew. That's exhausting.
I decorated the house for Christmas on Thanksgiving.
And I've been to Hobby Lobby.
Perhaps neither have any relevance to this post.
Anyway, I have to admit that I LOVE LOVE LOVE decorating my house for the holidays. And I love coming home from work and plugging in the Christmas tree, which enables me to tone out my girl telling me that her stomach hurts and "I'm hungry" and my boy throwing his coat and bookbag on the living room floor while he blabbers about 10 million words a minute about school and Chickie and could I please drive a tractor for him before dinner?
We're into farming at our house. Combines and auger wagons have taken over. Which, come to think of it, combines and auger wagons are ususally either green (our house) or red (all the other losers), making them THE PERFECT under the tree decor. Who needs a silly train anyway!?
So. The point. We decorated for Christmas and we are now deep in the throws of what I made our annual Christmas tradition ... the Christmas book countdown. Its been a huge success and my kids love it and its not too late for you to join in the fun too.
Here's what I do:
At the end of the season last year, I used up all the remainders of Christmas wrapping paper (so that I didn't have to store them) and gift wrapped 24 Christmas books that were scattered around our home. I put them all in a basket.
On the first day of December this year, Bubba (he got to go first because he's youngest) selected a gift wrapped book out of the basket, un-wrapped it, and we read it before bed. We will continue to select a book every night, alternating who selects and unwraps, until Christmas Eve.
This game/family activity accomplishes three things:
When someone asks me how many more days until Christmas, I make them count the wrapped books in the basket. Bubba needs practice counting to 20 anyway.
This curbs the unwrapping excitement, giving them something to unwrap every single day of December.
We snuggle up as a family every night with a Christmas book. Last night, in the midst of my brightly light tree and green combines, I could be heard loudly singing the Twelve Days of Christmas as I turned the pages in our book. And Bubba could be heard quietly asking if I would just read instead of sing.
Which has NO reflection on my singing. I assure you.
Anyway, its not too late for you to join in. If you can find 21 Christmas books in your home, wrap them tonight and start tomorrow! You won't regret it.
Whew. That's exhausting.
I decorated the house for Christmas on Thanksgiving.
And I've been to Hobby Lobby.
Perhaps neither have any relevance to this post.
Anyway, I have to admit that I LOVE LOVE LOVE decorating my house for the holidays. And I love coming home from work and plugging in the Christmas tree, which enables me to tone out my girl telling me that her stomach hurts and "I'm hungry" and my boy throwing his coat and bookbag on the living room floor while he blabbers about 10 million words a minute about school and Chickie and could I please drive a tractor for him before dinner?
We're into farming at our house. Combines and auger wagons have taken over. Which, come to think of it, combines and auger wagons are ususally either green (our house) or red (all the other losers), making them THE PERFECT under the tree decor. Who needs a silly train anyway!?
So. The point. We decorated for Christmas and we are now deep in the throws of what I made our annual Christmas tradition ... the Christmas book countdown. Its been a huge success and my kids love it and its not too late for you to join in the fun too.
Here's what I do:
At the end of the season last year, I used up all the remainders of Christmas wrapping paper (so that I didn't have to store them) and gift wrapped 24 Christmas books that were scattered around our home. I put them all in a basket.
On the first day of December this year, Bubba (he got to go first because he's youngest) selected a gift wrapped book out of the basket, un-wrapped it, and we read it before bed. We will continue to select a book every night, alternating who selects and unwraps, until Christmas Eve.
This game/family activity accomplishes three things:
When someone asks me how many more days until Christmas, I make them count the wrapped books in the basket. Bubba needs practice counting to 20 anyway.
This curbs the unwrapping excitement, giving them something to unwrap every single day of December.
We snuggle up as a family every night with a Christmas book. Last night, in the midst of my brightly light tree and green combines, I could be heard loudly singing the Twelve Days of Christmas as I turned the pages in our book. And Bubba could be heard quietly asking if I would just read instead of sing.
Which has NO reflection on my singing. I assure you.
Anyway, its not too late for you to join in. If you can find 21 Christmas books in your home, wrap them tonight and start tomorrow! You won't regret it.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thankfully ... The Challenge Winners
Well, I hope Branda and Melissa thoroughly enjoyed my photography challenge as I think it will be the last. With only two entries EVEN WITH THE LURE OF A HOMEMADE WINTER HAT THAT IS COMPLETELY ADORABLE, I'm quite sure that folks would rather read my randomness than play along in the randomness with me.
And I guess that's fine for now.
Note: There was a third entry. The third entry came from a friend from church who gushed on and on about how thankful FOR ME she was and she re-submitted the silly photo of me in my crocheted hat in the bathroom. I have no desire to post that photo again, nor do I think it would win the photo contest or the crocheted hat so ... I disqualified her right out of the gate.
Anyway, here is entry number one from Branda:
Here's something that makes me ridiculously happy for my Thankful Photo. It's my Yarn Armoire. I bought it for $25 this summer at a garage sale. I knew from the moment I saw it that it would house all of my lovely, lovely yarn and knitting paraphernalia. I had planned to strip it back to it's original wood grain, but when the end of summer came and fall was almost over and I still hadn't stripped it I realized that I had to give up and just bring it in and fill it up and put it to use. Dumping boxes of yarn into the bottom drawers and filling those little drawers with needles and buttons and patterns was absolutely marvelous. So, I'm thankful that I have a wonderful place to store all of my yarn, and it's organized, and it looks nice - even if it is white and a little boring.
(Did I say ALL my yarn? Let's stick to that.)
I'm also endlessly thankful for that little boy. But all mamas are.
And entry number two from Melissa:
I am thankful for my children having each other. Sometimes they get on each other nerves but they certainly love each other and I never had that since I was an only child until the age of 12 when I got two stepbrothers. I just adore my children when they can be sweet to each other. I had to snap this picture Saturday night of my youngest two. How cute can they be?
And, of course, I obviously want to play my own game ... so here is my photo.
My fridge. I hate how cluttered it is with school papers, church prayers, lunch menus, letters, and pictures. And actually, I hate none of those things individually, but I hate them all collectively when they become disorganized and ruin the look of my nice, picked up kitchen. I spend hours thinking of ways that I'm going to create nice and pretty ways to display the kids papers and stuff and then ... well, I never do them. Because in my heart I think I know that even with a nice display area, my fridge will still look like this.
Of course, this post is about something we're grateful for and not something we hate, right?
I'm trying to be positive. Because I LOVE all the things this cluttered fridge (and the child standing with the fridge door open) represent. I have a full life, a happy family, smart children, loving church, and more than enough food to keep me fat. Aren't those the very things that EVERYONE wants? I am going to begin being thankful for the eyesore in my kitchen ... and I submit this photo as a snapshot of my life and how thankful I am for every piece of it.
But, on to the more important things. The winner. Lori submitted a photo that I took and while I didn't state in the rules that you had to take your own photo ... I think it was at least understood that you couldn't submit a photo that I took. Right? And while I really really really love Melissa's photo, I specifically said to think outside the box and outside the family. Which leaves me with Branda and her knitting cabinet.
YEAH BRANDA!!! YOU WIN!!!!
Disclaimer: I just realized that I have eight hats to make before Christmas. I can do it, but I may not feel like adding your hat to the list. You might have to wait until January. We will negotiate.
Thanks to everyone that played and know how grateful I am for you because it gets so lonely out here just talking to yourself day in and day out. And hey ... I would know.
And I guess that's fine for now.
Note: There was a third entry. The third entry came from a friend from church who gushed on and on about how thankful FOR ME she was and she re-submitted the silly photo of me in my crocheted hat in the bathroom. I have no desire to post that photo again, nor do I think it would win the photo contest or the crocheted hat so ... I disqualified her right out of the gate.
Anyway, here is entry number one from Branda:
Here's something that makes me ridiculously happy for my Thankful Photo. It's my Yarn Armoire. I bought it for $25 this summer at a garage sale. I knew from the moment I saw it that it would house all of my lovely, lovely yarn and knitting paraphernalia. I had planned to strip it back to it's original wood grain, but when the end of summer came and fall was almost over and I still hadn't stripped it I realized that I had to give up and just bring it in and fill it up and put it to use. Dumping boxes of yarn into the bottom drawers and filling those little drawers with needles and buttons and patterns was absolutely marvelous. So, I'm thankful that I have a wonderful place to store all of my yarn, and it's organized, and it looks nice - even if it is white and a little boring.
(Did I say ALL my yarn? Let's stick to that.)
I'm also endlessly thankful for that little boy. But all mamas are.
And entry number two from Melissa:
I am thankful for my children having each other. Sometimes they get on each other nerves but they certainly love each other and I never had that since I was an only child until the age of 12 when I got two stepbrothers. I just adore my children when they can be sweet to each other. I had to snap this picture Saturday night of my youngest two. How cute can they be?
And, of course, I obviously want to play my own game ... so here is my photo.
My fridge. I hate how cluttered it is with school papers, church prayers, lunch menus, letters, and pictures. And actually, I hate none of those things individually, but I hate them all collectively when they become disorganized and ruin the look of my nice, picked up kitchen. I spend hours thinking of ways that I'm going to create nice and pretty ways to display the kids papers and stuff and then ... well, I never do them. Because in my heart I think I know that even with a nice display area, my fridge will still look like this.
Of course, this post is about something we're grateful for and not something we hate, right?
I'm trying to be positive. Because I LOVE all the things this cluttered fridge (and the child standing with the fridge door open) represent. I have a full life, a happy family, smart children, loving church, and more than enough food to keep me fat. Aren't those the very things that EVERYONE wants? I am going to begin being thankful for the eyesore in my kitchen ... and I submit this photo as a snapshot of my life and how thankful I am for every piece of it.
But, on to the more important things. The winner. Lori submitted a photo that I took and while I didn't state in the rules that you had to take your own photo ... I think it was at least understood that you couldn't submit a photo that I took. Right? And while I really really really love Melissa's photo, I specifically said to think outside the box and outside the family. Which leaves me with Branda and her knitting cabinet.
YEAH BRANDA!!! YOU WIN!!!!
Disclaimer: I just realized that I have eight hats to make before Christmas. I can do it, but I may not feel like adding your hat to the list. You might have to wait until January. We will negotiate.
Thanks to everyone that played and know how grateful I am for you because it gets so lonely out here just talking to yourself day in and day out. And hey ... I would know.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Don't forget! And Thanksgiving Leftovers!
I hope you haven't forgotten to take a photo of something untraditional that you are thankful for! Deadline is tomorrow at noon!
Info on submitting here.
And just to make this post a little less boring, here's the soup we're having for supper. Perfect for leftover corn and ham if you have that sort of thing for thanksgiving ...
CROCKPOT CORN CHOWDER
2 cans whole kernel corn, drained (or leftover corn)
3 medium potatoes, chopped to bite-sized pieces (or I used frozen, cubed hashbrowns)
1 chopped onion
1 cup diced ham or bacon
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
Combine corn, potatoes, onion, meat, and chicken broth in CrockPot.
Cook on low for about 8 hours.
Stir in milk and butter and continue to cook about 1 more hour.
Enjoy!
Info on submitting here.
And just to make this post a little less boring, here's the soup we're having for supper. Perfect for leftover corn and ham if you have that sort of thing for thanksgiving ...
CROCKPOT CORN CHOWDER
2 cans whole kernel corn, drained (or leftover corn)
3 medium potatoes, chopped to bite-sized pieces (or I used frozen, cubed hashbrowns)
1 chopped onion
1 cup diced ham or bacon
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
Combine corn, potatoes, onion, meat, and chicken broth in CrockPot.
Cook on low for about 8 hours.
Stir in milk and butter and continue to cook about 1 more hour.
Enjoy!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Crafty, Tacky, Hangy, Matchy
Hanging up pictures has become object number one around our house. And I am getting tired of all the tape marks all over my walls. I knew something had to give.
I bought Chickie a bulletin board which has curbed 99.9% of all the hanging up artwork issues. However, it just wasn't *cute* enough for me. I found that I had some extra material in the basement that matched her quilt and I went to town.
I realize that this is an easy project that many of you have already seen a tutorial for time and time again, but ... here's mine.
I started with this.
And then, I cut my fabric to be just a bit larger than the board.
I folded the sides over and hot glued them to the back of the board. This will not be the only means of holding the fabric on!
I turned the board over and laid out my ribbon. I used 6 feet of ribbon for this, though you might need more or less depending on the width of the ribbon you used and how close you put the strips together. I started by laying out the four strips coming from each corner and then filled in the sides. When I had everything as I wanted it, I tacked it down on the ends. I think you can see that in this photo.
I turned the board back over and worked on my corners. First, fold the corners down so that they look halfway neat in the back (we want the bulletin board to still lay flat against the wall) and hot glue it. Then, I immediately took an additional tack, and pounded it through the folded fabric, the end of my ribbon AND the hot glue thinking the tacks would remain in the bulletin board for all eternity this way. At least, I hope.
After doing the corner, flip the board over, take out the two tacks you have holding that particular piece of ribbon (being careful not to move the ribbon from the original place you wanted it) and pull it tight. Tack that ribbon on the back of the board as well.
Repeat on all ribbons.
I was rather pleased with how this looks and Chickie was too! Now, to finish it, I plan to make some very sweet tacks for the places that the ribbon overlaps. More on that after I purchase my materials and actually finish it.
Happy Crafting!
I bought Chickie a bulletin board which has curbed 99.9% of all the hanging up artwork issues. However, it just wasn't *cute* enough for me. I found that I had some extra material in the basement that matched her quilt and I went to town.
I realize that this is an easy project that many of you have already seen a tutorial for time and time again, but ... here's mine.
I started with this.
And then, I cut my fabric to be just a bit larger than the board.
I folded the sides over and hot glued them to the back of the board. This will not be the only means of holding the fabric on!
I turned the board over and laid out my ribbon. I used 6 feet of ribbon for this, though you might need more or less depending on the width of the ribbon you used and how close you put the strips together. I started by laying out the four strips coming from each corner and then filled in the sides. When I had everything as I wanted it, I tacked it down on the ends. I think you can see that in this photo.
I turned the board back over and worked on my corners. First, fold the corners down so that they look halfway neat in the back (we want the bulletin board to still lay flat against the wall) and hot glue it. Then, I immediately took an additional tack, and pounded it through the folded fabric, the end of my ribbon AND the hot glue thinking the tacks would remain in the bulletin board for all eternity this way. At least, I hope.
After doing the corner, flip the board over, take out the two tacks you have holding that particular piece of ribbon (being careful not to move the ribbon from the original place you wanted it) and pull it tight. Tack that ribbon on the back of the board as well.
Repeat on all ribbons.
I was rather pleased with how this looks and Chickie was too! Now, to finish it, I plan to make some very sweet tacks for the places that the ribbon overlaps. More on that after I purchase my materials and actually finish it.
Happy Crafting!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Interviews, take two
Me: What are you thankful for Chickie?
Chickie: Ummm ... you, Lilac, and my brother.
Me: Not your Grannie?
Chickie: Yeah. My Grannie.
Me: How will you celebrate thanksgiving?
Chickie: I don't know.
Me: What will we do tomorrow?
Chickie: Set up our big Christmas tree and eat pie.
Me: What will be the best part about tomorrow?
Chickie: Ummmm ... eating pie.
Me: Clearly I can't disown you just yet.
Chickie: Ummm ... you, Lilac, and my brother.
Me: Not your Grannie?
Chickie: Yeah. My Grannie.
Me: How will you celebrate thanksgiving?
Chickie: I don't know.
Me: What will we do tomorrow?
Chickie: Set up our big Christmas tree and eat pie.
Me: What will be the best part about tomorrow?
Chickie: Ummmm ... eating pie.
Me: Clearly I can't disown you just yet.
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